Archivo de la etiqueta: iss

Bio Tech Dominates Research Schedule to Advance Space, Earth Industries

The Expedition 72 crew studied micro-algae and DNA-like nanomaterials on Tuesday to improve health in space and on Earth. The orbital residents also worked on cargo transfers and lab maintenance aboard the International Space Station.

NASA Flight Engineer Nick Hague began his day processing radiation-resistant samples of Arthrospira C micro-algae and stowing them in an incubator for analysis. The samples will be exposed to different light intensities to observe how they affect the micro-algae’s cell growth and oxygen production. Results may advance the development of spacecraft life support systems and fresh food production in space.

Afterward, Hague joined Commander Suni Williams of NASA for a different research session mixing water with samples of messenger RNA, or mRNA, and protein to create DNA-like nanomaterial products inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox. Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore then transferred the samples, exposed them to ultrasonic waves, and imaged them with a spectrophotometer to measure the intensity of light at different wavelengths and evaluate the quality of the nanomaterials. The samples will also be returned to Earth for further evaluation. Results may lead to improved therapies for Earth and space health conditions as well as advance the space economy.

Wilmore joined NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and removed external research hardware from inside Kibo’s airlock. The hardware housed a variety of samples exposed to the vacuum of space such as polymers, photovoltaic devices, and more. The samples will be returned to Earth and examined to understand how space radiation, the extreme thermal environment, micrometeoroids, and more affect materials possibly benefitting the space industry.

Afterward, Pettit pedaled on an exercise cycle wearing breathing gear that measured his aerobic output in microgravity. He wrapped up his shift packing gear for return to Earth inside the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft due to undock from the Harmony module’s forward port on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Roscosmos Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner worked inside the Progress 89 resupply spacecraft on Tuesday that has been docked to the Zvezda service module’s rear port since Aug. 17. The duo first serviced the spacecraft’s docking mechanism then unpacked cargo for stowing inside the Nauka science module. Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov had a light duty day primarily focusing on exercise inside the Tranquility module, jogging on the treadmill and working out on the advanced resistive exercise device.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark Garcia

Space Biology, Tech Studies Fill Day as Station Boosts Orbit

The Expedition 72 crew kicked off Thanksgiving week with a multitude of advanced biology and technology studies to improve human health and industry on and off the Earth. The orbital residents also focused on spacesuits and space cargo rounding out Monday aboard the International Space Station.

Keeping humans healthy on Earth and during space missions is a key research objective for NASA and its international partners. Scientists use the weightless environment of the orbital outpost to gain unique insights impossible to achieve on Earth’s surface supporting the medicine, commercial, and space industries.

NASA Flight Engineers Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore started their day wrapping up a biology experiment seeking ways to prevent space-caused stress effects and overcome age-related diseases on Earth. The duo processed samples in an artificial gravity-generating incubator, then stowed the research hardware, and disconnected a laptop computer closing out the investigation. During the experiment operations the astronauts used a fluorescence microscope to observe the samples and understand how microgravity impacts inflammation and the immunity system.

Hague then moved on and set up the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox to begin exploring the feasibility of manufacturing nanomaterials that mimic DNA and design advanced therapies enhancing quality of life. Wilmore collected station water samples for microbial analysis then swapped samples for a physics study exploring ways to separate viruses from biological fluids and improve disease detection methods.

NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit started his day loading items inside the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft for return to Earth following its undocking on Thursday, Dec. 5. Next, he serviced the Additive Manufacturing Facility, a 3D printer, then collected a variety of seed samples that will be returned to Earth for growing in school classrooms. At the end of his shift, Pettit turned on the SphereCam-1 to test its ability to capture ultra-high-resolution video for detailed imagery of spacecraft systems.

Working in the Quest airlock, station Commander Suni Williams spent all day configuring spacesuit systems. She first serviced airlock oxygen and nitrogen tanks, then filtered and inspected suit cooling loops, and finally installed shields protecting suit life support systems.

Roscosmos cosmonauts Ivan Vagner and Aleksandr Gorbunov worked together on Monday and continued unpacking the Progress 90 resupply ship that arrived on Saturday loaded with nearly three tons of food, fuel, and supplies. After the hatch to Progress 90 was first opened, crew members reported an unusual odor from the spacecraft. Flight controllers on the ground activated air scrubbing equipment as part of normal procedures, indicating that the odor likely was outgassing from materials inside the cargo spacecraft. The crew reported the odor dissipated quickly and cargo transfer operations are proceeding on schedule.

Vagner also cleaned ventilation systems and conducted photography inspections. Gorbunov downloaded radiation data then installed Earth observation hardware to image Earth’s nighttime atmosphere in near-ultraviolet wavelengths. Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin began his day exploring futuristic spacecraft and robotic piloting techniques, then transferred water from the newly arrived Progress 90, before finishing up in the Nauka science module cleaning fans.

The International Space Station is orbiting slightly higher today after the docked Progress 89 cargo craft fired its engines for three-and-a-half minutes early Monday. The debris avoidance maneuver positioned the orbital outpost farther away from a satellite fragment nearing the station’s flight path.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark Garcia

Space Delivery Arrives at Station Aboard Progress Cargo Craft

The unpiloted Progress 90 spacecraft arrived at the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Poisk module at 9:31 a.m. EST, Saturday, Nov. 23. The spacecraft launched at 7:22 a.m. (5:22 p.m. Baikonur time) Nov. 21, on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The Roscosmos spacecraft is delivering about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 72 crew aboard the International Space Station and will remain docked for approximately six months before departing for a re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to dispose of trash loaded by the crew.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark Garcia

Space Deilvery Arrives at Station Aboard Progress Cargo Craft

The unpiloted Progress 90 spacecraft arrived at the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Poisk module at 9:31 a.m. EST, Saturday, Nov. 23. The spacecraft launched at 7:22 a.m. (5:22 p.m. Baikonur time) Nov. 21, on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The Roscosmos spacecraft is delivering about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 72 crew aboard the International Space Station and will remain docked for approximately six months before departing for a re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to dispose of trash loaded by the crew.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe

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Mark Garcia

Progress Cargo Craft Approaching Station Live on NASA+

NASA’s live coverage of rendezvous and docking is underway on NASA+ and the agency’s website. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.

The unpiloted Roscosmos Progress 90 spacecraft will automatically dock at 9:36 a.m. EST, to the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Poisk module.

The spacecraft launched at 7:22 a.m. (5:22 p.m. Baikonur time) Nov. 21, on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe

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Mark Garcia