scholarly journals Designing Procedure Execution Tools with Emerging Technologies for Future Astronauts

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1607
Author(s):  
John A. Karasinski ◽  
Isabel C. Torron Valverde ◽  
Holly L. Brosnahan ◽  
Jack W. Gale ◽  
Ron Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Task Completion ◽  
Human Spaceflight ◽  
Control Center ◽  
New Era ◽  
Ground Support ◽  
Long Duration

NASA’s human spaceflight efforts are moving towards long-duration exploration missions requiring asynchronous communication between onboard crew and an increasingly remote ground support. In current missions aboard the International Space Station, there is a near real-time communication loop between Mission Control Center and astronauts. This communication is essential today to support operations, maintenance, and science requirements onboard, without which many tasks would no longer be feasible. As NASA takes the next leap into a new era of human space exploration, new methods and tools compensating for the lack of continuous, real-time communication must be explored. The Human-Computer Interaction Group at NASA Ames Research Center has been investigating emerging technologies and their applicability to increase crew autonomy in missions beyond low Earth orbit. Interactions using augmented reality and the Internet of Things have been researched as possibilities to facilitate usability within procedure execution operations. This paper outlines four research efforts that included technology demonstrations and usability studies with prototype procedure tools implementing emerging technologies. The studies address habitat feedback integration, analogous procedure testing, task completion management, and crew training. Through these technology demonstrations and usability studies, we find that low- to medium-fidelity prototypes, evaluated early in the design process, are both effective for garnering stakeholder buy-in and developing requirements for future systems. In this paper, we present the findings of the usability studies for each project and discuss ways in which these emerging technologies can be integrated into future human spaceflight operations.

scholarly journals Urologic Innovation in the Spaceflight Environment: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Kahlenberg ◽  
Danielle Carroll ◽  
Octav Cristea ◽  
Emmanuel Urquieta ◽  
Nabil Bissada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Space Station ◽  
Renal Calculi ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Human Spaceflight ◽  
Endoscopic Techniques ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Tract Infections

The coming decades are poised to usher in an era of commercial spaceflight and extended duration missions beyond low-earth orbit. Urologic challenges and conditions have been central to the history of human spaceflight, and their effective management will continue to play a key role in future endeavors. Voiding equipment, such as the Universal Waste Management System aboard the International Space Station, is emblematic of the significant technical strides that have been made to improve the usability and functionality of non-terrestrial waste elimination and containment devices. Detailed investigations over the past few decades have demonstrated that crew members are at an increased risk of developing nephrolithiasis due, in large part, to the effects of microgravity. Renal calculi and their potentially debilitating effects represent one of the most significant urologic complications that could impact the success of future long duration missions. Other urologic conditions, such as urinary tract infections, urinary retention, and urinary incontinence have been well documented during flight and pose their own challenges. While preventive measures remain central to all mitigation strategies, imaging and treatment modalities such as a S-Mode ultrasound, burst wave lithotripsy, and ultrasonic propulsion are being developed and evaluated as in-flight countermeasures for urologic pathology. Parabolic flights have been conducted to develop and evaluate the feasibility of using surgical and endoscopic techniques to treat urologic conditions in microgravity. Although less often discussed, occupation-related delayed conception and the risk of radiation-induced gamete damage suggests that there may be a need for NASA to adopt a policy for Assisted Reproductive Technology for both male and female astronauts. The last 60 years of human spaceflight have provided a unique opportunity for discovery and medical technology innovation. This paper serves to highlight the advancements that will help pave the way for the next 60 years of human spaceflight.

Long-read sequencing reveals increased occurrence of genomic variants and adenosine methylation in Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 after long-duration flight exposure onboard the International Space Station

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Samantha M. Waters ◽  
S. Marshall Ledford ◽  
Amanda Wacker ◽  
Sonali Verma ◽  
Bianca Serda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Bacillus Pumilus ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Methylation Pattern ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Survival Fraction ◽  
International Space ◽  
Genomic Variants ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Long Read

Abstract Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032, an endospore-forming bacterial strain, was investigated to determine its methylation pattern (methylome) change, compared to ground control, after direct exposure to space conditions onboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 1.5 years. The resulting ISS-flown and non-flown strains were sequenced using the Nanopore MinION and an in-house method and pipeline to identify methylated positions in the genome. Our analysis indicated genomic variants and m6A methylation increased in the ISS-flown SAFR-032. To complement the broader omics investigation and explore phenotypic changes, ISS-flown and non-flown strains were compared in a series of laboratory-based chamber experiments using an X-ray irradiation source (doses applied at 250, 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 Gy); results show a potentially higher survival fraction of ISS-flown DS2 at the two highest exposures. Taken together, results from this study document lasting changes to the genome by methylation, potentially triggered by conditions in spaceflight, with functional consequences for the resistance of bacteria to stressors expected on long-duration missions beyond low Earth orbit.

