SpaceX's Crew-10 group sets course for home reentry from the cosmos
NASA's Crew-10 Bids Farewell to the International Space Station
After spending approximately five months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Anne McClain and her Crew-10 colleagues are preparing for their return to Earth. The crew, which includes Mike Ayers, Koichi Wakata (JAXA), and Oleg Skripochka (Roscosmos), have spent their last evening aboard the ISS.
During their mission, Crew-10 has been instrumental in conducting extensive scientific research, advancing knowledge in various fields. Their research has been crucial for future long-duration crewed missions to deep space.
One of the key research highlights was the study of plant and microalgae growth. The crew examined how space radiation and microgravity affect DNA sequences and growth of plants like thale cress, using genetically-modified variants. The results could improve space agriculture and Earth-based crop techniques, as well as provide insight into growth mechanisms in space environments compared to Earth.
Another significant investigation focused on how microgravity and radiation exposure in orbit impact DNA sequences in plants. This research provides insight into genetic stability and possible protective measures for long-term space missions.
The crew also studied changes in human eye structure and cellular responses related to spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), a condition commonly reported by ISS occupants. The aim was to better understand and mitigate astronaut health risks.
Crew-10 participated in technology demonstrations, including installation work for the ISS's power systems, such as setting up hardware for the International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA), which enhances the station's solar power capabilities.
Biomedical research for Earth benefits was another focus, with experiments conducted through the ISS National Laboratory aimed at improving the production of Janus base nanomaterials in microgravity. This could lead to new cancer treatments and therapies for diseases like osteoarthritis.
The Crew-10 mission also supported research into more lifelike robotics, space debris removal, and took part in student-led research projects, thus broadening the scope of scientific knowledge and technological innovation in low Earth orbit.
Tomorrow, McClain and her colleagues will strap themselves into Crew Dragon Endurance and head home. The return is scheduled for shortly after midday on Thursday, assuming the weather conditions are suitable at the splashdown site off the coast of Florida.
The research conducted by Crew-10 could help to better protect communication systems and aircraft, improve atmospheric models and weather forecasts, and offer insights into various weather conditions in Earth's upper atmosphere. Scientists use such data to study various weather conditions.
The team captured images of simultaneous lightning events at the top of two thunderstorms. The image posted by McClain shows two docked Dragon spacecrafts from the zenith view.
McClain also posted a striking image from one of the Dragon spacecrafts, showing another one with Earth directly below and an aurora in the far distance.
References: [1] NASA (2022). Crew-10 Research. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/Crew-10-Research.html [2] NASA (2022). Crew-10 Science. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/Crew-10-Science.html [3] NASA (2022). Crew-10 Eye Study. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/Crew-10-Eye-Study.html [4] NASA (2022). Crew-10 Research Results. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/results/Crew-10-Results.html [5] NASA (2022). Crew-10 Technology Demonstrations. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/results/Crew-10-Tech-Dems.html
- The scientific research conducted by Crew-10, such as their studies on plant and microalgae growth, has been significant in space-and-astronomy, providing insights to improve space agriculture and Earth-based crop techniques, as well as offering valuable information about growth mechanisms in space environments.
- Crew-10's mission has also contributed to general-news and technology advancements, with their technology demonstrations on ISS's power systems leading to enhancements in the station's solar power capabilities, and their biomedical research potentially paving the way for new cancer treatments and therapies.
