ISS - Expedition 63 Mission patch.
Sept. 11, 2020
Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific studies on fluid dynamics, durable coatings for spacecraft, and confocal microscope technology during the week of Sept. 7.
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:
Turbulence in the tank
Image above: This image shows the FLUIDICS experiment equipment featuring one of the three transparent spheres. The investigation evaluate the phenomena of liquid sloshing and surface wave turbulence in a spacecraft fuel tank. Image Credit: CNES.
During this week, crew members conducted several runs of the FLUIDICS investigation. Sponsored by ESA (European Space Agency), this experiment uses three transparent, liquid-filled spheres to evaluate the phenomena of liquid sloshing and surface wave turbulence in a spacecraft fuel tank. A better understanding of sloshing may enable hardware designers to reduce its effects on guidance and precision of satellites and optimize satellite lifetime through improved fuel management. Observing surface wave turbulence in microgravity can provide insights into measuring the existing volume in a sphere – or, in other words, help more accurately determine how much fuel is in the tank. On Earth, gravity and surface tension affect turbulence, but microgravity allows scientists to focus only on the specific effects of surface tension.
Testing spacecraft paint jobs
Image above: Colored test strips for the Space Test Program - Houston 5 - Innovative Coatings Experiment (STP-H5-ICE) are visible in this image attached to surfaces of the Expedite the Processing of Experiments to Space Station (ExPRESS) Logistics Carrier-1 (ELC-1) on the exterior of the space station. STP-H5-ICE evaluates the durability of new coatings for use on spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA.
The Space Test Program-H5-Innovative Coatings Experiment (STP-H5 ICE) examines the durability of new coatings for use on spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. Radiation and extreme temperatures in space can corrode the paint and coatings that protect spacecraft exteriors, potentially leading to damage of a spacecraft’s hull. In addition, robotic and human navigators rely on specialized markings or optical coatings to capture or repair spacecraft, and these markings need to remain sharp. This investigation exposes eight new and two reference coatings to the environment outside the space station for two years, with periodic visual and photographic observations to evaluate each of the new coatings relative to the reference standards. During this week, crew members took photographs of the STP-H5 ICE experiment through the JEM window as part of that imagery requirement.
A better look at biological samples
Animation above: NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy sets up the JAXA Confocal Space Microscope, intended to support biological research by providing clearer fluorescent images and real-time data on cellular and tissue structure and functions. Animation Credit: NASA.
The Confocal Space Microscope (Confocal Microscope) is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) facility that provides fluorescent images of biological samples. This technology eliminates out-of-focus light or glare in specimens that are thicker than the immediate plane of focus, providing real-time data on cellular and tissue structure and functions. Biological experiments are the first area of concentration, but the microscope also could be used for chemical studies. After the technology is verified as effective in microgravity, it could be used for research on regenerative medicine using 3D organ culture technology. The crew reconfigured hardware to set up the microscope during the week.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- Genes in Space-6 examines the entire process of DNA damage and repair in space for the first time, inducing DNA damage in a yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and assessing mutations and repairs using the miniPCR and Biomolecule Sequencer tools aboard the space station.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7893
Image above: One of the free-flying Astrobees floats in front of NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy. These autonomous robots are testing computer vision, robotic manipulation, control algorithms, and human-robot Interaction aboard the space station. Image Credit: NASA.
- 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
- An investigation titled Integrated Impact of Diet on Human Immune Response, the Gut Microbiota, and Nutritional Status During Adaptation to Spaceflight (Food Physiology) 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
- The Space Test Program-Houston 6-Spacecraft PlasmA Diagnostic suitE (STP-H6-SPADE) investigation monitors the interaction between the space station and the environment along its orbit, including hazardous charging events.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8005
- Crew members photographed Earth using digital handheld cameras for Crew Earth Observations (CEO), capturing images of Typhoon Haishen, the Nile River, and storms over Africa. Photographs are publically available at the Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=84
Space to Ground: Studying DNA Breaks: 09/11/2020
Related links:
FLUIDICS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2043
STP-H5 ICE: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1749
Confocal Microscope: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=7428
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), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 63.
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