First CASIS-Sponsored Payloads Berthed to the International Space Station

The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), is proud to announce its first sponsored payloads berthed with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, January 12. Orbital Sciences Corporations Cygnus capsule successfully berthed with the ISS, marking the completion of its first full ISS resupply mission. CASIS is tasked with managing and promoting research on board the ISS U.S. National Laboratory.

Research on board Orbitals Cygnus capsule included a range of experiments from physical science, life sciences and education related payloads. On its test flight in September 2013, the Cygnus capsule transported three CASIS-funded education payloads from the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP). However, this flight signifies the first major payloads that CASIS brokered through its own outreach activities.

Below is an overview of the major payloads now on board the ISS sponsored by CASIS:

Antibiotic Effectiveness in Space (AES-1)

This investigation will examine how spaceflight-induced changes in bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics relate to antibiotic resistance in disease treatment on Earth. By studying physical and gene expression changes in bacteria in space, scientists hope to uncover the mechanisms involved in antibiotic susceptibility and resistance. This may help in identifying new targets for antibiotics or new approaches to reduce resistance of disease-causing bacteria.

Ants In Space (CSI-06)

This experiment analyzes the interrelationship between the interaction rate of a group of ants and the density of the group in normal gravity conditions versus microgravity. This and related experiments are designed to engage the K-12 community on Earth in near real-time ISS science.

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test: Low Gravity Phase Kinetics Platform (BCAT-KP)

This investigation will use the absence of buoyancy-driven convection in microgravity to examine aspects of complex fluid physics specifically, the movement of particles within colloids and the way these mixtures crystallize, melt and undergo phase separation. A fundamental understanding of the underlying physics needed to stabilize everyday commercial products may help in the development of new colloidal materials and product formulations with unique properties. These improved products may have enhanced performance, longer shelf life and lower manufacturing costs.

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First CASIS-Sponsored Payloads Berthed to the International Space Station