EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY

Foreword
This booklet is the executive summary of areport, Memoir of Japanese Space Experiments-Accomplishment and Lessons Learned ,published in March 2005 by the Japan Societyof Microgravity Application. The original volume,
intended for Japanese scientists, exceeded
400 pages with text in the local language.
This English language version of executive
summary was thus edited to obtain wider
circulation. We hope to share the delights ofworthwhile research efforts utilizing wonderfulspace environment with many people notconfined to the specialists.

CONTENTS

Why Study Biology in Space?
−Objectives and Method ofSpace Life Science Research ……………

02

Summary of Major Accomplishmentsin Space Life Science ……………… 04
Major Accomplishments …………… 05
Experimental Technology and Equipment
Lessons Learned …………………… 08
Prospect of Space Life Science …… 09

Objectives of Space Experiments … 10
Major accomplishments …………… 11
Apparatuses for experiments ……… 16

PDF files of the original publication (in Japanese)
can be downloaded at:
http://idb.exst.jaxa.jp/jdata/02494/200509J02494000.html

Obtained techniques by a series ofspace experiments
Experiences and Lessons Learned … 16

Why Study Biology in Space?
Objectives ofSpace Life Science Research
Expanding human activities to outer regions
Identifying and overcoming problems involved in human space activities.

The pursuit of universal law of life
Analyzing phenomena of life under conditions free from the restriction of earth's
surface.

Method of Space Life Science Experiment
Capturing newest technologies into ISS activity
High-throughput analyzers and nano devices
Biospecimen retrieval to ground for leading-edge analyses

Taking full advantage of ISS
Observation of plants and animals over generations
Sophisticated experimental operations by crew
Medical studies of crew themselves as subject

2

Astronaut Dr. Mamoru
Mohri conducts life science
experiments onboard theSpace Shuttle Endeavour(September 1992).

The first selection of astronauts promptedJapanese organizations to start formal
biomedical research programs in late 1970s.
The National Space Development Agency ofJapan (NASDA) conducted investigations on
trends in space medicine in Europe and USA,as well as those in Russia who had
experienced long-stay in space. Ground based
joint researches with these countries andamong local institutions were also conducted
on long-term bed-rest and isolation, and on
short-term microgravity conditions by parabolic
flights.
The First Material Processing Tests (FMPT/SL-

J:STS-47, 1992), the Second International
Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2:STS-65,
1994), Neurolab (STS-90, 1998) and STS-95(1998) were full-scale space experiments
onboard the Space Shuttle. Total of 96
biological and medical experiments had been
performed by local organizations until the year
1998.
In
addition,someJapanese
investigators took parts in foreign programs.
The methods of space experiments, equipment
development, operations technologies werelearned through these activities, and yielded
results ranking with advanced counties in thespace utilization research.

Space Life Science Experiments
Flight/Mission
Gemini 3
Gemini 11
COSIMA 2
COSMOS-2044
MIR
MIR
STS-40 (GAS)
STS-42 (GAS)MIR
STS-42（IML-1)
STS-47 (FMPT)
MIR
STS-59 (GAS)
STS-65 (IML-2)
STS-64 (GAS)
MIR
MIR
SFU
STS-72 (GAS)
STS-77
STS-79 (S/MM-4)
MIR
STS-84 (S/MM-6)
MIR
TR-IA#6
STS-86 (S/MM-7)
STS-89 (S/MM-8)
STS-90 (Neurolab)
STS-91 (S/MM-9)
STS-95
TR-IA#7

VehicleManned Capsule
Manned Capsule
CapsuleCapsuleSpace Station
Space Station
Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
Space Station
Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
Space Station
Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
Space Station
Space Station
Free Flyer
Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
Shuttle/MIR
Space Station
Shuttle/MIR
Space Station
Sounding Rocket
Shuttle/MIR
Shuttle/MIR
Space Shuttle
Shuttle/MIR
Space Shuttle
Sounding Rocket

