The new Dragon spacecraft delivers supplies to the space station
NASA Science Agency is expected to lead to the new Airlock to the space station on the SpaceX cargo spacecraft. Complete a new round of research tasks.
At 11:17 a.m. on Sunday, the latest SpaceX Dragon resupply spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida carried more than 6,400 pounds (2,902 kilograms) of scientific research, a new sealed capsule, and other cargo on its way to the International Space Station.
The spacecraft, launched from Kennedy's 39A launch pad by a Falcon 9 rocket, is scheduled to arrive at the space station at around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7 for SpaceX's first autonomous docking and a stay on the station for about a month. The websites of NASA television stations and agencies will begin reporting arrivals at 11:30 a.m.
SpaceX conducts its 21st commercial resupply mission, the debut of the upgraded Dragon spacecraft, similar to the crew Dragon spacecraft used to transport astronauts to and from the space station. The upgraded spacecraft has 12 power cabinets with double capacity, preserving scientific and research samples during transport to and from Earth. Science payloads can now also stay on the upgraded Dragon spacecraft during missions as an extension of the space station's laboratory space. In this docking mission, four power payloads will reside in the Dragon spacecraft.
Among the scientific research provided by the Dragon spacecraft to the space station are:
Microbial meteorite miners
A mixture of meteorite samples and microbes is being sent to the space station. Certain microorganisms form on the surface of rocks that can release metal and mineral surfaces, a process known as biomineing. BioRock is a previous survey from the European Space Agency that looked at how microgravity affects the process of biomining. Based on the work of the BioAsteroid Study, the European Space Agency (ESA) studied biofilm formation and biomineing of asteroid or meteorite materials under microgravity. Researchers are seeking a better understanding of the underlying physical processes that control these mixtures, such as gravity, convection, and mixing. The interaction of microbial rocks has many potential uses in space exploration and extraterrestrial construction. For example, microbes can break down rocks into soil for plant growth, or extract elements useful for life support systems and pharmaceutical production.
Use tissue chips to check for changes in the heart
Microgravity causes changes in the workload and shape of the human heart, and whether these changes will become permanent if a person lives in space for more than a year is still unknown. Cardinal Heart studies how changes in gravity affect the heart at the cellular and tissue levels. The study used 3D engineered heart tissue, a tissue chip. The findings provide a new understanding of patients with heart problems on Earth and help identify new treatments and support the development of screening measures to predict cardiovascular risk before flight.
Count white blood cells in space
The Hemocue Analyzer (HemoCue) tested a commercially viable device that provides fast and accurate counting capabilities for the total number of white blood cells and differentiation in microgravity. Doctors usually use the total number of white blood cells and five different types of white blood cells to diagnose diseases and monitor various health conditions. The validation of autonomous blood analysis capabilities on the space station could enhance health care on Earth and is an important step in meeting the health care needs of astronauts on future missions.
Brazed construction
Aluminum alloy brazing in space (SUBSA-BRAINS) examines differences in capillary flow, interfacial responses, and bubble formation during the solidification of welded alloys in microgravity. Brazing is a welding method used to connect materials at high temperatures, such as aluminum alloys and aluminum or aluminum alloys and ceramics. The technology could be used as a space-building tool for human habitats and vehicles in future space missions, as well as to repair damage caused by micrometeurist or space debris.
A new and improved door to space
Nanoraks Bishop Airlock, a commercial platform launched in the trunk of the Dragon capsule, supports a range of scientific work on the space station. Its capabilities include deploying free-flying payloads such as CubeSats and externally mounted payloads, accommodating small external payloads, throwing garbage, and recovering orbital replacement units. Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs) are modular parts of the space station that can be replaced when needed, such as pumps and other hardware. The Bishop Airlock is about five times as large as the valves already used in the Japanese experimental module, allowing robots to transport more and larger packages to the outside of the space station, including the hardware needed for the spacewalk. It also has the ability to provide the power and Ethernet required for internal and external payloads.
The brain under microgravity
Studies of the effects of microgravity on organoids in the human brain have observed how brain organoids respond to microgravity. Small pieces of living organisms made up of cells interact and grow, and organoids can survive for months, providing a model for understanding how cells and tissues adapt to changes in the environment. Organoids that grow from neurons or nerve cells exhibit normal processes, such as responding to stimuli and stress. Thus, organoids can be used to study how microgravity affects survival, metabolism, and the characteristics of brain cells, including basic cognitive function.
These are just some of the hundreds of surveys currently being conducted in orbital laboratories in areas such as biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, earth and space sciences.
Advances in these areas will help keep astronauts healthy during long-term space travel and demonstrate technology for future explorations by humans and robots beyond low-Earth orbit. Through NASA's Artemis program, technology is available for future exploration of the moon and Mars by humans and robots.
BY: Stephanie Schierholz, Monica Witt, Leah Cheshier
FY: wei
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