Space life

Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli works on the BioFabrication Facility, a biological printer that is testing the printing of organ-like tissues in microgravity. The Expedition 70 crew members turned their attention toward robotics and physics research today while continuing ongoing space biology studies. The orbital septet also will soon welcome a cargo craft due to launch to the International Space Station early Friday. NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli turned on the Astrobee robotic free-flyers Thursday morning for a technology demonstration inside the Kibo laboratory module . In the afternoon, she installed components called CLINGERS on the Astrobees and monitored the cube-shaped robotic devices as they conducted docking maneuvers. The experiment seeks to prove new technology that may enable future satellites to rendezvous, dock, and undock autonomously. Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa also worked in the Kibo lab swapping samples inside the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace . The hi...

Nov. 29, 2023: International Space Station Configuration. Five spaceships are parked at the space station including the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft, the SpaceX Dragon Endurance crew spacecraft, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter, the Soyuz MS-24 crew ship, and the Progress 85 resupply ship. The International Space Station hosted numerous microgravity experiments on Wednesday investigating how the human body adapts to weightlessness and ways to live and work off the Earth. The Expedition 70 crewmembers also continued preparing for a cargo mission then conducted an emergency drill. More aging research was underway aboard the orbital lab today as NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli processed samples inside the Kibo laboratory module for the Space AGE study. The biology work took place in Kibo’s Life Science Glovebox and may provide better insights into the aging process on cells and its effects on disease mechanisms both on Earth and in space. Working in the Columbus labor...

The Roscosmos Progress 84 cargo craft is pictured on May 26 docked to the Poisk module a couple of days after its arrival. The Expedition 70 crew is continuing its advanced life science work today while gearing up for a cargo mission swap at the International Space Station this week. Meanwhile, the orbital residents also ensured exercise equipment and life support systems remain in good operating condition. The ageing and immunity research taking place aboard the orbital outpost today is using the microgravity environment to gain biomedical insights impossible to achieve on Earth. Cells respond differently to weightlessness helping doctors understand how a variety of organisms from plants to astronauts adapt to life in space. Observations from the space biology experiments may provide advanced therapies to treat ailments on Earth and promote astronaut health on long-term missions. NASA Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara started Tuesday wearing a vest and headband loaded with sensors...

An aurora dances in the horizon of Earth’s atmosphere as city lights shine through clouds cast over Mongolia. Ultra-cold space physics and immunity research were the top science objectives aboard the International Space Station on Monday. The seven-member Expedition 70 crew is also stepping up its cargo operations this week while continuing to maintain lab systems. The coldest place in the universe may just be the orbital outpost’s Cold Atom Lab , a quantum research device that chills atoms to near absolute zero, lower than the average temperature of space. NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli configured components and installed hardware for a controller test of the facility that provides unique observations of atomic wave functions seen at extremely low temperatures not possible on Earth. Moghbeli also assisted Commander Andreas Mogensen inside the Columbus laboratory module setting up the Kubik incubator first thing Monday morning. Next, Mogensen from ESA (European Space A...

An aurora dances in the horizon of Earth’s atmosphere as city lights shine through clouds cast over Mongolia while the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above. The Expedition 70 crew is back to work following yesterday’s off-duty day to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. After enjoying holiday treats like chocolate, duck, quail, seafood, pumpkin spice cappuccino and more, the seven International Space Station residents focused on space biology research and station upkeep on Friday. In the morning, Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA serviced components on the BioFabrication Facility (BFF) , a 3D printer used to print organ-like tissues in microgravity. She then moved on to other space biology tasks, deploying the work volume in the Life Sciences Glovebox to culture cells for the Bacterial Adhesion and Corrosion investigation, a study that examines bacterial genes in microgravity and whether they can corrode various surfaces in the orbiting laboratory. Studies of...

Four Expedition 70 crewmates wish a Happy Thanksgiving from the International Space Station to the Earth below. Watch the video on YouTube. Credit: NASA TV All seven members of the Expedition 70 crew spent Wednesday continuing its space biology research and maintaining the upkeep of the International Space Station . The orbital septet will also observe the Thanksgiving holiday and share a traditional turkey meal aboard the space laboratory. Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli , Satoshi Furukawa , and Andreas Mogensen kicked off the day with a periodic health evaluation checking each other’s temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. The trio also took turns using an otoscope examining their ear canals and eardrums. Doctors are constantly monitoring how living and working in microgravity affects an astronaut’s health. Afterward, NASA’s Moghbeli processed liver stem samples inside the Life Science Glovebox for the Space AGE investigation exploring regenerative medicine te...

