ISS - Expedition 65 Mission patch.
Jun 18, 2021
Scientific investigations conducted aboard the International Space Station the week of June 14 included studies of plant gene expression, protein crystal production, and additive manufacturing in space. On Wed., ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet and NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough performed initial tasks for installing the Integrated Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) during a 7 hour and 15 minute spacewalk. These panels will increase the energy available for research and other activities aboard the space station.
The space station has been continuously inhabited by humans for 20 years, supporting many scientific breakthroughs. 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.
Space to Ground: iROSA Spacewalk: 06/18/2021
Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place:
Peering at plant genes
APEX-07 examines how microgravity and other environmental factors of spaceflight affect plant gene expression. Previous research shows that microgravity influences which genes turn on or off, which proteins are present in what amounts, and modifications made to those proteins. RNA controls all of these processes, and small RNAs (sRNAs) may play a critical role in regulating expression in spaceflight. Researchers plan to analyze the role of RNA regulation on gene expression in both roots and shoots of plants. Results could answer basic questions about spaceflight’s effects on plants at the level of gene expression. This could help facilitate adaptation of plants to serve as a source of food on future long-duration space missions. A better understanding of how extreme environments affect plant gene expression also could contribute to improved adaptations to food crops in such environments on Earth. During the week, crew members configured the Veggie facility and installed petri plates for the investigation.
Image above: A portion of the Western Australian coast on the Indian Ocean is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbits 265 miles above. Image Credit: NASA.
Growing better crystals
RTPCG-2 demonstrates a new method that could produce higher-quality protein crystals, which are easier to analyze. Improved production of high-resolution protein crystals could help companies identify new targets and develop better drugs to treat a variety of diseases on Earth. Better methods for production could lead to broader application of protein crystal growth in space, generating interest from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and supporting increased commercial use of the space station. The crew observed and took photos of the crystal growth screening plate, where crystals have been growing for roughly two weeks under varying conditions.
Printing parts on demand
The Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) can produce parts, entire experiments, tools, and other components on demand, enabling repairs, upgrades, and manufacture of new equipment and hardware. Additive manufacturing builds a part layer by layer, an efficient process that reduces cost, mass, and production time. Made in Space previously successfully tested its extrusion-based 3D printing method in microgravity, and the AMF can use a variety of space-rated composites as feed stock. The facility’s design allows for easy upgrades to add new functionality and methods in the future. Crew members used AMF to print parts for the AstroRad Vest during the week.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
Image above: A vial from Lyophilization-2 floats inside the space station. This investigation examines gravity’s effects on freeze-dried materials, which can have improved chemical and physical stability. Image Credit: NASA.
- Lyophilization-2 examines how gravity affects freeze-dried materials and could result in improved freeze-drying processes for the pharmaceutical and other industries. Freeze-drying also has potential use for long-term storage of medications and other resources on future exploration missions.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8329
Image above: NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough processes sample packs for Oral Biofilms in Space, which studies how microgravity affects oral bacterial communities and potential ways to counteract harmful changes. Image Credit: NASA.
- Oral Biofilms in Space studies how gravity affects the structure, composition, and activity of oral bacteria in the presence of common oral care agents. Findings could support development of novel treatments to fight oral diseases such as caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8160
Image above: NASA astronaut Megan McArthur with fresh peppers and avocados delivered to the space station aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon resupply ship. The Food Acceptability investigation looks at how the appeal of food changes during long-duration missions and the effect of food selections on crew caloric intake and associated nutritional benefits. Image Credit: NASA.
- 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
- Aging-like symptoms such as bone loss and muscle atrophy occur more rapidly in space. MHU-6, an investigation from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), examines the molecular mechanism behind these symptoms.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7701
- Antimicrobial Coatings tests a coating to control microbial growth on different materials that represent high-touch surfaces on the space station. 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
- Standard Measures collects a set of core measurements from astronauts before, during, and after long-duration missions to create a data repository to monitor and interpret how humans adapt to living in space.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7711
- Food Physiology examines the effects of an enhanced spaceflight diet on immune function, the gut microbiome, and nutritional status indicators, with the aim of documenting how dietary improvements may enhance adaptation to spaceflight.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7870
- ISS Ham Radio provides students, teachers, parents, and others the opportunity to communicate with astronauts using ham radio units. Before a scheduled call, students learn about the station, radio waves, and other topics, and prepare a list of questions on topics they have researched.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=337
International Space Station (ISS). Animation Credit: ESA
Related links:
Expedition 65: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition65/index.html
APEX-07: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8299
RTPCG-2: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8073
Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1934
AstroRad Vest: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7803
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), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Ana Guzman/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 65.
Greetings, Orbiter.ch
