First ISS National Lab-Funded Payloads Berthed to the International Space Station
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (September 30, 2013) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab), the nonprofit organization managing research onboard the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, congratulates Orbital Sciences on a successful launch of the Antares rocket and today, on the berthing of the Cygnus cargo vehicle to the International Space Station. Orbital’s successful mission also represents a milestone for the ISS National Lab: The first-ever the ISS National Lab-funded payloads have now arrived at the ISS. Orbital’s Cygnus cargo capsule berthed with the station Sunday morning.
In addition to fostering science and commercial payloads, the ISS National Lab is responsible for developing partnerships with organizations such as the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP), designed to bring young students closer to the ISS. On its maiden test flight, the Cygnus capsule transported three the ISS National Lab-funded education payloads from the SSEP. the ISS National Lab is a national partner for SSEP, whose mission is to energize students, grades 5 through 12, to design and propose real experiments to fly in low Earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles., onboard the ISS.
The the ISS National Lab educational vision is to use the discovery potential of the ISS to create a generation empowered to build a better future for humankind. Through the ISS National Lab funding, the following three student investigations were launched:
San Marino High School
San Marino, CA
Grade 11
Fibroblast Division in 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.
The purpose of their experiment is to observe the effect of microgravity on cell division and to compare the rates of cell division in the absence and presence of gravity, which is dependent on the number of cells produced. The cells that were chosen to experiment with are fibroblasts, which play a critical role in the healing of wounds. With the data from their experiment, they hope to improve the conditions of future life in space as well as to further our current scientific knowledge.
Howard Phifer Middle School
Pennasauken, New Jersey
Grade 8
The Effects of Microgravity on Eggshells and Vinegar
Does eggshell disintegration rate in vinegar differ in the presence of gravity and microgravity to infer the damage acids will have against our teeth in space? The resulting information can help in the development of dental products in order to protect teeth from acidic foods while in space.
A.R. Turner, C.C. Hardy, and Parmley Elementary Schools
Willis, Texas
Grade 5
Germination of Cabbage Seed
Students here want to test Savoy cabbage in space and see if the seeds will germinate more fervently. They believe this would be good for astronauts and agricultural companies because it would give astronauts and consumers more nutrients and a fresh source of produce.
“Today marks a significant and historic moment for the ISS National Lab, with our first funded payloads reaching the ISS,” said the ISS National Lab executive director, Col. Gregory H. Johnson. “It is also fitting that our first funded research that is investigated on the ISS comes from student inquiry, as one of the main goals for the ISS National Lab is to promote STEM initiatives that will incite the minds of tomorrow’s scientific leaders. In the coming months, we look forward to additional payloads being sent to station that will demonstrate the broad scientific scope that the ISS National Lab seeks to utilize all throughout humankind’s greatest technical platform.”
Additionally, the first the ISS National Lab-sponsored software was uploaded to the ISS National Lab. Windows on Earth, developed by TERC, will enhance and adapt software for astronauts replacing the previous multi-step process for targeting, photographing and geo-referencing images from the ISS.
Orbital Sciences is currently slated to send additional the ISS National Lab-sponsored research inquiries to the ISS as early as December.
Image Credit: NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
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About the ISS National Lab: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISS National Lab) was selected by NASA in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. The the ISS National Lab goal is to bring the magic of space down to earth. For more information, visit issnationallab.org.
About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation’s newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low earth orbit and varied environments of space. The ISS National Laboratory Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center currently facilitates research initiatives on board the station’s National Lab, but management of America’s only in-orbit laboratory is transitioning to the ISS National Lab.
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