Latest news with #InternationalSpaceStation
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India.com
7 hours ago
- Science
- India.com
Inside ISS: Life At 28,000 km/h In Microgravity With Cosmic Research
The International Space Station (ISS) is a space lab that travels around Earth about 400 kilometers above the surface, moving at a speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour. Its main goal is to help scientists understand how living in space affects our bodies and health. This is important for planning longer space trips in the future. Besides studying how space affects humans, the ISS also helps scientists learn more about the universe. It carries instruments that study powerful space particles, which are tiny bits of matter flying through space at very high speeds. These particles, called cosmic rays, come from the sun and even from outside our solar system. They can be dangerous to astronauts and electronics, so it's important to understand them. The ISS also studies neutron stars, which are the leftover cores of giant stars that exploded in the past. Even though they are small—only about the size of a city—they are extremely dense, meaning they pack a lot of mass into a tiny space. One teaspoon of a neutron star would weigh millions of tons! Learning about them helps scientists understand how stars live and die, and how extreme space environments work. The space station has had astronauts living and working on it non-stop since November 2000. It's a joint project between five major space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), the European Space Agency, Japan's space agency (JAXA), and Canada's space agency As of May 2025, a total of 285 individuals from 23 countries have visited the International Space Station (ISS). This group includes both professional astronauts and private individuals. Among these visitors, 13 were private individuals, often referred to as space tourists, who traveled to the ISS through commercial arrangements. The ISS serves as a unique laboratory where scientists conduct experiments in microgravity, aiming to advance our understanding of space and improve life on Earth. What is the ISS ? In the mid-1980s, U.S. President Ronald Reagan asked NASA to build an international space station within ten years. He said this space station would lead to major progress in scientific research, helping scientists make big discoveries. At first, the United States up with Europe and Japan to build the space station. In 1993, Russia was also invited to join because it had the most experience running space stations in orbit. By 1998, five major space agencies from around the world had come together to work on the International Space Station project. The International Space Station (ISS) was designed as a group of connected, tube-shaped sections. It runs on solar power and uses special cooling systems with pipes that release heat into space. The ISS is made up of two main parts: the Russian Orbital Segment, managed by Russia, and the U.S. segment, which includes modules and technology from several other countries working together. The construction of the International Space Station (ISS) started in November 1998, when the first part of the station—the Zarya Control Module—was launched into space by a Proton rocket. 'Zarya,' which means 'sunrise' in Russian, was built to provide power, communication links, and help control the station's position in space. Today, although it no longer handles those tasks, Zarya is still used for storage and helping with movement of the station. Two weeks after the Zarya module was launched, astronauts on the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour, operated by NASA, brought a key American part of the ISS called Unity. This module is very important because it connects the Russian and U.S. parts of the space station, allowing them to function together as one large structure. The first team to live on the International Space Station (ISS) arrived on November 2, 2000. This crew included two Russian cosmonauts, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev, along with NASA astronaut Bill Shepherd. Today, the International Space Station (ISS) is as large as a football field in the U.S. It usually has at least three astronauts living and working there at any given time, but sometimes there can be up to six people on board. Both the U.S. and Russian sections of the International Space Station (ISS) produce their own power and have their own labs, living areas, and places for spacecraft to dock. These sections are connected, so astronauts can freely move between them. They are also attached to a large metal framework called a truss, which supports the station's solar panels and cooling systems that release heat into space. Also connected to this metal framework (truss) is the Canadarm2—a large robotic arm made by Canada. It works like a remote-controlled space crane and is used for many important jobs, such as moving equipment around the station and grabbing incoming spacecraft to help them dock safely. On the U.S. side of the space station, the biggest module is called Kibo, which means "hope" in Japanese. It's a science lab built by Japan. What makes it special is that it has an external platform, like a porch, where experiments can be done directly in outer space (exposed to the vacuum, meaning without air or atmosphere). Close to the Kibo module is Node 3, also called the Tranquility module. This section contains the cupola, a special viewing area built by Europe, which has several windows. It