IFC - Editorial Board
Publication date: August 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space Research, Volume 22Author(s): (Source: Life Sciences in Space Research)
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - August 15, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
High density long-term cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris SAG 211-12 in a novel microgravity-capable membrane raceway photobioreactor for future bioregenerative life support in SPACE
Publication date: Available online 9 August 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Harald Helisch, Jochen Keppler, Gisela Detrell, Stefan Belz, Reinhold Ewald, Stefanos Fasoulas, Arnd G. HeyerAbstractHybrid life support systems are of great interest for future far-distant space exploration missions to planetary surfaces, e.g. Mars, planned until 2050. By synergistically combining physicochemical and biotechnological algae-based subsystems, an essential step towards the closure of the carbon loop in environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) shall be accomplished, offering a wide beneficial potent...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - August 10, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Lung Cancer Progression Using Fast Switching Multiple Ion Beam Radiation and Countermeasure Prevention
In this study we show that whole-body irradiation with H→He→Si increases the incidence of premalignant lesions and systemic oxidative stress in mice 100 days post-irradiation more than (Si→He→H) and H only irradiation. Additionally, we observed an increase in adenomas with atypia and adenocarcinomas in H→He→Si irradiated mice but not in (Si→He→H) or H (30 cGy) only irradiated mice. When we used the H→He→Si irradiation sequence but skipped a day before exposing the mice to Si, we did not observe the increased incidence of cancer initiation and progression. We also found that a non-toxic anti-inflammatory...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - August 3, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Measurements of Radiation Quality Factor on Mars with the Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector
We report the first long-term measurements of the radiation quality factor of energetic charged particles on the surface of Mars. The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) aboard the Mars Science Laboratory rover, also known as Curiosity, has been operating on Mars since 2012. RAD contains thin silicon detectors that record the ionization energy loss of energetic charged particles. The particles are dominantly galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and the products of their interactions in the Martian atmosphere, with occasional contributions from solar energetic particles (SEPs). The quality factor on the surface of Mars is influenced...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 20, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Assessment of the probability of microbial contamination for sample return from Martian moons I: Departure of microbes from Martian surface
This article is the first part of our study to assess potential microbial density in Mars ejecta departing from the Martian atmosphere, as a source of the second part where statistical analysis of microbial contamination probability is conducted. Potential microbial density on the Martian surface as the source of microorganisms was estimated by analogy to the terrestrial areas having the similar arid and cold environments, from which a probabilistic function was deduced as the asymptotic limit. Microbial survival rate during hypervelocity meteoroid collisions was estimated by numerical analysis of impact phenomena with and...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 18, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Evaluation of the growth, photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant capacity, biomass yield and quality of tomato using aeroponics, hydroponics and porous tube-vermiculite systems in bio-regenerative life support systems
The objective of this study was to investigate the influences of different nutrient delivery systems (aeroponics, hydroponics and porous tube-vermiculite) on the growth, photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant capacity, biomass yield and quality of tomato during its life cycle. The results showed that the dry weight of aeroponics and porous tube-vermiculite treatment group was 1.95 and 1.93 g/fruit, but the value of hydroponics treatment group was only 1.56 g/fruit. Both tomato photosynthesis and stomatal conductance maximized at the development stage and then decreased later in senescent leaves. At the initial stage a...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 15, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Comparison of space radiation GCR models to AMS heavy ion data
Publication date: Available online 12 July 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Kathryn Whitman, John W. Norbury, Kerry Lee, Tony C. Slaba, Francis F. BadaviAbstractGalactic cosmic rays (GCR) are a constant source of radiation that constitutes one of the major hazards during deep space exploration missions for both astronauts and hardware. In this work, GCR models commonly used by the space radiation protection community are compared with recently published high-precision, high-resolution measurements of cosmic ray lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen fluxes along with their ratios (Li/B...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 13, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Assessment of the probability of microbial contamination for sample return from Martian moons II: The fate of microbes on Martian moons
We examined the spatial distribution of potential impact-transported microbes on the Martian moons using impact physics by following a companion study (Fujita et al., in submission). We used sterilization data from the precede studies (Patel et al., 2018; Summers, 2017). We considered that the microbes came mainly from the Zunil crater on Mars, which was formed during 1.0–0.1 Ma. We found that 70–80% of the microbes are likely to be dispersed all over the moon surface and are rapidly sterilized due to solar and galactic cosmic radiation except for those microbes within a thick ejecta deposit produced by natural meteoro...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 12, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Effects Of Exposure To 12c And 4he Particles On Cognitive Performance Of Intact And Ovariectomized Female Rats