Organizatio
NASA・Kondo*
NASA・Kondo*
Fujitsu, Ltd.
USSR・Ohira*TBS
JGC Corp.
Sakata Seed Corp.
Suntory Ltd.
Fujitsu Ltd.
NASDA
NASDA
JGC Corp.
MITILS
NASDA
Green Cross
Kyoto Univ.
Univ. Tokyo
ISAS
Fujitsu Ltd.
Obayashi Corp.
NASDA
NASDA
NASDA
NASDA
NASDA
Obayashi Corp.
NASDA
NASDA
NASDA
NASDA
NASDA

Date
1965.3
1966.91989.91989.91990.12
1991.5
1991.6
1992.1
1992.1
1992.1
1992.91993.5
1994.4
1994.7
1994.91994
1994
1995.3-96.1
1996.1
1996.5
1996.91997.2
1997.5
1997.7
1997.91997.91998.1
1998.4
1998.6
1998.1-11
1998.11

No. Subjects
(1*)
(1*)
1
(1*)
3
1
1
1
1
1
15
1
1
10(3**)
1
1
1
1
1
(1*)
5(1*)
3
15
7
1
(1*)
7
1(6*)
7
6
1

*Japanese researchers took parts in foreign programs as CI（not counted）**Japanese agency provided equipment for foreign researchers（not counted）

3

Total of 96 flight experiments had been
conducted by researchers of domestic
institutions during the period between 1989
and 1998.

No. of Flight Experiments
Research Area
Space Medicine
４
Physiology in General
２
Cardiovascular Function
５
Vestibular Function
３
Muscloskeletal Function
Gravitational Biology
４
Animals
７
Plants10
Cells and Microorganisms
Bioengineering
16
Protein Crystals
６
Production and Purification
Space Radiation
15
Dosimetry
23
Radiation Biology
１
Other

Summary of Major Accomplishmentsin Space Life Science

1 Expanding human activities to outer regions
Risk of prolonged exposure to high-energy cosmic particle and electromagnetic radiationin combination was identified.
Mechanism of space motion sickness was analyzed with aquatic animal handlingtechnology.

2 The pursuit of universal law of life
Some potentials of living organisms were found hidden on earth.
Ability of vertebrate (Medaka fish) to breed under space conditions was proved.

3 Achievement of top-level space life science

Equipment and operation, especially in aquatic animal technologies, became of thehighest order.
Proposals for space life sciences on ISS received were highly regarded by international
science board.

4 Maturation of experimental technologies on orbit

Aquatic habitat technology enabled animal care over generations.
Integrated system for cell culture and small organisms.
Real time monitors for heavy ions and neutrons, and a neuclear track detector system.

4

Major Accomplishments
Sensorimotor System

Analyzing space motion sickness with Koi(Cyprinus carpio) on FMPT (1992).

Animals like birds or fish who move aroundthree dimensional space are suitable forstudies of vestibular (otolith) functions. Fishwere found to swim circling when exposed tothe microgravity in darkness. The dorsal light
response, a righting response in which a fishbalances it vertical body axis along thedirections of gravity and light, was examinedonboard the Space Shuttle. The results
supported the visual-vestibular sensory conflict
hypothesis for space motion sickness.

Muscle Atrophy

Changes of slow twitch fibers into
fast twitch fibers shown in serial
cross sections of a rat hind limb
antigravity muscle (soleus) after
spaceflight (SLS-2, 1993).

Antigravity muscles shrink under microgravity
due to loss of continuous loading. Changes ofslow-twitch muscle fibers are more evident thanfast-twitch fibers. Some of the slow-twitch
fibers were found to express traits of both slow
and fast fibers. The figure shows serial sectionsof soleus of space flown (right) and groundcontrol (left) animals. Upper panels show fasttwitch fiber staining (2), and slow-twitch fibers(1)were stained in lower panels. Some fibers(3) were positive to both fast- and slow-fibers
staining. Studies are carried out to reveal
cellular and molecular nature of thephenomena, as well as developing countermeasures such as effective physical exercise.

5Plant Growth and Morphogenesis

Peg formation of cucumber seedlingunder microgravity (STS-95, 1998)

Cucumber seedlings were grown on the ground(A) or on orbit (B). Peg (arrowhead), root (r)seed coat (s) hypocotyl (h) cotyledon (c) are
shown. Lower panels show expressions of an
auxin-responsive gene CS-IAA1. Cucumber
seedlings develop single peg on their lower
side. The space experiment revealed that theseedling naturally has potential to develop
pegs on both sides and the upper one isinhibited by gravity, rather than induced on thelower side.
The space experiment derived a concept thatplants have great variety of potentials,
concealed behind the gravity, and only a smallpart is expressed under normal groundconditions. Expectations are raised for
discoveries of unexpected capabilities of theterrestrial creature through future spaceexperiments.

