Scientific publisher Nature Publishing Group and the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University have announced the launch of npj Microgravity, a new open access journal. The journal is specifically dedicated to publishing research that enables space exploration and research that is enabled by spaceflight. It will also publish research utilizing ground-based models o f spaceflight.
Microgravity is an extreme environment in which gravity is greatly reduced. It provides a unique opportunity to not only enhance future spaceflight missions, but also provides novel insight into our understanding of biological, physical and engineering sciences on Earth with potential practical applications for the general public. npj Microgravity, an online-only and free to access journal, captures the discoveries from reduced gravity and analogue environments, thereby providing scientists and science enthusiasts alike a way to stay at the cutting edge with the latest research.
Dr. Cheryl A. Nickerson of Arizona State University, USA, will serve as the Editor-in-Chief. Dr Nickerson is internationally recognised for her pioneering research in utilizing the microgravity environment of spaceflight as a unique research platform to provide novel insight into infectious disease mechanisms and to understand how physical forces dictate the outcome of host-pathogen interactions that lead to disease.
This is the latest launch in the series of Nature Partner Journals (npjs), a new series of online, open access journals published in collaboration with world-renowned international partners. As with all titles within the series, npj Microgravity adheres to high editorial standards and will publish high-quality open research.
The journal will publish scientific research in the life sciences, physical sciences and engineering fields, which is needed to develop advanced exploration technologies and processes, particularly those profoundly affected by operation in a space environment. It will also publish research that is enabled by spaceflight and spaceflight analogues that provide novel insight into biological, engineering and physical sciences to benefit Earth-based research and the general public.
The journal will be open for submissions in late October.
