Research areas
In November 2000 the European Space Agency drew up a list of 6 scientific areas or disciplines (e.g fundamental physics and biology), each one representing a general field of science under which more specific areas of research can be grouped. Inside these 6 general disciplines, ESA's Life and Physical Science Advisory Commitee (LPSAC) identified specific research programmes rated as excellent in each discipline which led to the formulation of so-called 'research cornerstones'. In effect, these are high quality research programmes which would benefit from access to space and microgravity facilities. 14 of these research cornerstones have been identified across the 6 disciplines and these are also linked from their respective discipline listed below.
The table below shows the six disciplines or research areas identified by ESA's Life and Physical Sciences advisory group. Clicking on the discipline you are interested in will take you to a section containing more information about the types of research being conductedin that area, also listed under their respective disciplines are the so called 'research cornerstones'. These are specific research projects, involving UK based researchers that have been highly rated by ESA's review commitee, the research cornerstones are shown as hotlinks, and clicking on them will take you to an even nore detailed description of that particular research cornerstone.
Links
'Understanding Microgravity ' useful information about research in microgravity from NASA
'Earth Benefits of microgravity research' NSBRI information looking at many areas of terrestrial healthcare.
Astro/Exobiology and planetary exploration
The following research cornerstones have been identified in this discipline
1) Origin, Evolution and Distribution of Life
In the field of Origin, Evolution and Distribution of Life study, it is important to gauge the ability of organisms to survive under the extreme conditions that exist on Earth, in space, and in simulated planetary environments. It is important to understand whether any organisms are capable of surving such factors as extreme temperatures and large doses of radiation that are present in certain environments outside earth's amosphere. Projects in this field involving UK based researchers are listed below.
Physico-Chemistry of Ices in Space
Screening of Ultra-Violet Radiation in Endolithic and Microalgal Communities from Antartica
The Search for Extraterrestrial Homochirality
Mars Immunoassay Life Detection Instrument
Laser Raman Spectroscopy for Detecting Biomarkers in Antarctica and on Mars
2) Preparation for Human Planetary Exploration
Preparation for Human Planetary Exploration is obviously an important area of research, as we get closer and closer to the time of manned expeditions to other planets we need to quantify the effects of radiation doses and investigate the impact of isolation in a high-stress environment on humans. In addition, developing the scientific knowledge base for identification and utilisation of in-situ resources as well as developing life support systems that will support us for months will be crucial if our plans of interplanetary travel are to be realised. The use of space in developing and testing these technologies is obvious considering it is this exact and non-reproducible environment that they will have to support us in.
Resistance Training Using Fly-Wheel Technology for Crew Stationed in Space
Radiation Climate on Mars as Relevant to Exobiology
Links
- NASA Astrobiology site
- UK Astrobiology Forum and Network
- NASA Astrobiology institute
- Astrobiology.com: Internet Astrobiology resource
- MARSBUGS: Electronic Astobiology Newsletter
- Astobiology Central: Internet Astrobiology resource
- European Astrobiology News from ESA
- ESA SOLOM (Signs Of Life On Mars) project
- Yahoo Astro/Exobiology links
- NASA Exobiology site
- Spaceref.com: Exobiology information
- Basic Introduction to Exobiology
Biology
The following research cornerstones have been identified in this discipline
1) Biotechnology
Biotechnology already represents one of the fastest growing areas of technology, and this growth will continue in the foreseeable future. There are many areas of biotechnology which would benefit from space based research collaborations; development of artificial functional tissues and improvement of drug delivery systems via microencapsulation technology are just two of the higher profile areas that would benefit from these facilites; other biotechnological research projects that would also benefit are listed below.
Bone Metabolic Studies in a Combined Perfusion/Loading Chamber
Gas Liquid Transfer and Liquid Mixing in Bioreactors
Preservation of Fixed and Non-Fixed Biological Samples During Space Experimentation
Microencapsulation (Cells to Drugs)
2) Plant Physiology
Plant Physiology and signalling is an important area of research; of particular significance are the mechanosensory elements e.g the genes, proteins, and signalling pathways that are involved in plant gravitropism (the way things sense gravity), in studying the gravitropism it is obviously very useful to be able to carry out research in its absence. Perception of Gravity Signal Transduction and Graviresponse in Higher Plants by Innovative Genomic Technologies is one of the projects with input from UK based researchers.
3) Cell and Developmental Biology
Studies in the area of Cell and Developmental Biology focus on the effects an altered gravitational environment has on the development of the cell as well as on the organism as a whole, including its reproduction; special emphasis is placed on the areas of signal transduction, gene expression and neural development.
Links
- NASA fundamental space biology outreach program.
