Infrastructure on board the International Space Station (ISS) Biological experiments in microgravity

BIOTESC is responsible for the biological experiments in the incubator Kubik and inside the science facility BIOLAB and for all activities with the small computer AstroPi. For Kubik and AstroPi, BIOTESC also prepares maintenance and repair activities for the device.

AstroPi Computer

AstroPi

The Raspberry Pi is a small, inexpensive and relatively powerful computer. It was developed by the British Raspberry Pi Foundation with the aim of helping young people to gain access to programming skills. 

Two such Raspberry Pi computers - called "AstroPi" - were installed on the ISS in December 2015. The two AstroPis each consist of a Raspberry Pi model B+ with camera module and various peripheral sensors that can measure parameters such as temperature, humidity and acceleration.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)AstroPi can be operated on the ISS with minimal time expenditure for the astronauts: The two computers are connected to the ISS LAN and BIOTESC can access, install programs and download files directly from the control room in Hergiswil.

ESA, in collaboration with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, has developed an educational programme for European schools which uses the AstroPi platform to teach students programming and computer science in the context of the various requirements of the space industry. In the annual competitions, students are asked to write programs that perform specific tasks on the ISS. The programs can then be run on AstroPi, and the results can be downloaded and distributed to schools.

In addition to the educational programs, the AstroPi can also perform other important service functions, such as monitoring environmental conditions or as a tool for data transfer from other facilities on the ISS.

ta_forschung_abst_biolab facilities prog

Biolab

Biolab is a laboratory for biological experiments in the Columbus module on the International Space Station. It can host and support experiments on micro-organisms, cell cultures, plants or small invertebrates. The laboratory is incorporated into what we call International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) and includes an incubator with two centrifuges, a microscope, a robotic arm for the automated transfer of liquids, and two freezers for storage of temperature-sensitive biological samples.

Using this compact laboratory, the role of gravity and cosmic radiation ca be examined on various levels of life – from a cells to a complex organisms.

more

Every biological experiment on board the ISS begins with a proposal to the European Space Agency (ESA) from a team of scientists, mostly from a European research organization, who want to investigate their samples in a weightless environment. ESA then selects the appropriate facility in which the experiment can be conducted. BIOTESC is commissioned for the planning and execution of experiments selected to be performed in KUBIK or Biolab facility.

The biological samples for Biolab are transported in a small container to the ISS, where the astronaut manually inserts them into Biolab. Some of the further investigations can be partially automated within Biolab, but some activities rely on crew interaction with Biolab. The role of BIOTESC is to plan these activities and to produce detailed work instructions for astronauts, which is key to the success of the experiment.

By far the greatest challenge when planning an experiment in Biolab is the complexity of the facility, combined with the strict requirements in terms of the biology. Biological samples have a limited life-time, and are therefore often transported to the ISS in a frozen state. After the samples have thawed a "race against time" begins, where the temperature conditions must meet the very strict requirements.

The working hours of an astronaut are a valuable resource and consequently the daily work schedule of the ISS crew is fully packed. It requires a lot of effort and coordination to plan the crew-activities that are necessary for carrying out the experiment.

In order to find the optimal timing and conditions the timeline of an experiment is tested several times on ground before the flight to the ISS. It may well take several years until all requirements can be met and combined into a functional timeline. At least two of these tests take place in a ground-based replica of Biolab.

In addition to the preparations for the experiments BIOTESC supports the astronauts via radio during the execution of the experiments and answers any questions that might arise. During the planning and execution phase, BIOTESC is supported by experts from Cologne, Germany, who are responsible for the facility and for commanding the Biolab from the ground.

ta_forschung_abst_kubik prog

Kubik

Kubik is a real success story: Since its first deployment on the ISS in 2006, biological experiments have been performed in this facility on a regular basis.

Kubik is a simple portable incubator, but also has cooling capabilities. An integrated centrifuge makes it possible to apply g forces on the biological samples and therefore to make a direct comparison to the zero gravity conditions on the ISS. 

For a Kubik experiment, biological samples – from cell cultures to smaller complex organisms – are usually packed in what we call experiment containers and transported to the ISS. They have to be installed in the temperature-conditioned Kubik incubator as soon as possible because biological samples usually have a limited life-span. Once inside the Kubik, the experiment containers have power and can perform they programmed automated timeline, for example they can supply the cells with fresh medium or flush them with fixative at the end of the experiment.

The processed samples are finally returned to the scientists on earth for analysis.

more

The aim of the experiments (as with Biolab) is to investigate the effects of microgravity and space radiation on living cells. Unlike other systems on the ISS, Kubik cannot be commanded from ground. All the actions must be performed by an astronaut on the station. Kubik provides data on the temperature profile and the centrifuge activity, but these are not transmitted in real time and must also be copied manually by an astronaut from the facility to a laptop.

The biological material selected for such experiments is living material and therefore reacts to temperature variations or time delays. The flexibility in experiment design is consequently low, making planning and coordination all the more important. BIOTESC is responsible for planning activities on Kubik and provides the work instructions for the crew. BIOTESC organizes the test runs on ground before the experiments in collaboration with scientists and hardware specialists. In addition to preparing the experiments, BIOTESC experts are available on ground during the execution of the experiment when Kubik is on orbit. BIOTESC supports the astronauts in real-time over the radio during the execution of the experiment.