NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio is visualized inside the International Space Station’s U.S. Destiny lab module. Credit: NASA
< period class ="glossaryLink" aria-describedby ="tt" data-cmtooltip ="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>NASA</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Established in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that succeeded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). It is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Its vision is "To discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity." Its core values are "safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and inclusion." NASA conducts research, develops technology and launches missions to explore and study Earth, the solar system, and the universe beyond. It also works to advance the state of knowledge in a wide range of scientific fields, including Earth and space science, planetary science, astrophysics, and heliophysics, and it collaborates with private companies and international partners to achieve its goals.</div>" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" > NASA astronaut FrankRubio is set to go back toEarth this fall after setting the record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut.He reached the< period class ="glossaryLink" aria-describedby ="tt" data-cmtooltip ="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>International Space Station</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>The International Space Station (ISS) is a large spacecraft in orbit around the Earth that serves as a research laboratory and spaceport for international collaboration in space exploration. It was launched in 1998 and has been continuously occupied by rotating crews of astronauts and cosmonauts from around the world since 2000. The ISS is a joint project of five space agencies: NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). It orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles), and provides a unique platform for scientific research, technological development, and human space exploration.</div>" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" >International SpaceStation (ISS) onSeptember21,2022, and will return house after(****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** )days in area. While on the orbiting laboratory,Rubio and his fellow team members carried out lots of clinical examinations and innovation presentations.
Here’s a wrap-up ofFrankRubio’s year-long clinical journey aboard the spaceport station.
In theOrbitingBiologyLab
NASA astronaut andExpedition68FlightEngineerFrankRubio triggers hardware for an area biology experiment that is studying how weightlessness impacts hereditary expression in microorganisms to comprehend bacterial adjustment and secure astronauts.Credit: NASA
FrankRubio triggers hardware for theBiologicalResearchInCanisters-26( BRIC-26) examination.(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ )examination determines how microgravity impacts essential hereditary procedures and interactions in the germs Bacillus subtilis A much better understanding of how germs adjust to spaceflight might assist secure the health and wellness of astronauts on future objectives and offer insight into bacterial adjustment to particular environments on Earth.
View of tomatoes growing in the eXposed Root On-Orbit Test System (XROOTS) center. The tomatoes were grown without soil utilizing hydroponic and aeroponic nourishing methods to show area farming approaches to sustain teams on long term area flights further away from Earth where resupply objectives end up being difficult. Credit: NASA
Throughout his objective, Frank Rubio dealt with the eXposed Root On-Orbit Test System (XROOTS). The examination utilizes hydroponic (water-based) and aeroponic (air-based) methods instead of soil or other standard development media to finish the life process of tomato plants. Results might assist recognize methods to produce crops on a bigger scale for future area objectives.
The Human Element
NASA astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio utilizes a glovebag to service the BioFabrication Facility, changing and setting up parts inside the research study gadget developed to print organ-like tissues in microgravity and find out how to produce entire, fully-functioning human organs in area Credit: NASA
Frank Rubio changes parts inside the BioFabrication Facility (BFF). This platform supports research study such as BFF-Meniscus -2, which prints and cultures meniscus, or knee cartilage tissue, with bioinks and cells. Scientists on the ground will assess the mechanical homes of the 3D printed meniscus upon its go back toEarth This work might advance the in-space production of total, practical human organs for transplants.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio carries out upkeep on the International Space Station’s treadmill situated in the Tranquility module. Credit: NASA
Exercise gadgets on future long-duration area objectives require to be little and light-weight yet offer a range of aerobic and resistance workout alternatives. Frank Rubio deals with the station’s treadmill, which offers an essential method to enhance the motor pattern of strolling for team members throughout their objectives. The station’s treadmill is too large and heavy for longer expedition objectives, future astronauts might require to depend upon other workout to keep physical health. Rubio took part in Exploration Exercise Treadmill Requirements (Zero T2), an examination that analyzes how not working out on a treadmill might impact team health.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio works to set up the NanoRack s CubeSat Deployer inside the Kibo lab module’s airlock. After the airlock is depressurized, the Japanese robotic arm grapples the deployer and positions it outside in the vacuum of microgravity pointing it far from the International SpaceStation CubeSats from personal, governmental, and scholastic companies are then released into Earth orbit for a range of research study goals. Credit: NASA
During his objective, Frank Rubio assisted set up the NanoRack s CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD) for an April 2023 launch of 6 various satellites, consisting of tasks developed by trainees inCanada Private, governmental, and scholastic companies utilize the spaceport station to release little satellites called CubeSats into Earth’s orbit for a range of research study goals.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio presents in front of BEAM, the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, throughout freight activities aboard the International SpaceStation Credit: NASA
Frank Rubio offers a thumbs up in front of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), an expandable pill utilized to evaluate the innovation for future area environments. BEAM broadens from about 6 by 8 feet when loaded to 10 by 13 feet when pressurized. Crew members keep an eye on BEAM’s temperature level, pressure, and its radiation defense abilities. They will likewise occasionally go into the module to examine its structural condition.
Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio finishes a Surface Avatar session in the Columbus LaboratoryModule Surface Avatar examines how haptic controls, interface and virtual truth might command and manage surface-bound robotics from cross countries. Credit: NASA
Frank Rubio performs a session for the Multi-Avatar and Robots Collaborating with Intuitive Interface (Surface Avatar), which examines the command of several self-governing robotics from area. The examination takes a look at the actions of the robotic operator to haptic feedback and what obstacles may exist for orbit-to-ground remote operation of robotics.
The Physics of Microgravity
NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio has a good time with fluid physics as he observes the habits of a free-flying water bubble inside the International Space Station’s Kibo lab module. Credit: NASA
The spaceport station is a test bed for the life assistance devices required to take human beings to the Moon, < period class ="glossaryLink" aria-describedby ="tt" data-cmtooltip =(******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* )data-gt-translate-attributes=" [{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" >Mars , and beyond.One tool, thePotableWaterDispenser( PWD), offers water for usage and cooking.ExplorationPotableWaterDispenser(Exploration PWD) makes enhancements to this system, consisting of sophisticated sanitation approaches and giving of warm water.
TheSolidFuelIgnition andExtinction( SoFIE)Growth andExtinctionLimits( GEL) experiment effectively performed its very first test in theCombustionIntegratedRack( CIR) aboard theInternationalSpaceStation( ISS) onJanuary13 th.This image reveals a 4-cm size sphere of acrylic burning in microgravity.The environment began at175% oxygen in nitrogen and air circulation is from right to left at20 cm/s.(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** )flame appears near completion of the burn, having actually swallowed up the whole sphere after growing from a little ignition point on the best side.(***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** )thanks to NASA.(***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** ): NASA
FrankRubio carried out sessions for Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction– Growth and Extinction Limit (SoFIE GEL), which studies burning in microgravity to assist scientists choose much safer products for spacecraft and figure out ideal fire suppression methods. This image reveals a sphere of acrylic burning in microgravity throughout among the tests.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio exchanges samples inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox for the Pore Formation and MobilityInvestigation The area physics research study shows a passive cooling system for electronic gadgets in microgravity utilizing a micro-structured surface area. Credit: NASA
Frank Rubio exchanges samples inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox for the Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI). On Earth, bubbles that form in molten products increase to the surface area and pop prior to the product strengthens. In microgravity, bubbles can end up being caught, leaving pores or small holes that can minimize the ended up product’s strength and structural stability. PFMI is among a number of experiments that examine this procedure.
A Walk in Space
NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio is visualized throughout a spacewalk connected to the International Space Station’s starboard truss structure. Behind Rubio, the last rays of an orbital sundown permeate Earth’s thin environment as the spaceport station flew 258 miles above the African country ofAlgeria Credit: NASA
On this November 15, 2022, spacewalk, Frank Rubio and NASA astronaut Josh Cassada put together an installing bracket on the station in preparation for the setup of the very first set of rollout solar varieties, referred to as iROSAs. It took 6 spacewalks, the last one in June 2023, to set up all the varieties, which are anticipated to make it possible for a 30% boost in the power readily available for science and operations on the spaceport station. The earlier Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) examination showed the practicality of this innovation.