Astronaut Andreas Mogensen operates a microscope to capture imagery of brain cell-like samples for the Cerebral Ageing space biology study. Astronaut health, an aging study, and cargo operations kept the Expedition 70 crew busy on Tuesday. The International Space Station residents also explored space manufacturing and downloaded radiation data. Scientists representing NASA and its international partners are collecting a multitude of physiological and psychological data from crew members living on the orbital outpost. The observations from the CIPHER suite of 14 human research experiments will help researchers and mission planners understand health issues astronauts may face on future missions. Insights from the space biology study will be especially useful when crews begin traveling longer and farther away from Earth toward the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara spent most of Tuesday contributing to the CIPHER study processing blood and urine samples and partic...

The space station is pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during its departure and flyaround on Nov. 8, 2021. Space biology and Dragon work were the top duties at the beginning of the week for the Expedition 70 crew. The International Space Station also turned 25 years old today with its first module having orbited Earth since 1998. Eye scans were on the biomedical research schedule for four astronauts on Monday afternoon. Commander Andreas Mogensen kicked off the exams activating the Ultrasound 2 device then setting up communications gear allowing doctors on the ground to remotely monitor the activities. Mogensen from ESA (European Space Agency) then took turns with flight engineers Loral O’Hara , Jasmin Moghbeli , and Satoshi Furukawa in the Columbus laboratory module participating in the regularly scheduled eye exams. Mogensen partnered with Moghbeli from NASA at the end of the day and practiced SpaceX Dragon Endurance undocking and landing procedures on the cre...

The sun’s first rays begin illuminating Earth’s atmosphere as the space station as orbited 260 miles above the central United States. Bacteria, brain aging, and gravity-sensing cells were the main research subjects aboard the International Space Station on Friday. The seven Expedition 70 crew members also worked on computers, communications gear, and life support maintenance to wrap up the work week. NASA Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara explored how microorganisms grow in microgravity, the potential damage they cause to spacecraft, and ways to disinfect the harmful bacteria. She inoculated microbe samples inside the Life Science Glovebox that will be compared to uninoculated samples. The NASA-sponsored Bacteria Adhesion and Corrosion study takes place in the Kibo laboratory module and aims to keep space crews and humans on Earth healthy. Commander Andreas Mogensen from ESA (European Space Agency) viewed cell samples under a microscope for the Cerebral Ageing experiment. The s...

Astronaut Loral O’Hara uses a portable glovebag to replace components on a biological printer that tests the printing of organ-like tissues in microgravity. A variety of research taking place today on the International Space Station is helping NASA and its partners support crews living and working off the Earth. The ongoing Expedition 70 investigations are informing ways to improve human health and plan future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Astronauts Loral O’Hara and Satoshi Furukawa joined each other in the Columbus laboratory module for vein scans using the Ultrasound 2 device. Doctors on the ground assisted the duo monitoring how weightlessness affects the neck, shoulder, and leg veins, and learning how to keep crews healthy. O’Hara from NASA also teamed up with fellow NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli and worked in the Tranquility module throughout Thursday. Both astronauts were clearing hardware from the Bishop airlock to make space for the NanoRacks Ext...

An aurora glows in Earth’s atmosphere as the International Space Station soared 260 miles above Utah during orbital nighttime. Another busy day of science activities is underway for the Expedition 70 crew and robotics ground controllers following the arrival of SpaceX’s Dragon cargo spacecraft last weekend. The seven members aboard the International Space Station spent time on an array of research today while grounds teams remotely retrieved science hardware from Dragon. Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara started work in the morning on an experiment that studies age-related liver dysfunction and regeneration. The first-time station resident of NASA processed liver tissue samples in the Life Sciences Glovebox , research that could help scientists understand the biology of aging and its effects on disease mechanisms. Later in the day, Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA took over this work before stowing the samples. After yesterday’s ILLUMA-T extraction, mission controllers fr...

