How astronauts turn blue-green algae into oxygen and food
In short: During her mission to the International Space Station, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti is helping students explore the frontiers of sustainable living. Through live orbital video calls, she connects with European science centers to discuss the delicate mechanics of recycling life-sustaining resources in the vacuum of space.
As part of the Expedition 42/43 mission starting in December 2014, Samantha Cristoforetti's stay aboard the International Space Station involves more than just orbital mechanics. She serves as a vital link between space science and Earth-bound education, participating in live, 20-minute video calls with European planetariums, museums, and science festivals. These sessions are designed to engage students, specifically those aged 8 to 14, in the complexities of space habitation.
One primary focus is the 'Food from Spirulina' project. This educational initiative utilizes Spirulina, a blue-green algae that serves as a high-quality protein source and a tool for oxygen production. By using specialized kits distributed to schools around March 2015, students can investigate photosynthesis by introducing carbon dioxide into algae samples. The goal is to demonstrate how recycling carbon dioxide into food and oxygen is essential for long-term survival in space.
Simultaneously, the 'Mission-X 2015' program engages children aged 8 to 12 from over 25 countries. This international program encourages students to train like astronauts for nine weeks, focusing on the necessity of regular exercise and healthy nutrition. During her in-flight calls, such as the one scheduled for March 2015, Cristoforetti shares first-hand experiences of weightlessness and discusses the habits required to maintain fitness and nutrition in microgravity.
The program also highlights the logistical preparation required for such missions. Before her flight, Cristoforetti acted as a backup for Alexander Gerst's crew, preparing for a launch on 28 May. Her own journey to the ISS was slated for November, following a period of training and coordination at the Baikonur Cosmodrome involving the prime and backup crews.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Hangout with ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti
- Also: Space encounters of the ‘fit and green’ kind
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