1. What kind of studies did the crew conduct on the brain and digestion system?
The International Space Station has been the home to astronauts over the past 20 years. In that time, the astronauts have been conducting scientific experiments in order to better understand the effects of space travel on the human body. Recently, the crew has been focused on two main topics—the effects of microgravity on the brain and the digestion system.
Studying the Effects of Microgravity on the Brain
The crew has been studying how microgravity affects the brain. By using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans, the astronauts are able to observe how the brain changes in various gravitational environments. They are also conducting tests to measure the impact of radiation and solar activity on the human brain.
Exploring the Digestion System in Space
Another avenue of scientific research the crew is focusing on is the digestion system. Through a series of experiments, the astronauts are attempting to learn how the digestive system is affected by varying levels of gravity. By observing and analyzing the body’s reactions to different food and drink items, the crew is looking to gain a better understanding of how the body processes sustenance in space.
Waiting on the Saturday Space Delivery
The results of these experiments will be used to help improve the health of future space travelers. The crew is eagerly awaiting a Saturday space delivery as this shipment will bring supplies for their ongoing experiments.
Conclusion
The crew of the International Space Station are making incredible strides in furthering scientific understanding of how the human body reacts in both low and high gravity environments. With the arrival of the Saturday space delivery, the astronauts are hopeful that the experiments will be successful and give valuable insight into how the body can withstand space travel.
NASA scientists on board the International Space Station (ISS) have been conducting extensive research on the human brain and digestion system in recent weeks and are now awaiting a delivery of supplies that is scheduled to arrive this Saturday.
Since May 2020, the crew of Expedition 63 has focused on the effects of space travel on the human brain and the ability of the human digestive system to adjust accordingly while staying in microgravity. Astronaut Chris Cassidy commented, “The medical and biological research we’re doing gives us a better understanding of how living and working in space affects the human body, so that astronauts can go farther and explore new frontiers in the final frontier.”
The crew has also been conducting a study on the development of proteins in the body in a microgravity environment. This is part of an ongoing mission to better understand how astronauts could more easily adjust to life in space during longer missions.
In addition to the research on the human body, Expedition 63 has been running a series of experiments on plants in the Veggie Lab to determine how plants grow and produce food in space.
The expedition is now awaiting the arrival of the 19th SpaceX Dragon Cargo craft, scheduled to arrive at the ISS on Saturday, March 13. The cargo craft will bring over 6,000 pounds of research hardware, food, and supplies to the ISS astronauts.
Expedition 63 will continue to explore and better understand the human body and the effects of living in space while awaiting the resupply mission this Saturday. Hopefully, with the supplies delivered, the crew will be ready to move forward with their research and facing the unknown and expanding the boundaries of space exploration.