Orbiter.ch Space News: Space Station Science Highlights: Week of October 21, 2019

vendredi 25 octobre 2019

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of October 21, 2019

ISS - Expedition 61 Mission patch.

Oct. 25, 2019

Following the first all-woman space walk on Friday, Oct. 18, the crew of the International Space Station spent the week of Oct. 21 conducting scientific studies on amyloid fiber formation, the human gut biota and more. The space station provides a platform for long-duration research on the human body in microgravity and makes important contributions to Artemis, NASA’s program to go forward to the Moon and on to Mars.

International Space Station (ISS). Animation Credit: NASA

Here are details on some of the science conducted on the orbiting laboratory during the week:

Creating a virtual reality space experience

The ISS Experience creates virtual reality videos from footage covering different aspects of crew life, execution of science and the international partnerships involved on the space station. Crew members record footage using a Z-CAM V1 Pro Cinematic Virtual Reality (VR) 360-degree camera with nine 190° fisheye lenses. Events recorded this week included NASA astronaut Jessica Meir’s thoughts following the historic, all-female spacewalk.

Examining amyloid formation in microgravity

The Ring Sheared Drop investigation takes advantage of the fact that fluids float in microgravity, which allows researchers to examine formation of amyloid fibrils in liquids held together by surface tension rather than a container. Abnormal fibrous deposits found in organs and tissues, amyloids are associated with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Results could contribute to better understanding of and treatments for these diseases. Data on the flow of liquids without the complications associated with solid walls also could contribute to development of advanced materials. The crew reviewed procedures and conducted tests in preparation for investigation operations.

Building a better gut biota

Image above: NASA astronaut Christina Koch conducts the Ring Sheared Drop investigation in the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox. The investigation uses microgravity to examine the formation and flow of amyloids in microgravity, which may contribute to a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases caused by these fibers. Image Credit: NASA.

Crew members collected saliva samples and completed questionnaires for the Probiotics investigation.The human immune system is weaker in space and some species of harmful bacteria become stronger and more virulent in microgravity. This combination poses an increased risk to crew member health. The investigation studies whether beneficial bacteria or probiotics can improve the intestinal microbiota and immune function and help protect astronaut health on long-duration space missions.

On the trail of dark matter

Stars, planets and interstellar dust represent only a small fraction of the total mass in the universe. The rest is dark matter, invisible matter that cannot be directly detected but can be inferred. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer - 02 (AMS-02) is a state-of-the-art particle physics detector that uses the unique environment of space to advance knowledge of the universe and understanding of its origins by searching for antimatter and measuring cosmic rays. The crew reviewed procedures for an upcoming spacewalk planned to refurbish AMS so its important exploration can continue.

Image above: The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer - 02 (AMS-02), mounted on the exterior of the space station, measures cosmic rays looking for evidence of dark matter and dark energy. Image Credit: NASA.

Other investigations on which the crew performed work:

- Veg-04B, part of a phased research project to address the need for a continuous fresh-food production system in space, focuses on the effects of light quality and fertilizer on a leafy crop, Mizuna mustard greens, as well as taste as assessed by the crew.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7895

Image above: NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan works on the Veg-04 investigation, which is growing Mizuna mustard greens as part of ongoing efforts to develop methods to provide food in space and on other planets. Image Credit: NASA.

- 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

- Standard Measures captures a consistent set of measures from crew members to characterize how their bodies adapt to living in space.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7711

- BEST studies the use of DNA sequencing to identify unknown microbial organisms and improve understanding of how humans, plants and microbes adapt to living in space.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7687

Space to Ground: Space Jam: 10/25/2019