ISS - Expedition 64 Mission patch.
Nov. 14, 2020
Scientific investigations conducted aboard the International Space Station the week of Nov. 9 included examining how spaceflight affects plant growth, the properties of molten metal, and the human body. Crew members also prepared for the arrival of four Commercial Crew astronauts scheduled to launch Nov. 14 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The Dragon also carries new scientific investigations to be conducted by the expanded crew.
Image above: This image captures Earth's limb or horizon as the International Space Station orbited above the north Pacific Ocean near Alaska's Aleutian Islands. Image Credit: NASA.
The space station has been continuously inhabited by humans for 20 years and has supported many scientific breakthroughs during that time. The orbiting lab provides a platform for long-duration research in microgravity and for learning to live and work in space, experience that 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:
Radish harvest time
Animation above: NASA astronaut Kate Rubins harvests samples from radishes grown for the Plant Habitat-02 investigation into how microgravity affects plant growth. Animation Credit: NASA.
Plant Habitat-02 cultivates radish plants (Raphanus sativus) to determine the effects of space on their growth. This model plant is nutritious, has a short cultivation time, and is genetically similar to Arabidopsis, a plant frequently studied in microgravity. Developing the capability for food production in space requires understanding the effects of conditions such as intensity and spectral composition of light and the culture medium or soil. This research contributes to developing a reliable method for growing food crops to sustain crews on long-duration space exploration missions, including to the Moon and Mars. During this week, crew members collected leaf samples for analysis.
Measuring molten materials
Image above: The Round Robin investigation of the properties of molten metal in microgravity operates in the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF), shown in this image. Image Credit: NASA.
The crew exchanged sample holders in preparation for the upcoming return to Earth of Round Robin investigation after a 30-day run. Round Robin, developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), measures characteristic properties of molten metals in microgravity. Results could provide researchers with a better understanding of how to measure these properties and lead to improved models of fluid flow to support design and production of advanced spaceflight systems. Some of the materials investigated are currently used in a wide range of space hardware while others are new materials that could be used to make better devices for future exploration and colonization missions.
Comprehensive data on astronaut adaptation
Image above: NASA astronaut Kate Rubins works on research hardware inside the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Kibo laboratory module. Image Credit: NASA.
Data on how crew members respond to life in microgravity are essential to mission success now and in the future. Standard Measures collects a set of consistent measurements from U.S. crew members to help characterize the effects of living and working in space. Taken before, during, and after missions, these measures help ensure consistent data capture throughout the space station program. In addition to characterizing adaptive responses to living in space, the data create a repository used to monitor the effect of countermeasures and interpret health and performance outcomes. Data collected include information on behavioral health and performance, immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, and sensorimotor and cardiovascular status. Crew members collected various biological samples for the investigation during the week.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- The ISS Experience uses footage filmed by astronauts to create a virtual reality (VR) series documenting life and research aboard the space station.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7877
- Radi-N2, a Canadian Space Agency investigation, uses bubble detectors to map the neutron environment aboard the space station and better define the risk posed to the health of crew members.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=874
- GRIP, an investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), studies the ability of a subject to regulate grip force and the trajectory of upper limbs while manipulating objects, interactions between the brain and external cues, and the adaptations made to grip force and movement coordination in microgravity.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1188
- Food Acceptability looks at how the appeal of food changes during long-duration missions. Whether crew members like and actually eat foods directly affects caloric intake and associated nutritional benefits.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7562
Space to Ground: Dragon Quest: 11/13/2020
Related links:
Expedition 64: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition64/index.html
Plant Habitat-02: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7793
Round Robin: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8016
Standard Measures: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7711
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, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 64.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
