scholarly journals A first approximation of population distributions on the International Space Station

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Walsh ◽  
Rao Hamza Ali ◽  
Alice C. Gorman ◽  
Amir Kanan Kashefi
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
International Space ◽  
First Approximation ◽  
Population Distributions ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Future Space ◽  
First Time ◽  
Space Habitat

This article presents an analysis of data derived from thousands of publicly available photographs showing life on the International Space Station (ISS) between 2000 and 2020. The analysis uses crew and locational information from the photographs to identify the distribution of different population groups - by gender, nationality, and space agency affiliation - across modules of ISS for the first time. Given the importance of ISS as the most intensively-inhabited space habitat to date, an international cooperative initiative involving 26 countries and five space agencies, and one of the most expensive building projects ever undertaken by humans, developing an understanding of which people are using different parts of the space station is critical for future usage of this and other stations. This study also sheds light on problems faced by future space station designers who are concerned with optimal usage of their habitats.

A Framework for Multinational Medical Support for the International Space Station: A Model for Exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-134
Author(s):  
Charles R. Doarn ◽  
James D. Polk ◽  
Anatoli Grigoriev ◽  
Jean-Marc Comtois ◽  
Kazuhito Shimada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Space Station ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical System ◽  
Medical Support ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Medical Certification

INTRODUCTION: In the 1990s, Canada, member states of the European Space Agency, Japan, the Russian Federation, and the United States entered into an international agreement Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station. Among the many unique infrastructure challenges, partners were to develop a comprehensive international medical system and related processes to enable crew medical certification and medical support for all phases of missions, in a framework to support a multilateral space program of unprecedented size, scope, and degree of integration. During the Shuttle/Mir Program, physicians and specialized experts from the United States and Russia studied prototype systems and developed and operated collaborative mechanisms. The 1998 NASA Memoranda of Understanding with each of the other four partners established the Multilateral Medial Policy Board, the Multilateral Space Medicine Board, and the Multilateral Medical Operations Panel as medical authority bodies to ensure International Space Station (ISS) crew health and performance. Since 1998, the medical system of the ISS Program has ensured health and excellent performance of the international crewsan essential prerequisite for the construction and operation of the ISSand prevented mission-impacting medical events and adverse health outcomes. As the ISS is completing its second decade of crewed operation, it is prudent to appraise its established medical framework for its utility moving forward in new space exploration initiatives. Not only the ISS Program participants, but other nations and space agencies as well, concomitant with commercial endeavors in human spaceflight, can benefit from this evidence for future human exploration programs.Doarn CR, Polk JD, Grigoriev A, Comtois J-M, Shimada K, Weerts G, Dervay JP, Taddeo TA, Sargsyan A. A framework for multinational medical support for the International Space Station: a model for exploration. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(2):129134.

The International Space Station

2019 ◽  
pp. 79-95
Author(s):  
Chris Nie
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Space Station ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Moon ◽  
New Era ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Race ◽  
Future Space ◽  
Technical Details

A new era of spaceflight dawned following the conclusion of the United States and Russian space race. This new era has been marked by the design, assembly, and operation of one of the greatest engineering feats mankind has accomplished, the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is comprised of hundreds of thousands of kilograms of material built on the ground and transported to space for assembly. It houses an artificial atmosphere to sustain life in outer space and has been continually inhabited for over 15 years. This chapter describes the technical complexity of the ISS, the background of how it was assembled, its major systems, details of crew life onboard, commercial usage of the resource, and examples of mishaps that have occurred during the ISS's operation. The technical details of the ISS provide a glimpse into what future space stations that might orbit the Moon and Mars will resemble.

scholarly journals Whole-Genome Sequences of Clinical Enterobacter bugandensis Isolates from Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (29) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Falgenhauer ◽  
Can Imirzalioglu ◽  
Linda Falgenhauer ◽  
Yancheng Yao ◽  
Anja M. Hauri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Pathogenic Species ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
First Time

Enterobacter bugandensis is the most pathogenic species of the genus Enterobacter and is a cause of life-threatening infections in neonates. Curiously, it was also detected in samples from the International Space Station. Here, we present complete closed genome sequences of two clinical E. bugandensis isolates recognized for the first time in Germany.

