Station Science Top News: Jan. 27, 2023

by ISS Program Science Office | 2023-01-27

Researchers reported that they now can precisely control Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs) aboard the space station using fast transport procedures inside of the Cold Atom Lab. This achievement shows that it is possible to create and manipulate an atomic source in a quantum state, which is necessary to push the performance of space quantum sensors beyond that of Earth-based sensors. This control could even improve high-precision Earth observation techniques.

BEC is a state of matter consisting of a dilute gas in which individual atoms become denser and come together. It makes the quantum properties of atoms macroscopic so that scientists can more easily observe them. In this latest step, researchers were able to move a cloud of neutral atoms in a BEC over one millimeter (a large distance when looking at things on an atomic scale), while reducing the expansion energy of the quantum gas (significantly reducing its temperature). This ability to move and control BECs opens doors to new fundamental physics investigations in space and may improve the processing techniques used in quantum information science.

View of Kayla Barron during Cold Atom Laboratory CPU Card SSD Hard-Drive Remove and Replace (R&R) during Expedition 66. Credits: NASA/Kayla Barron

STaARS BioScience-4 researchers found increased abnormal cell division in human neural stem cells after almost 40 days of microgravity exposure compared to ground controls. These results appear to uncover features associated with cancer of the central nervous system, but scientists say that further investigation is warranted to better understand the connection between the abnormalities and cancer cells.

Analyses conducted two weeks postflight showed incomplete cell division processes where enlarged cells with two cell bodies did not ultimately cleave or atypical cell division resulted in three daughter cells. Typical mammalian cell division would result in the mother cell producing two daughter cells. Additionally, control cells cultured in the medium produced by space-flown cells showed similar abnormalities, suggesting that the molecules secreted in space, rather than mechanical forces of spaceflight or gravity, are responsible for the changes observed. These results could help us better understand cancer on Earth and in space.

Astronauts flying to the International Space Station now can volunteer for a standard suite of experiments to help scientists learn more about the impact of long-duration space missions on the body. Information like this is necessary to prepare to keep crews safe and healthy on long missions to the Moon and even Mars.

Together, these experiments are called the Complement of Integrated Protocols for Human Exploration Research, or CIPHER. Through CIPHER, astronauts participate in an integrated set of 14 studies sponsored by NASA and international partner agencies. To get meaningful results, CIPHER scientists will study up to 30 astronauts, evenly divided over three mission-length categories:

Short (less than 3.5 months in space)
Standard (between 3.5 and eight months in space)
Extended (more than eight months in space)

Scientists plan to study everything from bone and joint health to vision changes in space and cardiovascular health. CIPHER also includes a long-running study called Spaceflight Standard Measures, which collects a core set of information on as many crew members as possible.