→ SPACE FOR LIFE human spaceflight science newsletter March 2010 In this issue: - Frank de Winne on ISS - SEEDS in EXPOSE–E - Parabolic Flight no. 51 - Recent events - Dates for the Agenda Frank de Winne onboard the ISS in front of the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). Courtesy of NASA ISS EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITIES PERFORMED DURING FRANK DE WINNE’s STAY ON ISS During his stay onboard the ISS, between his arrival 29 May and departure 01 December 2009 ESA astronaut Frank de Winne in the end had a full experimental programme. Upload restrictions did at one point threaten the scientific programme, but work-arounds gave in the end almost 100% of the science that had been expect- ed. This article gives a short account of each experiment Frank de Winne performed, with special focus on the last activated experiment, the SODI-IVIDIL experiment. After its uploading onboard the 17A each end of the volume. This is a very sion in Liquids) (STS-128) mission in August 2009, the slow process when left to itself, - DSC (Diffusion Soret Coefficient) and Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instru- 2) The g-jitter, investigated for what it in - COLLOID ment (SODI) was installed as planned reality means for fluid sciences in Space, on 23 September, with a functional as this has never been substantiated, but DSC is the next one up, presently being check-out on 1 October. Five days later always been assumed to be a significant performed, with COLLOID following. the first SODI related experiment, IVIDIL problem, and The sample container – named ‘cell ar- was run for the first time. The eagerly 3) vibration as a way of homogenizing ray’ - is placed in the middle and in the awaited downloaded initial data on the multi-component liquids in micrograv- direction front to back of the MSG, see optical performance of the instruments ity has been investigated, where natural picture next page. The monitoring part revealed nominal function. Once started, convective mixing is absent. closest to the front – named ‘moving op- some of the experiment ran continu- tical module’ - can move on rails, when ously for 24 hours and 5 days a week. SODI has been planned to serve three commanded by the user - to go to a new In the IVIDIL experiments three key pa- experiments, as the ‘Selectable’ in position. For IVIDIL, however, this will not rameters are investigated: the name of the instrument indicates be necessary (this function is foreseen 1) The so-called thermo-diffusion in certain flexibility. The three experiments for the next SODI experiment, DSC). fluids, which means obtaining an even are: The IVIDIL experiment has two test cells temperature diffusion over time, after - IVIDIL (Influence of Vibration on Diffu- only, and each of the optical modules, an initial temperature gradient between the moving and the fixed one, monitor Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - March 2010 could even generate fluid flows. Additional experiments performed during Frank de Winne’s stay. 3D SPACE This was the first neurosciences experiment in Columbus. So far it The IVIDIL Cell Array (light grey) has been performed by NASA astro- now inserted in the SODI bench. Four single ‘black boxes’ can be nauts Greg Chamitoff, Mike Barrat, identified. The set of two in front and Tim Kopra, and JAXA astronaut represents the Moving Optical Module, which can move towards Koichi Wakata, in addition to Frank the rear set of boxes, that consti- de Winne, and Canadian astronaut tutes the Fixed Optical Module. Monitoring and observation hap- Robert Thirsk. Thus 6 test subjects, pens across, from right to left in the which is an almost complete data picture. Courtesy of NASA set for this kind of experiments. The experiment seeks to identify each a cell. The cell array is mounted vibration on diffusion processes – so differences in perception of dimen- on the so-called vibration mecha- looking at FLUIDS - more specifically sions and depth (3D) between the nism, and vibrations with different investigating the effect of vibration normal gravity on Earth and the frequency and amplitude can be with different frequency and am- 0-gravity onboard the ISS. Such dif- induced. Laser beams sent from plitude on a mixture of water and ferences could have consequences right to left through relevant mir- isopropanol for the aspect of mixing for onboard crew activities. ror arrangements are the basis for aspects of initial concentration and The 3D SPACE experiment setup was monitoring in an interferometer temperature gradients, and the time described in Newsletter February mode, allowing to ‘see’ movements it takes. In addition, the decade long 2009 in fluids that are not visible to the discussion of the impact of g-jitter human eye1. For a comprehensive could be investigated profoundly CARD description of interferometer im- with this setup. ages, please see also Newsletter no. This short-name covers the origi- 1, 2009, p. 8-9. Between 8 October and 3 December nal experiment title: “A model for around 30 experimental runs have investigating