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BLOGS VLOGS & VIEWS

In the Field with MRD-001: Mars Rover Meets Panda Country (part 2)

4/6/2025

 

Authors: Amy Wang & Chris Yuan

Amy: Team Member and Experiment Researcher | Chris: Founder, UMIC project/Planet Expedition Commanders Academy (PECA); InnovaSpace advisory group

Date of Experiment: April 6, 2025
Location: Huangcaoping, Gengda Township, Wolong District, Sichuan, China
Altitude: 2450 meters (Panda Ping)
Biodiversity Hotspot: Giant Panda Habitat & Buffer Zone
Indigenous groups: Qiang, Tibetan​
​Meet MRD-001: The Mars Recon Dog
As part of the StarG2025 platform, the MRD-001 tracked Mars Scout Dog was deployed for its first dual-test mission — one in an urban indoor setting, and another in the field among alpine meadows and virgin forests.
Built with rugged steel, zinc alloy tracks, and equipped with:
- 180° gimbal servo
- Front push-stream camera
- Infrared thermal imaging (12 MP)
- GPS satellite navigation
- 4G IoT remote control
- Remote intercom system and searchlights
Picture
Image ©: Chris Yuan
The Test
In the first test, the MRD-001 experienced a slope rollover due to camera lag and a collision with a bicycle tire. The controller wires were damaged, but repairs were handled DIY-style — soldered at home by team member Xiao Mao, who also accidentally burned his father’s shirt in the process!
Despite that, the field test in the mountainous Wolong terrain was a success:
- Smooth movement on muddy slopes
- Infrared camera worked reliably
- Multiple participants operated functions hands-on

Biodiversity Snapshot
The Gengda region sits where the Qionglai and Minshan Mountains meet. It supports:
- 2,000+ higher plant species (e.g., Davidia involucrata, Taxus chinensis)
- Giant Pandas (30% of world’s wild population)
- Red Pandas, Sichuan Golden Monkeys, Snow Leopards
- White-lipped Deer, Takin, Weasels, and more
What We Learned
MRD-001 scored 9/10 for performance. Issues with delay and camera streaming were noted, and future upgrades may include a new remote control system.
But more than hardware, this was about learning through doing — exploring how robotics and ecology can unite in citizen-led missions.
From Pandas to Planets
This isn't just a fun field test — it's training for a future where young people help build and sustain interstellar habitats. Think of it as Earth-based astronaut prep… with pandas!

The future of science belongs to the curious — and the courageous.
​

Learn more about Chris Yuan and his activities at LinkedIn
or contact him via ​[email protected]

StarG2025 — A Global Collaborative Platform for Space Technology and Citizen Science (part 1)

27/5/2025

 

Author: Chris Yuan

Founder: UMIC project/Planet Expedition Commanders Academy (PECA); InnovaSpace advisory group

On April 6, 2025, the first field mission of the StarG2025 project was launched at the giant panda habitat in Gengda, Wolong District, Sichuan, China. Using a concealed infrared thermal imaging wildlife detection vehicle remotely controlled by satellite navigation and IoT, this pioneering mission marked the beginning of a new chapter in global citizen science and space-tech interaction.
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What is StarG2025?
StarG2025 is a global collaborative and interactive platform exploring how space technology can serve Earth — and how Earth’s ecosystems can support future space missions. Guided by the PECA 5S values, StarG2025 integrates science, ecology, economy, and education to build a sustainable, interplanetary future.
PECA 5S Values:
  1. Space for Earth – Using AI, remote sensing, robotics, and satellite IoT to enhance ecological protection and disaster response.
  2. Space for Oceans – Employing space technologies to protect marine biodiversity, monitor pollution, and investigate deep-sea-space habitats.
  3. Space for Space – Focusing on low-cost space simulation, interstellar migration, and space habitat construction.
  4. Space for the Next Generation – Providing hands-on space education and engaging PBL (project-based learning) opportunities for young people.
  5. Space for Economy – Fueling the space economy through innovation in AI, satellite tech, and robotics — touching areas like tourism, space education, and Mars habitat design.
Why "StarG"?
  • Star Guardians – Youth as defenders of ecosystems and the universe
  • Star Generation – Representing the next wave of interstellar humans
  • Star Growing – For ecological restoration and space biospheres
  • Star Genesis – For future planetary transformation and space colonization
​
Our Core Projects:
UMIC (Ursa Minor Interstellar Citizens): Since 2021, the world’s first private underwater low-gravity simulation and ecological habitat training platform, for simulated astronaut training, robotic capsules, and underwater Mars farms.
​

