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Gizmodo
an hour ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
The Space Station's Russian Segment Won't Stop Leaking Air
A pesky air leak on the International Space Station (ISS) just won't quit. Although the crew hoped they had sealed the last crack on the Russian module, long-term observations revealed that the ISS is still leaking air. During a recent press conference, a Roscosmos official told reporters that recent attempts to fix the leak have slowed down the rate of air leaving the space station but that it's not yet completely sealed. 'The leak is ongoing,' Russian news agency TASS reported. 'We continue our efforts to find and fix it, with the recent repairs having seriously reduced the rate of air leakage,' Sergey Krikalyov, the executive director of manned space programs at Roscosmos, told reporters on Wednesday. 'For some time we even thought that we had found the last crack and sealed it, though long-term observations have shown that it continues.' Roscosmos first reported the leak in September 2019, tracing it to the vestibule (named PrK) that connects a docking port to the Russian Zvezda module, which the space agency had launched to low Earth orbit in July 2000. Over the past six years, the rate at which the air is leaking doubled from one pound a day to a little over two pounds a day, according to a report released in 2024. That led NASA to elevate the leak to the highest level of risk. At the time, it was reported that NASA and Roscosmos could not agree on the root cause of the leak or a way to fix it. Later in June, things seemed a bit more promising. NASA postponed the launch of the private Axiom 4 mission to the ISS, which was originally scheduled for June 11, citing a new pressure signal in the Zvezda module. NASA explained that the pressure signal, or a change in airflow or cabin pressure picked up by sensors, may be a sign that the leaks have been sealed following recent attempts to repair it. As it turns out, this is one tough leak to seal. Roscosmos, however, is not giving up. 'It is important for all of us to make sure that such situations do not arise at future stations,' Krikalyov said. If necessary, the space agencies could agree to permanently shut off the hatch to the Russian module. Without access to Zvezda, the ISS would operate normally except there would be one less docking port for spacecraft delivering cargo to the crew.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Space photo of the day for July 21, 2025
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Aboard the International Space Station, astronauts work to study how the microgravity atmosphere affects human health, such as muscle development and bone structure. What is it? As part of a project to look at how microgravity affects cellular health, ISS Commander Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and NASA Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Nichole Ayers collect blood samples from the astronauts on the space station. Given that gravity is almost nonexistent on the ISS, it can make things like blood collection somewhat challenging, as things float away or have to be tied down. Where is it? This photo was taken aboard the ISS, around 250 miles (402 km) from Earth in low-Earth orbit. Why is it amazing? The blood being collected in this image is part of the larger Immunity Assay human research investigation project, which looks at any signs of possible space-caused stress on cells in the body. Microgravity, radiation, confinement and a change in sleep-wake cycles and can exert pressure on cells, driving lower immune systems and making astronauts more susceptible to being sick during or after missions. By collecting and analyzing blood, experts can look for possible stress markers, immune cell levels and other signs that can see how being in space alters a person's overall health. This can help doctors adjust regimens in real time to ensure the best results for crew members on the ISS. Want to learn more? You can read more about spaceflight health and studies on microgravity's effects on the human body. Solve the daily Crossword
Bloomberg
10-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
The Space Manufacturing Race
Bloomberg Technology TV Shows Will Bruey, Varda CEO, and Delian Asparouhov, co-founder, discuss their latest series C funding as they look to expand their space medicine manufacturing in low Earth orbit. They join Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow on "Bloomberg Tech." (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NASA Plans To Leave The ISS After 2030 - Here's What Will Come Next
Since November 2000, the International Space Station has provided a habitat for a continuous human presence in space, but its days are numbered. They say it's the miles that count, and the 420,000 miles it travels every day -- 17,500 mph for 24 hours -- is more than most cars ever travel in their lifetimes. Multiply that over 30 years and consider that it travels in the inhospitable vacuum of space, and it's amazing that the ISS has already lasted this long. In 2030, NASA will deorbit the ISS to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere, an inglorious end to 30 years of international cooperation in space. However, that won't be the end of long-term human space occupation. NASA is already planning a replacement low Earth orbit space station, with three private companies trying to win the contract. Additionally, NASA wants to put a space station in orbit around the moon as part of the Artemis