Episode 540: ISS Science Update 6

On this episode of Talking Space we talk with Liz Warren,Ph.D. from NASA ISS Program Science Office Communications Integration atJohnson Space Center.

We learn about the upcoming Orbital Sciences CRS cargolaunch and experiments (some from students) it will take to the ISS. We alsohear about some of the effects of microgravity on the human body.  Liz says we need to keep our people healthyin space and learning how to do that has brought home some very valuable sciencethat applies to life here on earth too.

Some experiments have an educational component to themlike the NanoRacks-NCESSE-Falcon Student Spaceflight Experiment Program. With17 experiments involving thousands of students on the ground. This is the 5thopportunity the student spaceflight program has participated in. Some of theirexperiments investigate fungal growth, antibiotic efficiency, seed germination,bacterial growth and space radiation. Did you know that bacteria grow faster inmicrogravity? Having a space station to fly to makes science experiments likewe’ve been talking about possible by students in grades 5-12. Prettyincredible!

We learn that it is rather fun to train astronauts. Lizdescribes them as overachievers, wanting not just to do their best but to do ajob better than the next guy. The astronauts want to get really good resultsfor the Principal Investigators. From research in space there have been changesin Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamins by the US Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) that affect bone loss. There are medications now on themarket from research in space that can help patients affected by bone loss dueto chemotherapy.

While we were talking about the ISS, gravity came up. TheHollywood movie starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney named “Gravity” thatis. So do you think science fiction has a place in our discussion about ISSscience?

Please watch and share this video Liz spoke of. Thestories told will touch, inspire and change how you look at the ISS andresearch done there. Please, please, please share this video. We’ve only begunto see the International Space Station’s “Benefits For Humanity”.

Benefits For Humanity: In Their Own Words http://youtu.be/HhsaKTFz0TM

NASA ISS Program Science Office web page - www.nasa.gov/iss-science/

Phone (281) 244-6187 email jsc-iss-research-helpline@nasa.gov

Host this week: Mark Ratterman. Panel Members: GeneMikulka, Emily Carney.

Special Guest: Liz Warren, Ph.D. ISS Program ScienceOffice