National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Free Flyer Utilization for Biology Research
John W. Hines Chief Technologist, Engineering Directorate Technical Director, Nanosatellite Missions NASA-Ames Research Center NASA Applications of BioScience/BioTechnology
HumanHuman ExplorationExploration EmphasisEmphasis
FundamentalFundamental ExploratiExploratioonn Subsystems BiologyBiology Subsystems EmphasisEmphasis HumansHumans
SmallSmall OrganismsOrganisms (Mice,(Mice, Rats) Rats)
TiTissussue,e, O Orrgansgans
MammalianMammalian CellsCells Human Health Emphasis ModelModel Organisms, BioMolecules Organisms, BioMolecules MicrobesMicrobes 2 4 Free-Flyer Utilization Free Flyer Features
• Advantage: Relatively inexpensive means to increase number of flight opportunities • Capabilities: – Returnable capsule to small secondary non-recoverable satellites, and/or – In-situ measurement and control with autonomous sample management • Command and Control: Fully automated or uplinked command driven investigations. • Research data: Downlink and/or receipt of the samples • Collaborations: Interagency, academic, commercial and international Russian Free Flyers Early Free Flyers
NASA Biosatellite I, II, 1966-67 NASA Biosatellite III, 1969 Nominal 3d flights Nominal 20d flight • Response to microgravity & • Spaceflight responses of non-human radiation: various biological species primates • Onboard radiation source Timeline of Russian-NASA Biology Spaceflights Collaborations Bion* Characteristics Bion Rationale
• Increases access to space • Proven Platforms – Relatively low cost & risk -- >98% success with modified Vostok launcher and Cosmos/Bion & Foton spacecraft – Capitalizes on existing Russian capability - NASA had a productive collaboration in 9 joint missions (starting in 1975) –Full ECLSS – Nominal Duration is 20 - 30 Days, 45+ Days planned • Complements existing flight program (STS/ISS) – Supports animal research in space – Provides long duration microgravity exposure with onboard radiation source – Potential platform for artificial gravity research – Enables use of virulent organisms and hazardous chemicals -- response to disease and toxics – Technology testbed, advanced analytical devices, telescience & robotics • Rapid science return • Science drives mission design including launch and reentry timing, orbit, and flight duration Bion: Russian Mission Scenarios
Mission, Date Bion-M1, 2012 (tbd) Bion-M2, 2014 (tbd) Bion-M3, 2016 (tbd)
Duration: Up to 30 days 30-40 days 45+ days
Long Duration rodent study Microgravity effects on w/ or w/o on-board radiation Artificial gravity, radiation Mission adult rodents and source for microgravity- or longer duration rodent Focus: smaller specimens radiation synergy microgravity study
Systems biology Russian (bone, muscle, Focus: neuroscience, …) Radiation Health Artificial Gravity
No. PIs: 10-15 10-20 10-20 Domestic Free Flyers Roles of Very Small Spacecraft
• Science and Exploration Missions – Biological Sciences – Astrobiology – Astrophysics – Space Sciences – Space Physics – Lunar Sciences Payload packages on larger spacecraft • Technology Demonstrations – Propulsion • Flight heritage from – Communications Cubesat missions – Mass reduction - MEMS/NEMS NASA/ARC •Use Cubesat derived – Autonomous operations technologies to support – Formation flying/constellations other spacecraft – Novel space architectures - tethers – Evolvable, reconfigurable satellites missions • Lunar Orbiters • Lunar Landers CalTech
LANL Aerospace Corp MicroSatellite - Free Flyers
• Microsatellites are small, rapidly deployable, highly flexible science and technology spaceflight platforms generally considered to be of mass less than 100 kg.
• For the Microsatellite Free Flyer Project, the spacecraft range in mass from 5-50 kg, with initial missions utilizing platforms in the 5-10kg range
• These spacecraft are capable of accommodating fully autonomous payloads and conducting in-situ measurement, monitoring and control biological experiments, with real-time analysis and data downlink.
