Experiment

JAXA Astronaut Furukawa conducted his first space experiment in Kibo

All times are Japan Standard Time (JST)

In Kibo, the Japan Experiment Module (JEM), JAXA Astronaut Furukawa has started the second 'Production of Two Dimensional NanoTemplate in Microgravity (2D-NanoTemplate)', and deployed Area PADLES (Passive Dosimeter for Life science Experiments in space) for monitoring the cosmic radiation environment of fixed points in Kibo.

Astronaut Furukawa has been staying in the International Space Station (ISS) since Friday, June 10, as an Expedition 28/29 crew member. During the stay he will conduct scientific experiments, utilize and maintain the ISS. On Tuesday, June 14, Astronaut Furukawa performed the following two activities.

1. 2D-Nano template experiment

The 2D-NanoTemplate experiment tries to create a nano-sized two-dimensional pattern (mask pattern) on a plate (substrate) in space by arranging and a peptide-PEG array on the substrate.

Astronaut Furukawa took the samples out from the ISS refrigerator/freezer (MELFI , Minus Eighty degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS), then removed the clip which separated between the peptide-PEG solution and the substrate. He stored the samples in the MELFI, and the 2D-Nano template experiment has started.

2. Deployment of Area PADLES^※1

Astronauts' radiation exposure significantly differs depending on the complex changes of on-orbit space radiation environment such as changes of solar activity, occurrence of solar flare, and shielded environment, ex. depth of module walls.

In order to assess the risk of space radiation with long time stay in the orbit and provide necessary radiation environment information for planning experiment, astronauts deploy 17 Area PADLES in the Kibo to monitor the space radiation environment.

JAXA has been conducting space radiation monitoring using Area PADLES and providing information since June 2008, right after the launch of Kibo's main experiment module, the Pressurized Module (PM).

Area PADLES deployed this time was launched onboard Soyuz TMA-02M (27S mission) with the cooperation of Russian Federal Space Agency(FSA) and Russia Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP), and Russian Astronaut Sergei Volkov handed over to Astronaut Furukawa on June 10, after the open of hatch between Soyuz and the International Space Station (ISS). Later on June 14, Astronaut Furukawa deployed the Area PADLES in Kibo. The monitoring of radiation in Kibo will be continued till Astronaut Furukawa returns to the ground aboard Soyuz (27S mission), which is planned on November, 2011.

*1 PADLES dosimeter consists of two dosimeter elements, Nuclear track detectors (CR-39) and Thermoluminescent Dosimetry (TLD), an excellent combination for measuring space radiation environment. PADLES is used for measuring each astronaut's exposure (Crew PADLES) in space as well as measuring biological samples (Bio PADLES) for life science experiment. Astronaut Furukawa also carries Crew PADLES during his stay in space.

Astronaut Furukawa took over the Area PADLES on June 10, after the open of hatch between Soyuz and the ISS. (Credit: JAXA/FSA)"

*All times are Japan Standard Time (JST)