gives astronauts amazing and unforgettable views of Earth from space. In 2016, NASA added an inflatable room (a soft, expandable structure that grows bigger once it's in space) called the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (or BEAM) to the space station for the first time. This special module might be a first step toward building inflatable space hotels or space tourist spots in the future. Why the ISS Matters ? All living things on Earth have adapted to survive in Earth's natural environment—not in the harsh and unfamiliar conditions of space, which can affect living beings in unexpected and difficult ways. The International Space Station is the best place to learn how to live and work in the strange environment of space. It helps scientists study how space affects the human body and other living things, which is important because our bodies are used to life on Earth. The biggest challenge of living in space is handling two major conditions: microgravity (which means there is almost no gravity) and high levels of space radiation. Both of these can seriously affect how the human body works, making it harder to stay healthy in space. Living in space also means adjusting to a small, enclosed space, having limited contact with people back on Earth, and facing stressful situations where astronauts must quickly work together as a team to stay safe. Astronauts must adjust to life where the sun rises and sets 16 times each day, as the space station travels around Earth every 90 minutes (16 sun rises and 16 sunsets) . To get proper sleep, they need to secure themselves to a fixed spot so they don't float. Also, they must exercise daily to keep their bones strong and prevent muscle loss caused by the low gravity in space. The International Space Station (ISS) astronauts have to deal with very hot and very cold temperatures as it orbits Earth. The side facing the sun can get as hot as 121°C (250°F), while the side facing away from the sun can drop to -157°C (-250°F). That's a huge difference of nearly 300°C, which is why the ISS needs advanced cooling and heating systems to keep everything working properly. In space, there's no up or down, so astronauts face many problems. They may feel dizzy or confused about direction, their blood and fluids move differently in the body, and many also have eye problems, which scientists are still trying to understand. In space, astronauts are exposed to more radiation, which raises the risk of getting cancer. To protect them, scientists on Earth are working on special spacesuits that can block harmful cosmic rays (high-energy particles from the sun and outer space) and keep astronauts safer during long space missions. Astronauts on the space station stay busy with many science experiments that help us learn how people might live in space for a long time. These include growing plants and human tissues in low gravity, finding out how germs behave in space, studying how space changes our DNA and genes, and even checking if humans can have babies in space—though that last part is still not fully known. While most experiments on the space station focus on how humans can live and stay healthy in space, some research done outside the station looks far out into space. These experiments help scientists learn more about the universe and the space environment where future space travelers might live. One of the tools on the space station, called NICER, is used to study neutron stars. These are the leftover cores of dead stars (what remains after a big star explodes in space). They are known to be the densest objects in the universe that scientists have discovered. Another device on the space station, called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), is used in particle physics research. It tries to catch and study cosmic rays (tiny, high-energy particles from space) to help scientists learn more about how the universe began and what it's made of at the most basic level. In recent years, U.S. astronauts usually stay on the International Space Station for about three to six months. However, in 2016, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko set a record by staying in space for nearly one full year. Back on Earth, scientists are also creating similar space-like environments to study how isolation affects people's minds and behavior. This helps them figure out what kind of person is best suited for very long space missions in the future. Modern Journeys to ISS Until 2011, astronauts traveled to the International Space Station using either U.S. space shuttles or Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. But after the U.S. stopped using the space shuttle, the Soyuz became the only way to reach the ISS. This changed in May 2020, when SpaceX, a private company, successfully launched astronauts to the space station, bringing back another option for human space travel. SpaceX has been sending supplies to and from the International Space Station (ISS) since 2012. In 2020, the company also began flying astronauts to the ISS through NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The Dragon spacecraft, built by SpaceX, can carry up to 6,000 kg (13,228 lbs) of cargo to the ISS and bring back up to 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) to Earth. So far, Dragon has completed more than 20 missions to the space station. Dragon is also built to carry up to 7 people to and from Earth's orbit. The pressurized part of the capsule is specially designed to hold both humans and delicate cargo that needs a safe environment.