µSat-FF capabilities validated by multiple spaceflights:
– GeneBox (launched Jul 2006), – GeneSat (launched Dec 2006), – Pre-Sat/Nanosail-D (Aug 2008) – PharmaSat (launched May 2009), – O/OREOS (planned May. 2010); – SALMON (planned May. 2011+) 12 MicroSatellite Free Flyer (µSat-FF) Project ScienceScience TargetsTargets && ApplicationsApplications
• Goal: Provide the capability to support biological/biotechnology payloads for model organisms, mammalian cells, and other relevant specimens • Measurement Targets (subset): – Gene expression; protein expression; metabolites, signalers, excretates; growth, kill curves; behavior • Possible Applications (subset): – Combined radiation/reduced gravity consequences: mammalian cells, human gene carriers (e.g. yeast), model organisms. • DNA damage: wound healing, cancer • Cell membrane damage: central nervous system • Oxidation: compromised defense to hazards & pathogens • Protein damage: impaired bone & muscle function – Space effects on microbes/pathogens • Virulence increase/decrease • Changes in pharmacological efficacy => PharmaSat-1 • Push the envelope of miniaturization, automation: also benefits human- tended payloads, related terrestrial applications– e.g. “canary-on-a-chip” Capabilities
• Fully autonomous, self-contained free-flyers. • Multiple configurations to address a multitude of research scenarios. • Mass: 4 – 50 kg total spacecraft payload in µSat-FF configuration (3 – 75 L total volume) • Accommodated on most any launch vehicle due to small size, volume • Many orbital trajectories: LEO, HEO, GEO, Lunar, etc. • Low power consumption: 4 – 50 W • Temperature control: 15 – 40 °C (4 °C with 30-50 kg version), <0.5 °C stability • Humidity control: 30 – 100%, active or passive control • Media support: liquid culture or solid/gel-supported growth; fluid exchange; bio/chemical challenges
• Atmosphere: 1 atm ± 10%; active O2, CO2 control; gas exchange • In-situ, real-time analysis; autonomous data management & telemetry • Interactive with “timeout autonomy” or fully autonomous experimental control. • Sample return possible (future) Microsatellite Technologies
Goal: develop modular, broadly-applicable Sample Management, Culturing technology platform that … • elucidates molecular biological effects of µ‐fluidics microgravity + radiation space-flight µ‐wellplates environment: gene & protein expression, Detection and Analysis metabolites Diffuse fluorescence, • is applicable to many micro- and small luminescence organisms: single/multicellular; adherent, Spatial Imaging non-adherent, motile cytometry • is designed for fully autonomous life support, sample processing, analysis Single-wavelength • is reconfigurable, modular in design; Multi-wavelength i.e. “replicate friendly” multiwell approach PCR • supports multiple measurement strategies and tools DNA, Spectroscopy protein • has minimum practical size, weight, power µarrays consumption: low-cost 2° payloads
Applicability: Free-Flyers, ISS, Gnd R&D, Xfer Microsat Free Flyer Multi-Year Schedule Status
FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 1 4 4 4 1 1 2 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 3 4 PharmaSat (Msat FF1) MoO*
MSat FF/MoO 1
MSat FF/MoO 2
Msat FF 2 MoO 3 Msat FF 3 MoO 4 Msat FF 4 MoO5
Planning Phase B Solicitation & Selection Phase C Data Analysis & Report Pre‐Phase A Phase D Launch Phase A Phase E/F
16 Note: Schedule beyond FY 2014 is notional E/PO EXAMPLE: GeneSat-1 Student Involvement Preparing the next generation of engineers with hands-on experience, solving real world problems
Pre-Launch/Mission Operations
6 Universities: Arizona State University; Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; Northeastern University; San Francisco State University; Santa Clara University; Stanford University
2 High Schools: Leland High School; Georgianna Bruce Kirby Prep School
40 Students: 19 Grad Students; 19 Undergrad Students; 2 High School Students
13 Student Projects: 3 Co-op projects; 4 Capstone projects; 2 Undergraduate Thesis Topics; 3 Graduate Thesis Topics; 1(very near term) Doctoral Thesis Topic
Post-Launch Engagement
University Level: Montana State University and Cal Poly: participants in the Amateur Radio Contest, Having access to your conversion factors, also permitted our students to engage in data reduction and analysis techniques. Dave Klumpar, MSU; Old Dominion University space system engineering course: homework assignment using GeneSat 1 to predict the decay rate of a satellite in a circular orbit
High School Level: Manheim Central High School, Lancaster, PA 9th grade Earth Science students using GeneSat Telemetry data while studying astronomy, analyze solar cell currents, and the temperatures of the satellite as it orbits the earth using Excel to create graphs of the data.
