|
|
|
|
| Small Payloads Take Youth Science into Orbit |
| Overview |
|
Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility manages NASA's Shuttle Small Payloads Project. The SSPP designs, develops, tests, integrastes and flies a group of small payload carrier systems aboard the space shuttle. These carriers -- the Hitchhiker, Getaway Specials, Space Experiment Module -- support payloads supplied by NASA, other U.S. government agencies, universities, high schools, domestic commercial customers and foreign nationals and governments. The following small payloads will be flown aboard Discovery during the STS-105 mission: Simplesat Simplesat, a deployable satellite, is being developed as a prototype for a satellite that could be constructed at a college or university. It is designed to evaluate the use of inexpensive commercial hardware on spacecraft. Simplesat is expected to demonstrate Global Positioning System attitude control and payload-assisted fine pointing while free flying in low Earth orbit. It will be ejected from a Hitchhiker canister on the shuttle and deployed away from the sun to protect its optical equipment. It will not be retrieved. The shuttle crew will deploy Simplesat using switches to arm and activate pyrotechnic devices that release the satellite from the canister. Once the satellite leaves the shuttle, Simplesat's batteries will begin to charge and scientists will monitor Simplesat via radio frequency transmission. Simplesat GPS operates as a navigational tool that has both earthbound and spacebound applications because it provides scientists with a very precise reading of one's location in space. G-780 Cell Growth in Microgravity The Get-Away Special canister G-780, Cell Growth in Microgravity experiment, is an educational project that encourages Minnesota high school students to observe root cell growth in microgravity by germinating Vicia Faba bean seeds in space. The primary objective of the experiment is to engage some 200 Mayo High School (Rochester, Minn.) students in an authentic investigation that requires collaboration with scientific professionals from the community. The students designed and prepared the experiment. For additional information about this experiment see stbrehmer@rochester.k12.mn.us. Microgravity Smoldering Combustion The Microgravity Smoldering Combustion experiments are designed to study smoldering combustion in an extremely low gravity (microgravity) environment and in normal gravity. The microgravity setting is essential because it permits scientists to study smoldering combustion mechanisms without the complications introduced by gravity and it provides insight into how smoldering combustion behaves in space. Smoldering combustion is a complex, nonflaming form of burning that occurs in the interior of porous, combustible materials, both natural (piles of leaves and pine needles) and manmade (furniture stuffing and cable insulation). Smolder is a serious problem: 40 percent of all deaths caused by fire in the U.S. can be attributed to the smoldering of household furniture, which releases toxic byproducts. In space, the threat of smoldering combustion becomes an even greater risk. An earlier version of this experiment flew on USML-1 in 1992. The present version was first tested on Earth and flown aboard STS-69 and STS-77 in 1995-1996. Hitchhiker Experiments Advancing Technology The Hitchhiker Experiments Advancing Technology payload contains two experiments, Simplesat and Space Experiment Module-10. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., sponsors both experiments. Space Experiment Module-10 The Space Experiment Module-10 contains 11 experiments and flies in the space shuttle's payload bay. Experiments flying aboard the SEM-10 module are: · Space Travel's Affect on Roots (STARS): The STARS experiment examines the growing characteristics of roots subjected to the space environment. Once the roots return to Earth, they will be planted alongside control roots that were purchased at the same time. A difference in crop yield could aid in realizing the potential for growing food in space for long-term exploration. (Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.) · Flowers in Space: Students will examine the effects of space travel on two types of perennial flowers (coreopsis and columbine) and two types of vegetables (lettuce and cucumbers). Half of the seeds will fly aboard the mission and the other half will be held at Wallops. Upon return, the flower and lettuce seeds will be planted in the fall. The lettuce will mature in the fall, the perennial flowers will mature in the following spring, and the cucumber seeds will be started indoors during the spring and planted outdoors. Students will compare growth rates at different geographic locations to determine if the seeds that traveled in space grow differently. (GSFC/Wallops New 2000, Media, Pa.) · Food for Earth and Space: Students will determine whether the environment of space influences the growth of edible sprouts. Mass, volume and mean growth length will be compared for both the control and variable groups. This