Weekly - Astronauts discover drug resistant bacteria on the ISS and more
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This week’s post ranks brown 🟤 on the Engagement Palette.
Starliner departure postponed for inspection
Last week, the Boeing’s Starliner craft’s departure from the space station with two NASA astronauts was postponed. The Starliner is the craft made by Boeing for its first-ever manned mission (to the space station and back). It was postponed so that experts could conduct a thorough inspection of the craft in case there was any malfunction like the previous ones. By now the Starliner has become notorious for having multiple malfunctions including helium leaks, and even malfunctions in some of its thrusters. No issues have been spotted yet, but experts think it would be better to conduct an inspection before sending the astronauts back to Earth.
Astronauts discover drug-resistant bacteria on the ISS
Last week, astronauts discovered a multi-drug resistant bacteria called Enterobacter bugandensis that had mutated to adapt to the conditions of space on the ISS. This discovery is very concerning as it could mean that the health of astronauts onboard is at risk. Since it is resistant to multiple drugs, it can be very difficult to cure. The bacteria is believed to have somehow made its way to the ISS from Earth and then mutated there. The closed environment and recycled air of the ISS could increase the risk. NASA and researchers from IIT Madras in India are studying this bacteria right now. Nobody has been infected yet and the already strict hygiene protocols are now bound to increase.
James Webb finds the oldest supernova ever
Last week, the James Webb Space Telescope discovered the oldest supernova ever. A supernova is a massive explosion that occurs at the end of a star’s life. The supernova is so old that it is believed to have formed when the universe was just 1.8 billion years old. Today, the universe is currently 13.7 billion years old.
