Carnival Of The Space Geeks (The Gathering)

Editor's note: Whether they post a few paragraphs or a few pages these space geeks are bound to make you laugh or cry (depends on you view of NASA with the latter).

There were several amazing posts (amazing was the theme of the carnival) ranging from Clark Lindsey new way to fund space tourism to Louie Riofrio's take on Benson's Dreamchaser space craft to Ed's sharp rebuke towards NASA and space whiners.

But the best post thus far has to go to Dave Rankin of Tales of the Heliosphere who discussed every one's favorite subject--unless you work for NASA of course.

(Tales of the Heliosphere) In any event, the truly uncomfortable reality of sex in space is not about relationships, morale, techniques, alternative sexual lifestyles, and the whole gamut of things that first come to mind when sex in space is discussed. The truly uncomfortable reality of sex in space is that the biological purpose of sex is reproduction and artificial birth control sometimes fails. What do we do if an astronaut becomes pregnant? [...]

We can't be certain how weightlessness or even reduced gravity would affect a developing human in the womb or an infant, and we don't know what should be done to protect its health in space. A pregnancy on a long, three-year mission to Mars, for example, would certainly help us learn. But that knowledge would come at the cost of unplanned experimentation on a human being that never consented and couldn't.

A pregnancy in space would probably be a nightmare for any space agency, not to mention NASA. After all, a deformed child born in microgravity could be more than enough to convince the public that space is too dangerous for humans, ensuring domination by our robotic slaves friends.

It would probably be wiser to raise a kid on the Moon or Mars, than try experimenting with microgravity where a child brought into the world of stars may have to spend the rest of their days living among them.

Note: Do not forget to check out the other various articles about space on Henry's Carnival of Space.

Can Solar Weatherman Predict Radiation Storms?

(Image: Sun's Corona in false color, Credit: Space Environment Center/NOAA via Lunar.org)


Imagine starting your day with a hot cup of luna coffee grown on the surface of Earth's natural satellite, the Moon. As you head out of your bio home to fix another broken water pipe outside the Tycho observatory, you notice that the solar weatherman is on.

Not wanting to be late for your appointment, you turn off the satellite program and take the extra time to adjust your space suit before heading out the door.

Five minuets later your dead.

Unlike on our homeworld where one can skip the weather report and "make it" through the day, future colonists ignoring the solar weatherman may find themselves fried alive in their own space suits due to solar radiation.

Scientists are currently working on ways to predict solar weather, and one researcher may have discovered way to give future colonists an hours fare warning of the hazardous particles.

(Space Daily) The type of particle most feared by astronaut safety experts is the ion, that is, an atom which has lost one or more of its charge-balancing electrons. "Energetic ions can damage tissue and break strands of DNA, causing health problems ranging from nausea to cataracts to cancer," says Cucinotta. [...]

Every radiation storm is a mix of electrons, protons and heavier ions. The electrons, being lighter and faster than the others, race out ahead. They are like heralds proclaiming the ions are coming! Posner realized that by measuring the "rise time and intensity of the initial electron surge" he could tell how many ions were following and when they would arrive.

Predicting not only when, but how severe these storms will be would enable humans to determine whether or not it is wise to travel upon the surface of a world, not to mention between them. Although this study is yet in its infancy, solar weathermen will play an increasing role as we expand beyond our "earthen cradle," and into the solar playground beyond.

Radiation Eating Fungi Anyone?

Often associated with all things deadly, radiation is usually regarded as an evil force that could potentially derail our journey to the heavens. With scientists seeking out ways to shield our shuttles from the side affects (i.e. cancer) of radiation, it looks like one researcher has discovered an organism that enjoys living in the radioactive lime light.

(Space Daily) "The fungal kingdom comprises more species than any other plant or animal kingdom, so finding that they're making food in addition to breaking it down means that Earth's energetics-in particular, the amount of radiation energy being converted to biological energy-may need to be recalculated," says Dr. Arturo Casadevall, chair of microbiology and immunology at Einstein and senior author of the study, published May 23 in PLoS ONE.

