Researchers Discuss Science Launching on Next Space Station Resupply Mission

NASA astronaut Serena Aun-Chancellor conducts research operations for the AngieX Cancer Therapy study inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox. The new cancer research seeks to test a safer, more effective treatment that targets tumor cells and blood vessels. In the background, NASA astronaut Drew Feustel can be seen working on the Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) 2 experiment aboard the International Space Station. MICS 2 is researching how cement reacts in space during the hardening process and may help engineers better understand its microstructure and material properties.

Credits: NASA

NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 8, to discuss select science investigations and technology demonstrations launching on the next Northrop Grumman commercial resupply flight to theInternational Space Station. Audio of the teleconference will stream live on NASAswebsite.

Tara Ruttley,associate chief scientist for Microgravity Research in NASAs Office of Chief Scientist, and Liz Warren, associate program scientist for the stations National Lab, will provide an overview of theresearch and technologyaboard Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft.

Also participating in Thursdays briefing are:

• Laurence Harrisis a professor at York University in Toronto and principle investigator for research to develop, in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency, a mathematical model for how an astronautsperception of motion, body position and distance to objects changes in space.

• Marco Baptistawith the Michael J. Fox Foundation in New York is the principle investigator for a National Lab investigation to evaluategrowth of protein crystalsimplicated in Parkinsons disease. Crystals grown in space are larger, enabling more detailed analysis to help define the proteins exact shape and morphology and help scientists better understand the diseases pathology.

• Negar Rajabiat Cemscia, LLC, is principle investigator for National Lab research to testa novel approach of using particles of calcium-silicate tosynthesize membranesas thin as a human hair. These particles can separate carbon dioxide molecules from air or other gases, technology that could aid in removing carbon dioxide from waste gases to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To participate in the teleconference, media must contact Joshua Finch at 202-358-1100 or[email protected]by 10 a.m. Nov. 8 for dial-in information.

Northrop Grumman is targeting Thursday, Nov. 15, for its 10th contracted mission under NASAs Commercial Resupply Services contract. The Cygnus spacecraft will launch on an Antares rocketfromthe Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceportspad 0A at Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, carrying scientific research, crew supplies, and hardware to the orbiting laboratory to support the stations Expedition 57 and 58 crews.

For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/northropgrumman