Ten Years on the International Space Station: Science Research in Microgravity Takes Off
- Paper number
IAC-08.B3.4.2
- Author
Mr. John Uri, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Julie A. Robinson, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The International Space Station (ISS) celebrates ten years of operations in 2008. While the station did not support permanent human crews during the first two years of operations, it hosted a few early science experiments months before the first international crew took up residence in November 2000. Since that time – and despite the complicated task of ISS construction and impacts from the tragic Columbia accident – science returns from the ISS have been growing at a steady pace. To date, early utilization of the U.S. On-orbit Segment has fielded nearly 200 experiments for hundreds of ground-based investigators supporting U.S. and international partner research. In the process, the ISS payloads and research community has learned how to plan and conduct research, and interleave science operations with spaceflight operational requirements; respond to the unexpected (from launch delays to new and exciting results); coordinate related investigations and broker data sharing in order to amplify the research from individual experiments. Today, NASA’s priorities for research aboard the ISS center on understanding human health during long duration missions, researching effective countermeasure for long-duration crew members, and researching and testing new technologies that can be used for future exploration crews and spacecraft. Most research also supports new understandings, methods or applications relevant to life on Earth, such as understanding effective protocols to protect against loss of bone density or better methods for producing stronger metal alloys. Experiment results have already been used in applications as diverse as the manufacture of solar cell and insulation materials for new spacecraft, the introduction of new methods for medical diagnostics in remote locations, and verification of complex numerical models for behavior of fluids in fuel tanks. At the 10-year point, the scientific returns from ISS should increase at a rapid pace. During the 2008 calendar year, the laboratory space and research facilities (both pressurized and external) will be tripled, with multiple scientific modules that support a wide variety of research racks and science and technology experiments conducted by all of the International Partners. A milestone was reached in February 2008 with the launch and commissioning of ESA’s Columbus module. Subsequent missions will add to these capabilities in a rapid sequence of flights, including the Japanese Kibo laboratory and several other research facilities and experiments. The realization of the international scientific partnership provides new opportunities for scientific collaboration and broadens the research disciplines engaged on ISS. In 2009, the number of crew members will increase to six. Engineers and scientists from around the world are working together to refine their operational relationships and build from their experiences conducting early science to ensure maximum utilization of the expanded capabilities aboard ISS. This paper will highlight significant science results and accomplishments, and discuss how the early science utilization provides the foundation for continuing research campaigns aboard the ISS that will benefit future exploration programs.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.B3.4.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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