Cell Science: Studying How Life Changes in Space
Interior view of an incubator cassette from the Bioculture System
Media Credit: NASA/Dominic Hart
Some aspects of life function differently in space, and biologists can learn a lot about how it impacts human health by studying cells grown in the microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. environment of the International Space Station. A new research facility, called the Bioculture System, will let scientists carry out long-term cell biology studies that, in the future, will help scientists better understand how the key spaceflight factors – microgravity and space radiation – can affect human health. the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab is developing spaceflight research investigations that will use this Bioculture System to benefit both those on Earth and in space during long exploration voyages.