Tag Archives: space
Velcro in Space Station Design: The Tiny Invention Holding the Cosmos Together
When most people think about space station design, they picture advanced technology, high-tech control panels, and complicated engineering systems. But there is one simple invention that quietly plays a massive role in keeping astronauts safe and organized: Velcro. This tiny innovation is a perfect example of how sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective, especially in the unique challenges of zero gravity.The Magic of a Simple FastenerOn Earth, gravity keeps our belongings in place. Put your coffee cup on your desk, and it stays there. In space, that same coffee cup would float freely unless something holds it down. That is where Velcro comes in. Its official name is hook and loop fastener and it works by having one side covered in tiny hooks and the other in soft loops. When pressed together, the...
Not-so-clean rooms: Scientists discover 26 new microbe species in NASA spacecraft facility
NASA's Phoenix Mars lander undergoes a test before its August 2007 launch.(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UA/Lockheed Martin)Life, as they say, finds a way — even in the most sterile places on Earth.
Scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, along with researchers in India and Saudi Arabia, have discovered 26 previously unknown bacterial species in the clean rooms that were used to prep NASA's Phoenix Mars lander for its August 2007 launch.
Clean rooms are decontaminated and intensely controlled environments specifically designed to prevent microbial life from hitching a ride into space. But some microorganisms, known as extremophilesshow impressive resilience in inhospitable environments, whether that's the vacuum of space, hydrothermal vents on the slopes of undersea volcanoes, or even NASA clean rooms.
"Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and...
Advancing Spacesuit Technology: NASA’s Thermal Vacuum Tests for Artemis III Moonwalks
By Monika LuabeyaApril 24, 2025
NASA continues to push the boundaries of human space exploration. They are refining the technology that will enable astronauts to safely operate in the harsh lunar environment. This is crucial for the upcoming Artemis III mission. Engineers recently conducted rigorous thermal vacuum testing on a spacesuit glove. This glove is an essential component of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). The glove was tested in extreme conditions within CITADEL. This stands for Cryogenic Ice Testing, Acquisition Development, and Excavation Laboratory. It is a specialized chamber at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California.
Pushing the Limits: Testing in Lunar-Like Conditions
On November 1, 2023, NASA engineers placed the EMU glove in vacuum conditions. They exposed it to ultra-low temperatures of minus 352 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 213 degrees Celsius). These environmental extremes closely simulate...