Animal Development

Demonstration of vertebrate breeding capability
on orbit (IML-2, 1994）
a: Medaka (Oryzias latipes) on orbit b:
spawning and insemination c: developing
embryo d,e: hatched fry.

6

Cleavages of amphibian eggs start along withthe gravity direction. The gravity greatly affectthe morphology of developing embryo, but
become normal in later phases. The experimentwith small fish Medaka, spawning, inseminationand development proceeded without any
obvious problem. Space born baby fish grewup and left their offspring after return to theearth.

Space Radiation Biology

A scheme of highly sensitive
detection for radiation effect withsomatic mutation of fruit fly(Drosophila sp.) and fly vials used foran experiment on the Space Shuttle.

The ionizing radiation dose on the low earth
orbit a day roughly equals to that of a year on
the ground. Such a dose would not be an
immediate hazard, but the risk should beanalyzed for longer stays on the ISS or at lunar
bases, or for explorations to the Mars. Manyexperiments have been carried out on orbit,
and the need for further study has beenstrongly suggested, because of the complexityof radiation quality including high-energy heavy
particles and secondary neutrons, and possiblesynergistic effect with the microgravity.

Protein Crystal GrowthProtein crystal grown under microgravity（ω-aminoacid:pyruvateaminotransferase, Pseudomonas sp. F-126）

Being free from disturbances such as
convection or sedimentation, microgravity has
been considered favorable for growing protein
crystals. Since the early phase of spaceexperiments, efforts has been made to obtain
good quality protein crystals suitable forstructure analyses with X-ray diffractometry.
Today, systematic flight experiments utilizing
various opportunities are operated under thecollaboration of industry, academia andgovernment.

7Experimental Technology and Equipment

The Thermoelectric Incubator (left) and cell culture instruments (right).
Space experiments are far apart from those on
the ground in terms of dependency on the
hardware.
It will be more efficient tocollaborate with mechanical and space
operations engineers than a biologist struggle
with developing the hardware and other tedioustasks by himself. Supports by space experiment
specialists are essential for preliminary planning,refinementofexperimental
conditions,equipment designing, verifications and flight
operations.

Lessons Learned
Space experiments must be planned with the understanding that
there are considerable differences from ground laboratory practices.

Some critical processes are not accessible to researchers.
Limited numbers of samples and trials.
Long lead time and tight schedule.
Procedures including sample preparations are tightly scheduled.
Time-line is not biospecimen-oriented.
Long lead time leaves experiment far behind the advancement life sciences.

All-or-nothing criteria is often hardly applicable to thebiospecimen conditions.
Poor availability of past experimental results.
Difficulties in publishing the results.

8Importance of Resolving Practical Problems
Are practical problems inferior?
Regardless the problem is scholarly or popular, it can equally lead to failure.

Reconsider high regard to academism and less esteem to practicalwork.
experimental skills or instrumentation not be an academic discipline?
Eliminate fixed idea that the scientist does the science only.
Attaching importance not only to the narrow scientific achievement but also to supporting
technologies.

Systematization of experimental technologies in space.
Behavioral science for effective collaboration among broad variety of specialists.

Need for fair appreciation to program coordinators and support engineers.
Proper evaluation system should be established for the efforts done by the mission

Improve the Analysis of the Results to a Satisfactory Level
Reconsideration over succeeded mission is important.
Failure analysis should not be an excuse.
Nothing may not be regarded as a failure, even if the situation isobserved as such.
Emphasis of the successful part of the mission result might be necessary under a certain
circumstance, the researcher should refrain from being too much of propagandist.

Institutionalize the process to evaluate the results,
extract the lessons learned and transfer the accumulated
knowledge/experiences to the next mission.
Collection of the flight data, the scheme for everybody to accessthose data.
Encourage the scientists to carry out the analysis of the flight data.
The whole process of space experiment from planning, preparation on the ground, flight
operation, data analysis, documentation of the research result, etc. should be elevated to
the level of academism.

