ISS - Expedition 66 Mission patch.
Nov 19, 2021
Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of Nov. 15 that included assessment of changes in body composition during spaceflight, studying the process of a soldering technique in microgravity, and testing a wearable device for measuring cardiopulmonary function.
Image above: The seven-member Expedition 66 crew, from left, Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos; NASA astronaut Thomas Marshburn; Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos; NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Mark Vande Hei and Kayla Barron; and ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer. Image Credit: NASA.
The space station has been continuously inhabited by humans for 21 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:
Assessing body composition and energy balance
Long-duration spaceflight can cause changes in the composition of the body, including bone and muscle loss. An investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), NutrISS periodically assesses body composition during spaceflight and measures changes in energy balance over time. Results could shed light on the mechanisms behind changes in body composition during long-term spaceflight and help lead to ways to improve physical performance and quality of life for astronauts during and after their flight. The investigation also could help improve quality of life on Earth by contributing to better clinical management of malnourished, obese, or immobilized patients. During the week, the crew performed a measurement session with the bioimpedance device, which uses resistance to a low intensity current passing through the body to assess changes in body composition.
Soldering on in space
Image above: This preflight image shows the microstructure of a composite Aluminum-Silicone molten alloy. SUBSA-BRAINS examines such microstructures from brazing alloys solidified in microgravity. This soldering technique has potential for constructing and repairing vehicles and habitats on future space missions. Image Credit: NASA.
Brazing is a soldering technique that has potential as a way to construct and repair vehicles and habitats on future space missions. Researchers first need to know how materials behave and interact during brazing in microgravity, and how to control the process. The SUBSA-BRAINS investigation seeks to provide that knowledge by examining differences in various reactions and processes during solidification of brazing alloys in microgravity. Crew members set up samples in the SUBSA hardware to be processed via ground commanding.
Every breath you take
Metabolic Space, another ESA investigation, demonstrates a wearable system to measure the cardiopulmonary function of astronauts during physical activities. A compact system worn on the upper torso, the device simultaneously measures functions such as heart rate, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, and breath frequency and volume, creating a complete picture of the wearer’s exercise performance and metabolism. This type of comfortable wearable device could make it easier to monitor astronauts and other space travelers and enable early diagnosis of emerging health issues. Similar wearable technology could be useful for monitoring people in certain settings on Earth. Crew members performed an exercise session for the investigation during the week.
Other investigations involving the crew:
- MISSE-15 NASA is one of a series of investigations testing how the space environment affects the performance and durability of specific materials and components. These tests could provide insights to support development of better materials for future spacecraft, spacesuits, planetary structures, and other components needed for space exploration.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8585
- DOSIS-3D, an ESA investigation, uses active and passive detectors to measure the radiation doses at various locations inside the space station. Scientists use the data to create a three-dimensional radiation map that could help improve measures to protect crew members on future spaceflights.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=177
Animation above: NASA astronaut Raja Chari conducts a seated session for GRIP, an investigation from ESA that examines how changes in forces and cues in microgravity affect a person’s grip and the movements they use to manipulate objects. Animation Credit: NASA.
- GRIP, an investigation from ESA, studies how changes in forces and cues in microgravity affect the force of a person’s grip and the movements used 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
- The ESA GRASP investigation examines how the central nervous system integrates information from the senses to coordinate hand movement and visual input, in part to determine whether gravity is a frame of reference for control of this movement.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2038
- ALTEA measures sources of radiation inside the space station. With the addition of a new detector called LIDAL, ALTEA’s measurements can be converted in real-time into radiation risk coefficients, effectively making ALTEA into a risk meter.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7434
- Phospho-aging, an investigation from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), examines the molecular mechanism behind aging-like symptoms, such as bone and muscle loss, that can occur more rapidly in microgravity. Results could lead to development of more effective countermeasures.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8278
- Touching Surfaces tests laser-structured antimicrobial surfaces as a method for reducing microbial contamination aboard the space station. Results from this ESA investigation could help determine the most suitable design for antimicrobial surfaces for spacecraft and habitats as well as for terrestrial applications such as public transportation and clinical settings.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8540
- Lumina is an ESA investigation demonstrating real-time monitoring of radiation dose received by crew members using a dosimeter with optical fibers that darken when exposed to radiation. Monitoring ionizing radiation is a key challenge for future space exploration, and this dosimeter could help anticipate radiation flares and guide reaction to them.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8444
Space to Ground: Lab at Work 11/19/2021
Related links:
Expedition 66: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition66/index.html
NutrISS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7875
SUBSA-BRAINS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8295
Metabolic Space: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7574
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
Animation (mentioned), Images (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Ana Guzman/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 66.
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