NASA provider SpaceX is scheduled to launch its eighth Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station on Friday, April 8. NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, will host a free local event on its campus for registered members of the media and public to view the televised launch.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is targeted to lift off on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket at 1:43 p.m. PDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying science research, crew supplies and hardware to the orbiting laboratory in support of the Expedition 47 and 48 crews.
NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, will launch five life science experiments to the International Space Station aboard NASA’s next commercial cargo resupply flight of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
· Rodent Research-3, results of which are expected to increase our understanding of diseases, disorders and injuries affecting millions of people globally, and to aid in the development of new therapeutics and strategies to treat muscle atrophy conditions. Ames developed the Rodent Research hardware system and is responsible for Rodent Research-3 mission integration and operations on the space station.
· Microbial Tracking-1C, is the last third of a three-part investigation that seeks to characterize airborne and surface-associated populations of microorganisms aboard the International Space Station. Observations from the study will provide NASA with information to estimate crew health and spacecraft performance risks stemming from microbial growth onboard a crewed space vehicle. Ames is the payload developer and implementer for Microbial Tracking-1.
· WetLab-2, a new system for conducting quantitative, real-time gene expression analysis aboard the International Space Station. Gene expression analysis measures the activity of genes—functional units of genetic information. Station crew can use the WetLab-2 system to rapidly and safely prepare biological specimens for gene expression analysis, to conduct that analysis and to return data to investigators on Earth within hours. Ames is developing WetLab-2.
· Micro-9 examines how spaceflight and microgravity affect the mechanisms of cell biology. The study will use multiple genetic strains of a yeast model organism to enhance our understanding of how life responds to physical phenomena and physical forces. The study investigates specific mechanisms of yeast cell signaling and response to microgravity. Ames is managing and supporting Micro-9.
· Micro-10, which studies how the stress of microgravity triggers changes in growth, gene expression, physical responses and metabolism of an important biomedical research species. Results provide new data on how spaceflight affects fungi, including whether the fungi can be induced to make new molecular compounds that could be used for development of new drugs. Ames is managing and supporting Micro-10.
Media interested in requesting interviews with researchers supporting preparation of the experiments at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida should contact darryl.e.waller@nasa.gov.
Media interested in attending the Ames public event and requesting interviews with experts about the experiments managed by Ames in Silicon Valley should contact jessica.culler@nasa.gov.
For information about the public launch viewing event at Ames, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ames/event/spacex-8-viewing
For the digital press kit featuring resources about Ames’ involvement in this launch, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ames/spacex-8
For an updated schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/content/spacex-crs-8-briefings-and-events
For NASA TV downlink information, schedule and streaming video information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
