Human Life Research on ISS Russian Segment
Aquarius Experiment
"Aquarius" experiment is incorporated into the French research program ANDROMEDA,
which is a constituent part of the "Program for implementation of scientific and application research planned for the third
manned expedition ISS-3". CNES is a customer for preparing and carrying out the program of scientific and engineering experiments
during the French astronaut mission to ISS RS.
Objective:
A study of growth a development of biological objects under zero gravity:
- a study of development of xenopus larvae (Xenopus lavis) of different age under exposure to space-flight environment on-board Soyuz and ISS RS;
- a study of effects of microgravity on otolith crystallization at different phases in the development of Pleurodeles waltll larvae;
- a study of cytoskeleton, secretion, chromosome migration using bakery yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as model.
Tasks:
Taking measurements of vestibular-ocular reflex of xenopus larvae.
Conducting an analysis of the morphology and functioning of inner ear receptor cells, as well as the morphology
of xenopus larvae otoliths.
A study of the metabolism and enzymes of Pleurodeles waltll larvae that developed in space flight.
A study of molecular mechanisms that determine the cell division polarization.
Equipment Used:
- Thermostatically controlled transportation container "AQUA 01" to support delivery of biologicals on-board ISS
RS, storage of embryos in zero gravity and their fixation at certain stages of development.
- Transportation container "AQUA 02" to support the return of the experiment results to Earth.
- DSR-PDIP video camera.
Expected Results:
- 12 dishes with live embryos;
- 7 dishes with embryos held fixed at different phases in their development;
- one dish with bakery yeast;
- video recording of embryo behavior at the beginning and at the end of their stay on-board ISS RS;
- temperature and pressure recorder data.