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Making Space for Technology Development - Presented by Science@NASA 

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The International Space Station (ISS) is Earth’s only orbiting laboratory.

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That’s important because it not only allows us to conduct research that benefits all of us on Earth,

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it also provides the only microgravity environment in which we can test technologies

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critical to our deep-space exploration in the near and far-term future.

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Here, engineering models can be validated, and new technologies and systems for future missions can be demonstrated,

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without risk to crew members.

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Historically, the Mercury program enabled the Gemini program which, in turn,

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enabled the Apollo program through technology and systems advancements.

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Today, the space station is giving us a similar experience in long-duration spacecraft operations,

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and serving as a test bed for new technologies and upgraded vehicle systems, which are enabling future missions.

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Dave Hornyak is NASA’s ISS Technology Demonstration Research Portfolio Manager.

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He notes: “The ISS lets us demonstrate that a technology works as intended in a spacecraft environment.

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Demonstrations on the space station inform operators and flight crews how the system operates,

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proves interoperability with other systems and demonstrates system safety and reliability.”

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There are many technologies and capabilities that need to be developed

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as we move forward to the Moon and on to Mars.

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For example, researchers have recently tested a new design of solar array

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that will be used on the first module for the Deep Space Gateway – our future space station

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that will serve as a home base for astronaut expeditions to the Moon.

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Solar arrays in operation right now need to unfold before becoming active.

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But new designs allow future solar arrays to roll out, and also retract.

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They were tested for strength and durability on the ISS,

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and were designed to be more compact than current rigid panels.

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NASA’s Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle is a four-person exploration craft

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designed to take astronauts farther in space than anyone has gone before.

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Its backup navigation system uses a new technology that is optically based.

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It captures images of the Moon or Earth, and based on their size and angle,

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an algorithm determines Orion’s location.

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These optics can’t be tested on Earth because our atmosphere would distort the images enough

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to make the algorithm inaccurate. Aboard the ISS however, the algorithm was confirmed to work properly.

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A secondary benefit is the system was tested at spacecraft speed, making for a realistic navigation scenario.

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As people travel deeper into space, they’ll need solutions to a variety of safety challenges.

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For instance, if a fire breaks out, how fast can it grow and spread in a micro-gravity environment?

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NASA’s Spacecraft Fire Safety (SAFFIRE) program has already conducted a series of experiments

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on 3 ISS cargo vehicles to measure flame growth, oxygen use and combustion products.

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Results are helping to improve spacecraft fire detection, response and extinguishment, and crew protection.

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“Ultimately”, says Hornyak, “Technology and operations demonstrations occurring on the ISS today

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are guiding our planning, reducing risk, and providing capabilities to enable future exploration missions.”

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For more inside information about the tech being tested aboard the station, visit www.nasa.gov/iss-science

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For more on the science of space exploration, visit science.nasa.gov