Connect to share and comment

Mice, gerbils perish in Russia space flight

Agence France-PresseMay 19, 2013 12:15
A number of mice and eight gerbils sent into space in a Russian capsule destined to find out how well organisms can withstand extended flights perished during their journey, scientists said Sunday as the month-long mission touched back down on Earth. Most of the 45 mice sent into orbit -- along with the gerbils and 15 newts -- died on the mission, which nevertheless returned with data that scientists hope will pave the way for a manned flight to Mars. The animals on board the Bion-M craft died because of equipment failure or due to the stresses of space, scientists said.

Russia retrieves mice, newts from space

Agence France-PresseMay 19, 2013 08:45
A Russian capsule filled with 45 mice and 15 newts along with other small animals returned from a month's mission in orbit on Sunday with data scientists hope will pave the way for a manned flight to Mars. Russian Mission Control said the Bion-M craft landed softly with the help of a special parachute system in the Orenburg Region about 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) southeast of Moscow. The capsule was also carrying snails and gerbils as well as some plants and microflora. Rossiya state television said not all the animals survived but provided no other details.

Astronauts make safe return from space station

Agencia EFEMay 14, 2013 11:15
Moscow, May 14 (EFE).- The Soyuz-TMA capsule carrying three astronauts from the International Space Station landed safely Tuesday in Kazakhstan, Russian mission control said. Canada's Chris Hadfield, U.S. astronaut Thomas Marshburn and Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko made touchdown at 0231 GMT at the designated landing spot, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) southeast of Zhezkazgan. Russian television aired live images of the landing. All three astronauts are healthy and in good spirits, mission control said.

'Very serious' ammonia leak outside ISS: Russian official

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 16:35
Russian and American space experts on Friday will discuss a "very serious" ammonia leak outside the International Space Station, a Russian official said. "Indeed, they have a serious defect, very serious," Vladimir Solovyov, flight director for the Russian segment of the space station was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. The US space agency NASA earlier said the ammonia leak detected in the cooling system did not pose a danger to astronauts on board the station.

Buzz Aldrin says US must colonize Mars

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 16:32
Buzz Aldrin, the American astronaut who was the second man to walk on the Moon, said Wednesday that the United States must lead the way toward building a permanent settlement on Mars. Speaking at a conference of space experts in the US capital, the 83-year-old said the United States should apply what it learned decades ago by reaching the moon toward building a new colony on the Red Planet. "The US needs to begin homesteading and settlement of Mars," Aldrin said at the Humans to Mars conference at George Washington University. "It is within reach."

Space tourism won't hurt environment

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 11:49
British billionaire Richard Branson said Monday that rocket-powered space tourism flights by his firm Virgin Galactic would have only a minor impact on climate change. More than 500 people have already reserved seats -- and paid deposits on the $200,000 ticket price -- for a minutes-long suborbital flight on the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) set to begin by the end of this year.

Spaceman says goodbye to ISS with David Bowie classic

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 11:08
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has marked his upcoming departure from the International Space Station by singing a cover version of David Bowie's classic song "Space Oddity" recorded on the orbiting laboratory. Hadfield, who become a global star during his half-year stint on the ISS with regular and sometimes quirky postings on Twitter, is due to touch down back on Earth early Tuesday.

Space tourism won't hurt environment: Branson

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 08:01
British billionaire Richard Branson said Monday that rocket-powered space tourism flights by his firm Virgin Galactic would have only a minor impact on climate change. More than 500 people have already reserved seats -- and paid deposits on the $200,000 ticket price -- for a minutes-long suborbital flight on the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) set to begin by the end of this year.

Space tourism won't hurt environment: Branson

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 07:46
British billionaire Richard Branson said Monday that rocket-powered space tourism flights by his firm Virgin Galactic would have only a minor impact on climate change. More than 500 people have already reserved seats -- and paid deposits on the $200,000 ticket price -- for a minutes-long suborbital flight on the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) set to begin by the end of this year.

Astronauts fix ammonia leak on International Space Station

Agencia EFEMay 12, 2013 20:15
Washington, May 12 (EFE).- Two astronauts managed to fix an ammonia leak on the International Space Station by replacing a defective pump during a spacewalk lasting a little over five hours, NASA said. Astronauts Tom Marshburn and Chris Cassidy, both of whom are experienced in performing spacewalks, repaired the leak Saturday, replacing a defective pump blamed for the ammonia leak.
Syndicate content