SpaceX CRS-16 is the newest resupply mission for the International Space Station, and it would carry a bunch of new experiments set up by the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory. Scheduled to take off on December 4th, a SpaceX Falcon 9 will deploy the Dragon capsule of the same private space company, which will fly over 20 new experiments to the ISS.
SpaceX Falcon 9 would launch from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. “SpaceX CRS-16 is absolutely packed with research,” said Patrick O’Neill from the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory.
The new experiment that the SpaceX Dragon capsule will carry to the ISS include studies from various scientific fields, such as genomics, cellular biology, botany, immunology and more. Among these experiments, one, in particular, will focus on on the micro- and zero-gravity effects on human immune system. That would be estimated by flying a human tissue designed by Sonja Schrepfer to the space station.
SpaceX Dragon Capsule Will Fly Over 20 new Experiments To The ISS
“The chip experiments feature small microscope sized devices, slides measuring 1 by 3 inches or so, that can be populated with different human cell types. If you create the right environment and feed the cells the right stuff, you can guide them into behaving like specific human tissues and even whole organs,” said Michael S. Roberts, chief scientist at ISS National Lab, about the Sonja Schrepfer’s experiment.
Also, an experiment designed by Budweiser is also flying to the ISS on December 4th with the SpaceX Dragon capsule and will try to find the microgravity effects on steeping, germination and kilning processes involved in malting barley, reports Space Daily.
“Under microgravity, biomaterials are able to perform more as they would inside the body. In the body, biological materials aren’t in contact with cells all the time. Many times they’re free-floating,” said Michael S. Roberts.
Vadim is a passionate writer on various topics but especially on stuff related to health, technology, and science. Therefore, for Great Lakes Ledger, Vadim will cover health and Sci&Tech news.