Latest news with #ex-NASA
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Aim to make science ‘accessible'
Dr Michelle Thaller, ex-NASA scientist. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON An American astronomer is hoping to break perceived barriers for understanding science at the science festival in Dunedin after working at Nasa for nearly 30 years. New Zealand International Science Festival guest Dr Michelle Thaller recently retired as the assistant director of science at Nasa's largest base at Goddard Space Flight Centre in Washington, DC. She will be giving the keynote address at the New Discoveries, New Connections science festival today at 6pm. She was hopeful the festival would help break down the barriers for regular people to understand science. "These things are accessible to us and everybody needs to take part in them. "I mean, science will stop being relevant in our culture if it's done by just a few people kind of hidden away in a lab." She had a terrible time learning science in school, but she loved it. She found the way science was formally taught was very intimidating but enjoyed learning about it when she was able to attach a narrative to the concepts. Yesterday evening she told a story about how people are made out of stars in an effort to help people understand they were not a distant thing that were difficult to connect with. "That's my favourite story ever. "It's really an honour for me to tell it." The story considered the meaning far away objects in astronomy had on the daily lives of human beings. "We are made up of stars, that's not a metaphor." Dr Thaller said the building blocks of human DNA and RNA fell out of space because people consumed different elements through their diet. Science festival director Jerome Cousins said there was plenty on offer for all demographics at the festival. The festival begins today and will end on July 6.
India.com
24-06-2025
- Science
- India.com
Clock Ticking: Will Shubhanshu Shuklas Rs 550 Crore Indian Space Experiments Survive Repeated Delays?
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's future astronaut, will embark on a pioneering mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Axiom-4 (Ax-4). This is only the second time that an Indian will be flying into space, after Rakesh Sharma went on a flight in 1984. The mission has been plagued by record seven delays, however, taking its most recent launch date to June 25. Such repeated delays have raised serious questions on the safety and feasibility of the seven important Indian scientific experiments, most notably the delicate biological samples. Ax-4 mission is a commercial spaceflight mission, a joint collaboration of NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. The four-person crew of this 14-day mission, which will perform more than 60 scientific experiments, is: Commander: Peggy Whitson (ex-NASA astronaut, USA) Pilot: Shubhanshu Shukla (Indian Air Force Pilot, ISRO) Mission Specialist: Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) Mission Specialist: Tibor Kapu (Hungary) Shukla will become the first Indian to travel to the ISS, a milestone in India's ambitious space program, which has spent Rs 550 crore on the mission. The Seven Indian Experiments: In Depth The seven experiments developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other Indian institutions will investigate biological, agronomic, and human adaptation themes in microgravity, which will be crucial for future space missions as well as earth-bound research. Muscle Atrophy Study: This study will analyse the reason and possible treatment of muscle wasting experienced by space travelers in space. Its results can be useful in Mars missions and in treating muscle disorders on the planet. Crop Seed Growth (University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad & IIT Dharwad): Six crop seed varieties will be analysed for their growth pattern and genetic transformation in space. This study is important for future space agriculture activities. Seed Germination (University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad & IIT Dharwad): The experiment will examine seed germination and nutritional changes. After return, the seeds will be cultivated over several generations to examine genetic and nutritional changes. Micro-organism Endurance (Indian Institute of Science): In tardigrades (water bears), small animals with remarkable survival abilities in extreme temperature, radiation, and vacuum conditions, the study will better understand organism survival during space travel. Cognitive Effects of Screens (ISRO): This test will monitor the impact of computer screen usage on eye movement, concentration, and mental stress in space, with the goal of enhancing astronaut mental well-being and performance on deep-space missions. Development of Microalgae (ISRO): Three varieties of microalgae will be researched for food, fuel, and life support system applications, and contribute to in-orbit self-sustainability. Cyanobacteria Research (ISRO): This test will examine the cellular and biochemical trends of two varieties of cyanobacteria in microgravity, which may prove critical for oxygen and food production during future missions to space. Reasons Behind The Serial Delays The Ax-4 mission, originally planned for May 29, 2025, was delayed seven times due to several technical and safety issues: May 29 - June 