Orbiter.ch Space News: Space Station Science Highlights: Week of April 27, 2020

vendredi 1 mai 2020

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of April 27, 2020

ISS - Expedition 63 Mission patch.

May 1, 2020

Aboard the International Space Station the week of April 27, crew members conducted scientific investigations that included research on a fiber optic cable blend, flames and free-flying robot assistants. NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy reviewed procedures and set up hardware for deploying small experimental satellites from the Cygnus space freighter once it departs the space station. Cygnus is scheduled for release by the Canadarm2 robotic arm for departure on May 11 after an 83-day stay in space.

Image above: The cities of San Diego, National City and Chula Vista around San Diego Bay, California, a few miles north of the U.S.-Mexican border appear in this image taken while the International Space Station was just off the coast above the Pacific Ocean. 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:

Making better optic fiber

The crew performed hardware collection and setup in the Microgravity Science Glovebox for the Manufacturing Fiber Optic Cable in Microgravity (Space Fibers) reflight mission. Space Fibers evaluates a method for producing fiber optic cable from a blend of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium and aluminum, called ZBLAN, in space. ZBLAN produces glass one hundred times more transparent than silica-based glass, exceptional for fiber optics. Microgravity suppresses two mechanisms that commonly degrade fiber, and previous studies showed improved properties in fiber drawn in microgravity compared to that fabricated on the ground.

Testing robotic assistants

Astrobee consists of three self-contained free-flying robots designed to help scientists and engineers develop and test technologies for use in microgravity. Onboard the space station, they can assist astronauts with routine chores, give ground controllers additional eyes and ears and perform crew monitoring, sampling and logistics management. This support frees up astronauts to dedicate their time and effort to other science and engineering duties. Each robot accommodates up to three payloads with mechanical attachment, power and data connectivity. During the week, crew members worked on moving and positioning the robots.

Predicting flame structure

Image above: NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy works on the Combustion Integrated Rack, a device that enables safe fuel, flame and soot studies in microgravity. Image Credit: NASA.

During the week, the crew prepared for continuation of runs for Structure and Response of Spherical Diffusion Flames (s-Flame). This investigation advances prediction of the structure and dynamics of soot-free and sooty flames, which could contribute to development of engines with improved efficiency and reduced emissions on Earth. S-Flame is part of the Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (ACME) project, a series of independent studies of gaseous flames performed in the station’s Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR). The project’s primary goals are to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant production in routine fuel combustion activities on Earth. A secondary goal is improving spacecraft fire prevention through innovative research focused on materials flammability.

Other investigations on which the crew performed work:

- Veggie PONDS uses the newly developed Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System to cultivate lettuce and mizuna greens in the Veggie plant growth facility aboard the space station.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7581

- ISS Ham gives students an opportunity to talk directly with crew members via ham radio when the space station passes over their school. This interaction engages and educates students, teachers, parents and other members of the community in science, technology, engineering and math.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=337

- Acoustic Diagnostics, an investigation sponsored by ESA (European Space Agency), tests the hearing of crew members before, during and after flight to assess possible adverse effects of noise and the microgravity environment of the space station.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7898

Image above: This image shows the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) shown releasing micro-satellites from the exterior of the space station for the J-SSOD-11 mission in June 2019. Image Credit: NASA.

- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) platform provides the capability for launching small satellites from the space station, with the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) providing positioning and deployment for individual satellites.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=883

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