mechanisms of heart IVIDIL has been performed by Frank been performed, and most have disease with new portable equip- de Winne and Bob Thirsk a number been highly successful. ment” of times during their stay. The ex- The experiment has been carried periment has been a great success The experiments have, as said, been out by Koichi Wakata on 20-21 May on many accounts, not the least preceded by numerical simulations 2009. Before Wakata ESA astronaut confirming the conclusions from a on Earth, i.e. computer modelling Thomas Reiter, and after Wakata, based on assumptions of how fluid three NASA astronauts performed it, would be influenced by vibration in in addition to Frank de Winne. a gravity free environment as on the ISS. The experiment tests two hypoth- eses that are based on a more G-jitter. than two decades long research in understanding the reaction of the Over decades it has been discussed cardiovascular system to exposure which influence the so-called to microgravity. Not that it per se number of numerical simulations g-jitter would have on such experi- represents any imminent danger, performed on the ground before the ments as these, where fluid phys- as the cardiovascular reflexes have flight. The main topic of the IVIDIL ics is investigated. It now can be been shown to return to normal experiment was the influence of concluded that the g-jitter in the after flight, but rather because, form it is experienced on the ISS is according to present physiological 1. The colour images show the concentration much less disturbing for the experi- map (in false colour) of the IVIDIL sample understanding of causal relation ment than hitherto assumed. The (a binary mixture of water and isopropyl between stimulus and response fluid compartment studied has alcohol) when subjected to temperature. in the cardiovascular system, the The sample undergoes a phase separation, been exposed to a broad spectrum responses that can be observed in induced by the so-called Soret effect, with of vibration frequencies and ampli- alcohol migrating towards the cold side. Space in the areas of adjustment tudes, leading to a very important When no vibration is applied (left picture) the of blood pressure, resistance in the database regarding what has an ef- sample reaches a steady state linear concen- circulation, tissue fluid filling and tration distribution, just slightly perturbed fect and what not. It has even been urine excretion, etc. do not fit com- by border effects. When strong, controlled studied to which extent vibration vibration is applied to the cell in the direction pletely with theories. Thus, the new indicated by the red arrow (right image) the theories for how the observable steady state concentration distribution is heavily distorted by the presence of soluto- reactions could be brought about vibrational convection. 2 Human Spaceflight Science Newsletter - March 2010 will be tested. EEG measurements. Mike Barrat and Frank de Winne As this experiment in a way encom- have successfully completed the passes all the observations made in Science data, the large stored digital experiment Space based cardiovascular physiol- EEG files, were returned with 17A ogy, we will devote space in a future (STS-128). For more in-depth scientific reason- Newsletter to a more thorough The experiment is supposed to be ing for this experiment, please con- explanation of these intriguing find- continued under a future ESA-Russia sult the Newsletter February 2009. ings. cooperative agreement, providing Russian cosmonauts as test subjects MOP EPM/NEUROSPAT from beginning of Increment 23 and Title of this experiment is: “Vestibu- This is the second neurosciences onwards. lar adaptation to G-transitions” with experiment performed in Columbus, The NEUROSPAT experimental setup the short name “MOP”. The group of which fully makes use of EPM assets. was described and explained in scientists behind this investigation Subjects may be tested on different Newsletter September 2009 has earlier performed experiments flight days, as long as testing occurs on Earth in relation to long duration SOLO centrifugation (1 1/2 hours at 3 G). The SOLO experiment is demand- Such scenarios made test subjects ing for the crew in the manner that sick in a similar manner as seen a certain diet has to be followed in many astronauts who develop fairly accurately for as long as 5 days. what we call the Space Adaptation One period is a diet with low salt Syndrome or SAS, in response to the intake and another with a normal exposure to low gravity. Based on salt intake. And in addition the same an assumed mismatch between the amount of calories should be taken different sensory inputs to the part in every day. This sets some restric- of the brain where these are being tions on the freedom to eat what integrated to form an adequate perception and body response, the Bob Thirsk (CSA) preparing positive G seems to create similar Frank de Winne (ESA) for NASA astronaut Greg the NEUROSPAT experi- Chamitoff preparing problems; thus the word ‘g-transi- ment, using the MEEMM the SOLO experiment.