View From the Cupola: Twyman Clements
August 29, 2024 • By Twyman Clements, Space Tango President and Co-Founder
The possibilities that lie ahead are inspiring, as we explore space to find solutions to some of Earth’s most pressing problems. The Space Tango team is at the forefront of discovering how 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. can unlock new frontiers in research. Our journey isn’t just about science—it’s about transforming bold ideas into reality through the automated solutions we’ve meticulously designed.
Fundamental science is the bedrock of innovation. It’s the starting point where curiosity meets experimentation, and from this foundation, groundbreaking discoveries emerge. By understanding the basic principles of how things work in microgravity, we pave the way for applications that could change industries and improve lives. This is why we’re so committed to delivering publishable, impactful science that pushes the boundaries of what we know and can achieve.
This is possible thanks to the vibrant and collaborative community of 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. (LEO) users and providers, including the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) National Laboratory. These dynamic partnerships advance fundamental science and help lay the groundwork for a thriving space economy. As you dive into this edition of Upward, you’ll see how these collaborations continue to evolve and inspire us all.
Highlighted on the cover of Upward is research from the University of Notre Dame, which sent two investigations utilizing Space Tango hardware to the space station to study how bubbles form and behave in microgravity. Microgravity is the only environment where buoyancy is eliminated, allowing thermal bubbles to remain suspended for an extended period for observation. Findings revealed that bubbles grow larger and faster in the space environment. This crucial result provides a pathway to advance biosensors that could detect early cancer biomarkers. After a successful launch on Northrop Grumman’s 21st Commercial Resupply Services mission(Abbreviation: CRS mission) A CRS mission is a cargo resupply mission contracted by NASA to deliver supplies and research to the International Space Station on commercial spacecraft as part of the CRS contract with three commercial companies. As part of CRS missions, experiments currently return to Earth on SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that splash down in the ocean., Space Tango is excited to have begun a third investigation with this Notre Dame team.
This edition also features research from the University of Florida, a long-term partner of Space Tango, which used our CubeLab hardware for three tissue chipA tissue chip, or organ-on-a-chip or microphysiological system, is a small engineered device containing human cells and growth media to model the structure and function of human tissues and/or organs. Using tissue chips in microgravity, researchers can study the mechanisms behind disease and test new treatments for patients on Earth. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a multiyear partnership with the ISS National Laboratory® to fund tissue chip research on the space station. investigations to study age-related muscle loss, a condition referred to as sarcopenia. Microgravity allowed the research team to study muscle loss at an accelerated rate, and results could lead to new treatments for patients with sarcopenia on Earth. The CubeLab for this research was custom-made—the first and only of its kind, and we were able to image muscle cells as they contracted space. While the initial results were inspiring, we were dedicated to getting the science right. This was possible with continued iteration over multiple missions, which resulted in a standardized CubeLab design for valuable tissue chip research on age-related muscle loss in space.
The issue also highlights an investigation from Clemson University that utilized the orbiting laboratory to find sustainable solutions for the cotton industry. The project was sponsored by the ISS National Lab, funded by the Target Corporation, and supported by Techshot, which Redwire Corporation has since acquired. The Clemson University team examined gene expression in cotton plants to explore the genetics behind regenerating whole plants from single plant cells. The experiment found that microgravity may reveal genes that control this process, allowing researchers to effectively alter plants to add traits such as disease resistance and drought tolerance, benefiting agriculture both on and off Earth.
These investigations highlight the power of public-private partnerships in advancing fundamental science and, in the long-term, laying the groundwork for a commercial economy in LEO. The work described is a testament to the collaboration between industry, nonprofit, and government teams. My sincere thanks go to our flight partners, the ISS National Lab, and the space research community for pushing the boundaries of fundamental science. The investigations featured in this edition of Upward showcase just a few of the exciting ways we are leveraging microgravity to unearth answers for humanity and our greatest challenges.