Elementary School Level: St Catherine of Sienna School in Burlingame, GeneSat Telemetry Science Fair Entry by ‘JAK’ Kitts, Age 9 Free Flyer Solicitations
Bion M1 NRA (Immunology and BSP) Theme areas: Immune Function Biospeciman Sharing Program: rodent investigations Exploration Relevance: Understanding long term space environment effects on immune function can provide insight to space exploration crew health risk. Schedule: 43 Step-1 proposals received 39 invited to submit Step-2 proposals 33 Step-2 proposals received Science Definition Selections: 5 Immune and 9 BSP proposals
SALMON AO (Small Complete Missions of Opportunity in FSB) Theme areas: Fundamental Space Biology investigations on microbes, cells or small animals. Schedule: Up to 2 Missions will be selected AO Release: Sept. 3, 2008 (original release) AO Re-release: Sep 22, 2009 NOI Due: October 6, 2009 Proposals Due: November 21, 2009 FSB Free Flyer Research
Domestic Free Flyers Experiments Completed • GeneBox (Bigelow Genesis 1; 7/12/06): A non-deployable Technology Demonstration testing satellite bus and payload technology components of GeneSat-1. • GeneSat-1 (Minotaur-1; 12/16/06): Technology Demonstration validating autonomous, in-situ small (nanosatellite-class) spacecraft capabilities to conduct an E. coli growth science/technology demonstration. • PreSat (Falcon 1; 8/2/08): PharmaSat-1 Technology Demonstration. Flight terminated due to Launch Vehicle failure. • PharmaSat-1 (Minotaur-1; May 2009): Microgravity effect on yeast susceptibility to antifungal drugs in the space environment.
Russian Free Flyers Experiments Completed • Foton M2 (5/31/05): Four NASA sponsored bacteria, snails, geckos and newts Russian collaboration experiments. • Foton M3 (Launch 9/14/07): Follow on experiments for Foton M2 collaborations. FSB Free Flyer Research
Domestic Free Flyers Experiments Under Development • SMD/ESMD SALMON (StandALone Mission of Opportunity Notice) -2009 – Fundamental Space Biology (FSB) Mission of Opportunity 1 (MoO-1) – FSB Mission of Opportunity 2 (MoO-2) • 3 MicroSat Free Flyer Flights and up to 4 Mission of Opportunities (2009- 2014).
Russian Free Flyers Experiments Under Development • Bion M1 BSP (Launch 9/2012): Determine immunological and other effects of lengthy periods of weightlessness on mice. • Other Russian free flyer opportunities Additional Information Recent Biology Investments in Free Flyers
• Russian Foton / Bion recoverable capsules as primary vehicles on Russian launcher.
• Domestic non-recoverable micro- / nano- satellites as secondary payload on domestic government or commercial launcher.
• Astrobiology Small Payloads (ASP) Program is currently supporting a nanosatellite based dual payload science demonstration mission. Organics/Organismal Response to Orbital Environmental Stresses (O/OREOS) builds on the Gensat/Pharmasat platform but contains two independent payloads and supports multiple science objectives NASA Biological Research Flight Publications
September 1978 August 1992 January 1990 January 2000 1975‐2003
Year Foton-M2 and Foton-M3
PIs: Plasmid: Drs. Tatiana A. Voeikova, Genetics Research Center, Moscow, Russia and Barry H. Pyle, Montana State University Regeneration: Drs. Victor I. Mitashov, of the Koltsov Institute of Devel. Biol. (IDB). Moscow, & E. A.C. Almeida, NASA ARC Gecko: Drs. Segei V. Savelyev of the Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, and Eduardo A.C. Almeida, NASA ARC Receptor: Drs. Pavel M. Balaban of the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russia & Ri. D. Boyle, NASA ARC
Objectives:
• Plasmid: Spaceflight effects on structural stability and genetic information transfer in plasmid pIJ702 of Actinomycetes streptomyces lividans 66.
