ISS - Expedition 63 Mission patch.
June 12, 2020
Crew members on the International Space Station conducted research on capillary-based life support systems, collected high-resolution Earth observations and performed more science operations during the week of June 8.
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. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, once again launching astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil, increases the crew-time available for science on the orbiting lab.
Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place:
Monitoring linear structures on Earth
Image above: The integrated Standard Imager for Microsatellites (iSIM), a new generation high-resolution binocular telescope for Earth observation on the space station. Image Credit: SATLANTIS.
The integrated Standard Imager for Microsatellites (iSIM) experiment from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) demonstrates a high-resolution optical binocular telescope developed by Spain’s SATLANTIS. The device combines optics, mechanics, electronics and control technology into a compact, efficient design that achieves high spatial resolution at significantly lower cost and shorter delivery times. The imager enables surveillance of irregular linear structures on Earth’s surface such as coastlines, pipelines and critical facilities to detect changes in real time. During the week, crew members worked with robotics operators on the ground to install the device on the exterior of the space station and initiate operations.
Toward lighter, more reliable life support systems
During the week, crew members set up and performed various operations for the Capillary Structures for Exploration Life Support (Capillary Structures) investigation. Systems to recover water and purify air represent the most important elements of a crewed spacecraft as well as some of the heaviest and most complex hardware. Current life support systems on the space station, for example, use equipment with rotating or moving devices that could cause contamination should they break or fail. Lightweight, simpler life support technology is needed for future space missions.
Image above: NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (foreground) and Bob Behnken, who flew the Crew Dragon spacecraft to the space station during SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2, are pictured briefing mission controllers about their experience in the new vehicle. Image Credit: NASA.
Capillary forces – the interaction of a liquid with the solid sides of a narrow tube that draws the fluid up the tube – act even in the absence of gravity. This investigation studies using capillary structures of specific shapes to manage fluid and gas mixtures for systems to recycle water and remove carbon dioxide from cabin air on spacecraft. Relying on geometry instead of rotation or materials properties to separate liquids and gases could create systems more robust, lighter and simpler than current ones.
Multiple measures of bubbles
Animation above: NASA astronaut Doug Hurley performs operations for the Electrolysis Measurement investigation. Animation Credit: NASA.
Electrolytic Gas Evolution Under Microgravity (Electrolysis Measurement) examines the influence of gravity on electrolytic gas evolution. This process, which uses electrodes to pass an electric current through a substance and separate out gases in the form of bubbles, could be used in microfluidic devices to produce oxygen in spacecraft and future human habitations on the Moon and Mars. This ongoing experiment is expected to process 30 total samples over the next several weeks, and during this week, crew members performed a series of sample exchanges.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- Scientists are studying melting of materials in the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF). Reactions of the raw materials melted to make glass and metals with the crucible or container that holds them can cause imperfections. To prevent these reactions, scientists use static electricity to cause the materials to levitate or float, which is much easier in microgravity than on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1738
- For The ISS Experience, astronauts film different aspects of crew life, execution of science and the international partnerships involved on the space station. Footage will be used to create a virtual reality series that gives audiences a tangible experience of the challenges of adapting to life in space, the work and science conducted on the space station and the human interaction between astronauts.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7877
- Hourglass, another JAXA investigation, examines the behavior under different gravity conditions of various granular materials that simulate regolith, a dust that covers the surface of planets and planetary-like bodies.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8007
Space to Ground: The Storm Above: 06/12/2020
Related links:
Expedition 63: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition63/index.html
Commercial Crew Program: https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/crew/index.html
Standard Imager for Microsatellites (iSIM): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8028
Capillary Structures: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7329
Electrolysis Measurement: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1939
ISS National Lab: https://www.issnationallab.org/
Spot the Station: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
Space Station Research and Technology: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/overview.html
International Space Station (ISS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
Animation (mentioned), Images (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/John Love, Lead Increment Scientist Expedition 63.
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