Latest news with #spacetravel
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
US, Taiwan spaceport may cut Houston-Taipei travel time to ‘as little as 2½ hours'
The United States and Taiwan are exploring the possibility of a groundbreaking spaceport partnership that could slash travel time between them from over half a day to only a couple of hours. Advertisement According to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which functions as the de facto US embassy in the absence of formal ties, the proposed collaboration will focus on suborbital flights – an emerging form of space transport in which a vehicle briefly exits the Earth's atmosphere before re-entering and gliding to a runway landing. 'Possible spaceport cooperation is awaiting further evaluation and discussion,' the AIT said in a social media post on Monday. 'If suborbital flights were used, travel time between Taipei and Houston could be shortened to as little as 2½ hours. Houston's Ellington Airport already has a legal spaceport licence.' Suborbital flights are still in the experimental phase but could revolutionise long-distance travel in the coming decades. A direct commercial flight between Taipei and Houston now takes about 14½ hours. Advertisement Initially developed for research and military purposes, suborbital flights are now being explored for tourism and ultra-fast cargo delivery. Apart from the US, mainland China and Russia are also looking at developing commercial services.
CNN
14-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
Axiom-4 astronauts discuss ‘trust' in NASA amid ISS leak
Axiom-4 astronauts from the US, India, Poland, and Hungary speak to CNN's Paula Newton about initial delays to the start of their mission, and why commercial space travel is so important.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Space ETFs for a Portfolio That's Out of this World
Coming up as a new frontier, the space economy is witnessing frequent groundbreaking advancements worldwide. The S&P Kensho Space Index has drastically outperformed the S&P 500 Index, reflecting strong investor confidence and growing market optimism toward the space industry. The space index has added 49.16% over the past year, significantly outpacing the broad market index, which has gained 12.11%. Increasing investor interest in the sector is majorly driven by rising demand for advanced defense systems and cybersecurity infrastructure. Additionally, rising interest for space travel and heightened investment in research and development by both governmental and private entities are the driving forces behind space tourism. As modern warfare evolves and with the rise of drones, it's increasingly likely that economies will expand their defense capabilities through the development of their own space-based arsenal. President Trump's proposed $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense concept highlights this fact. According to Reuters, Golden Dome aims to protect the expansive U.S. homeland from ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missile threats through an integrated network of satellites, sensors and interceptors, an ambitious initiative that could redefine the strategic norms of outer space. Per Reuters, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the total cost could reach as high as $542 billion. However, the United States is not the only one looking to increase investments in the militarization of space. Per CNBC, NATO's increased defense spending signals new opportunities for space and defense sectors, further bolstered by its recently announced commercial space strategy. This follows the military alliance's proposal to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, give space budgets a significant lift. According to Andrius Kubilius, EU space and defence commissioner, as quoted on Reuters, this century belongs to space, with a space revolution underway, the impact of which will be massive. As quoted on Reuters, the EU unveiled the long-awaited EU Space Act on Wednesday, signaling major regulatory changes for the EU's growing space sector, in a bid to increase competitiveness with the United States and China. As global investments increasingly prioritize climate control, the advancements within space technologies and the broader space economy also promise significant benefits. Already integral to disaster warning and management, space technology's role is expected to expand significantly with improved climate disaster monitoring, resilient communication network access and optimized tracking through satellite positioning data. With growing interest in interstellar exploration, expanding defense applications and growing capital infusion in the space sector, increasing exposure to funds covering the space economy can be beneficial. Investors can consider ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF ARKX, Spear Alpha ETF SPRX and Procure Space ETF UFO. The shift in warfare technology has resulted in the militarization of space, a trend already gaining momentum. Analysts believe this could not only increase investments in space economy but also unlock major opportunities for U.S. defense firms. Investing in Aerospace and Defense ETFs may offer a strategic advantage in such a case. Investors can consider iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF ITA, Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF PPA and Global X Defense Tech ETF SHLD. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD): ETF Research Reports iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA): ETF Research Reports Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA): ETF Research Reports Procure Space ETF (UFO): ETF Research Reports ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX): ETF Research Reports Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX): ETF Research Reports This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers found the perfect spot to set up a base on Mars
