Orbiter.ch Space News: Space Station Science Highlights: Week of July 2, 2018

vendredi 6 juillet 2018

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of July 2, 2018

ISS - Expedition 56 Mission patch.

July 6, 2018

The crew members aboard the International Space Station had a busy week with the arrival of the SpaceX CRS-15 Dragon, packed full of new science and supplies.

The SpaceX Dragon capsule along with the Canadarm2. Image Credit: NASA

Read more details about scientific work this week aboard your orbiting laboratory:

Student investigations address challenges to life in space

The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) at the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) sponsors a variety of experiments contained within Nanoracks Module-9, all aimed at addressing real challenges of living and working in space. The program is also a key initiative for US science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers to work on the space program.

Image above: The Space Algae investigation explores the genetic basis for productivity of algae cultivated in space. This week, installed the culture bags in the Veggie facility and set up Veggie light intensity and airflow parameters today. Image Credit: NASA.

The investigations include:

    Effect of Microgravity on Nanoparticle Cellular Interaction
    The efficacy of Ideonella sakaiensis in a Microgravity Environment
    Grain Size and Distribution Analysis of Gallium in Microgravity
    Effects of Crossbreeding Sordaria fimicola in Microgravity
    The Effect of Ascorbic Acid on the Rate of Regeneration in Microgravity
    Ca In Space
    Planarian Worm Tail Regrowth
    Growing Carrots on the International Space Station in Microgravity
    Rust in Microgravity
    The Effect of Microgravity on Tooth Decay
    The Effect of Microgravity on the Growth of Golden Lake Artemia
    Brine Shrimp
    The effect microgravity has on the developmental stages of brine shrimp
    Addition of “green plastic” to enhance cement properties in Space

This week, the crew members activated the experiment tubes for the investigations.

A view of the Advanced Plant Habitat on July 4, 2018. Image Credit: NASA

Crew makes room for new station inhabitants

Spaceflight has an on impact many bodily systems. Rodent Research-7 takes a look at how the microgravity environment of space affects the community of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, or microbiota.

The study also evaluates relationships between system changes, such as sleep-wake cycle disruption, and imbalance of microbial populations, to identify contributing factors and supporting development of countermeasures to protect astronaut health during long-term missions, as well as to improve the treatment of gastrointestinal, immune, metabolic and sleep disorders on Earth.

Animation above: The Muscle Tone in Space (Myotones) investigation observes the biochemical properties of muscles (e.g. muscle tone, stiffness, elasticity) during long-term exposure spaceflight environment. Animation Credit: ESA/NASA.

This week, the crew installed and transferred 20 rodents into the install animal habitats. Rodents will remain on station for 70 days, making this the longest-duration rodent investigation conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory.

Tiny operations with potential for big impact

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the leading causes of death in developed countries. Angiex Cancer Therapy examines whether microgravity-cultured endothelial cells represent a valid in vitro model to test effects of vascular-targeted agents on normal blood vessels.

Results may create a model system for designing safer drugs, targeting the vasculature of cancer tumors and helping pharmaceutical companies design safer vascular-targeted drugs.

Space to Ground: Meet CIMON: 07/06/2018