Jessica Meir

Sneak peek at what it looks like to set up a new experiment on the @Space_Station! I installed hardware in the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox (MSG) for the Colloidal Solids experiment. This study will investigate the structure and dynamics of crystal, gel and glass phases during solidification of colloids (mixtures in which tiny particles of one substance are scattered throughout another, but that don’t dissolve or settle out, for example, milk, mayonnaise, and fog).  Since gravitational forces often perturb these materials, we may observe differences in microgravity. This research could lead to the development of new materials for space exploration (substrates for plant growth, 3D printing, etc.), and may provide insight into protein crystallization, a critical process in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, to directly benefit human health back on Earth.

From 250 miles above us in low Earth orbit, the International Space Station has been a home and laboratory for over 25 years. With the Orion spacecraft now taking humans farther than we’ve ever gone before, the Expedition 74 crew aboard the space station offered a symbolic token to the @NASAArtemis II crew and Commander Reid Wiseman as we continue to reach higher and dream bigger in human spaceflight.

Wondering about those bright green and blue lights in the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea? I remember first learning about this phenomenon, the art of squid fishing, while I was a graduate student at @Scripps_Ocean. Fishermen use these lights to attract plankton and fish, and squid soon follow to catch their illuminated prey. The wavelengths of light used have shifted over the years, with the current scene so colorful it looks like a Christmas village.

Exp 74 trained to configure quantum physics hardware, analyzed intravenous fluid produced on the space station, and pedaled on a brand new exercise cycle on Wednesday advancing knowledge and health in space. More... go.nasa.gov/4mYR90B

Did you know that the Milky Way is even milkier when viewed from the Southern Hemisphere? This is because from the southern side of our planet, we get a clearer, more direct view of the dense galactic core. Here’s a look at the Milky Way starting over the Southern Ocean (between Australia and Antarctica) from our @SpaceX Dragon window, complete with some aurora (Southern Lights) and fleeting Starlink satellites. Enjoy the view!

“Every single thing that we learned on ISS is up here." - @Astro_Christina For over 25 years, the station has provided a platform for sharpening the skills, tech, and knowledge needed to thrive on journeys to the Moon and beyond. More: go.nasa.gov/4q3X59Z

.@NASA's station astronauts @Astro_Jessica and @Astro_Hathaway will answer science questions from Missouri students live on YouTube beginning at 10:50am EDT on Thursday, April 30. More... go.nasa.gov/4u6Bqir

Passing over Algeria on the @Space_Station always feels like a trip to an art museum. #EarthArt. Which one is your favorite?

Looks like Mother Earth is putting her best face forward for Earth Day with some spectacular Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights! I couldn’t look away from the @Space_Station cupola window as I witnessed this magnificent Earthly phenomenon dance its magical ballet. Covering a majority of the area I could see, our precious blue gem had turned completely green! Mother Earth is undeniably gorgeous, but she is also utterly fragile. Let’s remember to treat her as well as she has treated us. I never saw anything near this scale during my previous mission here on the ISS. That’s because we are currently near a strong peak of the solar cycle, while my first mission coincided with solar minimum.

In addition to science, cargo vehicles also may deliver fresh fruit and vegetables to the @Space_Station. This is always a welcome change from our dehydrated and preserved food and is a huge morale boost, bringing smiles all around. Thank you to all those involved in this shipment on the @northropgrumman Cygnus NG-24!

