Imagine conducting experiments in one of the most extraordinary laboratories ever created by humans. This is the reality for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits 240 miles above Earth. The ISS serves as a unique platform for scientific research that not only benefits life on Earth but also aids in our quest to explore the cosmos. But how are these experiments designed and prepared for the microgravity environment of space? Let’s delve into this fascinating process at the Kennedy Space Center.
The CRS-15 mission is a collaborative cargo resupply mission involving SpaceX, NASA, and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS). This mission is tasked with delivering over 5,900 pounds of equipment and scientific research to the ISS. Aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket are 20 mouse astronauts, an artificial intelligence assistant named CIMON, and more than 20 scientific payloads. Among these is an intriguing experiment on space algae, which holds potential as a food source for future deep space missions.
Algae is a remarkably versatile organism. It is rich in protein, contains starch, and has a significant amount of oil. Algae is also highly efficient in photosynthesis, requiring much less light than traditional crops like lettuce. Currently, algae is cultivated in liquid for biofuel production, which allows for higher yield and faster growth. The challenge is to replicate this process in the microgravity environment of space. Researchers are using gas-permeable bags to grow liquid cultures of algae. These cultures are then placed in a starter culture, kept in the dark for a week before being transferred to the veggie unit for light exposure.
Scientists, such as Dr. Settles, collaborate closely with CASIS payload analysts to ensure their experiments are space-ready. The goal is to simplify the experiment for the astronauts, who have long and demanding workdays. The experiments are packaged in flight-approved foam containers and transported to the Kennedy Space Center, where they are handed over to NASA for final preparations.
NASA’s Space Station Processing Facility, a massive 457,000 square foot building, is where ISS modules and flight hardware are manufactured and prepared. The space algae payload, resembling a pizza delivery, is thoroughly vetted by NASA employees before being loaded onto the spacecraft. After liftoff, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft separates from the Falcon 9 rocket and heads towards the ISS. Three days later, the ISS’s robotic arm, Canadarm2, captures the Dragon, marking the beginning of exciting scientific endeavors.
Once the Dragon docks, the algae experiment is installed in the ISS hardware within 24 hours. Since the samples are live organisms, they cannot remain in storage for long. The experiment runs for a month, aiming to observe how microgravity affects different algae strains. By identifying genes linked to faster growth, researchers hope to engineer algae more effectively for use as space food and fuel.
Algae grows rapidly, producing results in just three to six days, compared to the months required for terrestrial plants. This rapid growth could help recycle carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts back into biomass. Technologies developed for this experiment, such as LED lighting and efficient watering systems, are already being applied to improve crop production on Earth. With its high protein content, algae could soon become a staple in our diets.
Experiments like this are just a fraction of the over 250 active scientific investigations aboard the ISS, each contributing to advancements that benefit life on Earth. For more captivating science documentaries, explore further and stay tuned for more exciting content from Seeker.
Imagine you are a scientist preparing an experiment for the ISS. Create a detailed proposal for an experiment that could benefit from the microgravity environment. Consider the challenges of space travel and how you would address them. Present your proposal to the class and discuss the potential scientific impacts.
Conduct a hands-on experiment by simulating algae growth under different conditions. Use various light sources and nutrient solutions to observe how these factors affect growth rates. Document your findings and compare them with the challenges faced in the microgravity environment of the ISS.
Participate in a role-playing activity where you take on the roles of different stakeholders involved in the CRS-15 mission. Discuss the logistics, challenges, and scientific goals of the mission. This will help you understand the collaborative efforts required for successful space missions.
Take a virtual tour of the Kennedy Space Center to explore the facilities where space missions are prepared. Reflect on the processes involved in getting experiments space-ready and discuss how these facilities contribute to the success of missions like CRS-15.
Engage in a debate about the potential of algae as a sustainable food source for long-duration space missions. Consider the nutritional benefits, growth efficiency, and challenges of cultivating algae in space. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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From playing ping pong with water droplets to lighting things on fire in microgravity to growing space salad, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) get to experiment in one of the most unique laboratories known to man. Hovering 240 miles above us, the ISS hosts scientific investigations that not only benefit us here on Earth but may also help us explore beyond our planet one day. But how do these experiments get designed and prepared for microgravity? We’re here at the Kennedy Space Center to find out.
