Space Navigation and Plasma Crystal Research Lead Wednesday's Science Activities

Space Navigation and Plasma Crystal Research Lead Wednesday's Science Activities
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 06, 2025

Wednesday aboard the International Space Station was marked by significant research efforts focused on space navigation and plasma crystal phenomena. The Expedition 72 crew also continued organizing cargo and tidying up after the recent spacewalk.

As humanity prepares for more distant missions beyond Earth's orbit, refining navigation systems remains a priority. NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit installed and activated the Navigation and Communication Testbed (NAVCOM) within the Columbus laboratory module. NAVCOM is being evaluated as a potential enhancement to the Global Navigation Satellite System, aiming to provide more precise positioning and time data for future crewed lunar expeditions. This research could play a crucial role in developing lunar infrastructure to support deep space exploration.

NASA astronaut and Station Commander Suni Williams focused on cargo management and life support operations. She spent much of her day reconfiguring storage space inside the Permanent Multipurpose Module to improve efficiency. Additionally, Williams assisted in transferring clean water from the Tranquility module to Roscosmos storage tanks for temporary containment.

Williams later collaborated with NASA Flight Engineers Butch Wilmore and Nick Hague to maintain spacesuits and store tools used in the January 30 spacewalk. As part of post-spacewalk procedures, Williams managed spacesuit battery stowage in preparation for recharging, while Wilmore and Hague worked inside the Quest airlock, securing equipment used in extravehicular activities.

Roscosmos Flight Engineer Aleksandr Gorbunov contributed to plasma crystal research by setting up a video monitoring system to observe interactions among electrons, ions, neutral gas, and microparticles. These interactions, when charged, can form plasma crystals, offering valuable insights into fundamental physical processes. Gorbunov also assisted Williams in water transfer operations before replacing hardware in the Zvezda service module designed to convert water vapor into drinkable water.

Meanwhile, Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner focused on routine maintenance and scientific experiments within the Roscosmos segment. Ovchinin monitored carbon dioxide levels in crew areas and serviced the Zvezda module's oxygen generator. Vagner participated in a study aimed at refining international communication protocols between crew members and mission control teams worldwide.