New Atlas

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ISS is home to super-tough molds that laugh in the face of deadly radiation

David Szondy June 28, 2019

Mold spores commonly found aboard the International Space Station (ISS) turn out to be radiation resistant enough to survive 200 times the X-ray dose needed to kill a human being, indicating that sterilizing interplanetary spacecraft may be much more difficult than previously thought.

Space

NASA opens up use of the ISS to private companies for commercial purposes

David Szondy June 10, 2019

In a move emphasizing NASA's desire to focus on deep space exploration instead of low-Earth orbit (LEO) activities, the space agency is opening the International Space Station (ISS) to limited commercial use, including hosting private astronauts.

NASA is opening the ISS to limited commercial use, including hosting private astronauts

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Space experiment looks to slow the aging process using nanoparticles

David Szondy May 6, 2019

The latest SpaceX Dragon cargo mission to the International Space Station (ISS) included an experiment that could help to combat aging here on Earth, as well as chronic illness and space-related stresses for astronauts on prolonged space missions.

The Kubik incubator on the ISS will be used to conduct experiments searching for a longer-lasting ...

Biology Audio available

NASA's twin study shows how space travel affects genes, cognition, aging and gut microbiome

Michael Irving April 11, 2019

NASA has conducted a comprehensive study comparing the genes and biology of identical twins Scott and Mark Kelly, after Scott spent almost a year in space while Mark stayed on Earth as a control. And now the results of that study have finally been released.

For NASA's comprehensive study on space travel's effects on human health, astronaut Scott Kelly (right) spent ...

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Study shows the International Space Station is brimming with bacteria

Nick Lavars April 9, 2019

Scientists have just put the finishing touches on what they say is the first comprehensive catalog of bacteria and fungi living inside the ISS, describing a bacteria-filled environment not dissimilar to a gym or an office.

Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques inside the Harmony module aboard the ISS last month

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First manned flight test of Boeing's Starliner to the ISS extended, but launch delayed

David Szondy April 3, 2019

The first manned flight of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner is going to last a little longer and lift off months later than planned. The duration of the Crew Flight Test will be extended to allow for more microgravity research, maintenance, and other tasks while the capsule is docked with the ISS.

Boeing's Starliner prepares for acoustic testing at Boeing's spacecraft test facilities in El Segundo, California.

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Microbes survive in space outside the ISS, raising hopes for life on Mars

Michael Irving March 27, 2019

Microorganisms keep turning up in Earth’s most extreme environments. To test whether certain hardy microbes can survive the harsh conditions of space or Mars, colonies were placed on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS) for almost 18 months – and many managed to survive.

Samples of microbes on the outside of the International Space Station, as part of the BIOMEX ...

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First all-female spacewalk cancelled due to lack of right-sized suits

David Szondy March 26, 2019

History's first all-female spacewalk has been cancelled at the last moment due to a problem with the spacesuits. The lack of two spacesuits to fit both women at the same time has forced the space agency to swap one of the team with a male astronaut.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch (center) assists spacewalkers Nick Hague (left) and Anne McClain in their U.S. ...

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Spacefaring bacteria prove no match for new space station antimicrobial coating

Michael Irving March 19, 2019

Humans weren’t built for space travel. The immune system takes a beating, leaving us more vulnerable to infection. Astronauts have now tested a new antimicrobial coating on board the International Space Station (ISS), and found it kept space-faring bugs at bay for well over a year.

Space

SpaceX Crew Dragon returns to Earth after successful space station visit

David Szondy March 9, 2019

On Friday at 8;45 am EST, SpaceX's Demo-1 mission to the International Space Station ended as the unmanned Crew Dragon command capsule splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean about 230 mi (370 km) off the coast of Cape Canaveral in Florida after a six-hour flight from the space laboratory.

Demo-1 undocking from the ISS on its return voyage