Human Research, Robotic Refueling, Crystallography and More Headed to Orbiting Lab

New

science is headed to the International Space Station aboard

the SpaceX Dragon.

Investigations

on this flight include a test of robotic technology for refueling spacecraft, a

project to map the world’s forests and two student studies inspired by Marvel’s

“Guardians of the Galaxy” series.

Learn

more about the science heading into low-Earth orbit:

The

forest is strong with this one: GEDI studies Earth’s forests in 3D

The Global Ecosystem

Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) is an instrument to measure and map Earth’s

tropical and temperate forests in 3D.

The Jedi knights may help

protect a galaxy far, far away, but our GEDI

will help us study and understand forest changes right here on Earth.

Robotic

refueling in space

What’s cooler than cool? Cryogenic propellants,

or ice-cold spacecraft fuel! Our Robotic Refueling Mission 3 (RRM3) will demonstrate technologies for storing and

transferring these special liquids. By establishing ways to replenish this fuel

supply in space, RRM3 could help spacecraft live

longer and journey farther.

The mission’s techniques could even be applied

to potential lunar gas stations at the Moon, or refueling

rockets departing from Mars.

Staying

strong in space

The

Molecular Muscle investigation examines the

molecular causes of muscle abnormalities from spaceflight in C. elgans, a

roundworm and model organism.

This

study could give researchers a better understanding of why muscles deteriorate

in microgravity so they can improve methods to help crew members maintain their

strength in space.

Investigation

studies space-grown crystals for protection against radiation

Perfect Crystals is a study to learn more about an

antioxidant protein called manganese superoxide dismutase that protects the

body from the effects of radiation and some harmful chemicals.

The

station’s microgravity environment allows researchers to grow more perfectly

ordered crystals of the proteins. These crystals are brought back to Earth and

studied in detail to learn more about how the manganese superoxide dismutase

works. Understanding how this protein functions may aid researchers in

developing techniques to reduce the threat of radiation exposure to astronauts

as well as prevent and treat some kinds of cancers on Earth.

Satellite

deployment reaching new heights with SlingShot

SlingShot

is a new, cost-effective commercial satellite deployment system that will be

tested for the first time.

SlingShot

hardware, two small CubeSats, and a hosted payload will be carried to the

station inside SpaceX’s Dragon capsule and installed on a Cygnus spacecraft

already docked to the orbiting laboratory. Later, Cygnus will depart station

and fly to a pre-determined altitude to release the satellites and interact

with the hosted payload.

Investigation

studies accelerated aging in microgravity

Spaceflight

appears to accelerate aging in both humans and mice. Rodent Research-8 (RR-8) is a study to understand the physiology of

aging and the role it plays on the progression of disease in humans. This

investigation could provide a better understanding of how aging changes the

body, which may lead to new therapies for related conditions experienced by

astronauts in space and people on Earth.

Guardians

of the space station: Student contest flies to orbiting lab

The

MARVEL ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Space Station Challenge is a joint project between

the U.S. National Laboratory and Marvel Entertainment featuring two winning

experiments from a contest for American teenage students. For the contest,

students were asked to submit microgravity experiment concepts that related to

the Rocket and Groot characters from Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” comic

book series.

Team

Rocket: Staying Healthy in Space

If

an astronaut suffers a broken tooth or lost filling in space, they need a

reliable and easy way to fix it. This experiment investigates how well a dental

glue activated by ultraviolet light would work in microgravity. Researchers

will evaluate the use of the glue by treating simulated broken teeth and

testing them aboard the station.

Team

Groot: Aeroponic Farming in Microgravity

This

experiment explores an alternative method for watering plants in the absence of

gravity using a misting device to deliver water to the plant roots and an air

pump to blow excess water away. Results from this experiment may enable humans

to grow fruits and vegetables in microgravity, and eliminate a major obstacle

for long-term spaceflight.

These

investigation join hundreds of others currently happening aboard the station.

For more info, follow @ISS_Research!

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