ISS - Expedition 63 Mission patch.
Oct. 9, 2020
Scientific investigations conducted during the week of Oct. 5 aboard the International Space Station included studies of targeted cancer drugs and bacterial growth in space, and a demonstration of remote control technology. A Northrop Grumman Cygnus space freighter docked to the station on Oct. 4, bringing a number of brand-new science experiments that crew members began preparing to work on in the coming months.
Image above: Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter approaches the International Space Station where the Canadarm2 robotic arm is poised to capture it for docking. 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:
More effective cancer drugs
Leveraging Microgravity to Screen Onco-selective Messenger RNAs for Cancer Immunotherapy (Onco-Selectors) tests drugs based on messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNA) to treat leukemia. Found in all our cells, mRNA plays a role in the process of making proteins, and it can differ in healthy versus cancerous cells. In normal gravity, the drugs to be tested are onco-selective, meaning they can tell cancer cells from healthy ones. Any of these drugs that demonstrate this trait in microgravity as well could make good candidates for safer, more effective, and more affordable cancer treatments. During the week, crew members mixed test samples and injected them into healthy and malignant cell cultures.
Image above: NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy with fresh food that arrived on the Cygnus resupply ship. Image Credit: NASA.
Testing Avatar technology on the space station
During the week, crew members set up and checked equipment for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Avatar-X, a camera controlled from the ground to demonstrate remote robot technology. Avatar technology could be used to provide medical care, education, and other services in remote areas (including aboard the space station); control robots on the surface of the Moon or Mars; or give people virtual experiences such as a visit to space. Teachers also could use the technology to teach students anywhere on Earth.
A comprehensive look at bacteria growing in space
Image above: Images of Arabidopsis plants growing on a Petri plate taken by the Spectrum imager undergoing testing on the space station, showing chlorophyll fluorescence on the right. Image Credits: Sarah Swanson and Simon Gilroy.
Bacterial growth can negatively affect the systems and functions of spacecraft. The Whole Genome Fitness of Bacteria under Microgravity (Bacterial Genome Fitness) investigation looks at what environmental factors and processes are important for bacteria to grow in space. Results could help spacecraft designers control or prevent bacterial growth. Scientists have conducted only limited research on how microgravity affects bacteria, and most studies have involved only one or two bacterial species. This investigation combines multiple species and examines a number of factors involved in their growth. The crew activated sample packs and placed them into the Space Automated Bio-product Laboratory (SABL) for incubation during the week.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- The rhizosphere, or layer of soil that interacts with plant roots, contains clumps of soil particles called aggregates that provide the nutrients plants need to grow. Soil Health in Space: Determination of Gravitational Effects on Soil Stability for Controlled Environment Agriculture (Rhodium Space Rhizosphere) examines how spaceflight affects soil aggregates in order to help improve food production in space and on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8305
- Spectrum-001 provides on-orbit testing of an imager to detect fluorescent protein markers in plants and yeast, which can be used to assess growth and development based on intensity of fluorescence signals.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8305
- Through Sally Ride Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle Schools (Sally Ride EarthKAM), students use the internet to control a special digital camera and photograph Earth from space. Images of coastlines, mountain ranges, and other geographic items of interest requested by students are posted online.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=87
- 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
- ISS Ham Radio gives students an opportunity to talk directly with crew members via ham radio, engaging and educating students, teachers, parents, and other members of the community in science, technology, engineering, and math, The crew contacted McConnell Middle School, Loganville, GA, this week.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=337
- 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
Space to Ground: Crank it to 11: 10/09/2020
Related links:
Expedition 63: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition63/index.html
Onco-Selectors: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8265
Avatar-X: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8232
Bacterial Genome Fitness: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8020
SABL: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1148
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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