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
