Blog

NASA: Mystery of Life’s Handedness Deepens

The mystery of why life uses molecules with specific orientations has deepened with a NASA-funded discovery that RNA — a key molecule thought to have potentially held the instructions for life before DNA emerged — can favor making the building blocks of proteins in either the left-hand or the right-hand orientation. Resolving this mystery could […]

Posted November 21, 2024

Astrophysics

Astrophysics Division

Goddard Space Flight Center

Hubble Space Telescope

Stars

NASA’s Hubble Finds Sizzling Details About Young Star FU Orionis

In 1936, astronomers saw a puzzling event in the constellation Orion: the young star FU Orionis (FU Ori) became a hundred times brighter in a matter of months. At its peak, FU Ori was intrinsically 100 times brighter than our Sun. Unlike an exploding star though, it has declined in luminosity only languidly since then. […]

Posted November 21, 2024

Early Stage Innovations (ESI)

Early Stage Innovations (ESI) 2024

Back to ESI Home Computational Materials Engineering for Lunar Metals Welding Passive Lunar Dust Control through Advanced Materials and Surface Engineering

Posted November 21, 2024

Space Technology Research Grants

Integrated Computational Materials Modelling Framework for Investigating the Process-Structure-Property Linkage of the Lunar Metal Welding with Internal Defects

ESI24 Li Quadchart Wei LiUniversity of Texas at Dallas Internal defects are always formed in laser welding process due to the keyhole instability, molten pool collapse, and rapid solidification. The extreme lunar environment complicates the reliable implementation of welding, thereby enhancing the welding defects formation.

Posted November 21, 2024

General

Weld-ASSIST: Weldability Assessment for In-Space Conditions using a Digital Twin

ESI24 Haghighi Quadchart Azadeh HaghighiUniversity of Illinois, Chicago In-space manufacturing and assembly are vital to NASA’s long-term exploration goals, especially for the Moon and Mars missions. Deploying welding technology in space enables the assembly and repair of structures, reducing logistical burdens and supply needs from Earth.

Posted November 21, 2024

Space Technology Research Grants

Deformable Crumpled Nano-ball Coatings with Adaptable Adhesion and Mechanical Energy Absorption for Lunar Dust Mitigation

ESI24 Nam Quadchart SungWoo NamUniversity of California, Irvine Lunar dust may seem unimposing, but it presents a significant challenge for space missions. Its abrasive and jagged particles can damage equipment, clog devices, and even pose health risks to astronauts.

Posted November 21, 2024

Space Technology Research Grants

Engineering the Adhesion Mechanisms of Hierarchical Dust-Mitigating Nanostructures

ESI24 Chang Quadchart Chih-Hao ChangUniversity of Texas at Austin Establishing a permanent base on the moon is a critical step in the exploration of deep space. One significant challenge observed during the Apollo missions was the adhesion of lunar dust, which can build up on vehicle, equipment, and space suit.

Posted November 21, 2024

Space Technology Research Grants

Studying Passive Dust Mitigation on Anisotropic Structured Surface

ESI24 Zhai Quadchart Lei ZhaiUniversity of Central Florida Lunar dust, with its chemical reactivity, electrostatic charge, and potential magnetism, poses a serious threat to astronauts and equipment on the Moon’s surface.

Posted November 21, 2024

Space Technology Research Grants

Developing High-Performance Bioinspired Surface Textures for Repelling Lunar Dust

ESI24 Zou Quadchart Min ZouUniversity of Arkansas, Fayetteville Lunar dust, with its highly abrasive and electrostatic properties, poses serious threats to the longevity and functionality of spacecraft, habitats, and equipment operating on the Moon.

Posted November 21, 2024

Blogs

Sols 4368-4369: The Colors of Fall – and Mars

Earth planning date: Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 I am in the U.K., where we are approaching the time when trees are just branches and twigs. One tree that still has its full foliage is my little quince tree in my front garden. Its leaves have turned reddish-brown with a hint of orange, fairly dark by […]

Posted November 21, 2024