Inside horrifying world of 15,000mph space debris that can blow holes in ISS and even TRAP us on Ear… – The US Sun

JUST above Earth's surface is a disc of space debris hurtling through space at speeds high enough to do more than rattle the International Space Station.

Earth's orbit is becoming so cluttered with man-made and natural objects it could restrict space travel in the future.

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Nasaand the United StatesSpace Forcehave a network of sensors scanning the sky and keeping tabs on all27,000 pieces of space larger than 10 centimeters.

Objects in Earth's orbit travel at about 15,000 miles per hour - fast enough that if a small piece collided with a satellite or space ship it could do serious damage.

A Blue Origin engineer posted an image of an aluminum block that was nearly pulverized when a piece of space debris weighing less than an ounce collided with its broadside while in orbit.

CNET reported that the International Space Station (ISS) has to engage in about one evasive maneuver per year to avoid collisions with space junk.

Scientists have considered the threat that space trash poses to life on Earth and to our dreams of traveling in space.

TheKessler Syndromeis a theory that Earth's orbit will become so crowded that debris will just keep colliding, creating a field of space trash thick enough that we're forced to ground space travel.

Elon Musk, one of space travel's loudest proponents, has added more than 2,500 Starlink satellites to the disc of space debris gathering around Earth.

SpaceX plans to add up to 42,000 satellites to lower Earth orbit, much to the disappointment of astronomers.

China has tested a military satellite whose purpose is to clean up space junk - Space.com reported that because of the military nature of the mission, many details were kept under wraps.

But eagle-eyed stargazers found that the Shijan-21 satellite ferried another satellite to a safe distance of 3,000 kilometers away from Earth in a space junk "graveyard".

Many of the space travel and space operations planned for the 21st century are in the hands of private companies instead of public agencies.

In the future, private companies may need to be held accountable for space litter, which is currently unregulated.

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Inside horrifying world of 15,000mph space debris that can blow holes in ISS and even TRAP us on Ear... - The US Sun

Explained: Is growing space tourism posing a risk to the climate? – The Indian Express

Rocket launches amid a growing space tourism race among commercial players like Virgin Galactic, SpaceX and Blue Origin can negatively impact the climate and the ozone layer, a new study has found.

In an article published in the journal, Earths Future on June 9, researchers from University College London (UCL), the University of Cambridge and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that the soot emissions from rocket launches are far more effective at warming the atmosphere compared to other sources.

The researchers state that routine launches by the rapidly growing space tourism industry may undermine progress made by the Montreal Protocol in reversing ozone depletion.

They argue that there is an urgent need for environmental regulation to reduce the climatic damage from this fast growing industry.

Space tourism industry

In the 20th century, the Soviet Union and United States were engaged in an intense competition to attain complete domination of spaceflight technologies. Today, it is private companies that are taking part in their very own commercial space race, initiated with Jeff Bezos and Richard Bransons journeys to space in July 2021.

A segment of space travel, space tourism allows lay people to travel to space for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The aim is to make space more accessible to those people who are not astronauts and want to travel to space for non-scientific reasons.

Less than a year after Bezos and Bransons escapades, The New York Times reports that global space tourism has been thriving, with various companies offering bookings for zero-pressure balloon trips for short flights, astronaut boot camps and simulated zero-gravity flights.

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According to the authors of the recent study published in Earths Future, The space industry is one of the worlds fastest growing sectors.

From $350 million in 2019, the industry is forecasted to grow to more than $1 trillion by 2040. With companies like Virgin Galactic, SpaceX and Blue Origin launching commercial space flights, space tourism has become, at least theoretically, a possibility for enthusiasts. Tickets remain tremendously expensive however, with tickets for Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic beginning from a whopping $450,000.

What is the new study?

Researchers from University College London (UCL), the University of Cambridge and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in their new study, claim that the burgeoning space tourism industry can have a far bigger cost on the environment.

They calculated their findings by compiling an inventory of the chemicals from all the 109 rocket launches and re-entries into the Earths atmosphere in 2019.

They also projected the growth of space tourism by corporations like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and SpaceX. These were then incorporated into a 3D model to examine the possible impact on the climate and the protective stratospheric ozone layer.

The number of rocket flights today is rather small when compared to the sheer size of the aircraft industry.

While in 2020, there were only 114 orbital launches in the world, more than 100,000 flights travel each day, as reported by The Guardian.

What are the studys findings?

Unlike other sources of pollution, the study finds that environmental damage caused by rockets is far greater, as they emit gaseous and solid chemicals directly into the upper atmosphere.

The space tourisms current growth trends also indicate a potential for the depletion of the ozone layer above the Arctic. This is because the pollutants from rocket fuel and heating caused by spacecraft returning to Earth, along with the debris caused by the flights are especially harmful to the ozone layer, University College London (UCL) stated in a press release.

What is of great concern is the black carbon (BC) soot that is emitted by rockets directly into the atmosphere. These soot particles have a far larger impact on the climate than all other sources of soot combined, as BC particles are almost 500 times more efficient at retaining heat.

The low figure of rocket launches, compared to the large scale air pollutant emissions caused by the massive aircraft industry, is at times invoked to downplay the environmental damage caused by rockets. Dr Eloise Marais, the co-author of the study argues that this comparison is incorrect.

Soot particles from rocket launches have a much larger climate effect than aircraft and other Earth-bound sources, so there doesnt need to be as many rocket launches as international flights to have a similar impact. What we really need now is a discussion amongst experts on the best strategy for regulating this rapidly growing industry. she said in a press release.

The team of researchers showed that within only 3 years of additional space tourism launches, the rate of warming due to the released soot would more than double.

This is because of the use of kerosene by SpaceX launches and hybrid synthetic rubber fuels by Virgin Galactic.

Undermining Montreal Protocol

While the loss of ozone from current rocket launches is small, the researchers argue that in the likelihood of weekly or daily space tourism rocket launches, the recovery of the ozone layer caused by the Montreal Protocol could be undermined.

The only part of the atmosphere showing strong ozone recovery post-Montreal Protocol is the upper stratosphere, and that is exactly where the impact of rocket emissions will hit hardest. We werent expecting to see ozone changes of this magnitude, threatening the progress of ozone recovery, said the studys co-author Dr Robert Ryan in a press release.

The Montreal Protocol is a landmark international treaty that was adopted in Montreal in 1987, and was aimed at protecting the Earths ozone layer by regulating the production and consumption of nearly 100 chemicals called ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

The treaty phases down the consumption and production of various ODS in a stepwise manner.

As per the Montreal Protocol, developing and developed countries have but equal and differentiated responsibilities, however all countries have to follow binding, time-targeted and measurable commitments.

Considered to be one of the most successful environmental interventions on the global scale, it is the first treaty to achieve universal ratification by all countries in the world.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states that without this treaty, ozone depletion would have increased by more than ten times by 2050, as compared to current levels.

The recovery of ozone layer caused by the Montreal Protocol has been estimated to save around 2 million people each year from skin cancer. Between 1990-2010, the treaty led to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by an approximate 135 gigatons of CO2.

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Explained: Is growing space tourism posing a risk to the climate? - The Indian Express

British astronaut Tim Peake to head to Basingstoke – Basingstoke Gazette

A BRITISH astronaut will be heading to Basingstoke to share his knowledge about travelling to space.

Tim Peake is keeping his feet firmly on the ground as he heads to Basingstoke with his one-man show My Journey To Space.

Tim made history in 2015 as the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station.

SEE ALSO:'It might save your life': Mother diagnosed with breast cancer warns others not to miss check-ups

And now fans can take orbit with Tim at Anvil Arts, on Saturday. September 17, as he shares the secrets and science of how and why humans journey into space.

My Journey To Space gives audiences a fascinating insight into life as an astronaut, complete with breath-taking photographs and never-before-seen footage.

Tim Peake - My Journey To Space. Photo credit Alex Chamberlin

Tickets are on sale now from fane.co.uk/timpeake or direct from the venue.

Tim Peake joined the European Space Agency in 2009, after an 18-year career in the Army. In December 2015, he became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station to conduct a spacewalk while orbiting Earth.

He said: One thing I never anticipated in being selected for the ESA programme, was just how much my own experiences would inspire and fascinate others.

I will always be mesmerised by space and space travel, but I am just as honoured to be able to travel the country sharing my story and experiences.

It is set to be an epic and thrilling journey to the International Space Station, offering unprecedented access, from training to launch, spacewalk to re-entry.

READ MORE:More than 20 tones of hay involved in a large farm fire over the weekend

Talking about the tour, he added: "Its been brilliant actually. We started in October 2021, so for a lot of people it was their first time getting out and about since lockdown, and then we did more dates in March 2022. We were pretty much sold out everywhere which was fantastic.

"Ive done lots of speaking since joining the ESA, in schools and colleges and in corporate environments, but this was my first time doing something like this and its quite a different experience

"The tour My Journey To Space embellishes on the stories in my book, Limitless. It takes you through how I got to be where I am, doing what I do, and what it takes to become an astronaut."

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from your area by sharing this story or by following ourFacebook page.

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British astronaut Tim Peake to head to Basingstoke - Basingstoke Gazette

Best and worst Kevin Bacon movies, according to critics – Insider

Bacon plays Valentine McKee in the 1990 horror classic "Tremors."

Rotten Tomatoes score:87%

Bacon stars as Valentine McKee alongside Fred Ward as Earl Bassett, two Nevada-based handymen who want to escape the dullness of their lives. They get more than they bargained for when they encounter monstrous worm-like creatures living underground with a taste for humans.

"It's a zippy melodrama for small-town America and small-towners at heart: well-executed kitsch for audiences that will still be amused at the notion that the bugs are getting so big, they'll drag us all down," wrote Michael Wilmington for the Los Angeles Times.

He played a convicted child molester fresh out of prison in the 2004 drama "The Woodsman."

Rotten Tomatoes score:88%

Bacon earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Walter, a convicted child molester who is released from prison and struggles to rebuild his life. Bacon's wife, Kyra Sedgwick, co-stars in the film with him as Vicki, a co-worker at a lumber mill and one of the few people who doesn't mistreat him off the bat.

"Often cast in high-energy, borderline manic roles, Bacon creates here a sad, lank-haired, introverted character who doesn't fish for sympathy and, for that very reason, and against all odds, ends up winning it," wrote Sheila Johnston of the Evening Standard.

He collaborated with Christopher Guest on the 1989 comedy "The Big Picture."

Rotten Tomatoes score:88%

Bacon stars as Nick Chapman, a film student who wins a student film contest and is flown out to Los Angeles to make his dream movie, but learns more than a few lessons about what it means to stay humble in the face of success.

"You keep rooting for this Hollywood sendup to make it, even as the bad ideas start gaining on the good," wrote Rolling Stone's Peter Travers.

Bacon was one of three leads in the Oscar-winning neo-noir film "Mystic River."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Bacon co-stars with Sean Penn and Tim Robbins as three childhood friends who are still haunted by events from decades prior, and have all tried to cope in different ways but their paths all cross once more when a young woman in their town is murdered. Bacon plays Sean Devine, a detective for the Massachusetts State Police.

