title: Developmental status of Aquatic Animal Experiment Facility, Aquatic Habitat (AQH), for International Space Station.
abstract: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have been studying Aquatic Animal Experiment Facility, Aquatic Habitat (AQH), for International Space Station (ISS). The AQH will have the capabilities to accommodate small freshwater fish and amphibian for maximum 90 days on orbit. Three-generations of small freshwater fish (medaka and zebrafish), and egg through metamorphosis of amphibian (African clawed toad) could be experimented by AQH. Various experimental functions such as automatic feeding, air-water interface, day/night cycle, video observation, and specimen sampling mechanism will be also equipped in AQH. The water circulation system was improved from the past aquatic facilities for Space Shuttle experiments under the consideration of the long life-time, and a brand-new specimen chamber was developed to equip the above various experimental functions. Currently the prototype model of water circulation system and specimen chambers have been manufactured and biological compatibility tests are being conducted with medaka. The current developmental status of AQH is summarized.
authors.affiliation: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works, Kobe, Japan.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakimura
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Toshimasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ochiai
authors.forename: Nobuyoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004867:Equipment Design; D008021:Life Support Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*