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Georgia, California Students to Hear from Astronauts on Space Station
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By Space Force
The commander of Space Forces Indo-Pacific discussed the importance of working with regional allies in order to deter adversaries and maintain a rules-based international order, Oct. 22.
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By NASA
NASA researchers developed a Quiet Space Fan to reduce the noise inside crewed spacecraft, sharing the results with industry for potential use on future commercial space stations.
Controlling noise inside spacecraft helps humans talk to each other, hear alarms clearer, get restful sleep, and minimizes the risk of hearing loss. It is best to control the noise at the source, and in spacecraft the noise often comes from cabin ventilation and equipment cooling fans.
Since the earliest days of human spaceflight, there has been noise from the Environmental Control and Life Support System ventilation. NASA is working to design highly efficient and quiet fans by building on technology initially developed at the agency’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and sharing it with companies that are developing new spacecraft and space stations.
The Quiet Space Fan prototype, initially developed at Glenn, to reduce noise inside spacecraft.Credits: NASA “As NASA continues to support the design and development of multiple commercial space stations, we have intentional and focused efforts to share technical expertise, technologies, and data with industry,” said Angela Hart, manager of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “The Quiet Space Fan research is one more example of how we are actively working with private companies to foster the development of future destinations.”
The initial fan prototype was designed at Glenn in 2009 using tools developed for aircraft turbofan engines. The fan design size, flow rate – how much air the fan moves – and pressure rise – the increase in pressure across the fan – were designed similarly to the original Orion cabin fan design point (150 cubic feet per minute, 3.64 inches of water column). Acoustic measurements showed that the new design was approximately 10 decibels quieter than a similar-sized commercial off-the-shelf fan.
To take the research a step further, a larger fan was recently designed with almost twice the flow rate and pressure rise capability (250 cubic feet per minute, 7 inches of water column) compared to the initial prototype. For example, the original fan could provide enough airflow for a large car or van, and the larger fan could provide enough airflow for a house.
NASA’s quiet fan design aims to maintain high performance standards while significantly reducing everyday noise levels and can potentially be used on the International Space Station and future commercial destinations.
The Quiet Space Fan helps to control noise that often comes from cabin ventilation and equipment cooling fans, and the research is being shared with industry. Credits: NASA “This work will lead to significant benefits including volume and mass savings from noise controls that are no longer as large or needed at all, reduced system pressure loss from mufflers and silencers that don’t need to be as restrictive, reduced power draw because of the reduced system pressure loss and the highly efficient fan design, and satisfying spaceflight vehicle acoustic requirements to provide a safe and habitable acoustic environment for astronauts,” said Chris Allen, Acoustics Office manager at NASA Johnson.
Developing quieter fans is one of many efforts NASA is making to improve human spaceflight and make space exploration more innovative and comfortable for future missions to low Earth orbit. Helping private companies provide reliable and safe services at a lower cost will allow the agency to focus on Artemis missions to the Moon while continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for deep space missions.
Learn more about NASA’s commercial space strategy at:
https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/commercial-space
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By European Space Agency
ESA Impact Council Edition: Your update on space achievements
An interactive publication covering captivating stories and stunning images since the last Council meeting.
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By NASA
Microgravity had no immediate effect on a person’s ability to perceive the height of an object, indicating that astronauts can safely perform tasks that rely on accurate and precise height judgments soon after arrival in space.
We use the height and width of objects around us to complete tasks such as reaching for objects and deciding whether we can fit through an opening. VECTION, an investigation from the Canadian Space Agency, examined the effect of microgravity on an astronaut’s visual perception and how that ability may adapt during flight or upon return to Earth. Researchers conclude there is no need for countermeasures but suggest that space travelers be made aware of late-emerging and potentially long-lasting changes in the ability to perceive object height.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques conducts a session for the VECTION experiment. NASA/Anne McClain Analysis of the genomes of five new species of bacteria found on the International Space Station identified specific adaptations to space, including the development of increased antibiotic resistance and a greater potential for causing diseases. The genes that facilitate these adaptations could serve as potential targets for drugs, helping to protect crew health on future missions.