- American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology (ASGSB)
- Spacebio.com: Comprehensive internet space biology resource
- NASA strategy for research in space biology and medicine in the new century
Fluid and Combustion Physics
The following research cornerstones have been identified in this discipline
1) Structure and Dynamics of Fluids and Multi-Phase Systems
In this discipline the first research cornerstone concerns the 'Structure and Dynamics of Fluids and Multi-Phase Systems', this involves areas such as critical fluids, binary and ternary systems and granular materials, which are non-uniform on a macroscopic scale in the earths gravitational field. Of singluar interest are also fluid flows in a central geometry and the evolution of multi-constituent systems like foams and emulsions, the UK's main research interests lie in the following projects
Thermal Transport Phenomena in Magnetic Fluids under Microgravity Conditions
Stimulation of Geophysical Fluid Flow under Microgravity
Study of an Imposed Electrostatic Field on Pool Boiling Heat transfer and Fluids Management
Chemical-Physics in Near-Critical and Supercritical Fluids
Interfacial Studies of Emulsions Used in Industrial Microencapsulation Processes
2) Combustion
Combustion is also being investigated in a microgravity environment, and experiments using gas, liquid and solid fuels are used to investigate how gravity and the convection it causes affects combustion on earth, compared to the microgravity of space. The list below highlights the the projects U.K based researchers are contributing to in this area.
Numerical and Experimental Studies of Instabilites in Lean Gas Phase Combustion
Links
- ESA Fuid and Combustion Physics information
- NASA Fluid Physics infromation
- Marshall Space centre Fluid Physics information
- CSA information about Fluid and Combustion experiments on the ISS
Fundamental Physics
The following research cornerstones have been identified in this discipline
1) Complex and dusty plasmas
The first research cornerstone in this discipline is the investigation of 'Complex and dusty plasmas', which relies heavily on such microgravity facilities as the IMPF. One of the fundamentals of plasma research is the development of our understanding of the three dimensional behaviour of plasma particles in a vacuum or atmospheric environment; the advantage of carrying out this research in micorgravity is that you eliminate the confounding influence of gravity, which not only causes the heavier particles to settle but also produces convection currents that affect experimental accuracy.
For a basic introduction and more information about dusty and comlex plasmas follow the link: Plasma basics
Below is a list of the Complex and dusty plasma related research projects that involve U.K based researchers.
Investigation of Yukawa Clusters
Thermodynamics Phase Transitions, and Defects in Plasma Crystals
Applications-Orientated Plasma Research on the International Space Station
2) Cold atoms and quantum fluids
'Cold atoms and quantum fluids' represents the second of the fundamental physics research cornerstones, in this area special emphasis is placed on the development and utilisation of a cold atom clock in space, which can attain accuracy levels unreachable on earth, this could lead to massive improvements in navigation and GPS systems. Specific projects such as the Atom Optics and Inferferometry in Space; are at the forefront of this area of research.
Links
- Basic NASA learning resource looking at the Fundamental physics of space
- ESA Fundamental physics in Space information
- Imperial College London (UK) Fundamental physics in Space group
- European report on Fundamental Physics in Space
- CERN/ESA report on future Fundamental physics projects
- Spanish/ESA information about Fundamental Physics and Astrobiology
- NASA information about Fundamental Physics in Space
Material Science
The following research cornerstones have been identified in this discipline
1) Thermophysical Properties
Measuring Thermophysical Properties of liquid metals in micorgravity has the advantage that the samples do not have to be contained therefore there is no possibility of the container influencing the experiment, therefore far more accurate can be obtained in space compared to, on earth where the samples must be contained at all times. Specific programmes involving researchers from the U.K are listed below.
Thermophysical Properties of Liquids: Modelling and Non-Metallic Materials
2) New Materials and Processes
By eliminating gravity-induced effects, information about New Materials and Processes can be gained from experiments in space. For example our understanding of crystal growth and solidification of metals, inorganic and organic materials, and biological macromolecules are just some of the things that would benefit from microgravity based research. The list below highlights projects in this area in which U.K based researchers and institutions are working.
Columnar-Equixed Transition in Solidification Processing
Non-Equilibrium Solidification, Modelling for Microstructure Engineering of Industrial Alloys
Soldification Along an Eutectic Path in Ternary Alloys (SETA)
Solidification Morphologies of Monotectic Alloys
Crystallisation of CdTe and Related Compounds
Solidifiation in Multicomponent Multiphase Systems
Solidification of Refractory Metals and Alloys
Metastable Solidification of Composites: Novel Peritectic Strucutres and In-Situ Composites.
Links
CSA information about material science research on board the ISS
ESA information about the Columbus labs Material science facilities.
Physiology
The following research cornerstones have been identified in this discipline
1) Integrated physiology
The area of Integrated Physiology involves research into the effects of low gravity, and other extreme conditions such as the effects of radiation, on whole body systems e.g the cardio-vascular respiratory and sensri-motor systems.
2) Muscle and Bone Physiology
Another area where microgravity research is invaluable, is in looking at the effects of mechanical loading on functional elements of Muscle and Bone Physiology, e.g muscle atrophy and bone mass turnover.
3) Neuroscience
The third and final research cornerstone in physiology is Neuroscience where the lack of gravity in space is a valuable tool in looking at control of posture, locomotion and cognition; this is becuase on earth we rely heavily on gravity to help us control posture and balance. However until we can study these processes in a gravity free environment it is not known how important this effect is. The highlighted list below gives brief details of projects in the field of neuroscience that involve UK based researchers.
The Effect of Change in Gravity on the Dynamic of Prehension and the Kinematics of the Upper Limb During Cyclic Arm Movements with a Hand-Held Load
Other
Jeremy
Curtis, UK Microgravity Co-ordinator
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
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