Prospect of Space Life Science

Background image credit: NASA and STScI

9

Objectives of Space Experiments
1 Promotion of science and technology utilizing microgravity
environments without disturbances induced by gravity.

Progress of material science utilizing no-buoyancy, no-sedimentation, no thermal
convection, no hydrostatic pressure.
Theoretical development in sciences on fluid, combustion and so on.
Theoretical development in fundamental physics and fundamental chemistry
Advancement of manufacturing techniques and processes

2 Establishment of gravity-dependent sciences

Creation and promotion of a new science in which phenomena are described as afunction of gravity.
Exploration of new phenomena and new principles in the field of physics, chemistry,materials science, fluid science and so on.

3 Contribution to the manned space activity

Development of lightweight noninflammable new materials.
Progress in heat transport under microgravity, heat exhaustion, anti-flaming
technologies and so on.
Development of efficient generation and storage of energy, and energy-saving
technology

10Total number of space experiments and classification
Total of 122 experiments were performed in the period between 1973 and 1998,and theirorganizations are classified into NASDA 83, Ministry of International Trade and Industry
21,Private companies 9, ISAS 3, Individual Study 6. Their research areas are classified asfollows.
No. of Experiments
Research Area
Material Processing (79)29
Semiconductors
20
Metals/Alloys
7
Composites
6
Glass/Ceramics
10
Organic Materials
2
Oxides5
OthersFluid Science (37)19
Diffusion
8
Marangoni Convection
2
Thermal Conductivity
1
Drop Dynamics
3
Bubble Dynamics
3
Boiling and Heat Transfer
1g-jitter
Combustion Science (2)2Fuel Drop Combustion
4
Others (4)Classification of Materials
Processing Experiments
by Techniques
Methodology
Solidification from Melt
No. of Experiments(Non-contact Floating)39
Crystal Growth from Solution(4)(In-Situ Observation)
18
Crystal Growth from Melt
Crystal Growth by Floating Zone Method (12)11
Crystal Growth from Vapor Phase3
Combustion Synthesis
6
Sintering1*( ) denotes the double counting.
1

Major accomplishments
Density Distribution Measurements around a Growing Crystal

Figure 1. In-situ observation of the liquiddensity around a growing crystal byinterferometry.

Above two photos show liquid density difference
around a growing BaNO3 crystal in aqueous solution.
They were observed by an interferometer. Suchobservation in microgravity was first made possible
by developing a small and rigid interferometer for
space experiments. Curving fringes around the
crystal show the high gradient of density distribution
in the vicinity of the crystal. Relation between thegrowth rate and the degree of supersaturation of thesolution was obtained by a series of experiments asshown in Fig. 2.

11

Mechanism of Crystal Growth from a Solution

Figure 2. Relation between the growth rate
and the degree of supersaturation in thegrowth of BaNO3 from aqueous solution.

▲ denotes the growth rate observed on the ground.
Note that the growth rate increased almost linearly
proportional to the degree of supersaturation. While,
growth rate suddenly increased at the 3% ofsupersaturation in microgravity. (● and ○). Thisdifference is interpreted as follows: two-dimentional
heterogeneous nucleation occurs on the ground due
to impurities and/or particles transported to thesurface of a growing crystal by convection in a liquid,
while homogeneous nucleation occurs in microgravity
by the suppression of convection. This is the firstexample showing gravity influences nucleation in the
crystal growth from a solution.

Solidification Mechanism of Eutectic Alloys

Figure 3. Texture of an Al-Cu alloy
solidified in microgravity.

This photograph shows a texture of an alloy withcomposition of Al 33.5 mass% Cu, whose
composition is a little excessive to the eutectic
composition. Initial crystal of CuAl2 starts its
nucleation on the inner wall of the crucible asindicated by the arrow. This result verified the nuclei
migration model in which nucleation occurs at acooler region in a crucible such as on the wall andnuclei were transported into a melt by convection.
Nuclei creation models such by break of dendrite
arms and nucleation in a melt were denied. This
discovery is used for the improvement of quality ofcasting materials such as turbine blades.

