ISS - Expedition 59 Mission patch.
May 29, 2019
As the world’s only crewed research laboratory and technology test bed on orbit, the International Space Station is vital not only to ongoing scientific advances but to future space exploration as well. Its crew conducts dozens of science experiments every week, including those providing knowledge and technology needed for a sustained presence on the Moon as well as future exploration planned as part of NASA’s Moon to Mars program.
Image above: NASA astronaut Nick Hague sequences DNA samples for the Genes in Space-6 experiment, a study exploring DNA damage caused by space radiation and how the cell DNA repair mechanism works in microgravity. Image Credit: NASA.
Here are details on some of those scientific investigations that the members of Expedition 59 conducted in the orbiting lab the week of May 20:
Testing radiation detection for future space exploration
The ISS HERA investigation validates an existing on-orbit radiation detection system developed for Orion and Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). The first in a series of complex missions, EM-1 tests NASA’s deep space exploration systems, including the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It ultimately provides a foundation for human deep space exploration and the capability for extended human presence on the Moon. ISS HERA served to refine data analysis and evaluate this hardware in the space radiation environment prior to EM-1. Upon its completion of a 40-day data-gathering period on the space station, last week the crew deactivated and stowed the hardware.
Animation above: Activation of the Materials International Space Station Experiment Flight Facility (MISSE-FF), a permanent platform for multiple experiments on the outside of the space station. This footage includes first opening of the MISSE Sample Carrier (MSC) for MISSE-11, a suite of 13 commercial investigations of materials. Also visible is the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), which studies the physics of neutron stars, and the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer – 02 (AMS-02), a particle physics detector on the orbiting laboratory. Animation Credit: NASA.
When days are not 24 hours long
Experiencing a non-24-hour cycle of light and dark in space and on future missions to the Moon and Mars could affect crewmembers’ internal clocks. That in turn could affect crew performance and health. Circadian Rhythms investigates the role of the circadian or biological clock, and how it changes during long-duration spaceflight. Results could help address the effects of spaceflight and protect crews on future longer missions. The crew downloaded Circadian Rhythm armband data from a complete 24 hours of data collection.
Protecting bone and muscle in space and on Earth
Image above: Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques works on the Multi-use Variable-G Platform (MVP) hardware for the MVP Cell-01 investigation into therapies for bone injuries and diseases on Earth and in space. The MVP enables space biology research into a variety of small organisms such as fruit flies, plants, cells, protein crystals and many others. Image Credit: NASA.
The Cartilage–Bone–Synovium Micro-Physiological System Using the Multi-purpose Variable-G Platform (MVP Cell-01) investigation studies the effects of spaceflight on the biology of musculoskeletal disease. Astronauts can experience exercise-related injuries while aboard the space station, and space may worsen the effects of any pre-existing joint injuries. Developing therapeutics to prevent bone and cartilage degradation in space could help protect astronauts on future long-term missions. MVP Cell-01also tests potential drugs to prevent progression of Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis, a condition where traumatic joint injury leads to arthritis on Earth and in space. The crew exchanged nutrients for the Cell-01 Experiment Modules and reinstalled them into the MVP, replacing a defective nutrient bag in the process.
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
- The ISS Experience documents daily life aboard the space station through a virtual reality film to educate a variety of audiences about life in the orbiting lab and science conducted there: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7877
- 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
- Veggie PONDS uses a newly developed passive nutrient delivery system and the Veggie Cell plant growth facility to cultivate lettuce and greens on the space station for on-orbit consumption and analysis on Earth: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7581
- Micro-14 extends previous studies on the yeast Candida albicans, seeking to define mechanisms behind its cellular adaptation to spaceflight, potentially contributing to maintenance of crew member health during long-duration spaceflight: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7642
- Astrobee is a series of free-flying, cube-shaped robot designed to help scientists and engineers develop and test technologies for assisting astronauts with routine chores in space and to give ground controllers additional eyes and ears on the space station: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1891
Space to Ground: The ABC's of DNA: 05/24/2019
Related links:
Expedition 59: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition59/index.html
ISS HERA: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7605
Orion and Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1): https://www.nasa.gov/feature/around-the-moon-with-nasa-s-first-launch-of-sls-with-orion
Circadian Rhythms: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=869
Multi-purpose Variable-G Platform (MVP Cell-01): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7663
Moon to Mars: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars
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), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/Jorge Sotomayor, Lead Increment Scientist Expeditions 59/60.
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