dimanche 28 janvier 2018

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of Jan. 22, 2018









ISS - Expedition 54 Mission patch.

Jan. 28, 2018

The crew living and working aboard the International Space Station explored research in the fields of human research, earth and space science, and physical science as they continued preparations for the second spacewalk of the year later this month.


Animation above: NASA astronaut Scott Tingle configures the Light Microscopy Module for the ACE-T-6 investigation. Animation Credit: NASA.

Take a look at some of the science that happened this week aboard the orbiting laboratory:

Investigation Studies Changes to Brain Structure and Function in Spaceflight

Previous research and anecdotal evidence from astronauts suggests movement control and cognition can be affected in microgravity. NeuroMapping investigates whether long-duration spaceflight causes changes to brain structure and function, using MRI and fMRI imaging. Changes in motor control or multi-tasking abilities are documented, as well as the time it takes for the brain and body to recover from possible changes. This week, NASA astronaut Scott Tingle set up the NeuroMapping hardware and performed his Flight Day 150 tests.


Image above: NASA astronaut Scott Tingle works within the Japanese Experiment Module airlock. Image Credit: NASA.

Investigation Seeks to Provide Data on Meteor Showers

The Meteor investigation employs a visible spectroscopy instrument to observe meteors in Earth orbit. Meteor uses image analysis to provide information on the physical and chemical properties of the meteoroid dust, such as size, density, and chemical composition. Continuous measurement of meteor interactions with the Earth’s atmosphere could spot previously unforeseen meteor showers. This week, the crew removed and replaced the hard drive and performed an antivirus update to the Meteor laptop located in the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF).

Operations Begin in Colloidal Experiment to Improve Product Shelf Life

Colloids are suspensions of microscopic particles in a liquid, and are found in products ranging from milk to fabric softener. Consumer products often use colloidal gels to distribute specialized ingredients. The Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature-6 (ACE-T-6) investigation studies the microscopic behavior of colloids in gels and creams, to provide new insight into fundamental interactions that can improve product shelf life. This week, the crew configured the Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) Light Microscopy Module (LMM) to initiate ACE-T-6 operations by installing the ACE module.

Space to Ground: Christina's Lessons: 01/26/2018

Other work was done on these investigations: Meteor, Circadian Rhythms, EIISS, Personal CO2 Monitor,  Rodent Research-6, Lighting Effects, Airway Monitoring, Two-Phase Flow, Plant Gravity Perception, DOSIS-3D,  FemtoSat, Advanced Plant Habitat, Space Headaches, SLAMMD, Transparent Alloys and Arthrospira-B.

Related links:

NeuroMapping: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=979

Window Observational Research Facility (WORF): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=349

Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature-6 (ACE-T-6): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1707

Meteor: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1174

Circadian Rhythms: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=869

EIISS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7565

Personal CO2 Monitor: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1839

Rodent Research-6: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7423

Lighting Effects: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2013

Airway Monitoring: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1067

Two-Phase Flow: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1034

Plant Gravity Perception: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2019

DOSIS-3D: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=177

Advanced Plant Habitat: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2032

Space Headaches: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=174

SLAMMD: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=630

Transparent Alloys: https://www.eusoc.upm.es/transparent-alloys/

Space Station Research and Technology: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html

International Space Station (ISS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

Animation (mentioned), Image (mentioned), Video, Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/NASA Johnson/John Love, Lead Increment Scientist Expeditions 53 & 54.

Best regards, Orbiter.ch