SPACE for LIFE Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter December 2011

→ SPACE FOR LIFE human spaceflight science newsletter December 2011

In this issue:

- ISS Science Incr. 28 & 29 - André Kuipers' mission - ESA Neurosciences status - Nespoli post flight tour - ESA Bed Rest Studies - Space Medicine Workshop - ISPS-4 Symposium - German Space Day - Upcoming topics

For full resolution of images use electronic pdf version

Hands and arms of ESA astronaut André Kuipers training in his space suit, for his December 2011 launch - in the Soyuz Training Assembly at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre near Moscow, Russia. Courtesy of Stephane Corvaja. Launch of Dutch André Kuipers 21 December 2011 - Another ESA astronaut onboard the ISS again after a 6 months break. ESA astronaut André Kuipers will be launched on 21 December from the Baikonur cosmodrome, in Ka- zakhstan, on board a Soyuz spacecraft, as flight engineer for Expeditions 30 and 31. With him in the Soyuz capsule Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko and NASA astronaut Don Pettit will go to the ISS. They are scheduled to remain in space for about five months, on ESA's fourth long-term ISS mission, this one named PromISSe.

ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers flew for board, and as a part of their activities they have performed the first time onboard the Dutch Soyuz ESA experiments. Here is an account of the last months of mission DELTA in 2004. At that time he activity onboard the ISS. stayed a bit over at week in Space, but this time he will remain onboard the Onboard Science activities - last 3 months ISS for about 5 months, until mid May 2012. During Kuipers' mission, increment 31&32, more than 25 experiments will Events during September 2011 be conducted. Kuipers, a medical doc- GEOFLOW-2 tor, will perform experiments in both human physiology The GEOFLOW-2 experimental programme was signifi- disciplines and physical sciences. Also biology and radiation cantly impacted by anomalies related to the Fluid Science monitoring and technology experiments will be performed, Laboratory (FSL) on the ISS. Engineering efforts have been as well as educational activities. A condensed record of the made to better understand the current anomalies, before planned activities on behalf of ESA can be found in this resuming the experimental runs. Several troubleshoot- Newsletter after p.3. ing activities have been successfully performed on the FSL Kuipers will be the next ESA astronaut on the ISS after Video Management Unit (VMU) subsystem. The outcome the station has had no ESA astronaut for more than six has been positive, as the FSL VMU has now been upgraded months, since 24 May 2011, when ESA astronaut Paolo with new hard-disks of much bigger capacity. Additional ef- Nespoli landed. fort has been made to acquire the micro-g levels during the In the meantime, other astronauts from NASA, the Russian GEOFLOW-2 science runs with the CSA-provided FSL Micro- and the Japanese Space agencies have 'had the guard' on- gravity Insulation Vibration System (MVIS). The GEOFLOW-2 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011

science programme has been successfully resumed on 26 ment hase taken place with NASA astronaut Mike Fossum, September, but needed to be temporarily put on hold due as part of his Voluntary Science activities. to limitations from the Ground Operation User Centres, the ERB-2 is a stereoscopic camera with an improved resolu- USOCs coverage. The overall science planning has been re- tion, 1280 x 720 pixels, corresponding to the HD 720p stan- assessed and the experiment completion is now planned in dard, and it is used both for live broadcast of stereo films as early 2012. well as for down-linking files of recorded video sessions.

Material Science Laboratory - September Recorded material is stored on a hard drive in the cam- For the Material Science Laboratory (MSL) Facility, the first era and, when full, these drives are from time to time two Sample Cartridge Assemblies (SCA’s) were processed sent down, last time with the Space Shuttle STS-134, that for the CETSOL-2 and MICAST-2 science projects, described landed on 1 June. In addition, the European Drawer Rack, a in earlier Newsletters, and on p. 7 in this one. An unfortu- multi-purpose versatile rack is used for down-linking video nate event happened during the processing of the SETA-2 sequences. Sample Cartridge Assembly (SCA), however: Due to the temporary failure of a central component of the US LAN, Events during October 2011 the MSL was automatically switched off during the critical solidification process. This had negative impact on the general perspective science, as the processing was interrupted before having The cargo ship Progress 44P mishap for a while upset the been completed, and on the furnace insert, due to the lack planning, as the very much needed supplies had to come of appropriate cooling. with the following cargo ship, Progress 45P. Further, the next crew launch with Soyuz 28S was put on hold for a while, whilst the investigations were running. A potential de-crewing of the ISS by Soyuz 27S return was considered in case Soyuz 28S would be further delayed. All ESA critical activities with JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furuka- wa and NASA astronaut Mike Fossum were in the week-by- week plan, but several objectives were delayed for NASA as- CETSOL solidification sample. tronaut Dan Burbank. Some of the physiology experiment Radiation and solar activity planned with him had to be slightly adapted, given the unexpected on-orbit duration of his stay (i.e. four months The cumulative radiation monitoring of the ALTEA-SHIELD instead of six). All in all, therefore, October did offer very experiment, that monitors the radiation spectrum and limited science opportunities, as indicated here after. energy inside the station, has been fully accomplished at the last location in the US-Lab. The science team has now gathered enough science data GEOFLOW-2 to terminate the ALTEA-SHIELD Survey experiment. The GEOFLOW-2 sci- The measurements from this payload (provided by ASI) will ence programme was be compared with those made outside of the ISS, in order successfully resumed to judge aspects such as radiation protection value of the on 26 September after materials used, as well as comparing spectra and energy the upgrade of the FSL levels. Video Management The experiment registers cosmic particle flux and can dis- Unit (VMU). In October criminate the type of particles and determine the trajecto- the science acquisition ries and energy level. was put on hold for Presently in NASA’s Destiny module, the instrument has roughly a month due GEOFLOW images from diverse experiments to limitations from the been mapping the radiation impact in 3 dimensions. runs. See also Newsletter February 2009: GEOFLOW - The miniature Earth model USOCs ground cover- The SOLAR external platform (click here) age. continues to monitor the On the way to comple- changing Sun spectral activ- tion, COLLOID-2 offered an opportunity for the science ity. Recently the SolACES team to study the ageing effects on the samples, and to instrument has encountered gather additional data from the COLLOID-1 experiment a decrease in its measure- performed end of 2010. ment efficiency, likely due to With Progress 45P, the samples of the next SODI experi- some hydrocarbons or water ment (DSC) have been delivered to ISS. vapour-based contamina- The SOLAR facility, here held by a tion on the optical elements. ESA Life Sciences experiments NASA astronaut. Courtesy of NASA While the root cause is still The IMMUNO experiment, has been resumed as a joint under investigation, the Russian-European physiology experiment. Russian cosmo- science and engineering teams have tested a work-around nauts have started the pre-flight BDC sessions. solution, which consists in heating up the instrument during the periods of no measurement of the Sun, and during any ISS manoeuvre events involving Russian vehicles Events during November 2011 arriving/docked/departing from the MRM-1/MRM-2/DC-1 docking ports. This strategy seems to work and instrument GEOFLOW-2 measurement efficiency could be recovered. The GEOFLOW-2 science programme has been resumed in November, and is progressing well, despite some opera- Technology demonstrations tional limitations related to ageing / degradation of the ERB-2 Experiment Container. The end of the science programme Finally, the Erasmus Recording Binocular (ERB-2) experi- 2 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 is projected to end of January 2012. experiment 4 times between January and May 2011.

Material Science Laboratory - November - VESSEL IMAGING By means of ultrasound waves, images can be formed of For the Material Science Laboratory (MSL) Facility, the structures in the body. In a certain frequency band, the sample cartridge could be removed, a health test of the higher the frequency used, the more shallow the image SQF Furnace has been performed after the removal. The will be formed. This offers the opportunity to investigate outcome of the detailed engineering assessment is still the dimensions of both superficial as well as more deep ly- awaited. ing structures in the body. Thus heart, brain circulation and superficial vessels are examined. SODI-COLLOID-2 and Microgravity Science Glove Box (MSG) In response to gravitation- Early November, al stress and exercise, the the SODI-COL- blood vessel diameters LOID-2 experiment, change. After spaceflight performed in the it seems that vessels that MSG was success- normally should contract fully completed: to maintain the blood The science out- pressure do that less well come was very than before the flight. satisfactory as all Onboard, gravitational objectives could be pull can be created ar- met, even comple- Ultrasound image of the portal vein, ESA astronaut Frank de Winne installing the one of the structures looked for tificially by exposing the SODI equipment on an earlier mission. mented by bonus lower body to negative Courtesy of NASA. science runs. air pressure, thus testing The next ESA in microgravity, to which experiment is currently hosted in the MSG, the SODI Dif- extent these reflexes are fusion and Soret Coefficient (DSC) could be started with changed. the delivery of the samples with Progress 45P. After some The effectiveness of the delay to optimize the quality of the science acquisition, this Lower Body Negative experiment is currently on-going and will continue until Pressure exposure, that is early January 2012. used as a countermeasure against the negative effects of Space, is likewise Physiology experiments resumed with NASA Ultrasound image of the kidney tested in this manner. astronaut The first experimental sessions for the physiology experiments targeting the NASA astronaut Dan Burbank (PAS- Present outlook. SAGES, THERMOLAB, VESSEL IMAGING), have been success- ISS research activities were reduced for a while until the fully performed in November, upon his arrival onboard 28S full crew complement of six was reestablished for a few flight. A short description of these experiments is given days with the arrival of three ISS Expedition 29/30 crew below. members on 16 November. After a few days of handover the three Expedition 28/29 crew members returned to - PASSAGES Earth. The next big event is now the 21 December launch of Andre Kuipers, as a member of the Expedition 30/31 crew PASSAGES is an experiment to be Their arrival on ISS on 23 December will again re-establish a continued by coming onboard crews. permanent six-person crew on the ISS. A description of the essence of the With the NASA Space Shuttle fleet retired, Soyuz will con- experiment is provided later under tinue to launch and retrieve the long duration crews from outlook to Andre Kuipers’ mission, the International Space Station. on p.4 in this volume.

Preliminary data indicate that there seems to be an altered perception of height, width and orientation in orbit. One of the images - used to evaluate if the astronauts' dimension perception in relation to own body dimensions is changed in microgravity.

- THERMOLAB THERMOLAB is a Human Physiology experiment looking at core temperature changes in humans before, during and after exercise performed on ISS. It uses the ESA-built Portable Pulmonary Function System (PFS). NASA astronaut Jeff Williams performing the THERMOLAB experiment Back to top Cady Coleman performed this onboard the ISS. Courtesy of NASA.. 3 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011

André Kuipers during the 2004 DELTA Mission to the International Space Station between 19 and 30 April 2004. ESA photo. André Kuipers preparing ISS expedition 30/31 for a long-term stay The fourth European long-term mission will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on 21 December 2011 and will last 5 months until mid May 2012. ESA astronaut André Kuipers will conduct this mission - increments 30 and 31 in ‘ISS language’. Kuipers will launch from Kazakh- stan in a Soyuz capsule, and come back as well in the same capsule. A preliminary programme of about 25 experiments is waiting for Kuipers - a medical doctor - in human physiology disciplines and physical sciences. Also biology and radiation monitoring and technology experiments will be performed, as will the compelling educational activities.

Here is an account of the planned experiment package that sumption and iso-caloric nutrition, i.e. he will eat daily the André Kuipers and his crew mates will perform during their same amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat. mission on ISS. PASSAGES - do I fit through the door? Human Physiology This experiment has been performed already a number of times onboard the ISS, latest SOLO - Sodium (salt) Loading in Microgravity by Paolo Nespoli and his crew Astronauts loose calcium from the skeleton when they mates, and will be repeated are in space, most likely because of immobilization of the by Kuipers. Normally at least weight-bearing bones. As a result, bone density decreases eight different test subjects during microgravity. need to do such experiments, It has been known since early last century that decalci- for the necessary statistical fication of the skeleton is stimulated by shifting of the calculations. blood and surrounding fluid pH in direction of acidity. At Each test subject has to do the same time, increase in salt intake is known both to three sessions of this experi- accompany increased calcium excretion marginally and ment, one early in-flight, one to stimulate light acidity in the blood. And finally, earlier in the middle of the stay and experiments in space indicate a higher degree of salt reten- one before return. tion in the body than in normal gravity. The experiment is based on the concept, that in order to plan appropriate actions relative to dimensions in our This complex of facts is the basis for the SOLO experiment direct environment, it is necessary that each individual has to compare bone degradation markers in urine to different a self-image of his/her own dimensions, velocity etc. The levels of salt intake. Bone markers are the metabolic waste question investigated is, if this self-image is influenced products found in the urine. by gravity and thus changes in space. The image above is illustrating the judgement our brain does unnoticed every The question raised represents a sharp focus on, when time we need to pass through e.g. a door. bone degradation (resorption) starts as an effect of pH and to which extent it can be linked to the salt level in the body. THERMOLAB - Monitoring long-term exposure to micro- Findings in this area are crucial for understanding one of gravity the central processes in the balance in bone formation and The THERMOLAB experiment uses the ESA-developed bone resorption. Portable Pulmonary Function System to investigate thermo-regulatory and cardiovascular adaptations during Kuipers will at a few occasions follow a special 5-day diet of rest and exercise in the course of long-term exposure to constant low and normal sodium intake, high fluid con- weightlessness. The portable PFS basically uses data from 4 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011

breathing gases as ing structures in the body. Thus heart, brain circulation and indirect and/or di- superficial vessels are examined. rect measure for the In response to gravitational stress and exercise, the blood sought values. The vessel diameters change. After spaceflight it seems that Maximum Volume vessels that normally should contract to maintain the

