Short Takes – 6-21-24 – Space Geek Edition

Bacterial genome sequences of uncharacterized Chitinophaga species isolated from the International Space Station. Journals.ASM.org article. Mutated in space or brought from Earth? Pull quote: “We report four Chitinophaga sp. strains isolated from wastewater collected onboard the International Space Station. Here, we present three finished and one draft genome. Taxonomic ranks established by genome-based analysis indicate that these Chitinophaga sp. strains represent candidates for a new species.”

Two astronauts wait to come home as Boeing races to understand spacecraft issues. Here’s what’s at stake. CNN.com article. Interesting note on possible backup reture. Pull quote: ““The embarrassing backup is that a Crew Dragon would have to go and retrieve the astronauts,” Lembeck said. The spacecraft “could be sent up with two crew members and sent back with four — and that would probably be the way home.””

Elon Musk shares target date for fifth Starship test. DigitalTrends.com article. Pull quote: ““Following liftoff, and after the two stages separate in-flight, Super Heavy will return to the launch site, reignite its engines to slow the vehicle down, and the tower’s arms will catch the rocket booster before restacking it on the orbital launch mount for its next flight.” Target launch: late July.

'ESA Space Bricks' landing at Lego Stores could build real moon base. CollectSpace.com article. Pull quote: “As a stand-in for regolith, the ESA team used the dust from a 4.5 million-year-old meteorite, which was added to polylactide (a biodegradable polymer) and lunar regolith simulant to form the feedstock for their 3D printers. The meteorite was originally found in North-West Africa 24 years ago. Classed as an L3-6, the rock was a brecciated stone, comprised of large metal grains, inclusions, chondrules and elements.”

Asteroid headed toward Earth? NASA simulation explores how the nation might respond. NPR.org article. Pull quote: “This is the hypothetical scenario that asteroid experts, NASA workers, federal emergency management officials, and their international partners recently discussed as part of a table-top simulation designed to improve the nation’s ability to respond to future asteroid threats, according to a report just released by the space agency.”