![\"The](\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2024\/04\/blog_iss071e000013.jpg\")
<\/a>Nanomaterials manufacturing, 3D bioprinting, and astronaut eye health were the main research topics aboard the International Space Station<\/a> on Friday. The Expedition 71<\/a> crew members also continued servicing spacesuits and conducted an emergency drill.<\/p>\n The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft<\/a> recently delivered to the orbital outpost a biotechnology study to demonstrate the in-space production of nanomaterials<\/a> that mimic DNA. NASA Flight Engineers Jeanette Epps<\/a> and Mike Barratt<\/a> worked on the second portion of that experiment on Thursday mixing then treating the research samples for analysis. Epps began her day mixing solutions in the Life Science Glovebox<\/a> to create specialized nanomaterials. During the afternoon, Barratt applied sound and light treatments to the samples then stowed them aboard Dragon for analysis back on Earth. Results may lead to advanced therapies for space-caused and Earthbound health conditions.<\/p>\n The duo partnered back together at the end of the day for eye scans using standard medical imaging gear found in an optometrist\u2019s on Earth. Barratt operated the hardware with guidance from doctors on the ground peering into Epp\u2019s eyes and examining her retina and optic nerve for the B Complex<\/a> eye health investigation.<\/p>\n Cardiac cell printing<\/a> was back on the schedule on Thursday as NASA Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick<\/a> operated the BioFabrication Facility<\/a> located inside the Columbus laboratory module<\/a>. He swapped sample cassettes inside the bioprinter then processed the printed cell samples for incubation. Results may enable future space crews to print meals and medicines or doctors to manufacture organs and tissues for patients on Earth.<\/p>\n NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson<\/a> joined Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub and practiced a simulated emergency return to Earth. The trio trained on a computer on the steps necessary to quickly enter the Soyuz crew ship and undock from the station for a controlled descent back to Earth.<\/p>\n Next, Dyson spent the rest of her day analyzing microbe samples, conducting a health checkup, and replacing orbital plumbing components. Kononenko and Chub activated a pair of Orlan spacesuits, installed components on the suits, then performed leak checks ahead of a Roscosmos spacewalk planned for April 25.<\/p>\n Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin started his day with blood tests then attached electrodes to himself that will monitor his heart activity for 24 hours. Afterward, he worked on Roscosmos life support maintenance before installing imagery hardware to study Earth\u2019s upper atmosphere.<\/p>\n Learn more about station activities by following the\u00a0space station blog<\/a>,\u00a0@space_station<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0@ISS_Research<\/a>\u00a0on X, as well as the\u00a0ISS Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0ISS Instagram<\/a>\u00a0accounts.<\/p>\n Get weekly video highlights at:\u00a0https:\/\/roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov\/videoupdate\/<\/a><\/p>\n Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here:\u00a0www.nasa.gov\/subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Garcia <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nanomaterials manufacturing, 3D bioprinting, and astronaut eye health were the main research topics aboard the International Space Station on Friday. The Expedition 71 crew members also continued servicing spacesuits and conducted an emergency drill. The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft recently delivered to the orbital outpost a biotechnology study to demonstrate the in-space production of nanomaterials \u2026 Continue reading
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