The Era of International Space Station Utilization Table of Contents
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Perspectives on Strategy From International Research Leaders The Era of International Space Station Utilization Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Scientifi c Disciplines and Potential 7 Gravity-dependent Processes in the Physical Sciences 7 Fundamental Physics 9 Gravity-dependent Processes in the Life Sciences 10 Human Health Research 12 Psychology and Space Exploration 14 Earth and Space Observations 15 Exploration and Technology Development 16 Commercial Development 17 Education 18 Space Agency Perspectives 21 Biographical Sketches 35 Notes and References 40 Editorial Board Canadian Space Agency: Nicole Buckley, Perry Johnson-Green European Space Agency: Martin Zell Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency: Tai Nakamura Roscosmos: George Karabadzhak, Igor Sorokin National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Tara Ruttley, Ken Stroud Italian Space Agency: Jean Sabbagh Managing Editor Tracy L. Thumm, NASA Executive Editor Julie A. Robinson, NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson looks at the plants grown in the Advanced AstrocultureTM (ADVASC) green house. Image: NASA ISS005E08001 The Era of International Space Station Utilization Manfred Dietel Charité Berlin, Germany Berndt Feuerbacher International Astronautical Federation, France Vladimir Fortov Joint Institute for High Temperature Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia David Hart University of Calgary, Canada Life Sciences Advisory Committee, Canadian Space Agency Charles Kennel Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA Space Studies Board, National Academy of Sciences, USA Oleg Korablev Space Research Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia Chiaki Mukai Space Biomedical Research Offi ce Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan Akira Sawaoka Daido University, Japan Peter Suedfeld University of British Columbia, Canada Samuel C.C. Ting European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Switzerland Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA Nobel Laureate in Physics Peter Wolf Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, LNE, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, France 1 Fundamental Physics Physical Sciences Life Sciences Psychology and Space Exploration Earth and Space Observation Human Health Exploration and Technology Development Education Commercial Development 2 International Space Station research images.1 The Era of International Space Station Utilization Executive Summary Preamble Human spacefl ight is entering a new era. Th e on Earth to support projects in space. Perhaps assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) most importantly, extended utilization allows will be completed in 2010.2 Supported by a full opportunities to explore the ISS as a research six-person crew for the fi rst time, it is ready to put platform and to realize its full potential. Unique its full capabilities to work. While the ISS partners attributes of the ISS that enable research and can be proud of having completed one of the most development (R&D) never before achieved ambitious engineering projects ever conceived, include: the world at large also will judge the ISS by what (1) continuous access to microgravitya and defi ned is achieved in the utilization phase. In short, the partial gravity, enabling experiments with full success of the ISS Program depends on the gravity as a controlled experimental variable; utilization achievements in the coming years. Th e people of countries participating in the ISS will (2) high vacuum and the conditions to create b expect no less. ultra-high vacuum, enabling experiments that would be otherwise compromised by trace For more than 15 years, the ISS partnership molecular species; mastered fi nancial and technical challenges, and weathered changes in national policies and (3) continuous presence in the space environment, governments. Th is mastery proves that nations can enabling long experiment runs and cumulative persist and achieve ambitious long-term goals that sets of experiments; are very diffi cult. Th e ISS partnership is a model (4) signifi cant power and instrument support of what will be needed if an ambitious program services at a low-altitude (310-410 km) vantage of exploration beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) is point over 90% of the populated surface of the to move forward. Th e present partnership can Earth, enabling use of the ISS as a platform for be enriched by collaboration as we prepare for observations of Earth, Earth’s atmosphere, and human exploration beyond Earth’s neighborhood, space processes; to develop supporting technology, and to explore (5) daily human support and transportation possible relationships with emerging space agencies. resources enabling testing, modifi cation, and Aside from the ISS itself, the international incremental development of R&D test beds, partnership represents an invaluable achievement. instruments, and research programs. Extension of ISS operations to 2020 and beyond Th e benefi ts of ISS can be viewed from many is crucial to maximize use of the ISS facilities. A diff erent perspectives. As for other unique longer operational phase provides opportunities laboratories, long lead times to discovery can be for new participants who may never have associated with the many diff erent disciplines that thought of using the ISS. A commitment to use the ISS. As scientists representing this broad extended operations enables programs with long- array of disciplines, the ISS partner nations, and term objectives, and encourages institutions future utilization by all scientists worldwide, we a 10-3 to 10-6 times Earth gravity (aka “microgravity”). b With additional pumping, the pressure behind a protective shield installed on the ISS perpendicular to the orbital velocity 3 vector can be lowered to 10-12 (and even 10-14) Pa. met to discuss R&D on the ISS as the utilization era begins. We have captured the major disciplines, key questions, advantages of the ISS platform, and implications of ISS utilization for advancement of knowledge. Th e products of the discussion are a vision for the “Era of International Space Station Utilization,” with supporting descriptions of the importance of the ISS to key R&D goals. We are certain that in the century to come, the full utilization of the ISS will be seen as having made transformative contributions to a number of scientifi c disciplines. Benefi ts of the International Space Station From experience gained in earlier human space- fl ight programs (Salyut, Skylab, Space Shuttle, NASA Astronaut Robert Behnken participates in an extravehicular activity (EVA) assembling and Mir), and during the ISS assembly phase, the the ISS in February 2010. benefi ts of space-based R&D have already been Image: NASA ISS022E062898 demonstrated. Th ese benefi ts include advance- ment of scientifi c knowledge, development of new technologies, development of Earth applications, such as hydrostatic pressure gradient in fl uids continued growth in the international operations and the related sedimentation and buoyancy of a complex space endeavor, and the seeding of a convection eff ects. global market for advanced space transportation. In addition to these benefi ts, the ISS off ers an (2) Additional research areas can also be advanced inspiring platform for inquiry-based educational on the ISS because of the capabilities and activities that engage students in science, technol- presence of such a capable platform in orbit. ogy, engineering, and mathematics. Although instruments and tests for such areas might have been possible on other platforms, they can benefi t from the unique capabilities Scientifi c Knowledge: Th e ISS allows experiments of the ISS (e.g., power, human tending) and to be conducted that cannot be done on Earth. increase the scientifi c yield. (1) Th e basic sciences of chemistry, biology, (3) Th e use of the ISS creates the potential for and physics can begin to treat gravity as an research in social sciences (such as psychology, experimental variable over a broad range. Th e international relations, and economics) because ISS provides continuous access to reduced of the unique conditions associated with gravity and microgravity for the fi rst time. It living in space, conducting space operations, is now possible to carry out systematic studies and forming and maintaining international of processes masked by gravitational forces 4 alliances in science and technology. and subject to gravity-dependent phenomena, Th e following is a non-exhaustive list of fi elds for Applications and Benefi ts: Scientifi c knowledge which experiments and technology tests on the ISS and new technologies derived from research on the off er potential for signifi cant advancement: ISS will benefi t society through improving quality • Astronomy and astrophysics of life and fostering economic growth. • Biology, exobiology, and biotechnology • Health research/human adaptation and Return of Industrial Applications: performance Th e production of benchmark samples (e.g., organic and inorganic crystals, functional • Earth sciences nanomaterials, advanced alloys) obtained • Fundamental physics under controlled conditions and high-precision • Materials sciences determination of material properties will contribute to industry for the optimization • Physics of fl uids and combustion and development of ground applications. Such • Solar system research and planetary science applications include: design of medical treatments • Space engineering and technology and medicines; high-effi ciency catalysts; and terrestrial production processes development. • Space radiation research Specifi c industrial applications will also advance technologies