Oxygen (VO2 Max) blood pressure do that less good than before the flight. is aimed at measur- Onboard, gravitational pull can be created artificially by ex- ing oxygen uptake posing the lower body to negative air pressure, thus testing and cardiac output in microgravity, to which extent these reflexes are changed. Kuipers testing in particular, during The effectiveness of the Lower Body Negative Pressure the Portable PFS training various degrees of exposure, that is used as a countermeasure against the Model at ESTEC, exercise. negative effects of space, is likewise tested in this manner. in Noordwijk, Netherlands. ESA photo. SPACE HEADACHES - Incidence and characteristics The origin of headache can be many, as most people are EKE - Aerobic responses in space aware. This experiment will screen astronauts for symp- toms and development characteristics etc. in order to The preservation of astronauts’ aerobic capacity is a major understand better the reasons for developing headache in goal of exercise countermeasures during space missions. space, a frequent occurrence amongst astronauts. Head- As one of the parameters indicating exercise capacity and ache characteristics will then be analysed and classified indirectly of endurance, maximal oxygen uptake during according to the International Classification of Headache exhaustive exercise, the VO max, is measured. 2 Disorders. As exhaustive exercise is not under all conditions what you want to do on orbit, an alternative is to check changes in ENERGY oxygen transport at a certain heart rate. Reduced oxygen uptake relative to the earlier measurement will then indi- Being in space evidently loads the body far less on aver- cate a deterioration or the opposite in work capacity. The age than on Earth because of the lack of gravitational pull. protocol uses a stair-case step function, pre-programmed Exercise is prescribed to increase the necessary loading, into the exercise ergometer, so that you exercise for a fixed and astronauts exercise almost every day in order to keep time on a certain level, and then step up to next level. muscles and skeleton in good condition. Also this experiment makes use of the Portable PFS. Astronauts’ body mass in almost all cases is reduced during a long-term flights, and the reasons are not well under- IMMUNO stood. The messaging mechanism on the immune cell surface Monitoring of energy consumption as compared to energy seems weakened in space. Internally in the cell, changes intake in the form of food, is tedious and complex, but this also take place in the way that the actions of critical en- experiment tries to get as complete a picture of this rela- zymes apparently are less effective. tion as possible. One of the several complicating factors for these measure- Earlier studies on diverse animal species indicated that ments is the fact , that the body is composed of around circulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol, coincides 70% water, so that even small changes in body water will well with the immune response weakening, and it has have a significant effect of the body mass measurements. been shown that cortisol is back to normal level after 1-2 The systematic ongoing negative energy balance observed weeks in space. Also other studies indicate that the con- in flight also contributes certainly to such a loss, in addi- centration of cortisol is important. tion to the effect of disuse of muscles, that leads to lower overall muscle mass. Recent studies continue along these lines in pursuit of a This experiment therefore focuses on: better understanding, in preparation of longer space jour- 1. Measuring changes in energy balance due to long term neys and with a clear clinical spin-off for terrestrial condi- space flight, and tions. In cardiovascular studies it has been established 2. Monitoring adaptation in the components of the total that catecholamines1 are higher than normal in space. This energy expenditure. seems to act in the same immuno-depressing direction. 3. Finally, these data are hoped to contribute forming an equation for the reel energy requirements of astronauts. Which of these, or combination of which are the important ones impairing the immune system, at least for a while? NEUROSPAT Are the immune cells indeed susceptible to lack of gravitational impact? The IMMUNO experiment is trying to find EPM/NEUROSPAT started answers to these questions. out as the second neurosciences experiment VESSEL IMAGING - The blood flow performed in Columbus, and the experiment is By means of ultrasound waves, images can be formed of near its conclusion. structures in the body. In a certain frequency band, the It is an experiment con- higher the frequency used, the more shallow the image cerned with the spatial will be formed. This offers the opportunity to investigate and visual perception. the dimensions of both superficial as well as more deep ly- The experiment was 1. Catecholamines is the common name for a group of physiologi- described to some detail cal chemical compounds with the same basic chemical structure, that in Newsletter September profoundly impact factors such as heart rate, blood perfusion, and nerve 2010. The test subject for traffic in the body. Adrenalin or epinephrine is one well known of those. Andre Kuipers in NEUROSPAT training. Most commonly they work via receptors in the blood vessel walls. They the NEUROSPAT experi- are produced in the body. ment, will wear an EEG cap for registration of brain activity 5 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011

during the NEUROSPAT tasks performance, supported by tells us that we have ‘problems’, and as such a programme ESA’s European Physiology Modules rack. been conducted over a large amount of years involving a The experiment examines changes in spatial orientation large number of flown astronauts, we are building up a and perception during spaceflight. These changes will be significant experience database. assessed by recording behavioral measures (speed and The data collection sessions connected to Kuipers' flight are accuracy) as well as neurophysiological signals (EEG, EMG) identified in the following. during performance of a series of visuo-motor tasks. The pre-frontal part of the brain is of particular interest, as this EDOS - Early detection of osteoporosis in space is the part of the brain where the effect of stressors such as “Early Detection of Osteoporosis in space” (EDOS), is one of fatigue, sleep deprivation or hypoxia can be seen. the post-flight activities. Now, loss of bone mineral density in space is not to be cat- MARES-SARCOLAB egorised as osteoporosis per se, and probably has a more straight forward reason - etiology - than osteoporosis on The Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System - MARES, Earth (the evident central difference is the change in grav- is the most advanced muscle research system ever flown in ity regime, but how exactly it works on the skeleton is what space. It was conceived starting in 1993 and is able to give we are looking for). values for all components in the muscle-tendon system, in Nevertheless, space as such in this manner offers an obser- almost unlimited experiment settings. All muscle research- vation window for what happens when otherwise healthy ers involved with space are excited to see the outcome of persons are exposed to lack of gravity for a shorter or - in the first experiments. particular - longer period of time. Loss of bone mineral can not easily be measured by scanning methods and the like, as significant changes are needed before such methods reveal the change. On the other hand, we now have significant experience with the so-called bone markers from space crews - the metabolic waste products that in particular can be observed and measured in the urine, but also, and for other informative factors, in the blood. Bone markers reveal as early as 24 hours after a change in the constant gravity direction, that something has changed in that respect, and we do in this manner get a picture of the biochemical reality in bone under such conditions, and as a very early indicator of a shift in the status quo.

The EDOS experiment uses a computer tomography NASA astronaut Shannon Walker, Expedition 24 flight engineer, with (3DpQCT) scanning method - a device that has a very good the voluminous MARES hardware during installation in the Columbus measurement resolution - one of the key problems in all laboratory. Courtesy of NASA. scanning methods. With increased resolution we will be able to see ever smaller changes, so a development in this Many muscle status and performance experiments have sector is of utmost interest. been performed over the last two decades, but sophisti- Space-based loss of bone mineral and osteoporosis evi- cated measurements were mostly made before or after the dently must share a number of characteristics, as well as flights. This has been interesting enough, and the many a significant part must be different, and it is this distinc- experiments have given good information, but measuring tion between the observations in a person that has been the same parameters under weightlessness conditions will diagnosed with osteoporosis, and that in healthy astro- yield information that cannot be achieved in normal grav- nauts, which eventually may give us a clue as to why bone ity on Earth. mineral is lost overall. MARES will be commissioned by Kuipers and experiments following could well result in a new phase in the under- Top osteoporosis researchers claim, that as much as 75% standing of how muscle function adapts to space condi- of the findings in osteoporotic patients may be caused tions - a world without gravity, and in addition to which by their unfortunate genetic profile. In most cases, space extent muscle function is related to the sensing of gravity. based bone mineral loss must be explainable in rather dif- These things we simply do not know yet. So MARES will be ferent terms. a ‘first’ via the experiment activities of Kuipers in 2011-12, and probably one of the most prominent ESA physiology SPIN experiments for a long time. Kuipers, before he became selected astronaut, for a time Another area that is of concern and high interest is the ef- was Project Scientist on MARES and therefore has an intrin- fect that lack of gravity has on the balance organs. sic knowledge of the facility. In daily life on Earth, we always know the direction of the gravity vector, as all movements we do, happen against Ground based human studies that force. Onboard an orbiting spacecraft there is no gravity to be sensed, so when astronauts close their eyes, they In relation to every flight with astronauts, a ground-based cannot tell what is up and down. Gradually therefore vision programme is performed, partly as a way to harvest control takes over the control whilst in space. data, that can form the basis for an evaluation of the data Coming back to Earth after a longer stay in space is there- that is obtained on ISS, and partly as a set of experiment fore a subjectively violent experience, as the exposure to activities, which - in particular after the return from a stay sensing gravity has been ‘forgotten’ to a significant degree. in space - can ascertain which effect weightlessness has Even though turning, and accelerating onboard the ISS had on different body functions. does give information to the sensory organs, so that astronauts feel that, this happens without the presence of the It is therefore natural to focus on areas where experience 6 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 very strong Earth-gravity component, we normally have upgraded and now called DSC/DSCMIX or DCMIX. The as background. The way the body ‘re-learns’ to deal with experiment will investigate the physics of a mixture of gravity, and in particular how the relevant sensor organs three different fluids, so-called ternary fluids. The objective register it, is what the SPIN experiment is after. is to test thermo-diffusion theories and develop physical and mathematical models for the estimation of (thermo) Measurements done, address if e.g. the sense of the natu- diffusion coefficients. ral vertical is disturbed. This could indicate asymmetry in the balance system, which in itself is an interesting and MSL-BATCH 2A: CETSOL-2 and MICAST-2 and SETA-2. important observation. Diverse tests challenging the bal- CETSOL and MICAST were earlier discussed in Newslet- ance system are performed, such as tilting the body on a ter September 2010, which was the time for uploading stretcher, standing upright for a certain period, etc. sample material for these experiments to the ISS. SETA-2 is explained on p.2 here. Two basic aspects are of interest, namely to gain a better understanding of the sensor functions, and an operational The samples will be processed in the Materials Science one, which for the future astronauts will be of importance, Laboratory namely how one prepares in the best way for a land- CETSOL - Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Solidifica- ing on another planet after maybe six months in space. tion Processing, and MICAST - Microstructure Formation in Understanding the basic mechanisms better will give us Casting of Technical Alloys under Diffusive and Magneti- better possibilities for designing efficient countermeasure cally Controlled Convective Conditions are two central programmes in such situations. In parallel with findings experiments that examine different growth patterns and in space, daily clinical practise can profit from the same evolution of microstructures during crystallization of me- improved knowledge. tallic alloys in microgravity.

Biology Typical parametres looked for in solidifica- The biology facility that will be used for experiments dur- tion in the CETSOL experiment: ing Kuipers’ mission is the self-contained KUBIK, which is accommodated in the European Drawer Rack (EDR) Dendritic columnar growth ... incubator.  Nucleation of equiaxed grains  Sedimentation, rotation of equiaxed grains KUBIK has housed a very large number of experiments  Blocking of columnar structures lately, and will during Kuipers’ stay be housing the experiments KUBIK-ROALD2 (ROle of Apoptosis in Lymphocyte Depression). CETSOL looks at the microstructure of growth appearances as indicated above. It is supposed to study the transition KUBIK-ROALD2 from columnar growth to equiaxed growth that occurs ROALD-2, ROle of Apoptosis in Lymphocyte Depression when crystals start nucleating in the melt and grow forms an important continuation of the immunology independently. These are parameters that are essential to research that has been performed in space for more than understand for the casting industry. 2 decades. ROALD-2 will in particular look at the life cycle of cells to determine if the have a tendency have a shorter MICAST looks at the microstructure of growth appear- life in space than on Earth. The investigation is targeted on ances as indicated in the image below. finding possible reasons for impaired T-Lymphocyte function that has been observed in space. Typical parametres looked for in solidification in the MICAST experiment: Physical sciences Dendrite tip shape ...  Primary dendrite spacing GEOFLOW-2  Secondary dendrite arm spacing  Macro- and micro-segregation Andre Kuipers will continue the execution of the GEO-  Mushy zone morphology FLOW-2 experiment, now the facility has been upgrade with more capacity. The experiment is described on p.2 here. Radiation MSG-SODI/DSC Radiation detection and recording is a standard com- The Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument (SODI), sup- ponent of modern space missions, due to the fact that ports research in the field fluid physics. radiation is health endangering for space crews. Monitor- SODI has at several occasions been in action. It is located ing and recording can be and operated in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) done in many ways and in order to provide containment, as fluids worked with constellations and differ- theoretically could escape. ent parts of the radia- One earlier experiment was IVIDIL, an experiment that tion spectrum can be of investigated the influence of vibration and temperature interest. gradient regimes on the fluid observed. Onboard the ISS, presently the ALTEA instrument A further experiment was COLLOID, investigating phe- is monitoring radiation nomena linked to colloid solutions. That experiment was events in different loca- performed in October 2010 and will be done again around tions. October 2011, prior to the arrival of Kuipers. The ALTEA-SHIELD instrument Further, the SOLAR facility During his stay, Kuipers will be performing the DSC ex- with its external instru- periment - Diffusion Soret Coefficient - in the meantime 7 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011

ments will continue observations and registration of solar events.

As of September 2011, yet another radiation detector TRITEL (name indicating the presence of three dosimeter tele- scopes) will be onboard. This is an active dosimeter with quite some built in data processing electronics, that will process the counted radiation hits and give real-time dose indiction in three axes. It will in this way be able to provide the interpretation and conversion into absorbed dose values for crew onboard the ISS. TRITEL will distinguish between contributions from galac- tic radiation and solar radiation, and is supposed to offer improved dose indications to the ISS crew. NASA astronaut Randolph Bresnik on 21 November 2009 with the un- Even though the radiation load environment onboard the furled AIS antenna, attached to Columbus to be used for experimental ISS is fairly well known by now, it is of utmost importance tracking of VHF signals of ships at sea. Courtesy of NASA. to continue this monitoring, not the least to gain experience with the effect of the occasional, dangereous solar flares. Education Technology demonstrators Two educational experiments as part of André Kuiper's The successful VESSEL ID instrument is a technology spaceship Earth educational programme are planned: demonstration test case that will continue during Kuipers’ flight. A comprehensive account of that was provided in 1) One experiment on the behaviour of foam under micro- the March 2011 Newsletter. gravity, the EPO-FOAM-S experiment. On Earth, the fluid in addition the METERON experiment will be initiated. phase of the foam will drain due to gravity, and that will METERON = Multi-Purpose End-To-End Robotic Operation not happen in space. This and many other fundamental Network is a platform to provide ‘educated answers’ to the characteristics of foam will be examined and demonstrat- question of how future “operator in space” robotic mission ed. architectures need to be implemented. 2) Another experiment (EPO-Convection) will demonstrate Finally, the NightPod is a device to support and improve the role of gravity in the process of heat convection. Didac- digital photography for Earth observation at night. In par- tic links will be made between the small scale convection ticular, making use of the Cupola’s Nadir window, it will be experiment and the large scale convection patterns on possible to mount a digital camera on the device and sup- Earth, with particular attention to the Earth's atmosphere port the task of taking pictures of a specific ground target and oceans. with long exposure time, compensating for the ISS/Earth relative motion.

This unique photo of the ISS with Space Shuttle Endeavour docked was taken by Paolo Nespoli from the Soyuz capsule at a few kilometers distance from the ISS. Courtsy of ESA/NASA. Back to top 8 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 Weightlessness is tricking our senses - ESA's three separate ISS experiments in Neurosciences reveal some of the secrets born and living in a world of constant gravity, our organism does not know a world without it. We can get a little taste of it whilst being relatively weightless when diving in the sea. but the complete absence of gravity and buoyancy is only experienced onboard an orbiting spacecraft, like the ISS. There, lack of gravity input influences our ability to orient ourselves optimally in some situations. ESA has now completed three experiments focusing on the balance and orientation system in Space.

Careful experiment design Neuro-vestibular experiments in Space require careful equipment design and consideration of the experiment protocol, as the human senses are not easily fooled. Onboard the ISS, even being blindfolded, test subjects still can orient themselves via the hearing, at least if there is a directional difference in the envi- ronmental sound patterns. Some experiments are sensitive to this, others are not. Experiments that ask the subject to identify a direction (up and down and the like) do need the hearing to be shut off, by means of ear plugs. Experiments that play on the visual perception, mostly make use of the fact that, if the full field of view is covered by what a head mounted display shows, hearing plays a minor role. Such experiments specifically play on the interaction between the eye- vision and the balance organs located in the inner ear.

NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff engaged in preparing for the 3D SPACE experiment. When set up and ready to start, the test person will pull a blindfold- ing hood over the head and start the experiment, free floating.

