ISS - Expedition 64 Mission patch.
March 12, 2021
Scientific experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station the week of March 8 included studies of how liquids behave in closed spaces, optimal conditions for producing high-quality protein crystals, and plant growth in space.
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:
Sloshing in space
Image above: This image shows hardware set up for the FLUIDICS investigation. The study looks at how liquids move inside closed spaces to improve measurement of fuel remaining in a tank and optimize satellite maneuvering and lifetime. Image Credit: NASA.
An investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), FLUIDICS looks at how liquids move inside closed spaces (sloshing) and movement on the surface of a liquid in motion (wave turbulence) using small, transparent spheres. Results could be used to develop methods for more accurately determining how much fuel remains in a tank. In addition, a better understanding of sloshing could help improve guidance and movement of satellites, since fuel sloshing can cause a satellite to wobble, and optimize satellite lifetime by better managing fuel. On Earth, the study of wave turbulence is affected by interaction with the forces of gravity and surface tension, so observing this phenomenon in microgravity allows scientists to focus only on the effect of surface tension. During the week, crew members conducted operations for the investigation.
Microscopic imaging of protein crystals
Image above: NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins loads protein solution into crystallography plates for the Real-time Protein Crystal Growth-2 experiment, which demonstrates new methods for producing high-quality crystals in microgravity. Image Credit: NASA.
Real-time Protein Crystal Growth-2 demonstrates new methods for producing high-quality crystals in microgravity, producing crystals from up to eight proteins for detailed analysis on Earth. Previous work has shown that microgravity produces high-quality protein crystals that could help identify possible targets for drugs to treat disease. For RTPCG-2, investigators examine microscopic imagery of the crystals and design the next round of growth conditions based on those observations, going through up to three rounds, if necessary, to establish optimal conditions. The methodology used in this investigation could lead to broader application of protein crystal growth in space, including for pharmaceutical and biotechnology purposes. During the week, crew members observed and photographed sample wells using the microscope.
Harvest time on the space station
Image above: Amara mustard plants are pictured growing inside the Veggie facility aboard the space station for the Veg-03 investigation, which continues work exploring how to grow food in space. Image Credit: NASA.
The crew harvested samples from plants growing in the space station’s Veggie facilities for the Veg-03 investigation during the week. Future long-duration space missions will require crew members to grow their own food, but all organisms grow differently in space, including plants. Understanding how plants respond to microgravity is an important step toward growing them for food in space. This investigation cultivates Extra Dwarf Pak Choi, Amara mustard, and Red Romaine lettuce. Middle and high school students participating in the Growing Beyond Earth challenge, run by partners at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, selected the ‘Extra Dwarf’ Pak Choi variety. Samples harvested on orbit are returned to Earth for testing.
Space to Ground: Tale of the Tape: 03/12/2021
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- An investigation from the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Asian Herb in Space studies several fast-growing plants used for traditional medicine and flavoring food, examining differences in their aroma that may result from microgravity-related cellular changes. Results could benefit future plant growth efforts in space.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2052
- Plant Water Management tests using concepts of capillary fluidics such as surface tension, wetting, and geometry to deliver adequate water and nutrients to plants.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7884
- Grape Juice Fermentation observes the complete process of fermentation in microgravity and measures physical and genetic differences in the microbes involved. Characterizing the differences seen in microgravity could provide a better understanding of how microbes affect their host crops.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8338
- The Packed Bed Reactor Experiment-Water Recovery (PBRE-WR) investigation examines flow rates of gas and liquid through filters in the space station water processor.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8068
- ACME is a set of six independent studies of gaseous flames. ACME’s goals are to advance fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant production in practical combustion on Earth, and to improve spacecraft fire prevention.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1651
- Loss of muscle mass and strength represent a major challenge for astronauts on future long space voyages. Micro-16 uses a model organism, the C. elegans worm, to test whether decreased expression of muscle proteins is associated with decreased strength.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7654
- Antimicrobial Coatings tests a coating to control microbial growth on several different materials that represent high-touch surfaces. Some microbes change characteristics in microgravity, potentially creating new risks to crew health and spacecraft.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8352
- 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
Related links:
FLUIDICS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2043
Real-time Protein Crystal Growth-2: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8073
Veg-03: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1159
Growing Beyond Earth: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/students-help-nasa-researchers-decide-what-plants-to-grow-in-space
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/Michael Johnson/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 64.
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