MRD (Mars Recon Dog): An AI- and FPV-enabled autonomous robot for ecological monitoring and space terrain simulation.

Space Whale: A bionic underwater drone using AI and IoT to monitor whales, analyze ocean health, and enable global remote collaboration.

Near-Space Vehicles: Stratospheric airships and gliders supporting meteorological monitoring and educational launches.
​
In 2025, StarG2025 will deploy more remote missions — from mountains to oceans to underwater cities. As a citizen scientist, you could be operating equipment, monitoring wildlife, and contributing to global conservation and space readiness.
Join the Movement!
You are not just watching the future — you are helping build it!
Learn more about Chris Yuan and his activities at LinkedIn
or contact him via ​[email protected]

Space Mirror 2024: Constructing the World's First Modular Underwater Space city

8/2/2025

 

Author: Chris Yuan

Founder: UMIC project/Planet Expedition Commanders Academy (PECA); InnovaSpace advisory group

Picture
The Ursa Minor Interstellar City (UMIC) project was born out of the need to create accessible and sustainable space simulation environments on Earth. Inspired by NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and NEEMO underwater project, as well as ESA’s CAVES programme, UMIC reimagines these concepts to provide affordable, eco-friendly simulations that bring space exploration closer to ordinary people, considering the following scientific principles:
  • Low-gravity simulation: Using underwater neutral buoyancy environments to replicate microgravity for astronaut training.
  • Closed ecological systems: Conducting oxygen regeneration and resource recovery experiments to simulate living conditions on the Moon and Mars.
  • Human adaptation studies: Exploring human survival in extreme environments, akin to ESA’s cave studies, through underwater confined space experiments.
PicturePerforming CPR underwater | Image ©: Chris Yuan
A Journey of Innovation
​In 2020, collaboration with Professor Thais Russomano on the Evetts-Russomano (ER) CPR method sparked the idea for UMIC’s Underwater Space City. Over four years, UMIC has developed the complete underwater space city elements: EVA training spacecraft, animal spacecraft, lunar commuter motorcycle, space farm, the world's largest astronaut helmet, and the smallest underwater cafe - Galaxy Cat Cafe (see videos below). We can even provide astronauts with a cup of hot coffee underwater, and broadcast space education for young people around the world, truly realizing the popularization of space exploration education.

​Mission and Impact
UMIC’s goal is to train commercial astronauts to thrive in space and on alien surfaces while establishing ecological, multi-species habitats. By fostering collaboration and resilience, it not only advances humanity’s path to becoming a multi-planetary species but also strengthens our ability to protect Earth and preserve its ecosystems

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Living on the Moon - Focus on Human Health

4/9/2024

 
Welcome to this video recording of an exclusive webinar on the theme of "Living on the Moon", which took place on 20th July 2024 in celebration of the International Moon Day. ​
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The webinar, organised by InnovaSpace Director Prof Thais Russomano, was presented by 4 students from the Remote Medicine iBSc program, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, and in association with the MVA (Moon Village Association). The focus of the event was on one of the most critical aspects of future lunar habitation: human health.
Join the student panel as they explore the unique environment of the Moon, the history of its human exploration from NASA Apollo Mission first steps to future Artemis plans, its potential impact on human physical health and mental well-being, Moon research and Earth-based space analogues, and research limitations and gaps in the knowledge.
​
Congratulations to the presenters - Manvi Bhatt, Nareh Ghazarians, Diya Raj Yajaman, & Elvyn Vijayanathan - and good luck with your future careers. 

Is Space Nursing really a thing?!