Three experiments have been designed to inves- nisms - they experience impaired movement coordination, tigate the effect of gravity, on our ability to vertigo and spatial disorientation - situations and perception that are caused by inappropriate impulses from the orient our selves relative to our environment. balance sensory organs to the central nervous system The experiments and some of the results are (CNS). When the brainstem has to bring order in and orga- described in the following. nise these signals relative to other balance signals, there is a mismatch and the resulting conclusion may be, that 'I Experiment 1: ZAG - Z- move.. ' whilst the body in reality is stationary. axis Aligned Gravito- inertial force This kind of movement illusions is what the ZAG experi- We have all experienced ment is trying to decipher, and in order to do that one feeling dizzy for one or needs as a minimum two things, namely 1) an accurate the other reason, the registration of the movements and position of the test feeling of being out subjects, in addition to a constant registration of the eye of balance and maybe movements, and 2) an accurate synchronised reporting even falling over, with- possibility from the test subject, of what kind of movement and direction he/she feels is taking place at all times during In this sketch of the ZAG experiment set- out any exterior signs of this dizziness. As an the experiment. To this end the subject has a joystick simi- up, the blue central part is the seat where lar to those used for controlling a helicopter. the subject is located. The red pie-segment- effect of the feeling of shaped parts form the cradle that can imbalance we need to swing back and forth. The entire structure But the experiment goes further: can move back and forth along the red- correct, in order not to fall. Imagine, that you as a test subject want to report a move- yellow track. See also text. Source: ESA Ex- ment in a certain direction on the joystick. This is the basic periment Scientific Requirement Document An observer will not (ESR) ESA-HME-ESR-OTO-I1R0. register that anything request, but in another test-mode, you can control the is wrong. movement and velocity of the experiment machinery - you have the ability to make the system do what it takes to give Likewise do astronauts, returning from Space often have you the feeling of standing still - that you and the machin- movement illusions, that can be ascribed to similar mecha- ery do not move anymore ...... 9 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011

Without movement illusions you would with high likeli- orientation. In particular, gravity represents the central ref- hood make the facility come to a standstill, but if you do erence for spatial orientation, as indicated in the figure. In have movement illusions, the facility might de facto still the absence of gravity, - as is the case onboard the ISS - the move when you as a test subject think you have made it sensory hair cells are no longer biassed, or loaded, by grav- stop. This experiment however only works, if you can not ity and the associated signals to the brain indicating head orient visually. position and movement no longer correspond to those in This is the ingenious way in which the design of the ZAG the familiar repertoire 1-g Earthbound environment. facility at any time will allow to demonstrate the move- A “sensory mismatch” arises - contradictory and confusing ment illusion the test subject has, which will be the inverse processing of spatial orientation. of what mechanically is being registered. This gravity-sensing role of the balance organs has enjoyed ZAG Experiment setup particular attention from Space neuroscientists since more On the sketch the than two decades, and the possible origin of the so-called Tilt axis ±45º test subject will Space Adaptation Syndrome - the nausea and vomiting be placed more Dual wheel that many astronauts experience during the first days of C friction drive a spaceflight - is related to the sensory mismatch experi- or less where the G red dot is. See Air bearing track enced on entry into microgravity. with ironless In particular the potential asymmetry in the function of also the previous linear motors figure. the organ in each inner ear is in focus as a location where a Translation axis The gondola with possible explanation could be found (each ear has one set the test person ± 3.7 and these may not register all situations identically, thus m can swing around asymmetrically). a horizontal axis and the entire mass can in addition move As the otolith signals are also utilised to stabilise the static back and forth along a 3.7 meter long track. This latter position of the eyes - their signals influence the tonus happens on an aircushion, in order to eliminate orientation control of the extraocular muscles – the measurement of cues in the form of vibrations, and the like. eye position and movements provide an inroad to the assessment of the otolith function. The astronauts report the perceived motion in response to different combinations of body tilt and translation in dark- One hypothesis is that the ness, and by manually controlling their own orientation symmetry of the signals the resulting position of the movement-generating devices from the right and left inner reveals to which extent you are able to judge whether ear organs may be disturbed you move or stand still. In turn, the deviation will give an in the absence of gravity, indication of the error in this judgement, and thus a value resulting for example in for the distortion in the perception organs. This 'error' value an incorrect judgement of vertical, perception of what is then inserted into the algorithm for calculation of the A test subject in the rotator, adjust- expected output. is truly vertical. Normally we ing the red line to what is felt to be Science Coordinator: G. Clement et al., International Space are able to identify the verti- vertical. University, Strasbourg, FRA cal with an accuracy of less Source: ESA Experiment Scientific than a few degrees. Requirement Document (ESR) ESA- HME-ESR-OTO-I1R0.

gelatinuous Experiment 2: OTOLITH otoliths material The word otolith is Earlier studies by this group , derived from Greek and performed with cosmonauts and astronauts onboard MIR means 'ear stone'. The and the ISS have provided evidence that the signals from schematic on the left the otolith organs or lack thereof, influence the coordina- illustrates the principle tion of eye movements . details and function of the otolith sensory organ, In accordance with what seems to be a general character- hair cell istic of our sensory systems, an adaptation to the altered HEAD UPRIGHT supporting situated in the inner ear, sensory cells gravity conditions – as a result of the plasticity of the brain nerve as part of the balance fibres organ. The otoliths, or – occurs, the sensitivity, or 'gain' (the relationship between otoconia, are tiny CaCO3 stimulus and response) is re-adjusted to accommodate to gravitational grains that rest on top the prevailing conditions. force of a gel-like mass with nerve-connected hair cell The former ISS experiments, conducted over six month sensor organs in-layered. missions, demonstrate that systematic changes in eye- gelatinuous head coordination and stability of eye position control material Holding the head in dif- pulled ferent positions deviat- persist throughout spaceflight. For example the so-called downwards ing from normal vertical ocular-counter-rolling (OCR) reflex, which – under 1-g conditions on Earth – causes a compensatory rotation of hairs will displace the otoliths of hair which in turn stimulate the eye in the opposite direction to head rotation, is near- cells absent in 0-g. bent the sensory hair-cells in HEAD BENT FORWARD the gel. This stimulus The present experiment examines, amongst other things, changes the electrical how this OCR reflex re-adapts after re-entry into 1-g condi- Source: Cornell University signals to the brainstem, tions. Such adaptation processes in the brain represent the where all orientation sig- essence of the experiment. nals are integrated to form meaningful messages regarding position or type of movement at any point in time. A relatively new test of otolith function, based on the mea- As the principal sensor for gravity and linear acceleration surement of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential or VEMP, the otolith organs provide essential information for spatial derives from the response of the otolith organs to acoustic 10 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 stimuli. The stimuli consist of a sequence of loud clicks ing images at the retina in each eye are not quite identical, - similar to those widely used in clinical hearing tests. In and this difference enables our brain, that computes the addition to the hearing organ, the otolith organs respond images to allow us to see them as one, but as an effect of by sending a signal to the lateral head-mover muscle on the angle, also to determine the distance to the object. the side of the neck - the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This Is the object very close to our eyes the angle - the parallax response can be recorded by surface electrodes, providing a - is large. Is the object very far away, the angle is very small. measure of the otolith response. This is the tool for the brain to make us judge distances very accurately. How are the investigations done? Early on, this group of scientists noticed, that this depth perception was impaired when examined with the head tilted. With their intrinsic knowledge of how the complex apparatus is composed, that is controlling balance and left labyrinth right labyrinth movement accuracy in all contexts, they hypothesized, that on-axis on-axis left utricle the finding they made was a proof that not only gravity right utricle stimulated stimulated but also the direction of the gravity vector plays a role for depth perception. Logically, therefore, they hypothesized, that depth perception would be impaired in Space where no gravity influences the individual. But how it would be influenced still Ocular torsion Radius 2.0 (° right) 4 cm was to be seen. left

1.0 The 3D SPACE experiment was conceived as looking at exactly these aspects.

Preliminary results of the 3D SPACE experiment period = 17.12 s Based on initial experiments performed onboard one of left eye 1.0 right eye radius ESA's Airbus 300 Parabolic Flight Campaigns, the team could make interesting conclusions regarding differences 2.0 (° left) between depth perception in normal gravity and the same observation during the weightlessness period of around 20 Source: ESA Experiment Scientific Requirement Document (ESR) ESA- HME-ESR-OTO-I1R0. seconds on each parabola at the PF campaign. What they saw was, that when test subjects were asked to In order to investigate the aspects described, two tests are adjust the sides of an initially not quite regular three-di- used before and after the flight. mensional cube, to what they would perceive as correct (all 1 ▹ An asymmetric rotation paradigm (figure above) is ap- sides should end up being of identical length), on ground plied to investigate the Otolith Ocular Reflex (OOR) i.e. the both height and depth were adjusted on average to a cor- reflex connection between the otoliths and the muscles rectness within 0.5%, whereas the width of the cube in all controlling the eye movements. The axis of rotation is in cases was underestimated by around 4%. the rotator set to go exactly through, first the otolith organ on one side, and thereafter similarly in the other side. This Performing the same tasks onboard the Airbus under mi- has the effect that one side is neutralised, as no sidewards crogravity, the estimation of the width actually was signifi- effect is experienced, and one can then comfortably ob- cantly better - 0.56% accuracy - than on ground, whereas serve the action of the other side . This allows for a judge- they set the height to be around 3% smaller, and the depth ment if both sides separately give the same response, and to be around 3% longer. Turning this around, describing thus if any aspect of asymmetry can be identified. how test subject see a regular cube under microgravity, it can be concluded that a cube to them looks around 3% 2 ▹Applying the mechanisms of the VEMP described above. taller, 4.5% thinner, and 3.5% less deep than on the ground. Here, the electromyogram (EMG) i.e. the electrical activity Science Coordinator: G. Clement et al., International Space of the Sternocleidomastoid is registered during the acous- University, Strasbourg, FRA tic stimulus. Conclusion Of critical importance is that all three of the employed The hypothesis, that perception of 3D objects is changed approaches - eye movement measurement, estimation during microgravity as compared on the ground was thus of vertical and VEMP measurement constitute unilateral proven. In addition to the indications above, the depth tests, i.e. the function of the right and the left ear organ is aspect of an object is also altered in Space. evaluated individually. The experiment is designed as a pre- to postflight compari- As mentioned under the OTOLITH experiment, an intrinsic son of otolith function. Accordingly, the changes in otolith reflex connection exists between the muscles that control function after spaceflight microgravity are monitored and eye movements; i.e. the otolith organs which sense linear the re-adaptation to 1-g Earthbound conditions is tracked. acceleration and the semicircular canals, which sense rota- Science Coordinator: A. Clarke, Charité Medical School, Ber- tion of the head. Above all, the sensing of gravity ( where lin, GER is up and down !) represents the central reference for our brain throughout life, whether this be stabilization of eye Experiment 3: 3D SPACE control or complex cognitive tasks of spatial orientation. Our ability to judge accurate distance to an object, be it an One interesting finding is that there appears to be a domi- object within reach or much further away, is based on bin- nant balance organ, similar to handedness or eyedness. ocular vision. Each of our eyes actually see the world in 2D. The above conclusions have been confirmed in the ISS As the eyes are placed a distance apart in our head, the di- experiments, but full conclusions from the these, now rect line from one eye to an object forms a small angle with completed experiment will have to wait for final scientific the same line to the object from the other eye. The result- publications to appear. Back to top 11 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 The MagISStra and STS-134 missions post-flight tour - connecting with scientists who's creations finally flew

Visit to the Natioanl Laboratories of Gran Sasso underground facility, at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), near L'Aquila. Postflight tours are often the completion of Nespoli, who welcomed the STS-135 Crew onboard ISS as an a more than a decade long effort to finally ISS Expedition 27 crew member recalls ''When the AMS- 2 arrived on the ISS we had reflected over all the efforts accomplish, that complex facilities and instru- made by many scientists from many countries for more ments have been brought into action in Space. than 15 years to conceive and design AMS and bring it into A deep feeling of team accomplishment is often orbit” and “it’s touching to see these many young scientists experienced and demonstrate the dedication here who work with great passion”. and commitment both scientists and astro- The astronauts presented their mission to the universities nauts have for the work they perform. of Pisa and Rome, Sapienza. There they had the opportuni-

Being IN the heart of a mountain, 1,400 meters under the rock, was something quite unusual for those, who are more used to work onboard the International Space Station. ESA astronauts Paolo Nespoli and Roberto Vittori, accom- panied by their respective ISS and Shuttle crews, visited the National Laboratories of Gran Sasso at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), near L'Aquila. Lucia Votano, director of the Laboratories, guided the astronauts through the underground tunnel to introduce some of the world’s best experiments tracking neutrinos, dark matter and antimatter - all elements which the present astronauts had to deal with during their space flight since the STS-134 Mission’s main purpose was to install the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer -2 (AMS-2) onto the ISS. Nespoli listening to questions from the auditorium at La Sapienza. ty to meet some of the high level Italian physicists involved in the projects. Both events gathered over 2 000 students and professors to listen to the report of and extra-ordinary mission bring- ing the AMS-2, a unique instrument onto the ISS in order to learn more about our universe. These encounters were perfect occasions to bring together the scientists and engineers designing the experiments prior to the spaceflight and the astronauts, who fly the payloads and sometimes conduct the experiments in space.

Audience in the auditorium at La Sapienza.

12 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 Weightlessness on Earth - there is no such thing.....

But how close can one come? And why is that interesting? Transitory exposure to weightlessness-like situations have no permanent effect on humans. Mostly any effect goes away within 24 hours. The permanent lack of gravity exposure onboard the ISS does however impose more permanent effects. This is on one side a problem and on the other an advantage - to researchers who want to understand how our body responds to lack of gravity. Understanding that, allows us to better understand the effect of gravity. Keeping people bedridden permanently for a number of months creates similar effects.

The model and the effects In bed rest studies, healthy human test subjects are put to The Call for Ideas forms a part of the basis for defining the bed in a head-down tilt position (-6°, i.e. level of the feet final Announcement of Research Opportunity for the next higher than level of the head). They remain in that posi- coming bed rest study. tion 24 hours per day for durations between 5 to 60 days Study activities and experiments are always defined on or longer, depending on the study aims. Remaining in this the basis of these external proposals. Proposals are taken horizontal position takes away the normal daily rhythm of through a lengthy evaluation process, that considers, medi- getting up and being vertical for the major part of the day, cal, technical, and ethical aspects of acceptability for being a position that due to gravity, loads the body in the long performed in the context of a bed rest study. axis every day. When this does not happen, we see changes When scientists define their individual experiment, they in the skeleton (bone loss) and loss of muscle mass, in ad- need to take into account what they need of equipment, dition to cardiovascular deconditioning. These appearances measurements, and biological samples, but when a num- are due to what one could term 'disuse'. Onboard the ISS ber of similar, partly overlapping experiment proposals we see similar changes. Bed rest studies are therefore a rel- have been accepted, synergies are found and a streamlined evant and useful model for testing mechanisms of physi- set of experiment protocols defined. As an effect individual ological changes. As an effect we can deduct what to do to scientist almost always end up needing less sample mate- avoid these negative effects and define countermeasures. rial than initially requested, as data and samples asked for overall often can be shared. ESA has been organising bed rest studies since many years, the first longer studies being performed during the mid A typical study operates with one control group and one or 1990'ies. two intervention groups. The control group participating On the basis of the early experience, it was in 2005 decided without any form of experimental intervention, another to define the strategy for the coming 10 years. With the may do regular exercise, and a further group may be asked future long-duration exploration missions coming up, all to ingest medicine of one or the other kind. what had been learned in early studies now needed to be used in the definition of future countermeasure models. Studies can as well be defined with one group being exposed to a certain, promising countermeasure approach, Prior to any upcoming study period, a 'Call for Ideas' is be- that has been defined as a part of the programme, whilst ing announced by ESA. one other will function as control. Such a call for ideas does not mean that well-established models do not exist, but they are rather a necessary step Standardisation between studies to ensure that the latest novel ideas are being considered, As bed rest studies are logistically complicated, costly and so that these can play a role in defining study designs, for require a long preparation period, it has over the years studies that often start years later. made streamlining of these studies mandatory: Back to top 13 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 To a certain extent, each study will have a set of 'core data', rent bed rest strategy: Artificial Gravity (AG) and nutrition. i.e. data, that are always necessary. These have to do with the standard health monitoring of the test subjects, but Artificial Gravity in this context means spinning the test in addition experience has shown that a large number of subjects on a short arm centrifuge (image), head to the required parameters repeatedly are being asked for in each center, feet pointed outwards. This model has been chosen study. A large number of these parameters are nowadays a as the one that - under the given conditions - gives the best built-in component of each study. This does not only have mimicking of the way gravity normally influences our body. the effect that the way they are harvested is standardised and can be simplified, but also, and more importantly can Preparation for the real study be compared between studies, to the extent that they can In preparation of the next upcoming bed rest study, two form the basis for common statistical analyses. short duration studies, with head-down tilt periods of 5 EARLIER STUDIES PRESENT AND FUTURE STUDIES days, have been performed, investigating different AG protocols, as well as pilot testing an exercise regime that could

