ISS - Expedition 65 Mission patch.
July 16, 2021
Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of July 12 that included studies of growing pepper plants, how changes in human perceptions in microgravity can affect performance, and testing improved coatings to protect spacecraft from the harsh environment of space.
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.
Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place:
Pick a pepper
Image above: NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough installs pepper seeds for the Plant Habitat-04 experiment into the Advanced Plant Habitat. The seeds grow for several months, then astronauts harvest peppers to examine whether microgravity affects growth, flavor, or texture. Image Credit: NASA.
Plant Habitat-04 uses the Advanced Plant Habitat to grow New Mexico Hatch Green Chili peppers in space for the first time. An excellent source of Vitamin C, peppers are harder to grow in space than many other potential crops because they take a long time to germinate, grow, and develop fruit. The investigation includes microbial analysis to improve understanding of plant-microbe interactions in space and assessment of flavor and texture. Researchers spent two years evaluating more than two dozen pepper varieties from around the world before selecting Española Improved peppers. These peppers have a Scoville heat rating of 2000-4000 (less than half that of a jalapeno), but their spiciness could change in microgravity. Nutritional analysis will include measuring the amount of capsaicin, the chemical responsible for spiciness in peppers. Plant Habitat-04 could contribute to future production of crops in space and demonstrate the feasibility of adapting peppers for indoor agricultural environments. Crew members installed plant stands to initiate an experiment run and injected water into the distribution reservoir during the week.
Movement, distance, and time in microgravity
Microgravity changes the ability of crew members to control the movement and position of their bodies, evaluate distances between their bodies and other objects, and assess the passing of time. These changes can make certain tasks much more challenging and, long-term, have a big effect on mission success. During the week, crew members conducted sessions for two ongoing investigations that examine these issues.
An investigation from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), VECTION looks at changes in an astronaut’s ability to judge body motion and orientation and estimate distances. Results could help address issues these changes create for astronauts. Data collection at multiple time points during flight and after return to Earth allows researchers to investigate how astronauts adapt to and recover from these effects.
Image above: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide is pictured wearing a virtual reality headset for Time Perception, a study exploring how astronauts perceive space and time and the possible effects on navigation and fine motor coordination. Image Credit: NASA.
Time Perception, an investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), examines subjective changes in time perception that occur during and after long-duration exposure to microgravity. Astronauts need to accurately assess the passing of time in order to perform fine motor skills and control vehicles and other complex systems at a high level of cognitive function. Addressing changes in these abilities could help protect crew safety and mission success. This experiment uses a protocol developed for an Earth-based study of elderly people and patients with Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and temporal lobe lesions. That study demonstrated a clear relationship between cognitive deficits and impaired time perception.
Giving spacecraft a better coat of paint
Image above: The colored strips visible in this image are coatings undergoing testing as part of the STP- H5 ICE investigation. Such coatings protect spacecraft from extreme temperatures, radiation, and contamination, and the investigation could contribute to improved materials. Image Credit: NASA.
In space, harsh radiation and extreme temperatures corrode the paint and coatings that protect the outside of spacecraft. This corrosion could potentially damage a spacecraft’s hull and pose a risk to crew members. STP-H5 ICE exposes new coatings to space for two years to determine their stability in that environment. Optical coatings protect spacecraft against extreme temperatures, radiation, and contamination and are used for special markings that robotic and human navigators rely on to capture or repair spacecraft. Results could contribute to improvements in these coatings. During the week, crew members captured images of the test strips for analysis.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- ACME is a set of six independent studies of gaseous flames intended to advance fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant production on Earth and improve spacecraft fire prevention. Currently, Cool Flames Investigation with Gases observes the chemical reactions of cool diffusion flames.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1651
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8270
- Sally Ride EarthKAM allows students to control a digital camera on the space station and take photographs of features and phenomena on Earth. The EarthKAM team posts the students’ images online for the public and participating classrooms to view.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=87
- Astrobatics tests using robotic manipulators or “arms” to perform hopping or self-toss maneuvers for forward movement, reducing the use of propellants or fuel. The investigation demonstrates these maneuvers using the station’s Astrobee free-flying robots.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7841
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1891
- ROAM uses the Astrobee robots for tests to support possible use of robotic craft to rendezvous with debris in space. Space debris includes satellites that could be repaired or taken out of orbit, but many are tumbling, which makes rendezvous and docking challenging.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8324
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1891
- SoundSee uses the Astrobee robots for testing a way to monitor the space station’s acoustic environment for anomalies in the sounds made by equipment such as life support infrastructure and exercise machines. This could enable autonomous monitoring of the functioning of such equipment.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7860
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1891
- InSPACE-4 studies using magnetic fields to assemble tiny structures from colloids, or particles suspended in a liquid. Results could provide insight into how to harness nanoparticles to fabricate and manufacture new materials.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7669
- 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
- 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
Space to Ground: Water Bears in Space: 07/16/2021
Related links:
Expedition 65: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition65/index.html
Plant Habitat-04: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8276
Advanced Plant Habitat: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=2036
VECTION: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7484
Time Perception: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7504
STP-H5 ICE: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1749
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/Ana Guzman/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 65.
Greetings, Orbiter.ch
