Fluorescent Deep Space Petri-Pod

There is a burgeoning global drive for humans to colonise space, the Moon and other planets (e.g. Mars) but one of the challenges preventing realisation of this goal is the gradual decline of multiple human physiological systems in space that, if left unabated, pose a significant risk to astronaut health and mission performance. The causes of these harmful effects are not completely fully defined or understood and, consequently, effective therapies remain elusive. Life sciences experiments that address this knowledge gap are hence an essential precursor to safe human space travel. To achieve this, new flight hardware tailored to the unique constraints of Space based biology research is urgently needed. To address this technology gap, we have developed the ‘Fluorescent Deep Space Petri-Pod’ (FDSPP) as a miniaturised hardware solution for performing remotely operated biological experimentation on multiple types of organisms, via fluorescent and white light imaging capabilities in deep space. The current mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will demonstrate the flight-readiness of FDSPP and its success will help position the UK amongst the global leaders of life sciences research on future low Earth orbit, Lunar and Mars missions planned by Space Agencies and private companies.

FDSPP is a self-contained experiment within a housing measuring approximately 10x10x30cm and weighing approximately 3kg. Inside the unit there is an electronics interface to the spacecraft power and communications bus that utilises the ISS 28Vdc power supply and serial over USB communications. The interface also provides further voltages for the internal subsystems. The experiment will be placed outside the International Space Station (ISS) on an experimental platform following launch exposing it to the vacuum and radiation of space along with the micro-gravity environment.

The unit contains several separate 'life support' systems for the organisms being flown. In the first instance these will be C-Elegens Nematode Worms using a natural fluorescent marker. The life-support system maintains a trapped volume of air and a stable comfortable temperature for the worms when the unit is exposed to the vacuum of space. They are also provided with food and water by means of an Agar carrier, on which the worms are placed.

The health of the worms is monitored by means of photographic stills and time-lapse video captured with exposure to white light, or by fluorescent stimulation using low powered lasers, under the control of onboard microcontroller units, with data stored locally and also relayed to the Earth ground station over the ISS downlink communication system. We also relay temperature and pressure inside and outside of the worms’ containment volumes, and characterise the background radiation by monitoring exposure using a RadFET.

We expect to deliver two complete flight systems, currently being manufactured, assembled and tested, to NASA mid-2025, with a series of ground tests before launch of one unit in late 2025 via a cargo flight to the ISS. The worms will spend some time inside ISS before deployment and experiments begin. Exposure time outside the ISS is currently expected to be 15 weeks although basic experimental results will be achieved in a matter of days or a week. We expect that experimental results will be analysed and published during 2026.