LTBR 01-02 ARTIFICIAL be performed on a centrifuge. Two more medium duration GRAVITY - 1 studies (defined as a 21-day head-down tilt period in the SDBR PERFORMED IN 2010 ESA standards) are planned. STBR 01-02 @ MEDES, FRA ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY VIBRATION-EXERCISE Both studies involve exercise during centrifugation. Modi- MDBR ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY MDBR fications to the ESA centrifuges, required to make this BBR-1 ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY - 2 exercise feasible, are being currently being studied. SDBR BBR-2 PERFORMED IN 2010/2011 @ DLR, GER Nutrition interventions - why? WISE Loss of bone and muscle mass is one of most critical physi- NUTRITION NUTRITION NUTRITION (NUCw. alkalising agent) (whey w. alkalising agent) + EXERCISE ological changes induced by spaceflight. In order to at least NON-ESA MDBR MDBR MDBR SUPPORTED STARTED SEP 2011 STARTING FIRST HALF 2012 partially counteract these changes, astronauts exercise RESEARCH PERFORMED IN 2010 @ DLR, GER @ DLR, GER @MEDES, FRA every day on board the ISS. In order to induce muscle growth on Earth, people often The current version of ESA’s bed rest strategy. Studies in yellow are increase their protein intake. This allows a faster muscle Medium Duration (21d) Bed Rest Studies (MDBR). In pink Short Duration tissue anabolism. A downside of proteins is however, that (5d) Bed Rest Studies (SDBR). it adds acidity can lead to what is called a mild “metabolic acidosis” - a slight change to the pH of the fluids in the Standardisation efforts body. This in turn has a theoretical, negative effect on the There are two aspects to standardisation on which a lot of skeleton, by stimulating increase of the breakdown of bone work has been done by ESA in recent years: tissue. So while protein intake may be good for the mus- ▹ standardisation of study conditions and cles, it may aggravate the known problem of loss of bone ▹ standardisation of measurements. mass in Space. The definition of a set of standardised measurements But potassium bicarbonate added to the diet is supposed ensures that independent of the selected experiments, one to counter the metabolic acidosis created by the increased can always be sure to have a minimum of data available protein intake. to characterise the functional effectiveness of the tested In the NUC (NUtritional Countermeasure) study, which countermeasure. took place in 2010, the effects of pure potassium bicarbon- As standardisation of these studies is so essential, a study ate in bed rest were studied. This study is now followed by group in the frame of the International Academy of Astro- a recently initiated study that combines potassium bicar- nautics is working since a couple of years in order to define bonate with whey protein, which in itself already produces similar standards on an international level. less acidity than the animal protein normally used in supplements. In the figure above the current ESA bed rest strategy is il- A study planned to start during the first half of 2012 will lustrated. investigate the ultimate aim, adding exercise to the nutritional supplementation, in order to verify the hoped-for positive effects. As an effect of these studies addressing the areas indicated, the ESA bed rest strategy will soon be updated. Still within 2011, a new call for countermeasure ideas will be published.

Clinical aspects for benefit to patients The knowledge from studying healthy persons confined to bed for extended periods of time, will have consequences for bed ridden patients in general. Healthy subjects offer the advantage, scientifically, that changes are not influenced by diseases, whilst patients are hopitalised because they have a health problem. Today’s society is much less physically active than earlier, and the ageing population is The ESA short-arm human centrifuge. Two are available, one in each of more sedentary, leading to metabolic and other changes the main centers used by ESA for bed rest studies, the space clinic Medes similar to what we see in bed rest. in Toulouse, France, and the DLR Institute for Aerospace Medicine in ESA's approach described here is supposed to enable us to Cologne, Germany. maintain the leading edge of current scientific knowledge, as a basis fot taking further steps into space, while at the Focus of next studies same time contributing to addressing societal challenges Two main countermeasures are given priority in the cur- here on Earth.

14 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011

Students' new ideas for solution of medical problems in Space

ESA's Crew Medical Support Office (CMSO) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany and the Human Spaceflight Promo- tion Office, ESTEC, the Netherlands, welcomed the group of 28 students from eight different ESA member states to the EAC for a workshop on space medicine. CMSO in this manner seeks to stimulate interest and educate students in relation to the “human” aspect of human spaceflight. With the next generation of missions in mind, Bachelor and Master level students of medicine, physiology, sports science, biomedical engineering and other life science related fields were encouraged to come up with new concepts for solving medical problems on future human spaceflights. Members of the 3rd prize winning team practising Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscita- tion to devise a new CPR method suitable for microgravity. team proposals would therefore have to address one of the Announcement of Opportunity three topics above. The AO further gave guidelines regard- The standard approach used by ESA Human Spaceflight to ing context, aspects to address, etc. recruit proposals for experiments and science activities is by issuing so-called Announcements of Opportunity (AO) Human Spaceflight director welcomes for research. The same approach was applied in recruiting The selected 28 participants from eight ESA member states teams and individuals for the Space Medicine Workshop. were welcomed by the ESA Director for Human Spaceflight and Operations Mr. Thomas Reiter. Mr. Reiter is a former Proposals astronaut who flew long-term missions both onboard the Proposals received in response to such AOs have to follow Russian Space station MIR, as well as onboard the ISS. strict guidelines to be accepted, and they are reviewed by a panel of specialists, specifically selected to judge the A week packed with specialists and information particular scientific disciplines in question. Also supporting the activities during the workshop week In this manner students immediately got a taste of what is were additional experts from ESA, the German Space expected when proposing experiments to ESA for e.g. the Agency, DLR, and from the French Institute for Space Medi- International Space Station or other microgravity plat- cine and Physiology, MEDES, Toulouse, France. forms. These experts assisted during the week in providing background knowledge on the three workshop topics, in Leading Space agency specialists support addition to space medicine in general. The reward for being selected for this student workshop The programme provided a complete package covering was the direct contact with, and advice during the work- all aspects of crew health support and maintenance, by shop week, from some of the leading experts in Space involving relevant experts from the European Astronaut Medicine, Dr. Jeff Davis, NASA Life Science Director, Dr. Centre in general, as well as a programme demonstrat- Jean-Marc Comtois, CSA Life Science Director, and Dr. ing diverse test and intervention facilities, such as the ESA Volker Damann, head of ESA Crew Medical Support Office, Short Arm Human Centrifuge, a Lower Body Negative Pres- CMSO. sure device and tilt table at DLR's Institute of Aerospace Medicine, located close to EAC. Workshop topics Student tasks The 'AO' used in this context identified three areas of activity to propose for, namely After the thorough introduction to what space medicine and astronauts entail, small teams of student participants 1) Off-world Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), were formed, with the task of jointly devising, preparing 2) Artificial Gravity and and delivering solutions to the topics of their proposals. 3) Medical Data Management. Not restrained by existing concepts and do's and don'ts In order to pass the first selection criterion, students and student worked up solutions in line with their own ideas and in that process defined the best compromises between

15 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011

several, topic-wise related proposals from the individuals. transferring knowledge and expertise from today’s space professionals to Europe’s youth, and vice-versa, the latter On the last day eight group presentations were given by likely becoming tomorrow’s human space flight managers, the participating students - the results of the hard work scientists, doctors and crew. over the preceding days, and the three best ideas were Events like these form the development of next generation identified. specialists, building on the experience that has been harvested over the last many decades. Space agency experts Eight teams offered a broad span of interesting and in- in the instructor-teams are crucial for identifying the many sightful proposals, some from perspectives not normally reasons why research into and health maintenance of pursued by incumbent professionals. space travellers is a very unique branch in the Environmen- tal Medicine and Physiology. The winners Finally, the very particular aspects of maintaining physical The judges granted the third prize to one of the teams and mental health of Space crews were brought across to working on off-world CPR. The three students had devised the 28 person strong, highly motivated student group. a new method for CPR in hypo-gravity, which they had If you qualify, consider applying for the next Space Medi- named the “Seated Arm-Lock Method”. Their prize for win- cine Workshop for Students! ning third place was an annual subscription to Space Flight Now Plus, a web service providing space related video footage.

The second prize went to another off-world CPR teams, who had tested a number of unconventional CPR methods, concluding that their foot-to-sternum technique could be effective in hypo-gravity, but providing a decision flow chart to enable future astronauts undertaking planetary exploration to decide which form of CPR would be most appropriate in their given situation. They were awarded the text book “Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine”, written by Dr. Jeff Davis Winning team with the 'Sky Wheel' - From bottom clockwise: Gunnar Erz, (Director, NASA Life Sci- Gaël Boivin, Chan Sivanesan, Andrew Winnard. ences) who personally signed each copy. Both second and third place awards were provided courtesy of Wyle GmbH.

The first prize went to one of the teams solving the artificial gravity task. The four students of that team had devised a new countermeasure system that consisted of an exercise course taking advantage of the typically circular shape of space craft modules. The system was termed “Sky Wheel”. They returned to the concept implemented by Pete Conrad in Skylab in the early 70ies, where he was running around the circumference of the module, generating centrifugal force through his own speed of movement. For their innovative idea and creative presenta- Student participants and EAC experts and specialists in front of the tion, the team was European Astronaut Centre. awarded fully funded participation in the European Low Gravity Research Association Symposium that took place in Antwerp, Belgium, in September 2011.

General observations The workshop was a fantastic experience for participants, who up to that point in time had only had marginal contact with Human Spaceflight. The themes and content of the week were seen to offer useful and valuable learning experience for the students. Workshops of this nature, when part of a wider health Student winners and EAC Head of CMSO, Dr. Volker Damann (left) and education programme, offer an effective method of Chairman of ESA Medical Board, Dr. Bernard Comet, from MEDES (3rd from left). Back to top 16 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 Physical Sciences in Space: 4th ISPS Symposium, 11-15 July 2011, Bad Godesberg, Germany

Group picture with all ISPS-4 participants. The International Symposium on Physical Sciences in Space returned to Europe after visiting Canada in 2003 and Japan in 2007. This fourth occurrence took place in Bonn on 11-15 July 2011, co-organised by ESA and the Institute for Materials Physics in Space at DLR Cologne, Germany.

Addressing the 240 participants from 18 different coun- column configuration. tries with this citation of Henry Ford “Coming together is a ▹ Finally N. Mangelinck (Uni. Marseille) reported on a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together wealth of detailed in-situ observations of cellular growth is success”, Prof. J-D. Woerner, Chairman of DLR’s Executive experiments in transparent alloys. Board set the tune of the Symposium. M. Zell, Head of ESA’s Astronauts and ISS Utilisation Department then empha- These four first keynote lectures very well illustrate the sized how intensive international cooperation and coordi- breadth of science covered by the ISPS participants, at the nation enables the partners to the ISS project to select and same time showing that the ambition of the scientific realise series of experiments in many different domains, committees in each area could be met. both internally and externally to ISS. New light on the processes that drive physics in Space The Symposium programme Numerous presentation of experiment results on diffusion The programme was engineered by the international in liquids with in particular the ground-breaking measure- scientific committee under the coaching of the co-chairs A. ments performed by Giglio (Uni. Milano), Cannell (Uni. Meyer, I. Egry (DLR Cologne), S. Takeuchi (Univ. Tokyo) and V. Santa-Barbara) and their colleagues, cast new light over Fortov (JIHT Moscow) with the ambitious objective of pro- the most fundamental process driving space experiments. moting synergies and hopefully original research between sometimes not so close disciplines. Solidification - use of different microgravity platforms Solidification experiments using various platforms, alloys Main topics addressed and techniques are progressively filling knowledge gaps in Several keynote lectures introduced most of the main top- this field, as introduced by L. Ratke (DLR Cologne), P. Voor- ics that are currently addressed in the ISS programme. hees (North-Western Univ) and H. Henein (Univ Alberta), ▹ C. Salomon (ENS, Paris) introduced atomic sensors and but as one could expect, every answer comes along with clocks in particular for high precision relativity tests. many new scientific questions. ACES is in the final phase of manufacturing and testing. Considering the blatant perspectives with space in this Capillary flow - profit of latest microgravity experiments field, further projects are already well advanced, a fact that In fluid science M. Dreyer (ZARM Bremen) had very recent E. Rasel (Uni Hannover) demonstrated later in the week. results from a capillary flow in open channels to present; ▹ O. Petrov (JIHT, Moscow) described how fluid physics the long experiment time afforded by the ISS will enable studies at virtually the molecular level can be performed adequate systematic scanning of a wide range of para- using complex plasmas and how much science has already meters and, thereby, the thorough testing of numerical been generated by the series of PK instruments in space models. including on the ISS; no doubt that the next generation will bring this science to yet another level of similarity with Liquid layers physics in Space molecular dynamics. In a different configuration, and precursor to liquid layers ▹ S. Matsumoto (JAXA, Tsukuba) presented the results from evaporation investigations on ISS, S. Dehaeck (UL Brussels) long series of fluid dynamics experiments using a liquid reported on the various patterns of Marangoni-Benard 17 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 convection that could be observed in space. This introduced a session on heat transfer that has become a prominent The GeoFlow Experiment on the ISS: research topic on the ISS and is subject of intense and very Observation of convective heat transfer in spherical geometry efficient international cooperation. Scientific Objectives Main purpose of Geoflow is the experimental observation of thermal convective instability. The main feature of GeoFlow is its geometry. That is, at variance with the many experiments that, since the pioneering work of Benard, have been performed in planar, cartesian geometries, GeoFlow aims at observing flows in a spherical geometry that is subjected to a central force field. Such a condition, obviously impossible to reach on ground, due to the uniaxial gravity field, is achieved by simulating buoyancy driven The Materialsconvection Science through a central dielectrophoretic Laboratory field in reduced gravityon conditions,the ISSproviding Soft matter - foams, emulsions, colloids and dust a benchmark for a rich variety of numerical problems which are still a challenge for scientific research. In order to mimic the basic features present in planetary convection, the spherical cell is

FIGURE 1 Section of simulated temperature field able to rotate. The combination of different temperature different, central force field strength inside a rotating spherical shell. The sphere is heated from the inside. Thermal plumes are erupting A very active domain concerns soft matter. This includes and rotation speed –expressed by the Rayleigh and Taylor hydrodynamic numbers- gives towards the outer region. The simulation corre- 95 scientists from sponds to Ra= 5000 and Ta= 30000. rise to a rich variety of spatio-temporal patterns. foams, about which N. Vandewalle (Univ. Liege) reported Although far from the extreme conditions found in real planetary systems, impossible to reproduce experimentally, EUROPE, USA,GeoFlow is believedRUSSIA, to provide a first CANADA benchmark for numerica andl models thatJAPAN aim to tackle the profound complexity of planetary flows.

on the surprising stability in space of foams made of pure FIGURE 2 Map of the GeoFlow runs as a function of Ta andare Ra number. Depend inginvolved on the combination of pa- in projects utilising the MSL rameters, the planform possess peculiar spatial and temporal features, as indicated in the inserts.

liquid; emulsions, loosely compacted grain or granular Introduction:

