5 min read<\/p>\n
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The International Space Station is a hub for scientific research and technology demonstration. Currently, in its third decade of human-tended operations, the orbiting lab is building on previous research to produce pivotal results while conducting cutting-edge science. Read highlights of some of the groundbreaking space station science conducted in 2023 that is benefiting humanity on Earth and preparing humans for journeys to the Moon and beyond.<\/p>\n
Bringing Back the Benefits to People on Earth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/jsc2023e052855medium.jpg?w=1280\")
<\/figure>\nThe first human knee meniscus successfully 3D bioprinted in orbit using the BioFabrication Facility. <\/div>\nRedwire<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe first human knee meniscus was successfully<\/a> bioprinted in orbit using the space station\u2019s BioFabrication Facility. BFF-Meniscus-2 evaluates 3D printing knee cartilage tissue using bioinks and cells. Demonstration of this capability in space supports continued and expanded commercial use of the space station for fabricating tissues and organs for transplant on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"On](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/53254502292-c880d19674-c.jpg?w=799\")
<\/figure>\nNASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O\u2019Hara pose in front of the International Space Station\u2019s Cold Atom Lab. <\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFor the first time in space, scientists produced a quantum gas containing two types of atoms<\/a> using station\u2019s Cold Atom Laboratory. This new capability could allow researchers to study the quantum properties of individual atoms as well as quantum chemistry, which focuses on how different types of atoms interact and combine in a quantum state. This research could enable a wider range of Cold Atom Lab experiments, harnessing the facility to develop new space-based quantum technologies. Quantum tools are used in everything, from cell phones to medical devices, and could deepen our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.<\/p>\nMonitoring Climate Change from Above<\/strong><\/h2>\nOn Sept. 14, 2023, NASA announced<\/a> that July 2023 was the hottest recorded month since 1880. The space station is helping monitor climate change by collecting data using multiple Earth-observing instruments mounted on its exterior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"At](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/iss067e191368medium.jpg?w=1280\")
<\/figure>\nThe Canadarm2 robotic arm maneuvers NASA\u2019s EMIT after retrieving it from the trunk of the SpaceX Dragon. <\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSince launching in 2022, NASA\u2019s EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation) has detected more than surface minerals. The imaging spectrometer is now identifying point-source emissions of greenhouse gases<\/a> with a proficiency that surprises even its designers. Detecting methane was not part of EMIT\u2019s primary mission, but with more than 750 emissions sources now identified, the instrument has proven effective at spotting sources both big and small. This is an important factor in identifying \u201csuper-emitters\u201d \u2013 sources that produce disproportionate shares of total emissions. Tracking human-caused emissions could offer a low-cost, rapid approach to reducing greenhouse gases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/pia25487medium.jpg?w=1280\")
<\/figure>\nEvaporative Stress Index over San Joaquin Valley, CA.<\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nModels using NASA\u2019s ECOSTRESS data found<\/a> that photosynthesis in plants begins to fail at 116 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (46.7 degrees Celsius (C)). ECOSTRESS is helping to explore the implications of climate change within tropical rainforests. According to this study, average temperatures have increased 0.5 C per decade in some tropical regions, and temperature extremes are becoming more pronounced. It is unknown whether tropical vegetation temperatures could soon approach this threshold, but this result raises awareness of the need to mitigate climate change effects on rainforests, a primary producer of the world\u2019s oxygen.<\/p>\nStudying for the Journey Beyond Low Earth Orbit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>NASA now has the ability to recycle 98% of the water collected from the US segment on the space station \u2013 meeting the threshold necessary for water recovery on long-duration space exploration missions. Credit: NASA\/ ScienceCasts<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNASA has achieved 98% water recovery<\/a> aboard the U.S. segment of the space station, a necessary milestone for space missions that venture to distant destinations. NASA uses the station to develop and test life support systems that can regenerate or recycle consumables such as food, air, and water. Ideally, life support systems need to recover close to 98% of the water that crews bring along at the start of a long journey. In 2023, the space station\u2019s Environmental Control and Life Support System demonstrated this ability<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"NASA\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/jsc2023e064876medium.jpg?w=1280\")
