NASA Publishes Report About International Space Station Science

HOUSTON, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Advances in the fight against
food poisoning, new methods for delivering medicine to cancer cells, and
better materials for future spacecraft are among the results published in a
NASA report detailing scientific research accomplishments made aboard the
International Space Station during its first eight years.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO)

The report includes more than 100 science experiments ranging from bone
studies to materials' research.

"This report represents a record of science accomplishments during assembly
and summarizes peer-reviewed publications to date," said Julie Robinson,
program scientist for the station at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
"As we enter the final year of station assembly, this report highlights the
capabilities and opportunities for space station research after assembly is
complete."

One of the most compelling results reported is the confirmation that the
ability of common germs to cause disease increases during spaceflight, but
that changing the growth environment of the bacteria can control this
virulence. The Effect of Spaceflight on Microbial Gene Expression and
Virulence experiment identified increased virulence of space-flown Salmonella
typhimurium, a leading cause of food poisoning. New research on subsequent
station missions will target development of a vaccine for this widespread
malady.

Another experiment produced a potential medical advance, demonstrating a new
and powerful method for delivering drugs to targets in the human body.
Microgravity research on the station was vital to development of miniature,
liquid-filled balloons the size of blood cells that can deliver medicine
directly to cancer cells. The research was conducted for the
Microencapsulation Electrostatic Processing System experiment.

One of the most prolific series of investigations aboard the station tests how
spacecraft materials withstand the harsh space environment. The results of the
Materials International Space Station Experiment already have been used to
develop solar cells for future commercial station cargo ships. This experiment
has significantly reduced the time needed to develop new satellite systems,
such as solar cells and insulation materials, and paved the way for materials
to be used in new NASA spacecraft such as the Orion crew capsule.

The report compiles experiment results collected from the first 15 station
missions, or expeditions, from 2000 to 2008. Results of some of the summarized
investigations are complete. Preliminary results are available from other
continuing investigations.

NASA's research activities on the station span several scientific areas,
including exploration technology development; microgravity research in the
physical and biological sciences; human physiology research; Earth science and
education.

The report details 22 different technology demonstrations; 33 physical science
experiments; 27 biological experiments; 32 experiments focused on the human
body; Earth observations and educational activities. In addition to science
important to long-duration human spaceflights, most findings also offer new
understanding of methods or applications relevant to life on Earth.

In 2008, station laboratory space and research facilities tripled with the
addition of the European Space Agency's Columbus Laboratory and the Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency's three Kibo scientific modules, adding to the
capabilities already provided in NASA's Destiny Laboratory. In 2009, the
number of crew members increased from three to six, greatly increasing crew
time available for research.

The stage is set for increased station scientific return when assembly and
outfitting of the research facility is completed in 2010 and its full
potential as a national and international laboratory is realized. Engineers
and scientists from around the world are working together to refine
operational relationships and build on experiences to ensure maximum use of
the expanded capabilities.

The International Space Station Program Scientist Office at NASA's Johnson
Space Center published the report. A link to the full NASA Technical
Publication, which provides an archival record of U.S.-sponsored research
through Expedition 15, is available at:

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20090029998_2009030907.pdf

For more information about the space station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

SOURCE NASA

Michael Curie, Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-1100,
michael.curie@nasa.gov, or Kelly Humphries, Johnson Space Center, Houston,
+1-281-483-5111, kelly.o.humphries@nasa.gov, both of NASA