TheMeasurements Implementation of the Materials Science Laboratory (MSL) is subject of an agreement between NASA and ESA dating back 1997. gases, colloidal suspensions and also dust in ionised or ESAThe contributes temperature fieldthe iffacility, observed furnace by Wollaston inserts Shearing and cartridges Inter- and NASA contributes the hosting Experiment rack and geometry the in-orbit resources. Internationalferometry (WSI). teamsA The Selectable oftechniques scientists gives prepare a map ofdirectional theOptical refractive solidification Diagnostic experiments of alloys Instrument andInner semiconductorsphere radius: 13.5 materials mm on usingISS MS L. non-ionised gases as results pour in, this community co- index of the fluid, in turn dependent on the local temperature. Outer sphere radius: 27 mm Experiment parameters TheT Materials between the Science two spheres: Laboratory 0.2 to 10.1 K.(MSL) operating more intensely as each domain can contribute a Rotation rate of the spheres: 0 to 2 Hz WSI picture Strength of the central force field: 0 to 10 kV 6 Research groups from stand-alone tests   Two Furnace Inserts for directional solidification are available Sample - Low Gradient Furnace (LGF) different facet to a very large problem. The from convective - Solidification liquid Europe, is M5 and Silicon Quenching oil, a Russiabenchmark Furnace fluid (SQF) and GeoFlowCanada operations are currently using SODI in convection experiments. The M5 oil has a viscosity of 5 cSt The operations of GeoFlow are managed by the Spanish User Operations and Prandtl number Pr = 64 Centre EUSOC (Spain) and by the MARS center (Italy ), that operate the P. Liu (Uni. Harvard) recalled the long list of observations Introduction Samples of up to 20mm diameter and 245mm inOptical length can GeoFlowtechniques be EC and the Fluid Science Laboratory respectively. Interfero- Introductionprocessed at temperatures up to 1400ºC, monitoredOptical with TCs gramstechniques and telemetry are transmitted to ground, and distributed to the sci- For instruments that are operated in long duration microgravity Mach-Zehnderentific community interferometer by EUSOC. Near Field Scattering experiments on board the International Space Station, modu-  made on colloidal suspensions that now call for further,  Thermal Modelling Tool (TMT) to support the optimisationTwo colour ofGeoFlow interferometer:proc- has been 670/935 activated nm. on August 6th 2008 and operated until Janu- larity is an important feature. That is, in order to optimize the 2 ess parameters  Field of view:ary 10th5x10 2009. mm The experiment container has been brought to ground for availableDesign resources, of the instrumentexperiments should container not be dedicated to a Schematic concept of the MSL facility  Two orthogonala thorough probing refurbishment light beams in preparationFIGURE 1 Sketch of the of IVIDIL the The GEOFLOW experiment contComplexainer (EC) will be imple- or Dusty Plasmasintegrated in the MSRR-1(above),sample cell (topin view). The andcellthe ISS particular experiment but instead serve a broader range of sci- (IVIDIL) allows the interferometric ob- more detailed studies, whereas M. Sperl (DLR Cologne) GeoFlow II mission. servation of the sample in two MSL flight unit without its front panels  Ultrasoundmented in the Diagnostics Fluid Science forLaboratory interface (FSL) velocity on the Interna-measurements orthogonal directions FIGURE 5 Astronaut Greg Chamitoff, Expedition 18 flight ence, yet ensuring a tailor made set-up due to the intrinsic  Phase image by step methodintegrated (DSC) in the ofright hand side part of engineer, installs the Geoflow experiment container in the tional Space Station (ISS). The experiment container is Fluid Science Laboratory (NASA image gallery) post–acquisition Fourierthe analysis. MSRR. uniqueness40x27x28 of a cmscientific3 which investigation. allows its insertion in the FSL optical  Accommodated in NASA’s Materials Research Rack Post in acquisitionDestiny refocusingCourtesy: capability Astrium under through ESA contractdigital reported on quantitative stress measurements on loosely bench. The design and manufacturing of the GEOFLOW EC FIGURE 3 Sketch of the Near Field Scattering set-up. The sampleIn-orbit is illuminated installation by a collimated plane ofwave. This concept is at the basis of the Selectable Optical Diagnos- Experimental results A microscope objective (typically 20x) images a plane at some distance z from the center of the sample cell holography onto the Charge Coupled device sensor. The microscope objectivethe LGF is mounted furnace on a translational insert stage so sincehas been 28th successfully August 2009; completed. more than 10 samples have already been that it can make ain image inside the sample cell. tic Instrument (SODI), developed by Verhaert Space NV,28 RESEARCHDuring the activationGROUPS period, 10 runsFROM have been performed Courtesy: NASA (Kruibeke,successfully Belgium) underprocessed contract of the European Space spanning different rotation regimes, from quasi no Novelrotation scattering technique equivalent to static packed particles and related theories. Finally R. Schrae- Fluid cell Integrated EC (0.008 Hz) up to 2 Hz angular frequency. A typical image Agency (ESA), which combines several optical techniques in a light scattering [reference] EUROPE, RUSSIA, USARotating tray AND JAPANsequence is depictedARE in INVOLVEDFigure 6. The (ongoing) INanalysisTHIS PROGRAMME modular set-up to be hosted inside the Microgravity Science  Relaxed requirements on optical alignment Scientific Objectives allowed to confirm some numerical predictions for (heterodynethe runsIncrease technique) of the secondary dendrite arm Glovebox (MSG) on board the Columbus laboratory.Adaptative Three optics ex- at high rotation. The interferograms show remarkable simi-spacing due to the application of magneti- pler (Univ. Braunschweig) demonstrated how this physics INTRODUCTION PK-4 SCIENCE Light Source OBJECTIVES wavelength: 935 nm cally controlled melt convection in space . periments will be performed in SODI: FIGURE 2 Working principle of the Two-colour Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The set up is equipped with a larity with 3  piezo-controlled mirror for phase unwrapping.  impact of fluid flow on the as-cast microstructure of industrially rele- the Lowpre- anglePreliminary scattering results technique: obtained down on sounding to 3x10  IVIDILvant Al-based alloys under controlled convectionEC casing -> preparatory cm-1 rocket flights: the right picture shows the PK-4: a scientific payload planned for the International Space Sta- The elongated DC-plasmadicted chamber nu- microstructure of PK-4 is featured especially in cross suited sections relates also to the formation of planets with the added  DSC High voltage SoundingConcentric spheres Rocket experiments show an impact on the dendritic merical pat- of the samples processed in space: top tion, for research inpower the system field of “Complex Plasmas” capitalising on for investigations of complex plasmas in the fluid phase, e.g.  COLLOIDstructure tern for the with controlled convection, bottom under the successful collaboration of the Max Planck Institute for Extra- transition from laminar to turbulentpurely streaming diffusive conditions on the micro- The instrument same set of FIGURE 6 GeoFlow image for run with moderate rotation. The images is recon- terrestrial Physics, the Joint Institute for High Temperatures Modular instrument of theproviding scopic MZI and NFS level. On ground such experimentsstructed from 6 images, acquired are with a fixe distortedd optical interferometer while by the cell complication that thermal gradients can represent. parameters. Courtesy: DLR Cologne Influence of VIbration on DIffu-  Influence Russianthe columnar Academy of to VIbration Equiaxed of Sciences transition on andFOAM DIffu- DLR.-> a previous COARSENING CellsSounding grouped inRock arrayet (one dedicatedgravity arrayor even per in experiment) impossible. the The ISS analysis of data is still ongoing, and more experiment has shown that the position of the CETOptical is influenced diagnostic setup by mounted on translational stage. results are expected for the no rotation run sion in Liquids (IVIDIL)  Cell array exchangeable on orbit (IVIDIL and DSC) sionComplexmicrogravity in Liquids or conditionsdusty (IVIDIL)plasma: The experiments can be dividedcase, where into different3 classes convective of fundamental patterns are  For safety considerations, COLLOID enclosed in observed dueFIGURE to the 6 Design absence of the SODI COLLOID of cell the (left). The stabilising cell is a quartz cuvette of internal This project focuses on the measure thermal and isothermal 3 This is a low-temperature gaseous mixture composed of ionized questions: volume 10x25x2 mm equipped with a stirrer. Five cells are grouped in an array (right) that is leak tight box contained in a leak tight box that is operated inside the MSG. diffusion coefficients in binary systems subjected to controlledFSL (Central Ex- action of rotation. gas, neutral gas and micron-sized particles. The micro-particles  formation of microstructures during directionalperiment ModulesolidificationTemperature accuracyFIGUREat low 7 Comparison 0.01 between K, experimental stability and numerical ± 0.005/hour prediction for a high rotation run. The image Droplets for combustion studies vibration under different values of amplitude and frequency, is a single frame, and the rotation axis crosses the image approximately in the middle of the field of view. become highly charged in the plasmaopen and for interact inser- stronglyThe analysis with shows a fair qualitative1. agMicroscopicreement with numerical predictions. properties The of complex plasmas growthColumbus rate laboratory of peritectic alloys such as Fe- or Cu-basedTemperature allo differenceys. across the cell up to 15 K providing reference data for the validation and testing11tion of of nu- researchthe EC)(DSC and IVIDIL). Isothermal groups conditions for involvedCOLLOID eachVery peculiarotheron ISS through morphologies the Coulomb have beenforce. observed These interactions for ground experi-can, in 2. Macroscopic properties of complex plasmas mericalspecific codes conditions,and models. Ground lead tobased a self-organised activity currently fo-structure Up to 5of cells the per micro- array 3. Generic properties of classical many-body systems cusedments on: but with a well identified influencefrom of natural EUROPE, Vibration convection level (IVIDIL): from USA 12.5 to 70 mmand amplitude JAPAN M. Kikuchi (JAXA, Tsukuba) explained in his keynote some particles: a so-called plasma crystal. “PK” stands for “Plasma Reference: The experimentB. Futterer, has been C. successfully Egbers, performed, N. Dahley, between , S. Koch,and from and 0.05 L. to Jehring, 2.8 Hz frequency, “First parallelidentification to the MZI of sub- and supercritical convection patterns from Kristall”. optical beam FIGURE 7 Design of the SODI DSC cell (left). The cell has an internal volume of 5x10x10mm³, ‘GeoFlow’, microstructure the geophysical formation flow during simulation solidification experiment of ternary integrated alloys inalong Fluid Science Laboratory”. ActaTransport Astronautica Properties:without dead, zones. 193 Five cells (2010) are mounted in an array that is depicted in the DSC experiment OctoberThe FOAM 2009 and project Janu- includes different experiments to study the “stability”, “coarsening”, and “rheology” of foam in microgravity.configuration66 (right). In addition, one cell filled with tracers (right position in the array) is probed by a fixed MZI optical bench remarkable droplet array combustion experiments in drop- arytheThe 2010. eutectic FOAM-C More thanpath. Experiment 30 The results Container shall for support the Fluid the Science validation Laboratory of com- (FSL) in Columbus will enable coarsening measurements. Points of Contact at the European Space Agency: Velocity over gradient graph showing a Physicalrunsputer have Sciencesimulations been Unit per- predicting microstructures as a function of the Dust DiffusionFormation of eutectic cells in bulk, polycrystal- comparison of the position of the co- line samples from ternary Al-Cu-Ag alloys. The [email protected] are foams interesting?  Hydrodynamics (viscosity) of Dusty Plasma formedprocess on parameters. two binary lumnar to equiaxed transition of direc- morphological instability of initially planar solid / Emulsions and foams are present in everyday life: milk, cream, oil… but the internal dynamics tionalThe solidified 3 experiments: AlSi samples. Results towers and on sounding rockets. Several other investiga- mixtures.are not understood. The experi-  Heat Transferliquid interfacesin Dusty and Plasma the morphology of eutectic have been obtained on the MAXUS 7 FIGURE 4 False colour concentrationAtomic map in case of no vibration (left) and a 2 Quantum Sensors on thecells dependISS not only on the alloy composition mentdetached allowed toBridgman observe Hz, growth52 mm amplitude harmonic of amplitude.Ge-Si The cells and are heated fromCd-Te above crystals to under- flight.The project comprises three experimentsand the growth velocity, but also on the mutual Applications: Courtesy: ACCESS e.V. orientation established between the two solid forstand Foamthe first study the time ismechanisms afully challenge develo forped manythat thermo-vibrational industriespromote Thewho such want convec- ACES configurationstable foams: food,Mission that material, yields pharma- and Future Perspectives2. Thermodynamics 1- StabilityFIGURE of 8 Design foams: of the SODI IVIDIL cell (left). The cell allows forphases a MZI probing Alof the and sample Al in 2twoCu orthogonal of the directions. eutectic. Besides the principal cell, another companion cell tions in the field of combustion were reported on as well, filled with tracer particles is mounted on a an array (right). The cell array is in turn mounted on a vibrational stage that vibrates the cells in the direction parallel to the light beam. tion.crystalsceutics, or withwaste fewerwater treatment defects and and crude try oil andrecovery duplicate where separation it on ground phase is required. The objective is the study of foam stabilityCourtesy: and ACCESS struc- e.V. Atomic senIVIDILso r helpss a quantifys sp thea influencece in ofs truments to testuret f uwithn opticaldam ande conductimetryntThermodynamical la wmeasurements.s of Functionsph ysic s and develop including the report on an impressive series of experiments vibration on diffusion-based experi- COLLOID Phase Transitions applications in differe2-n Coarseningt area sof weto ffoams rStructures,e s(detailedear cin Two- thish poster): and ThreeFoam StabilityParticle's Experiment Corre- on ISS ments. Results show a negligible contri- This experiment is developedIn the general in FSL. context The of objective formation is of colloidal crystals that are of inter- Metallic foam bution of g-jitter.Food Reliablestability diffusion coeffi- the study of diffusingest processes in lations the photonic and the industry, structure the of pro- Points of Contact at the EuropeanTherapeutic Space Agency: foam FIGURE 9 Sketch of the SODI instrument inside the MSG volume, in Objectives: cient measurements are possible on the the COLLOID (top left) and IVIDIL (top right) configuration.wet Astronaut foam with multipleject light focuses scattering on a spectroscopies specific colloidal on flame propagation in clouds of metallic particles. This SteadyMrs. state Daniela component separa- Voss BobMr. Thirsk Marco assembling SODI Martella for the IVIDIL experiment (bottom) FIGURE 5 Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES): Mission Concept tion across- Coarseningthe height z, linear as expected law in of wet foams and conductimetry measurements. case of no vibration.Project ScientistISS MSL Project Manager system3. Kinetics where the interparticleand Statistical inter- Physics - Stability mechanisms [email protected] 1 Sketch of the DC discharge plasma chamber for PK-4 Fig.2 [email protected] of “lanes” of particles in a cloud col-action is tuned by the preferential ad- - Rheological properties of very wet foam mixturesWetlision foam that within on areearth a representative(photo:complex Durian group, PENN) plasma (courtesy of3- theRheological three of MPE) main properties of wet foams: presentation by F. Tang (McGill Univ) formed a true fire sorption of one of the constituents of Diffusion and familiesThe of hydrocarbons, Electro-Magnetic probed withThe aobjectives two wave- are the studyCharging Levitator of rheology and (the Forces flow) of PK-4 SCIENCE PAYLOAD very wet foam with thea rheometer.  binaryIntegral solution, Equations where the parti- length interferometer. The intermittent application of a cles are suspended in. The adsorp- SoretCoarsening: Coefficients Experiment cell Foaming system Study of foam aging  Statistical Modelling for Strongly Coupled on Boardtemperature the gradient International across the sample allows the si- tionSpace , in turn, is controlled Station by the tem- work that concluded this thrilling week of physics Made in In the PK-4 experiment on the ISS the plasma will beSet of electrodesgenerated Protocol: (Conductimetry) Systems Measurement for Improve- multaneous measurement of the matrix of isothermal perature. This allows to easily span MeasurementForby thea DC-discharge. stability and the for coarsening, Improve- the pro- APD (DWS) tocol is composed of 2 steps: diffusion coefficients and of the two thermal diffusion the phase diagram of the colloidal ment of Oil Recovery (DSC) Wet foam 4. Non-linear waves and Instabilities system by changing the temperature FIGURE 10 Gel phase formed by fluorinated particles in a mixture Space. ones. Camera (SVS) Dry foam The experiment apparatus (chamber and diagnostic instru- of water/heavy water/3-methylpyridine. This experiment1 - foaming: aims making to studypolydisperse thermal foam and isothermal(20 to 90 scientists from of the solution and to study several in-

