research (Brinckmann 2005). The fact that thresholds for gravity-related responses
exist, as revealed by centrifuge experiments in space, indicate physiological rather
than a pure passive mechanism of a response which was e.g. a long-lasting debate in
case of gravitaxis of protists (unicellular organisms) (see Chap. 3). Furthermore, it
shows that we cannot just simply extrapolate data obtained in hypergravity to “0 g”
and predict the result. Large centrifuges such as the Short Arm Human Centrifuge at
DLR meet the demands of life science researchers for complex training and biomedical examinations under hypergravity conditions. Such a large centrifuge system
provides a great platform for biomedical and neurophysiological research, but is also
used by cell biologists, who started using it to operate various instruments like a life
cell imaging microscope under hypergravity conditions.
With respect to exploration and the need of closed biological life support
systems, plants and (lower) animals might become essential parts of bioregenerative
life support systems in order to provide nutrients and energy on long-term missions
or on other planets. It is therefore of great importance to investigate the effects
of lunar (ca. 0.16 g) or Martian (ca. 0.38 g) gravity on plant/animal metabolism,
growth, proliferation and development as well as on human beings. Centrifugation
in space provides these conditions. EU:CROPIS, a compact satellite scheduled to
fly in 2018, will provide lunar and Martian gravity conditions for 6 months each to
study the impact of these gravity levels on the performance of a biological life
support system, further equipped with a special trickling filter unit for urine
degradation, a food production unit and a Euglena compartment for oxygen production (cf. Chap. 8).
2.4 From Drop Tower to ISS—Biology in Free Fall
Several excellent experimental platforms offer real microgravity conditions for
gravitational biology research: drop towers, parabolic flights, sounding rocket
flights, satellites and the International Space Station ISS (Fig. 2.3). They differ in
the time of microgravity provided and the quality of microgravity that can be
achieved. Thanks to the excellent cooperation between the scientists, technicians
and astronauts highly sophisticated research hardware has been developed and
operated in space. After several decades of space biology research, nowadays, a
huge amount of experience is available for performing biological experiments on
cells, tissues, and organisms including human beings. Cultivation and fixation, life
support systems as well as online microscopic and kinetic studies are daily work for
the astronauts on the ISS. This chapter briefly describes the platforms that provide
real microgravity conditions with special focus on their characteristics and boundary
conditions. Some of them even provide opportunities for student experiments such
as the “Drop, Fly, and Spin your Thesis” or the REXUS/BEXUS student rocket and
balloon program at Esrange near Kiruna in Northern Sweden, jointly organized by
the Germany DLR Space Administration and the Swedish National Space Board.
2.4 From Drop Tower to ISS—Biology in Free Fall
19
exist, as revealed by centrifuge experiments in space, indicate physiological rather
than a pure passive mechanism of a response which was e.g. a long-lasting debate in
case of gravitaxis of protists (unicellular organisms) (see Chap. 3). Furthermore, it
shows that we cannot just simply extrapolate data obtained in hypergravity to “0 g”
and predict the result. Large centrifuges such as the Short Arm Human Centrifuge at
DLR meet the demands of life science researchers for complex training and biomedical examinations under hypergravity conditions. Such a large centrifuge system
provides a great platform for biomedical and neurophysiological research, but is also
used by cell biologists, who started using it to operate various instruments like a life
cell imaging microscope under hypergravity conditions.
With respect to exploration and the need of closed biological life support
systems, plants and (lower) animals might become essential parts of bioregenerative
life support systems in order to provide nutrients and energy on long-term missions
or on other planets. It is therefore of great importance to investigate the effects
of lunar (ca. 0.16 g) or Martian (ca. 0.38 g) gravity on plant/animal metabolism,
growth, proliferation and development as well as on human beings. Centrifugation
in space provides these conditions. EU:CROPIS, a compact satellite scheduled to
fly in 2018, will provide lunar and Martian gravity conditions for 6 months each to
study the impact of these gravity levels on the performance of a biological life
support system, further equipped with a special trickling filter unit for urine
degradation, a food production unit and a Euglena compartment for oxygen production (cf. Chap. 8).
2.4 From Drop Tower to ISS—Biology in Free Fall
Several excellent experimental platforms offer real microgravity conditions for
gravitational biology research: drop towers, parabolic flights, sounding rocket
flights, satellites and the International Space Station ISS (Fig. 2.3). They differ in
the time of microgravity provided and the quality of microgravity that can be
achieved. Thanks to the excellent cooperation between the scientists, technicians
and astronauts highly sophisticated research hardware has been developed and
operated in space. After several decades of space biology research, nowadays, a
huge amount of experience is available for performing biological experiments on
cells, tissues, and organisms including human beings. Cultivation and fixation, life
support systems as well as online microscopic and kinetic studies are daily work for
the astronauts on the ISS. This chapter briefly describes the platforms that provide
real microgravity conditions with special focus on their characteristics and boundary
conditions. Some of them even provide opportunities for student experiments such
as the “Drop, Fly, and Spin your Thesis” or the REXUS/BEXUS student rocket and
balloon program at Esrange near Kiruna in Northern Sweden, jointly organized by
the Germany DLR Space Administration and the Swedish National Space Board.
2.4 From Drop Tower to ISS—Biology in Free Fall
19