The ability of fungi to live off radiation could also prove useful to people: "Since ionizing radiation is prevalent in outer space, astronauts might be able to rely on fungi as an inexhaustible food source on long missions or for colonizing other planets," says Dr. Ekaterina Dadachova, associate professor of nuclear medicine and microbiology and immunology at Einstein and lead author of the study.

Although eating fungi may not sound that appealing, scientists may be able to find a way to incorporate the genes of these fungi inside plants. Doing so would enable our species to thrive off world without heavy dependence on Earth.

Coupled with anti-radiation drugs (of space cattle certain animals), humanity may be able to create ecosystems on foreign soils such as Ganymede and Mars, helping to turn hostile worlds into inhabitable ones.

Carnival Of The Space Geeks (Extra Helpings)

Editor's note: The fourth Carnival of the Space Geeks is up, and this time there were a lot more interesting posts from a lot more interesting minds.

Interesting highlights include Brian Dunbar's brief analysis of solar powered satellites, Amanda Bauer creepy post about robot beetles, and Deborah Byrd commenting on scientists searching for life in Spock's region of space.

But the best post (in my opinion) goes to James of Surfin' English who discusses one of the largest hurdles towards becoming a space faring citizen: micro-gravity.

Our bones get brittle, blood moves up in the body because gravity stops pulling it downwards, and our hearts suffer because they don't have to work as hard in space to move blood. When we get home, our bodies are wrecks.

We also suffer from spacesickness ( like seasickness but worse), dizziness, and overly active farting. Seriously, going into space may look like fun, but it's like drunkenly stumbling onto the last train after running a double marathon and discovering that every passenger on the train has been eating beans for two weeks. Not pretty.

James notes a possible solution to this dilemma is artificial gravity, which would help curb most (if not all) of these nasty effects of living amongst the heavens.

Although it is doubtful that a space ship could simulate gravity (as no one knows yet how to create gravitons), Orbital space stations and space elevator stations could enable our species to actually not only function in space, but on low gravity worlds.

Note: Those interested in joining next week's Carnival of the Space Geeks can visit this page for details on how to enter.

Is Terraforming Mars A Bad Idea?

(Image Credit: Popular Science, Aviation Space)

Of all the worlds ever graced by science fiction, Mars is second to only Earth in honorable mentions. Previously imagined in the past to harbor advanced civilizations, many space enthusiasts today now seek to not only visit Mars, but to transform this rusty world into a second Earth.

Although having a second home world (if not more) in our solar system is probably a wise idea, terraforming Mars into a miniature Earth could present new challenges making it very difficult into calling the red planet home.

Despite their similarities, Martian weather seems to be much more violent than its larger terrestrial brother Earth. Having less than 1% of the air pressure of Earth, Martian gusts seem to be able to generate wind speeds of up to 375 miles per hour.

Although Earth is no stranger when it comes to fierce storms, our planet has yet to encounter one on a global scale, an experience Mars seems to be very familiar with. If our species were ever to raise the air pressure to Earth levels, future colonists may end up finding themselves trapped on a world whose weather would put category five hurricanes to shame.

If raising the air pressure on Mars was not bad, raising the temperatures may be worse. Lacking major oceans, future colonists would be able to establish outposts throughout the red planet's surface, which area wise is roughly equal (in size) to all of the dry land on planet Earth.

With a large portion of water potentially lying beneath half of the Martian soil, (hat tip: Posthuman blues) as well as the polar ice caps, raising current temperatures on our future home world could end up flooding the planet. Although Martian oceans would definitely compliment this barren world (at least from space), they may provide little "land room" for colonists desiring to set up shop on Earth's distant neighbor.

Last but not least, a terraformed Mars may not be as "wildlife friendly" as planet Earth, enabling only humans and certain pets to dwell upon the surface. Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a global magnetic field which many animals such as birds, bats and certain insects depend upon for migration and navigation.

