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Space and Missiles

Microgravity research advances physical, biological and material sciences

By SUNIL CHINTALAPATI|December 2019

The Microgravity and Space Processes Technical Committee encourages the advancement and public awareness of low-gravity studies in physics, materials, biological sciences and related fields.

Astronauts on the International Space Station carried out about 300 microgravity experiments this year. The commercial and research experiments included those in physical and life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

Scientists from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Ohio oversaw the flame design experiment, which aims to optimize oxygen-enriched combustion by examining the production of soot. Flame design is part of the Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments. The flame design experiment was conducted in the Combustion Integrated Rack, or CIR, which provides an isolated environment to conduct combustion-related experiments. A flame in reduced gravity tends to be spherical. While on Earth, hot gases from the flame rise, while the cooler dense gas is pulled down by gravity.

Astronauts conducted the flame design experiment from March to October. Experimenters burned fuel with inert gas to study the quantity of soot produced under different flame conditions. The soot clusters produced by a flame glow yellow when hot and they grow larger in microgravity because the soot remains within the flame longer. The research is aimed at reducing pollutant emission in practical terrestrial combustion and spacecraft fire prevention research.

Microgravity effects on humans are of concern for long-term residence on the ISS and potential deep space missions. Scientists at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and UW Medicine, with collaborators, designed an experiment to study microgravity effects on human kidney health, specifically on segments of renal tubules (the renal tubule receives plasma filtrate and processes it into the urine). The researchers launched the Kidney-on-a-Chip Space Project to the ISS in May. The 24 credit-card-size chips have fluid microchambers that are lined with human-derived kidney cells for examining two segments of the renal tubule with different aspects of filtrate absorption. Experimenters will analyze the chips upon their return to Earth.

March marked the third anniversary of additive manufacturing on the ISS, where machinery has produced 115 tools. Additionally, this year saw the launch of an innovative 3D printer by Techshot Inc., an ISS commercial facility partner, and nScrypt, a manufacturer of industrial 3D bioprinters and electronics printers, to manufacture human tissue in microgravity. In August, astronauts began operating the 3D BioFabrication Facility, which “uses adult human cells (such as stem or pluripotent cells) and adult tissue-derived proteins as its bioink to create viable tissue,” according to a Techshot news release. Manufacturing of soft human tissue on Earth is hampered due to soft tissue collapse in gravity. Experimenters aim to use the 3D BioFabrication Facility to print soft tissue and strengthen cell-culturing systems before sending them back to Earth to potentially create patient-specific replacement tissues.

This year also marked the 15th flight opportunity for the Students Spaceflight Experiment Program. Each year, this program gives hundreds of students a chance to design experiments to fly aboard the ISS. This year, 3,683 students submitted proposals and 41 experiments flew to the ISS. A total of 23,117 students from fifth grade through college were involved.

2019 Year in Review

Aerospace Design and Structures

Man in a white lab coat inspecting a large wind turbine blade in a testing facility.

Exceptional year for R&D in structural dynamics

A satellite with a large mesh antenna orbits above Earth, with blue oceans and white clouds visible in the background.

Deployable structures expand the capabilities of small satellites

A small aircraft with a blue and white color scheme is undergoing maintenance inside a hangar. It is surrounded by various tools, equipment, and safety barriers.

X-57 Maxwell leads structural dynamic work

Aerospace Outreach

Airbus a330 in a hangar with flynas livery, undergoing maintenance with visible engine covers and detached wing components.

Programs encourage carbon-emission reductions

An astronaut in a blue shirt is working inside a spacecraft, handling components on a suited mannequin or robotic astronaut. Various equipment is visible in the background.

Year of records includes Falcon Heavy launch, unmanned aircraft registrations

Two astronauts in white space suits seated inside a spacecraft, facing the camera.

A year of turmoil and success in aerospace

Aerospace Sciences

A person sits in front of a flight simulator cockpit with various digital screens and controls, looking at a virtual runway ahead.

Simulating future air and space operations to ensure safety

Aerial view of a coastal area showing damaged buildings and debris scattered around after a hurricane, with a flooded area nearby.

Drone registration, reusing first stages

A six-rotor drone aircraft sits on an airstrip under a clear sky, with the sun shining brightly behind it.

Addressing noise challenges in the mobility market

Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations

A group of six parachutes descends with a payload over a desert landscape, with rugged mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

Developing parachute systems for space and military

Four men, wearing face masks, sit in the cockpit of an aircraft. The two in front are operating the controls, while the two in the back have clipboards and appear to be monitoring the flight.

Flight test players persevere through challenges

A jet fighter aircraft taking off from a runway with mountains and trees visible in the background.

Hydrogen and electric aircraft make their mark

Engineering and Technology Management

British F-35Bs

Vertical flight continues to grow

Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo

Accelerating change on systems engineering tenets

Atmospheric picture of space

A century ago, aviation became an industry

Information Systems

A polished metal frame structure is displayed on a black and white grid-patterned surface.

Artificial intelligence begins to demonstrate the potential to revolutionize aviation

A helicopter with the DARPA logo flies over a paved surface and adjacent sandy terrain.

Aerospace community continues to harness potential of human-machine teaming

A man in a uniform is seated in the cockpit of an aircraft, looking at the control panels. The cockpit is filled with various screens and instruments.

Enabling advances in aircraft operations

Integration

A white and black drone with multiple propellers is flying over a dry, grassy field with trees in the background under a clear blue sky.

Transformational flight prepares path to operations

The NASA X-59 supersonic aircraft is moved out of a hangar, surrounded by spectators and workers, against a backdrop of mountains and clear skies.

Pushing the boundaries of high-speed commercial travel

A futuristic concept airplane with a sleek, wide body design and angled wings flies above the clouds.

Hybrid electric concepts move toward demonstration

Program Committees

Tests at the Lockheed Martin Low Speed Wind Tunnel in Ohio

Going green moves to higher gear

A large cylindrical object is positioned in the center of an industrial facility with yellow overhead cranes and metallic structures.

Space Launch System keeps pace

rotating detonating engine

New and existing systems show progress

Propulsion and Energy

Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN engine

New contracts, tech advances mark year in turbine engines

Two images side by side of a glowing blue electroluminescent object or device in a dark setting, emitting light in a ring-like and conical shape respectively.

A year of firsts for electric propulsion

A rocket is launching from a platform, emitting bright flames and smoke, surrounded by green vegetation under a cloudy sky.

Global competition for affordable heavy lifters

Space and Missiles

An unmanned hypersonic aircraft with flames emerging from its rear flies over a layer of clouds.

Hypersonics, advanced materials and shockwaves

An astronaut administers a shot to himself while inside the International Space Station, surrounded by various equipment and panels.

Kelly twins’ year-in-space study yields data

Aerial view of a rocket launch site in a desert environment, showing a rocket taking off with flames and smoke visible at the base. Circular markings are present on the launch pad.

Private space companies strive for crewed flights, lunar exploration

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Microgravity research advances physical, biological and material sciences