NASA astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers, presently serving as a flight engineer on Expedition 73 aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is one in all a handful of astronauts testing varied experiments on the station.
Because the ISS sits in low Earth orbit, its microgravity setting permits researchers like Ayers to attempt a wide range of research, from growing plants to creating miso paste to monitoring bone density modifications to watching weird weather from house.
What’s it?
Ayers recently completed a set of experiments contained in the Microgravity Science Glovebox. There she carried out the Ring Sheared Drop investigation, an experiment that appears at protein-based liquids in microgravity with out the liquid being contained to a particular house. By permitting droplets to maneuver freely, the research explores how floor rigidity, viscosity and different forces have an effect on fluid dynamics in microgravity.
The place is it?
The Microgravity Science Glovebox is situated within the Destiny laboratory module on the ISS.
Why is it superb?
Ayers’ latest experiment may have huge implications for drug manufacturing, doubtlessly serving to researchers design extra steady medication. The experiment may additionally reveal insights about 3D printing in space, as the method makes use of liquids to create custom-made objects.
Ayers is a part of NASA’s Expedition 73, a seven-person mission that started on April 19, 2025 and can finish in November when the crew returns to Earth. Throughout that point, the Expedition 73 workforce has welcomed guests from the personal Axiom-4 mission, which is working dozens of experiments within the two weeks the 4 astronauts can be on the house station.
Wish to be taught extra?
You possibly can learn extra in regards to the Worldwide House Station and the various experiments happening there.