Although humans could easily navigate via an artificial GPS system, our animal friends may not be as fortunate. Unless an artificial magnetic field could be constructed, humanity will be unable to create the large ecosystems necessary to recreate the red desert into a thriving oasis.

Despite being a far cry from Earth like conditions, Mars may prove to be more livable in its current state than as a terraformed world. Humanities understanding of weather (especially global warming) is still in its infancy, and if we are not careful, our attempts at turning a world into an oasis may end up turning the world against ourselves.

Vesta And Ceres: The Dawn Of A New Age

(Image: Asteroid Vesta in false color. Credit: NASA)


Like a hostile mountain range separating civilization from the wilderness, the asteroid belt divides our Earthen and (future) Martian homes from the Jovian frontier. In this wilderness of floating boulders, lies a region that is often regarded as rubble, forgotten rocks of little beauty and appeal.

But in this unglamorous region of space lies riches untold for those who are willing to discover it, and with NASA heaven bent on sending its own across our star system, our species may be taking its first steps in locating our first asteroid homes.

(The Flame Trench) Mounted atop a United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket, NASA's Dawn spacecraft is scheduled to blast off from Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on June 30. The launch window that day will stretch from 5:13 p.m. to 5:33 p.m.

The spacecraft will be setting sail on a mission to study the solar system's two largest protoplanets, Ceres and Vesta. Flying within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, Dawn will swing by Vesta in October 2011 and Ceres in February 2015. It will be the first spacecraft to study two asteroids on the same mission.

Although both of these asteroids differ in composition and nature, both Vesta and Ceres hold much promise as future outpost colonies, especially for future mining industries. Despite its size, Vesta has shown surprising evidence of past geologic activity, which may indicate that heavier metals (and minerals) lie just beneath its surface.

With part of its mantle exposed on the surface, Vesta should provide a wealth of information for geologists, not to mention help "kick start" mining operations in the asteroid belt.

While Vesta provides a financial incentive to harvest the asteroid belt, Ceres may provide the "life necessities" for us to remain there. Rumored to harbor enough "fresh water" to rival our home world, Ceres may live up to its name and allow humanity to one day farm this world, helping to feed those who desire to live in this rocky region of space.

Although NASA's Dawn mission may not appear as glamorous as a visit towards Mars or Jupiter, it may enable us to gain a wealth of information that will inevitably help fund our trip to the stars.

(Image: Ceres cut out, Credit: NASA, ESA, and A. Feild)

In Space, Plastic Can Help You If You Bleed?

(Hat Tip: Mars News)

Imagine if you will that you are frolicking upon the moon's surface, and accidentilly fall into a crevice that was hidden by a lunar shadow. By the time rescue teams arrive, they discover that you have broken an arm and twisted a leg almost completely off, causing major bleeding inside your bulky (but yet untorn) spacesuit.

As they begin to stabilize you, doctors realize two things; you body is in need of several pints of blood, and no one on base has a compatible blood type. What do your lunar doctors do? Answer--they pump your body full of plastic blood.

(University of Sheffield) Donated blood has a relatively short shelf-life of 35 days, after which it must be thrown away. It also needs refrigeration, whereas the 'plastic blood' will be storable for many more days and is stable at room temperature.

The artificial blood is made of plastic molecules that hold an iron atom at their core, just like haemoglobin, that can bind oxygen and could transport it around the body. The small plastic molecules join together in a tree-like branching structure, with a size and shape very similar to that of natural haemoglobin molecules. This creates the right environment for the iron to bind oxygen in the lungs and release it in the body.

Unlike Earth, lunar (and Martian) colonies will not be able to rely on a vast population of blood donors in the event that a tragedy strikes a colonists. Until population centers grow to be thick enough to allow for "blood borrowing," humanity may have to rely upon synthetic plastic blood instead.

Despite being in the early stages, this research shows much promise in giving humanity greater independence as they colonize new worlds. Although some may dismiss this medical technology as "a minor detail," this plastic blood could easily mean the difference between a live engineer, and a dead scientist.