Thrusters on the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft fire automatically adjusting the vehicle’s approach for a docking to the station’s forward port. The Expedition 70 crew and robotics controllers on the ground were busy unloading a U.S. cargo craft today. The International Space Station residents are also activating new science experiments to reveal how microgravity affects humans. The astronauts and teams on the ground are working together today unpacking some of the nearly 6,500 pounds of science, supplies, and hardware delivered inside the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft on Saturday . Commander Andreas Mogensen worked inside the commercial resupply ship on Tuesday disassembling some of the loaded crew bags strapped inside Dragon. The ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut then moved the smaller cargo items through the hatch and into the station to replenish the crew. Mogensen also supported a pair of space botany experiments to help sustain crews traveling farther away from Earth....

The space station soars 260 miles above the southernmost point of Alaska into an orbital nighttime. The Expedition 70 crew is unpacking the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft following its arrival early Saturday morning . Meanwhile, the orbital residents are also continuing their research and maintenance activities following the International Space Station ’s debris avoidance maneuver last week. The hatches are open between Dragon and the orbital outpost following its arrival on Saturday. NASA Flight Engineers Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara monitored Dragon’s arrival and entered the cargo spacecraft less than two hours after its docking. The duo along with Commander Andreas Mogensen and Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa spent a busy weekend unloading time-sensitive experiments for installation and activation aboard the orbital outpost. The foursome worked throughout Monday transferring science freezers stocked with research samples from Dragon into the station and kicking off so...

The station is viewed from the approaching SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft. The SpaceX Dragon Endurance crew spacecraft is pictured docked at center top. Credit: NASA TV While the International Space Station was traveling more than 262 miles over central Brazil, a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft autonomously docked to station’s Harmony module at 5:07 a.m. EST, with NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara monitoring operations from the station. The Dragon launched on SpaceX’s 29th contracted commercial resupply mission for NASA at 8:28 p.m. EST, Nov. 9, from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s 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: Laser Communication from Space NASA’s ILLUMA-T investigation tests technology to provide enhanced data communication capabilities on the space stat...

The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft is pictured approaching the space station above the Indian Ocean on March 16, 2023. A SpaceX Dragon is on track to arrive at the International Space Station today, Saturday, Nov. 11, with an expected docking of the cargo spacecraft about 5:10 a.m. EST. When it arrives at the space station, Dragon will dock to the station’s Harmony module . Watch Dragon dock live on the NASA+ streaming service via the web or the  NASA app . Docking coverage also will air live on NASA Television,  YouTube , and on the agency’s  website . Learn how to  stream NASA TV  through a variety of platforms including social media. Dragon successfully launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 8:28 p.m. EST, Nov. 9, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying about 6,500 pounds of research, hardware, and supplies to the International Space Station. Learn more about station activities by following the  space st...

SpaceX’s 29th commercial resupply services mission for NASA will carry scientific research, technology demonstrations, crew supplies, and hardware to the International Space Station. Liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is targeted for 8:28 EST tonight. Photo credit: NASA Meteorologists with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron are calling for 100% favorable weather conditions for launch of tonight’s SpaceX 29th commercial resupply services mission for NASA to the International Space Station. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the Dragon spacecraft atop, is targeted to lift off from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A. The instantaneous launch window is at 8:28 p.m. EST. Our live broadcast begins at 8 p.m. – watch on NASA Television, the NASA app , YouTube , and on the agency’s website , or get live updates here on the blog. from Space Station https://ift.tt/sfpMkwO

Astronauts (from left) Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli pose for a portrait while working inside the Quest airlock. A U.S. cargo craft is at its launch pad in Florida counting down to a liftoff tonight to the International Space Station . Meanwhile, the Expedition 70 crew spent the day working on robotics research, cell biology, and a fitness evaluation. The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft is due to blast off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 8:28 p.m. EDT today . It will carry several tons of science , supplies, and hardware to the orbital outpost and automatically dock to the Harmony module ’s forward port at 5:21 a.m. on Saturday. NASA TV , on the agency’s app and website, will broadcast both the launch and docking of SpaceX’s 29 th commercial resupply mission . NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli will be on duty Saturday morning overseeing Dragon’s automated approach and rendezvous maneuvers. The NASA duo spent Thursday afternoon with Commander Andreas Mogens...