ISS - Expedition 63 Mission patch.
Aug. 21, 2020
Studies on muscle properties and radiation exposure in space were two of the scientific investigations conducted during the week of August 17 aboard the International Space Station. Crew members also completed packing and preparation for the H-II Transfer Vehicle 9 (HTV-9) departure, which occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Image above: The Canadarm2 robotic arm moves away from the JAXA H-II Transfer Vehicle-9 (HTV-9) resupply ship after releasing it for departure from the space station on Tuesday, Aug. 18. 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:
Muscles, toned
The ESA (European Space Agency) Muscle Tone in Space (Myotones) investigation observes the effects of long-term spaceflight on the biochemical properties of muscles, such as tone, stiffness, and elasticity. Results could lead to new strategies for alternative rehabilitation treatments for people on future space missions and for those with muscle dysfunction on Earth. Crew members performed Myotones sessions during the week.
Radiation risk defined
Image above: One of the radiation detectors for the Radi-N2 experiment floats in the space station. Image Credit: NASA.
Neutrons make up a significant part of the radiation exposure in low-Earth orbit, but have not been well characterized. 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 it poses to crew members. It continues a previous investigation, Radi-N1, and repeats measurements in the same or equivalent locations aboard the space station. Measuring the average dose in different segments of the space station supports development of a radiation protection plan for future missions. During the week, crew members retrieved detectors for collection of dose measurements.
These are the trees you are looking for
Image above: The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) hardware mounted on the Japanese Experiment Module - Exposed Facility (JEM-EF). GEDI’s high quality observations of the Earth’s forests and topography advance the understanding of important carbon and water cycling processes, biodiversity, and habitat. Image Credit: NASA.
A number of investigations aboard the space station rely on automation and require little or no crew involvement, increasing the amount of science that can be conducted on the orbiting lab. One such investigation operating during this past week, the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), uses a light detection and ranging (lidar) system to measure the canopy profile of Earth’s forests. GEDI is mounted on the Japanese Experiment Module's Exposed Facility (JEM-EF) and provides high-resolution observations of forest vertical structure at a global scale. These observations quantify carbon stored above ground in vegetation, changes that result from vegetation disturbance and recovery, the potential for forests to sequester carbon, and habitat structure and its influence on habitat quality and biodiversity. Data are processed by the GEDI Science Team and made available to the public.
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
- ISS Ham Radio gives students an opportunity to talk directly with crew members via ham radio when the space station passes over their schools. 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
- 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
Space to Ground: Final Flight: 08/21/2020
Related links:
Expedition 63: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition63/index.html
Artemis: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis
Myotones: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7573
Radi-N2: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=874
Crew involvement: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/research-aboard-iss-continues-with-nasa-astronaut-chris-cassidy
GEDI Science Team data: https://gedi.umd.edu/data/download/
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), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Jack Griffin/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 63.
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