Investigation of Early Symptoms of Microdestruction of Structures
and Instrument Modules in the Russian Segment of ISS (Expert)
Principal Investigator(s):
Saprykin О.А., Ph. D. in Technical Science, TsNIImash;
Shubralova E.V., Chief Specialist, TsNIImash
Expeditions 18, 19/20, 21/22
Research Area Spacecraft Materials, Technology Development and Demonstration
The Expert space experiment has been conducted since 2008. The sessions of the 1 st stage of
the experiment (Expert-1) were conducted during Expeditions 17 through 22.
The 2nd stage (Expert-1) is under preparation now.
The goals of the Expert experiment (1st stage) are:
- Investigation of early symptoms of the surface microdestruction of the pressurized
body and structures in the ISS RS instrument modules, conducted together with
monitoring of temperature-humidity parameters, acoustic fields of ultrasound band and
other spaceflight factors which can affect the microdestruction processes. Revealing of
possible relations between microdestruction and spaceflight factors. Creation of a Route
chart of the ISS RS habitable modules areas that are potentially hazardous in terms of
the microdestruction processes.
- Preparation of proposals for development of the onboard system to reveal early
symptoms of microdestruction and updating of methods to prevent microdestruction of
the pressurized body and structures in the ISS RS.
It is the set of the Bar scientific equipment that has been used for the purposes of the Expert
experiment. The Bar scientific equipment is designed to detect leak locations in ISS RS modules,
investigate the physical environment parameters of the ISS modules, identify and control of
potentially hazardous zones of micro-destruction growth on the ISS RS module pressure hull.
Pyro-endoscope Piren-V («Пирэн-В»)
It is designed for remote measurement of surface temperature in hard-to-reach areas; microscopic examination of surface
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Earth Benefits
The set of the diagnostic equipment and the method of its usage can be used in the civic
aviation and shipbuilding.
Space Benefits
The results of the Expert experiment is designed to provide the long-term ISS RS safe operation.
Results
- Methods for monitoring background physical environment parameters which can affect
microdestruction processes have been developed onboard the ISS RS. Routes to provide
monitoring of possible microdestruction zones have been developed. The parameter data base
has been filled in. The data base contains parameters of background conditions in the zones
along the routes.
- The list of potentially hazardous zones (56 zones where structural element are connected to
vacuum) was updated with 30 zones of possible growth of microdestruction process. These
zones are subject to regular inspection.
- 50 % of the test samples taken from the revealed zones contained bio-destructor
(decomposer) fungi and bacteria. Monitoring of air flows in behind-panel areas allowed locating
zones with insufficient air cooling in the instrument area. It was proved that circulations of air
flows in instrumentation behind-panel areas affect topology of microorganism contamination
of the ISS pressure hull.
- Conditions of the pressure hull in the revealed potentially hazardous zones have been
inspected and the surface microconditions have been recorded with pyro-endoscope Piren-V.
The data are necessary for subsequent regular control of micro-destruction dynamics and
growth of bio-destructor microorganisms.
Cosmonaut Oleg Kotov is examining
the area behind a panel
Area behind a panel (temperature is 11˚С;
colony-forming unit (CFU) 2,0х103
Ulocladium botrytis, 2,0х103 Aspergillus
sydowii
- The reference FUNGI database has been developed. It contains images of microconditions of
laboratory samples contaminated by the microorganisms which are from the in-flight strains. It
is designed for training cosmonauts to preliminary identify microorganisms and assess
dynamics and growth of bio-destructor microorganisms on of ISS RS pressure hull surface
onboard the ISS.
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The FUNGI database
Publication(s)
Е.А. Deshevaya, N.D. Novikova, N.A. Polikarpov, V.V. Borisov, Е.V. Shubralova, A.A. Burlakova, O.D.
Kononenko, , L.O. Neznamova, «Results analysis of space experiments "Bar" and "Expert" conducted onboard ISS Russian segment. Perspectives of "Bar" equipment kit application for detection of potentially
dangerous areas for ISS pressure body microdistruction processes extention», 6th International
Aerospace Congress, 2010, CD-ROM.
Е.А. Deshevaya, Е.V. Shubralova, N.D. Novikova, V.V. Borisov, O.D. Kononenko, N.A. Polikarpov «Testing
and evaluation of a method for locating potentially hazardous sites of eventual microdestruction and
detecting marks of ISS RS hull leakage» -J. Acta Astronautica, 2010.
E.A.Deshevaya, E.V. Shubralova, N.D. Novikova, N.A. Polikarpov «Results of intravehicular environment
influence on pressure body state studies conducted in space experiments "Bar" and "Expert" on-board
ISS in 2008-2011», Space Forum 2011 dedicated on 50th Anniversary of Yu.A. Gagarin Flight, Moscow,
October 18-21, 2011
Patent(s)
Patent № 2372942, registered on the 20th of November, 2009.
V.A. Zyablov, Е.А. Deshevaya, N.D. Novikova, E.V. Shubralova, E.V. Scherbakov, “The method of
destruction of bio-destructor microorganisms on surfaces of the ISS habitable modules”.
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