How Is an Astronaut Preparing Purple Kefir for a Vitamin Boost in Space?

The Expedition 73 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has been actively engaged in a variety of scientific research and operational tasks, including the departure of a cargo vehicle and preparations for the arrival of new supplies. This week, astronaut Kimiya Yui connected with schoolchildren in Japan using amateur radio, while other crew members conducted significant experiments focusing on health and biology.

Last updated: 12 October 2023 (BST)

Key Takeaways

• The Expedition 73 crew continues to conduct vital scientific research aboard the ISS.
• JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui engaged with children in Japan via amateur radio.
• Research includes studies on vision, balance, and plant biology.
• Preparations for upcoming cargo missions are ongoing.
• As of mid-September, there are seven crew members aboard the ISS.

Engaging with Earth: Astronaut Kimiya Yui's Connection

This week, Kimiya Yui, a flight engineer with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), made headlines by connecting with students from Takacho in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. This interaction marked a significant milestone as it was the first time Yui communicated with children back home during his current mission. In a social media post, he expressed his excitement, stating, "I was able to talk with the children of Takacho in Hyogo Prefecture via HAM! I gained energy from interacting with the children, and it helped me get through the subsequent work smoothly!"

Amateur radio has a longstanding history in space exploration, dating back to the early 1980s aboard the U.S. Space Shuttle. This form of communication allows astronauts to connect with individuals worldwide without interfering with official communications between the ISS and mission control.

Scientific Research Conducted by Expedition 73

The Expedition 73 crew has been deeply involved in several research projects, contributing to our understanding of how space travel affects human health and biology. Key experiments include:

CIPHER: Exploring Vision and Balance

NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Jonny Kim participated in the CIPHER project, which investigates how spaceflight influences eyesight and balance. Using virtual reality (VR) goggles, electrodes, and specialised optical equipment, they assessed changes in their retinal shape and balance capabilities. This research is crucial for understanding the long-term effects of microgravity on human physiology.

Cardiac Health Monitoring

During the same week, Zena Cardman utilised an ultrasound device to monitor arterial stiffness and changes in cardiac function. This research is particularly relevant to the health of astronauts on long-duration missions, as cardiovascular issues can arise due to the unique conditions of space.

Bone Density Studies

Jonny Kim processed stem cell samples from bone tissue, which will be returned to Earth for further analysis. This study aims to understand bone density loss, a common issue for astronauts exposed to microgravity for extended periods. Such research is vital for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

Plant Cell Division and Cell Biology

Kimiya Yui also contributed to the Plant Cell Division and Cell Biology Experiment Facility by preparing and studying tobacco plant and algae cell samples. This research aims to enhance our knowledge of growing crops in space, which is essential for sustaining human life on future interplanetary missions.

BioNutrients-3: Enhancing Astronaut Nutrition

In another research initiative, Mike Fincke examined ways to utilise yeast, yogurt, and kefir to produce additional vitamins and nutrients beneficial to astronauts' health. The project involved using a research incubator to test these food sources, and Fincke shared a visual of a tray of purple kefir used in the experiment, highlighting the innovative approaches being taken to ensure crew members maintain optimal health in space.

Station Operations and Cargo Preparations

Beyond research, the Expedition 73 crew is also responsible for maintaining the ISS and preparing for upcoming cargo missions. Recently, they repacked the Russian cargo vehicle Progress MS-30, which successfully departed from the ISS on 9 September 2023.

Upcoming Cargo Missions

Preparations are underway for the arrival of two upcoming cargo vehicles:

• Progress M-32 (93P): Cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky trained for the docking of this vehicle, scheduled for 13 September 2023.
• NG-23 "S.S. Willie McCool": The crew is also getting ready for Northrop Grumman's first "XL" Cygnus cargo craft, which will be captured using the Canadarm2 robotic arm and berthed to the Earth-facing port on the Unity node on 17 September 2023.

Astronaut Insights: Mike Fincke Talks Science

This week, Mike Fincke took time to discuss life aboard the ISS during an interview with MIT’s Technology Review Magazine. He highlighted the commitment and focus of the Expedition 73 crew towards scientific research, stating, "We're supporting the scientists on the ground, so we go above and beyond to give them the best results that we can. I take great pride in that." This sentiment underscores the importance of collaboration between astronauts and scientists to further our understanding of space and human health.

Current Crew Status

As of 12 September 2023, there are seven crew members aboard the ISS:

• Sergey Ryzhikov (Roscosmos, Commander)
• Alexey Zubritsky (Roscosmos)
• Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos)
• Jonny Kim (NASA)
• Zena Cardman (NASA)
• Mike Fincke (NASA)
• Kimiya Yui (JAXA)

Additionally, two crew spacecraft are currently docked at the ISS: SpaceX's Dragon "Endeavour" and Roscosmos' Soyuz MS-27, alongside two cargo spacecraft: Roscosmos' Progress MS-31 and SpaceX's CRS-33 Dragon. This configuration highlights the ongoing collaboration between various space agencies and private companies in supporting ISS operations.

What’s Next for the Expedition 73 Crew?

The Expedition 73 crew is poised to continue their important work on the ISS, with several research projects and cargo missions on the horizon. As they push the boundaries of scientific knowledge, the insights gained from their experiments will contribute significantly to our understanding of human health in space and the challenges of future interplanetary exploration. The upcoming weeks promise to be filled with significant developments as they prepare for the arrival of new supplies and continue their research initiatives.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Expedition 73 mission?

The Expedition 73 mission aims to conduct scientific research aboard the International Space Station (ISS) while maintaining station operations and preparing for upcoming cargo missions.

How do astronauts communicate with people on Earth?

Astronauts use amateur radio to communicate with individuals on Earth, allowing them to connect without interfering with official communications between the ISS and mission control.

What research is being conducted by the Expedition 73 crew?

The crew is involved in various research projects, including studies on vision and balance, cardiac health monitoring, plant biology, and nutrient enhancement for astronaut diets.

How many astronauts are currently on the ISS?

As of mid-September 2023, there are seven astronauts aboard the ISS from various space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos, and JAXA.

What cargo missions are scheduled for the ISS?

Upcoming cargo missions include the arrival of Progress M-32 and Northrop Grumman's NG-23 Cygnus spacecraft, which will deliver supplies and equipment to the crew aboard the ISS.