NASA’s latest commercial resupply mission made to the International Space Station! Earlier this week, the NG-20 Cygnus spacecraft launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral carrying several Voyager Space payloads. Once on board the Space Station, these payloads will be used for scientific research and technology demonstrations that will be instrumental in furthering the advancement of space exploration including:
- GITAI S2: Project GHOST: GITAI S2’s “extraveHicular multi-Objective in-Space servicing Task” demonstration will showcase the company’s capability to design, build, integrate, and operate extravehicular robotic systems, specifically through the “S2” variant of GITAI’s 2-meter class Modular Robotic Arm. This investigation, conducted on an external experiment site of the Bishop Airlock, supports development of robots for in-space assembly and manufacturing operations, as well as potential applications in extreme environments on Earth, including disaster relief, deep-sea excavation, and servicing nuclear power plants. This is GITAI’s second mission with Voyager & the Bishop Airlock. Learn more about their previous robotic arm experimentation here.
- ReADI-SP: REducing Arthritis Dependent Inflammation First Phase (READI FP) evaluates how microgravity and space radiation affect the generation of bone tissue and the potential protective effects of bio-collagen and bioactive metabolites, such as antioxidants, during spaceflight. This study could improve understanding of physical changes causing bone loss and identify possible countermeasures, helping to protect crew members and mission success and could contribute to prevention and treatment of the bone loss that affects many post-menopausal women on Earth.
- Module 89 TLLM: In partnership with DreamUp, This Little Light of Mine (TLLM) is a technology demonstration that tests a series of electrical components under the pressurized radiation and microgravity environment within the ISS. A film created, produced, and directed byfilmmaker Colin, “Topper” Carewand made by Carew and Anthony Jarvis will be played within the space-flown hardware. Once returned to Earth, the media compiled in-flight will be used in an educational program focused on global connection and positivity through meetings, workshops, classes, and projects at various universities, international conferences, art exhibitions, and musical and visual performances. Anyone can follow along with the payload as it runs on the Space Station here.