Using Microgravity as a Tool in Research and Technology

Space offers many novel approaches to experimental systems.  The environment of the spacecraft is exposed to high energy radiation, is often a closed system, and is in microgravity.   The latter results in environmental changes that afford unique opportunities in physics and biological research and for technological developments.  In microgravity: 1) there is loss of gravity driven convection, 2)  there is no density-based phase separation, 3) particles suspended in fluids or gas do not sediment but rather tend to spontaneously aggregate with time, 4) mass transfer is governed by the rate of diffusion, 5) hydrostatic pressure gradients are leveled, and 6) living systems undergo novel adaptational changes.  Thus microgravity may be used analytically to investigate the role of these environmental conditions on processes or to facilitate manufacturing.  In life systems, adaptation to the conditions created by microgravity or the direct response of life to microgravity gives insight into fundamental biological processes and sets the stage to use microgravity to discover new biochemical pathways, intermediates, genes, and peptides.  Accessing microgravity can be achieved through several venues: Free fall systems, suborbital rocketry, and orbital missions.  Presently, the USA, Russia, Europe, China, and Japan have capabilities for orbital missions.   In the US, orbital missions may soon be available from commercial suppliers. In addition several other countries have suborbital rockets that can host experiments.  Critical determinants in the use of microgravity are duration of the experiments, analysis and data processing, and requirement for specimen return.  In summary, microgravity is a monumental opportunity for discovery research and technology, and in the ensuing years, more researchers can pursue their science in microgravity as well as on Earth.

Dr. Neal Pellis is Senior Scientist in the Space Life Sciences Directorate at the NASA Johnson Space Center. 

Dr. Pellis joined NASA in October 1994, having previously been on the Faculty of Northwestern University Medical School, the University of Texas Medical School, and the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. In 2003, he completed a one-year assignment to NASA Headquarters as International Space Station Program Scientist and Executive Secretary of the NASA Space Station Utilization Advisory Subcommittee.  In April 2007, he was named Senior Scientist for Space Life Sciences.
Space Life Sciences’ mission is to optimize human health and productivity for space exploration.

neal.r.pellis@nasa.gov

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