6/8/2024

 
With our very own Prof Thais Russomano having recently contributed to the published article - "Space Nursing for the Future Management of Astronaut Health in other Planets: A Literature Review", we thought we would highlight this niche area of nursing  and ask good friend Lisa Evetts to write a few words about the role she undertook in 2011 as a Flight Nurse at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. Many thanks to Lisa for agreeing to give us an insight into the work with which she was involved.

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Author: Lisa Evetts

Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist; Former European Astronaut Flight Nurse at the EAC, Cologne 

​I became involved in Space research whilst my husband was completing his PhD in the early 90s, acting as ‘flight nurse’ for several parabolic flight human research studies. I went on to co-develop the Evetts/Russomano (ER) technique for basic life support in space, while continuing to work as a renal specialist nurse in the UK.
Picture
Performing CPR using Evetts-Russomano technique, ESA parabolic flight campaign 2000
​In 2011, I became the sole flight nurse for the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. I enjoyed two successful years working closely with the flight surgeons within the Operational Space Medicine Unit (OSMU), as it was called then. I was part of a team responsible for the day-to-day management and administration necessary for maintaining ESA (European Space Agency) Astronaut health. One of my key responsibilities was to track and retrieve data from medical events related to ‘pre’, ‘in’ and ‘post’ space flight activities.  
 
The role also involved working as the interface between OSMU, NASA, the ESA flight clinic and occasionally the Russian Space Agency, coordinating somewhat complex planning to ensure all flight medical examinations were completed within a rigid timescale from an Astronaut’s initial mission assignment, 18 months before they flew, to two years post-mission. The examinations took place at the locations of all 3 agencies to accommodate an Astronauts packed international training schedule. Astronauts who weren’t assigned to a mission, also required coordination of annual medicals locally.
Picture
European Astronaut Centre, Cologne (Photos: ©ESA)
​I particularly enjoyed good relationships with the NASA flight nurses who I had the pleasure to meet when visiting the Johnson Space Center in Houston. It was a great opportunity to meet all those I had been communicating with by phone and email, to cement our good working relationships.
 
I represented OSMU at weekly events such as the astronaut training coordination meetings, where planning and updates on training schedules and upcoming flight assignments would be discussed. Each team involved in preparing an Astronaut for flight was granted a certain number of hours of the astronaut’s time from a packed pre-mission schedule, to complete the necessary training and preparatory requirements. Arduous negotiations were required with other departments and the agency central mission organisation authority, should a team think they needed extra time to complete their activities.
 
As the Flight Nurse I was responsible to lead weekly clinical meetings to update the flight surgeons on any new information and issues relating to an astronaut’s health and the work underpinning their welfare.
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Nurses have been associated with the space program from the very beginning of human spaceflight, with Dee O'Hara being appointed in November 1959 as the first nurse of the NASA Mercury Program. Although a niche area, more opportunities for space nurses are emerging with the involvement of commercial entities such as SpaceX and will continue to grow with the arrival of space tourism and plans to return to the Moon. 

Microgravity & Astronaut Health

19/1/2024

 

