Video: A test of diet to prevent bone loss in micro-g

February 4, 2014 TopSpacer

This video presents an interesting discussion of a test of whether nutrition can affect the bone density of crew members of the ISS:

Space Station Live commentator Pat Ryan conducts an interview with Dr. Scott M. Smith, the principal investigator of the Pro K experiment. The experiment is NASA’s first evaluation of a dietary countermeasure to lessen bone loss of astronauts. Pro K proposes that a flight diet with a decreased ratio of animal protein to potassium will lead to decreased loss of bone mineral. Read more…

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sta…

Education, Near Space, Space participation

Global Space Balloon Challenge

February 4, 2014 TopSpacer

Here’s an announcement from the Stanford Student Space Initiative:

Global Space Balloon Challenge

Ever wanted to build something and send it to space? The Stanford Student Space Initiative and the Michigan Balloon Recovery and Satellite Testbed team invite you to the Global Space Balloon Challenge (GSBC)! The GSBC is an international education outreach project to encourage people from around the world to build and launch their own high altitude balloons- teams from 12 countries from 6 continents have already signed up!

Between April 18 – 21, 2014, teams from all over will launch balloons to the edge of space, recover them, and share the photos and data that they have collected. No prior building experience is required – the project is targeted at new and experienced hobbyists alike – and GSBC organizers will guide you through every step of the process. The goal is to encourage people of all ages to get their hands dirty building their own space hardware, and to promote the spirit of hardware hacking and international STEM collaboration. For more information head to http://www.balloonchallenge.org/.