program, though that may not happen with a renewed emphasis on missions to Mars instead. Read more: These Are The Car-Related Movie Mistakes That Really Bother You NASA has learned that operating a space station on its own is an expensive proposition. President Reagan's vision of a wholly American-owned and operated Space Station Freedom eventually morphed into the International Space Station we know today, with other countries sharing the cost. Today, NASA favors private companies to meet its needs. Much of SpaceX's success is due to NASA's heavy investment in the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to bring cargo and astronauts to the ISS. Boeing's Starliner, on the other hand, has not worked out as well. As the ISS goes out of service, it makes sense that NASA would pursue the commercial route with a replacement space station as well. Three companies have made proposals to NASA for the next American space station. Axiom Space has a plan not only to build its own station but to dock its payload, power, and thermal module to the ISS in 2027. Important research could be transferred off the ISS into this module, which would detach before the ISS is deorbited. It would then become the hub of Axiom Station as new modules launch and attach to it. Orbital Reef is another commercial space station proposal, backed by companies including Sierra Space, Blue Origin, and Boeing. It proposes "a mixed-use business park in space," focused on research, commercial purposes, and even tourism. Starlab is the third proposal, with involvement from Voyager, Airbus, and Mitsubishi. NASA also has space station plans beyond low Earth orbit. An important aspect of the Artemis program involves putting the Gateway space station into orbit not around the Earth, but around the moon. The Orion capsule will dock here, where astronauts will spend their time in lunar orbit rather than crammed into a small capsule as in the past. This is also where astronauts will transfer to the Human Landing System for trips to the lunar surface. Gateway will function rather like the ISS, except in lunar orbit. NASA oversees the project and flies astronauts there on Artemis missions. Europe and Japan will supply some of the station's modules, the United Arab Emirates will provide an airlock, and Canada will provide a new Canadarm similar to that used on the ISS and Space Shuttle. Gateway's first habitation module, HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost), has already been built in Italy and delivered to a Northrop Grumman facility in Arizona for further testing and preparation. However, long-term projects such as Artemis are vulnerable to short-term political goals. Thanks to huge cuts to NASA's budget, the entire Artemis program, including Gateway, is in danger of being canceled. This was originally to prioritize a manned Mars mission, but President Trump's on-again, off-again relationship with Elon Musk may mean the Mars shot could get canceled as well. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
France joins European push for satellite internet on trains
By Gianluca Lo Nostro (Reuters) -France's state-owned rail company SNCF will launch a tender soon to add satellite internet to its trains, becoming the latest European rail operator to explore space-based systems for onboard connectivity. In a statement to Reuters, SNCF said on Friday it was pursuing an "innovative approach to strengthen connectivity and resilience" by combining terrestrial networks with low Earth-orbit satellite solutions. The company said the strategy aims to ensure service continuity across its entire network, including isolated sites, and guarantee better internet access for train passengers. "The satellite plus 4G/5G combination would eliminate dead zones and offer stable, fast service adapted to new uses such as streaming or video conferencing," SNCF said. Elon Musk's Starlink and France's Eutelsat are among the companies being considered, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. SNCF would not discuss with Reuters whether it was in talks with specific providers. A Eutelsat spokesperson confirmed the company's interest in the deal as it is already in talks with SNCF about setting up a pilot project as they have already done in Britain and Kazakhstan. "As one of only two LEO (low Earth orbit) operators currently in service, and the only French player, we intend to bid for the contract with our French partners such as Orange business services," the spokesperson said. Starlink, which initially focused on consumer services, has expanded into enterprise markets, particularly in transportation and maritime sectors. Eutelsat, propped up by the French government in its push for LEO services, provides internet access through its OneWeb network of more than 600 LEO satellites. The move follows similar initiatives across Europe. Italy's state railway Ferrovie dello Stato ran a two-week trial in June with two providers, including Starlink, Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said in May. Scotland's ScotRail also launched a six-week Starlink trial in May. Most European trains rely on cellular networks for internet access. However, connection quality varies with mobile network coverage, often dropping in rural areas or tunnels. The high speeds of trains also create technical challenges as systems must constantly switch between mobile towers, causing intermittent service. Satellites, on the other hand, offer consistent coverage everywhere, including remote areas where cellular towers are sparse or nonexistent. Sign in to access your portfolio
