<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

There is a broad interest in both industry and academe in understanding the time-evolution in the microstructure of colloidal gels, as such changes affect the properties of the gels including product self-life and rheology. In colloidal gels, the time-evolution results from the magnitude and the relative proportions of forces—including gravity, acting on the colloidal particles. The aim of this study was to measure the magnitude of the Soret force acting on the colloidal particles in a model gel in the microgravity on the International Space Station, as a proxy for gravitational forces in Earth-based experiments. It was found that the Soret force could be used to create an effective gravitational force of between about 10 × 10−17 N (3 milli-G) and 3 × 10−17 N (1 milli-G) on the colloidal particles, where the lower limit is set by the dominance of particle flux from Brownian forces. These results should allow mapping the behavior of colloidal gels broadly described in literature on other gels—such as polymer gels of industrial interest, where the colloidal particles are much smaller.
</abstract>

Universities Space Research Association (USRA) with GEARS (Glenn Engineering and Research Support), NASA Glenn Research Center

The Magnitude of the Soret Force on Colloidal Particles Measured in Microgravity

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

NASA's recent emphasis on human exploration of the Moon and, ultimately, Mars necessitates a transition from a focus of its research in the biological sciences from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to platforms beyond LEO. Fundamental research questions need to be addressed to enable humans to thrive in deep space. Work beyond LEO necessitates a shift in technology and the utilization of organisms in autonomous experiments, especially in the near term. The Beyond LEO Instrumentation &amp; Science Series Science Working Group (BLISS-SWG) was established to provide NASA's Space Biology Program input on its strategy for developing research priorities and tools for exploration beyond LEO. Here, we present an abridged version of the first annual report of the BLISS-SWG, which is publicly available on the NASA Technical Reports Server. Seven priority areas and pertinent research questions were identified for research beyond LEO in the coming 2–5 years. Appropriate experimental organisms and technology development needs for research addressing these questions are summarized. The BLISS-SWG aims for this review to serve as a resource for the space biology and science and engineering communities as they develop research to understand risks and mitigation strategies for deep-space stressors on human crew, plants, and their microbiomes.
</abstract>

Department of Microbiology and Cell Science

Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate

Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Integrated Systems

Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Strategies, Research Priorities, and Challenges for the Exploration of Space Beyond Low Earth Orbit

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Accelerated aging in space is detrimental to long-term space missions. The environmental conditions in space (e.g., microgravity and radiation) cause harmful effects similar to those seen during aging. As the mechanistic pathways underlying accelerated aging in spaceflight are not fully understood, the identification of critical targets for promoting longevity in spaceflight remains challenging. We analyzed genomics data from the GLDS-207 project to identify potential targets related to longevity. Analysis of RNA-seq data from four Drosophila variants using the GeneLab Galaxy platform indicated that spaceflight significantly affected differential gene expression in the heads of flies, specifically in the seizure (sei) mutant, which alters the voltage gated potassium channels in the cell membrane. Spaceflight induced a significant decrease in the expression of the retinal degeneration A gene (rdgA) in mutant flies that survived the 30-day space mission. This gene encodes for the protein diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), which modulates the activation of the mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, known to negatively regulate aging. Therefore, DGK may be a potential target for promoting longevity in space conditions. Further investigation of the effects of decreased rdgA expression on the lifespan of other organisms under spaceflight conditions will clarify the role of DGK in promoting longevity.
</abstract>

Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center

Biomedical Engineering Department and Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies

Diacylglycerol kinase is downregulated in the Drosophila Seizure Mutant during Spaceflight

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

This short article describes the major findings from the CVB experiment performed in the LMM on the International Space Station from 2010–2012. CVB was the first experiment to run in the new facility and focused on understanding the heat transfer and fluid mechanics occurring inside a wickless miniature heat pipe. The LMM was used to map the location of the vapor-liquid interface inside the device and to measure the film thickness profile on the walls of the device. Several interesting and unexpected phenomena were observed in microgravity including flooding of the heater end with liquid as the heat input increased, explosive nucleation of vapor bubbles at the heater end in the shortest version of the heat pipe tested, condensation on highly superheated surfaces, and the spontaneous formation of rip currents as the device tried to enhance the contact line area available for evaporation of the liquid.
</abstract>

Constrained Vapor Bubble Experiment (CVB) in the Light Microscopy Module (LMM)

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Gravitational and Space Research

 Gravitational and Space Research is the main journal of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) and publishes quality, peer-reviewed manuscripts in several categories of, both life and physical space sciences. The Aims &amp; Scope of the journal encompasses the diversity of research on gravitational research and includes any topic within the following broad categories: the impact of gravity and changes in the gravity vector on biology, astrobiology, spaceflight and planetary analog environment research, advanced life support, biophysics, radiation biology, human-tended spaceflight, satellite payloads, suborbital research, parabolic flight, sounding rockets, high altitude balloons, hardware engineering and development, acceleration in altered gravity environments, combustion science, complex fluids, fluid physics, fundamental physics, and materials science. In addition, research wholly dedicated to terrestrial explorations of the impact of gravity and to changes in the gravity vector is welcome. The categories of papers include Short Communication, Methods, Research, Hypothesis, and Review. We are also open to publishing Educational Outreach papers in gravitational and space sciences.  Gravitational and Space Research is under the editorial leadership of Editor-in-Chief Jamie S. Foster, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. There are no page charges associated with publishing in Gravitational and Space Research. All articles are Open-Access.  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 

Gravitational and Space Research

Volume 12 (2024): Issue 1 (January 2024)

Research Note

The Magnitude of the Soret Force on Colloidal Particles Measured in Microgravity

Strategies, Research Priorities, and Challenges for the Exploration of Space Beyond Low Earth Orbit

Diacylglycerol kinase is downregulated in the Drosophila Seizure Mutant during Spaceflight

Constrained Vapor Bubble Experiment (CVB) in the Light Microscopy Module (LMM)

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