10 More Years for the ISS   
       
   Feb. 14, 2014: A lot can happen in 10 years. Over the past decade an   
   international laboratory, widely known but often under-appreciated, has been   
   producing results at an extraordinary rate. Using its unique capabilities,   
   engineers have developed a precision robotic arm that helps surgeons remove   
   tumors from the human brain; experimenters have learned to start fires without   
   flames-an anti-intuitive technology that could lead to super-efficient auto   
   engines; physicists have counted hundreds of thousands of anti-matter   
   particles among normal cosmic rays, a telltale sign of mysterious dark   
   matter.; researchers have gathered atoms into exotic forms, creating the   
   building blocks of futuristic smart materials; .and much more.   
       
   That lab is the International Space Station.   
       
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzjskjY4ihQ   
       
   A new ScienceCast video previews the next decade of research onboard the   
   International Space Station.  Play it   
       
   "The accomplishments of the past 10 years are remarkable--especially   
   considering that the space station was still under construction." notes Julie   
   Robinson, program scientist for the ISS. "Now that the station is finished,   
   we've been granted at least 10 more."   
       
   In January, the Obama Administration announced an extension of the   
   International Space Station until at least 2024.  The extra time allows NASA   
   and other space agencies around the world to pursue a number of important   
   goals.   
       
   For one thing, the ISS is crucial for long-duration travel through deep   
   space.  "That may sound ironic given that the space station never leaves Earth   
   orbit," says Robinson, "but we have determined that research on station is   
   necessary to mitigate 21 of 32 known human-health risks associated with long   
   duration space missions. The road to Mars leads through the ISS."   
       
   She adds that medical research for astronauts helps people on Earth, too.   
   Treatments for bone loss and muscle decay, and advances in telemedicine are   
   just a few of the spin-offs that have made their way into hospital rooms since   
   the ISS program began.   
       
   As the next ten years unfolds, a menagerie of "model organisms" will join   
   astronauts on the ISS for advanced life science studies.  New "crewmembers"   
   include weeds, fruit flies and rodents-all of which share surprising amounts   
   of DNA with humans. "By studying these organisms in microgravity, we will   
   learn a lot about ourselves," she says.   
       
   Although Robinson has a degree in biology, some of her favorite experiments   
   are in the area of fundamental physics.  For instance, she says, "the   
   station's Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer program, led by Nobel laureate Samuel   
   Ting, is poised for breakthroughs on the nature of dark matter." Another   
   exciting project is the Cold Atom Lab, slated for flight in 2016.  "We are   
   going to create the coldest spot in the known universe inside the ISS," she   
   says.  "This will allow researchers to study exotic forms of quantum matter   
   such as Bose-Einstein condensates."   
       
   With the "big blue marble" looming large in its window, the space station is a   
   powerful platform for Earth science. Sensors under construction and slated for   
   launch in the next few years include instruments for hurricane forecasting,   
   studies of the global climate, and lightning hazards.  "The extension of the   
   space station allows Earth science instruments to collect longer term   
   datasets," notes Robinson.  "Some of our existing sensors will collect 90%   
   more data during the extra decade."   
       
   The station's 10-year extension also boosts the development of America's   
   homegrown commercial space program. SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corp., which   
   have contracts to supply cargo to the station, can now look forward to   
   competing for future contracts. SpaceX, Boeing and Sierra Nevada are also   
   interested in launching crews to the station by 2017. As commercial providers   
   provide access to Earth orbit at lower cost, we move toward the day when   
   scientists will travel to space to do their own experiments, first-hand.   
       
   Ten more years, indeed.  For more information about research on the   
   International Space Station, visit nasa.gov/station   
       
   Credits:   
   Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Production editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit:   
   Science@NASA   
       
       
   Regards,   
       
   Roger   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.98   
    * Origin: NCS BBS - Houma, LoUiSiAna (1:3828/7)