ISS - Expedition 59 Mission patch.
June 9, 2019
The members of Expedition 59 conducted scientific investigations on the International Space Station last week that included studies on physical and psychological adaptation to space and protection from radiation exposure. These and many other space station investigations support NASA’s goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2024 as part of its Artemis human exploration program, as well as the goal of ongoing commercialization of the orbiting lab.
International Space Station (ISS). Image Credit: NASA
Here are details on some of the scientific investigations conducted during the week of June 3:
Assessing astronaut adaptation to space
Behavioral Core Measures (BCM) investigates the use of a standard set of measurements to assess adverse cognitive or behavioral conditions and psychiatric disorders during long-duration spaceflight. Following up on testing in ground analog studies, the flight investigation evaluates the feasibility of using this set of measurements within the operational and time constraints of spaceflight. Two crew members completed a questionnaire for BCM last week. The crew also completed questionnaires and saliva collection for Standard Measures, an effort to characterize adaptive responses to and risks of living in space consistently throughout the space station program.
Image above: NASA astronaut Nick Hague places samples into the General Laboratory Active Cryogenic International Space Station (ISS) Experiment Refrigerator (GLACIER), which store scientific samples at temperatures as low as -160 °C (-301 °F). Image Credit: NASA.
Protecting space explorers from radiation
The crew retrieved Radi-N2 bubble detectors and deployed additional detectors in the Cupola, sleeping area, and a wearable pouch. This Canadian Space Agency investigation seeks to better characterize the space station’s neutron radiation environment, define the risk posed to the health of crew members, and provide data to develop advanced protective measures for future spaceflight. Neutrons make up a significant fraction of the biologically effective radiation exposure in low-Earth orbit. The bubble detectors detect neutrons and ignore all other radiation types.
Image above: NASA astronaut Christina Koch in the vestibule between the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft and the Harmony module prior to closing the hatch for release of Dragon for its return to Earth. Dragon spent nearly a month attached to the International Space Station. Image Credit: NASA.
Charting cardiovascular changes
The crew participated in a Vascular Echo session including arterial blood pressure measurements and ultrasound scans of the neck, thigh, portal vein and heart. Some crew members return from the space station with much stiffer arteries than when they went into space. This investigation examines changes in blood vessels and the heart in space and after return to Earth. The results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help keep astronauts healthy on long space missions, as well as improve quality of life for people on Earth.
Image above: The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft after undocking from the space station and moments before its release from the Canadarm2 robotic arm on Monday, May 3, 2019. The orbiting lab was flying 261 miles above central Asia at the time. Image Credit: NASA.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- The Astrobee free-flying robots test technology for assisting astronauts with routine chores and giving ground controllers additional eyes and ears on the space station: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1891
- 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 required from Earth: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7426
- Residual Momentum and Tank Dynamics in Microgravity Environment (Furphy) tests the transfer of fluids from a rigid to a collapsible tank that expands as it fills. This capability supports future space exploration by making it possible to fuel small spacecraft in orbit instead of prior to launch, potentially saving launch mass and volume: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7842
- 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
- 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
- Veg-04 focuses on how light quality and fertilizer affect growth of a leafy crop, along with microbial food safety, nutritional value, taste acceptability by the crew, and the overall behavioral health benefits of having plants and fresh food in space: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7896
- FLUIDICS uses a sphere in microgravity to represent a spacecraft’s fuel tank in order to analyze slosh and wave turbulence of a fluid. Results could support development of better fuel systems for satellites and future spacecraft: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2043
Space to Ground: Release the Dragon: 06/07/2019
Related links:
Expedition 59: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition59/index.html
Artemis: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/what-is-artemis/
Behavioral Core Measures (BCM): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7537
Standard Measures: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7711
Radi-N2: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=874
Vascular Echo: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1664
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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