Results for: Space Travel

Ed Dwight, a former Air Force test pilot and NASA astronaut candidate, has made history by becoming the oldest person to travel to space. At 90 years old, Dwight was part of the six-person crew that flew on Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission on May 19, 2023. The mission successfully reached the edge of space, known as the Kármán line, which is located approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level. Dwight expressed his excitement and awe after landing, stating that the experience was life-changing. This mission marks another significant milestone in the growing commercial space industry and demonstrates the potential for space travel to become more accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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.