"Violence and revenge have been a staple of Eastwood's work from the beginning, but here he explores his subject from a new, more ambiguous angle, with no regard for macho titillation," wrote David Ansen of Newsweek.

Bacon narrated the 2004 documentary short film "Natural Disasters: Forces of Nature."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

"Forces of Nature" examines three common natural disasters: earthquakes, tornadoes, and volcano eruptions, all narrated by Bacon.

"With its terrifyingly beautiful images of molten lava and clouds of ash, shattered cities and whirling storms, 'Forces of Nature' is spectacular, engrossing, and at times almost overwhelming in its power," wrote Louise Kennedy for The Boston Globe.

Bacon made his film debut in the 1978 all-time comedy classic "National Lampoon's Animal House."

Rotten Tomatoes score:90%

Bacon has a smaller role in "Animal House" as Chip Diller, one of the ultra-preppy, ultra-snobby Omegas that dedicates his time to taking down our heroes, the Deltas.

"You may not care to take up permanent spiritual residence at Animal House, but it's funny place to visit," wrote the Washington Post's Gary Arnold.

Bacon has a memorable one-scene part in the 1987 comedy "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

Rotten Tomatoes score:92%

Fittingly, Bacon has a transportation-themed cameo he races against Steve Martin's Neal Page to grab the only taxi in sight, besting him thanks to an ill-timed trip on Neal's part.

"Mainstream audiences should readily identify with the series of tribulations and woes that befall the Everyman Martin in this good-natured, albeit predictable comedy," wrote Duane Byrge of The Hollywood Reporter.

In the 2008 historical drama "Frost/Nixon," Bacon plays Nixon's post-White House chief of staff Jack Brennan.

Rotten Tomatoes score:93%

"Frost/Nixon," based on the play of the same name, dramatizes the real story behind the infamous 1977 interviews between former president Richard Nixon and British journalist David Frost in the aftermath of Watergate. Bacon's Brennan is suspicious of Frost's motives.

Deborah Ross of The Spectator wrote, "This is a splendid film that's genuinely fascinating and gripping, and you don't get many of those for the pound these days."

"Diner," released in 1982, was Bacon's sixth-ever film, and remains his second-best of all time.

Rotten Tomatoes score:93%

Bacon is part of "Diner's" ensemble cast, which focuses on a group of friends in 1950s Baltimore reuniting to celebrate one of their own's impending nuptials. Bacon plays Fenwick, one of the more mischievous members of the group.

"All in all, 'Diner' is a worthwhile dish, certainly the best thing Leo the Lion has had to roar about in some time," wrote Robert Osborne of The Hollywood Reporter.

But Bacon's No. 1 film, according to critics, remains the 1995 space docudrama "Apollo 13."

Rotten Tomatoes score:96%

"Apollo 13," predictably, tells the story of the Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1970, starring Tom Hanks as Commander Jim Lovell, Bacon as backup pilot Jack Swigert, and Bill Paxton as pilot Fred Haise. On the ground, Ed Harris played flight director Gene Kranz and Gary Sinise played grounded pilot Ken Mattingly.

"'Apollo 13' captures the wonder of space travel with the wide-eyed zeal of a 10-year-old: They really were heroes, these guys, and the movie shows you why," wrote Rene Rodriguez for The Miami Herald.

And now, for the worst. Starting off "strong," we have the 2000 sci-fi thriller "Hollow Man."

Rotten Tomatoes score:26%

Bacon plays scientist Dr. Sebastian Caine who, after getting exposed to a serum that renders him invisible, is corrupted by the power that comes from going unseen.

Radio Times' Angie Errigo called the film "an exceptionally unambitious sci-fi thriller, in which predictability is alleviated only by some impressive and interesting special effects."

In "White Water Summer," released in 1987, Bacon plays an expert outdoorsman and survivalist.

Rotten Tomatoes score:25%

Bacon plays Vic, a very enthusiastic outdoorsman who convinces the parents of four teenagers to let him take their kids on a six-week outdoor adventure ... but things go south when Alan (Sean Astin) begins standing up to the increasingly manic Vic.

"A jumpy, poorly developed coming-of-age story," wrote DVDJournal.com's Betsy Bozdech.

Bacon plays a college basketball coach who travels to Kenya to recruit a star player in the 1994 comedy "The Air Up There."

Rotten Tomatoes score:21%

Has this film aged very well? We'd guess not, as it focuses on Bacon's Jimmy Dolan traveling to Kenya to recruit Saleh (played by real basketball player Charles Gitonga Maina) and most of the comedy is derived from fish-out-of-water antics.

"Like the multitude of Disney visitors to Africa before (and after) him, he must learn to respect the noble savages he wishes to exploit. Saleh and his Winabis are not for sale at least, not immediately," wrote The Washington Post's Desson Howe.

In the 2007 film "Death Sentence," Bacon tries his hand at cold-blooded vengeance.

Rotten Tomatoes score:20%

After his son is brutally murdered in front of him, Nick Hume (Bacon) makes it his personal mission to take down every member of the gang responsible, no matter the cost to his own safety.

"The morality of revenge is barely at issue in a movie that pushes the plausibility of revenge right over a cliff," wrote Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman.

Bacon directed and starred in the 2005 drama "Loverboy."

Rotten Tomatoes score:18%

Bacon's entire family appears in "Loverboy," as it stars his wife, Kyra Segdwick, as a neurotic woman named Emily. Their daughter Sosie plays the 10-year-old version of Emily, while their son Travis plays an elementary school student. In the film, Emily narrates her life story to her son Paul, with a tragic ending.

"Almost until the end, 'Loverboy' maintains a shaky integrity. But in its final moments it caves in to convention with a mawkish epilogue to a story that ends with an appalling act of selfishness," wrote The New York Times' Stephen Holden.

Bacon plays a man who enacts a ransom plot in the 2002 thriller "Trapped."

Rotten Tomatoes score:17%

Bacon plays a man named Joe Hickey, who breaks into the home of Karen Jennings (Charlize Theron), while Joe's wife Cheryl (Courtney Love) corners Karen's husband Dr. Will Jennings (Stuart Townsend) as part of a ransom plot. But what the Jennings don't know is why Joe and Cheryl targeted them they all share a tragic past.

"Luis Mandoki's movie 'Trapped' is one of the most inept hostage thrillers I've ever seen," wrote The Times UK's James Christopher.

Bacon plays a bike messenger in the 1986 film "Quicksilver."

Rotten Tomatoes score:13%

"Quicksilver" follows a young floor trader named Jack Casey (Bacon) who loses his entire life's savings on a bad business deal, leading him to quit and become a bike messenger.

"The movie has moments when it comes to life, when it threatens to tell a story about interesting people, and then it wanders off into inane scenes designed only to sell records," wrote Rober Ebert.

Bacon entered the comic-book movie world in 2012 with "RIPD."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 12%

"RIPD" is a sci-fi buddy cop film starring Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges as two officers of the "RIPD," or the Rest in Peace Department. They're tasked with finding "Deados," or the souls of people who died, but somehow escaped judgment. Bacon plays corrupt cop Bobby Hayes, who is revealed to be a Deado.

"Who thought this was a good idea and why are they still allowed out alone at night?" asked The Irish Times' Donald Clarke.

Bacon plays the personification of love in the 2007 film "The Air I Breathe."

Rotten Tomatoes score:10%

"The Air I Breathe" is split into four sections, representing four aspects of life: happiness, pleasure, sorrow, and love. Bacon appears in the section about love, focusing on how his character is in love with his friend Gina, but he never said anything, and she went on to marry his best friend.

"Pretentious at best, risible for the rest of the time, this is most notable for Andy Garcia's staggeringly hammy cameo as the opera-loving moneylender Fingers," wrote The Telegraph's Catherine Shoard.

Bacon's worst filmed has been deemed the 2016 horror film "The Darkness."

Rotten Tomatoes score:3%

In this film, Bacon plays Peter, the patriarch of the Taylor family. The Taylors begin to experience strange things and see apparitions after Mikey (David Mazouz), the teenage son of Peter, brings home cursed rocks from a cave they explored.

"McLean must have believed he was making John Cassavetes' 'Poltergeist,' but this odd fusion of psychodrama and supernatural hokum gets away from him," wrote Variety's Scott Tobias.

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Best and worst Kevin Bacon movies, according to critics - Insider

Space travel: (almost) everything you need to know about …

When did we first start exploring space?

The first human-made object to go into space was a German V2 missile, launched on a test flight in 1942. Although uncrewed, it reached an altitude of 189km (117 miles).

Former Nazi rocket scientists were later recruited by both America and Russia (often at gunpoint in the latter case), where they were instrumental in developing Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) rockets capable of carrying nuclear weapons from one side of the planet to the other.

A captured German V-2 rocket, the worlds first guided missile, launched at the US Army testing base at White Sands, in New Mexico Getty Images

It was these super-missiles that formed the basis for the space programmes of both post-war superpowers. As it happened, Russia was the first to reach Earth orbit, when it launched the uncrewed Sputnik 1 in October 1957, followed a month later by Sputnik 2, carrying the dog Laika the first live animal in space.

The USA sent its first uncrewed satellite, Explorer 1, into orbit soon after, in January 1958. A slew of robotic spaceflights followed, from both sides of the Atlantic, before Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin piloted Vostok 1 into orbit on 12 April 1961, to become the first human being in space. And from there the space race proper began, culminating in Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin becoming the first people to walk on the Moon as part of NASA's Apollo programme.

Space exploration is the future. It satisfies the human urge to explore and to travel, and in the years and decades to come it could even provide our species with new places to call home especially relevant now, as Earth becomes increasingly crowded.

Extending our reach into space is also necessary for the advancement of science. Space telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and probes to the distant worlds of the Solar System are continually updating, and occasionally revolutionising, our understanding of astronomy and physics.

But there are also some very practical reasons, such as mining asteroids for materials that are extremely rare here on Earth.

One example is the huge reserve of the chemical isotope helium-3 thought to be locked away in the soil on the surface of the Moon. This isotope is a potential fuel for future nuclear fusion reactors power stations that tap into the same source of energy as the Sun. Unlike other fusion fuels, helium-3 gives off no hard-to-contain and deadly neutron radiation.

However, for this to happen the first challenge to overcome is how to build a base on the Moon. In 2019, China's Change 4 mission marked the beginning of a new space race to conquer the Moon, signalling their intent to build a permanent lunar base, while the NASA Artemis mission plans to build a space station, called Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, providing a platform to ferry astronauts to the Moon's surface.

Its entirely feasible that human explorers will visit the furthest reaches of our Solar System. The stars, however, are another matter. Interstellar space is so vast that it takes light the fastest thing we know of in the Universe years, centuries and millennia to traverse it. Faster-than-light travel may be possible one day, but is unlikely to become a reality in our lifetimes.

Its not impossible that humans might one day cross this cosmic gulf, though it wont be easy. The combustion-powered rocket engines of today certainly arent up to the job they just dont use fuel efficiently enough. Instead, interstellar spacecraft may create a rocket-like propulsion jet using electric and magnetic fields. This so-called ion drive technology has already been tested aboard uncrewed Solar System probes.

