LOCAD

Last updated
LOCAD-PTS Team Identifier LOCAD-PTS Team Identifier.jpg
LOCAD-PTS Team Identifier

The Lab-on-a-Chip Applications Development (LOCAD) element is a set of related lab-on-a-chip projects at NASA. The projects develop integrated lab-on-a-chip products in three areas related to space exploration: Environmental Control and Life Systems Support (ECLSS), Medical Systems, and Remote Exploration. NASA conducts activities related to these projects both at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Contents

Portable Test System

The LOCAD-PTS, currently aboard the ISS. LOCAD-PTS.jpg
The LOCAD-PTS, currently aboard the ISS.

The Lab-On-a-Chip Application Development – Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS) is a handheld device for microbial monitoring aboard the ISS. [1] It evolved from the Endosafe-Portable Test System (Endosafe-PTS), developed by Charles River Laboratories for use in the pharmaceutical and health care industries. [2] In 2004–2005, Charles River Laboratories teamed up with Carnegie Institution for Science and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, including BAE Systems and Jacobs Technology, to modify the Endosafe-PTS device (and a sample handling system) for spaceflight. The LOCAD-PTS project has been funded in large part by NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD), under the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP), and specifically under the umbrella of Advanced Environmental Monitoring and Control (AEMC). [3]

A LOCAD-PTS Cartridge. LOCAD-PTS Cartridge.jpg
A LOCAD-PTS Cartridge.

The device itself (or reader) weighs 2.2 pounds and is a combined spectrophotometer, heater and pump, operated with multiple interchangeable cartridges for the detection of different microbial molecules. There are three different LOCAD-PTS cartridges aboard the ISS, for the detection of three different microbial molecules: endotoxin, glucan and lipoteichoic acid. These three molecules are found mainly within gram-negative bacteria, fungi and gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Endotoxin and glucan are detected with the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) enzyme cascade, derived from the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus. Lipoteichoic acid is detected with the Pro-Phenol Oxidase (PPO) enzyme cascade derived from the Jonah crab, Cancer borealis. By the amplification of a small signal, these enzyme cascades allow detection of very low amounts of starting microbial material. An astronaut can take a swab sample from a cabin surface, dissolve it in endotoxin-free water, and analyze it quantitatively with LOCAD-PTS in microgravity, all in under 15 minutes. Traditional culture-based methods aboard the ISS take several days and often require return of samples to Earth for more in-depth analysis by scientists on the ground.

Suni Williams analyzes a surface sample with LOCAD-PTS aboard the ISS (March 31, 2007) Suni Williams aboard the ISS.jpg
Suni Williams analyzes a surface sample with LOCAD-PTS aboard the ISS (March 31, 2007)

LOCAD-PTS was launched to the ISS on December 9, 2006, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery STS-116. Following a four-month period of storage aboard the ISS, the device was first used by Expedition 14/15 Flight Engineer Suni Williams on March 31, 2007, to analyze surfaces within Unity. [4] Since that time, LOCAD-PTS has been used extensively by the crews of Expedition 16Expedition 18 to monitor microbial material throughout the ISS. The LOCAD Team has supported each operation of LOCAD-PTS aboard the ISS from consoles at the NASA Payload Operations and Integration Center (POIC) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. LOCAD-PTS will continue to be used aboard ISS through October 2009 by Expedition 20 astronauts Mike Barratt and Tim Kopra.

The first phase of ISS operations took place between March 2007 to February 2008 (Expeditions 14–16), when LAL cartridges were used to detect endotoxin on surfaces within the ISS. [5] [6] [7] Endotoxin was found to be distributed throughout the ISS, despite previous indications that most bacteria on ISS surfaces were gram-positive. [8] Endotoxin was detected at 50% of all surface sites and commonly found on surfaces within exercise, hygiene, sleeping and dining areas. Endotoxin was found at every surface site where Colony Forming Units (CFUs) were observed with culture-based contact slide methods. LAL-Glucan cartridges, for the detection of Beta-1,3-glucan, were launched to the ISS aboard Space Shuttle STS-123 in March 2008. Preliminary results with these cartridges showed similar patterns to those observed for endotoxin, but glucan was found at higher levels and found to be far more widespread throughout the ISS. [9] The Gram+ cartridges, for the detection of lipoteichoic acid) were launched to the ISS aboard STS-126 on November 14, 2008. Tests with these cartridges have been performed during Expeditions 18 – 20.

