Solar system exploration research: These are four new teams selected by NASA

New Delhi: Four new teams have been added by NASA to study the Moon, near-Earth asteroids and other components of the solar system.

The four new research teams will join the existing nine teams in SSERVI to address scientific questions about the moon, near-Earth asteroids, the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, and their near space environments, in cooperation with international partners.

According to a report in Engadget on Sunday, the first group from the University of Colorado will study on robotics, cosmology, astrophysics and heliophysics to advance manned space exploration.

While the second group has been assigned on a project called "Toolbox for Research and Exploration", responsible for developing tools and methods for the manned exploration of celestial bodies.

"The third group from Georgia Institute of Technology will explore how radiation affects human-made composite materials. They'll also look into how real-time detectors can help minimise astronauts' exposure to harmful radiation," the report added.

The fourth group, called Exploration Science Pathfinder Research for Enhancing Solar System Observations or ESPRESSO will assist NASA in understanding the events that are hazardous for robotic and human explorers in space.

With the better knowledge of hazardous events in space, disasters can be predicted and managed.

"NASA will set aside $3 to $5 million of its budget per year to fund the teams' research for the next five years," the report noted.

In an effort to advance basic and applied research for lunar and planetary science, and advance human exploration of the solar system through scientific discovery,

NASA created the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute or SSERVI to advance basic and applied research for lunar and planetary science, and advance human exploration of the solar system through scientific discovery.

(With IANS inputs)