Commercial access to a new Gravitational Biology Facility onboard ISS
- Paper number
IAC-12,A1,7,13.p1,x16138
- Author
Mr. Ulrich Kuebler, Astrium GmbH, Germany
- Year
2012
- Abstract
Astrium and Nanoracks have recently launched a new platform for microgravity investigations including centrifuge for gravitational research. The proposed centrifuge system, based on the famous BIORACK experiment container system had been developed by Astrium for ESA more than 25 years ago and has been used for more than 130 experiments for various topics, mainly in biology and life science. The joint facility allows a continuation of this research. It is operated under Nanoracks Space Act Agreement with NASA as part of NASA's National Laboratory on the International Space Station. It allows for a first time commercial users access to an in orbit centrifuge for 1-g reference and threshold studies. The research with this facility is hereby supported by a complete inventory of related experimental hardware from previous experimentation. The presentation will focus on the facility and experiment hardware and operations features, and will explain the process for selection and manifestation of interested users.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)