ISS - Expedition 62 Mission patch.
February 26, 2020
International Space Station (ISS). Animation Credit: NASA
The three-member Expedition 62 crew split its time today between biomedical studies and space physics. The microgravity research aboard the International Space Station helps scientists, doctors and engineers provide unique solutions that could improve life for humans on Earth and in space.
Astronauts living in space experience a condition that mimics osteoporosis on Earth. The lack of gravity quickly weakens a crewmember’s bones unless they counteract it with daily exercise and proper nutrition. This is one of many challenges NASA faces as it plans to send humans to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Image above: From top to bottom, NASA Flight Engineers Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir and Roscosmos Commander Oleg Skripochka pose for a playful portrait. Image Credit: NASA.
NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan this week are helping doctors to compare bone cells in space with samples on Earth that are levitated magnetically. The observations from the OsteoOmics-02 study could provide deeper insights into bone ailments on Earth, including osteoporosis.
Meir also serviced a 3D bioprinter today replacing components inside the device that manufactures complex organ structures aboard the orbiting lab. She later joined Morgan for more eye checks this week using optical coherence tomography in the station’s Harmony module.
Image above: Florida Students to Speak with NASA Astronaut Aboard Space Station, Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan unpacks a crew transfer bag. Image Credits: NASA/ Expedition 60 crew.
On the Russian side of the orbiting complex, station Commander Oleg Skripochka continued exploring plasma physics. The veteran cosmonaut set up a device that traps clouds of particles creating plasma crystals and observes their dynamics. At the end of the day, he swapped out a lens on an Earth observation camera controlled by students on Earth.
Related article:
Florida Students to Speak with NASA Astronaut Aboard Space Station
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/florida-students-to-speak-with-nasa-astronaut-aboard-space-station
Related links:
Expedition 62: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition62/index.html
OsteoOmics-02: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1149
3D bioprinter: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=7599
Harmony module: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/harmony
Plasma crystals: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1192
Earth observation camera controlled by students on Earth: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=87
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), Text, Credits: NASA/Mark Garcia.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
