View From the Cupola

April 23, 2024 • By Donna Roberts, Deputy Chief Scientist for the ISS National Lab

I am excited to introduce this edition of Upward® magazine, which highlights how flying robots, helpful sidekicks, and tissue chips containing living human cells all found their way to the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station). No, this isn’t from a science fiction novel—it’s all part of the exciting research sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®.

In this issue’s cover story, we learn about the Astrobees—a trio of free-flying robots that assist astronauts and conduct research and technology demonstrations on station. The Astrobees are also helping shape the next generation of space industry leaders through MIT’s Zero Robotics program, in which middle and high school students develop computer coding for the Astrobees to carry out specific tasks. Participation in the program will remain a highlight for these students for years to come. It brings to mind my first visit to a college campus to participate in a high school coding competition. Although I knew little about computer hardware or software at the time, to my surprise, I won first place. The experience sparked my interest in computers and left such an impression that I chose computer engineering as my undergraduate degree. Programs that engage students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are now more important than ever. A 2023 report¹ by the National Space Council found the number of students entering STEM fields has steadily declined. Meanwhile, a study² by the Space Foundation indicates a strong need for a STEM-educated workforce to support the continued growth in commercial space industry employment.

Another article in this issue highlights a special relationship between an MIT biological engineering professor and his students that inspired valuable research on post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This degenerative disease affects young adults who sustained a joint injury as a high school or college athlete. The condition is tricky to study, and space-based research could lead to a better understanding of disease initiation and progression. In an investigation funded by the National Institutes of Health, the team sent tissue chips containing knee tissues to the space station. Spaceflight has been shown to result in a greater than 10-fold acceleration of certain processes in the body by mimicking accelerated aging³. 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., disease progression and bone loss occur over much shorter periods—on the order of weeks compared to years on Earth—making it more practical to study cellular pathways involved in disease development and test therapeutics.

This issue also features the story of a small startup called Orbital Sidekick that had a big idea to provide Earth monitoring services to global customers using an advanced imaging technique known as hyperspectral imaging. However, the company needed to validate its sensor technology in space before deploying imaging satellites. Orbital Sidekick used the Nanoracks External Platform(Abbreviation: NREP) A platform that on the exterior of the ISS that provides power and a data connection and enables payloads to operate in the harsh space environment. This ISS National Lab commercial facility is owned and operated by Nanoracks. located on the space station’s exterior to test its sensor technology. This allowed the company to gain valuable operational data to move toward commercialization. This is a great example of how space-based research can provide significant value, helping innovative startups get off the ground. The story also demonstrates how the quick thinking and ingenuity of ISS National Lab Commercial Service Providers like Nanoracks can save a mission through real-time problem solving.

These stories may not be science fiction, but they are just as thrilling. They tell the tale of real scientific research enabled by the ISS National Lab to benefit humanity. Turn the page to read on and experience the excitement of science in space for yourself.

References

1. Roeder, T. Study Shows Steady Decline in U.S. Students Studying Engineering, Science. The Space Report. 2023. https://www.thespacereport.org/resources/study-shows-steady-decline-in-u-s-students-studying-engineering-science/
2. Borowitz, M. U.S. Space Employment Continues to Slow, Steady Climb Since 2016. The Space Report. 2023. https://www.thespacereport.org/resources/u-s-space-employment-continues-slow-steady-climb-since-2016/
3. Vernikos, J and Schneider VS. Space, gravity and the physiology of aging: parallel or convergent disciplines? A mini-review. Gentrol. 2010;56(2):157-166. https://doi.org/10.1159/000252852