Group Activation Pack-Fluid Processing Apparatus

FPAs allow for launch of two to four independent and isolated reagents that can be sequentially combined on orbit in the secondary housing of the GAP. This is a fully-enclosed unit that meets NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration safety standards for containment, provides facile operations for the crew, and may be operated in the general workspace. A total of 6.5 mL of fluid is contained inside the FPA’s glass barrel (depending on the number of independent regents). The individual fluid volumes are isolated from each other by an impassable rubber septum. A bypass built into the glass barrel allows fluid to mix in between adjacent chambers as the plunger mechanism pushes the septum forward.

The default FPA configuration provides limited gas exchange and can be upgraded with gas permeable membranes to further improve performance for experiments with moderate metabolic requirements.

FPA Research Applications:
Microorganisms
Mammalian cells and tissues
Viruses and bacteria
Protein crystal growth
Biomaterials
Small plants/seed germination

FPAs are typically flown in groups of eight organized within a GAP. Each GAP provides a common plunger-design activation mechanism for the eight FPAs. The most common method employed currently is a manually-actuated hand crank. In the past, motorized GAPs have been used as well to execute automatic activations. All components of the GAP and integral FPAs are autoclavable and the GAP can be charged with a predefined gas composition to support unique experiment requirements.

SABL can accommodate up to 18 GAPs (for a total of 144 FPAs). They can be operated at ambient and can be refrigerated and frozen.