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Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of Nov.14 that included testing nanoparticles as a way to protect neuronal cells from oxidative stress, examining ways to identify beneficial microbes, and evaluating the composition of mudflows created by post-wildfire rains.
Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place aboard the orbiting lab:
Neuron protection from nanoparticles
Long-term exposure to microgravity and cosmic radiation induces oxidative stress, an overproduction of certain reactive chemicals in the body that plays a role in the onset of some diseases. Antioxidants are substances that lessen the effects of these reactive chemicals. Oxidative stress can impair both cognitive and motor function in astronauts and the ESA (European Space Agency) Antioxidant Protection investigation tests using certain antioxidants to protect neurons involved in these functions. Results from this investigation could help protect function for crews on long-term space missions and patients on the ground. The crew removed Antioxidant Protection experiment containers from the Kubik incubator and transferred them to cold stowage during the week.
Mighty microbes in microgravity
Bioprospecting is the process of identifying plants and animals that may contain substances with potential as drugs, biochemicals, and other commercially valuable materials. Previous studies found that the unique stressors of space can cause genetic and physiological changes that could result in microbes yielding such materials. Sponsored by the ISS National Lab, Rhodium Microgravity Bioprospecting-1 studies a way to search for these microbes. Results could expedite the discovery of substances in plants and animals that could have a variety of uses on Earth, including in medicine and industry. Crew members transferred the experiment into an incubator to initiate the investigation during the week.
Understanding mudflows
When a wildfire burns plants, combusted chemicals create a thin layer of soil that repels rainwater. Rain then erodes the soil and can turn into catastrophic mudflows that carry heavy boulders and debris downhill, causing significant damage to infrastructure, watersheds, and human life. Catastrophic Post-Wildfire Mudflows, sponsored by the ISS National Lab, evaluates the composition of these mudflows, which include sand, water, and trapped air. Conducting the research in microgravity removes complicating forces and could provide insight into the structure and behavior of such mixtures. Climate change and global warming are increasing the occurrence of wildfires, and results could help develop models that predict the spread and velocity of debris flows and their effect on infrastructure and natural obstacles. During the week, crew members swapped out elements for the investigation.
Other investigations involving the crew:
- Sponsored by NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and coordinated by ASI, OVOSPACE examines the effect of microgravity on bovine ovary cell cultures. This research could improve fertility treatments on Earth and help prepare for future human settlement in space.
- BIRDS-5 is a constellation of CubeSats, including the first satellites developed by Uganda and Zimbabwe and a satellite from Japan, that perform multispectral observations of Earth. The data collected could help distinguish bare ground from forest and farmland, an indicator of agricultural growth, and help improve the livelihood of citizens of Uganda and Zimbabwe.
- Cellbox-3, sponsored by the ISS National Lab, contains two experiments that investigate cell behavior in microgravity, where 3D structures form that closely resemble the growth and behavior of cells inside the body. These structures can be used for drug and toxicity screening and serve as models for development and maintenance of healthy tissues in a living organism.
- SVGS demonstrates a vision-based technology for guidance, navigation, and control of a small spacecraft using the station’s free-flying robot, Astrobee. Small size, low-power consumption, and relatively simple deployment makes the technology appealing for small satellite operations and human exploration missions where crewed vehicles must dock with a variety of platforms.
John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist
Expedition 68
