The ability to use new materials for new purposes has always driven civilization and technology, and given names to the Stone Age, the Iron Age, and the Bronze Age. In the Space Age, missions like those developed by SSL let us use space as a unique laboratory to gain key insights into phenomena that gravity masks on Earth so unique new materials may serve as the building blocks for our future.
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Understanding the Human Body
The human body holds more than 300,000 types of proteins,
each with specific roles in bodily functions. Yet we only know the structure
of less than 1% of these. By going to space, we are often able to grow protein
crystals of extremely high quality and uniformity. When returned to Earth,
these crystals can be studied to extract the precise three-dimensional structure
of the protein - its blueprint. From that, we then can better understand
exactly how the protein works in the body, and can devise strategic ways
to manipulate its effects, enabling an immune response to disease, or disabling
a detrimental effect. MSL-1 and four other missions hosted experiments in
protein crystal growth (PCG) in the Shuttle middeck, or carried PCG equipment
to the Mir space station.
Understanding how molecules of proteins and of contaminants
move through a solution is the challenge taken up scientists with the Interferometer
Protein Crystal Growth (IPCG) apparatus launched to Mir in August 1997.
IPCG, developed by SSL, uses light to reveal density differences in solutions
as lysozyme crystals grow in a thin glass cell. Crews aboard Mir operate
IPCG inside the glovebox. Video images, taken through a 50-power microscope
and polarizing filters, will be analyzed in 1998 to calculate how fast molecules
diffuse through the solution. This should improve growth techniques for
a variety of PCG experiments.
Learn more about protein crystal growth in space, and biotechnology research at NASA/Marshall!!!
 Closing In on the Best
Way to Grow Crystals: Science on Flight Day 7 of MSL-1 |
July 7, 1997 |
| On Target for a Cure:
Science on Flight Day 11 of MSL-1 |
July 11, 1997 |
| Protein Crystal Device
Studies Infant Disease |
August 15, 1997 |
| Why do we grow protein
crystals in space? |
July 1997 |
Microgravity Science Laboratory
The first Microgravity
Sciences Laboratory (MSL-1) was among the most successful missions in
the history of our "science in space" research. With experiments
in combustion, materials
science, and protein crystal growth,
a full 16 days of scientific investigations helped set the stage for long-term
experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
MSL-1 also holds the
distinction of being the only Shuttle mission to refly with payload and
crew unchanged. The importance of MSL-1's science led NASA to take the unprecedented
step of scheduling a reflight in July after orbiter problems cut the first
flight short in April. On this near-perfect second flight, scientists explored
the fundamentals of combustion, to gain knowledge critical to improving
the fuel efficiency and reduce pollution of tomorrow's internal combustion
engines. NASA/Marshall scientists were instrumental in a variety of materials
science investigations using Germany's TEMPUS
electromagnetic levitation furnace. In particular, these scientists
studied the "undercooling"
behavior of a variety of interesting metals and alloys. Undercooling
occurs when a material is taken to a temperature below its normal freezing
or solidifying point, yet still remains in the liquid state. This was done
to define fundamental properties of various metals, and to study the potential
for creating new forms of metals and alloys that cannot be made through
normal ground-processing methods.
Learn more about science conducted aboard the Microgravity Science Laboratory Flights in 1997!!!
| MSL-1 Science
Mission Home Page |
July 1997 |
| MSL-1
"Science in Action" Images |
July 1997 |
| MSL-1 Daily
Science Feature Stories |
July 1997 |
Electrostatic Levitator FacilityA new and unique materials research facility was established in November 1997 at NASA/Marshall with the delivery of the Electrostatic Levitator Facility. Using electrostatic forces, this facility can levitate small metallic and non-metallic samples in order to process them in a variety of ways without having to place the material in some form of a container. Typically this type of research is done in facilities aboard the space-shuttle, an example of which is the TEMPUS facility flown aboard MSL-1. However space flight is both expensive and infrequent, and scientists would like a method to carry out similar experimentation on the ground to maximize both the amount of scientific knowledge, as well as the productivity of space-flight experimentation.
The ESL facility at NASA/Marshall will provide scientists with the ability to perform containerless processing of materials on the ground, similar to methods currently used in space. Scientists can study unique and novel materials in the undercooled state, and measure a material's so-called "thermophysical properties," properties of the material that depend on temperature, such as its density, surface tension, viscosity, and specific heat capacity without the influence of a container. Understanding these properties, and having the ability to process new materials in the absence of a container will provide NASA/Marshall scientists, as well as scientists from around the world, with key new experimental capabilities to further our knowledge of many fundamental materials science processes.
United States Microgravity Payload
1997's
other major microgravity mission, the fourth United
States Microgravity Payload (USMP-4), comprised four major experiment
facilities mounted on a special structure in the orbiter payload bay, and
several experiments using the Middeck Glovebox. Among other things, USMP-4
addressed fundamental aspects of the transition when a liquid material becomes
solid, and how that transition influences the large-scale mechanical and
electrical properties of the finished product.
NASA/Marshall scientists were co-investigators on two of the USMP-4 experiments.
In the Particle Pushing
and Engulfment (PEP) experiment, scientists look at what happens as
a molten material solidifies and either pushes particles ahead of the freeze
front (like ice shoving dirt particles out of the way), or engulfs them.
The results will help in applications ranging from road bed design to formulas
for advanced composite materials. In the Advanced
Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (AADSF), scientists will
attempt to better understand the formation of a semiconductor material called
mercury-cadmium-telluride. The performance of this material, which is an
essential component in infrared detectors, for example, is highly dependent
on the uniformity of its composition. This uniformity can be degraded by
gravity-induced effects such as convection or other types of fluid flow.
Knowledge gained from this experiment aboard USMP-4 will be critical in
understanding how to make higher quality semiconductors on earth with improved
performance characteristics.
Learn more about science conducted aboard the United States Microgravity Payload 4 Flight in 1997!!!
| USMP-4 Science Mission
Home Page |
November 1997 |
| USMP-4
Daily Science Feature Stories |
November 1997 |
| 1997 Highlights Physics and Astronomy |
1997 Highlights in Earth Science Research |
Last updated November 19, 1997