Orbiter.ch Space News: Space Station Science Highlights: Week of May 21, 2018

lundi 28 mai 2018

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of May 21, 2018

ISS - Expedition 55 Mission patch.

May 28, 2018

This week, the crew members aboard the International Space Station received about 7,400 pounds of research and supplies aboard the Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo ship. Captured through the use of one of the space station’s robotic arms, the crew members will spend the next several weeks unpacking many new investigations and supplies.

Image above: The Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo ship was bolted into place on the International Space Station’s Earth-facing port of the Unity module on May 24. The spacecraft’s arrival brings about 7,400 pounds of research and supplies to support Expedition 55 and 56. Animation Credit: NASA.

In addition to receiving new science and supplies, crew members stayed busy with hours of scientific operations. Here is a look at some of the science that happened last week aboard your orbiting laboratory:

Investigation activated in Kibo module, studies atomization in microgravity

An in-depth understanding of atomization, or the conversion of a substance into very fine particles or droplets, may improve the design and efficiency of plane and rocket engines. The Detailed validation of the new atomization concept derived from drop tower experiments--Aimed at developing a turbulent atomization simulator (Atomization) investigation examines the disintegration processes of a low-speed water jet for various jet issue conditions in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) to validate the new atomization concept by observing the process using a high-speed camera.

This week, crew members set up and activated the investigation hardware in the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack.

Blood, urine, and saliva samples taken for a variety of investigations studying astronaut health

Image above: JAXA astronaut Norishige Kanai within the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) module. Image Credit: NASA.

As humans get older, arteries stiffen, causing an increase in blood pressure and elevating the risk for cardiovascular disease. Recently, it has been observed that some crew members returning from the space station have much stiffer arteries than when they went into space. The Cardiac and Vessel Structure and Function with Long-Duration Space Flight and Recovery (Vascular Echo) investigation examines changes in crew members’ blood vessels and heart, while in space and upon their return home, following them through their recovery. The results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health, and quality of life for those on Earth.

This week, crew members collected samples as a part of the investigation. Blood and urine samples were also collected as a part of the Biochemical Profile, Marrow and Repository investigations.

ACME chamber reconfigured for change of investigation

The Advanced Combustion Microgravity Experiment (ACME) investigation is a set of five independent studies of gaseous flames to be conducted in the Combustion Integration Rack (CIR), one of which being Coflow Laminar Diffusion Flame (CLD Flame). ACME’s goals are to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant production in practical combustion on Earth and to improve spacecraft fire prevention through innovative research focused on materials flammability.

Image above: NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold works within the Combustion Integration Rack as a part of the ACME investigation. Image Credit: NASA.

This week, crew members configured the Combustion Integration Rack (CIR) to prepare for the start of CLD Flame Part 2.

Space to Ground: Cold Hard Science: 05/25/2018