Human Research May Lead to New Vaccines, Increase Space Commercialization
Human research took precedence aboard the International Space Station on May 11 as the Expedition 65 crew explored how weightlessness affects the immune system. The orbital residents also trained for a medical emergency and ensured station systems continued operating in tip-top shape.
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Heads for Earth with Asteroid Sample
On April 9, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft took one last look at Bennu, the asteroid from which it scooped up a sample last October. Slated for return to Earth in 2023, the mission is on track to deliver a sample of pristine material left over from the formation of the solar system into the hands of researchers on Earth.
Webb’s Golden Mirror Wings Open One Last Time on Earth
For the last time while it is on Earth, the world’s largest and most powerful space science telescope opened its iconic primary mirror. This event marked a key milestone in preparing NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope for launch later this year. As part of Webb’s final tests, the 21-foot, 4 inch mirror was commanded to fully expand and lock itself into place, just like it would in space.
NASA’s Perseverance Captures Video, Audio of Fourth Ingenuity Flight
For the first time, a spacecraft on another planet has recorded the sounds of a separate spacecraft. NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover used one of its two microphones to listen as the Ingenuity helicopter flew for the fourth time April 30. Watch a video that combines footage of the solar-powered helicopter taken by Perseverance’s Mastcam-Z imager with audio from a microphone belonging to the rover’s SuperCam laser instrument.
Hubble Gazes at a Cluster Full of Cosmic Clues
NASA released a detailed image featuring Abell 3827, a galaxy cluster that offers a wealth of exciting possibilities for study. The agency’s Hubble Space Telescope observed the cluster in order to study dark matter, which is one of the greatest puzzles cosmologists face today.
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