ASGSB 1998 Annual Meeting Abstracts

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NASA SPACE LIFE SCIENCES TRAINING PROGRAM: STUDIES AND PROJECTS PERFORMED BY THE FLIGHT EMPHASIS GROUP. D. Thomas, P. Currier, J. Ascher, R. Bashyal, J. Ferrell, A. Fitch, C. Gunn, R. Hall, S. Hart, A. Honore’, J. MacIntire, M. Soliman, J. Rogers, and D. Young,. Space Life Sciences Training Program, NASA, KSC and Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL.

Students in the SLSTP Flight Group were divided into four small teams. The Medical Operations Team conducted an experiment to compare the effects of a placebo and three pharmaceutical countermeasures for motion sickness. Sea/Space motion sickness was induced by rotating on a tilt chair on a 15 degree angle. Testing indicated a significant difference between drugs and placebo and a commercially available medication was recommended. One student represented the Aquatics Team and created a closed marine ecosystem. The student successfully maintained brine shrimp in the small environment. The Payload Team performed characterizations of space hardware and materials currently in use by NASA. Location, orientation, and freezer type indicated differences in freezing time in the Biological Research in Canisters.

Another student tested an external thermometer for use in shuttle mid-deck locker experiments. A third student compared different types of cushioning foam for offgassing of organic and inorganic compounds. Each Experiment Design Team member was given the role of Project Manager of an independent experiment. Tasks included developing schedules, analyzing budget, constructing hardware, conducting hardware verification tests, integrating hardware and biology, and reporting. To understand some of the technical and scheduling difficulties of scientists and engineers working in concert, a simple experiment was conducted. These tests included hypo- and hypergravity effects on root initiation, brine shrimp hatching efficiency and changes in Drosophila development time. In other studies, bacteria were cultured and plants were grown under simulated Mars conditions, including martian soil analog and a high CO₂ atmosphere. These projects will be refined and worked into K-12 outreach activities through the internet. In addition to a submitting a final paper, all students presented their projects and lessons learned at the end of the program.

(Supported by the NASA Space Life Sciences Training Program)

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