The AMINO experiment: a laboratory for astrochemistry and astrobiology on the EXPOSE-R facility of the International Space Station

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Cottin ◽  
K. Saiagh ◽  
Y.Y. Guan ◽  
M. Cloix ◽  
D. Khalaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Vacuum Ultraviolet ◽  
Rna World ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
International Space ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
World Hypothesis

AbstractThe study of the evolution of organic matter subjected to space conditions, and more specifically to Solar photons in the vacuum ultraviolet range (120–200 nm) has been undertaken in low-Earth orbit since the 1990s, and implemented on various space platforms. This paper describes a photochemistry experiment called AMINO, conducted during 22 months between 2009 and 2011 on the EXPOSE-R ESA facility, outside the International Space Station. Samples with relevance to astrobiology (connected to comets, carbonaceous meteorites and micrometeorites, the atmosphere of Titan and RNA world hypothesis) have been selected and exposed to space environment. They have been analysed after return to the Earth. This paper is not discussing the results of the experiment, but rather gives a general overview of the project, the details of the hardware used, its configuration and recent developments to enable long-duration exposure of gaseous samples in tight closed cells enabling for the first time to derive quantitative results from gaseous phase samples exposed in space.

scholarly journals Human Space Exploration: The Next Fifty Years

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David R Williams ◽  
Matthew Turnock
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Science Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Distance Constant ◽  
Time Distance ◽  
Human Space Exploration

Preparation for the fftieth anniversary of human spacefight in the spring of 2011 provides the space faring nations with an opportunity to refect on past achievements as well as consider the next fifty years of human spacefight. The International Space Station is a unique platform for long duration life science research that will play a critical role in preparing for future human space exploration beyond low earth orbit. Some feel the future path back to the Moon and on to Mars may be delayed with the current commitment of the united States to support the development of human-rated commercial spacecraft. others see this as a unique opportunity to leverage the capability of the private sector in expanding access to  space exploration. This article provides an overview of the past achievements in hu- man spacefight and discusses future missions over the next ffty years and the role  space medicine will play in extending the time-distance constant of human space exploration.

scholarly journals CIB: An Improved Communication Architecture for Real-Time Monitoring of Aerospace Materials, Instruments, and Sensors on the ISS

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Krasowski ◽  
Norman F. Prokop ◽  
Joseph M. Flatico ◽  
Lawrence C. Greer ◽  
Phillip P. Jenkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Aerospace Materials ◽  
Enabling Technology ◽  
Communication Architecture ◽  
And Control ◽  
Radiation Hard

The Communications Interface Board (CIB) is an improved communications architecture that was demonstrated on the International Space Station (ISS). ISS communication interfaces allowing for real-time telemetry and health monitoring require a significant amount of development. The CIB simplifies the communications interface to the ISS for real-time health monitoring, telemetry, and control of resident sensors or experiments. With a simpler interface available to the telemetry bus, more sensors or experiments may be flown. The CIB accomplishes this by acting as a bridge between the ISS MIL-STD-1553 low-rate telemetry (LRT) bus and the sensors allowing for two-way command and telemetry data transfer. The CIB was designed to be highly reliable and radiation hard for an extended flight in low Earth orbit (LEO) and has been proven with over 40 months of flight operation on the outside of ISS supporting two sets of flight experiments. Since the CIB is currently operating in flight on the ISS, recent results of operations will be provided. Additionally, as a vehicle health monitoring enabling technology, an overview and results from two experiments enabled by the CIB will be provided. Future applications for vehicle health monitoring utilizing the CIB architecture will also be discussed.

scholarly journals Operational radiation protection for human space flight: the flight surgeon’s perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 193-193
Author(s):  
U. Straube
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Deep Space ◽  
Mission Success ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Human Space Flight

Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space in 1961 almost 60 years ago. Eight years later Neil Armstrong left his footprints on the Moon – the first human on the surface of a celestial body other than Earth. By now long-duration missions of up to 1 year have become a reality for humans in space. Nearly 19 years of continuous human presence at the International Space Station (ISS) have provided a unique insight into human life in space. Humans are reaching out for more – targeting missions to take us outside the protective hull of low earth orbit into deep space. The challenges to human health and well-being remain significant and increase with distance and time from Earth. The lack of gravity, the ubiquitous ionising radiation, remoteness, and confinement are just some examples of the hostile environment of space. More hurdles have to be overcome prior to the human endeavour of reaching out into deep space and radiation is one such primary and inevitable factor that is key to crew health, safety and overall mission success. This presentation will provide an introduction into operational space medicine and radiation protection for humans in space as executed on ISS, in low earth orbit and in preparation for the scenarios ‘beyond’.