Star Trek's USS Enterprise, the iconic warp-capable ship Alamy

Another possibility is to push spacecraft off towards the stars using the light from a high-powered laser. A consortium of scientists calling themselves Breakthrough Starshot is already planning to send a flotilla of tiny robotic probes to our nearest star, Proxima Centauri, using just this method.

Though whether human astronauts could survive such punishing acceleration, or the decades-long journey through deep space, remains to be seen.

Pushing forward the frontiers of science is the stated goal of many space missions. But even the development of space travel technology itself can lead to unintended yet beneficial spin-off technologies with some very down-to-earth applications.

Notable spin-offs from the US space programme, NASA, include memory foam mattresses, artificial hearts, and the lubricant spray WD-40. Doubtless, there are many more to come.

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Space exploration also instils a sense of wonder, it reminds us that there are issues beyond our humdrum planet and its petty squabbles, and without doubt it helps to inspire each new generation of young scientists. Its also an insurance policy. Were now all too aware that global calamities can and do happen for instance, climate change and the giant asteroid that smashed into the Earth 65 million years ago, leading to the total extinction of the dinosaurs.

The lesson for the human species is that we keep all our eggs in one basket at our peril. On the other hand, a healthy space programme, and the means to travel to other worlds, gives us an out.

In short, yes very. Reaching orbit means accelerating up to around 28,000kph (17,000mph, or 22 times the speed of sound). If anything goes wrong at that speed, its seldom good news.

Then theres the growing cloud of space junk to contend with in Earth's orbit defunct satellites, discarded rocket stages and other detritus all moving just as fast. A five-gram bolt hitting at orbital speed packs as much energy as a 200kg weight dropped from the top of an 18-storey building.

The movie Gravity highlighted the dangers of space debris Warner Brothers

And getting to space is just the start of the danger. The principal hazard once there is cancer-producing radiation the typical dose from one day in space is equivalent to what youd receive over an entire year back on Earth, thanks to the planets atmosphere and protective magnetic field.

Add to that the icy cold airless vacuum, the need to bring all your own food and water, plus the effects of long-duration weightlessness on bone density, the brain and muscular condition including that of the heart and it soon becomes clear that venturing into space really isnt for the faint-hearted.

Its already happening that is, assuming your pockets are deep enough. The first self-funded space tourist was US businessman Dennis Tito, who in 2001 spent a week aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for the cool sum of $20m (15m).

Virgin Galactic has long been promising to take customers on short sub-orbital hops into space where passengers get to experience rocket propulsion and several minutes of weightlessness, before gliding back to a runway landing on Earth, all for $250k (190k). In late July 2020, the company unveiled the finished cabin in its SpaceShipTwo vehicle, suggesting that commercial spaceflights may begin shortly.

SpaceX expects that one day their Starship could carry passengers to the Moon SpaceX/Flickr

Meanwhile, Elon Musks SpaceX, which in May 2020 became the first private company to launch a human crew to Earth orbit aboard the Crew Dragon, plans to offer stays on the ISS for $35k (27k) per night. SpaceX is now prototyping its huge Starship vehicle, which is designed to take 100 passengers from Earth to as far afield as Mars for around $20k (15k) per head. Musk stated in January that he hoped to be operating 1,000 Starships by 2050.

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Space travel: (almost) everything you need to know about ...

Space travel News, Research and Analysis The …

Vadim Sadovski/Shutterstock January 7, 2022

Christopher Newman, Northumbria University, Newcastle and Nick Caplan, Northumbria University, Newcastle

One day more of us may be able to travel further into space, and for longer.

Chris James, The University of Queensland

In some ways, a space rocket and a passenger aircraft fly much the same. But there is one big reason we cant just take an aircraft into space.

Katerina Stepanova, Simon Fraser University

Stay-at-home and quarantining orders have led to increasing isolation. Virtual reality may help alleviate some of the negative feelings of isolation, and this has potential implications for space travel.

Tim Thompson, Teesside University

The vastly differing environment would need a whole new approach to disposing of dead bodies.

Nick Caplan, Northumbria University, Newcastle and Christopher Newman, Northumbria University, Newcastle

With commercial spaceflight companies now taking older people to space, its timely to consider the potential physical impact space flight might have on them.

John Tarduno, University of Rochester

Without a magnetic field, the Moons surface is exposed to solar wind. These could have been depositing resources like water and potential rocket fuel on the Moons surface for billions of years.

A.D. Carson, University of Virginia

In 1970, Gil Scott-Heron penned a spoken word song called Whitey on the Moon that criticized the 1969 Moon landing. A hip-hop scholar explains why the song still reverberates today.

Chris James, The University of Queensland

It wasnt long after Jeff Bezos announced his plans to go to space that Sir Richard Branson joined in, setting a launch date to beat Bezos by nine days.

A.D. Carson, University of Virginia

Rappers have been taking listeners on lyrical journeys to outer space for decades. A hip-hop scholar says their music helps inspire more students to pursue careers among the stars.

Cassandra Steer, Australian National University

Several spaceflights scheduled over the next few years will take non-astronauts to space. But its not certain this privilege will ever extend to anyone beyond the extremely wealthy.

Sam Baron, Australian Catholic University

Bending space into warp bubbles to travel faster than light may never be a reality, but distorting the flow of time just might be possible.

Andrew Winnard, Northumbria University, Newcastle; Claire Bruce-Martin, Northumbria University, Newcastle; Jonathan Michael Laws, Northumbria University, Newcastle, and Nick Caplan, Northumbria University, Newcastle

Exercise is important for astronauts to prevent weak muscles.

Alice Gorman, Flinders University

Its 60 years since Gagarins world-first return from space. The cosmonaut never did make it to Australia, but his huge feat was celebrated here by many, despite tensions with the USSR.

Chris James, The University of Queensland

Perseverance follows in the tracks of Curiosity. The latters touchdown on Martian soil in 2012 marked the first successful use of several pioneering space technologies.

Jacco van Loon, Keele University

Aliens might want to contact us for the same reasons we are looking for them.

Andreea Font, Liverpool John Moores University

Calculations show that wormholes should create a spectacular display of gamma rays that we could try to observe.

Hanane Hadj-Moussa, Carleton University; Aline Ingelson-Filpula, Carleton University, and Kenneth B. Storey, Carleton University

Gray mouse lemurs are more closely related to humans than mice. They also have the ability to hibernate, and researchers are hoping to learn how to transfer that ability to humans.

Alice Gorman, Flinders University and Justin St. P. Walsh, Chapman University

After two decades as a home to astronauts, the International Space Station still has plenty to teach us about how humans can live away from Earth.

Alice Gorman, Flinders University

When it comes to managing the tussle for resources on the Moon, we might take lessons from New Zealand environmental law and TikTok witches.

Vikrant Minhas, University of Adelaide

Bacteria can become more deadly and antibiotic-resilient in space. And while more research is needed to figure out how severe the risks are, they could be catastrophic.

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Space travel News, Research and Analysis The ...

Space-A Travel Is Back for All After COVID Hiatus

Jim Absher is a Military.com benefits columnist.

The Air Mobility Command has announced that Space Available (Space-A) travel on military aircraft has returned for travelers to pre-pandemic availability.

According to a press release, as of April 22, 2022, all restrictions on Space-A travel had been lifted. The Air Force aims to restore full service by May 13, 2022, according to the release.

Related: Who Is Eligible For Space A Flights?

Restrictions put in place early in the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, effectively shut down all Space-A travel on Air Mobility Command and contracted aircraft for anyone not traveling for medical care or on emergency leave. Now, those blocks will be completely lifted.

While all passengers are required to follow current federal COVID-19 travel procedures, those traveling OCONUS may have additional testing requirements and restrictions for travel to specific countries; those interested may find details on country-specific requirements in the Department of Defense's Electronic Foreign Clearance Guide.

Space-A flights, or military hops, are a unique privilege provided to service members, retirees and their families. Under the Space-A program, eligible passengers can fill unused seats on DoD-owned or -controlled aircraft once all the space-required (duty) passengers and cargo have been accommodated. Space-A flights are available to military members and their families, retirees and some disabled veterans.

For additional information on Space-Available Travel, visit Air Mobility Command's Travel website.

Jim Absher can be reached at jim.absher@monster.com.

Be sure to get the latest news about the military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.

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Space-A Travel Is Back for All After COVID Hiatus

History of Space Travel – National Geographic Kids

The first earthling to orbit our planet was just two years old, plucked from the streets of Moscow barely more than a week before her historic launch. Her name was Laika. She was a terrier mutt and by all accounts a good dog. Her 1957 flight paved the way for space exploration back when scientists didnt know if spaceflight was lethal for living things.

Humans are explorers. Since before the dawn of civilization, weve been lured over the horizon to find food or more space, to make a profit, or just to see whats beyond those trees or mountains or oceans. Our ability to explore reached new heightsliterallyin the last hundred years. Airplanes shortened distances, simplified travel, and showed us Earth from a new perspective. By the middle of the last century, we aimed even higher.

Our first steps into space began as a race between the United States and the former Soviet Union, rivals in a global struggle for power. Laika was followed into orbit four years later by the first human, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin. With Earth orbit achieved, we turned our sights on the moon. The United States landed two astronauts on its stark surface in 1969, and five more manned missions followed. The U.S.s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched probes to study the solar system. Manned space stations began glittering in the sky. NASA developed reusable spacecraftspace shuttle orbitersto ferry astronauts and satellites to orbit. Space-travel technology had advanced light-years in just three decades. Gagarin had to parachute from his spaceship after reentry from orbit. The space shuttle leaves orbit at 16,465 miles an hour (26,498 kilometers an hour) and glides to a stop on a runway without using an engine.

Space travel is nothing like in the movies. Getting from A to B requires complex calculations involving inertia and gravityliterally, rocket scienceto "slingshot" from planet to planet (or moon) across the solar system. The Voyager mission of the 1970s took advantage of a rare alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune to shave off nearly 20 years of travel time. Space is also dangerous. More than 20 astronauts have died doing their job.

That hasnt stopped people from signing up and blasting off. NASAs shuttle program has ended, but private companies are readying their own space programs. A company called Planetary Resources plans to send robot astronauts to the Asteroid Belt to mine for precious metals. Another company named SpaceX is hoping to land civilian astronauts on Marsthe next human step into the solar systemin 20 years. NASA and other civilian companies are planning their own Mars missions. Maybe youll be a member of one? Dont forget to bring your dog.

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History of Space Travel - National Geographic Kids

Leave Space Exploration To The Robots, Says New Book – Forbes

Artists concept of the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft approaching the Sun.

Is human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit a thing of the past? Will space tourism profit and expand in low-Earth orbit while the rough and tumble exploration of space beyond the Moon continue to be carried out via robotics?

These questions cut to the heart of The End of Astronauts: Why Robots Are The Future of Exploration, a thought-provoking new book co-authored by astrophysicists Donald Goldsmith and Martin Rees.

Although such arguments arent necessarily new, the authors make some salient new points that bear repeating here.

- Human space travel remains dangerous.

High energy solar and galactic particles are rife throughout the solar system. Beyond Earths Van Allen radiation belts, astronauts are particularly vulnerable to radiation from such particles.