Field tests and scientific expeditions

Test of LOCAD-PTS swab system during simulated surface Extravehicular Activity (EVA) at Meteor Crater, NASA Desert RATS (September 2005). Test of LOCAD-PTS swab system during EVA at NASA Desert RATS 2005.JPG
Test of LOCAD-PTS swab system during simulated surface Extravehicular Activity (EVA) at Meteor Crater, NASA Desert RATS (September 2005).

Before LOCAD-PTS was launched to space, it was tested extensively in simulated microgravity with the use of parabolic flight, to verify nominal function of the instrument and sample handling procedures. [10] [11] It was also used for several years on scientific expeditions to study microbial life in extreme environments on Earth. These extreme environments included Svalbard in the high Arctic (80N latitude) during the NASA-sponsored Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition (AMASE), [12] [13] [14] [15] volcanoes in Kamchatka, far east Russia, during Russian-NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Expeditions in 2004 and 2006, [16] [17] the desert of Arizona during the NASA Desert Research and Technology Studies (Desert RATS) of 2005 and 2006, [18] [12] [14] and the underwater habitat Aquarius in the Florida Keys during NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) Expedition 5, under command of astronaut Peggy Whitson, [19] [20] and Mount Everest. [21]

LOCAD-PTS is a technology supported within NASA's Advanced Environmental Monitoring and Control (AEMC) Program, which is in turn, supported by the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) of NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD). All technologies within AEMC have been reviewed by the National Research Council and LOCAD-PTS currently has over two years experience operating on orbit. [22]

LOCAD-PTS Exploration

Jake Maule swabs a handrail on the S6 Truss before launch (December 9, 2008). Jake Maule swabs a handrail on the S6 Truss before launch.JPG
Jake Maule swabs a handrail on the S6 Truss before launch (December 9, 2008).
Jake Maule uses LOCAD-PTS to perform microbial survey of Pad 39A (August 7, 2009). Jake Maule uses LOCAD-PTS at Pad 39A.JPG
Jake Maule uses LOCAD-PTS to perform microbial survey of Pad 39A (August 7, 2009).

LOCAD-PTS Exploration is an ISS experiment funded by the Moon and Mars Analogue Mission Activities (MMAMA) Program of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. [23] It is a collaboration between BAE Systems, Charles River Laboratories (CRL), NASA Johnson Space Center (Astronaut Office, Crew and Thermal Systems Division, and Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and Crew Survival Systems Branch), NASA Kennedy Space Center and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The goal of the experiment is to design and test procedures to monitor and document the spread of biological material associated with human spaceflight, both before and after launch, in preparation for the human exploration of the Moon and Mars. The LOCAD-PTS Exploration experiment has been funded by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), under the Moon and Mars Analogue Mission Activities (MMAMA) Program, and is the first SMD-funded experiment aboard the ISS.

The ISS Starboard S6 Truss-section was analyzed with LOCAD-PTS in October 2008 and December 2008—while located in the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center—and again in space following launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-119.

The S6 Truss was swabbed in space on flight day 5, March 19, 2009, during the first spacewalk by Steve Swanson (EV1) and Richard R. Arnold (EV2). This 'swab' was performed indirectly with the spacesuit gloves. The gloves themselves were swabbed inside the ISS both before and after EVA, with LOCAD-PTS, by Expedition 18 Flight Engineer Sandy Magnus. Swab samples were then analyzed aboard the ISS by Magnus on flight day 7, March 21, 2009. This experiment marked the first time in human spaceflight that EVA crew checked themselves for microbes before EVA, and was mentioned by the STS-119 crew to President Obama during a video conference from space during STS-119. [24] This type of procedure will be required to monitor and document the spread of biological material in support of NASA's goal to search for life on other planets [25] and to comply with planetary protection regulations.

Further LOCAD-PTS Exploration tests were performed on the Flight 17A Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) "Leonardo" in the Payload Changeout Room on Pad 39A during August 5–8, 2009. The 17A MPLM was also tested after insertion into the payload bay of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128, scheduled for launch on August 25, 2009. In addition to the MPLM itself, a microbial survey of the entire Rotating Service Structure (RSS) and Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) was also performed. The external surfaces of the 17A MPLM will also be tested after landing of STS-128. Each MPLM is a cargo carrier and brought back to Earth in the Space Shuttle Payload Bay.

