Space News Headlines for November 9, 2004

Exploded Star Possibly Affected Human Evolution

Space.com reports that an ancient supernova might have affected the course of human evolution by leaving traces of debris throughout the galaxy and on Earth, itself.

"The evidence is in the form of extra doses of iron-60, a radioactive isotope of iron that normally occurs on Earth in lesser quantities. Researchers found the supernova debris in layers of soil dated to 2.8 million years ago, building a case they opened five years ago with less concrete data."

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NASA Studies 'Rain Man's' Brain

Scientists at NASA are studying the man on whom Dustin Hoffman's character was based in the 1988 film "Rain Man." CBS News says theyhope to be able to help explain his mental capabilities using technology used to study the effects of space travel on the brain.

"Last week, researchers had autistic savant Kim Peek undergo a series of tests including computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, the results of which will be melded to create a three-dimensional look at his brain structure.

"Not only are Peek's brain and his abilities unique, noted Richard D. Boyle, director of the California center performing the scans, but he seems to be getting smarter in his specialty areas as he ages."

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Rules Listed for $50 Million Orbital Race

Spacecraft would have to fly twice in orbit by 2010

Want to follow in the footsteps of Burt Rutan? Would you like to win the next big space prize? You'll have to build a spacecraft which can take a crew of at least five people to an altitude of 250 miles (400 kilometers) and make two complete orbits of Earth at that altitude. Then do it again within 60 days.

Oh yeah, and you have to do it by Jan. 10, 2010.

According to MSNBC, "Those are just some of the rules that govern who wins the $50 million 'America’s Space Prize,' an effort by Bigelow Aerospace of North Las Vegas, Nevada, to spur the development of space tourism in low Earth orbit."

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Scientists lift veil on Beagle 3

Last year, the Beagle 2 Mars mission was lost. The BBC says the team behind that mission to Mars has developed a design for its successor. During a meeting in London, Colin Pillinger, lead Beagle scientist, revealed plans for putting a new robotic lab on Mars.

"The British team's working title for the project is Beagle 2: Evolution, as scientists are keen to keep the original mission's well-known brand."

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Life-or-Death Question: How Supernovas Happen

Nearly every second, a star explodes in a huge supernova. The New York Times says, "Nobody understands how these events, among the most violent in nature, actually happen. But, until recently, that didn't much matter unless you were a practitioner of the arcane and messy branch of science known as nuclear astrophysics.

"Lately, however, supernovas have become signal events in the life of the cosmos, as told by modern science.

"Using a particular species of supernova, Type 1a, as cosmic distance markers, astronomers have concluded that a mysterious 'dark energy' is wrenching space apart, a discovery that has thrown physics and cosmology into an uproar."

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China Ramps Up Human Spaceflight Efforts

China is the third and latest nation to join the fraternity of nations with manned space programs. Now, they are continuing their efforts, with plans for new spacesuits for the upcoming two-person space shot in 2005 as well as establishing a commercial space tourism industry in the next 20 years.

Space.com reports that "In a spate of reports by China’s Xinhuanet news service, China space officials announced that the country’s second manned spacecraft -- Shenzhou 6 -- will spend five days orbiting Earth, giving its crew time to perform science experiments."

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