For each month in space, human bone density can lessen by as much in 1.5 percent in weight-bearing locations of the body such as the hips and knees. Astronauts spending six months en route to Mars, would receive at least 60 percent of the total radiation dose recommended for a full career, the authors note. The return trip home would push them over the limit, even without a sudden increase from solar storms or flares, they note.

- In contrast to human space exploration, non-human robotic explorers have safely and efficiently reached the outer edges of our solar system.

Since its creation in 1958, NASA has spent about 60 percent more on human exploration than on robotic investigation of the cosmos, the authors write. We should note that the human exploration of space has so far extended only to the Moon

The End of Astronauts

- Space-based telescopes need not be serviceable by humans.

Although the Hubble space telescope wouldnt have been operational without the ability to rescue it from what Goldsmith and Rees term an otherwise fatal manufacturing defect, they do note that the director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, which manages the Hubble has said that the total cost of the five astronaut repair missions would have paid for building and launching seven replacement telescopes.

Its hard to know whether this would be the case, given rising costs for instrumentation and space observatories in general. But the point is well taken. And perhaps thats one reason the Hubbles follow-on observatory, NASAs James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), was never designed to be serviced by human astronauts, at least.

From its current solar orbit some one million miles from Earth, the James Webb is currently out of reach of a crewed service mission. But thus far it has proven to be well on track for full science operations set to begin this summer.

- Artificial platforms for space colonies would hardly be Valhallas.

Artists often depict space colonies as exciting and attractive, resembling a holiday resort, or some other realization of our hopes for a near-perfect environment, Goldsmith and Rees write. But the authors note that this is likely not to resemble the reality of such space colonies constructed in interplanetary space. They note that there will be great difficulty and danger in maintaining such huge artificial structures in space, as well as the technical challenges involved in their construction.

- But space platforms would potentially allow billions of people to live in space.

As Goldsmith and Rees point out, in his 1997 book Mining the Sky, the cosmo-chemist John Lewis lamented that "as long as the human population remains as pitifully small as it is today, we shall be severely limited in what we can accomplish. Lewis stressed that human intelligence is the key to the future.... Having only one Einstein, one da Vinci, one Bill Gates is not enough.

The implication is that maximizing our human potential might require increasing the human population a hundred-fold. Space platforms would offer humans a sustainable way to increase our numbers and thereby roll the die so that geniuses would become more commonplace. Who knows if such a scheme would work? Instead, it would just be easier to reengineer our brains artificially to make such once in a lifetime geniuses more commonplace than we could ever imagine.

This whole argument is a bit tangential to the books focus of why robots should prevail in space, at least for the time being.

Goldsmith and Rees make a compelling case for robotics over astronauts at least in the short term. But let's hope that 100 years from now, time and technology will allow us to have both robust human interplanetary spaceflight and state of the art robotic space science and exploration.

In the short term, however, it probably does make good sense to emphasize solar system exploration via robotics as has been brilliantly done by the national space agencies over the last 65 years. It's truly amazing and how much has been accomplished with so few dollars.

In time, let's hope that there is a meeting that that that there is a merger of sorts between the kind of robotics that can complement our human aspirations to travel into interstellar space in ways that are incomprehensible at present.

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Leave Space Exploration To The Robots, Says New Book - Forbes

Northern Colorado Astronauts Head to Space Station — LIVE COVERAGE VIA NASA – North Forty News

A Colorado State University alumnus is making his second trip to the International Space Station, along with the first Black Woman to live on the Space Station.

Kjell Lindgren is commander of the mission, he earned a masters degree in cardiovascular physiology from CSU in 1996. Jessica Watkins, a Boulder native, is mission specialist.

The pair are joined by two others (Bob Hines, pilot and Samantha Cristoforetti, mission specialist) as part of NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 on Freedom.

This is our fourth crew rotation flight its kind of hard to believe, said Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. It seems like Demo-2 was just yesterday, and its exciting to be here. We had a really clean countdown today the Falcon 9 rocket did great; the Dragon vehicle did great. It was great to see the crew get in. You could tell they were excited to start their flight off.

Launching alongside the crew in the Dragon capsule is an investigation that seeks to restore meaningful vision to people suffering from retinal degenerative diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. TheProtein-Based Artificial Retina Manufacturingexperiment tests the manufacturing of artificial retinas or retinal implants in microgravity, where it is expected their production could be optimized.

About Kjell Lindgren

Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren was selected by NASA in 2009. He spent most of his childhood abroad and returned to the U.S. to complete his education and earn a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Colorado. He earned a masters degree in cardiovascular physiology from CSU in 1996. He is board-certified in emergency medicine. After serving as the Deputy Crew Surgeon for STS-130 and Expedition 24, he was selected as an astronaut in June 2009 as one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. Dr. Lindgren flew on Expedition 44/45 and logged 141 days in space. He participated in two spacewalks and in more than a hundred different scientific experiments. Lindgren is currently serving as commander on NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station, which launched on April 27, 2022.

About Jessica Watkins

Jessica Watkins was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. Watkins reported for duty in August 2017 and completed two years of training as an astronaut candidate. The Colorado native earned a Bachelor of Science in Geological and Environmental Sciences from Stanford University, and a Doctorate in Geology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Watkins conducted her graduate research on the emplacement mechanisms of large landslides on Mars and Earth. She has worked at NASAs Ames Research Center and NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and was a science team collaborator for NASAs Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity. Watkins is currently serving as a mission specialist on NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station, which launched on April 27, 2022.

Scientific Research in Space

Lindgren said one of the scientific experiments the crew will conduct on this mission involves examining how weightlessness affects wound healing in a rodent model, which brings me back to my CSU days as well, given CSUs reputation as a veterinary training center. He said the crew will also be growing edible plants, as he did on his last mission.

And that is an amazing thing, to plant it, then to watch it grow to the size that it can be harvested, to recognize that this could be a really important part of space flight as a source of food and even as part of our environmental control system, he said. To see a little part of what science fiction has described for a long time and then to have that as part of a meal was a lot of fun.

Lindgren acknowledged that he has more responsibility and pressure serving as commander of this mission compared to his first trip to space, but he said his crewmates are fantastic. They include another astronaut with Colorado ties, Boulder nativeJessica Watkins, who will be the first Black woman to live on the space station. She and American pilotBob Hinesare taking their first trip to the space station. It will be the second mission for European Space Agency astronautSamantha Cristoforettiof Italy.

Team Chemistry

Lindgren said the group has had several opportunities to bond, including sea kayaking off the coast of Washington state.

That team spirit, crew cohesion, is one of those things you cant really train for, he said, adding that its exciting to serve on a team that inspires the next generation and shows what is possible when we work together in an international partnership.

Lindgren said the mission patch, which is worn on the shoulder of their uniforms and features a dragonfly, was designed by his daughter.

We wanted to reconnect with the earth with our patch, he explained. The dragonfly is a beautiful and agile flyer, and in many cultures is a sign of good fortune.

Space travel feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so to be able to do it a second time seems surreal, said Lindgren, adding that his pre-flight traditions include launching model rockets on the beach with his family.

What an amazing time to be part of NASA, Lindgren concluded. I feel like we won the lottery. We have programs that are figuring out how to get our astronauts to the moon, with Mars in our sights. There used to always be a running joke that Mars is 30 years away, and I have felt that horizon shrink.

Docking at ISS

Upon their arrival at the space station, the Crew-4 astronauts will be greeted by NASA astronauts of theExpedition 67crew already on board. During their six-month stay aboard the microgravity laboratory, Lindgren, Hines, Watkins, and Cristoforetti will join the Expedition 67 crew in conducting a number of science and research investigations.

7:40 p.m., April 27 Docking of the SpaceX/Crew-4 Crew Dragon Freedom to the International Space Station (hatch opening scheduled at approximately 9:30 p.m. EDT)

Here is the live video feed (Watch as they dock):

Excerpts of this article and quotes were provided by Colorado State University (Jeff Dodge) and NASA (nasa.gov).

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Northern Colorado Astronauts Head to Space Station -- LIVE COVERAGE VIA NASA - North Forty News

Jessica Watkins makes history as first Black woman launched to Space Station for extended mission – USA TODAY

NASA, SpaceX send first Black woman astronaut to ISS

SpaceX launches historic NASA Crew-4 astronauts from Florida for six-month mission at the ISS.

Damien Henderson, Associated Press

Jessica Watkins made history on Wednesday by becoming the first Black woman launched into space for an extended mission on the International Space Station.

Watkins, 33, and three other astronauts rocketed into space from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida,at3:52 a.m. EDT.

"I think it really is just a tribute to the legacy of the Black women astronauts that have come before me, as well as to the exciting future ahead," Watkins said during an NPR interview.

Last November, NASA announced Watkins would be the fourth and final seat on Crew Dragon forSpaceX's Crew-4 mission.

The assignment meant she would be the first Black womanto join an ISS crew for scientific research, station maintenance, training and more over a six-month period. Previously,Victor Glover, part of SpaceX's Crew-2 mission that launched in November 2020, became the first Black astronaut to join a station crew.

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Will Elon Musk bring prosperity?: SpaceX launches rockets from one of America's poorest areas

Out of 248 astronauts who have visited the space station, only seven have been Black and none were included in expeditions lasting several months.

In 1983, Guion Bluford became the first Black astronaut to travel to space. Mae Jemison followed nine years later and became the first Black woman to do the same.

NASA also announced last year that Watkins was chosen for the Artemis program that aims to put astronauts back on the moon no later than 2025.

Wednesday's flight sent NASA'sBob Hines,Kjell Lindgren and the European Space Agency'sSamantha Cristoforettito orbit.

They're expected to dock at the space station at 8:15 p.m.EDTif schedules hold.

"For me, growing up, it was important to me to have role models in roles that I aspire to be in, contributing in ways I aspired to contribute," Watkins told NPR."So to the extent that I'm able to do that, I'm honored and grateful for the opportunity to return the favor."

Contributing: Emre Kelly and Rick Neale

Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha.Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.

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Jessica Watkins makes history as first Black woman launched to Space Station for extended mission - USA TODAY

House of Legends Joins the Axiom Space Mission for the World’s First NFT Exhibition In Space – NewsBTC

Space is for everyone.- Eytan Stibbe, Rakia Mission 1 (Ax-1)

On April 8, Axiom Space launched the first-ever private space mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Ax-1 mission is the first-ever private mission to the ISS, and consists of former NASA astronaut and Axiom vice president of business development Michael Lpez-Alegra as commander; American entrepreneur and non-profit activist investor Larry Connor as a pilot; Canadian investor and philanthropist Mark Pathy as mission specialist; and impact investor and philanthropist Eytan Stibbe of Israel as a mission specialist.

The four astronauts did not travel to the stars alone. With them are 30 super rare House of Legends NFTs, which drop into an auction with all proceeds going towards changing lives on Earth.

House of Legends is a blockchain-based brand that leverages the power of NFT and Web3 technology in order to make a real-world impact. NFTs hold the power to change lives for collectors, investors and creators and HOL is using this immense new digital force to change lives for more people around the globe. Now, HOL has the support of Eyatn Stibbe, Ax-1 team member, and his Rakia Mission, one of the visionary enterprises of our time.

