Fact Sheet

Text Size

Space Experiment Module (SEM)
04.26.13

OpNom:

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by Ruthan Lewis, Ph.D., and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Brief Summary

The Space Experiment Module (SEM) introduces students to the concept of performing space based research on ISS. SEM provides students with the opportunity to conduct their own research on the effects of microgravity, radiation and space flight on various materials.

Principal Investigator(s)

  • Ruthan Lewis, Ph.D., Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Developer(s)

    Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Sponsoring Organization

    Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)

    Research Benefits

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    October 2004 - April 2007

    Expeditions Assigned

    10,11,13,14

    Previous ISS Missions

    SEM has a long history of space flight. It has flown on 11 Space Shuttles, including STS-107 (Columbia), which was lost in 2003 and ISS Expeditions 10-11 and 13.

    ^ back to top


    Experiment Description

    Research Overview

    • Provide student opportunities to conduct research on the effects of microgravity, radiation, and space flight on various materials.


    • Research objectives for each experiment are determined by the students, but generally include hypothesis on changes in the selected materials due to the space environment.


    • Students are provided "Space Capsules" to contain passive test articles for flight. The capsules are then packed in satchels (10 per satchel) which contain special formed foam layers for flight.

  • Description

    The Space Experiment Module (SEM) provided high school students with an opportunity to conduct research on the effects of microgravity, radiation, and space flight on various materials. Research objectives for each experiment were determined by students but generally include hypotheses on changes in selected materials due to the space environment. This was achieved by providing students space capsules that contained passive test articles for flight. These capsules were clear, sealable polycarbonate vials, 1 inch in diameter and 3 inches in depth. The vials were packed in satchels (20 per satchel) that contain special formed foam layers for flight.

    Students selected the items that were contained inside the vials. Some of the items included seeds, such as corn, watermelon, cucumber, beans, peas, and several other vegetables. Additional items included materials, such as wool, Kevlar, silk, ultraviolet beads, chicken bones, copper, plastic, dextrose, yeast, over-the-counter medications, human hair, mineral samples, light bulbs, and brine shrimp eggs. Many students tested seed growth after microgravity exposure; other students tested how materials protect against radiation exposure and survival rates of microscopic life forms.

    ^ back to top


    Applications

    Space Applications

    SEM introduces the concept of space-based scientific experiments to the next generation.

    Earth Applications

    Eleven schools are running experiments on the first Space Experiment Module (SEM) satchel flight. The experiments are contained in clear polycarbonate vials. These vials are also flown in passive (no power required) SEM experiment modules. Students create their own experiments, and consider such variables as space radiation, microgravity and launch environment. SEM is educating and inspiring the next generation to take the journey.

    ^ back to top


    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    On orbit the satchels are placed in passive stowage on the ISS for one stage. At some point during the stage, a crew member will remove the satchels and - using a video camera - will take videos of the experiment capsules and describe their contents and student interests. These videos will be down-linked to the ground for use by the students in their analysis.

    Operational Protocols

    SEM will not require any crew interaction.

    ^ back to top


    Results/More Information

    Eleven schools and 300 students developed experiments for SEM Satchel 001. The satchel was launched during ISS Expedition 10 in December 2004 and returned to Earth on Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-114) in August 2005. The sample vials were returned to the students for analysis. (Evans et al. 2009)

    ^ back to top


    Related Websites

    ^ back to top


    Imagery

    image NASA Image: ISS010E12594 - This image shows an integrated SEM Satchel on ISS during Increment 10 taken by ISS commander Leroy Chiao.
    + View Larger Image


    image NASA Image: ISS010E12597 - This image shows a close up of vials 11-15 of the SEM Satchel on ISS during Increment 10.
    + View Larger Image


    image NASA Image: ISS011E05374 - Wide angle image of the SEM satchel taken by ISS Expedition 11 Science Officer, John Phillips.
    + View Larger Image


    image NASA Image: ISS011E05380 - Close up image of SEM samples 16-20 taken by ISS Expedition 11 Science Officer, John Phillips.
    + View Larger Image


    image NASA Image: ISS013E54207 - Image of SEM satchel floating in the U.S. Lab during ISS Expedition 13 by Science Officer, Jeff Williams.
    + View Larger Image


    image NASA Image: ISS013E54212 - This image shows integrated SEM Satchels on ISS during Increment 13 taken by the NASA ISS Science Officer, Jeff Williams.
    + View Larger Image


    image
    + View Larger Image


    image
    + View Larger Image


    • Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
    › Back To Top