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NASA NTRS2023

SMD Technology Highlights

Three technology highlights from the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Astrophysics Division, Biological and Physical Sciences Division, and Planetary Science Division are featured: a) A new class of X-ray detector with unprecedented energy resolution and array size could help transform our understanding of the cosmos through unparalleled vision into the otherwise invisible universe. b) An autonomous microfluidic culturing system with CubeSat heritage is teaming up with two state-of-the-art radiation detectors to measure how biology responds to the radiation and reduced gravity environment on the lunar surface. c) Several core technologies developed via the Hot Operating Temperature Technology (HOTTech) Program were recently tested in the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER), which simulates the conditions on the surface of Venus.

yeast↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

LEIA: An Investigation of Radiation Risks to Biology at the Lunar South Pole

Radiation and reduced gravity pose biological risks to crewed deep space exploration. At the cellular level, radiation damage can be amplified by reduced gravity. Empirical evidence on cellular responses to beyond low Earth orbit (BLEO) environments is imperative to develop effective countermeasures for crew health and in-space biomanufacturing. The Lunar Explorer Instrument for Space Biology Applications (LEIA) project is developing an instrument suite to be delivered to the south polar region of the Moon by the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This presentation will provide an overview of the LEIA hardware, experiments, and mission timeline. The LEIA instruments include the BioSensor, the ARES charged particle detector, and the Mini-FND. The BioSensor is an autonomous light emitting diode (LED)-based spectrophotometer and microfluidic incubator. The BioSensor activates yeast cultures and can measure cell growth, metabolic activity, and carotenoid production. The ARES is a Timepix-based charged particle radiation detector that measures dose, dose rate, and linear energy transfer spectra. The Mini-FND is a fast neutron detector that measures albedo neutron flux and energy spectra. Combined, these instruments will be used for yeast genetics experiments to quantify growth, metabolism, and synthetic biology-enabled production of human nutrients, while taking real time measurements of biologically relevant radiation exposure on the lunar surface. These data will be used to test the importance of selected DNA damage repair and reactive oxygen species defense pathways in mitigating cellular damage from lunar surface radiation.

Yeast↗

NASA NTRS2023

ChIPPS: Charged Information-storage Polymer Preparation System

Technological advances are required to support principal science objectives of missions to the solar system’s icy worlds to seek biosignatures of past/extant life. Sensitivity and reliability are key concerns due to small sample sizes (µL – mL) and the extraordinary import of the results. The preparation and processing of small samples can constrain limits of detection (LoDs); therefore, the Charged Information-storage Polymer Preparation System (ChIPPS) project is advancing the technologies of autonomous sample preparation and processing to add a new class of reliably detectable biosignatures: charged polymers and particles, which can be the information storage-and-transmission means for life. Specifically, we are developing an integrated microfluidic sample-processing unit to prepare icy-world samples to support complementary solid-state nanopore-based analyses: 1) charged-polymer analysis, to characterize variations in polymer chain size, shape, and charge vs. position along the chain; 2) polymer and nanoparticle sizing-and-counting, to characterize the relative abundance of polymer chains, as well as small (virus-sized) particles, by their dimensions and charge. Although no such autonomous system presently exists, such measurements can reveal the nature and abundance of charged polymers that could be used by biological systems to store and transfer information—as DNA and RNA are used terrestrially—without limitation to terrestrial nucleic acids, given that life elsewhere may utilize different information store-and-transfer moieties. Key system components include (a) a lysis unit for mechanical sample disruption; b) an ion-exchange column for charged macromolecule/nanoparticle purification; c) dialyzer to remove excess salt; d) concentrator to enhance signal; e) supporting pumps, valves, bubble traps, connectors, filters, etc.; f) interface to nanopore detection instruments.

