Orbiter.ch Space News: Space Station Science Highlights: Week of July 19, 2021

vendredi 23 juillet 2021

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of July 19, 2021

ISS - Expedition 65 Mission patch.

July 23, 2021

Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of July 19 that included studies of how tardigrades adapt to stressful environments, using sound to capture and manipulate objects, and the effects of space station vibrations on experiments.

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:

Watching water bears

Image above: Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) studies microbes called tardigrades, also known as water bears, for the Cell Science-04 biology experiment, which seeks to identify genes that adapt best to the harsh environment of microgravity. Image Credit: NASA.

Tardigrades are microscopic creatures that can tolerate extreme environments, also known as water bears due to their habitat and appearance. Researchers have sequenced the genome of the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris and developed methods for measuring how different environmental conditions affect its gene expression. Cell Science-04 aims to identify the genes involved in how the creatures adapt and survive in high stress environments, both short-term and across multiple generations. The results could advance understanding of the stress factors affecting humans in space. The tardigrades were thawed and injected into cassettes in the Bioculture Facility last week, and this week, crew members removed one set for preservation, with the other set to remain for two months.

Touchless tweezers

Image above: Preflight view of the Ultrasonic Tweezers trapping a polystyrene sphere. The investigation seeks to develop acoustic tweezers that use sound to allow for remote and contactless manipulation of materials in a microgravity context. Image Credits: CNES/S. Rouquette.

Ultrasonic Tweezers, an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, demonstrates using sound for remote, contactless manipulation of materials in microgravity. The device creates an ultrasound beam that traps an object, which then can be placed in precise locations by moving the sound beam. This technology has been demonstrated on the ground but only for manipulating lightweight objects (such as polystyrene) and working in a vertical position. Potential applications include health care settings, such as for removing kidney stones or targeted delivery of drugs. During the week, crew members used the technique to perform various scenarios of capturing and moving small marbles.

Whole lotta shakin’ going on

SAMS-II is an ongoing study of the small forces such as vibrations on the space station that are caused by operation of hardware (including that used for experiments), crew activities, dockings, and maneuvering. Results help provide a better understanding of the types of vibrations that can affect scientific experiments. Measurements are taken on an as-needed basis and data made available to the scientific community. During the week, crew members set up SAMS-II to monitor experiments using the Materials Science Laboratory (MSL) and KERMIT microscope.

Other investigations on which the crew performed work:

Image above: ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet conducts a session for the InSPACE-4 inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox. This physics investigation could provide insight into how to harness nanoparticles to fabricate and manufacture new materials. Image Credit: NASA.

- 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

- GRIP, an ESA investigation, studies how spaceflight affects the grip force and movements that crew members use to manipulate objects. Results could identify potential hazards astronauts may face when they move between environments with different levels of gravity, such as landing on Mars after a lengthy voyage in space.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1188

- ESA’s AstroPi uses two computers equipped with a variety of sensors and cameras to support an education program for schools across Europe that allows students to compete on a number of thematic software and hardware challenges.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7534

- 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

- 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: Cool Flames: 07/23/2021

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