CRS-15 is a joint SpaceX, NASA, and CASIS cargo resupply mission, carrying over 5,900 pounds of gear and scientific research to the ISS. Aboard this SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will be 20 mouse astronauts, an artificial intelligence assistant named CIMON, and over 20 scientific payloads. At the Space Life Sciences Lab, researchers are busy preparing an experiment on space algae, a potential food source for deep space missions.
“Algae is really versatile. They’re very rich in protein, have some starch, and a fair amount of oil in them. It’s very photosynthetically efficient, so you don’t need a lot of light. You need much less light than you would for growing, say, lettuce. The way that people are producing algae for biofuels is by growing them in liquid, which allows for much higher yield and faster growth. The goal is to figure out how to grow algae in liquid in a microgravity environment. We’re using gas-permeable bags to grow liquid cultures. Then we put a large amount of those cells into a starter culture, which sits in the dark for about a week before it gets installed into the veggie unit for light.”
Scientists like Dr. Settles work closely with CASIS payload analysts to ensure their experiments are ready for launch. “Part of my job as a payload developer is to take the experiment that the researcher wants to do and make it as simple as possible for the crew. When the crew is up there working after a long day, you don’t want complicated procedures or hardware. You want to make it clean and simple. We package it in a flight-approved foam container and then take it over to the Kennedy Space Center to hand it over to the NASA group.”
NASA’s Space Station Processing Facility is a three-story, 457,000 square foot building where ISS modules and flight hardware are manufactured. It’s also the next checkpoint for science experiments en route to the ISS. The space algae payload, which resembles a pizza delivery, is handed off and vetted by NASA employees before being loaded onto the spacecraft, ready for lift-off the next morning.
About nine minutes and thirty seconds after liftoff, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft separated from the Falcon 9 rocket, heading towards the ISS. Three days later, the ISS’s Canadarm2 carefully captured the Dragon. “Capture complete… looking forward to really exciting weeks ahead and getting started on some great experiments.”
“Our payload is scheduled to be installed in the hardware on the space station within 24 hours of docking. The samples we’re working with are live organisms, so they can’t stay in storage for too long. Once our hardware is installed in the veggie unit, our experiment will run for one month.” The hope with this investigation is to see how microgravity stimulates changes in different algae strains. By identifying genes associated with faster growth, Settles and his team can hopefully better engineer algae for space food and fuel.
“The nice thing about algae is that it grows relatively fast. In three to six days, you’re already producing something, as opposed to waiting three months if you’re growing a large terrestrial plant. It would help capture the carbon that the astronauts are breathing out and turn it back into biomass.” Technologies used for this space algae experiment are already being applied to help us grow crops more efficiently, such as LED lights, watering systems, and small compartments. With its high protein count, we could see algae-based snacks and meals in our diet one day.
That’s all thanks in part to experiments like this one, which are just one of over 250 active scientific investigations happening aboard the ISS that can benefit us here on Earth. Want more science documentaries? Check out this one right here, and don’t forget to subscribe and keep coming back to Seeker for more videos.
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This version removes any informal language and maintains a professional tone while preserving the essential information.
Experiments – Scientific procedures undertaken to test a hypothesis or demonstrate a known fact. – The experiments conducted in the laboratory provided new insights into cellular respiration.
Algae – A diverse group of photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments, ranging from single-celled forms to large seaweeds. – Researchers are studying algae as a potential source of biofuel due to their rapid growth and high lipid content.
Microgravity – A condition in which objects appear to be weightless and experience very weak gravitational forces, typically found in space environments. – The effects of microgravity on bone density are a significant concern for astronauts on long-duration space missions.
Astronauts – Individuals trained to travel and perform tasks in space, often conducting scientific research aboard spacecraft or space stations. – Astronauts aboard the International Space Station conduct experiments that cannot be performed on Earth due to gravity.
Protein – Large, complex molecules composed of amino acids that perform a variety of functions within living organisms, including catalyzing metabolic reactions and providing structural support. – The study of protein folding is crucial for understanding diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Photosynthesis – The process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen and glucose from carbon dioxide and water. – Understanding the mechanisms of photosynthesis can lead to advances in agricultural productivity and renewable energy sources.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – The research conducted on genetic mutations has led to breakthroughs in personalized medicine.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse beyond Earth’s atmosphere where celestial bodies exist and astronomical phenomena occur. – The exploration of space has expanded our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
Biomass – Organic material derived from living or recently living organisms, used as a renewable energy source. – Converting biomass into bioenergy is a sustainable way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and the development of devices and systems. – Advances in technology have revolutionized the field of genomics, allowing for faster and more accurate sequencing of DNA.