100ments) µm of of diameter). PK-4 will be installed in a sealed container. A “tele-APD (DWS) diffusion processes in ternary and more complex mix- Laser teresting features like aggregation (3). In particular, the nucleation proc- science” unit (consisting of a laptop) will provideProtocol the interfaCamera ce to PK-4 HISTORY tures.2– This Measurements could be of particularwith timeEUROPE, (uprelevance to 24 h): to USA,carbon RUSSIA, CANADA,(Overview) INDIA, JAPAN,ess ofCHINA the dense colloidaland KOREA phase (solid or liquid) can be followed by sequestration the Multiple ISS crew.light technologies. scattering Currently spectroscopy The several experiment options that for the location of PK-4 probing the sample with Near Field Scattering are involved in projectsSince utilising 1998 prolonged the EMLexperiments with complex plasmas have forms on a corethe techniques: ISS part ofare DWS the being project and SVS studied. focuses on ternary Final remarks and outlook Conductimetry Volume: 1172x867x1246taken place mm3 in space: Overview camera Specifications: The Experiment Apparatus is composedFoaming of systemthe following: Mass: 227 kg SpeckleThePlasmaELIPS Variance chamber (European Spectroscopy ( ~45 LIfe cm (SVS): and in length, Physical 3 cmsciences in diameter) Power:in Space) 450 programme W  first, in aboardcludes theextensive Russian researchFoaming Space system:onStation materials. MIR (PK-1, Several PK-2). facilities The Two systems can be Liquid fraction: from 5% to 50% areVacuum or will pumpbe used to realise this programme on the International Spacecomplex Station. plasma The Electromagnetic experiments on the Levitator MIR Space (EML) Station will enable were to Physical sciences has to a certain extent had to wait Points of Contact : used: Bubble size: smaller than 100 µm COMPASS green Laser investigate conducting samples of moltenFoam generated materials by a in Translation a containe grid, rless manner, including measuringCell volume: the betweenthermophysical 1cm3 and 25 properties cm3 of ProjectGas Scientist: filling Stefano system Mazzoni Project manager: Ewald Kufner Breadboard test, EADS bordeaux part of the Russian program. [email protected]the melt over a large range [email protected] of temperaturesgrid translations. and investigatingThe the formation of microstructures at controlled levels of undercooling. A ParticlePHARAO Dispensers EM Laptop SHM EM The ACES Clock Signal The ACES MWL EM number of these investigations havebubble a distinct size changes industrial relevance.  Optical measurements: longer than some other disciplines, for the ISS facilities to  DC high voltage supply with the frequency on the International SpaceLaser: Station 532nm, (ISS: PKE 3/Nefedov and PK- AdsorptionLaser SVS setup and Surface TEnsion Research in ISS TheLinear development camera of the EML facility is a joint undertaking of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Cen-  RF-generator and the mesh size. Two pistons system with 3 Plus). Starting with theCorrelator: installation logarithmic of PKE spacing 3 “Nefedov” from 10 ns onto 100 the s, constriction (in red) LED array illumination ThistreDiagnostics technique (DLR). is a (illumination, multi-speckle time- cameras, data storage) ISS in 2001in the frameworkAvalanche of a Photodiode, German-Russian collaboration Overview camera: 1024*1024 pixels become active, but the ISS phase is now since some time resolved version of DWS. It characterises Two pistons system: followed by an upgraded version “PK-3 Plus” that is currently op- theManipulation duration of rearrangement laser events, and The tubes junction contains a constric- LED array illumination: 630nm, homogeneity 10% the Thermal speed of bubble manipulator motion during (heating an event, elementtion whereH bulbsmall attached bubbles toare produced glass erating on-board the ISS,Linear the CCD programme camera: 1024 progressively pixels, from 100 ac-to in full function. This has had the effect that experiment set viaplasma measurement tube ofEML evolution - The of the Electromagnetic speckle when the 20two Levitator pistons research are moved. quiredgroups a clear internationalfrom1000Hz, dimension. pattern Electromagnetic for a specified exposure manipulator duration T vs (dc electrode inside glass  ESA is now building the next generation of complex plasma ex- time Containerless t. The variance ofprocessing intensity levels facility is reg- Diffusing enables Wave undercooling spectroscopy of (DWS) the Conductimetry:FS electronics isteredplasma by the tube) pixels of a CCD camera. The perimentsDWS Avalanche for Photodiode the ISS: PK-4.Range: from 1 to 200 µSiemens, EUROPE,melt since heterogeneous RUSSIA, nucleation is stronglyUSAAPD limited andMicrowaveCorrelator CANADA are involved with FASTER rapidly gain speed and some even have been terminated or size of events may also be deduced by the Accuracy: up to 5 µSiemens Ground terminal variation of spot intensity. cavity

TheSamples: FASTER 5-8mm Experiment diameter is a Capillary Pressure TensiometerLaptop developed for the project FASES to investigate emulsion stability. being close to termination, giving room for next generation  PointsProcess of Contact: temperature: up toFourth 2000ºC ExternalLaser DWS setup ProjectWhy scientist:are emulsions Astrid Orr interesting? Project manager: Ewaldphotodiode Kufner magnetic shield SVS experiment results: The instrument 0.36mm [email protected] composition and foams candidates are [email protected] inshield everydayThe life: purpose milk,cylinder cream, is to characteriseoil… but the themecha- nature 2.9 mm fornismsAdvantages the coarseningof stabilisation toexperiments: ground-based are not understood. facilities and average rate of bubble rearrange- experiments. “Interactions in CosmicTwo positions and are allocated Atmospheric in the EDR for FASTER. Water - perfectly from spherical 0 to 100% molten samplement dynamics though measurement of DodecanolApplications: from 1 to 3 % the time-averaged intensity autocorrela- Bubble diameter 1.5mm Bubble diameter 0.33 mm Glycerol from 0 to 50 % The FASTER instrument is divided in two subsystems; Stability -is weaker a challenge positioning for many industries fieldParticle necessary usingtion functionstable emulsions: . The Systems” access transmission food, to cosmetic, lower features T Experiment- The experiment unit contains the 2: tensiometers, IPE fluid The road has been long to obtain full functionality of ISS SDSpharmaceutics, from 4.6 to 11.5waste g/L water willtreatment test whether or crude or oilnot recovery bulk behaviour where is cells,Expected captors Resultsand optics. -16 Common view Non common view Amilite GCK - extension from to 5g/L higher to 10 g/L undercooling rates Accuracy: 110 Rearrangement separation phase phenomenaidentical to occur. the near-surface behaviour - The Facility controller contains electronics: acquisition Spherical beads from 0 to 30% probed by DWS-backscattering and by board,- Rate data and storage nature and of bubble software rearrangements interface. (Ø 60µm) European Drawer Rack  SVS, and will also give complementary - Growth law for average bubble size physical sciences facilities, but it now gradually becomes Accommodation: in European Drawer Rack (EDR) within the Intensity fluctuationsCredit: ESAon a linear array of pix- Real- Technological Secondtime data treatment testGeneration for on stability board. experiment of Atomic elsSensors and variance ratios on as a functionthe ofISS ex- FundamentalCream Physics Testsinformation with on the ACES transport mean-freeGravity 7 COLUMBUSResearch laboratory. Groups from Europe andThe protocol Canada is autonomous and enables are operations involved via telemetrperimentaly time. The strongerin fluctuationIPE be- path via measurement of the average in- tween 41s and 42s are due to a bubble rear- Food stability Objectives: Emulsiontensity. as fluid Space Optical Clocksrangement. (SOC) (Bandyopadhyay et al, PRL, 2005). clear that the long preparation time, involving other ter- carrier system for EML in European Drawer Rack  biology Courtesy: ASTRIUM-EADS under a contract of ESA/DLR StabilityReadiness of the film for launch: end 2011  Lattice clock for a mission oppor- Property of surfactant at the film scale Oil emulsion on earth tunity on the ISS in 2018-2020 INTRODUCTION IPE SCIENCE OBJECTIVES  Sample holder, view from pyrometer restrial platforms and short-term microgravity platforms Clock stability and accuracy at the Courtesy: ASTRIUM-EADS under a contract of ESA/DLR Points of Contact: -17 IPE is a micro-gravity experiment that also addresses planetary sci- Three110 types level; of fundamental experiments physics are foreseen for IPE: ProjectThe CapillaryScientist: Sebastien Pressure Vincent-Bonni Tensiometer:eu Project manager: Hans Ranebo tests one order of magnitude be- [email protected] instrument measures the dynamic surface tension Hans. of liquid [email protected] interfaces. The surface ten- yond ACES results has consisted a very important preparation of the space sion is obtained for a wild rang ofScientific stimuli (up to Objectives1000Hz). 1) Study dust agglomeration drivenTransportable by Brownian Sr PP motion and  Status: Breadboarding activities Goals of IPE: provide a link between observations of light scattering by the Technique: on-going; pre-phase A to be con- 1)understandTheundercooling drop is formed the inand the formation matrixtriggering chamber of of planetesimals,at nucleatia surfactanton concentration. at aor target planet The temperature pistonprecursors, (piezo) dust and the physical properties of the dust. activities on ISS. Miller-Urey Experiment:cluded about in 2011 the origin of Facilitylife controller controls the detailed interfacial areaquantitative extension. The investigation fast camera extracts of crystallisation the observed drop from radius un-R Experiment Unit: 2 cells FASTER front panel by studying the mutual interactions of micron-size dust particles 0.0 ms 0.4 ms Sr magneto-optical0.8 ms trap andanddercooled the observed their melts agglomeration pressure with along a high-speedthe time. in From conditions the camera Laplace’s representative law, one obtains the of surface pre- tension . —> Dust Space agglomeration Atom Interferometer with different (SAI) particle and materials, Space BEC sizes,  Surfactant 1 planetarymodulationMATRIX conditions. calorimetry and radiometric measurements2  t  enthal- morphologies,Specifications: non-monodisperse initial size distributions. It is still too early to measure the full effectiveness with chamber Laplace’s law   piesSurfactant 2 of phase changes and heat capacity P(t) CapillaryAtom interferometer inner diameter: 0.5developed mm for Rt  —> Brownian motion and Brownian rotation1.2 ms of1.5 msirregular 1.6 msparticles. CCD Max.a mission droplets opportunity radius: 1.25 mmon the ISS in 2) study the lightR scattering behavior of proto-planetaryThe pressure dustdifference aggre- be- measurement of surface tension andG. Loglio, etviscosity al: STS-107 OV- by stimulating drop Max droplet starting radius (periodic stimuli): 0.5mm 102 Mission FAST Experiment: 2018-2020Schematic drawing of the oscillation Drop Slow Surface Relaxation at the tween the two sides of the in- which synergetic research was triggered during ISPS-4, but 7 gates.ResearchoscillationsPiezo at different Groups temperaturesSolution-Air Interface Micrograv-from EUROPEPressure andmeasurements: USA are involved in MUE (Stimuli) ity sci. technol. XVI-1 (2005) 2) mechanism“Confining”Courtesy: trap DLR experiments Cologne : in micro-gravity dust agglom- Capillary terface is exclusively deter- ControlAtom accuracy interferometry : +- 3Pa (low test gain), of +- the 1Pa (low gain)  Allowing mined by the surface tension eration experiments suffer from diffusion and thermophoresis- measurements liquidof flowelectrical conductivity as a function of tempera- MeasurementUniversality Resolution: of Free 0.3Pa, Fall 0.1Pa using 1.8 ms 2.0 ms 2.6 ms Theture basic by analysing concept ofthe the sample experiment electrical is simple, coupling andbut parameters the its principal scientific curvatures po- drivenOpticalquantum measurementsdust systems loss. Long (radius): duration (>10 minutes) experiments need of the interface R. to check on it, we propose a ‘rendez-vous’ at ISPS-5 about Thetential MUE isexperiment far-reaching studies and its the technical possible development occurrence isof extremelyprebiotic chemistryAccuracy:Status: better Breadboardingin cometsthan 4 µm and activities circumstellar accretion disc. Protocol:measurements of density as a function of temperature aResolution: “trapping” better mechanism than 1 µm for theSAI dust. atom interferometer For IPE design: a ThermophoreticQUANTUS system: It willchallenging. be performed in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) insideon-going; Columbus pre-phase A to be con- Funded under the ELIPS program Funded at national level by DLR  segregation studies based on solidification paths of initially under- TrapSelectable concept magnification is being 1x/2.5x defined. Drop-tower compatible design HW being tested in the Bremen drop- 1 Generation of drops: the liquid is pushed through a capillary in the matrix chamber. Thermalcluded performance:in 2011 Laser-cooledVisualisation atomic of source: the 2D- solidificationtower of a Fe90Ni10 which you should be hearing soon. cooled liquid undergoing a recalescence, typical of the formation MOTsample + 3D-MOT obtained system with a highBEC speed on atomic camera chip dur- 2 Surfactant injection: syringes inject the surfactant Measurement Accuracy: +- 0.15 ºC andof equiaxeda stirrer homogenises dendritic the grainliquid matrix structures chamber. —>non-BrownianSet points: 10,20,30,40 ºCmotion velocity ingfield parabolic flight. The undercooling is 29K. 3 DropAtmosphere-Space stimuli and measurements of radius Reconstructedby the dust Interactions aggregates of Stability:MUE better is than Monitoring based +-0.1 on ºC the experimentsCourtesy: of Stan IFWfrom Desdenley Miller andthe Harold ISS Urey showed how  —> unlimited observation time, reduction of experimental time- opticsinvestigationPoints of Contact of atthe the interaction European Space of a Agency: dendritic solidification front with Bubble/dropprebiotic excitation: organic compounds could have been synthesised under the conditions 1.9mm SiO2 observed by the mi- scales One of the two experiment cells PrinciplePhysicalsolid Scienceof particlesthe MUUnit experiment: controlledsimulating excitations: those 0.01 – of 1 Hz the and early pulse Earth atmosphere/water [email protected] experiment is performed for various parameters:cro-gravity experiment CODAG, Credit: Galileo Avionica  liquid-liquid de-mixing, interfacial tension measurements and Uncontrolledsystem*. excitation: 1 – 1000 Hz The MU- Temperatures experiment (10,20,30,40 aims to ºC)investigate prebflowniotic chemical on-board pathways the space for the shuttlesynthesis 3)(amplitudeSurfacePhotophoreticMU Tensionselectable experiment of g-TiAl but notaimexperiments in dependencecontrolled to study by theoptics): manipulation prebiotic chemistry of light-absorbing in- ESA contributed 17 science posters to the symposium dem- of organic- Excitations compounds (0.01Hz into 1000the protoso-Hz) of temperature obtained on parabolic - Stimuli generation (ramps, steps, oscillations)Moving STS-95 particles in with October 1998, dustflight. agglomeratesclude extraterrestrialCourtesy: Universitywithin synthesi theUlm embeddings (e.g. in the dust presolar cloud: neb- lar nebula.- Surfactant concentration thin water-ice (Blum mantles et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 85-12, ula) and subsequent transport of organic compounds to