<\/figure>\nNASA\u2019s Laser Communications Roadmap \u2013 proving the technology\u2019s validity in a variety of environments. <\/div>\nNASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNASA\u2019s ILLUMA-T, a laser communications demonstration, completed its first link<\/a> \u2014 a critical milestone for the agency\u2019s first two-way laser relay system. Laser communications send and receive information at higher rates, providing spacecraft with the capability to send more data back to Earth in a single transmission. Testing operational laser communications in a variety of scenarios could refine the capability for future missions to the Moon and Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t
<\/figure>The first human knee meniscus was successfully<\/a> bioprinted in orbit using the space station\u2019s BioFabrication Facility. BFF-Meniscus-2 evaluates 3D printing knee cartilage tissue using bioinks and cells. Demonstration of this capability in space supports continued and expanded commercial use of the space station for fabricating tissues and organs for transplant on the ground.<\/p>\n For the first time in space, scientists produced a quantum gas containing two types of atoms<\/a> using station\u2019s Cold Atom Laboratory. This new capability could allow researchers to study the quantum properties of individual atoms as well as quantum chemistry, which focuses on how different types of atoms interact and combine in a quantum state. This research could enable a wider range of Cold Atom Lab experiments, harnessing the facility to develop new space-based quantum technologies. Quantum tools are used in everything, from cell phones to medical devices, and could deepen our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.<\/p>\n On Sept. 14, 2023, NASA announced<\/a> that July 2023 was the hottest recorded month since 1880. The space station is helping monitor climate change by collecting data using multiple Earth-observing instruments mounted on its exterior.<\/p>\n Since launching in 2022, NASA\u2019s EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation) has detected more than surface minerals. The imaging spectrometer is now identifying point-source emissions of greenhouse gases<\/a> with a proficiency that surprises even its designers. Detecting methane was not part of EMIT\u2019s primary mission, but with more than 750 emissions sources now identified, the instrument has proven effective at spotting sources both big and small. This is an important factor in identifying \u201csuper-emitters\u201d \u2013 sources that produce disproportionate shares of total emissions. Tracking human-caused emissions could offer a low-cost, rapid approach to reducing greenhouse gases.<\/p>\n Models using NASA\u2019s ECOSTRESS data found<\/a> that photosynthesis in plants begins to fail at 116 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (46.7 degrees Celsius (C)). ECOSTRESS is helping to explore the implications of climate change within tropical rainforests. According to this study, average temperatures have increased 0.5 C per decade in some tropical regions, and temperature extremes are becoming more pronounced. It is unknown whether tropical vegetation temperatures could soon approach this threshold, but this result raises awareness of the need to mitigate climate change effects on rainforests, a primary producer of the world\u2019s oxygen.<\/p>\n NASA has achieved 98% water recovery<\/a> aboard the U.S. segment of the space station, a necessary milestone for space missions that venture to distant destinations. NASA uses the station to develop and test life support systems that can regenerate or recycle consumables such as food, air, and water. Ideally, life support systems need to recover close to 98% of the water that crews bring along at the start of a long journey. In 2023, the space station\u2019s Environmental Control and Life Support System demonstrated this ability<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s ILLUMA-T, a laser communications demonstration, completed its first link<\/a> \u2014 a critical milestone for the agency\u2019s first two-way laser relay system. Laser communications send and receive information at higher rates, providing spacecraft with the capability to send more data back to Earth in a single transmission. Testing operational laser communications in a variety of scenarios could refine the capability for future missions to the Moon and Mars.<\/p>\n<\/figure>Monitoring Climate Change from Above<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/figure><\/figure>Studying for the Journey Beyond Low Earth Orbit<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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