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Logros de la NASA en la estación espacial en 2023


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La Estación Espacial Internacional es un centro de investigaciones científicas y demostraciones de tecnología. Actualmente, en su tercera década de operaciones atendidas por seres humanos, este laboratorio orbital aprovecha las investigaciones previas para producir resultados fundamentales mientras lleva a cabo ciencia de vanguardia. Lee los aspectos más destacados de algunos de los innovadores avances científicos de la estación espacial realizados en 2023 que están beneficiando a la humanidad en la Tierra y preparando a los seres humanos para los viajes a la Luna y más allá.

Brindando beneficios a las personas en la Tierra

El primer menisco de rodilla humana fue bioimpreso en 3D exitosamente en la órbita terrestre utilizando la Instalación de Biomanufactura de la estación espacial. El proyecto BFF-Meniscus 2 evalúa la impresión en 3D de tejido de cartílago de rodilla utilizando tintas y células biológicas. La demostración en el espacio de esta capacidad respalda el uso comercial continuo y extendido de la estación espacial para la fabricación de tejidos y órganos para trasplantes en tierra.

Dos espátulas metálicas sujetan un pequeño pedazo de cartílago blanco justo encima de la cavidad de la impresora 3D de la Instalación de Biomanufactura.
Primer menisco de rodilla humana bioimpreso en 3D exitosamente en la órbita terrestre utilizando la Instalación de Biomanufactura.
Redwire

Por primera vez en el espacio, los científicos produjeron un gas cuántico que contenía dos tipos de átomos utilizando el Laboratorio de Átomos Fríos de la estación. Esta nueva capacidad podría permitir a los investigadores estudiar las propiedades cuánticas de los átomos por separado, así como la química cuántica, la cual se centra en investigar de qué manera interactúan y se combinan los diferentes tipos de átomos en un estado cuántico. Esta investigación podría permitir una gama más amplia de experimentos en el Laboratorio de Átomos Fríos, aprovechando esta instalación para desarrollar nuevas tecnologías cuánticas desde el espacio. Las herramientas cuánticas se utilizan en todo, desde los teléfonos móviles hasta dispositivos médicos, y podrían profundizar nuestra comprensión de las leyes fundamentales de la naturaleza.

A la izquierda, la astronauta de la NASA Jasmin Moghbeli viste una camisa color rosa, mientras que, a la derecha, la astronauta de la NASA Loral O’Hara viste una camisa azul. Entre ellas hay una vista del Laboratorio de Átomos Fríos en la pared del módulo. Ambas tienen el cabello suelto, flotando por encima de sus cabezas.
Los astronautas de la NASA Jasmin Moghbeli y Loral O’Hara posan frente al Laboratorio de Átomos Fríos de la Estación Espacial Internacional.
NASA

Monitoreo del cambio climático desde el espacio

El 14 de septiembre de 2023, la NASA anunció que julio de 2023 fue el mes más caluroso registrado desde 1880. La estación espacial está ayudando a monitorear el cambio climático mediante la recopilación de datos con el empleo de diferentes instrumentos de observación de la Tierra montados en su exterior.

A la derecha, el brazo robótico Canadarm2 maniobra el instrumento de la Investigación de las Fuentes de Polvo Mineral en la Superficie de la Tierra (EMIT), después de sacarlo del compartimiento de carga de cohete Dragon de SpaceX. Se observan los paneles solares principales de la estación, extendiéndose desde el segmento de la estructura de soporte de babor en el centro de la foto. La Tierra está en la parte inferior del fondo, mientras que la oscuridad del espacio cubre el fondo superior.
El brazo robótico Canadarm2 maniobra el instrumento de Investigación de las Fuentes de Polvo Mineral en la Superficie de la Tierra (EMIT) de la NASA después de sacarlo del compartimiento de carga del cohete Dragon de SpaceX.
NASA

Desde su lanzamiento en 2022, la Investigación de las Fuentes de Polvo Mineral en la Superficie de la Tierra (EMIT, por sus siglas en inglés) de la NASA ha detectado más que minerales en la superficie. El espectrómetro generador de imágenes ahora está identificando las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero provenientes de fuentes puntuales con una habilidad que sorprende incluso a sus diseñadores. La detección de metano no formaba parte de la misión principal de EMIT, pero ahora, con más de 750 fuentes de emisiones identificadas, este instrumento ha demostrado ser eficaz para detectar tanto fuentes grandes como pequeñas. Este es un factor importante para identificar los “superemisores”: fuentes que producen una parte desproporcionada de las emisiones totales. El seguimiento de las emisiones causadas por la actividad humana podría ofrecer un enfoque rápido y de bajo costo para reducir los gases de efecto invernadero.

The image shows the Evaporative Stress Index over the San Joaquin Valley on May 22, 2022, where many fields show high Evaporative Stress Index values that indicate low plant stress whereas low values indicate high plant stress.
Índice de estrés evaporativo sobre el valle de San Joaquín en California.
NASA

Los modelos que utilizan los datos del experimento ECOSTRESS de la NASA hallaron que la fotosíntesis de las plantas comienza a decaer a los 46,7 grados centígrados (C), o 116 grados Fahrenheit (F). ECOSTRESS está ayudando a explorar las repercusiones del cambio climático en las selvas tropicales. Según este estudio, las temperaturas medias han aumentado 0,5 C por década en algunas regiones tropicales, y las temperaturas extremas son cada vez más acentuadas. Se desconoce si las temperaturas de la vegetación tropical pronto podrían acercarse a este umbral, pero este resultado crea conciencia sobre la necesidad de mitigar los efectos del cambio climático en las selvas tropicales, las cuales son un productor primario del oxígeno del mundo.