Author: ​Leonardo Pilatti

Physiotherapist | Currently taking Master’s degree in Space Medicine

​Microgravity is a fascinating topic when it comes to the study of astronaut health. When humans are exposed to microgravity, the effects on their bodies can be quite significant.
One of the first things to understand about microgravity is its effect on the musculoskeletal system. In the absence of gravity, astronauts experience a decrease in muscle mass and bone density. The lack of load-bearing activity in microgravity leads to muscle atrophy and bone loss. This can result in decreased strength and increased risk of fractures once astronauts return to Earth.
Another area of concern in microgravity is cardiovascular health. On Earth, gravity helps to pump blood towards the lower extremities. In microgravity, this effect is greatly reduced, causing fluids and blood to shift towards the upper body. This can lead to a decrease in plasma volume. Astronauts often have to undergo intense exercise regimes during their space missions to counteract these effects.
The immune system is also affected by microgravity. Studies have shown that the immune response of astronauts is suppressed during spaceflight. This can make them more vulnerable to infections and diseases. Researchers are still studying the exact mechanisms behind this phenomenon and are trying to find ways to boost the immune system during space missions.
Microgravity also has an impact on the astronaut's vision. Some astronauts have reported changes in their vision, such as an increase in visual blurring and other visual disturbances. This condition, known as spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), is still being studied to understand its underlying causes and potential long-term effects.
In addition to physical health, microgravity can also impact an astronaut's mental well-being. The unique environment of space, with its isolation, confinement, and lack of natural daylight, can lead to psychological challenges such as mood swings, sleep disturbances, and increased stress. NASA and other space agencies provide mental health support and psychological training to help astronauts cope with these challenges.
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​To mitigate the negative effects of microgravity on astronaut health, space agencies invest in various countermeasures. These include exercise programs, special diets, and even medications. Additionally, researchers are constantly studying new technologies and strategies to protect and enhance astronaut health during long-duration space missions.
In conclusion, microgravity has significant effects on astronaut health, impacting various systems in the body. The study of these effects is crucial to ensure the well-being and safety of astronauts during space missions. By understanding and addressing these challenges, we can continue to push the boundaries of space exploration while also safeguarding the health of those who venture into the final frontier.

Dynamics of Cavitation Bubbles: From Collapse to Complexity

4/1/2024

 

Authors: ​Dr Venkatesh T Lamani, Swapnil K Singh

BMS College of Engineering, Bull Temple Rd, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 560019

​Bubbles are a common occurrence in liquids, ranging from the simple rising ones to the turbulent ones that playfully form. However, behind their seemingly innocent façade lies a lesser-known and more complex side—cavitation bubbles. These unassuming bubbles possess the capacity to wreak havoc, generating destructive shock waves, emitting bursts of light, and even exhibiting unique chemical properties. In this article, we will delve into the intricate mechanics of cavitation bubbles, shedding light on their rapid collapse phase and the fascinating behaviours that accompany it.
 
Cavitation bubbles undergo a sequence of stages, each contributing to their overall behaviour. It all begins with the inception of minuscule gas or vapor pockets known as nuclei within the liquid. These nuclei can emerge from various sources such as dissolved air, impurities, or surface irregularities. As the liquid traverses areas of lower pressure, these nuclei gradually expand into larger bubbles due to vaporisation—a process akin to boiling, yet without the actual boiling point being reached.
Picture
Gas and dust cloud in space full of bubbles inflated by wind and radiation from massive young stars. Each bubble approximately 10 to 30 light-years across, filled with hundreds to thousands of stars. (Milky Way galaxy, in the constellation Aquila - aka the Eagle). Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
​The movement of cavitation bubbles is governed by the interplay between forces within the fluid flow and the intrinsic characteristics of the bubbles themselves. Forces such as drag, buoyancy, pressure gradients, and interactions with solid surfaces dictate their trajectories. Some bubbles ascend due to buoyancy, while others become entrapped in turbulent flows, swirling unpredictably. Along their trajectory, pressure gradients act as guiding forces, steering the bubbles in specific directions.
 
Yet, the most intriguing facet of cavitation bubbles lies in their eventual collapse. As these bubbles transition from low-pressure regions to areas of higher pressure, they face escalating external pressure. This rapid compression leads to their dramatic collapse, referred to as the bubble collapse phase. During this phase, the confined space witnesses the generation of extreme pressures and temperatures, resulting in the formation of shock waves, microjets, and even flashes of light. This release of energy significantly contributes to the inherently destructive nature of cavitation, capable of causing damage to nearby surfaces.
The collapse transpires in a fleeting instant, lasting only microseconds. The energy unleashed results in temperatures surpassing the sun's surface heat and pressures that rival the deepest ocean trenches. Shock waves and microjets formed in this dramatic event have the power to erode metals, damage propellers, and influence chemical reactions within the surrounding liquid. Researchers are particularly enthused by the potential applications of this released energy, spanning from catalysing intricate chemical reactions to advancing medical treatments.
 