Space Biology↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Developing Flexible Instruments for Biological Missions Beyond Low Earth Orbit

As the future of spaceflight focuses on human exploration beyond low Earth orbit (BLEO), space biology experiments using model organisms are becoming increasingly important. NASA’s Artemis missions seek to build technologies that enable extended crewed flights into deep space, a region not travelled by humans for over 50 years. From the Apollo missions and ground experiments, it is known that BLEO galactic cosmic radiation can cause damage to DNA and proteins, as well as an increased risk of cancer to astronauts. NASA’s latest biosensor technology, the Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology applications (LEIA), builds upon the viable and cost-effective platform of CubeSats to take biology experiments back to the Moon. Stationed on the lunar South Pole, LEIA will collect valuable in-situ radiation data, and use yeast to study the response to combined partial gravity and radiation stressors, as well as provide a proof-of-concept of on-demand bio nutrient production as a countermeasure for future crewed missions. Directly enhancing the abilities of the BioSentinel CubeSat mission, the main components of LEIA are the two radiation sensors and the 4U BioSensor, composed of 16-microfluidic cards housing dried yeast cells. The payload is fully contained and autonomous, directly sending data back to Earth without the need for sample return. In addition, the thermal environment of the BioSensor is optimized to keep cells alive for the pre-launch period and duration of the Artemis III mission, while also running on limited power supply. This talk highlights how the development of flexible instruments, like LEIA, enables human exploration into deep space. The technology developed with LEIA can be used as a stepping-stone for establishing a sustained lunar surface habitation and beyond, as humans continue to venture into space.

Payne Elizabeth Turney↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Biosentinel: The First Deep Space Biology CubeSat Mission- Mission Summary and Lessons Learned

Launched on Artemis-1, BioSentinel carries a biology experiment into deep space for the first time in 50 years. A 6U CubeSat form factor was utilized for the spacecraft which included technologies newly developed or adapted for operations beyond Earth orbit. The spacecraft carries onboard budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as an analog to human cells to test the biological response to deep space radiation. This was the maiden deep-space voyage for many of the subsystems, and the first time to evaluate their performance in flight operation. Flying a CubeSat beyond LEO comes with unique challenges with respect to trajectory uncertainty and mission operations planning. The nominal plan was a lunar fly-by, followed by an insertion into Heliocentric orbit. However, some possible scenarios included lunar eclipses that could have severely impacted the power budget during that phase of the mission, while others could have resulted in a “Retrograde” hyperbola at swing-by resulting in the spacecraft traveling inward toward Earth or even towards a collision with the lunar surface. The commissioning phase of the mission was successful and completed a week ahead of schedule. It did not come without its exciting moments and challenges. First contact with the spacecraft uncovered that the vehicle was unexpectedly tumbling after deployment, a situation that needed to be corrected urgently. The mission operations team executed a contingency plan to stabilize the spacecraft, with just moments to spare before the battery ran out of power. The BioSensor payload onboard the spacecraft is a complex instrument that includes microfluidics, fluid systems, sensor control electronics, as well at the living yeast cells. BioSentinel also included a TimePix radiation sensor implemented by JSC’s RadWorks group. Dose and Linear Energy Transfer (LET) data is compared directly to the rate of DSB-and repair events measured by the S. cerevisiae cells. BioSentinel mature nanosatellite technologies included: deep space communications and navigation, autonomous attitude control and momentum management, and micro-propulsion systems, to provide an adaptable nanosatellite platform for deep space uses. This paper discusses the performance of the BioSentinel spacecraft through the mission phase, and includes lessons learned from challenges and anomalies. BioSentinel had many successes and will be a pathfinder for future deep space CubeSats and biology missions.

BioSentinel↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Engineered Yeast to Test Risks for Human Exploration of the Lunar Surface

Jessica W. Chau, Natalie N. Ball, Aditya Hindupur, Sandra T. Vu, Jennifer Gil Acevedo, Lauren C. Liddell, Chinmayee Govinda Raj, Gentry, Sergio R. Santa Maria, A. Mark Settles Crewed exploration of the Moon carries risks of long duration exposure to reduced gravity and to deep space radiation. The Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications (LEIA) investigates the effects of increased radiation and reduced gravity on yeast viability and growth in a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) surface mission to the south polar region. LEIA conducts yeast genetics experiments to quantify growth, metabolism, and synthetic biology-enabled production of human nutrients, while taking real time measurements of biologically relevant radiation exposure on the lunar surface. We have engineered beta-carotene producing yeast strains to test the importance of selected DNA damage repair and reactive oxygen species (ROS) defense pathways in mitigating cellular damage from lunar surface radiation. Carotenoids are important dietary antioxidants, and beta-carotene is pro-vitamin A, which is needed for vision and immune function. Carotenoids are sensitive to ROS produced by ionizing radiation and NASA is testing on-demand production of carotenoids from yeast in the BioNutrients space flight experiments. In LEIA, we test the effects of deep space on carotenoid yield in engineered yeast strains. The LEIA team uses CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer yeast to express carotenoids as well as to generate loss-of-function mutations. We are generating mutations in the RAD51 DNA damage repair locus and three genes that function to reduce oxidative damage to the cell: SOD1, SOD2, and TSA1. These strains are tested for carotenoid production using microfluidics and LED spectroscopy to allow remote sensing of cellular growth and carotenoid levels. Keywords: synthetic biology, oxidative stress tolerance, biosensors, space radiation, beyond low Earth orbit, lunar surface, CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing, desiccation, carotenoids.

