ISS - Expedition 66 Mission patch.
Nov 26, 2021
Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of Nov. 22 that included testing thermal protection for re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere and a device for detecting eye changes during spaceflight, and studying magnetically assembled colloidal structures. On Saturday, Nov. 20, Northrop Grumman’s uncrewed Cygnus spacecraft departed the space station more than three months after it delivered supplies and scientific investigations.
Image above: Cygnus undocking from the space station. The cargo craft carried capsules for KREPE, an experiment demonstrating a thermal protection system for spacecraft and their contents during re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere. 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:
Coming in hot
KREPE, an experiment using the departing Cygnus craft, demonstrates a thermal protection system for spacecraft and their contents during re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere. Capsules stowed inside Cygnus carry sensors that begin collecting temperature data during re-entry and transmit it to the ground until splashdown. These measurements can be difficult to replicate in ground simulations and KREPE provides an inexpensive platform for atmospheric re-entry experiments. Researchers plan to analyze the data and use it to verify numerical models. Results also could help improve heat shielding materials for applications on Earth, such as in fire disasters.
Keeping an eye on the eyes
Image above: NASA astronaut Raja Chari (standing, left) and ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer (seated, in black) are shown in preflight training for the Retinal Diagnostics investigation, which tests taking images of astronauts’ eyes with a handheld device. Image Credit: ESA.
An ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, Retinal Diagnostics tests using an ophthalmology lens approved for clinical use on Earth to capture images of the human retina in space for detection of vision changes common among astronauts, known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). The images are used to test and train machine learning models to detect SANS. Results could show that that a lightweight, mobile, and non-invasive device and a machine learning model can help detect and document the progression of SANS. The technology ultimately could improve space-based medical data collection in support of future long-duration spaceflight missions. On Earth, this technology could enable diagnoses of patients in remote or developing regions that may not otherwise have access to ophthalmology or neurology services. Crew members set up the hardware and performed image collection for the experiment during the week.
Assembling advanced materials
InSPACE-4 studies using magnetic fields to assemble tiny structures from colloids, or particles suspended in a liquid. Colloidal structures have unique properties, such as mechanical response to or interaction with light and heat. Microgravity makes it possible to observe colloidal assembly in ways and over time scales not possible on Earth. Results could lead to more advanced materials for space applications, including thermal shields, protection from micrometeorites, energy production, and sensors for robotic and human missions. This work also could advance the manufacturing of materials on Earth for applications such as sound damping devices, camouflage, medical diagnostics, and building foundation stabilizers for areas prone to earthquakes. During the week, crew members gathered and set up experiment materials in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG).
Image above: This image from the space station shows Patagonia, a region in Chile and Argentina at the tip of the South American continent. Image Credit: NASA.
Other investigations involving the crew:
- JEM Water Recovery System, an investigation from Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), tests a technology to increase the recovery of drinkable water from urine, which could become a vital part of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for future space travel and also provide water regeneration in dry regions or post-disaster on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2049
- The SUBSA-BRAINS investigation examines the process of a soldering technique known as brazing in microgravity. Brazing could be used to construct and repair vehicles and habitats on future space missions.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8295
Image above: Two of the space station’s free-flying Astrobee robots perform operations for Astrobatics, which demonstrates a hopping or self-toss maneuver that could serve as a means of robotic propulsion that uses very little propellant or fuel. Image Credit: NASA.
- Astrobatics demonstrates a hopping or self-toss maneuver with the Astrobee robotic vehicles, which could serve as a means of propulsion using very little propellant. Such maneuvers could be incorporated into future robotic missions and advanced terrestrial robotic applications.
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
- Acoustic Diagnostics, an ESA investigation, tests the hearing of crew members before, during, and after flight to assess possible adverse effects of noise and the microgravity environment on human hearing.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7898
- Metabolic Space, an ESA investigation, demonstrates a wearable system to measure the cardiopulmonary function of astronauts during physical activities. The system could make it easier to monitor astronauts and other space travelers and enable early diagnosis of emerging health issues.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7574
- 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
- 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: Giving Thanks: 11/26/2021
Related links:
Expedition 66: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition66/index.html
KREPE: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8022
Retinal Diagnostics: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8547
InSPACE-4: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7669
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 66.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
