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ISS Science Summary: June 8 - June 21, 2009The Expedition 20 crew continues to conduct science activities onboard the International Space Station.
ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station): Frank DeWinne conducted a ham radio session with students at Vrije Basisschool Terbank-Egenhoven, Heverlee, Belgium. With the help of Amateur Radio Clubs and ham radio operators, astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the ISS can speak directly with large groups of the general public, showing teachers, students, parents, and communities how amateur radio energizes students about science, technology, and learning. The overall goal of ARISS is to get students interested in mathematics and science by allowing them to talk directly with the crews living and working aboard the ISS.
Bisphosphonates (Bisphosphonates as a Countermeasure to Space Flight Induced Bone Loss): Koichi Wakata, PhD and Robert Thirsk, MDCM ingested a weekly Alendronate pill before breakfast. This experiment will determine whether anti-resorptive agents (agents that help reduce bone loss), in conjunction with the routine in-flight exercise program, will protect ISS crewmembers from the regional decreases in bone mineral density documented on previous ISS missions.
CEO (Crew Earth Observations): The crew captured early eruption images of the Sarychev Peak Volcano, Kuril Islands, from on orbit on June 12, 2009. Sarychev Peak is one of the most active volcanoes in the Kuril Island chain and is located on the northwestern end of Matua Island. Ash from the June 2009 eruption was detected more than 2400 km ESE and nearly 1000 km WNW of the volcano. The on-orbit photo was posted as the Image of the Day for NASA?s Earth Observatory website on June 22, 2009 (www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov).
Integrated Cardiovascular (Cardiac Atrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction During and After Long Duration Spaceflight: Functional Consequences for Orthostatic Intolerance, Exercise Capability and Risk for Cardiac Arrhythmias): Dr. Thirsk performed the first ever in-flight session of this NASA-sponsored experiment. The experiment will quantify the extent, time course and clinical significance of cardiac atrophy (decrease in the size of the heart muscle) associated with long-duration space flight. This experiment will also identify the mechanisms of this atrophy and the functional consequences for crewmembers who will spend extended periods of time in space. Crewmembers use echocardiograms (ECG), blood pressure monitoring, and the Human Research Facility (HRF) Ultrasound to obtain cardiovascular data on orbit.
SPICE (Smoke Point In Co-flow Experiment): Mike Barratt, MD completed a session of this NASA-sponsored experiment with various fuel types. The SPICE investigation, located within the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), determines the point at which gas-jet flames (similar to a butane-lighter flame) begin to emit soot (dark carbonaceous particulate formed inside the flame) in microgravity. Studying a soot emitting flame is important in understanding the ability of fires to spread and in control of soot in practical combustion systems space.
Additional U.S. Experiments Conducted
Automated U.S. experiments (ongoing without crew efforts):
BISE (Bodies in the Space Environment: Relative Contributions of Internal and External Cues to Self-Orientation, During, and After Zero Gravity Exposure): Dr. Barratt, Dr. Thirsk and DeWinne performed sessions of this CSA-sponsored experiment. The specific objective of the project is to conduct experiments in long-duration microgravity conditions to better understand how humans first adapt to microgravity and then re-adapt to normal gravity conditions upon return to earth. This experiment involves comparisons of preflight, flight, and postflight perceptions and mental imagery, with special reference to spaceflight-related decreases in the vertical component of percepts.
Pneumocard (Pneumocard): Major Roman Romanenko performed a session of this FSA-sponsored experiment. Pneumocard investigates the mechanisms used by the cardiorespiratory system and the whole body organism to spaceflight conditions. By recording (on PCMCIA cards) the crewmember?s electrocardiogram, impedance cardiogram, low-frequency phonocardiogram (seismocardiogram), pneumotachogram (using nose temperature sensors), and finger photoplethismogram, the experiment supports integrated studies of (1) the cardiovascular system and its adaptation mechanisms in various phases of a long-duration mission, (2) the synchronization of heart activity and breathing factors, as well as the cardiorespiratory system control processes based on the variability rate of physiological parameters, and (3) the interconnection between the cardiorespiratory system during a long-duration mission and the tolerance of orthostatic & physical activities at the beginning of readaptation for predicting possible reactions of the crewmembers organism during the their return to ground.
Sonokard (Sonokard): Maj. Romanenko and Col. Gennady Pedalka completed sessions of the Russian MBI-12 Sonokard payload, using a sports shirt from the Sonokard kit with a special device in the pocket for testing a new method for acquiring physiological data without using direct contact on the skin. Measurements are recorded on a data card for return to Earth. Sonokard objectives are to (1) study the feasibility of obtaining maximum data through computer processing of records obtained overnight, (2) systematically record the crewmember?s physiological functions during sleep, (3) study the feasibility of obtaining real-time crew health data.
Vzaimodejstive (Interactions): Maj. Romanenko performed a session of this FSA-sponsored experiment aimed at measuring the impact of cultural and language background on space missions and to characterize changes over time in a number of important interpersonal factors, such as tension, cohesion, leadership roles, and the relationship between space crews and monitoring personnel on Earth. Maj Romanenko completed a standard mood questionnaire, an interpersonal group climate questionnaire, and a critical incident log.
Additional I.P. Experiments Conducted
Automated International Partner experiments (ongoing without crew efforts):
Several activities are scheduled for the upcoming week. These activities include: BISE, Bisphosphonates, Biological Rhythms, Card, Integrated Immune, Integrated Cardiovascular, SPHERES, EPO and SPICE.
For more news, details and features on the International Space Station, please see the Space Station section of www.nasa.gov. For more stories, images and features on ISS Science please see the Space Station Science section of www.nasa.gov