On Thursday, astronauts on board the International Space Station were busy studying foam, fires, and liquid. They researched to raise living standards for those living on and off the planet. They also tested a new US toilet system.

ISS Space Station Modules
(Photo: NASA KSC/Wikimedia Commons)
ISS Space Station Modules


Foams and Emulsions Experiment

In order to improve the consumer products sector, NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Watkins concentrated on the Foams and Emulsions experiment while examining samples under the KERMIT microscope.

The study of the structure and stability of foams and emulsions includes using particles in different shapes and surface abrasion. It also includes the examination of its performance and property.

Microgravity, on the other hand, enables the examination of the microstructures of foams and emulsions. This is due to eliminating the influence of gravity-related factors, including particles' buoyancy.

One of the study's objectives is to identify the most efficient packing structure of monodisperse foams and emulsions close to the dry limit with zero-fraction of the continuous phase. The second goal is to understand better how the microstructure and stabilization of foams and emulsions are affected when colloidal particles are used in place of surfactants.

New US Toilet System

The Expedition 67 crew also tested out a brand-new American toilet as they prepared for crew departure activities at the end of the month.

Bob Hines, a NASA Flight Engineer, began his day with a cognition test for Standard Measures research. It is a human research study that aims to define the hazards and coping mechanisms for living in space. The new US toilet system, housed in the Tranquility module of the station, was then configured by Hines, who also tested its functionality.

Space Physics Experiment

According to Sci Tech Daily, the space crew also investigated how several phenomena that people are familiar with on Earth are affected by weightlessness by conducting a number of space physics research experiments in microgravity.

The absence of gravity impacts the nature and behavior of Earth-bound phenomena. This offers novel properties and insights that aid scientists and engineers in creating cutting-edge products and uses that benefit astronauts and people on Earth.

For the Ring Sheared Drop fluid physics investigation, NASA Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren exchanged samples in the Microgravity Science Glovebox to learn more about high-concentration protein fluids and to advance the development of new disease-treating medications such as cancer.

ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti changed the Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction investigation's components. It is an experiment investigating how fire spreads and how to use fire protection measures in space.

ALSO READ: International Space Station Fires Rocket To Get Away From 2007 Chinese Satellite


Cosmonauts' Departure from the International Space Station

Three cosmonauts are preparing to leave the space station after residing and working there for six months. The Soyuz MS-21 crew spacecraft has been docked to the Prichal docking module since March 18. Commander Oleg Artemyev prepared cargo today for packing within the crew ship.

Denis Matveev and Sergey Korsakov of Roscosmos began making plans for their return to Earth at the end of September. Additionally, Matveev spent Thursday figuring out how to make the environment in the space lab better for biotechnology studies. Korsakov spent the entire day maintaining computers and Russian electronics.

 

RELATED ARTICLE: Roscosmos Is Officially Leaving NASA, International Space Station by 2024, Tells Vladimir Putin Russia Will Make Own Orbiting Lab

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