Publication date: Available online 10 July 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Bernard M. Rabin, Marshall G. Miller, Alison Larsen, Christina Spadafora, Nicholas N. Zolnerowich, Lorraine A. Dell'Acqua, Barbara Shukitt-HaleAbstractExposure to the types of radiation encountered outside the magnetic field of the earth can disrupt cognitive performance. Exploratory class missions to other planets will include both male and female astronauts. Because estrogen can function as a neuroprotectant, it is possible that female astronauts may be less affected by exposure to space radiation than male astronauts. To eva...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 10, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Advances in Space Radiation Physics and Transport at NASA
Publication date: Available online 10 July 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): John W. Norbury, Tony C. Slaba, Sukesh Aghara, Francis F. Badavi, Steve R. Blattnig, Martha S. Clowdsley, Lawrence H. Heilbronn, Kerry Lee, Khin M. Maung, Christopher J. Mertens, Jack Miller, Ryan B. Norman, Chris A. Sandridge, Robert Singleterry, Nikolai Sobolevsky, Jan L. Spangler, Lawrence W. Townsend, Charles M. Werneth, Kathryn Whitman, John W. WilsonAbstractThe space radiation environment is a complex mixture of particle types and energies originating from sources inside and outside of the galaxy. These environments may b...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 10, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Gene Expression Measurement Module (GEMM) for Space Application: Design and Validation
Publication date: Available online 9 July 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Kianoosh Peyvan, Fathi Karouia, John J. Cooper, Jeff Chamberlain, Dominic Suciu, Michael Slota, Andrew PohorilleAbstractIn order to facilitate studies on the impact of the space environment on biological systems, we have developed a prototype of GEMM (Gene Expression Measurement Module) - an automated, miniaturized, integrated fluidic system for in-situ measurements of gene expression in microbial samples. The GEMM instrument is capable of (1) lysing bacterial cell walls, (2) extracting and purifying RNA released from cells, (3)...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 9, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Gravity-regulated localization of PsPIN1 is important for polar auxin transport in etiolated pea seedlings: Relevance to the International Space Station experiment
Publication date: Available online 2 July 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Motoshi Kamada, Mariko Oka, Riko Inoue, Yayoi Fujitaka, Kensuke Miyamoto, Eiji Uheda, Chiaki Yamazaki, Toru Shimazu, Hiromi Sano, Haruo Kasahara, Tomomi Suzuki, Akira Higashibata, Junichi UedaAbstractTo clarify the mechanism of gravity-controlled polar auxin transport, we conducted the International Space Station (ISS) experiment “Auxin Transport” (identified by NASA's operation nomenclature) in 2016 and 2017, focusing on the expression of genes related to auxin efflux carrier protein PsPIN1 and its localization in the hook ...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 3, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Individual features of play behavior in thick-toed geckos in weightlessness and normal gravity conditions
Publication date: Available online 2 July 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): V.M. Barabanov, V.I. Gulimova, R.K. Berdiev, S.V. SavelievAbstractThe object play behavior in thick-toed geckos (Chondrodactylus turneri GRAY 1864) was studied during a 30-day orbital experiment onboard the Bion-M1 biosatellite. The play object for five geckos was a marking collar that one of the geckos in the flight group removed immediately before the launch. The play behavior started when either the gecko observed the approaching floating collar or when the gecko independently approached the stationary collar, followed by man...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 3, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Mars sample receiving facility or facilities? that is the question
Publication date: Available online 3 July 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Michel VisoAbstractTo return samples from Mars is a major goal of the scientific community studying the origin of life, looking for extraterrestrial forms of life, and studying the planets and their evolution. NASA and ESA are preparing such a mission which is currently categorized by COSPAR as restricted Earth return. This will strongly constrain the management of the returned samples until they are certified safe. This certification will be obtained after preliminary studies conducted in specialized and dedicated facilities. T...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - July 3, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Planetary protection technologies for planetary science instruments, spacecraft, and missions: Report of the NASA Planetary Protection Technology Definition Team (PPTDT)
Publication date: Available online 27 June 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): John D. Rummel, D.E. PugelAbstractPlanetary bodies like Mars, Europa, and Enceladus pose the question, “How to study them without contaminating them and destroying future prospects to detect life, if it is there?” The natural trade-off, of course, is that the cleaner your spacecraft, the more you can explore such a body without contaminating it. As chartered by NASA Headquarters, the Planetary Protection Technology Definition Team (PPTDT) was asked to provide a report covering six different areas related to the engineering ...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - June 27, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
