ISS - Expedition 65 Mission patch.
Sep 18, 2021
Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of Sept. 13 that included detecting and quantifying human stressors during spaceflight, examining 3D structures assembled from small particles, and using microorganisms to study how life adapts to the extreme environment of space.
International Space Station (ISS). Animation Credit: NASA
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:
Studying stressors of spaceflight
Image above: NASA astronaut Megan McArthur participates in robotics training for the Behavioral Core Measures experiment, which aims to detect and quantify how space stressors affect the behavioral health and performance of crew members. Image Credit: NASA.
Sources of stress during long-duration spaceflight often include confinement, isolation, partial gravity, and disruption of the normal daylight cycle. The Behavioral Core Measures investigation aims to detect and quantify how these stressors affect the behavioral health and performance of crew members. Through a suite of standardized tests, the study consistently measures mood, stress, sleep quality, cognition, fatigue, and performance, information useful for future exploration missions. The data provides insight into the health and performance capabilities of crew members after long-duration spaceflight. Specifically, it could offer an understanding of the ability of crew members to conduct duties after landing on Mars. During the week, crew members performed a simulated robotic manipulation task for the investigation.
3D particle assembly in space
Image above: NASA astronaut Kate Rubins poses for a photo while conducting operations on ACE-T-11, an investigation that could further advancements in 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Image Credit: NASA.
The ACE-T-11 study examines complex 3D structures assembled from small particles suspended in fluid, known as colloids. Microgravity eliminates several complicating factors in this process, making it possible to produce these structures and control basic interactions between particles using external sources such as temperature and light. Future long-duration missions need the ability to repair and replace materials without spare parts and specialized facilities, and this investigation could advance technologies for doing so with 3D printing. This technology could also support production of improved materials for various applications on Earth. This week, crew members conducted sample runs for the experiment and collected images for analysis.
Water bears managing microgravity
Image above: Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide of JAXA studies microorganisms known as “water bears” to help determine what genes help it to adapt best in microgravity. Image Credit: NASA.
Tardigrades, organisms also known as “water bears,” are extremely hardy and so are uniquely valuable for studying how life responds to spaceflight. The Cell Science-04 investigation examines which genes water bears use for adapting and surviving in high-stress environments. This study could provide an understanding of how the space environment affects human health and performance and help guide safe and productive long-term human presence in space in the future. During the week, crew members concluded final runs of this experiment and prepared samples for return to ground.
Other investigations on which the crew performed work:
- The Genes in Space-8 investigation tests a new technology for monitoring the expression of genes that control liver enzymes involved in metabolism of medicines. The study could provide insight into how spaceflight affects these genes and help develop new medicines that can account for the changes.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8438
- For an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, Blob, students study the influence of microgravity on a naturally-occurring slime mold. Results from ground experiments in schools are compared with those from operation of the study on the space station by ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8530
- Four Bed CO2 Scrubber demonstrates improvements in technology for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere aboard spacecraft. Better reliability and performance of carbon dioxide removal systems in future spacecraft will help to maintain the health of crews and ensure mission success.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7635
- The Kibo Robot Programming Challenge-2, hosted by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), allows students to control a free-flying Astrobee robot aboard the station. The project provides students with hands-on experience with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in space.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7979
- Based on previous research, space alters the relationship between humans and microbes in the crewed habitat. Touching Surfaces, an ESA investigation, aims to determine suitable approaches for reducing and preventing microbial contamination on the space station.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8540
- For Eklosion, a crew member tends a Marigold grown in a vase aboard the station. The ESA investigation documents the flower’s growth and the psychological benefits of the link it establishes between the crew member and Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8358
- Standard Measures collects a set of representative physical and psychological measurements from astronauts before, during, and after long-duration space station missions to help characterize the adaptive responses of humans to space.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7711
- Redwire Regolith Print demonstrates 3D printing on the space station using a material simulating regolith, or loose rock and soil that is found on the surfaces of planetary bodies such as the Moon. Results could help determine the feasibility of using regolith as the raw material and 3D printing as a technique for on-demand construction of habitats and other structures on future space exploration missions.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8429
- 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: Space Construction: 09/17/2021
Related links:
Expedition 65: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition65/index.html
Behavioral Core Measures: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7537
ACE-T-11: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7882
Cell Science-04: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7672
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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