ISS - Expedition 59 Mission patch.
May 21, 2019
The members of Expedition 59 continued work on dozens of science experiments aboard the International Space Station. Many of these experiments contribute knowledge and technology needed for sustained presence on the moon as well as future longer-term space exploration, as outlined in NASA’s Moon to Mars program.
Here are details on some of the scientific investigations conducted in the orbiting lab the week of May 13:
Protecting kidney health
Image above: NASA astronaut Christina Koch conducts research inside the Life Sciences Glovebox for the Kidney Cells investigation, which seeks better treatments for kidney-related diseases on Earth and on future long-duration space missions. Image Credit: NASA.
Serious medical conditions caused by poor kidney health, including protein in the urine (proteinuria), osteoporosis, and kidney stones, occur more often and more quickly in space. This represents a threat to astronaut health on future missions deeper into space. Kidney Cells examines how microgravity and other factors of space travel affect kidney health. Knowledge gained can contribute to better treatments to protect the health of astronauts on longer duration missions to the moon and Mars and for kidney-related conditions on Earth as well. The crew performed Kidney Cell fixation inside the Life Science Glovebox (LSG) and prepared the hardware for return.
The challenges of gardening in space
International Space Station (ISS). Animation Credit: NASA
On future long-duration space missions and to maintain a sustained presence on the moon, crew members need to grow their own food. Understanding how plants respond to microgravity and demonstrating reliable vegetable production on orbit are important steps toward that goal. The crew took photos of the Veggie PONDS modules in order to examine water distribution in the units and determine why the plants do not appear to be growing as expected. The investigation uses a newly developed passive nutrient delivery system and the Veggie plant growth facility to cultivate lettuce and greens on the space station for on-orbit consumption and analysis on Earth.
Overcoming oxidative stress
Image above: Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques installs experiment containers for the Nano Antioxidants investigation, which researches innovative approaches to counteract the negative effects of long-term microgravity exposure on the musculoskeletal system. Image Credit: NASA.
The crew completed an automated run with twelve experiment containers for Nano Antioxidants. This investigation studies innovative approaches to counteract the negative effects of long-term space travel on the musculoskeletal system. This research has numerous potential applications on Earth as well, including new therapies for the elderly and people with muscle atrophy disorders and other diseases involving oxidative stress.
Examining pathogen adaptation to microgravity
Image above: NASA astronaut Nick Hague conducts operations in the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox for the Micro-14 investigation. This study evaluates changes in the yeast Candida albicans in microgravity and characterizes its virulence factors. A better understanding of microbial adaption to environmental stresses contributes to maintenance of crew member health during long-duration spaceflight. Image Credit: NASA.
Micro-14 extends previous studies on the yeast Candida albicans, seeking to define mechanisms behind its cellular adaptation to spaceflight. This investigation evaluates changes at the physiological, cellular, and molecular level and characterizes virulence factors of the yeast. A better understanding of microbial adaption to environmental stresses contributes to maintenance of crew member health during long-duration spaceflight. On Earth, C. albicans can cause severe, life-threatening illness in people with compromised immune systems. The crew used the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) to inoculate the investigation culture bag with the yeast.
Space to Ground: Watching the Earth Breathe: 05/17/2019
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- Rodent Research-12 (RR-12) examines the effects of spaceflight on the function of antibody production and immune memory using a mouse model: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7868
- Food Acceptability examines changes in the appeal of food aboard the space station during long-duration missions. “Menu fatigue” from repeatedly consuming the limited foods available in a closed system may contribute to the loss of body mass often experienced by crew members, potentially affecting astronaut health, especially as mission length increases.: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7562
- Circadian Rhythms investigates the role of the biological clock and how it changes during long-duration spaceflight in order to help address the effects of spaceflight, including reduced physical activity and microgravity, and protect crew performance and health on future longer missions: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=869
- Genes in Space-6 evaluates the process of DNA repair in space by inducing DNA damage in cells and assessing mutation and repair at the molecular level using the miniPCR and the Biomolecule Sequencer tools aboard the ISS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7893
- MicroAlgae studies the effects of microgravity on Haematococcus pluvialis, a tiny freshwater algae capable of producing astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that could be useful as a food supplement on long space missions: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7689
- MVP Cell-01 studies a disease called Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis, in which a traumatic joint injury may lead to arthritis after loss of cartilage and bone: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7663
Related links:
Expedition 59: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition59/index.html
Kidney Cells: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7819
Veggie PONDS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7581
Nano Antioxidants: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7744
Micro-14: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7642
Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=341
Spot the Station: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
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
Images (mentioned), Animation (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/Jorge Sotomayor, Lead Increment Scientist Expeditions 59/60.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