Unveiling the2426, mystery 2000) of very high—> realisticthe altitude young simulation Earth by of comets,lightning pre-planetary asteroids runaway and phenomena their growth frag- onstrating ESA's on-going development of physics instru- This environment is simulated in vials High-voltage ments, meteorites Surface tension variations due periodic stimuli —> formation and growth of single agglomerates and active posi- filled with various gas mixtures and Tº<-5Cº spark solid particlesCell compositions. tioningThe within goals theof MUE field are: of view of the microscope and the Light The designPoints of the of Contacttwo cells : are identical but they are filled with different solutions ments. Poster headings are presented here after. Mrs. Daniela Voss PiezoMr. Bernhard Glaubitz Mr. WolfgangScattering Dreier Determine Unit. prebiotic reaction mechanisms that lead to The particles material and size are Project Scientist IPE SCIENCEshakerESA EML PAYLOAD Project Manager DLR EML Projectthe Manager formation of complex organic molecules through the CIENCE BJECTIVES [email protected] to be cell present #1: INTRODUCTION in the solar [email protected] - SCIENCEExperiment cell #2: [email protected] and characterizationASIM of Sthe reaction O products, nebulae together with other Si com- Matrix chamber: Pure water, Matrix chamber: Paraffin oil, Water reservoir yields and product distribution of the MU experiment The IPE scientific experiment will consist of: 70 ml Strangepounds. Theand particles powerful 70 ml serve electrical as sur- phenomena are sometimes observed Interfacein ofspace. the drop analyser faces onaDispersevacuum which chamber: thin chamber water-ice Pure water. surroundedmantles by: Disperse chamber: Hexane. high above active thunderstorm clouds.Vial 5.6 ml With Provide ASIM insights we can into study chemical of severe processes thunderstorms in the early and their role in the is formed. an injection unit 5.6 ml for the dust particles Original Miller-Urey Syringe 1: Span 80 Syringe 1: C13DMPO ResultsEarth’ssolar climate. nebula. The main goal of ASIM is to establish - for the first time - if  In-Situ Observation of Metallurgical Processes in Microgravityexperimental set-up Powerfula cleaning light flashes system 1.3 mlilluminate to ensure the skytransparent in bizarre,MUE experimental chamber fleeting set-up structures windows 1.3 suchand ml toas Adsorptionthere is dynamics a link between Transient Luminous Events" TLEs and "Terrestrial avoidSyringe 2:experiment Span 80 contamination, between differentSyringe types2: of CTAB dust SurfactantGamma-ray transfer Flashes"and interfacial TGFs rheology. Other objectives include: enormous “pillars”, 0.6“carrots” ml or even vast “jelly fish”. Mysterious flashes 0.6 ml of Role of surface active additives in stabilisation Water drop in paraffin oil+SPAN80 solu- Gamma-Raysparticles. seem to be emitted from these same regions of the upper at- Film thickness tion (Courtesy: IENI laboratory) Climate research: mosphere. The 2 experiment cells on TheIPE MUE includes construction: several diagnostictheir base-platetools: Dynamics and phenExperimentomena details of set-up: The main element is the Dual vi-  Such events a light-scattering are difficult to unitobserve consistingCredit: from Galileo the of Avionica ground 24 photodiodes/polarimeters. and are, therefore, global survey of TLEs and TGFs als composed of two vials Gasphysics composition of TLEs ofand the TGFs 6 gas tight spherical vials: poorlymounted understood. by2 high-resolutionpair. The upper low-speed atmosphere overview of our camerasplanet Earth separated is, in itself, by a90 solidification processes, metallic foam formatVialsion # a1,2,3:nd H2 d (20%)iffu CH4sio (40%)n in NH3 m (40et %),10mbar,allic m 1ge lparticlests (SiO2) regionThe vials still degrees are full clipped of mysteries to the cold for Science. atmospheric “gravity waves” on the mesosphere  Vials # 4,5,6: H2 (60%) CO (20%) N2 (20 %), 10mbar, 1g particles (SiO2) plate of thea digital Microgravity holographic Science microscope high-altitude cloud formation Glovebox (MSG).  ThePoints flashes of Contact are caused by energetic electrical discharges, thought to be trig- Temperaturecharacteristics and of pressure: thunderstorms which impact the high-altitude atmosphere Projecta Scientist:long distance Sébastien microscope Vincent-Bonnieu Project manager: Thierry Dewandre The vials are cooled to -5°C Fundamental and Applied Studies of Emulsions Stability in ISS [email protected]: electronics by ordinary provides lightning. the [email protected] SpaceThe pressure Science in research:the vials is 14 mbar at -5°C (after the injection of water) highLow-melting IPEvoltage also outputs includes temperature, for the particle transparent,manipulation model tools: materials have been used for some time to investigate the dynamics of solidification and There are two distinct types of activity , which may or not be linked sparkmicrostructure generation an optical in the formation particlevials. manipulation by optical means. system This consisting is the case of several of the Transparent light Alloy Instrument facility under development for deploy- : the "Transient Luminous Events" TLEs and the "Terrestrial Gamma-ray Waterthunderstorm injection: effects on the ionosphere and the radiation belts mentsources in the Microgravity Science Glovebox. Water vapour from a heated water reservoir (max 50μl) is injected into each vial. Flashes"TheWith Peltier, theTGFs the significant piezo. device progress and in X-ray emission and detection technology, this lightening-inducedprinciple applicable electron to opaque precipitation metallic and systems relativistic has electron be- precipitation water reservoir a confining are controlled. trap: currently foreseen to be based on the thermo- come amenable to a parabolic flight or sounding rocket environment with  meteors . An ISS accommodation is under assessment. phoretic principle VIBRATIONS IN GRANULARXRMON series MATTER To reveal the properties of surfactant and particles at the interfaces MUE construction Protocol: EarthThe MUE Observation: will work as a autonomous system and does not require crew The most challenging aspectsMUE of systemthe IPE concept experiment are, at the mo- activities, after it was started. Once the instrument is installed the electronics activate the A concept for the IPE experiment. One can see the light beams of the optical parti- Transparent Alloys Instrumenet peltiercloud to X-Rayformation cool down andMonitoring the electrificationvials, the Piezo andof vibration, effectsAdvanced the of :water injection and apply the volt- Research on the stability of transparent and opaque emulsions will be enabled by the FASES Experiment Container designed to be operated in the Fluid ment, the realization of the “thermophoretic” confining trap, the cle manipulation system converging at the chamber centre, as well as a ring of age to the electrodes. Science Laboratory in Columbus. cleaning of the experiment chamber and windows and the accommo- -windows DustMetallurgical storms around the middle, for theProcesses light-scattering detectors (XRMON) (credit: Verhaert De-  Directional Solidification Experiments of Bridgman Type with - TheMega-cities vials are thenand downloadedthe effect of to pollutants the ground where the chemical will be analysed. dation of all the diagnostic instruments and light 12sources research. sign groups & Development N.V.). transparent alloy model substances - Forest fires and volcanoes Experiment container ThreeExperiment instruments duration: expected to become frequent flyers to investi- Why are emulsions interesting? The container in the Fluid Science Labora-   Intensification of hurricanes and relation to “eye-wall” lightning activity Heat transfer studies in space Diagnosticsfrom by opticalEUROPE, observation with USAhigh resolution, andExample perpen of aCHINA Transient- gate scientificThe are vials will aspectsinvolved be operated of metallurgical two by two within processes the VIP-GRAN following monitoredduration: by us- Emulsions and foams are present in everyday life: milk, cream, oil… but the mecha- tory : The FASES EC experiment, is composed ElectrodesLuminous Event construction (TLE) above dicular to solidification front and in tilted angle a thunderstorm: a “blue jet”  nisms of stabilisation are not understood. of two instruments in the same container: a calo- ing state-of-the-artDual Vials # in-situ 1 and 4 X-ray duration radiography: 48 hours Points of Contact:  Dual Vials # 2 and 5 duration 96 hours rimeter and a microscope. Dual vial construction Applications: TheProjectExample VIP-GRAN scientist: of a Transient LuminousAstrid project OrrEvent is Projectabout manager: studying Jan granularDettmann gases under vibration. A phaseDual Vials VIP-Gran # 3 and follows6 duration a series 192 hours parabolic flight and sound- Scientific(TLE) above a thunderstorm: Objectives: a “red sprite” dismounted 1) Directional SolidificationASIM Experiments SCIENCE of PBridgmanAYLOAD type of Stability is a challenge for many industries using stable emulsions: food, cosmetic, [email protected] [email protected] To reveal the role of secondary phenomenaThe (e.g. 44 samples capillary are made of forces)mixture of Water in / ground applica- ing rocket (MiniTexus5, Maxus 5 and 7) experiments. The VIP-GRAN instrument metallic alloys may be accommodated on either the Microgravity Sci- pharmaceutics, waste water treatment or crude oil recovery where separation phase to study and gain deeper understanding of Paraffin oil or Water / Hexane with nanoparticles. ence Glovebox (MSG) or in the European Drawer Rack (EDR).  To studyASIMStorage andScience and gain Return payload deeper isunderstanding composed of nadir-lookingof: detectors which cover phenomena occur. tions and the nature Thereof spaceare two kind systemsof samples: The Vials: - the pattern formation and instabilities during  Usage of the MELFI freezer for storage of the DVCs (temperature never above -5°C) The vials are made of two stainless steel hemispheresIMPRESS that are Integratedcolumnarthe optical to equiaxed waveband Project dendritic as well growth; as the X-morphological to-Gamma-ray instabilities; waveband:  solidificationINTRODUCTION of multiphase3 —PAYLOAD alloys along a eutectic path  The vials will be returned to earth for analysis (temperature never above -5°C) transparent emulsions (28 samples) studied welded together. The vials volume is 235cm . with the microscope. - the Columnar to Equiaxed Transition (CET) particle pushing in metal matrix composites; unconstrained growth Interfacial Turbulence in Evaporating Liquids on MASER-10 Why are granular material interesting? and the SoundingThe instrument:TheRocket Modular Multi-Spectral Programme Imaging Array (MMIA) covers the optical range Design opaque of emulsions an Advanced (16 samples) GrOoved studied withBoard EvapoRaTor on The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) is: and macrosegregation of Al-based samples (precursor of CreamCIMEX-1 in FSL on ISS) Gravity The DespiteElectrodes: the - peritectic large amount phase of research transformation work, there is still no generally accepted explana- from UV to IR and is composed of : 2 cameras and 2 photometers FOTON-M2the calorimeter (precursor of EMER- The electrodes are producing the sparks. The distance between  under development; maiden flight with AlCu sample planned on Objectives: Food Schlieren tion as to how segregation occurs, granular matter flows and phase transition occur. The VIP-GRAN instrument may be accommodated on Emulsion as fluid Evaporator 1 Evaporator 2 the electrodes is 5 mm. The goal of the experi- ALD in FSL in ISS) a plannedAdjustable earth-observation facility of ESA (start of phase C in 2010) MASEReither the 12Microgravity in Autumn Science 2011 Glovebox (MSG) or the - Drop/drop interactions. carrier system for Camera Glass crucible  Expected Results: ment is to characterize Applications: The Modular X- and Gamma-ray Sensor (MXGS) is composed of a CZT de- - mechanisms of emulsion dynamics biology  to be located on the external payload platform of ISS-Columbus European Drawer Rack (EDR). in the transient regime A storage and transportation system feeds the The ManagementPiezo: of granular matter is a challenge for industry like pharmaceutics,Piezo contruction cements tector Comparison and a BGO of the scintillator. chemical Itproduct measures compositions photons between from 15 two keV different to 20 MeV. gas Tomographic The goal is to assess in Hot Zone Novel inter-metallic materials - Nanoparticlesthe role of surface- effect on stability samples to the calorimeter orVapour the microscope. Transportation system and sample cell The piezo elements vibrate the vials walls, in order to move parti- interferometry Oil emulsion on earth microgravity closed two- and powders preparations, in which segregation and aggregation should be controlled The basismixtures of the instrument is a shaker vibrating the tension-driven motions with 6 views cles. ASIM It is willmade observe: of a ceramic disc of 6 mm thickness. The piezo op- Back to top 18 phase cycles, where liquid (for example, to homogenise for applicationcell walls. Comparisonin of the product composition between the microgravity experiment on evaporation under a erate high with altitudea frequency electrical of 35kHz discharges at 2.0μm amplitude. in the stratosphere and mesosphere flux of inert gas. and vapour flow are driven CCD CCD powders). A socketand will the be groundused to plugreference the exchangeable experiment cells. by capillary forces to fur- IR IR aircraft jet engines, hydrogen fuel cells Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) ther enhance heat pipes in Liquid The Peltier: The protocol: thermocouples Cold Zone Real time data treatment on board. and catalytic reactorsFirst x-ray pictures from breadboard tests. Dendritic solidification of Al-20wt%Cu. Dotted circles Emulsification: stirring thespace mixture, and ground applica- Measurements EVare 2 repeated EV 1 at regular inter- The peltier elements cool down thePharmaceutical vials at –5C. they are located Advanced capillary OngoingCement re-organisation of a hexagonal directional- Thehighlight protocol three separate is autonomous examples of fragmentswith a possibility that melt off the to dendriteoper- branches and float up by The initial samples are filled manufacturing The Nadir-looking assembly with MMIA droplets size: 10µm of diametertions. cooling loop solidification pattern of a transparent eutectic alloy The ITEL module structure of thevals to quantify the structure stability at theObjectives: bottom of the vials. atebuoyancy experiments from(two the cameras, denser and two melt. changephotometers) parameters via telemetry. on Earth (volume 1 cm3) with 2 Experiment concept and diagnostics cavity heater system (succinonitrile-d,camphor). Oblique view in dark filed (the Courtesy: XRMON team within the ESA-TEC GSTP study and the MXGS (The Modular X- and evaporator - Models for segregation and aggregationeutectic crystalMechanics phase that offorms soil fibers is lit). Growth di- immiscible liquids. Aims to study: evaporator adiabatic condenser Gamma-ray Sensor) . Microscope measurements rection upward.in reduced gravity Calorimeter measurements section section section - Rheology of confined soils Courtesy: INSP (Courtesy TERMA) Before studying the experiment 0g 1g (transparent sample) 2) Evolution of Metallic Foams (opaque samples) - Improve thermal effi- Experiment concept and optical diagnostics - Grains dynamics Silicate beads in space, the two liquids are Temperature ciency and power density. IMPRESSExperimentalis anset-up Integrated at INSP, Paris Project in the EC’s 6th Framework Programme (FP6)To study which and focuses gain ondeeper intermetallic understanding alloys, oftheir drainage solidification effects and separated. distribution in processingCourtesy: INSP and applications. The European Space Agency (ESA), as coordinator,foam formation is responsible for the overall management of the project, a plane near - Extend performance limi- window heater as well as the implementation of the space element of the project.Granular beads in a cell Example of a Linear motor me- the interface tations by enhancing: The experiment: chanical system in a drawer a) capillary limit cooling loop Thermal model of Points of Contact : European Drawer Rack (EDR) The onset of chaotic Temperature tsat the experiment cell b)The boiling Microscope: limit m ProjectProtocol: scientist: Sébastien Vincent-Bonnieuunderstand the Project important manager: link between Ewald Kufner the materials processASIMing, technical the structure summary: and the final properties of new high- y Scientific Objectives: Piston 1 Piston 2 The Calorimeter: data from the Q m Columbus module and its pattern observed by ev 1 The microscope enables investigations of [email protected] protocols is in intermetallic 2 steps: alloys [email protected] platforms The calorimeterthe Schlieren is designed for investigations of opaque emulsions. Makingtomographic the cor- P o Specifications: transparent emulsions. Focusing with dif- 1– Homogenise sample with high amplitude  technique (low interferometer x Technical objective: transfer this knowledge into high-quality breakthrough prototypesField for of industrial View: ~80 applications Nadir relation between droplet undercooling and size, one obtains the droplet size distribu- stimuli Vibrations:

pressure, medium at high ferent depth into the emulsion, one obtains Light x Snapshots of the AlSi6Cu+0.6wt%TiH2 sample processed on MASER 11 IR camera data  Shape of oscillations controlled pressure, low CCD camera acquisitions 2– Stimuli at given amplitude and frequency (picture above).Payload Courtesy: Technische Mass:Universität Berlin 330 Kg (excl. Columbus External Payload Adaptor 0.5 µm Flight furnace with integrated sample after flightAcceleration: (right hand picture). up to 20g