Estudios para el viaje más allá de la órbita terrestre baja

La NASA ha logrado una recuperación de agua del 98% a bordo del segmento estadounidense de la estación espacial, lo cual es un hito necesario para las misiones espaciales que se aventuren a destinos lejanos. La NASA utiliza la estación para desarrollar y poner a prueba sistemas de soporte vital que pueden regenerar o reciclar elementos de consumo como alimentos, aire y agua. Idealmente, los sistemas de soporte vital necesitan recuperar cerca del 98% del agua que las tripulaciones llevan al comienzo de un viaje largo. En 2023, el Sistema de Control Ambiental y Soporte Vital de la estación espacial demostró esta capacidad.

El Terminal integrado de amplificador y módem de usuario de órbita terrestre baja de LCRD (ILLUMA-T, por sus siglas en inglés) de la NASA, una demostración de comunicaciones láser, completó su primer enlace. Este es un hito crítico para el primer sistema de retransmisión láser bidireccional de la agencia. Las comunicaciones láser envían y reciben información a velocidades más altas, lo que proporciona a las naves espaciales la capacidad de enviar más datos a la Tierra en una sola transmisión. Poner a prueba las comunicaciones láser operativas en diversos escenarios podría perfeccionar esta capacidad para futuras misiones a la Luna y Marte.

Hoja de ruta de seis pasos para la demostración de comunicaciones láser de la NASA. El terminal ILLUMA-T demuestra dos velocidades diferentes de transferencia de datos desde la órbita terrestre baja hasta el suelo a través de un enlace de retransmisión. Los enlaces se pueden utilizar para transmitir datos en tiempo real o para transferencia de datos muy voluminosos.
Hoja de ruta de las comunicaciones láser de la NASA: verificación de la validez de esta tecnología en diversos entornos.
NASA / Dave Ryan

El astronauta de la NASA Frank Rubio completó una misión científica sin precedentes, tras pasar 371 días en el espacio. Durante su permanencia en órbita, Rubio fue el primer astronauta en participar en un estudio que examina cómo el ejercicio con equipo de entrenamiento limitado afecta al cuerpo humano y es uno de los pocos astronautas que ayudan a los investigadores a realizar pruebas para saber si una dieta mejorada puede facilitar la adaptación a la vida en el espacio. Las contribuciones de Rubio ayudan a los investigadores a comprender cómo los vuelos espaciales afectan la fisiología y la psicología humanas y a la preparación para misiones de larga duración.

El astronauta de la NASA Frank Rubio cosecha tomates para el experimento Veg 05.
NASA

Kibo cosechando hojas de Arabidopsis thaliana, una planta similar al repollo y la mostaza. Alneyadi mira a la cámara con las manos todavía ocupadas en el experimento de botánica espacial Hábitat de Plantas 03.

La finalización de una de las primeras investigaciones de varias generaciones de plantas a bordo de la estación espacial podría ayudar a los investigadores a evaluar si las adaptaciones genéticas en una generación de plantas cultivadas en el espacio pueden transferirse a la siguiente. Los resultados del experimento Hábitat de Plantas 03 podrían proporcionar información sobre cómo cultivar generaciones repetidas de plantas para proporcionar alimentos frescos y otros servicios en futuras misiones espaciales.

El astronauta de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos Sultan Alneyadi viste un suéter azul marino mientras trabaja en el módulo del laboratorio Kibo cosechando hojas de Arabidopsis thaliana, una planta similar al repollo y la mostaza. Alneyadi mira a la cámara con las manos todavía ocupadas en el experimento de botánica espacial Hábitat de Plantas 03.
El astronauta de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos (EAU) Sultan Alneyadi cosecha hojas de plantas de Arabidopsis thaliana para el experimento Hábitat de Plantas 03.
NASA

El Experimento contra Incendios en Naves Espaciales IV (Saffire IV, por sus siglas en inglés) marcó la finalización de una serie de experimentos de combustión que ayudaron a los investigadores a comprender los riesgos y comportamientos del fuego en el espacio. Debido a que los experimentos relacionados con las llamas son difíciles de llevar a cabo a bordo de una nave espacial tripulada, el experimento Saffire IV utiliza el vehículo de reabastecimiento no tripulado Cygnus después de su partida de la estación espacial con el fin de poner a prueba la inflamabilidad a diferentes niveles de oxígeno y demostrar las capacidades de detección y monitoreo de incendios.

green fabric burns from left to right with particles of ash on the left and a flame line in the center
Una muestra de tela se quema dentro de una nave espacial de carga sin tripulación Cygnus para el experimento Saffire IV.
NASA

Christine Giraldo

Oficina de Investigación del Programa de la Estación Espacial Internacional

Centro Espacial Johnson

Busca en esta base de datos de experimentos científicos para obtener más información (en inglés) sobre los experimentos mencionados anteriormente.

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      Credit: NASA Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars – for the benefit of all.
      For more information about Artemis, visit:
      https://www.nasa.gov/artemis
      News Media Contact
      Corinne Beckinger 
      Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. 
      256.544.0034  
      corinne.m.beckinger@nasa.gov 
      View the full article
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