synthetic biology↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA's Biosentinel Mission: Lessons Learned and What's Next

In the last two years, two BioSentinel payloads were launched to space. The ISS mission launched in December 2021, and returned to the ground in August 2022 after successfully completing eight biological experiments while validating the different instruments. On the other hand, the deep space mission launched onboard Artemis I in November 2022, and is currently in a heliocentric orbit over 20 million kilometers away from the Earth. Even though all hardware subsystems were validated in deep space, the microfluidic subsystems experienced anomalies throughout the initial 6-month mission. The main goals of this presentation are (1) to present flight data from the deep space payload, including biology, fluidics, electronics, data processing, and mission operations, and (2) to discuss the lessons learned – what worked and what did not – from this unique complex mission, and how these lessons are aiding in the development of the Lunar Exploration Instrument for space biology Applications (LEIA) mission, launching to the lunar surface on a commercial lander in 2026. As of the writing of this abstract, the satellite continues to work nominally, communicating to Earth via the Deep Space Network (DSN) twice per week. Importantly, the mission received and extension to continue recording data on the deep space radiation environment on its way to solar maximum (i.e., higher probability of solar particle events). BioSentinel is supported by NASA Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD).

BioSentinel↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

LEIA: An Investigation of Radiation Risks to Biology at the Lunar South Pole

Yeast↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Implementation for Agent-Based Microbial Radiobiology Model

Sending human life past the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to explore the Moon and Mars will be challenging. The Earth’s magnetic field naturally protects life from deep-space particle radiation such as Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) and Solar Particle Events (SPE); these will pose health risks to humans in deep space. Research has been done to investigate these effects, like BioSentinel, the first biological CubeSat to fly beyond the LEO, designed to culture yeast in a microfluidic device and record optical measurements of growth and metabolism. However, experiments can only report cell damage as bulk growth curves, while deep-space radiation causes damage that is heterogeneous among individual cells. AMMPER is an open-source, agent-based, computational model coded in Python to simulate the effects of deep-space radiation on individual yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to facilitate interpretation of biological radiation experiments. Version 1.0 of the code ran in a command line interface (CLI), limiting use to those familiar with modularization, object-oriented programming, and computational models. Here we present a graphical user interface (GUI) for AMMPER to increase its accessibility. GUI development included converting input points and UI files, designing an application and logo, and expanding program packages. Additionally, we added optical assistance that corresponded with simulation parameters, which included simulation type, cell type, ROS model, and radiation dosage, as well as customizable display and file exportation features. Following a pilot testing period, its structure was updated further to enhance abilities, adding increased runs, video visualization, data plotting, and an educational/tutorial component. Future work will include creating a bit installer and runtime environment for AMMPER. Ultimately, the creation of the GUI has two main goals: to facilitate the integration of computational models into the work of researchers in microbial radiobiology, and to act as an interactive and visual resource for space biology education.

yeast↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Deep Space navigation for the BioSentinel spacecraft science orbit

