ISS - Expedition 59 Mission patch.
June 28, 2019
Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations last week that studied DNA repair, protein crystallization, plant growth in space and more. The orbiting lab provides a platform for research and technology demonstrations in every field of science and increasingly supports commercial research and development. The station also contributes to Artemis, NASA’s program to return to the Moon.
Image above: From the International Space Station’s orbit 269 miles above the Indian Ocean southwest of Australia, this nighttime photograph captures the aurora australis, or "southern lights." Russia's Soyuz MS-12 crew ship is in the foreground and Progress 72 resupply ship in the background. Image Credit: NASA.
On June 25, NASA astronaut Anne McClain, Oleg Kononenko of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency departed the station and returned to Earth after 204 days in space. Here are details on some of the science conducted by the remaining members of Expedition 59 during the week of June 24:
Evaluating DNA damage and repair in space
Image above: NASA astronaut Christina Koch working on the Genes In Space-6 experiment. It sequences DNA samples using the Biomolecule Sequencer to help scientists understand how space radiation mutates DNA and assess the molecular level repair process. Image Credit: NASA.
The crew initiated part five of the Genes in Space-6 CRISPR biomolecule sequence run. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage caused by the increased exposure to radiation in space can affect the long-term health of astronauts. Genes in Space-6 determines the optimal DNA repair mechanisms that cells use in the spaceflight environment. The investigation evaluates the entire process in space for the first time 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 space station.
Visit the Space Station in Virtual Reality
International Space Station (ISS). Image Credit: NASA
The ISS Experience creates a virtual reality film to educate a variety of audiences about life in the orbiting lab and science conducted there. Eight to 10 minute videos created from footage taken during the yearlong investigation cover different aspects of crew life, execution of science, and the international partnerships involved. It uses a Z-CAM V1 Pro Cinematic Virtual Reality (VR) 360-degree camera with nine 190° fisheye lenses. Last week marked a busy week for the project; the crew recorded the space station change of command ceremony, a crew dinner, a group workout with McClain and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, a movie night, and the departure from the space station of McClain, Kononenko and Saint-Jacques.
Protein crystals headed for analysis
The crew retrieved two JAXA PCG samples from the Freezer-Refrigerator of STirling cycle 2 (FROST2) facility last week for return to Earth. The investigation grew high quality protein crystals in microgravity for detailed structure analysis on the ground. This use of the orbiting lab to create high quality crystals advances use of the microgravity environment for production purposes. The detailed information on protein structures the investigation provides also supports design of new drugs to treat diseases and the study of unknown enzyme reactions.
Stocking Space-based Salad Bars
Image above: Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques checks the Veg-04A plants. This experiment focuses on the impact of light quality and fertilizer on growth of a leafy crop as well as microbial food safety, nutritional value, taste acceptability by the crew, and the overall behavioral health benefits of having plants and fresh food in space. Image Credit: NASA.
To provide a healthy, nutritious diet on long-duration exploration missions, astronauts need to produce fresh foods during flight to supplement their standard pre-packaged food supply. The Veg-04A investigation, a project to develop the ability to produce fresh food in space, focuses on how light quality and fertilizer affect growth of Mizuna mustard, a leafy green crop. It also looks at microbial food safety, nutritional value, taste acceptability by the crew, and the overall behavioral health benefits of having plants and fresh food in space. Last week, the crew performed a water check and measured harvested leaves using the Mass Measurement Device.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- The Photobioreactor investigation demonstrates whether the biological processes of microalgae can serve as part of a hybrid life support system. This approach would help future long-duration exploration missions reduce the amount of supplies that must be brought from Earth: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7426
- STaARS BioScience-11 manufactures nanoparticle drug delivery systems for chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This investigation is sponsored by the ISS National Lab, which is managed by the Center for the Advancement for Science in Space (CASIS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7941
Image above: Flight Engineer Nick Hague works on the Capillary Structures experiment, which demonstrates the flow of fluid and gas mixtures using surface tension and fluid dynamics. The fluid physics study is helping NASA evaluate technologies for a lightweight, advanced life support system that can recover water and remove carbon dioxide in space. Image Credit: NASA.
- The Capillary Structures investigation studies using structures of specific shapes to manage fluid and gas mixtures: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7329
- Probiotics examines the effects of beneficial bacteria or probiotics on the intestinal microbiota and immune function of crew members on long-duration space missions: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2047
- Vascular Echo examines changes in blood vessels and the heart in space and recovery following return to Earth. Results could provide insight into developing countermeasures to help maintain crew member health on long voyages such as to the Moon or Mars: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1664
- Standard Measures captures a consistent and simple set of measures from crew members throughout the ISS Program in order to characterize adaptive responses to and risks of living in space: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7711
- Food Acceptability examines changes in the appeal of food aboard the space station during long-duration missions. “Menu fatigue” from repeatedly consuming a limited choice of foods 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
Space to Ground: Back on Terra Firma: 06/28/2019
Related links:
Expedition 59: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition59/index.html
Artemis: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/what-is-artemis/
Genes in Space-6: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7893
The ISS Experience: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7877
JAXA PCG: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=151
Veg-04A: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7896
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, Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/Jorge Sotomayor, Lead Increment Scientist Expeditions 59/60.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