8: First delay because of a malfunction in the electrical harness of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. June 8 - June 10: Put off due to a Liquid Oxygen (LOX) leak in the SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. June 10 - June 11: Deferred because of poor weather conditions. ISRO had announced a June 11, 5:30 PM IST launch. June 11 - Indefinite: Yet another LOX leak found in the Falcon-9 rocket booster, and ISRO suggested additional repairs and tests. June 19 - June 22: NASA needed additional time for safety checks after the recent repairs to the ISS's Zvezda Service Module (Russian segment). June 22 - Indefinite: NASA postponed the launch again to analyse repair data. June 25 (Tentative): The launch date has now been tentatively scheduled for June 25, although NASA has yet to make it official, citing that since the ISS has complicated and interdependent systems, they need to ensure the station is well-ready for new crew members. Risks To Experiments And Safety Measures The successive delays endanger seriously the integrity of the biological samples (microalgae, tardigrades, seeds) especially treated for microgravity experiments. Long-term exposition to Earth conditions can compromise their quality and experimental data accuracy. Degradation of Biological Samples: Samples such as Kerala Agricultural University seeds and microalgae may lose their viability with time. ISRO is making efforts to update these samples. Although tardigrades are hardy, prolonged exposure to Earth might affect their experimental results. Compromised Accuracy: Delays may change the biological condition of samples, which can lower the accuracy of microgravity results. Logistical Challenges: Repeating and re-preparing samples require time and effort, which might raise mission expenses. Safety Measures ISRO's Readiness: ISRO is seriously undertaking the task of refreshing biological samples and has adopted special preservation methods in order to preserve their integrity. NASA & SpaceX Carefulness: NASA and SpaceX are meticulously examining the ISS and Falcon-9 rocket. Further tests are being conducted to fix LOX leaks and repair the Zvezda module. Crew Safety: The four astronauts are still in quarantine in Florida, where their health and safety are closely monitored at all times. Axiom Space verified that the crew is in good health and eager. Launch Window: There is a launch window until the end of June 2025. In case this window opportunity is lost, the next chance would be in mid-July.
Business Upturn
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Techburner Explores CrunchLabs Tech with Mark Rober
When the worlds of innovative education and gadget wizardry collide, magic happens—and that's exactly what unfolded when Indian tech creator Techburner (Shlok Srivastava) stepped into the colorful, curiosity-fueled universe of CrunchLabs, led by none other than American YouTube engineer and ex-NASA scientist Mark Rober. The meeting wasn't just a content crossover; it was a deep dive into what it means to inspire, build, and learn through hands-on exploration. Mark Rober, globally famous for his viral science experiments—glitter bombs for porch pirates, squirrel obstacle courses, and Guinness World Record-worthy inventions—has evolved into a mission-driven educator. His brainchild, CrunchLabs, is more than a creative studio. It's a subscription-based learning ecosystem that delivers buildable STEM projects right to kids' doors—designed to turn curiosity into capability. For the first time, CrunchLabs' playful engineering spirit met the vibrant energy of Indian tech storytelling, as Techburner visited the lab during Rober's India trip for the Waves Summit 2025. But this wasn't just about touring a lab—it was a chance to explore how engineering, creativity, and content can merge across cultures. From the get-go, this was not a passive walkthrough. With his trademark energy, Techburner explored the builds—like the domino launcher, safecracker kit, and inertia cart—but Rober had something more ambitious in mind. He invited Techburner to modify and remix these projects using parts from both CrunchLabs kits and Techburner's own gadget collection. The highlight? A collaborative build of a motion-sensing delivery drone, blending CrunchLabs' hands-on philosophy with Techburner's sleek, tech-forward mindset. It buzzed. It hovered. It dropped snacks. And yes—it crashed into a studio light. But it was thrilling, joyful, and deeply educational. Throughout the process, what resonated was a shared belief: engineering belongs to everyone. It's not confined to labs or classrooms; it thrives in living rooms, on smartphones, and in the minds of curious young creators everywhere. This message couldn't have been more timely, especially as Rober announced a nationwide Jugaad Contest in India—a challenge that calls on everyday inventors, young and old, to bring their wildest ideas to life using household materials. Enter the Jugaad Contest 2025 Mark Rober is inviting India's most creative minds to show off their Jugaad spirit! He's giving away ₹5 lakh each to 10 lucky inventors. Whether you're 8 or 80, this is your moment. How to Enter: Post a video of your best 'Jugaad' invention using everyday items on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or X . . Include #MarkRoberJugaad in the post. in the post. Go to submit your entry with the link to your post . . Entries without a submission link will notbe accepted! Contest runs from April 30 to September 15, 2025 . . Official Rules: CrunchLabs Contest Page 'Tech is the new universal language,' Techburner said as they wrapped. 