Manufacturing of High Quality Semiconductor Crystals,
the Largest ever Processed in SpaceOn the ground 6mm diameter InSb melt is the
maximum size that can be floated because the melt
drops by its weight. While in microgravity, larger size
melt can be suspended due to the weightlessness
and as a result an InSb crystal with 20mm indiameter (the largest size ever grown in space) has
been obtained by the floating zone method as shownin the figure. Etch pit density was about 102cm-2,
which is about two orders smaller than that grown on
the ground and avoiding mechanical stress from the
Figure 4. An InSb crystal grown by the floating
crucible wall may contribute such reduction ofzone method in space.
dislocations.

12Figure 5. Detouched growth of a CdTe
crystal in space.

Tip of the crystal is the detouched growth part andarrows show facetted region. CdTe crystals tend toform twins but twinning was avoided in thisexperiment owing to mechanical stress free growthby detouching to the crucible wall. Dislocation
density was about 2×104cm-2, which was about oneorder smaller than the strained part. Such technique
for suppressing dislocation is useful for large scale
integrated circuits fabrication of compound
semiconductor because uniform specification isrequired in such devices.

An Invention of Compositionally Uniform Semiconductor
Crystal Growth in Space

Figure 6. Comparison of compositional
profiles of in-space/on-ground processed
Pb1-XSnXTe semiconductors.

The length of homogeneous crystallization in space
was not long enough as expected as shown in the
red line and its composition was not expected one
either, which indicates that the effect of convection
still exists presumably due to the remaining gravity.
Analysis showed that 10-6g is required for growing
uniform crystals. Based on this experiments, a new
crystal growth method named as the Traveling
Liquidus-Zone（abbreviated as TLZ）method has
been invented and uniform alloy crystals are to begrown by the TLZ method.

The Effect of Convection on the Dendrite Growth(a) Microgravity(b) GroundFigure 7. Comparison of dendrite growth inmicrogravity and on the ground.

Growth in microgravity (left a) shows the symmetricaldendrite arms, while one on the ground (right b)shows the asymmetrical growth, ie., the dendrite arm
is hanging down due to natural convection.

13

Exact Temperature Dependence of Diffusion Coefficients

Figure 8. Self-diffusion coefficients of Sn;
comparison of new and old results.

Diffusion coefficients are found to be proportional to
the 1.8〜2.0 power of the temperature based on
accurate measurements by suppressing convection
in diffusion couples in microgravity, which denies the
Arrhenius type temperature dependence of diffusion
coefficients. △ indicates the ground data and therests are those measured in microgravity. This
discovery requests us a new model of diffusion
instead of the traditional thermal activation model via
vacancies.

Synthesis of a New Material by an Electrostatic Levitation Furnace

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 9. Processing of BiFeO3
ceramics, (a): floating, (b): heating, (c):melting and (d): cooling.

Ceramic sample processing by floating has beensucceeded for the first time by using electrostatic
levitation furnace. Sample analysis shows existenceof microcrystal in the amorphous texture, directionalchange in magnetization jump around 50K, and very
high dielectric constant of more than 15000.

3-D Observation of Marangoni Flow(a) Liquid column(b) Surface temperature (c) 3-D velocity

Figure 10. Observation of 3-D oscillatory
flow in the silicon oil liquid column.

14

Figures show (a): Silicon oil liquid column, (b):Image of surface temperature distribution by an
infrared thermometer, (c): Flow velocity distribution
obtained by tracking the particle tracers in the liquid,
respectively. 3-D observation was first successful inthis experiment.

Observation of Boiling Bubbles and Thin Liquid Filmview from heating bottom↑heating surface

Figure 11. Observation of boiling bubbles
under microgravity.

When bubbles of evaporated steam are formed on
the heated surface, there appears the thin film likemembrane sticking to the surface at the bottom of
the bubble. This micro-scale film plays a major role todecide the heat transfer characteristics in the macroscale.

Boiling Curve; Nukiyama Law

Figure 12. Temperature difference ofwall and flowing liquid ΔT vs. heat flux q.

The boiling curve has the tendency shown in the left
picture; proportionally growing region A, steep
growing region B, degradation region due to steam
film C, second growing region due to liquid film effect
D. Typically in case of water, the wall temperature
between the boundary B and C is around 120℃,
between C and D more than 200℃. Be careful that
abscissa and longitudinal are both exponential scale.

