Tag: habitat design
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Preparing Robotic Explorers to Pave the Way for Human Mars Missions
Intro: Mars ambitions rise on the back of lunar and robotic groundwork As space agencies pivot toward sustained human presence beyond Earth, scientists are turning to robotic explorers to test, refine, and de-risk the steps needed for human missions to Mars. By leveraging ongoing missions focused on the Moon, we can tackle critical challenges long…
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Periods in Space: A Practical Guide to Menstrual Health on Long-Duration Missions
Introduction: The Challenge of Menstruation Beyond Earth Periods in space present a unique challenge for long-duration missions. From Sally Ride’s era-tilting question about the right number of tampons to modern research on menstrual management, space health teams have continually adapted to ensure comfort, safety, and mission success. This article examines how menstruation is managed in…
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Moss Survives Space Station Exterior: A Glimpse into Future Space Ecosystems
Unexpected Tenacity: Moss on the Edge of Space From garden walls to the outer frame of a space station, a simple clump of moss has surprised scientists by enduring conditions long considered hostile to life. In a recent experiment, researchers exposed sheets of moss to the vacuum, radiation, and temperature swings typical of the exterior…
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Moss Survives on Space Station Exterior: Implications for Space Ecosystems
Introduction: A Humble Plant Reaches for the Stars In a surprising turn of research, a simple clump of moss has demonstrated an unexpected resilience by surviving the harsh environment on the exterior of a space station. What began as a curiosity about how terrestrial life might endure spaceflight conditions has evolved into a potential stepping…
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Archaeology in Space: What 25 Years of ISS Teaches Us About Living and Working Off Earth
Introduction: A New Kind of Archaeology The International Space Station (ISS) has been humanity’s long-running orbital laboratory for a quarter of a century. While most people associate archaeology with ancient ruins on Earth, a growing field of space archaeology looks at how crewed missions, habitats, and workflows leave traces—both material and procedural—on living in microgravity.…