Beyond the Earth’s magnetosphere, biology will be exposed to a constant, low-flux shower of high-energy ionizing radiation, such as that from galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar particle events (SPEs). The deep space environment is characterized by ionizing radiation and reduced gravity, both of which can have detrimental effects on biology. Since then, long-duration missions have been confined to LEO, such as those to the International Space Station (ISS). The last time NASA performed space biology experiments beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) was during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The goal of this Perspective is to provide a brief introduction to examples of past and current technologies in space biology research, and how they influence the development of biosensor technologies for future missions to deep space.
This goal is unachievable unless we can ensure the safety and health of the astronaut crew and other terrestrial biology on those missions. NASA currently has plans to return humans to the Moon and eventually land crewed missions on Mars. They will utilize biosensors that can better elucidate the effects of the space environment on biology, allowing humanity to return safely to deep space, venturing farther than ever before. Several have been deployed in LEO, but the next iterations of biological CubeSats will travel beyond LEO. CubeSats also provide a low-cost alternative to larger, more complex missions, and require minimal crew support, if any. Small satellites such as CubeSats are capable of querying relevant space environments using novel, miniaturized instruments and biosensors. However, given the constraints of the deep space environment, upcoming deep space biological missions will be largely limited to microbial organisms and plant seeds using miniaturized technologies. These LEO missions have studied many biological phenomena in a variety of model organisms, and have utilized a broad range of technologies. Although many biological experiments have been performed in space since the 1960s, most have occurred in LEO and for only short periods of time. The experiments will be performed in the next four months, known in NASA as ‘expedition five’.In light of future missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) and the potential establishment of bases on the Moon and Mars, the effects of the deep space environment on biology need to be examined in order to develop protective countermeasures. Scientist selected indium antimonide because of its relatively low melting point (512☌) and because it is useful for creating models that apply other semiconductors.Įxperiments will take place inside specially-made furnaces within the Microgravity Science Glovebox – a new research facility built by the European Space Agency and being delivered to the space station this month. “Bubbles are more likely to get trapped in samples processed in microgravity, which makes it an excellent place to study their movements and interactions,” said NASA scientist Dr Richard Grugel.Īfter initial experiments with a transparent modelling material called succinonitrile, indium antimonide will be melted and re-solidified in microgravity to form single crystals.
Studying bubbles on earth is complicated by the tendency for them to float out before solidification. The International Space Station will play a part in semiconductor research as the study of ‘bad bubbles’ – a cause of defects in chips as well as engine turbine blades – is high on its research agenda. Space Station to study chip bubbles Steve Bush
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