during 20 sec. The beads distribution and CCD Camera to track gas flow rate Complete wetting observed in the Courtesy: SSC “CEPA”) Technique: Technique: Evaporator 2 Evaporator 1 z Ground-based research and computer modelling arethe beads strongly supported by benchmark microgravity experimentation Interfacial turbulence has been evaporator grooves (no local dry-out). Tomography technique dynamics are recorded. 3 cm Amplitude: up to 30mm Differentialobserved Scanning in microgravity. Calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal Optical tomography technique is used to  Spatial The capillary structures provided ASIM on the external platform of the Columbus module  Flown onPower MASER consumption 11, May 2008 (Operational): 420 W analysisQualitative technique. threshold One identified measures the difference between distribution sufficientstudy theliquid transparent even at high heatsamples. -TiAl cast gas turbine bladesSample for cell: aero-engines Impact sensor: PiezotronicNiAl advanced Video:catalytic powders for hydrogen for interfacial turbulence. The protocol is replayed with different cell the experimental sample and a reference sample. This al- fluxes.The microscope takes emulsion images at “Formation of eutectic cellsand in thin, power polycrystalline generation sam- turbines"Columnar-Equiaxed-TransitionThe cell shape is parallelepipedic in Neopentylglycol- or cy- fuel cells andResolution: hydrogenation 1000x1000 reaction pixels The importance of the inert Schematic parameters. lows to study the phase transition and measure the spe- Onsetdifferent of boiling scan not steps observed (typically even at 0.5 µm). ples from ternary organic SCN-DC- NPG alloys”. In the Camphor".lindrical, In the and figure coupled you see the with columnar 2 pistons. front, Frequency: up to 10 kHz gas is found to be significant. representation the highest heat flux values. presence of a third alloying element (NPG) the eutectic the first occurrence of equiaxed dendrites and on the 3) Diffusion experiments CIENCE2 EAM cific heat capacity. of the A software developed by the science team solid / liquid interface, composed of SCN and DC grow- left-partThe the typical front of aobservation solid-state transformation. window is 30*60 Field ofASIM View: 60x30S mm T Reflections at the liquid menisci Parameters: Courtesy: L2MP,2 ACCESS Courtesy: ULB ing from the liquid, is constitutionally supercooled and mm The Science Team of ASIM involves more than 100 scientists from all over the World. observed flow Courtesy:enables TU Darmstadt, to rebuild ULB, EHP the 3D structure of the Evaporator 1 active - Beads number and diameter To quantitatively investigateImage diffusion treatment: in metallic images will be processed on board by subject to a complex sequence of instabilities that lead Thickness between The result of a DSC experiment is a heating or cooling - Diameterto cell formation. ratio (if two kinds of beads) melts by way of X-ray transmissiona software is developed by the Science team and trans- SCN: Succinonitrile, DC: D-Camphor, NPG:Neopentylglycol 1 and 30 mm. Vapour Synthesis and Particle Agglomeration of Ni Courtesy: ACCESSInvestigation e.V. of solidification phenomena Impact sensor and the anvil mitted to the ground for monitoring/control. curve. This curve can be used to calculate enthalpies of Heat flux curve of endothermic reaction Thermal chamber unit specifications: - Stimuli characteristics: amplitudes and fre-  Flown on MAXUS 8, March 2010 with AlCu, transitions.Study This of isthe done effect by integrating of an imposed the peak corre- electrostaticCourtesy: TU field Compiegne in pool boiling heat Multi scale boiling investigation in microgravity quencies Maximum cooling rate 9.2 K/min ExperimentsAlNi and SiGe will helpdiffusion to: couples;Beads: the addi- spondingtransfer to a given and transition. fluid management on FOTON-M2 Temperature:(RUBI between on –50 parabolic ºC and 60 ºC Light source and The- Ambient aim is pressureto study: and liquid content Point of Contact : Astrid Orr, European Space Agency optical unit The test rig  Accommodation: in MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) on  understand the kinetics ofDiameter nano-particle between 0.4 to 4 mm Larger vapour production  the columnar to equiaxed transition (CET),Tel.: =31 71 565 3943, E-mail: [email protected] use of isotopes allows to also measure (precursor of RUBI in FSL on ISS) flights) Parabolic flight cell Material candidates: bronze/glass/ruby/Sapphire/ is observed in microgravity  board the ISS. Multi-user instrumente with sample exchange ca- self agglomeration; diffusion in parallel. The aims are: macro– and microsegregation Polyamide An X-ray picture of the three diffu- than in terrestrial condition.  validate numerical models of industrial powder sion couples from ground reference Liquid: FC-72 Specifications: Vapour bubbles,  impactpability. of grain refiners However, in the Opticalpresence unit specifications: Volume fraction: up to 80% testing.of the cell volume 4 days of microgravity -Temperature range: -50ºC up to 50ºC - Study the physics and processing Phote Credit: SSC side view. Image of an electric field- Camerathe heat provided by the Fluid Science Lab (FSL) of ternary TiAl alloys by directional solidification Linear motor Individual beads can be added to vary the volume frac- gravity influence on nu- ThermalA typicalchamber -Cooling rate: max –2K/minacquired down in to -50ºC transfer can be significantly Coefficient of restitution: Precursor flights on paraboliction flights to test Aims to study: - Travel translation:cleate boiling 2.5 mm instantaneous experiments -Sensitivity 190µV/mWmicrogravity without improved. The normal coefficient of restitution is calculated as a electrostatic field. - Min. scanning step: 0.2 µm result on boiling experimental setup and defineImpact process sensor acquisition: up to 2 MHz Compensating -TemperatureSide stability <1mK function of the ball speed before and after impact. - Measure the nu- 5000 - Demonstrate the func- Temperature / Pressure andSEM acceleration picture of Ni agglomerates measurements from Heater window HV = 0 kV, micro-g - Max. velocity: 1 mm/sec parameters. bellows VDI corr., micro-g TheBut resultsthis coefficient will be: is also sensitive to the ball rotation. parabolic flight; Courtesy: IFAM cleate boiling curve -Temperature drift <2mK/hour HV = 1 kV, micro-g tionality of the RUBI ex- HV = 5 kV, micro-g Vapour bubbles, 4000 HV = 10 kV, micro-g - Depth of field: 30 µm to 50 µm  Point of Contact at the European Space Agency: -Temperature controlled by Peltier elements HV = 0 kV, terr. g compared with benchmark ground-based ex- in terrestrial and mi- ) periment evaporation nanoparticle aggregation deposit on VDI corr., terr. g K side view. Image 2 Different states: Gas, Solid and

m Mrs. Daniela Voss Mr. Peter Behrmann Mr. Antonio Verga

/ Boiling cell

W 3000 - Field of view: 1mm of diameter nucleation 10-100nm 0.1-20µm collection device (

cro-gravity, on a flat -After calibration, the temperature accuracy is +-0.4ºC., concept, periments to pinpoint the effect of gravity, acquired in sat Liquid behaviour (Maxus 5 flight) h MechanismsProject Scientist in granular media: Transparent Alloy Project Officer Sounding Rocket Manager surface at various de- -The enthalpy measurement are within 1% of error with - Distortion: less than 1% Vapour Triaxial accelerometer Typical accelerometer and force sensor microgravity at high 2000 Thermoelectric  Micro- bubble [email protected] Demon: into computer models [email protected] (Kistler)[email protected] responses: grees of subcooling the theoretical value.voltage value. - Resolution: 5 µmthermocouple cooler 1000 in Whenorder shaking to tailor boxes the microstructure connected and withClustering this beads in a row of using the same appa- 80 120 160 200 inert 2 - Frequency: 0.1Hz to 15 Hz ratus. q", (kW/m ) Diffused Image of a Water /Oil emulsion via a slit and partly filled with granular five vertically shaken com- carrier Calorimeter design illumination the mechanical properties of the final castingpartment (K. van der Weele et al., Comparison between Courtesy: Univ Marseille Europhys. Lett, 2001) gas High-speed matter, one observes under some special - Collect the same Vapour bubbles, top boiling heat transfer camera The experiment module with four high Courtesy: IFAM, Schematic of excitation conditions the partial emptying Expected results: view of the heater. coefficients in microgravity Four experiments (TiAlNb samples w/o grain temperature furnaces; Courtesy: EADS-Astrium data under the ac- the measurement of one cell into the other one. High voltage Electronics Image acquired on and in terrestrial cases for principle Thin steel foil tion of an externally heater Experiment successfully performed during 12minutes microgravity in power supply the ground Expected Results: refiners)Segregation: successfully performed during 12min- - Pressure fluctuations in granular gases Expectedapplied Results: adjustable N2 vessel various electrostatic fields. Courtesy: Uni. Pisa Drops diameter vs timeHigh-speed IR camera utesWhen microgravity two kinds of in bead March size 2010are shaken onboard MAXUS 8 Sounding Rocket. March 2010 onboard MAXUS 8 Sounding Rocket. Samples gathered Before (left) and after (right) - Effect of grain-grain collision Drops velocity vs time together, segregation tends to occur. On vibrations : segregation while- Explanation applying different of Maxwell’s gas demon flow ra intes granu- and pressures, will now be ana- Coalescence evolution with time Data and samples are now being analysedUniversity in of Amsterdam detail by the science team Emulsion structure in 3D earth, the larger beads often rise to the Droplet size distribution in the course of the next months. lysedlar ingases detail by the science team in the course of the next months. Nanoparticles effect on stability top. Figure: Synchronisation of accelerometer Effect SOUndingof aging on droplet Rocket size Comperedistribution Experiment (SOURCE) on MASER-11 (RUBI on sounding rocket) - Observation of phase transitions Coarsening and coalescence mechanisms Clustering and collapse: - Description of segregation phenomenon and force sensor Does MarangoniDuring motion boiling accelerate N2 is also aging? Emulsion structure in 3D rebuilt by With more than 2 layers of beads, a - Analogy with a single particle model Refrigerant HFE7000 tomography  degassed from the liquid at >>0º dense clusterHigh surrounded Precision by gas Measurements is of Thermophysical Properties of -TiAl and NiAl pressurised with N2, the heater and re-absorbed Courtesy: Univ. Marseille Clustering and collapse in micro-g: Calorimeter often observed. But the mechanisms (Minitexus-5) f=60Hz a=1mm Maxus 5 configuration heated wall, at the top of the bubble with the Electromagnetic Levitator on board TEXUS-EML1 and 2 6 min of microgravity are not yet described. Microgravity environment enables better control of levitated melts Points of Contact Aim to study: In the bubble a vapour Project Scientist: Sébastien Vincent-Bonnieu Project manager: partial pressure gradient is with reduced fluid flow and turbulences allowing thermophysical [email protected] [email protected] convec- present Points of Contact at ESA: tion along the heated Project scientist: Sébastien Vincent-Bonnieu properties Project of manager: alloys Peterto be Behrmann measured more accurately than on ground. wall [email protected] [email protected] Temperature gradient - Boiling/degassing (measured by Results obtained are compared with parabolic flight and ground- (subcooled/saturated thermocouples) condition) based EML experiments.

-Depressurisation The data feeds into property databases to increase the accuracy of Marangoni convection at Average image and apparent mean flow pattern I. Egry, DLR,Cologne SOURCE the bubble interface induced by thermocapillary convection, without computer modelling codes for melting, casting and gas atomisation. Sample image during boiling boiling (preliminary result). test cell Courtesy: ZARM, IMFT, Astrium, Air Liquide Two successful sounding rocket campaigns utilising the TEXUS-EML facility: TEXUS-EML 1 (Nov 05) - surface tension, viscosity and specific heat capacity of -TiAl Point of Contact: Balázs Tóth, European Space Agency TEXUS-EML 2 (Jan 08) - thermophysical properties of liquid NiAl and growth kinetics ASTRIUM-EADS Tel.: +31 71 565 5098, Email: balazs. [email protected] Additional Information: 40 partners form 14 EU countries and Russia work for 5 years on this Integrated Project with a total cost of 41M€, including 15.9M€ EU contribution.

Points of Contact at the European Space Agency: Dr. David Jarvis Dr. Daniela Voss IMPRESS Integrated Project Manager IMPRESS space integration manager [email protected] [email protected] Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - December 2011 German Space Day attracts more than 85.000 visitors to the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), and DLR.

European Astronaut Centre. The buildings among others house the International Space Stati0n Training Assembly as well as an impressive 10 m deep pool, the Neutral Boyancy Facility, used for training of all aspects of space walks and handling of large equipment in weightlessness. Courtesy of DLR. Each year in September the German Aerospace 'passion for space' of the many engineers, scientists and Centre, DLR, invites interested to come for others working on the Human Spaceflight and Operations an Open Day. The European Astronaut Centre Directorate team. It was, overall, an extremely effective event," said Michel Tognini, Head of the European Astro- (EAC) inside the DLR compound area attracts naut Centre. an impressive amount of visitors in that context. EAC trains European astronauts and the On the science front, EAC had placed a joint Medical and Science Utilisation Booth outside the main entrance, to Open Day is an opportunity for everyone to get allow visitors to get some insight in to what actually as- acquainted with how astronauts prepare for tronauts do onboard the ISS. In addition the Crew Medical space missions. Support Office provided demonstrations of how ESA astronauts are supported on a personal medical level during ESA's Human Spaceflight and Operations team housed at their missions. the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) at the DLR premises in Cologne was intrinsically involved in the German Space The open day coincided with the start of the MagISStra and Day. DAMA/STS-134 post-flight tours - the tours that astronauts participate in, visiting selected locations and laboratories EAC is the home-base for ESA's astronauts and at the same that have had a relation to the flight they have been on. time the centre for a major part of their specific facility ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli, who actually spent a major training, in support of the scientific programme that is part of his pre-astronaut career at the EAC as training in- selected for their Space missions. structor, was present, together with a part of his crew.

The public had the opportunity on this day to familiarise The international training initiative for children, with themselves with ESA's ISS programme - overall as well in astronauts as role models, the 'Mission X: Train like an more detail - regarding the science the astronauts perform Astronaut' programme was also presented, by astronauts onboard the International Space Station. Christer Fuglesang and Samantha Cristoforetti.

Many of the over 85 000 visitors that took part in DLR's Visitors had the opportunity to get a 'see and feel' experi- German Aerospace Day patiently waited in periods for long ence with some of the large vehicles and modules that time to visit EAC to acquaint themselves on first-hand with ESA has built for the ISS, the Automated Transfer Vehicle astronauts and their activities, routines as well as more (ATV) which has been a crucial large cargo ship to the ISS specific training activities. over the last years, as well as the Columbus module. These reside in EAC as 1:1 scale mock-ups such that astronaut- Both ESA and NASA astronauts were present. training in these can be performed.

"With the direct support of our DLR hosts, ESA created a Finally, the educational experiments for the Dutch astro- wonderful experience for several thousand visitors. While naut Andre Kuipers mission to the ISS, the 'Convection' and the highlight for many was simply meeting their favou- 'Foam stability' experiments were demonstrated. rite European or American astronaut, we also shared the Back to top 19 UPCOMING TOPICS: changes on planet Earth. ESA released a research announcement soliciting activity proposals in support of MASER 12 improved approaches to Earth climate monitoring. We As a consequence of the will bring the first results of that announcement. unusually mild weather conditions in northern PromISSe: Mission status Sweden the planned ESA astronaut André Kuipers' rocket launch for MASER significant experimental pro- 12 in November 2011 has gramme on the ISS, between been postponed until December 2011 and May 2012 early February 2012. Next newsletter will bring prelimi- will be reported. Kuipers, a nary results of that sounding rocket campaign. medical doctor on his second spaceflight will have activities Mission X: Train like an astronaut! broadly spread over several Mission X: Train like an astronaut! scientific disciplines and edu- edition 2 is starting on 2 February cation. 2012 with a live connection with its ESA Astronaut Training: Luca Parmitano and ambassador André Kuipers on the Alexander Gerst ISS. During the 2nd edition of this The first two of educational challenge children in ESA's new as- more than 17 countries worldwide tronauts have are participating. been assigned to Concordia Announcement of Opportunity missions in 2014 The Concordia Research and 2015. They will Announcement closes on 9 soon start specific January 2012. Next newsletter training, and we will provide an introduction and an will bring the result in terms outlook to their respective programmes. of submitted proposals. CAVES Training - astronauts underground We will report on the Climate Change AO: Submittal status outcome of the first, ESA managed 'Cave training' The International Space for European, American, Station ISS will be hous- Russian and Japanese ing European activities in astronauts, a new way to the future, intended to prepare crews for space boost the initiatives taken exploration. for monitoring climate

ESA links to visit .... ▹ PromiSSe mission: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/PromISSe/index.html ▹ ESA’s performed experiments in the ERASMUS Experiment Archive (EEA) ▹ Earlier HSF Science Newsletters - get electronic ‘pdf’ version here: Link: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/HSF_Research/SEM1JV4KXMF_0.html ▹ The multimedia streaming portal of ESA's Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations:http: //wsn.spaceflight.esa.int/

Contact: European Space Agency - Human Spaceflight and Operations Directorate ESTEC, PO Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands www.esa.int/esaHF

Martin Zell - [email protected] Acting Head of European Astronaut Centre and ISS Utilisation and Astronaut Support Department