Watching wildlife from space

Scientists are using photographs taken from space and a tracking antenna installed on the International Space Station to learn more about the lives and travels of wild animals such as whales, sea turtles and birds. Read more in my Alert Diver article.

Photo courtesy Kate Mansfield, University of Central Florida

Changing How Solar Power Rolls

A new solar array design rolls up into a lightweight, compact cylinder, perfect for launching into space. NASA recently tested the design on the International Space Station for potential use on future spacecraft, including satellites.

Tiny Stowaways in Space

Wherever people go, we take microorganisms with us. Read how NASA makes sure these tiny stowaways don't become a problem on the International Space Station.

Making better medicines

Growing high-resolution crystals in space helps scientists develop more efficient and targeted medicines. Read about how this investigation aboard the space station supports structure-based design.

Dissolving Pills in Space

Testing how solids dissolve in space can help scientists develop better medicines for astronauts and the Earth-bound masses. Read about this investigation aboard the space station here.

Fish in Space

An investigation reared fish on the International Space Station to help figure out why astronauts lose bone mass. Read more here. Just keep swimming...

An Aggie and a Longhorn launch a satellite...

All part of an investigation to get us closer to the ability to have two spacecraft rendezvous and dock in space without help from humans -- which will help advance future space exploration. Students at Texas A&M University and The University of Texas designed the two cooperating satellites, which will demonstrate autonomous navigation and communication in space. Read more on the NASA website.

Space fog

It's a real thing, just not what you think. Astronauts coined the term to refer to the difficulty concentrating and mental fatigue sometimes experienced in space. Researchers are trying to figure out exactly what causes it and what to do about it. Read more here. 

Your brain in space

An investigation on the International Space Station is looking at how microgravity affects the human brain and what that in turn does to our cognitive and physical abilities. Read more on the NASA website.

Your cells in microgravity

An experiment aboard the International Space Station looks at how cells change shape in microgravity and the ways those changes affect cell function. This results will help scientists determine ways to counteract the negative effects of microgravity on the human body, and to treat diseases here on Earth. Read more on the NASA website.

How do our cells sense gravity?

Research underway on the International Space Station seeks to determine whether and how our cells sense gravity. This knowledge could help prevent the muscle loss experienced by those who spend time in space. Learn more from my article on the NASA website.

Worms in Space

The humble C. elegans may help us better understand aging. Astronauts on the International Space Station are performing the investigation from the Japanese Space Agency. Read more in my piece for the NASA website.

A Year in Space

Astronaut Scott Kelly recently started his one-year mission in space, part of NASA's efforts to send humans to Mars. Read about it in this piece I wrote for Newsweek.

Astronaut Photos Inspiring Next Generation of Scientists

Students are using images of Earth taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station for research projects. Read more about it here.

Studying the Immune System in Space

An investigation headed to the International Space Station will learn more about the cells of our immune systems, helping keep astronauts healthier - and folks on Earth, too. Read more here.

Students in Space

Or at least their research. Through the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, dozens of middle and high school students have experiments on the International Space Station. Read about the latest set of experiments selected for flight in my piece for the NASA website.