Orbiter.ch Space News: Space Station Science Highlights: Week of March 2, 2020

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Space Station Science Highlights: Week of March 2, 2020

ISS - Expedition 62 Mission patch.

March 6, 2020

The week of March 2, crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations that included studies of radiation exposure and the effects of microgravity on gene expression. The crew also prepared for arrival of a SpaceX Dragon resupply ship scheduled to launch on March 6 and arrive at the station March 9 with new scientific investigations.

Image above: In this image taken from the International Space Station as it orbited 263 miles above Sudan, the Nile River winds northward toward the Mediterranean Sea, with the Red Sea visible in the upper right. Image Credit: NASA.

Now in its 20th year of continuous human presence, the space station provides a platform for long-duration research in microgravity and for learning to live and work in space. Experience gained on the orbiting lab supports Artemis, NASA’s program to go forward to the Moon and on to Mars.

Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place:

Mapping space station radiation exposure

International Space Station (ISS). Animation Credit: NASA

Dose Distribution Inside the International Space Station - 3D (DOSIS-3D), sponsored by the ESA (European Space Agency, uses active and passive detectors to determine radiation doses inside the space station. Crew members are continually exposed to varying levels of radiation that can be harmful to their health. The investigation creates a three-dimensional radiation map covering all sections inside the craft based on data from this investigation and other JAXA and NASA monitoring devices. Crew members removed one of the detectors, the Dosimetric Telescope (DOSTEL-1) in preparation for its return on the SpaceX-20 resupply craft.

Higher resolution Earth imaging

The crew performed troubleshooting for the Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI), a next-generation space-based Earth imaging system. HISUI is a follow-on of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) remote sensing instrument operating aboard NASA’s Terra spacecraft. ASTER collects data in the visible to shortwave infrared spectrum. HISUI has higher spectral resolution, which provides the capability to measure surface reflectance more precisely. Every material on the Earth’s surface, from rocks and vegetation to human-made objects, reflects a unique spectrum of light and can be identified by the characteristics of that spectrum.

The inflight operations of HISUI include calibration, mission planning, and data acquisition and analysis that enable researchers to verify the usefulness of the hardware in various applications.

Genes in partial gravity

Image above: NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan works on the Mouse Habitat Unit, used by the JAXA Mouse Habitat Unit-5 (MHU-5) investigation into the effects of partial gravity on mice. Image Credit: NASA.

The crew prepared mouse habitat cage units (HCU) for the JAXA Mouse Habitat Unit-5 (MHU-5) investigation, which arrives on the SpaceX-20 resupply mission. MHU-5 examines the effects of partial gravity on mice using the HCUs developed by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and installed in the Centrifuge-equipped Biological Experiment Facility-L (CBEF-L). The investigation analyzes any alterations in gene expression caused by partial gravity and their possible effects on development of germ cells, which carry genetic information and expression to subsequent generations. Better understanding on the gravitational biology of mammals could provide fundamental knowledge of how partial gravity affects crew members on future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Sintering in microgravity

Image above: Example of liquid phase sintered tungsten alloy. The MSL SCA-GEDS-German experiment examines underlying scientific principles of liquid phase sintering in Earth’s gravity and microgravity. Image Credit: San Diego State University.

The NASA Sample Cartridge Assembly-Gravitational Effects on Distortion in Sintering (MSL SCA-GEDS-German) experiment examines underlying scientific principles in order to forecast density, size, shape and properties of liquid phase sintered bodies in Earth’s gravity and microgravity. Liquid phase sintering is a manufacturing process using heat to consolidate solid grains with a wetting liquid.

A number of fields employ this practice, including metal cutting tools, armor piercing projectiles, automotive engine connecting rods and self-lubricating bearings. The process could provide a way to make and repair materials on future space missions and even enable the use of lunar regolith or dust to fabricate structures on the Moon or use of metal powder to make replacement parts for extraterrestrial exploration.

Ground teams initiated processing of a Sample Assemblies Cartridge (SCA) for the investigation during the week. The samples will return on the SpaceX-20 cargo resupply vessel.

Other investigations on which the crew performed work:

Animation above: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir works on the OsteoOmics 2 investigation in the Life Sciences Glovebox. This investigation looks at molecular and metabolic changes in osteoblasts, cells in the body that form bone, in real and simulated microgravity. Animation Credit: NASA.

- OsteoOmics investigates the molecular and metabolic changes that occur in osteoblasts, cells in the body that form bone, in real and simulated microgravity.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1149

- BioFabrication Facility (BFF) tests the printing of human organs and tissues in microgravity, a first step toward manufacturing entire human organs in space using refined biological 3D printing techniques.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=7599

- Sally Ride EarthKAM allows students to control a camera remotely to take photographs of coastlines, mountain ranges and other interesting features and phenomena from space. The EarthKAM team posts the images online for the public and participating classrooms to view.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=87

- Standard Measures captures an ongoing, optimized set of measures from crew members to characterize how their bodies adapt to living in space. Researchers use these measures to create a data repository for high-level monitoring of the effectiveness of countermeasures and better interpretation of health and performance outcomes.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7711

- Food Acceptability examines the effect of repetitive consumption of the food currently available during spaceflight. “Menu fatigue” resulting from a limited choice of foods over time 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: Making Space: 03/06/2020