The ISS provides an international laboratory in which scientists can have experiments that require the removal of gravity, as an influence, conducted. It can be difficult for scientists to study isolated variables in a system when one or more variables has an overwhelming influence. On the ground, scientists can build experiments that remove the influence of variables like temperature, light, moisture, pressure, and sound. But, they really can’t do much, other than small scale centrifuge use, to remove the influence of gravity.
The ISS provides an international laboratory in which we can study the impacts of the space environment on payloads. Gravity isn’t the only difference between operating on Earth and operating in space. We need to learn how variables such as solar and galactic radiation affect items. We need to learn about how the space environment will affect the items we send to space for future missions, such as spacecraft equipment. The crew are also payloads. If we are going to one day venture farther out into the solar system, we need to better understand what happens to people that are in space for a long time. What happens to their bones and muscles? Are they psychologically altered? Does their ability to perform a task diminish with time? Through observing the crew over the last 16 years, we’ve learned a lot about long duration spaceflight. We’ve made exercise and dietary changes that have reduced the bone and muscle loss. We’ve observed changes that weren’t predicted, such as changes in eyeglass prescription as the shape of the eye changes during long duration spaceflight.
The ISS provides an international platform to mount experiments that can study Earth and the space environment without needing to construct dedicated spacecraft. Cameras and other sensors can be delivered to space by a cargo vehicle and then mounted to the ISS by the crew. Those items can receive their power from the ISS and provide their data to the ISS. They can be kept safely in orbit by the ISS, and if needed, maintained and upgraded by the crew. They can also be operated by the crew. The crew are often called upon to perform Earth observation activities to support people on the ground during major events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and fires. Just today, the crew have been asked to collect data about the tropical cyclone that is threatening Japan.
The ISS provides an international platform to mount Earth observation and radio frequency medium experiments in low Earth orbit without needing to construct dedicated spacecraft. For example, there is an experiment called SCaN that is composed of software defined radios. The experiment is utilized to conduct various ground station to SCaN radio and SCaN radio to satellite experiments.
The ISS serves as a technology testbed. Equipment for future space missions needs to be validated in space before primary use. Such equipment can be sent to the ISS for testing and then safely returned to the ground. While in space, it can sometimes be utilized by the crew, in a way similar to its eventual use for its mission.
The ISS provides an international laboratory in which we can study the impacts of the space environment on payloads. Gravity isn’t the only difference between operating on Earth and operating in space. We need to learn how variables such as solar and galactic radiation affect items. We need to learn about how the space environment will affect the items we send to space for future missions, such as spacecraft equipment. The crew are also payloads. If we are going to one day venture farther out into the solar system, we need to better understand what happens to people that are in space for a long time. What happens to their bones and muscles? Are they psychologically altered? Does their ability to perform a task diminish with time? Through observing the crew over the last 16 years, we’ve learned a lot about long duration spaceflight. We’ve made exercise and dietary changes that have reduced the bone and muscle loss. We’ve observed changes that weren’t predicted, such as changes in eyeglass prescription as the shape of the eye changes during long duration spaceflight.
The ISS provides an international platform to mount experiments that can study Earth and the space environment without needing to construct dedicated spacecraft. Cameras and other sensors can be delivered to space by a cargo vehicle and then mounted to the ISS by the crew. Those items can receive their power from the ISS and provide their data to the ISS. They can be kept safely in orbit by the ISS, and if needed, maintained and upgraded by the crew. They can also be operated by the crew. The crew are often called upon to perform Earth observation activities to support people on the ground during major events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and fires. Just today, the crew have been asked to collect data about the tropical cyclone that is threatening Japan.
The ISS provides an international platform to mount Earth observation and radio frequency medium experiments in low Earth orbit without needing to construct dedicated spacecraft. For example, there is an experiment called SCaN that is composed of software defined radios. The experiment is utilized to conduct various ground station to SCaN radio and SCaN radio to satellite experiments.
The ISS serves as a technology testbed. Equipment for future space missions needs to be validated in space before primary use. Such equipment can be sent to the ISS for testing and then safely returned to the ground. While in space, it can sometimes be utilized by the crew, in a way similar to its eventual use for its mission.
No comments:
Post a Comment