Science Experiments and Maintenance for Station Crew

The Expedition 29 crew living and working aboard the International Space Station wrapped up a busy week Friday, focusing on science experiments and maintenance duties.

Commander Mike Fossum set up and ran test sessions using the Capillary Flow Experiment, which is a physics experiment that investigates the flow of fluids in a complex geometric container in a weightless environment. Results from this study will improve computer models used to design fluid transfer systems on future spacecraft and will lead to improvements in system reliability with reductions in system mass and complexity.

This image of the central area of Munich, Germany was photographed from approximately 220 miles above Earth by one of the Expedition 29 crew members aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

Fossum also removed and replaced samples inside the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus for a plant experiment that focuses on characteristics associated with successful germination in space.

Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa participated in an educational activity that involved the assembly of Lego bricks to demonstrate to children and student groups around the world the challenges faced when building things in a weightless environment.

Furukawa also performed an acoustic survey in some of the station’s modules using a sound level meter to ensure equipment sound levels are within safe ranges.

Flight Engineer Sergei Volkov worked inside the Poisk module conducting the Coulomb Crystal experiment. The Russian investigation observes how a magnetic field can control materials that do not mix or react. Results may have applications for advanced solar batteries, cleaning dust from microchips and designing nanocrystals.

Volkov also watered and took photos of wheat plants as part of the ongoing Russian Plants-2 experiment, which researches the growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in a special greenhouse facility.

The crew members also had time set aside to collect blood samples and take body mass measurements for analysis by flight surgeons on Earth. The crew members participate in various health monitoring activities throughout their stay aboard the station to help doctors and scientists determine the effects of long-duration spaceflight on their health.

Over the weekend, the crew members will continue ongoing maintenance duties, perform their daily physical exercise routines, enjoy some off-duty time and have an opportunity to speak with family members.