Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) were forced to take shelter for an hour after a defunct Russian satellite disintegrated into over 100 pieces near the station. While the immediate threat has passed, the debris cloud poses a long-term risk, with experts estimating it will take weeks to months for the danger to subside.
This article recounts the dramatic story of Apollo 13, a NASA mission that turned into a survival challenge for three astronauts after an explosion in space. It details the extraordinary efforts of the crew and mission control to bring them back safely to Earth, highlighting the importance of teamwork, leadership, and innovative thinking in the face of adversity.
Two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft are stranded at the International Space Station due to technical difficulties, forcing a delayed return to Earth. This latest setback for the Starliner capsule follows a history of issues and delays, highlighting the challenges of private spaceflight.
In preparation for a permanent lunar base, NASA scientists are exploring novel ways to mitigate the effects of space travel on astronauts. One such method involves having astronauts perform the daring ‘Wall of Death’ stunt, where they run around the inside of a barrel-shaped wooden cylinder. This stunt, which requires a running speed of just 8 mph (13 km/h) on the moon’s low-gravity environment, has been shown to be effective in preventing muscle and bone loss induced by microgravity. While there are logistical challenges in transporting a giant ‘Wall of Death’ to the moon, alternative solutions such as running around the walls of circular lunar habitats are being considered.
China’s ambitious space program continues as the country prepares to launch the Shenzhou-18 crew into low-Earth orbit on Thursday. The three-member crew, led by veteran astronaut Ye Guangfu, will spend about six months on the Tiangong space station conducting scientific tests, installing equipment, and carrying out payload experiments. China’s space agency aims to eventually offer access to its space station to foreign astronauts and space tourists. This year, the Tiangong space station will see two additional manned spaceflight missions and two cargo spacecraft missions.
