ISS - Expedition 63 Mission patch.
Aug. 14, 2020
Scientific investigations conducted aboard the International Space Station during the week of August 10 included research on formation of water droplets and two-phase flow. The crew also set up a broadcasting studio for livestreaming from the space station to the ground.
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:
Shower study wrapped up
Animation above: NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy sets up for a run of the Droplet Formation investigation, which evaluates the size and speed of water droplet formation in microgravity. Results could support design of shower devices that save water and energy. Animation Credit: NASA.
The Droplet Formation Study evaluates the size and speed of water droplets from Delta Faucet’s H2Okinetic shower head to help determine gravity’s effects. In an effort to conserve water, makers of shower devices have reduced flow rates. However, these lower flow rates also reduce effectiveness of the devices, often causing consumers to take longer showers and undermining the goal of using less water. This research could help improve the technology in order to conserve water and energy. During the week, crew members performed additional runs of the investigation and archived data using an alternate method that should result in a quicker delivery to the experiment team. The crew also stowed the hardware since this run of tests is complete.
Analyzing two-phase flow
Image above: View of set-up for the PBRE-2 investigation, which looks at forces acting on and created by two-phase flow, or a gas and a liquid flowing simultaneously, in this case through a column filled with glass spheres in microgravity. Image Credit: NASA.
The Packed Bed Reactor Experiment-2 (PBRE-2) investigates the forces acting on and created by a gas and a liquid flowing simultaneously through a column filled with glass spheres in microgravity. Known as two-phase flow, this side-by-side movement of a gas and liquid is used in a variety of space-based systems and equipment. Results could help improve the design of future equipment to transfer mass and heat in space, helping to reduce the weight, energy consumption, and maintenance requirements of these space-based systems. The crew completed set-up for PBRE-2 during the week.
Space station reality show
Image above: Space Studio Kibo, installed in the Japanese Experiment Module (also known as Kibo), operates as a broadcasting studio for livestreaming activities, interactive entertainment, and communication from the space station. Image Credit: NASA.
During the week, the crew set up the camera and recorded for Space Studio KIBO, a broadcasting studio on the space station for livestreaming activities, interactive entertainment, and communication from space to the ground. The studio also can receive video and audio from a ground studio. This project connects people from all over the world, even those in remote locations, allowing them to communicate and interact with crew members in space. Programming can be used in educational and other settings to inform and inspire people about science and space exploration, many of them for the first time. Equipment is installed and operated in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), also known as Kibo.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Water Recovery System (JWRS) demonstrates a way to generate drinkable water from urine. It is an investigation from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2049
- Astrobee tests three self-contained, free-flying robots designed to assist astronauts with routine chores, give ground controllers additional eyes and ears, and perform crew monitoring, sampling, and logistics management.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1891
- The Integrated Impact of Diet on Human Immune Response, the Gut Microbiota, and Nutritional Status During Adaptation to Spaceflight (Food Physiology) investigation documents the effects of dietary improvements on immune function and the gut microbiome and the ability of those improvements to support adaptation to spaceflight.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7870
- Radi-N2, a Canadian Space Agency investigation, uses bubble detectors to better characterize the neutron environment on the space station, helping to define the risk this radiation source poses to crew members and providing data necessary to develop advanced protective measures for future spaceflight.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=874
- Mixtures of raw materials are heated in crucibles to produce glass, metal alloys, and other materials on Earth, but chemical reactions between the materials and crucible can cause imperfections. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (JAXA-ELF) tests processing of materials without a crucible in microgravity to reduce these imperfections.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1738
Space to Ground: The Checklist: 08/14/2020
Related links:
Artemis: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis
Expedition 63: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition63/index.html
Droplet Formation Study: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7541
The Packed Bed Reactor Experiment-2 (PBRE-2): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7945
Space Studio KIBO: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8233
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
Images (mentioned), Animation (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 63.
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