Have you seen any shooting stars lately? We’re in the midst of the Lyrid Meteor shower, and I was lucky enough to photograph some from the @Space_Station cupola. The Lyrids are an annual event best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere by looking toward the constellation Lyra in the east, peaking on April 21-22 this year. So, keep your eyes to the sky, and you just might see us on the ISS pass by as well! Image: 3-second exposure (thus the streaks of city lights on the right of the image), with a meteor appearing as a streak on the left side of image, under the horizon

And the science begins! Remember the new experiments we promised with the arrival of the @northropgrumman Cygnus? Today we conducted MVP Cell‑09, which examines the effects of bacterial infection (Streptococcus pneumoniae) on heart tissue in microgravity. By leveraging the unique environment of space, where muscle tissue undergoes accelerated atrophy and bacterial infections can become more severe, researchers hope to create an enhanced model for studying how pneumonia damages the heart. Here, I am replacing the media (the nutrients that the cells need to grow) for the cells. I also prepared some of the units for RNA analysis and put them in the freezer, to be eventually returned to the ground for further experimentation.

Day 063, Orbit 0979 — Huge thanks to the ground teams for helping us place a ship-to-ship call to Integrity, the spacecraft of our @NASA and @csa_asc friends as they came back from their mission around the Moon – the first of its kind in 53 years! It was wonderful to be able to talk to them – a moment of pure “moon joy” and shared excitement! One of the highlights of the call was reflecting on how the ISS offers a 24/7 beautiful view of Earth, our home. Traveling to the Moon and watching Earth grow smaller and smaller, surrounded by vast darkness, truly underscores how precious our planet is. 🎥 @esa # εpsilon • @esaspaceflight • @Space_Station • @NASAArtemis

Learning to grow plants in space, observing worms to develop "living medicines," and prepping for new computers wrapped up the week for the Exp 74 crew. nasa.gov/blogs/spacesta…

.@NorthropGrumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft arrived at the orbital outpost and was captured with the Canadarm2 robotic arm on Monday. The Expedition 74 crew is now unloading Cygnus XL and activating advanced space research to benefit humans on and off the Earth. nasa.gov/blogs/spacesta…

The Exp 74 crew is activating new quantum physics gear and an advanced microgravity exercise device delivered Monday aboard @NorthropGrumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft. nasa.gov/blogs/spacesta…

Jour 060, orbite 0934 – J’aime beaucoup ces moments où tout l’équipage se rassemble autour d’un événement comme celui‑ci. Accueillir un cargo de ravitaillement, c’est un moment vraiment spécial : on sait que l’on va recevoir des petits cadeaux de la part des équipes et des familles, ainsi qu’une multitude d’expériences scientifiques – et peut‑être même un peu de fruits frais (on croise les doigts !). @Astro_ChrisW a capturé Cygnus NG‑24 hier avec le bras robotique canadien, tandis que @astro_hathaway apportait son soutien à Chris, autant que les équipes au sol, derrière leurs consoles. Bravo à tout le monde  ! Les jours qui suivent sont bien remplis, avec de nombreuses opérations liées à la cargaison : il faut décharger le véhicule et s’assurer que toutes les expériences scientifiques sont prises en charge rapidement. 📷 Roscosmos/ A. Fedyaev (1), NASA/ESA – S. Adenot (2, 3, 4) #εpsilon • @esa • @esaspaceflight • @ESA_fr • @Space_Station • @NASA • @NASA_Johnson • @northropgrumman • @asc_csa •

The closest I got to donning my ski socks this season! I haven’t been able to get any turns in from my temporary home at the @Space_Station, but at least I have stunning views of the mountains where I fell in love with backcountry skiing. Though I started x-country skiing at the age of 2 (thanks to my Swedish mother!) and took up alpine skiing in college, it was only while doing my post-doc at @UBC that I realized I could combine the two for the most ultimate of snow passions. How was your ski season? Photo 1: Ski socks over Vancouver and the Coast Mountains, taken in the @Space_Station Cupola Photo 2: View of Vancouver and the Coast Mountains with Earth limb from the Cupola Photo 3: Zoom of @WhistlerBlckcmb (seventh heaven baby!) at center of image

Plant, seed, and algae studies, delivered! 🌱🦠 Living long-term on the Moon, Mars, and beyond will require proper nutrition from plants and organisms like algae. Learn about the latest science to help fuel future crews: go.nasa.gov/4t8Alqj