This is Northrop Grummans 17th contracted resupply objective under the 2nd Commercial Resupply Services agreement with NASA. The delivery includes vital materials to support lots of the more than 250 science and research study investigations taking place during NASAs Expedition 66 objective aboard the spaceport station.
The clinical investigations Cygnus is bring consist of:
Securing our skin
Degeneration of skin tissue, a typical part of aging, occurs over years. Microgravity causes modifications in the body like aging however that take place much more quickly, so they can be more quickly studied. Colgate Skin Aging will evaluate molecular and cellular modifications in engineered human skin cells in microgravity. Outcomes may assist speed advancement of items targeted at protecting skin from the aging process in the world.
Preparation of tissue culture plates for Colgate Skin Aging, which evaluates modifications in skin cells in microgravity and could help supply a model for assessing products for securing skin from the results of aging. Credit: Colgate-Palmolive
Evaluating growth drugs
MicroQuin 3D Tumor will analyze the impacts of a healing on breast and prostate cancer cells. These cells can grow in a more natural 3D model in microgravity, that makes it easier to identify their structure, gene expression, cell signaling, and reaction to the treatment. Results might offer new insight into the cell protein targeted by the drug and assistance advance development of other cancer drugs.
This image shows immunofluorescence of breast cancer cells treated with a MicroQuin healing. Staining shows a regular nucleus (blue) and the healing (green) localized to the cells endoplasmic reticulum (red). The drug forces the cytoskeleton (yellow) to collapse, inducing cell death. Credit: Scott Robinson, MicroQuin
Improving hydrogen sensors
The Advanced Hydrogen Sensor Technology Demonstration will check new sensors for the spaceport stations oxygen generation system. Existing sensing units ensure that none of the hydrogen goes into the cabin oxygen but can be delicate to moisture, nitrogen, and other issues that require them to be swapped out every 201 days. This technology could provide more durable sensing units for situations where rapid replacement is not practical, lowering the number of spares needed on longer space missions such as to the Moon or Mars.
Hardware for the OGA H2 Sensor Demo shown in preparation for flight. This innovation presentation tests new sensing units for spotting hydrogen in oxygen producing systems on spacecraft. Credit: NASAs Marshall Space Flight
Much better batteries
Area Demonstration for All Solid-State Li Ion Battery (Space As-Lib), an examination from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will feature the operation of a lithium-ion secondary battery capable of safe, stable operation under severe temperature levels and in a vacuum environment. The battery uses strong, inorganic, and flame-retardant materials that do not leak, making it safer and more reputable. Results could show the batterys performance for different possible uses in space and other planetary environments. Solid-state batteries also have possible applications in harsh environments and the vehicle and aerospace markets.
The Space As-Lib hardware is revealed going through thermal vacuum screening prior to launch. Credit: JAXA
Plants in space
Present systems for growing plants in area usage soil or a growth medium. Results could offer insight into the development of larger-scale systems to grow food crops for future area exploration and environments.
Green onion plants grown using aeroponics are held to display their roots. The XROOTS study tests hydroponic (water-based) and aeroponic (air-based) methods to grow plants in space. Credit: Sierra Space
Improving fire safety
Strong Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) will allow studies of the flammability of products and ignition of fires in realistic atmospheric conditions. This facility utilizes the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR), which permits screening at various oxygen concentrations and pressures that represent existing and scheduled area expedition missions. Gravity affects flames in the world, however in microgravity, fire acts differently and can behave in unanticipated ways aboard the area station. Some proof recommends that fires may be more harmful in minimized gravity. Outcomes could help ensure crew safety by improving design of extravehicular activity matches, and cabin materials, enhance our ability to identify the finest methods for suppressing fires in space.
Findings from these and other examinations aboard the space station will add to keeping astronauts healthy during long-duration space travel and demonstrate innovations for future human and robotic exploration missions as part of NASAs Moon and Mars efforts, including lunar missions through the companys Artemis program.
Cygnus will also deliver crucial hardware to be set up throughout the upcoming ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) spacewalks, in addition to other elements for the successful functioning of astronaut life on the spaceport station, such as a garbage deployer and acoustic covers for the waste management system.
This Cygnus objective is the first to feature enhanced capabilities that will enable the spacecraft to perform a reboost, using its engines to change the spaceport stations orbit as a standard service for NASA. The agency has one reboost is planned while Cygnus is connected to the orbiting lab. A test of the maneuver was carried out in 2018 during Cygnus ninth resupply mission.
Cygnus will remain at the spaceport station up until May prior to it deploys CubeSats, then deals with a number of thousand pounds of trash during its re-entry into Earths environment, which will lead to its damage.
An Antares rocket launch from NASAs Wallops Flight Facility. Credit: Bill Ingalls/ NASA
A fresh supply of 8,300 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo introduced from NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia at 12:40 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 19, aboard a Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply spacecraft, and is now traveling to the International Space Station.
The Cygnus spacecraft, which was released on an Antares rocket, is arranged to arrive at the spaceport station around 4:35 a.m. on Monday, February 21. NASA Television, the NASA app, and companys site will offer live protection of the spacecrafts approach and arrival beginning at 3 a.m.
Northrop Grummans Antares rocket liftoff from pad 0A at 12:40 p.m. EST from NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, on February 19, 2022. The Cygnus spacecraft, carrying 8,300 pounds of science examinations and cargo, is scheduled to come to the spaceport station on Monday, February 21. Credit: NASA Wallops/Allison Stancil
NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Kayla Barron will catch Cygnus with the stations robotic Canadarm2 upon its arrival. The spacecraft will then be installed on the Earth-facing port of the stations Unity module.
The Cygnus spacecraft, which was released on an Antares rocket, is arranged to arrive at the space station around 4:35 a.m. on Monday, February 21. The Cygnus spacecraft, carrying 8,300 pounds of science examinations and freight, is arranged to arrive at the space station on Monday, February 21. The Advanced Hydrogen Sensor Technology Demonstration will evaluate new sensing units for the space stations oxygen generation system. Credit: NASAs Marshall Space Flight
Area Demonstration for All Solid-State Li Ion Battery (Space As-Lib), an examination from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will include the operation of a lithium-ion secondary battery capable of safe, steady operation under extreme temperatures and in a vacuum environment.
