ISS - Expedition 65 Mission patch.
Aug 20, 2021
Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of Aug. 16 that included studying formation and flow of amyloids, analyzing the role of stress fibers in cell gravity detection, and coordinating multiple robotic helpers.
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.
Image above: The space station’s cupola is pictured from a window on Russia's newest addition to the orbiting lab, the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module. Image Credit: NASA.
Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place:
Analyzing shear flow in amyloid formation
The Ring Sheared Drop investigation uses a device that pins a drop of liquid between two rings and rotates one while keeping the other stationary to create shear flow, or a difference in velocity between adjacent liquid layers. Previous research shows that shear flow plays an important role in the early stages of formation of protein aggregations called amyloid fibrils in the brain. Amyloids may be involved in development of Alzheimer’s disease, and results could contribute to a better understanding of this disease. New hardware for the investigation recently arrived at the space station aboard Northrop Grumman’s 16th commercial resupply mission. Crew members set up the hardware and installed several rounds of syringes and test cells for the experiment during the week.
The mystery of gravity detection
Animation above: Setup of hardware for Cell Gravisensing, a JAXA investigation analyzing the role of changes in cell stress fiber tension during spaceflight as a possible mechanism for cell detection of gravity. Animation Credit: NASA.
Research shows that individual cells in animals can detect gravity, but how they do so is largely unknown. Cell Gravisensing, an investigation from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), analyzes the role of changes in tension in cell stress fibers that occur during spaceflight. Results could promote development of drugs to treat muscle atrophy and osteoporosis on Earth and to help prevent or treat muscle atrophy and bone loss experienced by astronauts during spaceflight. Cell Gravisensing uses a new method to image cell responses to microgravity that could make a significant contribution to basic biological research. During the week, crew members removed and stowed samples from the Confocal Microscope and placed new samples into the microscope for observation.
Robots working together
ReSWARM uses the station’s free-flying Astrobees to demonstrate autonomous robotic servicing such as moving cargo and coordinating multiple robots, robots and cargo, and robots and the environment in which they operate. Future space missions could involve a variety of robotic operations, including autonomous docking and repairs. Robots also could refuel and repair failing satellites, construct observatories and outposts in space, and assist astronauts during extravehicular activities. These tasks involve interaction with other spacecraft and cargo of potentially unknown properties, and ReSWARM addresses a range of challenges presented by such operations. During the week, the crew set up Honey, one of three Astrobees currently on station, for ReSWARM operations.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- Lumina is an ESA (European Space Agency) demonstration of using a dosimeter for real-time monitoring of radiation dose received by crew members using optical fibers that darken when exposed to radiation.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8444
Image above: NASA astronaut Megan McArthur works on the Cardinal Muscle investigation, which tests whether engineered tissues cultured in space can provide a model for studying muscle loss and assessing possible therapeutics prior to clinical trials. Image Credit: NASA.
- Cardinal Muscle tests whether engineered tissues cultured in space could take advantage of this accelerated loss and support development of a model for quickly assessing possible drugs prior to human clinical trials. Prevention and treatment of muscle loss become more important as the length of space missions increases, and drugs that diminish muscle loss also could help people on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8509
- ASIM, an ESA investigation, observes high-altitude electrical discharges of severe thunderstorms from an external platform to study their role in the Earth’s atmosphere and climate.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1822
- Anti-Atrophy, an investigation from JAXA, tests the ability of biomaterials such as muscle atrophy inhibitors or muscle synthesis accelerators to inhibit muscle atrophy in microgravity. Results could advance development of pharmaceuticals to prevent muscle atrophy for astronauts in space and for people who experience the condition on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7336
- Cool Flames Investigation with Gases, part of the ACME series of studies, observes chemical reactions of cool flames, which burn at lower temperatures. Nearly impossible to create in Earth’s gravity, cool flames are easily created in microgravity and studying them may improve understanding of combustion and fires on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8270
- Behavioral Core Measures collects a suite of measurements to assess behavioral health on missions, rather than relying on anecdotal information and self-reporting. The data could help quantify crew health and a crew member’s ability to conduct operations after landing on the Moon or Mars.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7537
Image above: Thomas Pesquet of ESA (European Space Agency) sets up the camera for The ISS Experience in anticipation of filming crew activities for the virtual reality series. Image Credit: NASA.
- The ISS Experience is a virtual reality film series documenting life and research aboard the space station. Filmed over multiple months, it includes crew activities ranging from conducting science experiments to preparing for a spacewalk.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7877
Space to Ground: Investigating Muscle Loss: 08/20/2021
Related links:
Expedition 65: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition65/index.html
Ring Sheared Drop: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7383
Cell Gravisensing: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8029
Confocal Microscope: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=7428
ReSWARM: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8425
Astrobees: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1891
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.
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