'And if CrunchLabs is like a playground for inventors, then today, we just played the most fun game ever.' About Mark Rober With over 68 million YouTube subscribers and more than 11 billion views, Mark Rober is one of the most influential science creators of our time. He's known for everything from building the world's largest Nerf gun to launching the #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas movements with MrBeast, which raised tens of millions for global environmental causes. In 2022, he launched CrunchLabs, a Willy Wonka-style engineering playground in the Bay Area. CrunchLabs offers monthly subscriptions for kids and teens, delivering mechanical builds like the 'Build Box' and robotics kits like 'Hack Pack.' The platform now has hundreds of thousands of subscribers, with some lucky fans even winning a chance to visit Rober's secret lab. This collaboration with Techburner marked a step toward globalizing STEM education, with Rober even hinting that CrunchLabs may soon tailor kits for India, potentially with collaborators like Techburner helping bridge cultural and educational nuances. Whether it's through drone crashes, glitter bombs, or late-night builds, one thing is clear: Mark Rober and Techburner are making learning fun again—and proving that when you mix passion with play, education becomes unforgettable. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with a PR agency. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Top NASA official breaks 30-year silence to reveal sensational UFO footage of giant 'flying saucer' secretly created by US Air Force
As alleged UFO footage and declassified CIA files on alien encounters flood the internet's stratosphere, one ex-NASA top official has revealed exclusively to the Daily Mail that the US Air Force possesses a 20-foot, gravity-defying 'flying saucer' - and claims he more than 30 years ago. Former NASA Chief Flight Surgeon and Air Force Major, Dr. Gregory Rogers, who worked with astronauts on several space shuttle missions, says he was shown security footage by another Air Force major in 1992 depicting the exotic craft levitating in a hangar.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
'I've been turned into a human piñata' – Katy Perry breaks silence on space trip backlash
The all-female voyage attracted backlash for its timing and tone, with critics calling the trip 'tone deaf' given the current cost-of-living crisis. Perry, who sang What A Wonderful World during the flight and even teased her new tour setlist while in zero gravity, was singled out; with other notable names, including Emily Ratajkowski sharing their disdain. In light of the furore, some fans showed their support for the singer and crowdfunded for a digital billboard in New York's Times Square for 24 hours declaring their love for the star. A Brazilian fan account on Instagram explained fans had done it to 'remind her that she is never alone; our love for her is boundless, unwavering, and eternal'. 'We're so proud of you and your magical journey and we love you to the moon and back. 'Know that you are safe, seen and celebrated. We'll see you around the world, this is just the beginning.' Two weeks after the 11-minute space flight, which saw Perry join five other women, including Gayle King and Jeff Bezos's partner Lauren Sánchez, the singer addressed the controversy in an emotional comment to fans. 'I love you guys and have grown up together with you and am so excited to see you all over the world this year!' she wrote. Perry acknowledged the impact of the criticism but reassured fans she is staying grounded: 'Please know I am OK, I have done a lot [of] work around knowing who I am, what is real and what is important to me.' She continued: 'I'm not perfect' but rather 'a human journey, playing the game of life with an audience of many and sometimes I fall. 'But I get back up and go on and continue to play the game and somehow through my battered and bruised adventure I keep looking to the light and in that light a new level unlocks.' Adding: 'When the 'online' world tries to make me a human Piñata, I take it with grace and send them love, cause I know so many people are hurting in so many ways and the internet is very much so a dumping ground for unhinged and unhealed.' Perry responded directly, saying she was 'so grateful' and looked forward to seeing fans on her just-launched world tour, which will run through December across North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Her comment comes as Lily Allen apologised to Perry after criticising the singer's headline-making trip to space. Allen, 39, was among an initial wave of critics who slammed the mission earlier this month, which saw Perry launch into space alongside King, Sanchez, ex-NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, astronaut and activist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn. 'I would actually like to apologise for being mean about Katy Perry last week,' she said. 'There was actually no need for me to bring her name into it, and it was my own internalised misogyny. 'I've been thinking about it a lot, and it was just completely unnecessary to pile on with her.'
