Examples of research fields: Protein crystallization, Tissue Engineering, microbial research, molecular mechanisms of bone loss, biological mechanisms in plants…
Results obtained from ISS research may have implications for understanding basic biological processes, understanding stress response, developing drugs and therapeutics that can combat diseases and improving food supplies on Earth.
Examples of research fields: behavioural health and performance, bone and muscle physiology, exercise countermeasures, cardiovascular physiology, nutrition, immunology… Spaceflight induces several physiological changes in the human body including susceptibility to fainting after landing, vision changes potentially because of the harmful effects of microgravity on the eye and optic nerve, changes in blood volume, reduction in heart size and capacity, alterations in posture and locomotion, decreases in aerobic capacity and muscle tone, difficulty sleeping, increased risk for renal stone formation, weakened bones… Studying these effects will help to better understand the mechanisms behind these changes potentially resulting in countermeasures also applicable on terrestrial medical conditions such as osteoporosis.
The microgravity environment greatly reduces buoyancy driven convection, pressure head, and sedimentation in fluids. By eliminating gravity or using gravity as a factor in experimental design, the ISS allows physical scientists to better understand fluid physics; the dynamics of interfaces, such as the line of contact between a liquid and a gas; the physical behaviour of systems made up wholly or partially of particles; combustion processes in the absence of buoyant convection and the properties of materials.
Examples of research fields: surface wetting and interfacial tension, multiphase flow and heat transfer, multiphase system dynamics, solidification, and fire phenomena and combustion…
The ISS provides an infrastructure capable of demonstrating prototypes and systems that allows to advance spaceflight technology readiness. Potential technology areas include: In-Space Propulsion, Space Power and Energy, Robotics, Tele-Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Communication and Navigation, Life support and habitation Systems, Science Instruments, Entry-Descent-Landing Systems, Materials Structures and Manufacturing, Thermal Management Systems, Operational Processes and Procedures.
