. 24/7 Space News .
SPACE TRAVEL
Space snapshot
by Staff Writers
Paris (ESA) Feb 24, 2021

File image of Alexander Gerst working at ESA's Biolab facility in the Columbus laboratory module on the ISS.

Does this image make you anxious or are you already tracking where all the wires go? If the latter, you might have what it takes to be an astronaut!

It is an exciting time for space. With NASA's latest rover safely on Mars and ESA's call for the next class of astronauts, the space industry is teeming with possibilities.

This image taken in ESA's Columbus laboratory on the International Space Station is a snapshot of the many opportunities in space research and exploration.

In the centre is the Biolab facility, a fridge-sized unit that hosts biological experiments on micro-organisms, cells, tissue cultures, small plants and small invertebrates. Performing life science experiments in space identifies the role that weightlessness plays at all levels of an organism, from the effects on a single cell up to a complex organism - including humans.

The facility has enabled researchers to make some remarkable discoveries, most notable that mammalian immune cells required a mere 42 seconds to adapt to weightlessness, prompting more questions but also an overall positive outlook for long-duration human spaceflight.

The pink glow in the image is from the greenhouse that has enabled many studies on plant growth in space.

With plans to visit the Moon and Mars, future astronauts will need a regular, fresh source of food as they take on these missions farther away from home. In addition to providing much-needed vitamins and minerals, growing plants in space contributes to sustainability and adds a homey touch to exploration.

Growing plants in the microgravity conditions of the International Space Station has allowed researchers to fine tune the approach. European research showed plants respond best to red and blue light, giving the Columbus module a disco feel.

If you look closely, you can spot Astro Pi Ed to the left of Biolab. As part of ESA astronaut Tim Peake's Principia mission (2015-2016) to the International Space Station, two space-hardened Raspberry Pi computers, called Astro Pis and nicknamed Ed and Izzy, equipped with environmental sensors, were sent to the Space Station. They are regularly used to run students' and young people's programmes as part of the Astro Pi Challenge.

Of course, a whole host of researchers, ground control crew, and mission support specialists make space research and exploration possible. The excitement of space continues.

If you think you have what it takes, apply to be part of the team.


Related Links
Biolab Facility at ESA
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


SPACE TRAVEL
Cygnus resupply ship bolted to ISS Unity Module
Houston TX (SPX) Feb 23, 2021
The Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft was berthed to the International Space Station's Earth-facing port of the Unity module at 7:16 a.m. EST Monday morning and subsequently bolted into place. Cygnus will remain at the space station until May, when the spacecraft will depart the station. Following departure, the Cygnus will dispose of several tons of trash during a fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The spacecraft, which launched at 12:36 p.m. EST Saturday, Feb. 20, on an Antares rocket ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SPACE TRAVEL
NASA, Boeing update Starliner orbital flight test date

NASA's Perseverance rover beams back spectacular new images

Space for all is this student's goal

Astronautics training for space professionals

SPACE TRAVEL
NASA delays new test-firing of moon rocket

Russia plans at least 10 launches from Baikonur in 2021

DLR ready to test first upper stage for Ariane 6

NASA assigns astronauts to next SpaceX Crew-4 mission to ISS

SPACE TRAVEL
Oregon experiments find that electrical sparks are possible on Mars

Martian moons have a common ancestor

Mars helicopter reports in, New color images available

America has sent five rovers to Mars -- when will humans follow?

SPACE TRAVEL
China begins assembly of Long March 5B heavy-lift to launch core space station capsule

Xi lauds China's progress in space missions

Chinese tracking vessel sets sail for monitoring missions in Indian Ocean

China's 'space dream': A Long March to the Moon and beyond

SPACE TRAVEL
Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster Funds Deployment Of Flexible Automation Solutions

RUAG Space positions itself for the future

Business support scheme to boost UK space industry has lift off

French village says 'non' to Elon Musk's space-age internet

SPACE TRAVEL
Israel launches research nanosatellite to measure radiation in space

Brand new findings on fire safety in space

Aerosol pollution caused decades of "global dimming"

Falling to Earth takes a long time

SPACE TRAVEL
The search for life beyond Earth

The Milky Way may be swarming with planets with oceans and continents like here on Earth

On the quest for other Earths

NASA's TESS discovers new worlds in a river of young stars

SPACE TRAVEL
Solar system's most distant planetoid confirmed

Peering at the Surface of a Nearby Moon

A Hot Spot on Jupiter

The 15th Anniversary of New Horizons Leaving Earth









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.