Propagation of Weak Combustion Flame

Figure 13. Observation of combustion
flame for injected mist fuel droplet into
the chamber.

These photos show a series of flame propagation
observed in the TR-IA sounding rocket experiment.
Very weak flame propagated from the upper left anddisappears on the half way. Such weak flame
propagation in the environment of oxygen supply bydiffusion was first observed in this experiment. This
results forces us to reconsider the effect of fluid
convection and heat radiation during combustion.

15

Apparatuses for experiments
Phenomena peculiar to microgravity should be born in mind.
１．Removal of bubbles by density difference impossible.
２．Heat transfer is primarily due to conduction, rather than convection.
３．Marangoni convection becomes dominant, when free liquid surface exists.
４．Wettability (compatibility between the material and the container) becomes predominant, andthe molten materials are prone to leak climbing along the surface of the crucible.

Obtained techniques by a series of space experiments
Experimental techniques obtained by FMPT (First Materials Processing Tests in 1992) and sounding
rockets experiments are summarized in the following table. Data acquisition and development ofexperimental techniques are important and should be continued. In addition, establishment of data baseand its publication are desired for wide use of valuable results.

Obtained experimental techniques.
Technology

MissionHardware and software , experiences

Numerical Simulationof Thermodynamics
for Temperature Control

FMPT、IML-2、MSL-1、TR-IA

Electric Furnaces, Software for analyzing thetemperature distribution of furnace interior, forpredicting convection by residual g, and crystal growthrate etc.

In-situ Observation

TR-IA

Inrterferometry using 2 waves real time phase-shiftinterferometer, and a high speed camera

Utilization of Electronics ofCommercial Use

FMPT、IML-2、TR-IA

Digital VTR, Video Camera

Long Storage of Experimental
Samples

FMPT、IML-2、MSL-1、TR-IA

Crystal growth experiments (organic, inorganic),
Fluid experiments

Transportation of Experimental
Samples

FMPT、IML-2、MSL-1、STS-95 STS107

Colloid experiments
Vibration monitor and control,
Temperature monitor and control

Experiences and Lessons Learned

1 Ground experiments 95%、Space experiments 5%

Importance of ground experiments (preparation), a space experiment is an extension of theground experiment.
Parameter change while the space experiment is very difficult.

2 Space experiments are based on the team work

Collaboration and cooperation amongst scientists, hardware builders, operation engineers,
clerical personnel, managerial executives seems essential.

3 Importance of the numerical simulation

Fluid motion is most exemplified by the state of microgravity, and prediction of the anticipatedphenomena under microgravity can be achieved by the numerical simulation to a satisfactory
level.

4 Combination of Science and Technology

To achieve the scientific goal, the appropriate methodology (technology & engineering) is
necessary.

5 Familiarization with the flight hardware

Ground preparation should be carried out by the exactly identical hardware as the one for theflight, and samples/procedures as well.

6 Plenty of practice would not allow you to switch off the vigilance.
When the size of the sample is changed, handle the sample as brand new one.

7 Unexpected happening leads to new achievements: Serendipity.
8 Original research comes from original hardware

In-situ observation by a phase shift interferometer revealed the crystal growth mechanism.
3-D observation of flow fields developed Marangoni flow researches.
Sheer cell technique enabled us precise measurements of diffusion coefficients.

16

Space Environment Utilization Resource Sites
JAXA top
http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html

JAXA Space Station
http://iss.sfo.jaxa.jp/index_e.html

JAXA Space Environment Utilization
http://iss.sfo.jaxa.jp/utiliz/index_e.html

International Space Environment Utilization Research Data Base (ISRDB)
http://idb.exst.jaxa.jp/english/home_e.html

Japan Space Forum (JSF )http://www.jsforum.or.jp/en/index_e.html

Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF)
http://www.aprsaf.org/index.html

The Japan Society of Microgravity Application (JASMA)
http://www.jasma.info/index_E.html

Japanese Society for Biological Sciences in Space (JSBSS)
http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/jsbss/index_e.html

Japanese Society of Aerospace and Environmental Medicine (JSASEM)
http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/jsasem/English/index-e.html