Both luxury laboratory technicians and first-rate guinea pigs, the occupants of the International Space Station (ISS) have a busy scientific schedule. The science carried out on the ISS is, of course, to do with the particular effects of microgravity on organisms and matter. There is a growing emphasis on human physiology, and its adaptation to long stays in space, in the context of an upcoming return to the Moon and beyond. on Mars.
Cadmos
Depending on its contribution to the financing of the space station, each space agency has “crew time”. The Cadmos (Center for the Development of Microgravity Activities and Space Operations), one of the Cnes structures at the Toulouse Space Center, oversees the experiments offered by France. He has proposed twelve new ones (and manages eighteen others, out of the 200 or so underway in the ISS) which are arriving with Thomas Pesquet. Most will continue in the ISS after it returns to Earth.
Mini-brains in zero gravity
Cited at each of his press conferences by Thomas Pesquet, the experiments on brain organoids, stem cells organized in such a way as to simulate certain functions of a real organ, do indeed resemble “science fiction”. These experiences started in 2019, with a first shipment of ” mini-brains »Designed at the University of San Diego (California) in the ISS. Brain organoids are used to study neural development, degenerative diseases or the effect of age. However, in the ISS, organisms, subjected to radiation and microgravity “Age faster ». The experience Cerebral Ageing will analyze the effect of this particular environment on these mini-brains, at the molecular level.
The astronaut’s sleep
More than an experience, Dreams is a “Technological demonstrator” which must validate the effectiveness of a “Sleep band”, as an analysis tool for long-term assignments. It does exist on Earth, but this one is believed to be almost as efficient as the electrode batteries used in sleep centers.
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Badge of the “Dreams” experiment which will validate in zero gravity the effectiveness of a dry electrode sleep band used to study astronauts’ sleep over a long period of time. © © Emmanuel Grard / Cnes
A fiber optic dosimeter
The light aims to demonstrate that optical fiber can be used as a dosimeter of ionizing radiation in the ISS. The optical fiber becomes cloudy as it is irradiated and scatters less light at the exit. If ionizing radiation is relatively weak in the ISS, this device could, in the future, serve as a warning to long-distance astronauts, in the event of a solar storm dangerously charged with radiation.
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Interior of the fiber optic dosimeter of the “Lumina” experiment. © © Thierry De Prada / Cnes
Without hands
The acoustic clamp Telemachus allows the manipulation of small objects or liquids without coming into contact with them, thanks to the force of ultrasonic waves. In particular, it could make it possible to move biological samples without risk of contaminating them.
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The “Telemachus” acoustic clamp will be used on board the ISS. © © Thierry De Prada / Cnes
Grow your blob
It is a more educational experience than of high scientific interest. This amazing giant single-cell organism, the Physarum monocephalum is known as the blob, a name inspired by the gelatinous substance of the horror films of the same name (1958 with a remake in 1988). It seems capable of learning and combines properties of fungus, animal and plant. The space station will host blobs in July, subsequently subjected to two experiments (exploration and reaction to different foods). A call has been launched to recruit 2,000 schools which will compare, from the end of September, the reactions of their blobs to those subjected to microgravity in the ISS. Institutions have until May 21 to apply.
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Blobs in a Petri dish. © © Thierry De Prada / Cnes
The start of the Alpha mission can be followed live, especially on the web TV de l’ESA.
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