VFEU water quality control in STS-95 mission

Area of Science:

• Space Biology and Astrobiology
• Aquatic Animal Research
• Environmental Engineering

Background:

• The Vestibular Function Experiment Unit (VFEU) aboard the STS-95 Space Shuttle mission aimed to conduct neurobiological experiments on marine fish.
• Maintaining optimal water quality is critical for the health and survival of aquatic animals in spaceflight research.
• Previous methods may have limitations in sustaining water quality for extended durations in microgravity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and assess a novel seawater purification system for use in spaceflight.
• To evaluate the system's ability to maintain water quality for aquatic research subjects (oyster toadfish).
• To support the neurobiological experiments planned for the STS-95 mission.

Main Methods:

• Development of a specialized seawater purification system utilizing highly active nitrifying bacteria.
• Operation of the system at low temperatures to optimize bacterial activity.
• Monitoring of water quality parameters throughout the 9-day mission, including pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight analyses.

Main Results:

• The developed nitrifying bacteria filter system effectively purified seawater in the VFEU.
• Sufficient water quality was maintained to keep oyster toadfish healthy for the entire 9-day mission duration.
• Pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight analyses confirmed the filter system's efficiency and the bacterial filter's performance.

Conclusions:

• The low-temperature, high-activity nitrifying bacteria seawater purification system is effective for supporting aquatic life in space.
• This technology enables successful long-term aquatic research in microgravity environments.
• The system's reliability ensures the health of research animals, crucial for valid experimental outcomes in space missions.