MULTITROP: the challenge of using a refurbished hardware for an educational and scientific experiment on the ISS
- Paper number
IAC-18,E1,3,6,x47324
- Author
Prof. Giovanna Aronne, Italy, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”
- Coauthor
Dr. Luigi Gennaro Izzo, Italy, University of Naples
- Coauthor
Dr. Leone Ermes Romano, Italy, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Dipartimento di Ingeneria Aerospaziale
- Coauthor
Dr. Sara De Francesco, Italy, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”
- Coauthor
Dr. Veronica De Micco, Italy, University of Naples Federico II
- Coauthor
Prof. Stefania De Pascale, Italy, University of Naples "Federico II"
- Coauthor
Dr. Elisa Carrubba, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Gianluca Neri, Italy, Kayser Italia Srl
- Coauthor
Dr. Germana Galoforo, Italy, Italian Space Agency (ASI)
- Coauthor
Dr. Sara Piccirillo, Italy, Italian Space Agency (ASI)
- Coauthor
Mr. Giovanni Valentini, Italy, Italian Space Agency (ASI)
- Year
2018
- Abstract
It is current opinion that sustainable future in space is based on affordable initiatives. Reused rocket is a dream come true but in addition to the drastic reduction of flight expenses, new efforts should reduce costs of research experiments in space. The use of refurbished hardware can be a valid but challenging solution for researchers that have to reach their scientific goals accepting the technical constraints of hardware originally designed for satisfying requirements of different experiments. In 2017, ASI promoted YiSS (Youth ISS Science), a call for educational and scientific experiments to be performed on ISS during the VITA mission with astronaut Paolo Nespoli. Peculiarity of the call was the requirement to perform the experiment using hardware belonging to ASI and used for previous experiments in microgravity. The hardware was originally designed, developed and flight-certified by KAYSER ITALIA that was also responsible for its refurbishment. Among the 13 projects submitted for the competition, MULTITROP (MULTITROPism: interaction of gravity, nutrient and water stimuli for root orientation in microgravity) was the winner. The project was elaborated by scientists of University of Naples Federico II in collaboration with students from the University and the High School ‘Liceo Scientifico Silvestri’. In addition to the educational aims of enhancing young people’s interest in space biology, the experiment had a scientific goal in plant space biology. It aimed to disentangle the role of gravity from other two stimuli for root orientation: hydrotropism and chemotropism. ASI has funded and coordinated the program, also providing access to the space resources thanks to a bilateral agreement with NASA. MULTITROP was performed in a BIOKON container equipped with two Experiment Units previously flown for the Yeast In No Gravity (YING) experiment supported by ESA in 2009. The hardware was refurbished and slightly re-adapted to fulfill the mission requirements and to ease the accommodation and retrieval of the biological samples. Pre-flight and In-flight phases have been successfully completed while the Post-flight one is in progress. Students were much involved in experimental activities (including project design, laboratory tests, data elaboration) and dissemination events. They took part in the late access activities at NASA-KSC launch site. Students also stimulated people interest to space science and technology with a significant coverage by media. Specific aim of this paper is highlighting the methodological approach and student involvement to tackle the problems derived from using refurbished hardware. Lessons learned from this perspective are also reported.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-18,E1,3,6,x47324.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.