Nervous System, Exercise Research Fills Science Schedule Wednesday

Expedition 64 Flight Engineers (from left) Kate Rubins and Shannon Walker called down to the Centers for Disease Control and talked about science on the space station. Credit: NASA TV
Expedition 64 Flight Engineers (from left) Kate Rubins and Shannon Walker called down to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today and talked about science on the space station. Credit: NASA TV

Human research was the main science focus aboard the International Space Station today. The Expedition 64 crew members also worked on spacesuit maintenance.

The space-exposed human nervous system may impact how an astronaut grips and manipulates objects during a mission. NASA Flight Engineers Michael Hopkins and Victor Glover participated in the GRIP study today that could help engineers and doctors develop better spacecraft interfaces and treat neurological conditions on Earth.

Glover also checked out components on safety jetpacks that an astronaut would use in the unlikely event a spacewalker became untethered from the space station. NASA Flight Engineer Shannon Walker worked during the afternoon on batteries that keep U.S. spacesuit life support systems powered during spacewalks.

NASA Flight Engineer Kate Rubins tried on the experimental AstroRad radiation protection vest during the afternoon testing it for fit and comfort while working. Flight Engineer Soichi Noguchi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) serviced the Cell Biology Experiment Facility, an incubator that cultivates cells and plants for research, throughout the day.

Exercise research is also important as flight surgeons learn to maximize the effects of a crew member’s workout to account for the lack of gravity. Cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov strapped sensors to themselves and jogged on the Russian treadmill on Wednesday. Data will be sent down to doctors to review how a cosmonaut’s body adjusts to working out in space.

3 thoughts on “Nervous System, Exercise Research Fills Science Schedule Wednesday”

  1. What kind of exercise is maintained on the space station? Especially to improve bone density, muscle tone, and reflexes? Are sport-centric motions included? Seems like a treadmill would bore me to death.

    My program helps seniors maintain muscle and bone strength, and reflexes. Interesting and varied motions. I’d love to help the space program!

    1. There are three main exercise devices on the space station to maintain muscle and bone mass including cardio activity…

      An exercise cycle (CEVIS) — https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=821
      The advanced resistive exercise device (ARED) — https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=973
      A treadmeill (COLBERT) — https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=752

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *