On Thursday, November 16, a series of research activities unfolded aboard the International Space Station (ISS), contributing valuable insights to NASA and its collaborative efforts to support space crews, both current and future. As part of Expedition 70, these investigations delve into understanding the impact of weightlessness on the human body and offer crucial lessons for enhancing human health during extended space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Two astronauts, Loral O’Hara and Satoshi Furukawa, conducted vein scans in the Columbus laboratory module using the Ultrasound 2 device. With guidance from ground-based medical professionals, the astronauts closely monitored the behavior of neck, shoulder, and leg veins under the influence of microgravity, thereby contributing to strategies for maintaining crew well-being.
Meanwhile, NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara collaborated with fellow NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli in the Tranquility module. Their mission involved the clearance of hardware from the Bishop airlock to make room for the NanoRacks External Platform. The Bishop airlock will soon open into the vastness of space, with the Canadarm2 robotic arm poised to retrieve the platform for scientific experiments in the vacuum of outer space.
In a separate endeavor, Satoshi Furukawa, representing JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), retrieved cell samples from an incubator and placed them inside the Confocal Microscope, aiming to gain insights into how these cells perceive microgravity. Furukawa also conducted a gas bottle replacement within the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace and lent his expertise to O’Hara and Moghbeli in their NanoRacks mission.
Expedition 70 Commander Andreas Mogensen, an astronaut from the ESA (European Space Agency), embarked on a multifaceted day, starting with a conference with ESA managers. He later attended to the charging of portable electronics inside the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft and set up Earth science equipment. Mogensen also supported a student-designed space botany experiment, analyzed water samples from the station, and performed maintenance on spacesuit batteries.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, a seasoned spacefarer, honed futuristic piloting techniques that may prove invaluable for operating spacecraft and robotic systems during potential planetary missions. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub, on the other hand, tested a 3D printer’s capability to manufacture tools and supplies independently, without reliance on Earth. Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov dedicated his efforts to orbital plumbing tasks within the Nauka science module and conducted a photographic analysis of the station’s Roscosmos modules.
These diverse research endeavors conducted on the ISS illustrate the relentless pursuit of knowledge, aimed not only at understanding the unique challenges of space but also at unlocking the potential for extended human presence beyond our home planet.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Microgravity Research
What was the main objective of the research conducted on the International Space Station (ISS)?
The main objective of the research conducted on the ISS during Expedition 70 was to understand how weightlessness affects the human body and to gather insights to improve human health during future space missions.
What specific experiments were carried out by the astronauts?
Astronauts conducted a range of experiments, including vein scans to monitor the behavior of veins in microgravity, observations of cell samples to understand their response to microgravity, and 3D printing tests for manufacturing tools in space.
How did the astronauts contribute to scientific operations outside the ISS?
Astronauts made preparations for the NanoRacks External Platform, which will facilitate scientific experiments in the vacuum of outer space, and they also serviced spacesuit batteries, ensuring the station’s equipment remains functional.
What were the roles of astronauts from different space agencies?
Astronauts from NASA, JAXA, ESA, and Roscosmos collaborated on various tasks, such as medical experiments, Earth science hardware setup, and testing futuristic piloting techniques, showcasing international cooperation in space exploration.
How does this research impact future space missions?
The findings from these experiments inform strategies for improving crew health during long-duration space missions, enhance our understanding of microgravity effects, and contribute to the planning of future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
More about Microgravity Research
- NASA’s Expedition 70 Overview
- International Space Station (ISS) – NASA
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- Roscosmos – State Corporation for Space Activities
- NanoRacks External Platform
- SpaceX Dragon Endurance
- Confocal Microscope
- Electrostatic Levitation Furnace
- 3D Printing in Space
