International Space Station (ISS) National Lab gives researchers access to unique research and technology that can’t be done on Earth. SpaceX, known for its innovative approach towards space missions, launched Dragon cargo spacecraft to dock to ISS carrying science and supplies. Launched on SpaceX’s 29th contracted commercial resupply mission for NASA on Nov. 9, the Dragon after spending about one month attached to the space station returned with more than 30 research payloads.
The 29th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission concluded with dozens of payloads, many of which were vital life science investigations aimed at benefiting humanity by improving care for patients on Earth.
Here is a quick look at some of the payloads that returned on SpaceX CRS-29:
- Researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory sent microbes to the orbiting laboratory to better understand how microgravity and space radiation affect their ability to produce melanin. Results could enable the production of new melanin variants and ultimately new biomaterials with valuable applications in drug delivery and protective coatings for spacecraft and spacesuits.
- An investigation from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) that was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) focused on aging and liver regeneration. Inspired by previous research, the UCSF team utilized 3D immune-liver tissue chips in space to better understand the relationship between immune system aging and the ability of liver cells to regenerate, which could lead to novel therapies on Earth.
- An investigation from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), which also builds on previous space station research, studied microgravity’s effects on stem-cell derived brain organoids. The project leveraged accelerated aging in space to better understand how cognitive decline happens in the human brain. Results could lead to new ways to treat dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative conditions.
- Earlier this summer, a team from Emory University continued research on station examining how microgravity affects the growth and function of heart muscle cells as they mature into tissue-like structures. Findings will help advance heart disease modeling and could contribute to the development of new therapies for patients on Earth.
- A project from biotech startup Axonis, which also launched earlier this summer, examined how microgravity affects the maturation of human brain cells as they form three dimensional spheroids that mimic certain aspects of the human brain. Findings will help improve disease modeling and aid in the development of new treatments for neurological disorders.
The ISS National Lab enables access and opportunity for researchers to leverage this unique orbiting outpost for the benefit of humanity and to enable commerce in space.
Among the science experiments Dragon is delivering to the space station:
Water Filtration Technology
Aquamembrane-3, an investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), continues evaluation of replacing the multi-filtration beds used for water recovery on the space station with a type of membrane known as an Aquaporin Inside Membrane (AIM). These membranes incorporate proteins found in biological cells, known as aquaporins, to filter water faster while using less energy. Results could advance development of a complete and full-scale membrane-based water recovery system, improving water reclamation and reducing the amount of material that needs to be launched to the space station. This water filtration technology also could have applications in extreme environments on Earth, such as emergency settings, and decentralized water systems in remote locations.