The Ax-1 Mission sees four humans push boundaries like never before. On April 8, they made history as the first private space mission crew to the International Space Station (ISS).

Ax-1 uses a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon 2 capsule to transport the four astronauts to the ISS for the 10-day mission. Among them is Eytan Stibbe, an Israeli impact investor and philanthropist, who is going as part of Rakia mission.

The underlying goal of Rakia is to recognize the prospective benefits of space exploration. Its purpose is to draw on the curiosity associated with human space travel and to unleash its creative potential by raising awareness to the importance of preserving Earths limited resources and fostering a commitment to international collaborations and the advancement of space research. As an educational endeavor, students, educators, researchers, intellectuals and the general public are stimulated by their exposure to the many scientific experiments conducted on board the space station and equally by the demonstrations of the use of Israeli technology. The missions educational goals is to further the live transmission of educational content to Israeli children and the unique opportunity to see Israeli art being made and exhibited. Because no dream is beyond reach.

As part of the mission, Stibbe showcases the House of Legends new public-spirited project, which aims to change the lives of a million people on Earth. The honorary Wish Upon a Star series of 30 NFT artworks, is created especially for this mission.

As part of the project, HOL invited children worldwide to hand-draw their hopes and aspirations for humanity. The HOL team includes 30 of these artistic depictions into the Wish Upon a Star NFT series.

During Rakia, HOL and Stibbe make the first-ever NFT exhibition in space. The digital assets are auctioned for charity once the crew lands back on Earth. Most importantly, 100% of the proceeds from the auction go towards HOLs charity initiative to provide access to clean drinking water in communities in India and Africa.

This historical event requires equally exceptional quality for the first NFTs to be presented in space. Therefore, the task fell into the hands of extraordinary talent, the world-renowned Forbes 30-under-30 artist Amit Shimoni.

Shimoni is also the co-founder of House of Legends and the creator of the popular art brand, Hipstory. He adds his vision to the childrens paintings and creates a remarkable NFT collection with unique life-changing power.

These super rare HOL NFTs depict some of the projects Legends holding the childrens handmade sketches. Each NFT represents a childs wish for a better future. And this Rakia-HOL collaboration ensures all childrens hopes reach the stars. Above all, it aims to inspire the next generations to dream big and act for a better world.

During his time at the ISS, Stibbe will display the NFTs through a tablet, to share and speak about the mission on video.

All the NFTs in the Wish Upon a Star series have the same clear and inspiring message of hope, unity, and peace for the whole world. They all drop into the House of Legends collection, where they will go on auction. All proceeds go towards building water wells for more communities worldwide. Lastly, the highest bidder for each NFT will have their name written on the water well that will be built thanks to their donation. This is similar to the eToro x HOL-sponsored water wells.

House of Legends is highly grateful for Eytan Stibbes support on this historic mission. The common goal is to help millions of people in need, living in forgotten villages worldwide. As Eytan Stibbe and the Rakia mission make history in space, Wish Upon a Star NFTs support making a difference in communities here on Earth.

This is not the first time House of Legends has contributed to a larger-than-life cause. Last year, HOL minted a genesis collection of 9,993 NFT artworks honoring some of the most outstanding men and women in history. The collection includes Amit Shimonis quirky pop-art depictions of famous inspirational figures, such as Oprah, Elon Musk, the Dalai Lama, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol, among others.

The entire collection sold out within 48 hours of the launch day and raised $4.8 million. As part of its charitable project, HOL teamed up with acclaimed global NGO Drop4Drop, to build clean water wells in remote villages across India and Africa. With the collective proceeds of this NFT sale, HOL gave access to safe drinking water to over 80,000 people.

House of Legends, and the production house behind it, Meta-Brothers, aim to give the opportunity to NFT enthusiasts to be part of a thriving life-changing movement while simultaneously participating in the exciting NFT revolution. Becoming a Legends holder is more than being an NFT collector, it gives the luxurious status of being a real Legend. Currently, the floor price for the HOL NFTs stands at 0.08 ETH, making it a pretty great time for NFT enthusiasts to get on board.

Under the brilliant leadership of Tamara Yannay, House of Legends is developing into a humanitarian-centered project with global reach. Tamara is a prolific NFT entrepreneur with an important background in the Israeli military as a photojournalist. Traveling worldwide for her work helped Tamara discover the sad truth of water-deprived communities and plastic pollution. Now, she dedicates her projects to raising funds to provide access to clean, potable water for millions of people, while inspiring more companies and corporations to follow in her footsteps. The next mission will be solar energy solutions.

HOL is in a tight-knit collaboration with Drop4Drop, a community development initiative, to provide clean water access to communities in need. 80 water wells for 80,000 people are underway due to the successful launch of HOL. Now, they are looking to build even more wells across 6 countries in India and Africa.

Access to clean water helps people improve their livelihoods and have better opportunities to build a safer and brighter future.

On April 9, we all looked toward the stars through House of Legends! Now, we participate in the historical Wish Upon a Star NFT auction to make the world a better place for those in need. Your contribution is more important now than ever. Just because children cannot reach space, it doesnt mean that their wishes shouldnt reach for the stars.

You can find out more about House of Legends here: Website | OpenSea |Twitter | Discord| Instagram|Rakia Mission: https://www.eng.rakiamission.co.il/Studio Shimoni and Hipstory: Website | Instagram |Facebook|Also, discover more about Meta-Brothers here: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram|

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House of Legends Joins the Axiom Space Mission for the World's First NFT Exhibition In Space - NewsBTC

Houston, we have a checkup: UCF doctors study space travel effects on astronauts’ organs – NSM.today

Researchers from the UCF College of Medicine collaborated with the Sheba Medical Center and the Rabin Medical Center in Israel to study the effects of microgravity on the eyes and brain of astronauts in the Axiom Mission 1. The astronauts, who are scheduled to come back to Earth on Monday, will complete post-flight testing at UCF Health clinic and UCF Lake Nona Hospital. (From left to right: Dr. Ali Rizvi, Dr. Mehul Patel and Dr. Joyce Paulson.)

After spending two weeks in space, four astronauts will come back to Earth on Monday and help doctors at UCF explore the effects of space travel on the human brain and eyes.

Doctors from the UCF College of Medicine collaborated with two Israeli medical centers to analyze the brain and eyes of the astronauts in the Axiom Mission 1 before they launched on April 8.

Researchers will re-examine the crew, which includes Eytan Stibbe,Larry Connor, Mark Pathy and MichaelLpez-Alegra, at UCF Health and the UCF Lake Nona Hospital to evaluate potential changes in their organs.

I'll be waiting with my arms wide open to catch them as they come in, said Dr. Mehul Patel, an ophthalmologist at UCF Health. "All the tests that we did before launch, we're going to do them again."

Patel is one of the doctors participating in the study focusing on spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome or SANS.

SANS is associated with microgravity, a condition in which the force of gravity is reduced, according toNASA. The syndrome causes swelling of the optic nerves, changes the internal eye structures and decreases vision, according to the agency.

Patel said looking at the eye structures before and after humans have been exposed to microgravity will help the team understand the syndrome and find ways to prevent it.

Microgravity, the increased radiation, the higher amount of carbon dioxide at the space station, all of these things are going to impact how the body functions on a baseline physiology," Patel said. "And we want to see what those changes are."

Dr. Gal Antman, an ophthalmology resident at Rabin Medical Center in Israel, is working alongside Patel. He said the study is using advanced technology that shows eye structures in high resolution.

We are conducting a new modality that is able to see the vasculature, the blood vessels of the eyes, Antman said. Its new and it has not been conducted on astronauts until this day.

Another group of researchers will focus on the effects of microgravity on the protective barrier of the brain.

Dr. Harel Baris from the Sheba Medical Center in Israel is joined by UCF endocrinologist Dr. Ali Rizvi and UCF internist Dr. Joyce Paulson in a study that examines changes in the blood-brain barrier of humans during space travel.

The blood-brain barrier refers to the tissue that protects the brain from harmful substances, according to the National Cancer Institute.

It acts as a biochemical barrier that doesn't allow free movement of any kind of substance to enter and possibly affect the central nervous system in a negative manner, Rizvi said.

Rizvi said the goal is to understand the modifications of the structure and how doctors can use them to their advantage.

Baris, who is the primary investigator of the research,said the team will measure the enlargement of the pores in the barrier and evaluate the possibility of administering medication through those pores. He said the goal is totreat conditions that deteriorate the cells in the nervous system by letting medication enter the functional tissue of the brain.

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or other dementia are a major problem in modern world, Baris said. The inability to transfer therapeutic agent into the brain parenchymais a major challenge that we all are facing.

Baris study will be assisted by UCF researcher Dr. Michal Masternak and a group of UCF graduate students, who will analyze blood samples and trace specific proteins.

Masternak said the process has beenchallenging, from collecting samples from astronauts following the schedule of the International Space Station to preparing for when they arrive on Earth on Monday.

"We have to be ready to collect some samples and process the samples in our lab early in the morning like at 4 a.m.," Masternak said. "But we are really excited. So, it doesn't matter for us and it's not only about me and my personal interest in this project, but also our students, they have a chance to participate in this."

Dr. Amoy Fraser, manager of clinical research at UCF, said the partnership with Axiom Space brings UCF closer to NASA and opens up opportunities for future collaborations.

We're in Orlando and the closest medical school to the Kennedy Space Center, so all the clinical trials they want to do are best done with collaboration from us, Fraser said.

Fraser also said working with two Israeli medical centers brings recognition to UCF and the College of Medicine both nationally and internationally.

The Ax-1 mission, which was originally scheduled to last 10 days, was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions on Tuesday. The mission is now set to undock from the ISS around 8:55 p.m. onSunday and splash down off the coast of Florida around1 p.m onMonday, according to Axiom Space.

Without hesitation to express his excitement to work with the crew, Patel said the team is aiming to receive the astronauts at UCF Health facilities within 72 hours of the splashdown, but protocols to ensure the crew's safety may delay the process.

"We would love to get them, you know, on that taxi from wherever they splashed down to here, like straight into the clinic, but that's not realistic," Patel said. "So, as soon as they're allowed to come to us, we will perform all the exams.

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Houston, we have a checkup: UCF doctors study space travel effects on astronauts' organs - NSM.today

Asteroid whisperer – MIT Technology Review

Weve been observing Didymos for five years, to understand the state of the system before we change it forever, so we can tell [the difference between] what we did with DART versus what was naturally going to happen, says Rivkin. Once we get and interpret the results, we can apply them as needed. Or, hopefully, not needed.

When hes not working on a potentially life-on-Earth-saving mission, Rivkin studies how that life might have come about in the first place.

Theres a lot of discussion ongoing that the water and organic materials we have on Earth were brought in via impacts with asteroids and comets, he says. So the study of where the water is in asteroids has a lot of bearing on that.

Rivkin uses astronomical spectroscopy and spectrophotometry to determine the composition of asteroids in our solar system. This means he measures the spectra of electromagnetic radiation emanating from asteroids and comets to determine where such materials might be present.

This celestial dowsing could also help human life expand farther into the cosmos. To that end, Rivkin has done work with the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, which asks questions like: Could we use asteroid water as rocket propellant on deep space missions? If so, which asteroids are good pit-stop candidates?