scholarly journals REAL-TIME WILDFIRE DETECTION FROM SPACE – A TRADE-OFF BETWEEN SENSOR QUALITY, PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS AND PAYLOAD SIZE

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-2/W16 ◽  
pp. 209-213
Author(s):  
S. B. Shah ◽  
T. Grübler ◽  
L. Krempel ◽  
S. Ernst ◽  
F. Mauracher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Ground Support ◽  
Ground Station ◽  
Thermal Output ◽  
Surface Location ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
Internet Networks

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Wildfires cause large scale devastation to human settlements and forests every year and their frequency and severity is on the rise. A major reason for this devastation is the significant delay in their detection due to their remote locations in forests. To mitigate this, a constellation of nanosatellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) equipped with multi-spectral visible to Infrared (IR) cameras is proposed leveraging the modular and affordable architecture of CubeSats. Coupled with the payload design, meticulously planned constellation and a ground support system, all surface points on the planet will be revisited at least once in an hour. Capturing a surface location with a high resolution in MidWavelength Infrared (MWIR) and LongWavelength Infrared (LWIR) allows a precise estimation of thermal output of the surface. Simulations indicate that a fire of about four hundred square meters can be easily detected from this satellite payload. Through onboard data processing, wildfires can be already detected in space, minimizing bandwidth requirements for real-time alerts. This enables an early wildfire warning within 30 min by utilizing existing satellite internet networks. Additionally, compressed raw images will be transmitted on fixed ground station passes to provide a global thermal data updated every 90&amp;thinsp;min. The near real-time multi-spectral data provides opportunity for several other applications like weather forecasting besides wildfire detection.</p>

scholarly journals The NASA Twins Study: A multidimensional analysis of a year-long human spaceflight

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 364 (6436) ◽  
pp. eaau8650
Author(s):  
Francine E. Garrett-Bakelman ◽  
Manjula Darshi ◽  
Stefan J. Green ◽  
Ruben C. Gur ◽  
Ling Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Instability ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Global Gene Expression ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Multidimensional Analysis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiota ◽  
Human Spaceflight ◽  
Ocular Structure ◽  
Long Duration

To understand the health impact of long-duration spaceflight, one identical twin astronaut was monitored before, during, and after a 1-year mission onboard the International Space Station; his twin served as a genetically matched ground control. Longitudinal assessments identified spaceflight-specific changes, including decreased body mass, telomere elongation, genome instability, carotid artery distension and increased intima-media thickness, altered ocular structure, transcriptional and metabolic changes, DNA methylation changes in immune and oxidative stress–related pathways, gastrointestinal microbiota alterations, and some cognitive decline postflight. Although average telomere length, global gene expression, and microbiome changes returned to near preflight levels within 6 months after return to Earth, increased numbers of short telomeres were observed and expression of some genes was still disrupted. These multiomic, molecular, physiological, and behavioral datasets provide a valuable roadmap of the putative health risks for future human spaceflight.

scholarly journals Evolution of Flexible Multibody Dynamics for Simulation Applications Supporting Human Spaceflight

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
An Huynh ◽  
Thomas A. Brain ◽  
John R. MacLean ◽  
Leslie J. Quiocho
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Multibody Dynamics ◽  
Space Shuttle ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Flexible Multibody Dynamics ◽  
Order Reduction ◽  
Contact Dynamics ◽  
Human Spaceflight ◽  
Concept Evaluation ◽  
Flexible Multibody

During the course of transition from the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs to the Orion and Journey to Mars exploration programs, a generic flexible multibody dynamics formulation and associated software implementation has evolved to meet an ever changing set of requirements at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). Challenging problems related to large transitional topologies and robotic free-flyer vehicle capture/release, contact dynamics, and exploration missions concept evaluation through simulation (e.g., asteroid surface operations) have driven this continued development. Coupled with this need is the requirement to oftentimes support human spaceflight operations in real-time. Moreover, it has been desirable to allow even more rapid prototyping of on-orbit manipulator and spacecraft systems, to support less complex infrastructure software for massively integrated simulations, to yield further computational efficiencies, and to take advantage of recent advances and availability of multi-core computing platforms. Since engineering analysis, procedures development, and crew familiarity/training for human spaceflight are fundamental to JSC’s charter, there is also a strong desire to share and reuse models in both the non-real-time and real-time domains, with the goal of retaining as much multibody dynamics fidelity as possible. Three specific enhancements are reviewed here: (1) linked list organization to address large transitional topologies, (2) body level model order reduction, and (3) parallel formulation/implementation. This paper provides a detailed overview of these primary updates to JSC’s flexible multibody dynamics algorithms as well as a comparison of numerical results to previous formulations and associated software.

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