BioSentinel is an astrobiology small spacecraft mission. The payload consists of two parts, the first has optical and microfluidics sensors, and the second is a Linear Energy Transfer spectrometer that has the objective to measure deep space radiation from events such as coronal mass ejections. The goal of the mission is to observe potential DNA damage due to the radiation in heliocentric space on the living organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is a budding yeast. Two types of this living organism are included in the payload. The first is a natural type that is more radiation tolerant, while the second is a mutant strain that has a deficiency in a gene that allows DNA repair once damage occurs. The impact caused by the radiation on the DNA is compared to an identical sample aboard the International Space Station, as well as another identical sample at a laboratory on the ground. The BioSentinel mission consists of a 6U CubeSat currently ,as of January 2024, active in heliocentric orbit. The spacecraft was launched aboard the first SLS flight as part of the Artemis-I campaign in November 2022. After successful deployment from the launch vehicle, it performed a lunar flyby with an altitude of 406 km. The delta-V imparted by the flyby provided the necessary energy to achieve a heliocentric orbit, in an Earth-trailing pattern. The navigation analysis consisted of a Kalman-filter that utilized data from the Deep Space Network and the ESA Estrack network. All those antennas were needed since the Artemis-1 campaign included the deployment of several other cubesats, therefore the scheduling process required more antenna assets than usual due to simultaneous demands from various missions. The processed tracking data was later also refined with a smoother in order to obtain a more accurate solution. The type of tracking data included TCP, Sequential Range, Doppler and Range formats. The solar radiation pressure coefficient, as well as the delta-V from the deployment and the flyby were modeled to obtain suitable solutions that could decrease the position and velocity uncertainties at several steps along the mission concept of operations. The final product each time resulted in updated ephemeris files that were used by the mission and the antenna networks as the mission progressed. Once in the final science orbit, the utilized antennas are only from the DSN network and the data format is bounded to just TCP. Regular orbit determination is performed, every two weeks. The spacecraft is in a nominal well-known orbit, performing regular operations. This paper includes an analysis of the final science orbit, the techniques and procedures utilized to perform orbit determination and a description of the overall navigation campaign produced during the mission and, more specifically, during the final science operations in Deep Space.

BioSentinel↗

NASA NTRS2024

Reliable and Efficient Electrochemical Recovery of O 2 from Metabolic CO 2 at the International Space Station (ISS)

Maximum O 2 recovery from metabolic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is desired for future long-duration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The O 2 recovery for the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) at the International Space Station (ISS), presently limited to 50% (Sabatier), must be highly reliable and efficient and recover a minimum of 75% oxygen (O 2 ) from metabolic CO 2 . An alternative technology development effort currently underway at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) via a Microfluidic Electrochemical Reactor (MFECR) approach has the potential to increase O 2 recovery significantly and reduce the complexity of the ECLSS O 2 recovery at the ISS as it would replace three pieces, the CO 2 Reduction Assembly (CRA) (Sabatier reactor), the Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA), and the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA). The MFECR's electrochemical process generates ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) and carbon moxide (CO) instead of methane (CH 4 ) (Sabatier) as a byproduct, eliminating the need for further dehydrogenation through the PPA. As in the OGA, the MFECR's electrochemical process generates O 2 and hydrogen (H 2 ) from the water electrolysis process. MSFC and the University of Texas in Arlington (UTA) have jointly designed and fabricated an MFECR's single cell that operates at ambient conditions and utilizes a proprietary catalysis highly selective on reducing CO 2 to C 2 H 4 and CO at the cathode. This MFECR's single cell consists of gas diffusion layers at the cathode and anode for respective intake of CO 2 and output of O 2 from the catalytic layer. This approach is expected to substantially improve the ISS ECLSS sustainability and reduce power and weight requirements as the MFECR would replace three units currently installed in the ISS. In this paper, the authors discuss the outcome of preliminary tests, the current development, and the evaluation efforts on different alternatives for the cathode and the anode configurations, the setup of the MFECR at an engineering development unit (EDU) scale, and the O 2 recovery performance, and evaluation efforts on different alternatives on not only the configuration and setup of the MFECR at an Engineering Design Unit (EDU) scale but also the selection of component materials.

Jesus A Dominguez↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Fluid & Thermal Analysis of a Manifold Microchannel Heat Sink

A three-dimensional (3-D) numerical model has been developed to study the fluid flow and heat transfer through a manifold-microchannel (MMC) heat sink, a microfluidic cooling system designed as a heat dissipation solution for compact, high-powered electronic systems. An MMC consists of a 3-D manifold structure that distributes working fluid through alternating inlet and outlet manifold channels that guide the fluid to and from the microchannels, shortening the flow length and thereby, reducing the pressure drop across the system. Wide bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide (SiC) are increasingly utilized due to their ability to enable smaller electronic devices and components to operate more efficiently at higher frequencies. These semiconductors can greatly benefit from the MMC, which can extract all the heat produced by compact, high-powered electronics, enabling them to achieve optimal performance. The MMC also utilizes an embedded cooling approach which allows for fabrication directly within SiC-based electronics, resulting in significant mass and weight savings and lower thermal resistance than conventional heat sink designs. This paper outlines the methods used to conduct fluid and thermal analysis of different MMC configurations for flow parameters such as flow rate and inlet flow conditions. This study involves both steady state and transient thermal analysis as a gradually increasing heat flux is applied to the system over time, which is representative of the heat dissipation from the electronics over a given period. Results from the analysis show that the MMC is capable of effectively dissipating heat flux of ~100 W/cm2 while maintaining considerably low pressure drop (< 1 kPa) and thermal resistance (< 1 K/W) for certain single-phase working fluids.