experiment should reveal if the environment of space could produce more or less food on the space station. (Corpus Christi School, Chambersburg, Pa.) · Corn: Tomorrow's Food on Earth and in Space and Rusting in Space: The first student experiment will explore if the environment of space impacts the embryo of the corn seed or affects its ability to grow and produce once planted on Earth. Preflight, control and variable seed groups will be measured for mass, volume and density and will be stored in similar environments. Upon return, all growing conditions (time, light, temperature and watering amounts) will be the same. The "Rusting in Space" experiment will observe if rust develops differently on a variety of metals after exposure to the environment of space. The control and variable groups will be stored in similar environments and then they will be placed in a rust-promoting environment. Students will record data regarding mass and density changes, oxidation time and other physical changes. (Chambersburg Area Middle School, Chambersburg, Pa.) · Shirt and Shoes Required: The experiment will determine the effect of high-frequency radiation and microgravity on fabrics, both natural and synthetic. Results from this experiment may influence clothing manufacturing on Earth's changing environment. (Great Bridge Middle School, Chesapeake, Va.) · Agrilaser: This experiment will examine the effects of lasering various seeds and sending them into space. In space, outside the protective atmosphere, the molecules are subjected to cosmic particles. This may affect the seeds' growth cycle, germination period, growth timeline, edible plant taste, look and texture. A variety of seeds will be used and proper controls will be used for each seed group. (Arrowhead Union High School, Port Washington, Wis.) · Space Laser Comm 2001: This experiment will test the feasibility of using a laser to communicate in space. A semiconductor laser module will be carried into space to see if it can withstand a space environment of microgravity and radiation. The peak wavelength of the laser module will be characterized, along with the optical output power of the laser module and various electrical inputs before it goes into space and after it returns. Students will be looking for changes in the peak wavelength and optical output along with any differences in the transmissivity of the laser lens. (Mills Lawn Elementary School, Yellow Springs, Ohio) · Different Types of Seeds: Students will pack tubes with different types of seeds. Some of the seeds will be from the Cahokia Mounds Historical Site in Cahokia Mounds, Ill. Other types of seeds will include tomatoes, lettuce, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins and corn, some of them native to the Midwest area. The students will place the seeds in soil to see if they grow. They will also place them in the hydroponics lab to see if they will grow. They will also grow a control group of seeds that have not been up in space in soil and in the hydroponics lab. (Ellis School, Belleville, Ill.) · Stuck on Space: This team of experimenters consists of students in grades seven through nine from schools in three states. This experiment will explore how temperature extremes, radiation and microgravity will affect adhesives. Commonly used adhesive-backed materials will be used to determine how these items will react in a microgravity environment. Materials that may possibly be used on the International Space Station and on future space exploration missions will be used. (Suffield High School, Suffield, Conn.) · SCI-FIVE: Students from five schools will study the effects of the space environment on a variety of materials. Balls, Playdough©, gum, seeds, Alka-Seltzer©, exposed film, ink and teeth/braces will be tested after they have traveled in space to determine how radiation, temperature and microgravity may have affected them. (Anne Arundel County Schools, Anne Arundel County, Md.) · Imaging Media and Radiation Shielding Experiment: Regina Science Club will conduct both of these experiments, which will be housed in one SEM module. The "Imaging Media" experiment will compare the ability of various consumer grade image storage media to withstand degradation due the SEM space flight environment. Several popular image storage media will be compared side-by-side, image-by-image comparisons with unflown control media and with each other. The "Radiation Shielding Experiment" will test the effectiveness of several radiation shielding strategies. At least 15 radiation dosimeters will be placed in the SEM module. A duplicate control set of dosimeters, both shielded and unshielded, will be kept on the ground for the duration of the experiment to allow for comparison of the levels of radiation in space to those on the ground. After the flight, all experiment dosimeters will be returned to the manufacturer for developing. The manufacturer will provide radiation exposure levels for each type of radiation measured for each dosimeter. (Regina Catholic Education Center, Iowa City, Iowa) |
Editorial/Technical Comments: ShuttlePresskit
