Space Station science for Blue Dot
22 May 2014
Alexander Gerst will be launched to the International Space Station on 28 May on his ‘Blue Dot’ mission. He will run about 100 experiments during his six month stay on the Station. These will include studies of new materials and fluids, the human body and how it adapts to microgravity, research into living cells, the Sun and the Universe, and technology demonstrations.
Many of the experiments to be conducted by space newcomer Gerst are continuations of previous studies, but some will be breaking new ground. Some of the most exciting research will involve a special furnace (called an electromagnetic levitator) that will be delivered to the ISS on Europe’s ATV-5.
The furnace will be installed in ESA’s Columbus laboratory. It will heat floating metals up to 2100°C and then cool them rapidly. Alexander will insert cartridges holding the metals and the microgravity furnace will automatically complete the forging process. A high-speed camera will record what happens. The metals formed may one day lead to a new light alloy for use in cars or aircraft!
Hours of exercise are the key to keeping the crew fit and healthy. However, after a heavy workout they have to rely on wet wipes instead of a shower. To make matters worse, the astronauts often get hotter and sweat more than they would on Earth. In the Spacetex experiment they will assess two new fabrics to see if they can absorb sweat and make exercise more comfortable and hygienic.
Among his many other experiments, Alexander will control ESA’s Eurobot from space, receiving images and other data from it. He is also expected to carry out a spacewalk during which he will install a number of scientific experiments outside the ISS!
