Critical NASA Research Returns to Earth Aboard U.S. SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft

[baa...@earthlink.net]

May 21, 2015

RELEASE 15-103

Critical NASA Research Returns to Earth Aboard U.S. SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft

SpaceX's Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 12:42
p.m. EDT Thursday with almost 3,100 pounds of NASA cargo from the
International Space Station, including research on how spaceflight and
microgravity affect the aging process and bone health.

Dragon is the only space station resupply spacecraft able to return a
significant amount of cargo to Earth. It is the U.S. company's sixth
NASA-contracted commercial resupply mission to the station and carried more
than two tons of supplies and scientific cargo when it lifted off from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on April 14. NASA also has contracted
with American companies SpaceX and Boeing to develop their Crew Dragon and
CST-100, respectively, to once again transport astronauts to and from the
orbiting laboratory from the United States in 2017.

The returning Space Aging study, for example, examines the effects of
spaceflight on the aging of roundworms, widely used as a model for larger
organisms. By growing millimeter-long roundworms on the space station,
researchers can observe physiological changes that may affect the rate at
which organisms age. This can be applied to changes observed in astronauts,
as well, particularly in developing countermeasures before long-duration
missions.

"Spaceflight-induced health changes, such as decreases in muscle and bone
mass, are a major challenge facing our astronauts," said Julie Robinson,
NASA's chief scientist for the International Space Station Program Office at
NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "We investigate solutions on the
station not only to keep astronauts healthy as the agency considers longer
space exploration missions but also to help those on Earth who have limited
activity as a result of aging or illness."

Also returned on Dragon were samples for the Osteocytes and
Mechanomechano-transduction (Osteo-4) investigation [1]. Researchers with
Osteo-4 will observe the effects of microgravity on the function of
osteocytes, the most common cells in bone. Understanding the effects of
microgravity on osteocytes will be critical as astronauts plan for future
missions that require longer exposure to microgravity, including the NASA's
journey to Mars. The results derived from this study also could have
implications on Earth for patients suffering bone disorders related to disuse
or immobilization, as well as metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis.

Equipment and data from the Special Purpose Inexpensive Satellite (SpinSat)
investigation also made the trip back to Earth. The SpinSat study tested how
a spherical satellite, measuring 22 inches in diameter, moves and positions
itself in space using new thruster technology. Researchers can use
high-resolution atmospheric data captured by SpinSat to determine the density
of the thermosphere, one of the uppermost layers of the atmosphere. With
better knowledge of the thermosphere, engineers and scientists can refine
satellite and telecommunications technology.

The Dragon will be transported by ship approximately 155 miles northeast of
its splashdown location to Long Beach, California where NASA cargo will be
removed and returned to the agency. The spacecraft then will be prepared for
its trip to SpaceX's test facility in McGregor, Texas, for processing.

The International Space Station is a convergence of science, technology and
human innovation that enables us to demonstrate new technologies and make
research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. It has been continuously
occupied since November 2000 and, since then, has been visited by more than
200 people and a variety of international and commercial spacecraft. The ISS
remains the springboard to NASA's next giant leap in exploration, including
future missions to an asteroid and Mars.

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

For more information about SpaceX's mission to the International Space
Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacex

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