ISS - Expedition 67 Mission patch.
April 29, 2022
Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of April 25 that included testing radiation dose detectors and wearable cardiopulmonary monitors and examining the effects of diet on immune function during spaceflight. The Space-X Crew-4 mission, carrying NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, arrived at the space station on Wed., April 27, along with new microgravity science payloads.
The space station, continuously inhabited by humans for 21 years, has supported many scientific breakthroughs. A robust microgravity laboratory with dozens of research facilities and tools, the station supports investigations spanning every major scientific discipline, conveying benefits to future space exploration and advancing basic and applied research on Earth. The orbiting lab also provides a platform for a growing commercial presence in low-Earth orbit that includes research, satellite services, and in-space manufacturing.
Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place:
Mapping radiation
Image above: The DOSIS-3D investigation takes measurements at specific locations inside the space station to create a three-dimensional map pinpointing the distribution and levels of radiation throughout the orbiting lab. In this image, ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer relocates a passive radiation monitor. Image Credit: NASA.
Spaceflight exposes crew members to varying levels of radiation, which can be harmful to their health. DOSIS-3D, an investigation from ESA, measures the radiation doses at specific locations inside the space station using several active and passive detectors. The goal is a three-dimensional map of the levels and distribution of radiation throughout the orbiting lab. A comprehensive understanding of the space radiation environment could help scientists make recommendations for how to protect crews on future missions. On Earth, airline crews and nuclear plant workers experience greater-than-average exposure to radiation. Results from this investigation could provide direction for combining different devices to monitor dosage and collect real-time data to help protect them as well. Crew members de-installed specific detectors during the week.
Wearable monitors
Image above: During a static bike ride, ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer wears a breathing mask and sensors on his chest that monitor heart rate, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels for Metabolic Space. This investigation demonstrates wearable devices to improve cardiopulmonary diagnostics and assess performance without restricting mobility. Image Credit: ESA.
Metabolic Space from ESA demonstrates a wearable device to measure cardiopulmonary function during physical activity. The primary objective of this experiment is validating that the device works in microgravity and that users can manage it. The secondary objective is to provide experience with the device that can enhance the system for future space applications, such as medical monitoring for space tourists. This technology could reduce the effort required to diagnose cardiopulmonary issues in space and may have applications for making it easier to make such diagnoses on the ground. During the week, crew members used the Metabolic Space hardware and protocol during an exercise session.
Eat this, not that
Image above: This image shows food on the table for a meal on the space station. The Food Physiology investigation examines the effects of diet on immune function, the gut microbiome, and nutritional status. Results could help improve food systems to maintain crew health and performance on future long-duration missions. Image Credit: NASA.
Research has documented that spaceflight affects human physiology, including causing changes in the immune system. Immune function is linked to diet and the gut microbiome, and diet is a factor that can be easily and meaningfully altered on Earth and during flight. Food Physiology characterizes the effects of an enhanced spaceflight diet on immune function and the gut microbiome. Results could help define targeted, efficient dietary interventions and requirements for a food system to maintain crew health and performance on future long-duration missions. The study also could have scientific and medical applications for people on Earth.
Other investigations involving the crew:
- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) is a processing facility to levitate, melt, and solidify materials without solid containers, which reduces imperfections and makes it possible to examine the behavior of the materials. Results could improve the manufacture and use of oxide melts on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=1536
- XROOTS uses hydroponic (liquid-based) and aeroponic (air-based) techniques to grow plants without soil or other traditional growth media. Current space-based plant systems do not scale up well in space, and hydroponic and aeroponic techniques could enable production of crops on a larger scale for future space exploration.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8088
- Transparent Alloys - METCOMP, an investigation from ESA, studies the formation of layered structures during solidification of an alloy, or mixture of different metals, using specific organic materials that solidify like a metal yet remain transparent. Alloys are used in a wide variety of applications from smartphones to aircraft, and lighter, stronger versions could benefit consumers and industry.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8504
- For ESA’s CalliopEO, German school children write software to run experiments on a Calliope mini-computer aboard the space station. The experience helps motivate students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and become the next generation of explorers.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8567
- Rhodium Crystal Preservation studies using crystal formation to preserve biological material for research. These crystal matrices do not require special conditions and could provide a way to maintain biological materials for research on future space missions.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8712
- Actiwatch is a wearable monitor that continuously collects data on a crew member’s circadian rhythms, sleep-wake patterns, and activity during flight, beginning as soon as possible after arrival aboard the station.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=838
Space to Ground: Fantastic Four: 04/29/2022
Related links:
Expedition 67: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition67/index.html
DOSIS-3D: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=177
Metabolic Space: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7574
Food Physiology: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7870
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 67.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