NDTV
9 hours ago
- Science
- NDTV
"Space Future Begins Now": ISRO Chief On Indian Astronaut's Spaceflight
New Delhi: India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to travel to space aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon as part of a crew that will include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary for the June 8 Axiom Mission 4. Dr V Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), shared insights on the Axiom 4 mission and its significance for India's human spaceflight ambitions. "Right now, the training of the Gaganyatri is in its final phase. I would say everything is complete, and we are waiting for the mission to happen," said Dr Narayanan. When asked about the safety of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule, Dr. Narayanan expressed confidence in the system. "The answer is yes. Based on my knowledge of the launcher and these modules, they have undergone sufficient experimentation and flight testing. Enough Falcon 9 launches have happened. I am fully confident. I think it's the right thing. But, as with any rocket or space program, even after everything is done, we have to wait for D-Day for the final result." The Axiom 4 mission is a significant milestone for India, marking its participation in a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). Dr Narayanan highlighted the benefits of this mission for India's space program. "August 15, 2018, was a historic day for India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the human spaceflight programme - the Gaganyaan programme. Until then, India had experience in launching rockets and satellites. But when it comes to human spaceflight, the human interface is critical, and we had very limited experience. Why do I say limited? Because we had never done it before. Of course, in 1984, Rakesh Sharma went to space and returned. Today, he is actively involved with us in the review process and has shared his experiences and the challenges he faced. We are learning a lot from him. With that in mind, I truly salute our Honourable Prime Minister Modi for his vision - why not send one of our Gaganyatris to the International Space Station? It was his vision." Dr Narayanan emphasised the importance of the Axiom 4 mission for building experience and confidence. "I will tell you what the benefits are. First, the Gaganyatri is undergoing a rigorous set of training sessions, so he is becoming more confident. Second, he will fly with other experienced astronauts - Americans and others. Third, he will be part of a team conducting nine experiments, some with his fellow astronauts. He will also handle mission-related management systems. This will give him valuable experience. And when he returns, he will be more confident," he said. When asked about the cost of the mission, Dr Narayanan defended the expenditure. "Let's not reduce it to something like a bus ticket. Think about a bus ticket - I want to tell you, I travel often to Delhi these days. When I first flew in an aeroplane, it was an exciting moment. In 1947, when India gained independence, we used bullock carts and walked on foot in my village. We used to walk 10 kilometres to the temple. Then, when a bus finally came to our village, you can't imagine the excitement - not just mine, the entire village's. So this moment is like that. Is it worth it? Absolutely. It is fully justified. We will gain confidence, and we will gain valuable experience. The Gaganyaatri will feel comfortable, and the outcome will be truly useful for the Gaganyaan programme," he said. Dr. Narayanan elaborated on how the Axiom 4 mission will contribute to the success of Gaganyaan. "First, the Gaganyatri is undergoing full training. Second, he will work with different colleagues. He'll conduct experiments with others, not alone. In the space station, he'll be active alongside them. So, number one: psychological preparedness. Number two: technical understanding. Number three: managerial awareness. So technical, managerial, psychological, and physical readiness - everything will be developed. And once he returns, all of this knowledge will be disseminated," the ISRO chief said. On the selection of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Dr Narayanan expressed full confidence. "I have 100% confidence in the 20,000 employees of the Department of Space. I have full confidence in him as well. Whether it's Shuklaji or another Gaganyatri, I'm happy. But we have chosen someone younger, and I interact with him regularly. He is highly knowledgeable, competent, and dynamic. I am fully satisfied with the selection," he said. Dr Narayanan also spoke about the standby astronaut, Group Captain Prashant Nair. "Both were equally outstanding. Both were excellent. But when it comes to travelling, only one can go. Probably, after considering many factors, the team selected one of them," the ISRO chairman added. He concluded with optimism about the upcoming mission. "In fact, all Indians are going to be with us. We will all enjoy that flight, and we expect very good outcomes to feed into our Gaganyaan programme."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Major health update on NASA's stranded astronauts who are STILL in pain months later
NASA's astronauts who spent 286 days in space have revealed the painful struggles they've faced after taking a major step forward in their recovery. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who returned from the International Space Station (ISS) in March, have just successfully completed nearly two months of physical therapy. The astronauts have been going through at least two hours of strength and conditioning training daily, working with NASA's medical team to rebuild muscle mass, restore their balance in Earth's gravity, and prevent further bone loss. It hasn't been a smooth process, with Wilmore, 62, admitting he still has back pain even after his rehabilitation came to an end. The astronaut also looked visibly thinner, especially in his face, during his first public appearance since finishing rehab on May 22. 'Gravity stinks for a period, and that period varies for different people,' Wilmore said. Williams, his 59-year-old co-pilot, added that her recovery from life in space has also been going slowly, as she experienced bouts of fatigue long into NASA's 45-day rehab process. The fatigue and extreme muscle loss, seen in photos after their landing, left Williams unable to get out of bed easily for weeks after the space mission. At the same time, the astronauts said they've been taking on an increasing workload, advising Boeing's Starliner program and trying to fix the beleaguered ship that stranded them in space in the first place. 