• Receptor: Structure and function of the gravi-sensing statocyst system following an earth’s orbital mission.
• Gecko and Regeneration: Determine if the low level mechanical loading environment created by microgravity alters the proliferation rates of somatic stem cells involved in newt and gecko tissue regeneration.
• Foton-M3 is an opportunity to confirm results, improve research techniques, and expand the areas of inquiry based on the Foton-M2 results.
– Foton-M2 produced data on genetic structures, Foton M-2 mission May 31 – June 16, 2005 genetic stability, molecular-biological mechanisms of Foton-M3 mission September 14-26, 2007 cell proliferation, tissue regeneration, and the effect of microgravity on the electro-physiology of gravity sensing. GeneBox Hosted Payload GeneSat-1 Technology Demonstration
Ames Research Center • Secondary Payload with Tacsat-2 primary • Spacecraft mass 7.1 kg (4.1 kg + 3 kg adapter) • Spacecraft volume 14” x 4” x 4” • 60 day mission duration; 96 hr Biology exp. • Measured GFP and Optical Density of E. coli • All Mission objectives fully accomplished
Genesat-1 launched on 12/16/06 aboard a USAF Minotaur-1 Principal Investigator: David Niesel (Michael McGinnis), Ph.D. University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
Effect of Microgravity upon Yeast Susceptibility to Anti-fungal Drugs – Saccharomyces cerevisiae • Model organism, well studied – Grow in different concentrations of antifungal • Three concentrations and control (no antifungal) • Twelve wells per condition – Compare results of flight and ground PharmaSat-1 Proof of Concept
• Measure and determine the effect microgravity has on yeast resistance to an antifungal agent. • Provide life support and environmental control for 60-well BioFluidics card yeast growth in 48 independent microwells. • Track the yeast culture density and health in each microwell. • Launched on 05/05/09 aboard a with USAF Minotaur-1 Card Laminate Assembly with the Tacsat-3 primary payload.
Card Assembly View
Fluidics/Sample Handling Block Diagram Astrobiology spinoff Organism/ORganics Exposure to Orbital Stresses (O/OREOS)-NanoSatellite Mission Goal: Dual Payload z Demonstrate autonomous, in-situ • 1. BIO: two types of living biological biological organism and organic specimens, with active optical specimen exposure & detection measurement of growth and/or technologies aboard free-flying metabolic activity nanosatellites in support of ASP objectives • 2. ORGANIC: four reaction-cell- z Demonstrate the capability for low- supported environments containing cost replicate spaceflight organic molecules, with UV-visible experiments on nanosatellites for current and future applications spectroscopic characterization z Demonstrate that single-cube interchangeable instruments can do scientifically significant biology & chemistry experiments z Demonstrate versatility of triple-cube format: 5 kg of low-cost self- contained science experimentation suitable for any Earth orbit, moon, Mars, beyond SMD SALMON AO (FSB Element)
• A maximum of two individual investigations will be selected. • The first selected investigation is expected to utilize hardware being developed for the PharmaSat-1. • The second selected investigation is expected to utilize the PharmaSat-1 flight hardware bus platforms and payload interfaces, but may also utilize other proposed instrument and payload elements. • Both selected investigations are anticipated to focus on microbe-
based studies. DecDec 31, 2011 Aug 15, 2009? – Proposals utilizing other small Sep2009? 15,, 2009? organisms will be considered provided Sep 15, they demonstrate the capability to 2009? meet the constraints of the solicited Nov 15, 2009? opportunity.
30 31 httpARC://salmon NExP‐h3 Overview‐pip.arc.nasa.g - ov May 20-21 2009