Scientific Research and Experimentation for Future Missions
The Expedition 70 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) had a busy day on Tuesday, November 21, as they focused on astronaut health, an aging study, cargo operations, space manufacturing, and radiation data collection. These activities are crucial for understanding the physiological and psychological effects of long-duration space travel and preparing for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Scientific Research and Experimentation
NASA and its international partners are conducting the CIPHER suite of 14 human research experiments to gather physiological and psychological data from the crew members. These observations will help researchers and mission planners understand the health challenges astronauts may face on longer and farther space missions. The space biology study, in particular, will provide valuable insights into long-term radiation exposure, isolation, extreme distances, and closed environments.
NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara played a significant role in the CIPHER study by processing blood and urine samples and participating in a cognition test. She used a centrifuge to process the samples and stored them in a science freezer for later analysis. The results from these sample analyses and cognition tests will aid doctors and astronauts in preparing for the physical and mental challenges of long-duration space travel.
Aging research is another crucial area of study on the ISS. NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli focused on treating brain cell-like samples inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox. The Cerebral Ageing study aims to understand the effects of microgravity on accelerated aging symptoms, neurodegenerative diseases, and hypersensitivity to ultraviolet radiation at a molecular level. The findings from this study could lead to advancements in health treatments both in space and on Earth.
Mental Health and Cargo Operations
Maintaining mental well-being is vital for astronauts during long-duration space missions. To explore the potential benefits of virtual reality (VR) experiences in reducing stress and promoting relaxation, Commander Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency (ESA) participated in the VR Mental Care study. Wearing VR goggles and using a controller, Mogensen watched a 360-degree movie to evaluate its stabilizing effect on the nervous system.
Meanwhile, Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) worked on checking orbital plumbing gear inside the SpaceX Dragon Endurance crew spacecraft, with assistance from Mogensen. In the Harmony module’s port adjacent to Endurance, Jasmin Moghbeli carried out cargo transfers inside the Dragon cargo spacecraft, while Loral O’Hara photographed the delivered gear.
Space Manufacturing and Radiation Data
As space missions venture farther from Earth, the ability to manufacture tools and supplies on-demand becomes crucial. Veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko conducted 3D printing experiments to learn how to manufacture objects in microgravity. This research aims to reduce the dependency on cargo missions from Earth. Kononenko also attached sensors to himself to measure his cardiac activity for a long-running Roscosmos experiment.
Roscosmos Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov assisted Kononenko with the cardiac sensor attachments, checked camera hardware, and downloaded monthly radiation detection data. Additionally, Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub explored the impact of spaceflight conditions such as spacecraft vibrations, electric fields, and magnetic fields on fluid systems.
Conclusion:
The Expedition 70 crew’s activities on the International Space Station highlight the importance of scientific research and experimentation for future space missions. Understanding the effects of microgravity on astronaut health, aging, mental well-being, and space manufacturing is crucial for the success of longer and farther space exploration. These studies and experiments pave the way for advancements in health treatments, cargo operations, and sustainable space travel. As we venture deeper into space, the knowledge gained from these endeavors will be invaluable in ensuring the well-being and success of astronauts on their extraordinary journeys.
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