But with great knowledge comes great responsibility, and Rivkin feels obligated to address the host of ethical considerations that come with space travel.

What does it mean if were going to expand our economy into space? What are the ethics of that? How do we bring the best parts of humanity and not our worst parts? he asks.

Thinking about the evolution and fate of human life in the universe can get heavy, so Rivkin turns to music when he needs a break. Playing drums in grade school led him to form a band with some friends during his time at MIT. Thirty years later, he still enjoys writing and playing music under the name Andy Rivkin and his Gedankenband, and his songs are available on popular streaming platforms.

Its a good mental-health break just to pick up a guitar, he says. Whenever I give advice to someone going away to college, I always say to keep doing your hobbies. Maybe in junior year, youre like, Theres no way I have time for this. But youre going to be much happier 10 or 15 to 20 years down the line if you do.

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Asteroid whisperer - MIT Technology Review

Space Mountain Is Permanently Closing In One Of Disney’s Parks, But It’s Not All Bad News – CinemaBlend

Disney Parks attractions come and go, leaving indelible memories or horrendous infamy in the wake of such departures. Some long for the days when The Timekeeper was still running at the Magic Kingdom, while others would like to keep celebrating that Stitchs Great Escape is no more. However, there are some rides that no one would ever expect to close, with the iconic Space Mountain being one such candidate for the honors.

Well, Tokyo Disney Resort is about to permanently close their version of this staple of Disney amusements far and wide. Its not all bad news though, with a very exciting plan for what comes next already in the works. Say goodbye to Space Mountain, and say hello toSpace Mountain?

The Tokyo Disney Resort made this announcement today, through both an official press release and blog post. While Space Mountain is in fact closing permanently, its not going to happen immediately. An unspecified point in 2024 is currently on the books for this historic happening, and the parks official line on what to expect next reads as follows:

Space Mountain, an exhilarating, indoor roller coaster that takes guests on a high-speed joy ride through space, has been a favorite of guests since the Grand Opening of Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. This entirely new attraction will maintain its original concept as an indoor roller coaster, but will have enhanced performance and immersive special effects that will give guests even more thrills on this exciting rocket ride.

Slating this entirely new Space Mountain for a 2027 opening, and with frequent Disney partner Coca-Cola as the rides official sponsor, Tokyo Disney Resort is making some pretty huge moves in its future. As if the parks upcoming section dedicated to Frozen wasnt a large enough gamble, this new Space Mountain is only the beginning of something even greater. Not only is that attraction being reimagined from the ground up, but the entire Tomorrowland Plaza is about to transform as well, with a new retheming.

2027 also marks the year that this forward thinking land will see itself refreshed for a new tomorrow. Its a subject that many domestic Disney fans are familiar with, as both Walt Disney World and Disneyland have seen many loyalists wonder when theyll get a similar refresh. At least in the case of Tokyo Disney Resorts refurb, this is what people should expect for this great, big, beautiful Tomorrowland:

The new Tomorrowland plaza will express the connection between Earth and the universe, representing an image of a future where humans are in harmony with nature. Guests will be able to enjoy moments of rest and relaxation in this plaza where various icons and other design elements create a sense of hope for the future. After dark, the area will draw guests into a spectacular world of light and soundscapes.

Traditionally weve seen Tomorrowland focused on technological advances and marvels of science and space travel. Unfortunately, that sort of strategy does tend to leave this section of the park as the most in need of frequent refreshes and updates. Not only does Tokyo Disney Resorts concept of the connection between Earth and the universe feel evergreen, it could even be the key to revamping the domestic iterations of Tomorrowland in the near future.

Stepping further into the land of speculation, this new focus on natural harmony sounds like the perfect gateway for James Camerons Avatar to make its way to the park. Just as Orlando has seemed to have incorporated elements of Avatar 2 into its Animal Kingdom attractions based on the highest grossing film of all time, the 2027 opening of Tokyo Disney Resorts new Tomorrowland could see elements of further sequels incorporated in a similar fashion. It also helps that this timeframe is wedged firmly between the intended release dates of 2026s Avatar 4 and 2028s Avatar 5.

Lots of changes are taking place at Tokyo Disney Resort, and concepts like the new Toy Story themed hotel are bound to be watched with great interest. Perhaps some lessons for the future of Disney Parks in general will reveal themselves in time. For now, guests who frequent the park should get in as many rides on Space Mountain as they can, as 2024 will be here before you know it.

Though now that were on the subject, lets leave with another interesting question to ponder in the meantime. Which do you think happens first: the opening of this new ride, or the actual production and release of the Space Mountain movie weve been waiting on for some time? It's something to seriously think about, but in-between those thoughts of far flung future worlds, don't forget to check the 2022 movie releases and see what movies, Disney-related or otherwise, will be coming soon to a theater near you.

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Space Mountain Is Permanently Closing In One Of Disney's Parks, But It's Not All Bad News - CinemaBlend

Jeff Bezos is worth $160bn yet Congress might bail out his space company – The Guardian

On 20 July 1969, 650 million people throughout the world watched with bated breath as Neil Armstrong successfully fulfilled President Kennedys vision. The United States achieved what had seemed impossible just a few decades before. We had sent a man to the moon.

On that historic day, the entire world came together to celebrate the enormous accomplishment as Armstrongs voice boomed from our television sets: Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

In just eight short years the US, led by our extraordinary scientists, engineers and astronauts at Nasa, had opened up a new world for humanity. And while the entire world rejoiced, there was a special joy and pride in our country because this was an American project. It was our financing, our political will, our scientific ingenuity, our courage that had accomplished this milestone in human history. We had not only won the international space race, but more importantly, we had created unthinkable opportunities for all of humankind.

Fifty-three years later, as a result of a huge effort to privatize space exploration, I am concerned that Nasa has become little more than an ATM machine to fuel a space race not between the US and other countries, but between the two wealthiest men in America Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, who are worth more than $450bn combined.

After many billions of dollars of taxpayer funding the American people are going to have to make a very fundamental decision. If we are going to send more human beings to the moon and eventually to Mars, who will control the enterprise and what will be the purpose of that exploration? Will the goal be to benefit the people of the United States and the entire world, or will it be a vast boondoggle to make billionaires even richer and open up outer space to corporate greed and exploitation?

At this moment, if you can believe it, Congress is considering legislation to provide a $10bn bailout to Jeff Bezoss Blue Origin space company for a contract to build a lunar lander. This legislation is taking place after Blue Origin lost a competitive bid to SpaceX, Musks company.

Bezos is worth some $180bn. In a given year, he has paid nothing in federal income taxes. He is the owner of Amazon, which, in a given year, has also paid nothing in federal income taxes after making billions in profits. Bezos has enough money to own a $500m mega-yacht, a $23m mansion in Washington DC, a $175m estate in Beverly Hills and a $78m, 14-acre estate in Maui.

At a time when over half of the people in this country live paycheck to paycheck, when more than 70 million are uninsured or underinsured and when some 600,000 Americans are homeless, should we really be providing a multibillion-dollar taxpayer bailout for Bezos to fuel his space hobby? I dont think so.

Lets be clear, however. This issue goes well beyond just one contract for Bezos to go to the moon.

The reality is that the space economy which today mostly consists of private companies utilizing Nasa facilities and technology essentially free of charge to launch satellites into orbit is already very profitable and has the potential to become exponentially more profitable in the future. Bank of America predicts that over the next eight years the space economy will triple in size to $1.4tn thats trillion with a t.

In 2018, private corporations made over $94bn in profits from goods or services that are used in space profits that could not have been achieved without generous subsidies and support from Nasa and the taxpayers of America. The satellite business is growing rapidly. SpaceX alone plans to launch tens of thousands of its Starlink telecommunications satellites over the next few years.

In addition to the launching of new satellites, corporations like SpaceX will be making substantial sums from the space tourism business. Recently, three extremely wealthy individuals paid $55m each in order to visit the International Space Station. The good news is that if you are a billionaire tired of vacationing in the Caribbean, there are some exciting travel opportunities for you. The bad news is that American taxpayers are subsidizing some of that trip.

And while it may seem like a bad science fiction movie today, decades from now the real money to be made will not come from satellites or space tourism but to those who discover how to mine lucrative minerals on asteroids.

In fact, both Goldman Sachs and the noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson have predicted that the worlds first trillionaire will be the person who figures out how to harness and exploit natural resources on asteroids.

Nasa has identified over 12,000 asteroids within 45m kilometers of Earth that contain iron ore, nickel, precious metals and other minerals. Just a single 3,000ft asteroid may contain platinum worth over $5tn. Another asteroids rare earth metals could be worth more than $20tn alone. According to the Silicon Valley entrepreneur Peter Diamandis, There are twenty-trillion-dollar checks up there, waiting to be cashed!

The questions we must ask are: who will be cashing those checks? Who will, overall, be benefiting from space exploration? Will it be a handful of billionaires or will it be the people of our country and all of humanity?

As it stands now, as a result of the 2015 Space Act that passed the Senate with virtually no floor debate, private corporations are able to own all of the resources that they discover in space. In other words, the taxpayers of this country who made it possible for these private enterprises to go into space will get a 0% return on their investment.

The time is now to have a serious debate in Congress and throughout our country as to how to develop a rational space policy that does not simply socialize all of the risks and privatize all of the profits. Whether it is expanding affordable high-speed internet and cellphone service in remote areas, tracking natural disasters and climate change, establishing colonies on the moon and Mars or mining asteroids, the scientific achievements we make should be shared by all of us, not just the wealthy few.

Space exploration is very exciting. Its potential to improve life here on planet Earth is limitless. But it also has the potential to make the richest people in the world incredibly richer and unimaginably more powerful. When we take that next giant leap into space let us do it to benefit all of humanity, not to turn a handful of billionaires into trillionaires.

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Jeff Bezos is worth $160bn yet Congress might bail out his space company - The Guardian

The Rise of Space Tourism – Reporter Magazine

by Tomas Rodrigo Mendez Mendez | published Dec. 25th, 2021

For millionaires and billionaires, space tourism is considered the next step of the human race into space.

Fortunately, for potential space tourists in 2021, advanced technology, space station construction and new knowledge of space travel has opened the door for a new type of leisure.

The advent of space tourism occurred at the end of the 1990s, incited bya deal between a Russian company, MirCorp, and an American company: Space Adventures Ltd.

MirCorp was a private venture in charge of its own space station, "Mir,"and to generate income for maintenance, the company decided to sell a trip to Mir. The first paying passenger for this trip wasex-NASA engineer, Dennis Tito.

Space Adventures Ltd. was founded in 1998 by Eric Anderson, providing zero-gravity atmospheric flights, orbital space lifts and other spaceflight-related experiences. They also hoped to offer the first commercial space flight. zero-gravity atmospheric flights, orbital space lifts and other spaceflight-related experiences. They also hoped to offer the first commercial space flight.

Before Tito could make his trip with MirCorp, however,the decision was made to deorbit its space station, and Space Adventures Ltd. handed offthe mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Tito paid $20 million in 2001 for his flight on the Russian spacecraft, Soyuz TM-32. He spent seven full days on board the ISS and is considered the worlds first space tourist.