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. NASA and others have been wanting to get humans to Mars for decades at this point. However, actually getting us there is still far from feasible, despite all of Elon Musk's talk about putting boots on the ground within the next 20 years. There's still much we don't know about long-term space travel, but this ambitious plan to put humans on Mars also relies on having all the resources necessary at any base location to keep the astronauts alive while they're there. According to new research, one of the most important resources we need, water, could be easier to get than we previously thought. In fact, a study published in JGR Planets suggests that astronomers could have found the perfect spot for a Mars base, and it's close to a mass of frozen water that astronauts could easily reach. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 Obviously, finding a way to provide the most vital resources directly from Mars at any base location is key to providing a proper plan for long-term settlement of the Red Planet. Even without all the answers about how living on the Martian surface will affect humans, being able to confidently say that we have the resources for astronauts to rely on means fewer resources that have to be sent along with them later down the line. This not only makes the mission more affordable, but it also helps make room for other important materials or resources that might be needed. The new study looked specifically at Amazonis Planitia, a massive volcanic plain that straddles the equator and poles of the Red Planet. While inspect the plains, the astronomers noticed the telltale sight of bright-rimmed craters that are typically signs of ground ice here on Earth. This evidence, they believe, shows that there could be pockets of water ice just below the surface. In fact, it could be close enough for astronauts to reach it with a little drilling. The need for a proper water source on Mars comes from more than just a need for drinking. Water is also used for a slew of other purposes, including as a propellant. Without a proper water source near the base, any Mars base location will struggle to last. But if the observations at Amazonis Planitia are true, then we may already know exactly where to send astronauts, so they don't have to worry about running out of water anytime soon. More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
UAE-led Diabetes Research Initiative takes off to space
Kennedy Space Center | Abu Dhabi: In a historic moment for the UAE, a groundbreaking health research initiative has launched into space as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following multiple postponements, the mission finally launched on Wednesday morning. One of the mission's most significant research initiatives, Suite Ride, is a collaboration between Abu Dhabi-headquartered Burjeel Holdings and Axiom Space, with the potential to transform the future of space travel for astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), a condition historically considered disqualifying for space missions. This landmark mission has begun its journey to the International Space Station (ISS), where, over 14 days, a four-member international crew will conduct microgravity research and technology demonstrations, contributing to scientific progress across a range of disciplines. 'Too often, a diagnosis like diabetes quietly tells people that there are limits now and that certain paths may no longer be open. Over time, this changes how people see themselves and how others see them. Through this collaboration, we want to challenge that thinking and there is no better place to do it than space, the highest frontier we can reach,' said Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings. The Suite Ride study will utilize Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), which have become the standard for glucose monitoring in individuals with diabetes. These devices will be tested to ensure their accuracy in microgravity, providing real-time data that will ultimately support the health of astronauts with IDDM. The comprehensive preflight, inflight, and postflight protocols will employ various testing methods to validate these technologies. The Ax-4 mission also plans to look at insulin exposure in microgravity to assess the potency and stability of the drug product upon its return to Earth. Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Medical City and Clinical Lead of the Burjeel–Ax-4 Space Health Research, will be working closely with Axiom's experts to jointly analyze the CGM data from the mission. Their goal is to better understand the performance of these technologies in microgravity and translate the findings into real-world healthcare solutions. 'After months of preparation, we're excited to see our research project take flight aboard Ax-4. We're confident that the valuable insights gained will help improve healthcare access in underserved and hard-to-reach communities around the world, including in the MENA region,' said Dr. Fityan. Burjeel Medical City is marking the occasion with a curated exhibition that showcases the Suite Ride initiative. The exhibition focuses on space health research, allowing the UAE public and scientific community to gain deeper insights into the mission. The UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. recently spotlighted Suite Ride as a key milestone in the nation's advancements in human spaceflight. Beyond the ISS, the implications of Suite Ride are global. With diabetes expected to affect 783 million people by 2045 according to the International Diabetes Federation —and an 87% increase forecast in the MENA region—the need for advanced remote healthcare solutions has never been more urgent. Commanded by NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Ax-4 includes Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (ESA/Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Over the course of the mission, the crew will conduct more than 60 experiments from 31 countries.