Despite extensive research, comprehending the intricate dynamics of cavitation bubbles remains a formidable challenge. The intricate dance of fluid dynamics, coupled with the unpredictable nature of turbulence, renders achieving comprehensive understanding an ongoing pursuit. Researchers employ numerical simulations and experiments to gain insights, yet many aspects of this phenomenon are still awaiting exploration. Unravelling the mechanisms underlying bubble collapse and its aftermath stands as a continuing endeavour, driven by the desire to harness its energy while mitigating its potential harm.

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Tangible  Music  from  the  Universe's  Light

18/12/2023

 

Author: ​Luis E. Luque Álvarez

Violin Teacher, Kittenberger Kálmán Primary & Art School of Nagymaros, Hungary. Member of the European Low Gravity Research Association (ELGRA), and member of the Education Advisory Board for NASA’s Eclipse Soundscapes Project (ES: CSP)

Picture
Are the right polyphonies of orbits contributing to the rise of life in the universe?
Sonification is a multidisciplinary method that complements data visualisation through adding an auditory component that facilitates the interpretation of visual features. The origin of sonification dates to 1908, when Hans Geiger and Walther Müller experimented with the sound coming from tubes of ionizing gas and radiation. Edmund Edward Fournier d’Albe later invented the Optophone, a device that scans text and transforms it into time-varying chords of tones, enabling people who are blind to identify and understand letters through sonification. This method has become popular in astronomy, though its real roots can be traced back further in history if you consider the works of Pythagoras, who proposed that planets all give off a unique hum based on their orbital revolution, while the “Musica Universalis” developed by Johannes Keppler highlighted the orbital path of each celestial body as individual voices in a planetary polyphony. Andreas Werckmeister subsequently developed his temperaments and tuning systems based on Kepler’s theories, which later influenced the sequences and structures composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. 
Picture
Scan of first edition of Johannes Kepler's Harmony of the World (1596). Page contains the musical scales that Kepler attributed to the six known planets of the time, and the moon, which described their orbital motion. | Johannes Kepler, University of Oklahoma, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This connection from Kepler to Bach continues to be investigated to the present day by musicologists.  In fact, in can be argued that without the musical developments of Pythagoras, Kepler, Werckmeister and Bach taken from astronomical principles, the musical systems and knowledge of our postmodern times could be very differently structured, at least considering western music. Astronomical studies seek the combination of different celestial harmonies or polyphonies from the orbits that could have a direct relation with the essential conditions for life in evolving protoplanetary systems, different stars, planets transformation or even the connection to black holes or dark matter (see below YouTube videos).

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FROM DAR ES SALAAM TO SPACE !

6/11/2023

 

Author: ​Dr. Yohana David Laiser, MD

Medical Doctor | Space Exploration Enthusiast | Aspiring Public Health Specialist

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​The government of Tanzania has set itself a goal to venture into space exploration by launching its first ever Communication Satellite, scheduled for the end of 2023 following similar endeavors by other countries in the region. This daring spirit shown by the government is also reflected by a rising number of space-related activities, establishment of privately owned companies venturing into space exploration, and a germinating stalk of space ecosystem in Tanzania, most notably in the country’s commercial city of Dar es Salaam.
 
One of record-breaking events to ever happen in Tanzania is the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, which is the largest global hackathon organised by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States of America and partner organisations from all over the world, such as ESA, CSA, JAXA, ISRO and many more.

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Inspiring a New Generation of Space Science Researchers and Astronauts...

9/10/2023

 

Author: InnovaSpace Team

Working towards a globally inclusive and diverse network of space professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, students & enthusiasts - Space Without Borders

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Time to catch-up with our colleague from the east, Chris Yuan, who very enthusiastically and capably established the Ursa Minor project in China, under the umbrella of the Planetary Expedition Commander Academy (PECA). It involves the development of new technologies and innovative training courses to encourage and inspire a future generation of space science researchers and astronauts.

​As previously reported in 2022, Chris and his students learned how to perform the Evetts-Russomano CPR technique underwater on a manikin while diving, as the water simulates the weightlessness that is present in microgravity. This practice now forms part of a larger course, the Ursa Minor Interstellar Expedition Program, giving the opportunity for 12- to 18-year-olds to participate in an underwater space science training camp.

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