Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
NASA astronaut Don Pettit is set to return to Earth in mid-April after spending seven months aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 72. During his mission, Pettit engaged in a variety of research projects aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and enhancing future space exploration initiatives.
Pettit has been a proponent of the concept he refers to as the “science of opportunity.” This approach encourages experimenting with the environment to gain insights into the functioning of various phenomena. He suggests that the intersection of art, science, and microgravity can lead to unique discoveries.
In one of his demonstrations, Pettit illustrates electrostatic forces with charged water droplets and a Teflon knitting needle. His visual experiments showcase the unique attraction and repulsion characteristics of Teflon and charged droplets, a behavior analogous to the interaction of charged particles from the Sun with Earth’s magnetic environment. These interactions contribute to the formation of the aurora borealis, which occurs when energetic space particles collide with atmospheric atoms and molecules.
While aboard the International Space Station, Pettit captured an image showcasing the hands of fellow astronauts Nick Hague and Suni Williams within the Life Science Glovebox. This facility acts as a protective barrier between scientific experiments and the astronauts, ensuring that both remain uncontaminated.
Another crucial aspect of research on the International Space Station involves its freezers, which maintain essential samples for analysis back on Earth. The Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for International Space Station enables the storage of samples at ultra-cold temperatures. Pettit utilized this technology to freeze thin wafers of ice, capturing their unique crystalline structures through the lens of a polarizing filter.
Pettit also documented a time-lapse sequence of the Canadarm2, which retrieved samples as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-20-Commercial). This investigation aimed to observe the effects of the space environment — including vacuum, radiation, and extreme temperatures — on various materials. The insights gained from this research could play a significant role in enhancing material durability and advancing quantum communication technologies.
The growing number of research projects on the International Space Station aligns with NASA’s broader objectives of exploring the Moon and beyond. This necessitates increased power for the more demanding operations of the orbiting laboratory. Pettit took photographs that juxtapose the newly installed solar arrays against older models. The International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA) technology, first tested in 2017, saw six installations by 2023. These new arrays provide a 20-30% boost in power, benefiting research and operational capabilities. Furthermore, similar solar array technology has been employed in NASA’s DART asteroid mission and is intended for use in the Gateway lunar outpost, an integral element of the Artemis program.
In January, Pettit assisted colleagues in preparing for two spacewalks. The initial outing focused on refurbishing the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), a telescope specialized in measuring X-rays emitted by neutron stars and other cosmic phenomena. By patching the telescope, the astronauts mitigated issues related to sunlight interference that affected data quality. During the subsequent spacewalk, they collected samples from the outside of the International Space Station to monitor microbial life, analyzing how various microorganisms might be expelled into outer space. This research may inform the design of future spacecraft and spacesuits, particularly strategies for minimizing biological contamination on forthcoming missions.
From his vantage point, Pettit has captured images portraying “cosmic colors at sunrise,” taking advantage of the International Space Station’s orbit, which enables it to cover multiple regions populated by Earth’s inhabitants. His photography not only serves aesthetic purposes but provides vital data that could benefit scientific studies.
For instance, Pettit shared reflections on a photograph of the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting how sunlight glinting off the water reveals otherwise hidden details. This process makes even slight variations in sea height perceptible, uncovering the ocean’s underlying currents. Additionally, Pettit’s photographic work holds potential for enhancing the study of transient luminous events, which are colorful electrical discharges occurring above thunderstorms. His images can complement data collected from devices like the Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) and the Thor-Davis high-speed camera, facilitating a deeper understanding of thunderstorms and their effects on the upper atmosphere of our planet.
Further insights into Pettit’s photographic endeavors can be found on his social media profile, where he shares a wealth of his stunning visual captures. For more of Pettit’s photography, visit his profile @astro_Pettit.
Source
www.nasa.gov