Large-size space laboratory for biological orbit experiments.
The study of space factors on living systems has great interest and long-term experiments during orbital flight will be important tool for increasing our knowledge. Realization of such experiments is limited by constraints of modern space stations. A new technology of large-size space laboratory for biological experiments has been developed on the basis of polymerization techniques. Using this technique there are no limits of form and size of laboratory for a space station that will permit long term experiments on Earth orbit with plants and animals in sufficient volume for creation of closed self-regulating ecological systems. The technology is based on experiments of the behavior of polymer materials in simulated free space conditions during the reaction of polymerization. The influences of space vacuum, sharp temperature changes and space plasma generated by galactic rays and Sun irradiation on chemical reaction were evaluated in their impact on liquid organic materials in laboratory conditions. The results of our study shows, that the chemical reaction is sensitive to such space factors. But we believe that the technology of polymerization could be used for the creation of space biological laboratories in Earth orbit in the near future.
Kondyurin
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Institute of Technical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Perm, Russia. kond@icmm.ru
D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D007753:Laboratories; D008422:Materials Testing; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018531:Spacecraft / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014618:Vacuum; D014893:Weightlessness
D004853:Epoxy Resins; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011108:Polymers