manifold microchannel↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Fluid & Thermal Analysis of a Manifold Microchannel Heat Sink

manifold microchannel↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Developing Autonomous Technologies for Biological Missions to Deep Space

In upcoming biological missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO), the use of autonomous instrumentation will allow scientists to perform a variety of experiments, including the characterization of the response to different space environments (Moon, Mars, interplanetary space) using biological models like microbes, plants, organoids, and tissue chips. BioSentinel is an ongoing deep space mission, currently at over 50 million kilometers from Earth and the first instrument developed to perform biological experiments beyond LEO. Even though the primary objective of this CubeSat mission was to investigate the effects of the deep space radiation environment on budding yeast, the spacecraft bus (i.e., all the subsystems that support the biological payload like power, thermal, data telemetry, navigation, etc.) can accommodate a variety of biological (and physical) experiments and model organisms. LEIA, an upcoming CLPS mission to the lunar surface, uses a microfluidic and optical instrument based on BioSentinel to study the effects of the lunar environment on different cellular processes and on bioproduction of antioxidants. A new series of science mission concepts are being proposed to be accommodated into platforms like BioSentinel. These missions will investigate the response of a variety of organisms to the deep space environment, including but not limited to single-cell eukaryotes, cyanobacteria, plants (including crops), organoids, and tissue chips. In addition to optical absorbance measurements like the ones performed in BioSentinel (and LEIA), we are investigating the use of fluorescence detection, microscopy, sequencing devices, etc. Thus, instruments like the ones proposed here can be adapted to a variety of platforms like free-flyers, deployable payloads, landers, rovers, and the lunar Gateway. These technologies can be used as steppingstones for establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and in deep space while providing knowledge for the development of potential countermeasures.

Sergio R Santa Maria↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Yeast Strain Development and Hardware Testing in Preparation of a Lunar BioSensor

With Artemis missions underway, it is clear we are going back to the Moon to stay. Before sending Astronauts for long-duration missions, it is crucial to understand the technological and biomedical countermeasures needed to protect them before they get there. We can use knowledge gained from biological CubeSats to guide the next generation of experiments to support human habitation on the Moon. Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications (LEIA) is NASA’s latest BioSensor, adapted BioSentinel, the only CubeSat to travel Beyond Low Earth Orbit. BioSentinel launched on Artemis I and is currently >50 million kilometers from Earth (as of July 2024). LEIA aims to identify biological responses to the Lunar environment, which unprotected against would pose a threat to astronauts (cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological impairment). The suite of instruments within LEIA detects Lunar radiation using two on-board radiation sensors (ARES charged particle detector, Mini-Fast Neutron Detector), then monitors real-time biological responses to the Lunar environment via an autonomous microfluidic system, fit with 3-LED emitter and detector boards and the alamarBlue metabolic indicator dye. LEIA will use a genetic approach in addition to synthetic biology to test counter-measure production in space, with the goal to inform and protect astronauts for future Moon missions. We have conducted preliminary tests in preparation for launch to the anticipated South Pole of the Moon, optimizing the biology (strain down-selection, desiccation tolerance, radiation sensitivity) and improving the hardware (including a blue LED to detect the beta-carotene countermeasure product). Our team will discuss these findings in several parts – an overview of the LEIA mission (Mark Settles), adapting flexible CubeSat platforms for deep-space applications (Sergio Santa Maria, Kira Rienecker), developing new technologies to support LEIA ground studies (Chinmayee Govinda Raj), and yeast strain development and hardware testing in preparation for LEIA (presented here).

synthetic biology↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications (LEIA): An overview of planned science concept of operations