'It's been a little bit of a whirlwind,' Williams told Reuters, adding that the duo still have 'obligations' to NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The program is a partnership with private companies to develop and operate spacecraft which transport astronauts to and from the ISS. Williams and Wilmore's mission in the first crewed Starliner pod in June 2024 was plagued with malfunctions, leading NASA and Boeing to cancel their return trip. This led to the astronauts having to wait 286 days for NASA to get a new spacecraft ready and a replacement crew prepared to rescue them in March 2025. 'I knew we were going to get home at some point in time. We just got to wait for the right ride and make sure everybody's all good with that and we'll get home,' Williams told WFAA during a NASA welcome home celebration last week. While Williams is remaining positive about the experience on the ISS, she noted that all that time in space disrupted her sleep for months after landing on Earth. She revealed that she felt tired throughout the physical therapy process, having difficulty getting her muscles to re-engage after living in zero gravity. A self-proclaimed 'early bird,' Williams' issues made it a struggle for her to wake up in the morning until late May when everything suddenly changed for the better. 'Then I'm up at four in the morning, and I'm like, Aha! I'm back,' she said after the welcome home event on May 22. The NASA ceremony brought more than 1,000 guests together at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to officially welcome home all four astronauts who returned from the ISS in a SpaceX Dragon capsule on March 18. For Wilmore, his physical pain started almost immediately after they splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. Butch Wilmore said he still has some back pain after nearly 2 months in physical therapy following his time on the International Space Station. After splashing down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, the astronaut noted that neck pain began almost immediately 'We're still floating in the capsule in the ocean, and my neck starts hurting, while we still hadn't even been extracted yet,' Wilmore revealed. 'I still got a little twinge in one spot in my back after a couple of months,' he added. Wilmore noted that he had minor back and neck issues before his June 2024 spaceflight, but all of that cleared up in the low-gravity environment of space. 'You don't have any stress on your body,' the astronaut explained. Both rescued astronauts received weeks of physical and mental health support following their return, speaking with doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists about their isolating experience on the ISS. 'You're thrown together day and night seven days a week at 24 hours a day, and just like any family there's a point where something rubs you the wrong way or something - that happens anywhere,' Wilmore noted. Despite being locked in the cramped space station with Williams and two other astronauts for months, Wilmore added that their frustrations were 'minor.' As their recovery ends and the focus now turns to the next crew heading to the ISS, pressure builds on Boeing to make good on their multi-billion-dollar contract with NASA to deliver a vehicle that safely takes humans to and from the space station. NASA has already revealed plans to send Boeing's Starliner back into space - despite the international scandal it created by stranding Williams and Wilmore. The same day the astronauts returned to Earth, the space agency officially committed to using Starliner again. NASA stressed the importance of having two launch systems. SpaceX remains the other. Boeing's $4.5 billion Starliner project has been plagued with delays, glitches, and billions of dollars in cost overruns since the Commercial Crew Program began in 2010. NASA has admitted that Starliner will essentially have to go back to square one and prove it can safely carry astronauts all over again. Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich added that Starliner would have to gain back its certification for the Commercial Crew Program.
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- General
- Digital Trends
NASA to shut Spot the Station site. Here's how you can still track the ISS
Did you know that on a clear night, it's possible to see the International Space Station (ISS) when it passes overhead? Sunlight reflecting off the habitable satellite causes it to shine brightly as it orbits Earth some 250 miles up, making it easy to spot. For many years now, NASA has operated a service that lets you sign up for text message and email notifications that are sent out shortly before the ISS passes within sight of your registered location. Depending on its path across the sky, the station could remain visible for as long as six minutes, giving you plenty of time to gaze upward and marvel at the fact that humans are living and working aboard the distant, orbital outpost. Recommended Videos But from June 12, subscribers will no longer receive the notifications, and the ability to find sighting opportunities near you will also no longer be available on the Spot the Station website. The good news is that there's still an easy way to find out when the ISS is passing overhead. All you need to do is download NASA's Spot the Station app, which is available on iOS and Android for smartphones and tablets. The revamped mobile app offers notifications of ISS viewing opportunities in the U.S. and around the world, and also brings improvements to the user experience. For example, the Spot the Station app can be configured to provide push notifications based on your precise location at any given time. It also features an augmented reality interface that shows you the location of the space station relative to you, making it easier to locate it as it passes by. The app also offers up-to-date information on the latest science and research being conducted by astronauts aboard the facility, which has had a continuous human presence for almost a quarter of a century. Want to find out more about everyday life aboard the space station? Then check out these videos made on the ISS by visiting astronauts over the years.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
NASA astronaut on Russian colleagues backing war against Ukraine
The Kyiv Independent's Kollen Post sits down with retired U.S. astronaut Col. Terry W. Virts to discuss his time aboard the International Space Station alongside Russian colleagues in 2014–2015, during Russia's annexation of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine's eastern regions. Virts shares personal recollections of how his crewmates fell under the sway of Russian propaganda — and why he believes space missions should remain above politics. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