While many companies have tried to chart a path in space tourism, only three main ones have made an impact:SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.

Shivram Mahendran, a sixth year Software Engineering graduatestudent, is a professional Product Designer; his previous works include is previous works include multiplespace projects for Microsoft.

Elon Musk, the current CEO ofTesla, created SpaceX with the goal of reducing space transportation costsand expanding our reach within the solar system.

SpaceX has gained an opportunity to work with NASA.This contract has given the company greater commercial visibility.

Musk hopes to build 1,000 starships over a span of 10 years, helping the company to later explore Mars.

"SpaceXs mission is simple ... taking crew and spaceships to Mars by 2050," Mahendran said.

"SpaceXs mission is simple ... taking crew and spaceships to Mars by 2050."

Amazon founderJeff Bezos is also using his wealth to establish space-based properties. While SpaceX's goal is directly related to exploring other planets, Bezos's is to create a space hotel.

Blue Origin was also in the running to partner with NASA, butSpaceX won the bidinstead.

Despite this, Blue Origin continues their work towards space tourism. Announced in Oct. 2021, Blue Origin and Sierra Space hope to launch Orbital Reef, their own space station, by the late 2020s.

This commercially developed, owned and operated space station will be built in low Earth orbit, with the main goal of creating a human habitat in space. It is expected to be operating in the second half of the current decade.

Another company,Virgin Galactic, was the first to openly offer space trips to civilians. However, it has been postponing its commercial flights due to various factors, including manufacturing defects.

2021 seems to be the year of private companies launching civilians, alongside with trained astronauts, into space. As of Nov. 8, 2021,only 16 peoplehave made the journey so far: four with SpaceX, four with Virgin Galacticand eight with Blue Origin.

As space tourism evolves, the number of spaceflight participants will grow. Suborbital and orbital flights will inevitably give way to lunar excursions and trips to Mars. By that time, space tourism may become a full-fledged industry capable of truly opening the frontier of space.

Due to space tourism's current popularity, a trendhas led to the creation of various new technologies that space tourists will be able to utilize.

Product designers have envisioned several instruments to meet the basic needs of future space tourists including, but not limited to: air, heat, light and food.

One instruments that may be used is the "aerating loop," designed to provide an extra kick of oxygen. Other items such as a personal heater, spatial food steamer and floating light may also be useful.

While we wait for space tourism to ramp up though, Virtual Reality (VR) technology While we wait for space tourism to ramp up though, Virtual Reality (VR) technology While we wait for space tourism to ramp up though, Virtual Reality (VR) technology has been developedto see space from Earth.

Michelle Bobilev is a fourth year Digital Humanities and Social Sciences student and is currently developing her CAPSTONEproject:a virtual reality planetarium.

"The VR Planetarium is a virtual reality model of a planetarium designed in Unreal Engine with 3D assets created with Blender modeling software," Bobilev explained.

She added that with the use of VR headsets and controllers, users can navigate the virtual space and choose from a variety of locations to explore.

"If the people have the tool to see the galaxy and what is out there ... VR will be an essential gadget before taking a flight there," she said.

"If the people have the tool to see the galaxy and what is out there ... VR will be an essential gadget before taking a flight there."

In the future,space tourists would be able to utilize these gadgets as a way to visualize and get a taste of what they are looking to experience out there.

Collateral Benefits

Some people are concerned about the environmental impact of space tourism. Experts claim rocket launches could damage our ozone layer. Certain chemicals in rocket fumes may be getting trapped in the stratosphere allowing them to eat away at it.

Until now, this problem hasn't been a huge issue due to limited launches. With rocket launches becoming more frequent due to space tourism,however, it could become a much bigger contributor to climate change.

Another issue is that space tourism is a luxury only available for few due to the cost. Private companies and billionaires will not be the only ones tobenefitfrom leisurely space travel though.Another issue is that space tourism is a luxury only available for few due to the cost. Private companies and billionaires will not be the only ones tobenefitfrom leisurely space travel though.

The rise of space tourism can provide furtherdevelopment of terrestrial observation systems and the preparation of technologies for interplanetary travel,among other things.

This new era of research could make space science more accessible. In addition, improvements in technologies on earth are often based on innovations that started in space. Our trip to the moon gave us our running shoes, foam mattresses and evenbulletproof vests.

So who knows what can come from this new age of space exploration.

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The Rise of Space Tourism - Reporter Magazine

2021 Re-Run: Top Space Discoveries and Missions from a Venturesome Year | The Weather Channel – Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com – The…

A comet.

The year 2021 saw humanity outdo itself by being braver and venturing further than we ever have. From digging deeper into our neighbouring worlds and unraveling the mysteries of far-away cosmic entities, to touching stars and making space-travel more accessiblethis year had it all.

Now, as we prepare ourselves for some more exciting endeavours slated for 2022, lets take a quick look at the headlines that reigned the field of space through 2021.

Listed below are the top developments from space research and exploration from the last 12 months.

Richard Branson and team during the spaceflight.

2021 marked the beginning of commercial space flights, a dream cradled by Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk.

In July 2021, Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic kick-started the space tourism league, thus becoming the first billionaire to do so. Among five passengers onboard mission Unity22, the spotlight was on Sirisha Bandla, who became just the fourth person of Indian origin to fly into spaceafter Rakesh Sharma, Kalpana Chawala, and Sunita Williams.

Jeff Bezos Blue Origin followed suit and ventured into space to fly beyond the Karman linethe internationally recognised boundary of space. Using its New Shepard rocket, Jeffs younger brother Mark Bezos, along with Wally Funk, an 82-year-old female aviator and Oliver Daemen, an 18-year-old physics student, were taken to space for an 11-minute spaceflight.

Last but not the least was tech-icon Elon Musks SpaceX Inspiration4 mission. Launched in September, it took four civilians on a three-day space tripa lot longer than the few weightless minutes facilitated by the Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin. Individuals from different backgrounds and realms of life participated in this mission, representing the values of hope, generosity, leadership and prosperity.

These missions heralded a new era where space travel edged slightly closer to the reaches of the public. However, at this nascent stage, space tourism still remains an extravagantly costly affair.

This set of images shows parts of the robotic arm on NASAs Perseverance rover flexing and turning during its first checkout after landing on Mars.

In February 2021, three landmark robotic explorer missionsPerseverance by the United States, Tianwen-1 by China, and Hope by the United Arab Emiratesarrived on Mars to dig-out past and present mysteries surrounding our neighbouring world.

The UAEs Hope orbiter, designed to study the planets thin atmosphere, has an ambitious goal of creating the first-ever global map of the Martian atmosphere. Further, Chinas Tianwen-1 will focus on detecting underground deposits of water and ice, while also collecting samples of soil and rocks, which will arrive on Earth through its upcoming missions by 2030.

As for NASAs Perseverance, the mission has four set goals, with a top priority of determining if life ever existed on Mars. And thus far, it has already achieved the impressive feat of flying a helicopter named Ingenuity in the Martian atmosphere for the first time ever. In September, the Perseverance rover also reached a historical milestone by collecting the first-ever sample from a Martian rock in the Jezero Crater. The samples could unravel more of the Red Planets past mysteries once brought back to Earth.

The black holes extreme gravity alters the paths of light coming from different parts of the disk, producing the warped image.

Black holes are the most sought-after mysteries of space, with even tiny observations or clues about them creating a huge buzz! And this year, scientists marked a lot of firsts in learning about these cosmic entities.

In March, scientists revealed the presence of magnetic fields around a black hole. This was done by viewing the black hole image compiled by the Event Horizon Telescope. This finding is important in solving the mystery behind how black holes create powerful jets, which has so far been hard to crack.

Another significant first was achieved by scientists when they detected light behind a black holethe part that is usually covered by its shadow. These remarkable findings proved yet another part of Albert Einsteins general theory of relativity, by enabling scientists to actually see it in action.

Apart from these, astronomers also documented the very first merger of two massive black holes with neutron stars. As these gigantic celestial entities collided, the volatile event triggered ripples across the universe, some of which were also felt by our planet.

Illustration of NASAs DART spacecraft and the Italian Space Agencys (ASI) LICIACube prior to impact at the Didymos binary system.

2021 could, in a way, be summed-up as a year where we sent mixed signals to asteroidson one hand, we launched missions to visit them and understand them better; on the other, we initiated projects to break them to pieces!

In October, NASA launched its maiden mission named Lucy to study rocks located in the asteroid belt as well as the ones that orbit alongside Jupiter, viz. the Trojan asteroids. Over the course of this 12-year journey, Lucy could revolutionise our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system.

But while asteroids are reservoirs of information about the early universe, they also pose a threat to our planet. To address this, NASA and SpaceX also launched the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in November.

A planetary defense-driven test of technologies designed to prevent a hazardous asteroid from colliding with Earth, DART will be the first demonstration of the kinetic impactor technique to change the motion of an asteroid in space.

Artist impression of spacecraft entering Sun.

While this year marked the beginning of several landmark missions, it also saw some previous missions make breakthrough findings.

To begin with, the 1977-launched Voyager 1, which has ventured into the vast, dark interstellar space where no man-made object has ever been, has already revealed many secrets of the universe. In 2021, it added another feather to its hat by detecting a faint plasma hum in interstellar space. Through this discovery, scientists will be able to conduct the very first measurements of the density of material in interstellar space.

NASA ended the year on a high as well, as for the first time in human history, a spacecraft touched the super hostile environment of our star: the magnificent Sun. This historic feat belongs to the Parker Solar Probe, and the awaited results from this mission will help us understand the Sun's evolution and its overall impacts on our solar system.

The last month of 2021 brought some extra excitement for space enthusiasts with the arrival of Comet Leonard. Dubbed as the "once in a lifetime" comet, Leonard came closest to Earth on December 12a feat it wont repeat for the next 35,000 years!

JWST's golden mirror.

After decades of work put in by an incredible army of astronomers and engineers, the world is finally set to witness the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. After several delays, the liftoff of this powerhouse space observatoryscheduled for December 25will be the last and most-awaited launch of 2021.

Scientists from NASA, ESA and CSA have all contributed to the creation of this infrared-seeing telescope, which will hunt for exoplanets and their various characteristics, decode black holes, peer back into the early years of the universe, and more!

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2021 Re-Run: Top Space Discoveries and Missions from a Venturesome Year | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com - The...

Why Gong Yoo Explores Space Travel And A New Genre In The Silent Sea – Forbes

Gong Yoo plays the leader of a perilous space mission in 'The Silent Sea.'

Gong Yoo originally thought his future lay behind the camera, as he wanted to create advertising content. The first time he faced the camera lens was in college, when he got a part-time job as a VJ for a music show

From that point on, I found myself wanting to express my emotions through the camera lens, said Gong. It was fascinating to influence peoples emotions with my eyes, voice, and the subtle changes in my facial expressions.

That led to a desire to experience life through different characters.

I think the part-time job might have been a turning point in my life. That is how I eventually started acting and it has been more than 20 years since I started to share different emotions with audiences and live vicariously through various characters.