Microbial Tracking-2 monitored viruses, bacteria, and fungi on the space station to catalog and characterize any with the potential to cause disease. Understanding the mechanisms behind adaptations to space could advance development of ways to protect crew member health as well as spacecraft and equipment on future missions. Microbial adaptations also have potential applications in biotechnology, such as engineering more resilient organisms for use in space and extraterrestrial environments.
A Microbial Tracking-2 sample collector on the International Space Station. NASA/Jack Fischer When NASA’s Airborne Lightning Observatory for Fly’s Eye and the space station’s ASIM instrument briefly passed over the same geographic area, the airborne instrument detected terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes (TGFs) that were not detected by ASIM. TGFs are short bursts of gamma‐rays produced by lightning in thunderclouds. This result suggests that a significant number of TGFs are too weak to be observed from space and that the percentage of lightning associated with these phenomena may be higher than previously thought.
ASIM, an investigation from the European Space Agency, studies high-altitude lightning in thunderstorms and the role it plays in Earth’s atmosphere and climate. Results could help scientists develop better atmospheric models to guide weather and climate prediction and response. The airborne instrument took measurements at an altitude of about 12 miles and ASIM at approximately 260 miles above Earth’s surface.
A view of ASIM mounted on the outside of the space station. NASAView the full article
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By NASA
At any given time, crew members are conducting dozens of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations on the International Space Station. If you’re curious about this work, the Space Station Research Xplorer (SSRX) mobile application provides information on these experiments, special facilities on the station, research benefits, and published results. The app includes summaries of each investigation along with photos, videos, interactive media, and additional reference links.
Screenshot from the Space Station Research Xplorer (SSRX) mobile app
Other sections include:
Facilities – brief descriptions of research facilities browsable by research category, with images and information on sponsoring agency and organization, research manager, results publications, and media links when available. Benefits – information on how the research benefits space exploration and people on Earth, with sections offering more in-depth understanding of the types of benefits, access to the latest ISS Benefits for Humanity publication, and relevant videos and audio podcasts. Results – listings of peer-reviewed scientific publications in which papers related to station research appeared in a given fiscal year and summaries of recent and especially compelling findings that advance science, technology, and education, as well as promote the commercialization of space and benefit humankind. This section also provides access to the latest Annual Highlights of Results publication. LabTour – exploration of the interior of the station’s Columbus, Kibo, and Destiny modules, including tapping on any of the research racks to learn more information and an experiment description when available. Media – a variety of imagery, videos, fact sheets, and social media posts on space station research. Links – related space station research and technology demonstration opportunities, mobile apps, web landing pages, podcasts, social media, images, videos, educational resources, and more. The SSRX app is updated each month and available for iPhone, iPad, and Android platforms. The app is even available to the astronauts currently in space.
Download the Space Station Research Xplorer (SSRX) mobile app from:
Apple Google Play
NASA also offers apps that provide interactive experiences with two major areas of space station research: plant growth and human health.
Screenshot from the NASA Science Investigations: Plant Growth app On the NASA Science Investigations: Plant Growth app, your task as the newest member of the crew is to familiarize yourself with the interior of the station, which is the size of a five-bedroom house and contains a wide variety of equipment and tools. Once you are ready, help with a plant growth experiment, conducting tasks such as watering, trimming, and analyzing plant growth. Future missions need the ability to grow plants in space to provide fresh food for crew members and to contribute to life support systems, and the space station has hosted multiple experiments working toward this goal. Researchers have grown lettuces, Chinese cabbage, mustard greens, kale, tomatoes, radishes, and chile peppers on orbit. Now it’s your turn!
Download the NASA Science Investigations: Plant Growth mobile app from:
App Store Google Play
Screenshot from the NASA Science Investigations: Humans in Space app Your job on the NASA Science Investigations: Humans in Space app is to follow instructions provided and make sure the H-II Transfer Vehicle is successfully berthed to the station. This uncrewed spacecraft from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is one of several that make regular visits from Earth, bringing supplies, scientific experiments, and treats for the crew such as fresh fruit. You perform this task while experiencing the effects of microgravity, including adjusting to being nearly weightless, the lack of references such as up or down, and tools that float away.
Download the NASA Science Investigations: Humans in Space mobile app from:
App Store Google Play
Keep Exploring Discover More Topics
Opportunities and Information for Researchers
Latest News from Space Station Research
Station Benefits for Humanity
Biological & Physical Science Stories
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