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ISS Science Summary: October 5 - October 18, 2009The Expedition 21 crew continues to conduct science activities onboard the International Space Station (ISS). On 10/10/09, ISS crewmember Mike Barratt, MD and ISS Expedition 20 Commander Colonel Gennady Padalka undocked from the ISS via Soyuz TMA-14/18S with spaceflight participant Guy Laliberte, leaving Colonel Maxim Suraev and Colonel Jeff Williams as the newest ISS residents and marking the beginning of Expedition 21.
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): Nicole Stott performed an ambulatory measurement session of this experiment, Robert Thirsk, MDCM performed both the resting echo and ambulatory sessions, and Colonel Jeff Williams performed his first resting echo session. During the ambulatory session, echocardiograms (ECG) were recorded over a 48 hour period, blood pressure was recorded over a 24 hour period, and Actiwatches recorded 48 hours of crew activity that varied between periods of rest, nominal activity, and exercise. 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 ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and the Human Research Facility (HRF) Ultrasound to obtain cardiovascular data on orbit.
Reaction Self Test (Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the International Space Station): Col. Jeff Williams performed sessions of this NASA-sponsored experiment. This experiment consists of a 5-minute reaction time task that will allow crewmembers to monitor the daily effects of fatigue on performance while on ISS. The experiment will provide objective feedback on neurobehavioral changes in attention, psychomotor speed, state stability, and impulsivity while on ISS missions, particularly as they relate to changes in circadian rhythms, sleep restrictions, and extended work shifts.
VO2max (Evaluation of Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Submaximal Estimates of VO2max Before, During, and After Long Duration International Space Station Missions). Col. Williams performed his first session of this experiment. "VO2max" is the standard measure of aerobic capacity and is directly related to the physical working capacity of an individual. Reduced VO2max will cause a diminished capacity to perform strenuous physical tasks such as those required during emergency egress or extended EVAs while performing structure assembly tasks. VO2max has never been assessed during or after long-duration space flight, nor have the estimation methods currently used by NASA to track changes in aerobic fitness during space flight been validated on orbit. This experiment will be the first to directly measure a crewmember's VO2max during and following ISS missions, and will also provide data to assess efficacy of the estimation of aerobic capacity methods currently used on orbit.
Additional U.S. Experiments Conducted on ISS
Automated U.S. experiments (ongoing without crew efforts):
Marangoni (Chaos, Turbulence and its Transition Process in Marangoni Convection): Two sessions of this JAXA-sponsored surface-tension-driven experiment were performed on orbit via ground commanding. This experiment allows investigators to observe the fluid flow and temperature fields in each stage of fluid instability (oscillatory, chaos, and turbulence) as a result of temperature-imposed convection through silicon oil in the microgravity environment. Results of this study will contribute to Earth-based advancements in protein crystal growth, micro-fluid technology, and energy efficiency.
Pilot (Pilot): Colonel Maxim Suraev conducted a session with the Russian biomedical signal response experiment. This experiment uses various biomedical hardware to collect physiological data during simulated manual spacecraft control tasks to determine the stress effects of long-duration spaceflight on the ability of astronauts to implement complex and critical real-time spacecraft manual control techniques.
SODI-IVIDL (Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument-Influence of Vibrations on Diffusion of Liquids): The first set of runs for this ESA experiment was completed with success. The ISS has residual vibrations, known as g-jitter, which is caused by aerodynamic forces, onboard equipment, and even crew movements. Although these vibrations could have a major impact on ISS experiments involving diffusion and thermal diffusion measurements, very few experiments have been performed in the past to investigate these effects. The SODI-IVIDIL experiment studies the influence of controlled vibration on liquid diffusion in the absence of convection induced by the presence of a gravity field.
Sonokard (Sonokard): Major Roman Romanenko completed a session 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.
Tipologia: Col. Suraev completed his first session of this experiment, and Maj. Romanenko completed his fifth. The experiment provides readings, amplification and processing of the following physiological functions and factors: electroencephalogram; color selection procedure and verbal characteristics when performing Luscher psychological test; and, efficiency factors of playing computer games (the following is measured: number of correct answers, errors, time of task implementation, etc.). The goal of the study is to provide objective data on preservation of adaptive control skills in flight to allow for the development of methods to improve cosmonaut readiness for various types of operator activity.
Vzaimodeystviye (Interactions): Col. Suraev performed his first session of this FSA-sponsored experiment, and Colonel Gennady Padalka performed his twelfth session prior to his departure from ISS. This experiment willmeasure 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.
Additional I.P. Experiments Conducted:
Automated International Partner experiments (ongoing without crew efforts):
Several activities are scheduled for the upcoming week. These activities include: Bisphosphonates, Biological Rhythms, BISE, DECLIC, EarthKAM, Integrated Cardiovascular, Integrated Immune, Reaction Self Test, MDS, Sleep-Long, SODI-IVIDIL, and SWAB.
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