It has been an impressive 20-year career. Gong landed his first leading roles in the TV dramas Hello My Teacher and One Fine Day and after his role in Coffee Prince quickly became an international star. He appeared in the film Silenced, a story so powerful it prompted legislative change in Korea. He played a supportive husband in the award-winning film Kim Ji-young: Born 1982, fought zombies in the international hit Train to Busan and guarded a clone in the sci-fi film Seo Bok. He played the title role in Guardian: The Great and Lonely God, aka Goblin, which became the fifth highest rated drama in Korean cable television history. A wider audience met him through his cameo as a recruiter in Squid Game and hes now taking k-dramas to space with the Netflix NFLX production The Silent Sea.

Gong has a gift for choosing successful projects.

I believe that a good script holds all the answers for a good story, which is why I am cautious when selecting/reviewing a script, he said. When it comes to the veiled parts of a scriptfor instance, the hidden intentions of the directorI first review them in detail with the director to make sure that we are on the same page. After that, I add my own imagination to bring the character to life. That is how I build the core of a character. Nonetheless, there are other aspects I potentially may add as I interact with other cast members; however, only to an extent that these new additions do not undermine the essence of the character.

Gong Yoo played the recruiter in 'Squid Game.'

He was attracted to The Silent Sea because his character Han Yun-jae is an experienced leader, who has a strong sense of responsibility and is calm under difficult circumstances.

Not everyone can become a leader and it is a lonely title that comes with great responsibility. I sympathize with him to a certain extent. But Yun-jae is also an ordinary dad who worries about the well-being of his child. To be honest, I selected The Silent Sea not only because I was drawn to my character, but because I was drawn to the creative theme and how the story portrays its universe. I wanted to challenge myself in a genre that has never been tried out in Korea. As someone who always looks to broaden his spectrum into various genres, I wanted to be a part of this amazing journey to the moon. This aligns with the reasons why I chose Train to Busan.

His characters tend to exude a sense of inner calm, which reflects his own efforts to maintain an even keel.

Personally, I tend to try to stay calm under pressure, said Gong. Of course, it doesnt always work, but I think disciplining myself to remain calm can be very helpful in life. I believe that mental strength is pivotal in terms of physical health. If you allow your emotions to overwhelm you, you may not always make the best choices. And in any game, whoever loses their temper is most likely to lose.

While traveling to space might seem like an appealing idea, Gong suggests the story of The Silent Sea should prompt renewed concerns for this planet.

Ma Dong-seok and Gong Yoo battle zombies in 'Train To Busan.'

As wonderful as space travel is, being forced to migrate to another planet for survival as portrayed in The Silent Seadue to desertification or in the face of extinctionwould be a tragedy. I try to remind myself that I need to stay alert and do better to protect our planet. Yun-jae ultimately takes risks and heads to the moon for survival. He is a selfless father who would sacrifice himself for his daughter. I dont have a child yet, but I think I would make the same choice as Yun-jae did. In the big picture, it also can translate into the sacrifice made by this generation for the welfare of the next generation to come.

Space travel is a new genre for Asia so The Silent Sea can be seen as a giant step forward for k-content. The story, which also stars Bae Doona and Lee Joon, focuses on a perilous 24-hour mission on the moon. Gong and his team must retrieve samples from an abandoned research facility steeped in classified secrets.

Similar to zombie content, space travel sci-fi is a ubiquitous theme in Hollywood, which has set audience standards, said Gong. After Train to Busan, I gained the assurance that great content has less to do with the amount of production budget, but more to do with the clever use of it. Creative themes, premise, along with the design of a story are the crucial factors. The creativeness and refreshing themes are what absorb the audience.

Filming The Silent Sea involved many physical challenges. To film an elevator fall, Gongwore about 10 to 12 wires.

I have had my fair share of wirework for action films, but it was challenging nonetheless. Wirework stunts not only inversely bend your back, but also its almost impossible to sustain a balanced position while hanging upside-down. I had to take short breaks after every take because blood would circulate to my head. Therefore, it was physically tiring for both myself as an actor and the film crew.

There were scenes where he ran through narrow, low-height passages while wearing a heavy outfit.This damaged my knees, but Im fully recovered now.

The weightlessness in the spacecraft and the low gravity on the surface of the moon were challenging to portray, but Gong found it fun because hed never done it before.

I did use the wires for support, but for scenes where I only needed to bend down my torso, itwas easier to naturally demonstrate the movement than to depend on wires. For these scenes wirework was a severe challenge, because if my coordination with the crew slightly went off, the movements started to look awkward. Generally for these scenes, we had to take multiple takes for each scene.

Gong was already an international star before his cameoin Squid Game, but he notes a bump in interest.

Even though I wasnt a part of the main cast for Squid Game, I think a lot of viewers have been checking out my other works after watching the series. That interest continued to extend to The Silent Sea, which Im very grateful for.

He worked with Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk on the film Silenced and they are still good friends.

I knew about Squid Game from its very initial phase of production and we had some brief chats about it. I found the story engaging from the very beginning and anticipated its success; however, I never knew to what extent it would succeed. I made a cameo appearance to support director Hwang, but it turned out that I ended up benefiting a lot more from Squid Game. I was so happy for him. Director Hwang is a great filmmaker that I have always believed in, but now Im even more excited for his next steps. I hope he can continue to focus on creating the many stories that he likes.

Gong sees the popularity of Squid Game as a positive sign, introducing international viewers to the wider world of Korean content.

I think it will open new doors to bigger opportunities for creators and actors in Korea. We will have to be smart about effectively leveraging those opportunities. We live in an era where content produced in different countries can be accessed globally as long as you have a TV or a phone, for various platforms. As an actor, Im both very grateful and fascinated to be alive in a time like this.

Acting has led to some soul searching and taught him a lot about himself.

Kim Shin in Goblin is one example. The character gave me an opportunity to take a step back and reflect upon myself before turning 40. It also helped me to realize how valuable I am and that I needed to love myself more. The process was tough, but ultimately, it helped me to find myself again.

Being an actor also gave him the gift of bringing comfort to others.

I am not sure if this is the right comparison, but back when I was going through an emotionally tough phase, a film and the characters it portrayed offered me great comfort, said Gong. The film was titled Manchester by the Sea. Ironically, the protagonist was portrayed in a very dry and understated tone and intriguingly it was a sad story.

To Gong, that is what films are all about.

Sometimes a film makes me laugh, or cry, but sometimes it just embraces me with a silent hug. And I sincerely hope my performances and films/series do the same for other people. I am still in the middle of that journey and plan to continue on that path. I want to remain an actor who can offer great comfort to people.

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Why Gong Yoo Explores Space Travel And A New Genre In The Silent Sea - Forbes

Cargo Dragon Docks to Station with Brand New Science – NASA

The space station is viewed from the SpaceX Cargo Dragon during its automated approach before docking. Credit: NASA TV

While the International Space Station was traveling more than 260 miles over the South Pacific Ocean, a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft autonomously docked to the space-facing side of the orbiting laboratorys Harmony module at 3:41 a.m. EST, Wednesday, Dec. 22. NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Thomas Marshburn were monitoring docking operations for Dragon.

The Dragon launched on SpaceXs 24th contracted commercial resupply mission at 5:07 a.m. EST, Tuesday, Dec. 21 from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After Dragon spends about one month attached to the space station, the spacecraft will return to Earth with cargo and research.

Among the science experiments Dragon is delivering to the space station are:

Bioprinting bandagesBioprinting uses viable cells and biological molecules to print tissue structures. The German Aerospace Center studyBioprint FirstAiddemonstrates a portable, handheld bioprinter that uses a patients own skin cells to create a tissue-forming patch to cover a wound and accelerate the healing process. On future missions to the Moon and Mars, bioprinting such customized patches could help address changes in wound healing that can occur in space and complicate treatment. Personalized healing patches also have potential benefits on Earth, providing safer and more flexible treatment anywhere needed.

Improving delivery of cancer drugsMonoclonal antibodies, used to treat a wide range of human diseases, do not dissolve easily in liquid and so typically must be given intravenously in a clinical setting.The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space Protein Crystal Growth 20 (CASIS PCG 20) experimentcontinues work on crystallizing a monoclonal antibody, pembrolizumab, that Merck Research Labs developed. It is the active ingredient in Keytruda, a drug that targets multiple cancers. Scientists analyze these crystals to learn more about the structure and behavior of the component to create drug formulations that can be administered at a doctors office or even at home.

Assessing infection riskScientists have observed that spaceflight sometimes increases the virulence of potentially harmful microbes and reduces human immune function, increasing the risk for infectious disease.Host-Pathogenassesses space-induced changes in immune status by culturing cells collected from crew members before, during, and after spaceflight with both normal bacteria and bacteria grown under simulated spaceflight conditions. Results could help assess the potential risk infectious microbes may pose and may support development of countermeasures. This could improve care for those with compromised immune systems on Earth.

Roots, shoots, and leavesMulti Variable Platform (MVP) Plant-01profiles and monitors the development of the shoots and roots of plants in microgravity. Plants could serve as a vital part of human life support systems for long-duration spaceflight and habitation of the Moon and Mars. However, space-grown plants experience stress from various factors and recent studies indicate changes in plant gene expression in response to those stressors. Improved understanding of these changes could enable the design of plants that are better suited for growth in spaceflight environments.

Toward lunar laundromatsAstronauts on the space station wear items of clothing several times, then replace them with new clothes delivered on resupply missions. Limited cargo capacity makes this a challenge, and resupply is not an option for longer missions, such as those to the Moon and Mars. In a collaboration with NASA, Procter & Gamble has developed Tide Infinity, a fully degradable detergent specifically designed for use in space, and theP&G Telescience Investigation of Detergent Experiments (PGTIDE) study the performance of its stain removal ingredients and the formulations stability in microgravity. Once proven in space, Tide plans to use the new cleaning methods and detergent to advance sustainable, low-resource-use laundry solutions on Earth.

Parts made in spaceTurbine Superalloy Casting Module (SCM)tests a commercial manufacturing device that processes heat-resistant alloy parts in microgravity. Alloys are materials made up of at least two different chemical elements, one of which is a metal. Researchers expect more uniform microstructures and improved mechanical properties in superalloy parts processed in microgravity compared to those processed on Earth. These superior materials could improve the performance of turbine engines in industries such as aerospace and power generation on Earth.

Students and citizens as space scientistsStudents enrolled in institutions of higher learning can design and build microgravity experiments as part of NASAs Student Payload Opportunity with Citizen Science (SPOCS). As part of their experiments, selected teams include students in kindergarten through 12th grade as citizen scientists. Citizen science allows individuals who are not professional scientists to contribute to real-world research. TheNASA STEM on Stationproject is funding experiments flying on this SpaceX resupply mission, including a study on antibiotic resistance in microgravity from Columbia University in New York and one on how microgravity affects bacteria-resistant polymers from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho.

These are just a few of the hundreds of investigations currently being conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory in the areas of biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science. Advances in these areas will help keep astronauts healthy during NASAsArtemismissions to the Moon and long-duration space travel and demonstrate technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit to theMoon and Mars.

Learn more about station activities by following thespace station blog,@space_stationand@ISS_Researchon Twitter, as well as theISS FacebookandISS Instagramaccounts.

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