Activities of the International Space Organization and Station

2021 ◽  
pp. 140-152
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Artificial Satellite ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Joint Project ◽  
Intergovernmental Organization ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Space Organization

This chapter describes the establishment process, purpose of establishment, mission, exploration plan, activities of the European Space Agency (ESA) and International Space Station (ISS), and an explanation of the contents of the treaty that is legal basis for its establishment. The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization of 22 member states dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Paris, France, ESA has a worldwide staff of about 2,200 in 2018 and an annual budget of about € 6.68 billion (US $ 7.43 billion) in 2020. ESA also works closely with space organizations outside Europe. ESA has missions planned for Jupiter (JUICE, 2022) and others that will seek dark matter (Euclid, 2020) and observe the energetic universe (Athena, 2028). The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station (habitable artificial satellite) in low Earth orbit. The ISS programme is a joint project between five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscomos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).

Mechanical Design and Development of a Payload for Structural Health Monitoring Experiments on the International Space Station

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas MacNinch ◽  
Daniel Pacheco ◽  
Arjun Tandon ◽  
Carl Bancroft ◽  
Isaac Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Health Monitoring ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
International Space ◽  
Future Space

Abstract This contribution reports design and development of a payload for structural health monitoring (SHM) experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). The payload was designed to operate in low earth orbit (LEO) environment and fit specifications of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) module. In particular, LEO environmental factors such as a strong vacuum, thermal variations from −18°C to 60°C [1], and background radiation were considered. The payload is a rectangular multi-leveled structure which houses several SHM experiments, active sensors self-assessment, and electronic hardware with data storage and retrieval capabilities. SHM experiments include guided wave propagation in a metallic structure, monitoring of an imitated crack, assessment of a bolted joint, investigation of structural vibration via electromechanical impedance method, and acoustic emission monitoring. In addition, piezoelectric sensor self-assessment is realised using impedance diagnostics. It is anticipated that the payload will operate for one year in LEO and provide insights on the effect of space environment on SHM of future space vehicles during long-duration flights. This contribution focuses on mechanical design of the payload to support SHM experiment. Specific arrangement of payload elements and implementation of boundary conditions for SHM experiments are reported. Theoretical calculations and examples of SHM experimental data obtained in laboratory tests are presented and discussed in light of expected variations due to LEO environment. Measures to protect SHM hardware from harsh space environment are presented. Perspective applications of SHM as an integral component of future space systems are discussed.

Microbes and Crewed Space Habitat

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1022-1024
Author(s):  
Nobuyasu Yamaguchi ◽  
◽  
Masao Nasu
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Environmental Microbiology ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
International Space ◽  
Microbiological Safety ◽  
Fundamental Information ◽  
Space Habitat

Microbes exist everywhere, and studies have demonstrated the presence of viable microorganisms in a crewed space habitat. Microorganisms within space habitats pose potential hazards to crew health and potentially damage hardware. Continuing successful long-term space habitation requires fundamental information on microbiological safety for avoiding biohazards in space. We discuss the importance of researching microbes in crewed space habitats and of monitoring microbes on the International Space Station (ISS). We also review environmental microbiology perspectives in crewed space habitats and the microbiology of the space environment (astromicrobiology).

scholarly journals FEATURES OF FORMATION OF BACTERIAL BIOFILMS IN CONDITIONS OF SPACE FLIGHT

2016 ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
O. V. Rybalchenko ◽  
O. G. Orlova ◽  
O. N. Vishnevskaya ◽  
V. V. Kapustina ◽  
I. L. Potokin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Flight ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Experiment ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Surface Conditions ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Experiments ◽  
First Time

