ISS Helps Those on Earth
by Noelle Young
Wheeling Jesuit University Professional Writing Student

The International Space Station (ISS) embodies NASA's vision–improve the quality of life here on Earth. Here's how the station has been meeting that goal since it first began to be assembled in 1998.

The station hovers over the Pacific Ocean. Click here to see a larger view.

About the International Space Station
The International Space Station is now a fully functioning laboratory in space. An on-orbit assembly began in 1998 with the launch of the Russian-built Zarya (or "dawn" in English). Also in 1998, Space Shuttle Endeavor lifted off on a mission to connect the U.S. Unity, a six-sided aluminum module, to Zarya. Since then several other missions have been planned and launched to add parts to the station. In February 2001 the U.S. Destiny Lab was added. The workshop serves as the centerpiece of research. This lab will support experiments that ultimately will benefit those of us back on Earth.

Because of its microgravity environment, the space station opens up unlimited scientific possibilities. As an educational and exploration outpost, the provides an orbital laboratory for long-term, worldwide research in biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, and medicine. For more information go to http://www.eisenhowerinstitute.org/programs/globalpartnerships/fos/usrussianspace/iss.htm.

Experiments Conducted in Space
Medical research is perhaps one of the most beneficial reasons to study life sciences in space. Many complex changes take place in astronauts' bodies when they travel in space. With the reduced pull of gravity, their bones become weaker, bodily fluids shift toward the upper body, and body rhythms are disrupted.

Echocardiographic images provide quick, safe images of the heart as it beats. While a state-of-the art echocardiograph unit is part of the Human Research Facility on the International Space Station, quick transmission of images and data to Earth is a challenge. NASA is developing techniques to improve the echocardiography available to diagnose sick astronauts as well as study the long-term effects of space travel on their health.

Experiments conducted in space might help us find ways to counteract balance disorders, osteoporosis, or other types of arthritis. Since muscles of astronauts are greatly affected in space, we hope to understand the effect. That could lead to rehabilitating people on Earth who have been injured or are bedridden and need to regain muscle tone.

Additionally, astronauts are exposed to many kinds of damaging radiation when they are outside Earth's protective atmosphere. This radiation can damage cells and increase tumors. Keeping astronauts safe from damaging space radiation might offer a solution for cancer patients who undergo radiation treatments.

How Astronauts Are Affected
Space tremendously affects astronaut's circulatory system, including the heart. In microgravity less blood flows through the body. As a result, the heart becomes smaller and weaker. Astronauts feel the effects when they return to Earth. They are dizzy and weak, symptoms typical of people with heart failure or diabetes.

Additionally, the study of astronauts' immune systems could also help us to understand many immune system disorders here on Earth.

Astronauts also have difficulty because they lose the normal day/night cycle in space because of the numerous dawns in a 24-hour cycle. Strategies to help astronauts with this could also benefit people on Earth with sleep disorders or even those who work multiple shifts as part of their job.

A collage of protein and virus crystals grown in space. Click here to see a larger image.

Other Reasons for Studying Life in Space
Crew members on the space station are performing experiments outside those on themselves. For instance, protein crystals can be grown more pure in space. The analysis of these crystals might lead to a better understanding of the nature of proteins, enzymes, and viruses. That might spur the development of new drugs to fight cancer, emphysema, and immune system disorders.

The ISS laboratories can also grow tissue cultures of living cells. These experiments are important because they aren't distorted by gravity.

Other experiments might lead to new developments in industries here on Earth. For example, the ISS will conduct research on flames, fluids, and metals in microgravity environments and study the forces hidden by gravity.

An obvious benefit of the International Space Station is the opportunity it affords astronauts to watch planet Earth. They can record their observations and identify large-scale, long-term changes in the environment. These observations will increase our understanding of natural resources, such as forests, oceans, and mountains, and the effects of natural disasters such as volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, and earthquakes.

An astronaut observes and photographs planet Earth. Click here to see a larger image.

Equally beneficial are studies that show mankind's effect on our planet. Images can be captured from space that provide a global perspective. Graphic images of pollution, deforestation, and water pollution can be invaluable from an ecological perspective.

Observing from a Different View
Many space station experiments will actually take place outside the ISS. These experiments teach us about the space environment and how long-term exposure to space, its vacuum, and its debris affects materials. This could greatly benefit engineering and construction of future spacecraft design.