STS-90 Neurolab Program - STS-90 Status Report Flight Day 6 (April 22 CDT) -

Flight Day 6 (April 22 CDT)

Experiment forcused
on respiration

The STS-90 crew members were awakened at 6:39 a.m.(CDT), and began Flight Day 5 activities.

Today, STS-90 crew members conducted experiments including the "Reduced Gravity - Effects in the Developing Nervous System" experiment which is focusing on the early development of the cerebral cortex in mice embryos, the Effects of Gravity on Postnatal Motor Development Experiment and the Bioreactor Demonstration System Experiment.

The first run of the Effects of Gravity on Postnatal Motor Development Experiment was conducted today. Ground research has indicated that gravity plays a significant role in rats learning basic motor skills like swimming and walking. The rats being studied in this experiment were launched when they were only a few days old and scientist will be looking to see if motor skills develop normally in the weightless environment. The rats will be videotaped as they move around in a special walking apparatus that has various surfaces to allow them to walk and climb. Additional motor skill test will be performed after the flight to see if the rats are able to readapt to the force of gravity.

The crew will go to sleep at 10:19 p.m. CDT this evening and receive a wake up call from Mission Control tomorrow morning at 6:19 a.m.

Status of Japan related experiments

As to Japan related experiments today, the third run of accelerations was performed by Mission Specialist Hire. Hire pulled the fish package out, and gave it a movement manually. These accelerations keep the oyster toadfish active and get the experiment data.

Hire exchanged the data recording magnetic tape of the Vestibular Function Experiment Unit (VFEU). The magnetic tape for recording neural signals is being exchanged twice a day.

Payload Specialist Buckey took a sample of the water from the fish packages. The water will be analyzed to determine whether the VFEU is maintaining water quality for the fish.

The VFEU is in good condition, and the neural data from the toadfish are being obtained intermittently. The Rodent Research Animal Holding Facility was checked out.

Last Updated : April 23, 1998