ISS Science: Whisky, Slime Mold & More | News

beyond Earthly Bounds: Groundbreaking Experiments Aboard the International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) isn’t just a symbol of international cooperation; it’s a unique global laboratory pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding. As its launch in 1998, a collaborative effort involving space agencies like NASA, Russia’s Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, and Japan’s JAXA, alongside private companies, has facilitated over 3,000 experiments. These investigations span a remarkable range, from the intricacies of life sciences to the basic laws of physics, and the observation of our own planet.

A Microgravity Marvel: The ISS as a Research Hub

The ISS provides a crucial environment – microgravity – that is impossible to replicate consistently on Earth. This unique condition allows scientists to study phenomena in ways previously unimaginable, leading to breakthroughs with potential applications both in space and on our home world. The station serves as a testbed for technologies vital for future long-duration space missions, while together yielding insights into areas like human health, materials science, and fundamental physics.

Did You Know?

Microgravity on the ISS is not a complete absence of gravity, but rather a state of freefall. The station and everything inside it are constantly falling towards Earth, but they are also moving forward at such a high speed that they continuously “miss” the Earth, resulting in the sensation of weightlessness.

From Whiskey to ‘God Particles’: A Diverse Portfolio of Research

The experiments conducted aboard the ISS are surprisingly diverse. In 2015, Suntory, a Japanese beverage company, partnered with JAXA to investigate the effects of microgravity on the aging process of whiskey. Samples of five different whiskeys, along with ethanol, were sent to the station to observe how the liquor matured in the absence of typical gravitational forces.

whiskey in Space?

the Suntory experiment aimed to understand how microgravity affects the maturation of whiskey. The results could potentially lead to new insights into the aging process and influence the production of spirits on Earth.

On a more fundamental level, the Cold Atom laboratory, launched in 2018, explores the quantum properties of atoms. Researchers create Bose-Einstein condensates – a fifth state of matter achieved by chilling atoms to near absolute zero (-271 degrees celsius) using lasers or magnets. This compact lab, operated remotely by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in california, offers a unique environment for studying these delicate quantum states.

Life in Space: Studying Adaptation and Resilience

The ISS also serves as a vital platform for understanding how life adapts to the harsh conditions of space. A fascinating experiment involved a slime mold, a single-celled organism capable of solving mazes, sent to the station by the ESA, french National center for Space Studies (CNES), and Airbus ICE Cubes Facility. Remarkably, this brainless organism demonstrated a primitive form of learning.

Slime Mold’s Space journey

The slime mold experiment highlighted the adaptability of even simple organisms. Its ability to navigate and find food in a novel environment provided valuable insights into biological resilience.

Human adaptation is also a key focus. The NASA twins study provided unprecedented insight into the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. Astronaut Scott Kelly spent a year in orbit while his twin brother, Mark Kelly, remained on Earth, allowing researchers to compare genetic, cognitive, immune, and microbiome changes.

pushing the Boundaries of Technology and Medicine

Beyond biology, the ISS is fostering advancements in technology and medicine. Researchers are actively engaged in 3D bioprinting human tissues and potentially entire organs, taking advantage of the near-weightlessness to grow tissues in three dimensions without the need for supporting structures. Redwire’s BioFabrication Facility, a leader in this field, was recognized with Popular Science’s 2023 Best of What’s New Award in the Health Category.

3D Bioprinting in Space

The microgravity environment allows for the creation of complex biological structures without the limitations of Earth-based gravity. This technology has the potential to revolutionize medicine and enable the creation of personalized implants and organs.

Other ongoing research includes studying the growth of mold in microgravity – a collaboration between NASA and Roscosmos – to understand its resilience to radiation,and investigating how fluids shift in the upper body during spaceflight,a phenomenon that can affect astronauts’ vision and is crucial to address for future missions to Mars. NASA and CERN began a long-running astrophysics experiment in May 2011,focusing on cosmic rays,dark matter,and antimatter. Furthermore, the ‘Veggie’ plant growth system, developed by NASA in 2014, is enabling the cultivation of fresh food in space, with plants like zinnias and red romaine lettuce already successfully grown. Even the seemingly simple act of spiders building webs has been studied, revealing their remarkable ability to adapt to microgravity over a four-year experiment conducted by BioServe Space Technologies and NASA.

The International Space Station continues to be a beacon of scientific revelation, offering a unique vantage point for unraveling the mysteries of the universe and paving the way for future exploration.

The Chemistry of Space: Unveiling Molecular Secrets

Building on the ISS’s diverse research portfolio, another critical area of investigation focuses on the chemistry of space itself.While the station’s primary habitat is microgravity, the orbiting laboratory also provides a unique platform to study the chemical reactions that occur within its closed ecosystem. Understanding these reactions not only helps maintain the functionality of the ISS but also provides invaluable insight into the chemical processes that occur in space, offering clues about the origins of life.

The field of space chemistry seeks to understand the composition of interstellar clouds, the formation of molecules in these regions, and the chemical reactions that occur under extreme conditions such as radiation exposure and extremely low temperatures. The ISS, with its controlled environment and access to the vacuum of space, facilitates this study.

One key focus is the study of hydrogen (H₂), the most abundant element in the universe [[1]]. Hydrogen, in molecular form (H₂), plays a crucial role in the formation of stars and galaxies. Scientists examine how hydrogen atoms interact in the unique conditions of the ISS, allowing them to develop and validate sophisticated models of chemical behavior [[2]] [[3]]. These studies often employ advanced equipment, including mass spectrometers and gas chromatographs, to analyze the composition of air and water recycling systems on the station.

Did You Know?

Space chemistry helps us understand the origin of life.Complex organic molecules, the building blocks of life, may have formed in interstellar environments and then been delivered to planets, sparking the emergence of life on Earth.

studying the chemical processes within the ISS’s closed environment is an ongoing necessity for maintaining the station’s life support systems. This involves monitoring air quality, waste recycling, and water purification to ensure the safety of the astronauts.For example, researchers are studying the interactions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inside the ISS. These chemical compounds can off-gas from various materials within the spacecraft. Scientists analyze and monitor these VOCs as they have the potential to affect air quality, crew health, and the function of the station’s systems. Detailed knowledge of the degradation pathways of these compounds under spaceflight conditions is vital for long-duration missions.

The work on the ISS also aids in understanding closed-loop systems crucial for future space exploration. The technology developed to recycle water and air in the ISS has direct implications for designing self-sustaining habitats for missions to the Moon and Mars. The more efficient and reliable these systems become, the smaller and lighter the resources needed to be launched into space.

Practical Space Chemistry: Applications and Benefits

The research conducted on the ISS has numerous practical applications.For example:

• Improved Life Support Systems: Understanding