Gaia Space Probe Seeks to Map a Billion Stars

The European Space Agency launched on Thursday the Gaia space probe into the darkness to discover worlds still unknown. Its mission is to discover, record, detail movement and determine the potential substance of a billion stars in the Milky Way (1). Over the next five years it is believed that the probe will create a census of our solar system in a way no other ship has yet been able to complete. 

The Gaia is also equipped with a digital camera. This is not a normal camera you may find on your Android Phone. It is a billion pixel camera that can scan great distances to take pictures with significant clarity (2). This will help researchers determine what they are seeing in space and where planets are located. 

The amount of data processing is huge. Gaia will find a place out in space where gravitational pulls will allow it to sit still and take pictures of the galaxy around it. At a cost of a billion dollars it will be able to beat out the abilities of the Kepler system by cataloging many large worlds (3). The program will run for five years. 

It is appears that the sequence of recent flights that the space race has heated up again. From China’s soft landing on the moon to the potential colony on mars the technology has rounded a corner. Google’s purchasing of robotic companies and other innovative developments have created more opportunities in mutual technological advancement.

Eating Turnips on the Moon-NASA Believes it is Possible

Eating turnips on the moon may someday be possible with a new government-business initiative to grow plants in outer space. The Lunar Plant Growth Habitat team comprised of NASA scientists, contractors, volunteers, and students are trying to realize an idea that died decades earlier.  With any luck they will be able to grow a small amount of food on the moon and start greater processes of experimentation.

The primary subjects include basil, sunflowers, turnips and various plants. Each will be placed within a coffee can like device with just about everything they need to grow. The scientists want to see how radiation, limited gravitation, and other space conditions impact the plants. If everything works out well it may someday be possible to grow a food source for stations on other planets.

Each canister works like an incubator. The aluminum cylinders include a camera, sensors, and other electronics. Researchers will be able to measure and view growth from Earth to see which plants are able to grow and which don’t make it. The information may be used to improve upon the canisters for future use.  

The advantage of the government and business collaborative effort reduces costs from $300 million down to a couple of million dollars. With growth in commercialized flight it is possible that many more projects can be hedged with lower costs. NASA uses their knowledge while spurring greater innovation with less risk in the process.  Companies get the advantage of developing new products and services while contributing to national development.

Other Reading:

Forbes

Singularity Hub

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