International Space Station

From trimming each other's hair, to preparing for a spacewalk, and advancing scientific discoveries, working together in space means turning challenges into shared wins one connection at a time. View more Exp 74 crew pix... flic.kr/s/aHBqjCoCHE

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.

When you watch your friends soar back to Earth…

.@NASA and its international partners are adjusting launch opportunities to the International Space Station to better align mission planning, logistics, and timing for upcoming flights. More... go.nasa.gov/4t7kMhy

On April 27th at about 10:40 PM GMT, I was in the @Space_Station Cupola and saw something really neat. I was scanning the sky to try to catch a glimpse of the approaching Progress MS-34 vehicle bringing new supplies. Just as we were passing over West Africa, I saw a bright object directly below us, streaking through the upper atmosphere. I saw its tail grow and then split apart into a shower of smaller pieces. I think it must have been some piece of orbital debris or a satellite breaking up as it entered the atmosphere. It was quite a light show!

A new exercise device, artery scans, and space gardening topped the research schedule for the Expedition 74 crew aboard the International Space Station on Thursday. More... go.nasa.gov/4tIZUhZ

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.

Falcon 9 @SpaceX launch across Earth's twilight horizon, seen from the ISS near South Africa.

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

LIVE: @astro_anil is talking about his upcoming mission to the @Space_Station, scheduled to launch on Tuesday, July 14. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Live at 1:45pm ET today, @Astro_Anil answers questions about his upcoming station mission on @NASA's YouTube channel... youtube.com/nasa

Major throwback! 🚨 25 years ago, a robotic "handshake in space" happened. 🤝🦾 Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield used the original Canadarm to hand over a launch cradle, the frame used to transport the new hardware to orbit, to the brand-new Canadarm2. 📷: NASA

The Exp 74 crew opened a new cargo ship, installed new quantum physics gear to study atomic wave functions, and tested new biomedical technology to protect health in space on Tuesday. More... go.nasa.gov/4eJI9uc

Learn more about this research: go.nasa.gov/4mTNnWi

CBIOMES uses a type of roundworm as a model organism to study how different microbiomes affect overall health of the organism in microgravity. Researchers will track physical and genetic changes to better understand host-microbiome interactions. 🪱

Scientists are studying how the gut microbiome changes in space! 🦠 CBIOMES just wrapped up aboard the space station, and the results could help us improve methods to protect astronaut gut health on future space missions.

Looking out the windows of the @Space_Station during a night pass, you can occasionally see greenish lights just off the coast. These lights are from fishing boats that use the green light to attract squid and other fish. I captured this image while we were flying over the west of India.