Aim. Study the effect of microgravitation on the formation of Lactobacillus plantarum 8PA-3 bacterial biofilms in the conditions of space flight. Materials and methods. Information on the effect of microgravitation on the development of biofilms was obtained during study of L. plantarum 8PA-3 probiotic lactobacilli in special equipment in the process of execution of space experiments in the Russian segment of the International Space Station. Comparative analysis of growth of plankton and biofilm forms of cells developing in the conditions of space flight and surface conditions was carried out by microbiologic and electron-microscopy methods using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Results. Accelerated dynamics of formation of L. plantarum 8PA-3 lactobacilli biofilm on the surface of polymer substrate was shown for the first time during the space experiment. Microbiological analysis of the bacterial culture has also confirmed the accelerated growth of L. plantarum 8PA-3 under microgravitation compared with surface conditions. Ultrastructure of plankton form of L. plantarum 8PA-3 taking part in formation of biofilms in conditions of microgravitation was detected for the first time in the space experiment. Conclusion. Data on comparative electron-microscopic analysis obtained in space experiments are important for scientific justification of the effect of microgravitation on bacterial communities developing as biofilms - the most natural form of existence of microorganisms. The results obtained could be taken into consideration during creation of novel antibacterial means and disinfectants as well as methods of treatment of surfaces of modules of piloted space complexes that could allow to clarify methods of effective prophylaxis of biofilm spread which pose a risk of health of the crew and normal functioning of equipment in the International Space Station.

scholarly journals Geoscientist-Rich Crew Slated for Space Station Next Year

Eos ◽  
2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
JoAnna Wendel
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Space Station ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Agency

Geophysicists from NASA and the European Space Agency and the first African American chosen to serve on the International Space Station are selected for 2018 missions.

Resolving Velocity-Degenerate Configurations (Singularities) of Redundant Manipulators

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron P. Podhorodeski ◽  
Scott B. Nokleby ◽  
Jonathan D. Wittchen
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Redundant Manipulators ◽  
Redundant Manipulator ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Joint Displacement ◽  
General Velocity

Abstract A kinematically-(joint)-redundant spatial manipulator will not be velocity degenerate (singular) if any combination of six of its joints span the 6-system of general velocity. Therefore, all 6x6 sub-matrices of the matrix of joint screw coordinates J (commonly referred to as the Jacobian) must be rank deficient for a spatial joint-redundant manipulator to be velocity degenerate. Concurrency of zero 6x6 sub-matrix determinants of J allows sets of joint-displacement conditions leading to velocity-degenerate configurations to be identified. For actual manipulators, each set of degeneracy conditions must be checked to see if the conditions are feasible for existing device dimensions and occur within existing joint displacement limits. Within this work, the concept of concurrency of zero 6x6-sub-matrix determinants of J is considered and applied to the identification of velocity degeneracies for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA)/International Submarine Engineering (ISE) STEAR Testbed Manipulator (STM). The STM consists of two 7-jointed arms that are kinematically similar to the arms of the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (SPDM) proposed for use on the International Space Station (ISS). Five unique 2-condition families of velocity degenerate configurations are found to cause velocity degeneracies for each of the 7-jointed arms. It is shown that only four of these five potential degeneracies correspond to reachable families of joint-displacement configurations for the CSA/ISE STM arms.

Contaminations of inner surface of magnesium fluoride windows in the ‘Expose-R’ experiment on the International Space Station

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-320
Author(s):  
V. E. Skurat
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Vacuum Ultraviolet ◽  
Group Formation ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
High Space

AbstractA series of experiments was carried out previously on board of the International Space Station in ‘EXPOSE-R’, a multi-user expose facility, provided by European Space Agency attached to the external surface of the Russian Segment. In one experiment, spores of microorganisms and species of higher plant seeds, in heat-sealed polymer bags were irradiated by solar radiation passed through MgF2 windows in a high space vacuum. After sample exposure, it was found that in many cases the inner surfaces of windows were contaminated. Analysis of the contamination revealed the presence of chemical groups CH2, CH3, NH, OH, C═O, Si–CH3 (Demets et al. in 2015). Their presence in deposits was explained by photofixation of gaseous precursors – some of the vapours of glues and additives in polymeric materials in the core facility of ‘Expose-R’. Carbon-, oxygen- and silicon-containing groups may be deposited from outer intrinsic atmosphere. This atmosphere is connected with sample compartments and core facility. However, the presence of NH groups on inner surfaces of windows was not expected. This paper shows that the process responsible for carbon-, nitrogen- and oxygen-containing group formation can be a photopolymerization of caprolactam, which is released from the outer Nylon 6 layer of polymer bags under Solar vacuum ultraviolet radiation.

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