ISS - Expedition 64 Mission patch.
Feb 12, 2021
The week of Feb. 8, crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted a number of scientific investigations including mapping microbes on the station and studying plant growth in space. Crew members also began preparations for the arrival of new supplies and scientific experiments aboard the NG-15 cargo craft, scheduled to launch Feb. 20.
Image above: The Earth's horizon is visible behind a cloudy Pacific Ocean as the International Space Station orbits 271 miles above off the coast of southern Chile in South America. Image Credit: NASA.
The seven crew members currently inhabiting the station include four from NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, providing increased crew time for science activities on the orbiting lab. The space station has been continuously inhabited by humans for 20 years and has supported many scientific breakthroughs during that time. The station 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:
Keeping it clean and healthy
Surfaces throughout the space station contain microbes and associated biomolecules that they excrete. The 3D Microbial Monitoring investigation conducts a series of sample collections and uses DNA sequencing and other analyses to construct a three dimensional map of these bacteria and bacterial products. The team also plans to characterize how these microbes respond at a molecular level to specific stress conditions, including altered gravity and atmospheric composition. Results could help identify risks to human health and environmental systems. During this week, the crew collected swab samples from Node 1.
Studying plants in space
Animation above: NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins takes photographs of the Plant Water Management investigation, which tests using surface tension, wetting, and other concepts of capillary fluidics to deliver adequate water and nutrients to plants. Animation Credit: NASA.
A number of investigations aboard the space station have looked at how plants grow in microgravity with the aim of developing ways to produce fresh food on future long-duration missions. During the week, crew members worked on several current experiments supporting these efforts, Veg-03 and Plant Water Management. Veg-03 cultivates various plants using low-mass modules that require little energy and maintenance called plant pillows. The crew installed Root Mats and Plant Pillows and primed the pillows with water during the week. Crew members also completed questionnaires that evaluate their moods and assess any psychological benefits from interacting with plants during their flight.
Microgravity makes it challenging to provide adequate fluid and nutrition for plant growth. The Plant Water Management investigation tests using concepts of capillary fluidics – such as surface tension, wetting, and geometry – to deliver adequate water and nutrients to plants. The crew set up the experiment and took images during a 48-hour session.
Motion-free metal melting
All metals are made of small grains and the properties and performance of metallic parts are affected by the size and shape of these grains. Grain structure forms while a liquid or molten metal solidifies in a mold. The SUBSA-CETSOL investigation examines gravity’s effects on a complex physical phenomenon that occurs during metal alloy solidification known as columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). Understanding this phenomenon better could help predict and control properties of metal alloys, including aluminum alloys. The investigation melts and solidifies samples in the space station’s SUBSA furnace, which uses automatic baffles to minimize motion caused by spacecraft vibration. The crew exchanged samples for runs of the investigation during the week.
International Space Station (ISS). Animation Credit: ESA
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- Bacterial Adhesion and Corrosion tests an antimicrobial coating on materials used to represent typical surfaces on the space station, which could provide insight into better ways to control and remove resistant biofilms for long-duration spaceflight.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7956
- Antimicrobial Coatings tests a coating to control microbial growth on several different materials that represent high-touch surfaces. Some microbes change characteristics in microgravity, which could create new risks to crew health and spacecraft.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8352
- Food Physiology characterizes how an enhanced spaceflight diet affects immune function, the gut microbiome, and nutritional status. Results could help define targeted, efficient dietary interventions to maintain crew health and performance.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7870
- APM measures and quantifies the concentration of both small and large particles in cabin air as part of efforts to maintain air quality in the occupied environment on station, vital for the crew’s health.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7936
- AstroRad Vest tests a wearable vest designed to protect astronauts from radiation caused by unpredictable solar particle events. Astronauts provide input on how easy the garment is to put on, how it fits and feels, and the range of motion it allows.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7803
- VECTION, a Canadian Space Agency investigation, determines to what extent microgravity disrupts an astronaut's ability to visually interpret motion, orientation, and distance as well as how those abilities may adapt in space and change again upon return to Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7484
Image above: NASA astronaut Victor Glover conducts a session for GRIP, an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation examining how subjects regulate the force of their hand grip and the trajectory of upper limbs while manipulating objects in microgravity. Image Credit: NASA.
- GRIP, an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, studies the ability of subjects to regulate the force of their hand grip and the trajectory of upper limbs while manipulating objects.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1188
- 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.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=337
- FLARE, a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) investigation, explores the flammability of materials in microgravity and could significantly improve fire safety aboard spacecraft on future missions.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7880
Space to Ground: Riding with the Rover: 02/12/2021
Related links:
Expedition 64: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition64/index.html
Commercial Crew Program: https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/crew/index.html
3D Microbial Monitoring: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8345
Veg-03: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1159
Plant Water Management: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7884
SUBSA-CETSOL: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8294
SUBSA: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=7965
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), Animations (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Johnson/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 64.
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