Radiation and reduced gravity pose biological risks to crewed deep space exploration. To better understand deep space radiation biology, the LEIA mission will measure charged particles and fast neutrons as well as yeast growth, metabolic rate, and bioengineered production of carotenoids at the lunar surface. LEIA will be delivered to the south polar region of the Moon by the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The LEIA science concept of operations was developed to isolate radiation and partial gravity from other environmental conditions experienced by the payload. Due to CLPS integration requirements, there will be at least eight months from loading yeast into the payload until activation on the lunar surface. Replicate yeast strains will be loaded in a randomized complete block design to minimize batch differences in desiccation tolerance and positional effects in the microfluidics culture system. Temperature and relative humidity will be controlled throughout integration and flight to maintain yeast viability and to enable measurement of yeast growth parameters within the lunar surface operations timeframe, with the ground control matching environmental conditions where possible. LEIA is co-manifested with the European Space Agency’s PROSPECT mission, which will be operating a drill during yeast growth. Vibration translated through the lunar lander will be mitigated and quantified to account for potential impacts on LEIA optical measurements and yeast growth rate. Total space radiation dose, including the transit exposure from Earth to the Moon, will be measured to obtain more accurate charged particle and fast neutron dose rates on the lunar surface. These radiation data will also yield ground truth radiation dose experienced by the yeast during the mission. Quantifying these environmental factors impacting the LEIA payload will allow more accurate ground control experiments to better isolate the biological responses to radiation and reduced gravity at the lunar surface.

Lunar Surface Mission↗

NASA NTRS2026

Final Report Document: Microgravity Medical Eyewash B

Senior Capstone Design Team 15 has been commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to redesign the current microgravity eye wash station. The current design exhibits four primary limitations: single-use operation, excessive mass and volume, operational complexity requiring coordination with external systems, and dependence on frequent Earth resupply missions. Our updated eyewash design will be deployed on long-range space missions that could last multiple years. Based on these and other requirements from our customer, we have developed our updated eyewash design. Our compact, single-eye system uses capillary-driven flow and a free-floating water ball. This design allows us to eliminate pumps and bulky tubing, decreasing the mass and volume of the overall system. The containment eyecup is held to the astronaut's face with a strap, and a silicone seal prevents leakage while improving user comfort. Contaminated water is contained within a disposal bag containing wicking material to pull it back out of the eyecup after washing the eye. This system is reusable, efficient, and easy to activate quickly. We evaluated our design through calculations, microfluidic testing, and user try-on testing to verify our requirements. Our work demonstrated that steady-state flow was capable with our capillary framework, achieving 1.31 L/min. The prototype construction confirmed mass and volume reductions, and try-on-testing evaluated the ability to put on the system quickly. Almost all major design requirements were achieved, and water loss could be validated by testing in microgravity. Our design went through a number of iterations to reach the final solution presented in this report. These changes were driven by our testing and collaboration from each member of the team. Updated models optimized tube placement and geometry of the eyecup to better direct flow as it pools across the eye. Changes to our tubing bends improved capillary efficiency and increased the flow rate we were capable of achieving. And improved bracket placements adjusted the fit, comfort, and seal of the eyecup to the astronaut's face. Our capillary-based eyewash system is technically feasible and has been theoretically validated to operate effectively in microgravity conditions. Testing and analysis indicate that it can meet or exceed the required performance metrics, including flow rate and safety constraints. Overall, the design represents a viable alternative to current ISS-dependent eyewash systems for future space missions.

Jeffrey Allen↗

DOE OSTI2025

Soft X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy With a Flat Liquid Jet in Vacuum Using a Table‐Top Laser‐Induced Plasma Source

ABSTRACT In this work, we demonstrate the integration of a flat liquid jet sample delivery system into a compact soft x‐ray absorption spectrometer using a table‐top laser‐induced plasma source. A high‐speed flat liquid sheet is formed by the collision of two cylindrical jets. This micrometer‐thin lamella can ideally be utilized for transmission‐mode soft x‐ray absorption spectroscopy using krypton plasma emission. Detailed analysis of the jet's thickness profile is achieved applying Lambert–Beer's law. Measurements on water, focusing on the oxygen K‐edge, reveal a lamella thickness profile ranging from 500 nm to 1 μm over a length of 3.8 mm. Additionally, we have investigated aqueous solutions of iron salts, capturing near edge x‐ray absorption fine structure spectra over a broad spectral range from the nitrogen K‐edge to the iron L‐edge. Focused analysis on iron species in aqueous solutions enabled us to distinguish quantitatively between the oxidation states of Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ at the iron L‐edge. Our results are compared with measurements obtained under similar conditions at a synchrotron.

Holburg, Jonathan [Department Optics/Short Wavelen↗