A University of Pittsburg study shows humans may need to trick their bodies into maintaining a 24h cycle if long missions, particularly to Mars, are to succeed. After 12 weeks in space, astronauts lose sleep and sleep less soundly because microgravity (in which they use less energy), the absence of day-and-night cues and the constant 45min night-day orbital cycle disrupt internal clocks.
Source: Flight International
Orbital launch pioneer SpaceX is being contracted by the American space agency NASA to develop a so-called “US Deorbit Vehicle” that can safely return the International Space Station to Earth via controlled re-entry.
BAE Systems has completed its acquisition of Ball Aerospace, with the move further strengthening its US business presence.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has retired its Mars helicopter Ingenuity after the craft suffered damage upon landing.