Related Research Articles

<i>Columbus</i> (ISS module) ESA science observatory on the International Space Station

Columbus is a science laboratory that is part of the International Space Station (ISS) and is the largest single contribution to the ISS made by the European Space Agency (ESA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koichi Wakata</span> Japanese engineer and astronaut (born 1963)

Koichi Wakata is a Japanese engineer and a JAXA astronaut. Wakata is a veteran of four NASA Space Shuttle missions, a Russian Soyuz mission, and a long-duration stay on the International Space Station. During a nearly two-decade career in spaceflight, he has logged more than eleven months in space. During Expedition 39, he became the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station. Wakata flew on the Soyuz TMA-11M/Expedition 38/Expedition 39 long duration spaceflight from 7 November 2013 to 13 May 2014. During this spaceflight he was accompanied by Kirobo, the first humanoid robot astronaut. As of 2023, he is the longest active astronaut in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-111</span> 2002 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-111 was a space shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) flown by Space Shuttle Endeavour. STS-111 resupplied the station and replaced the Expedition 4 crew with the Expedition 5 crew. It was launched on 5 June 2002, from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick G. Forrester</span> American astronaut, engineer and US Army officer (born 1957)

Patrick Graham Forrester is a NASA astronaut, engineer, and former Chief of the Astronaut Office. He is a retired United States Army colonel and Army aviator. He is married and has two children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multi-Purpose Logistics Module</span> Large pressurized container for cargo resupply of the International Space Station

A Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) is a large pressurized container that was used on Space Shuttle missions to transfer cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS). Two MPLMs made a dozen trips in the Shuttle cargo bay and initially berthed to the Unity module and later the Harmony module on the ISS. From there, supplies were offloaded, and finished experiments and waste were reloaded. The MPLM was then reberthed in the Shuttle for return to Earth. Three modules were built by the Italian Space Agency (ASI): Leonardo, Raffaello, and Donatello.

<i>Harmony</i> (ISS module) American module of the International Space Station

Harmony, also known as Node 2, is the "utility hub" of the International Space Station. It connects the laboratory modules of the United States, Europe and Japan, as well as providing electrical power and electronic data. Sleeping cabins for four of the crew are housed here.

Shuttle–<i>Mir</i> program 1993–1998 collaborative Russia–US space program

The Shuttle–Mir program was a collaborative 11-mission space program between Russia and the United States that involved American Space Shuttles visiting the Russian space station Mir, Russian cosmonauts flying on the Shuttle, and an American astronaut flying aboard a Soyuz spacecraft to engage in long-duration expeditions aboard Mir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-128</span> 2009 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-128 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) that launched on August 28, 2009. Space ShuttleDiscovery carried the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo as its primary payload. Leonardo contained a collection of experiments for studying the physics and chemistry of microgravity. Three spacewalks were carried out during the mission, which removed and replaced a materials processing experiment outside ESA's Columbus module, and returned an empty ammonia tank assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-131</span> 2010 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-131 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Space ShuttleDiscovery launched on April 5, 2010, at 6:21 am from LC-39A, and landed at 9:08 am on April 20, 2010, on runway 33 at the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The mission marked the longest flight for Space Shuttle Discovery.

Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition (AMASE) uses Mars analog sites on Svalbard for testing of science questions and payload instruments onboard Mars missions. AMASE has arranged annual expeditions on Svalbard since 2003 and is run by Vestfonna Geophysical AS and funded by the Norwegian Space Centre, ESA and NASA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregory Chamitoff</span> Canadian born engineer and NASA astronaut (born 1962)

Gregory Errol Chamitoff is a Canadian-born American engineer and former NASA astronaut. He has been to space twice, spending 6 months aboard the ISS across Expedition 17 and 18 in 2008, and another 15 days as part of STS-134 in 2011. STS-134 was the last of Space Shuttle Endeavour which delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and completed the US Orbital Segment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Nyberg</span> American mechanical engineer and NASA astronaut

Karen LuJean Nyberg is an American mechanical engineer and retired NASA astronaut. Nyberg became the 50th woman in space on her first mission in 2008. Nyberg holds a Ph.D in mechanical engineering. She started her space career in 1991 and spent a total of 180 days in space in 2008 and 2013 as a mission specialist on STS-124 and a flight engineer on Soyuz TMA-09M.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randolph Bresnik</span> United States Marine Corps officer and a NASA astronaut on three expeditions

Randolph James "Komrade" Bresnik is a retired officer in the United States Marine Corps and an active NASA astronaut. A Marine Aviator by trade, Bresnik was selected as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 19 in May 2004. He first launched to space on STS-129, then served as flight engineer for Expedition 52, and as ISS commander for Expedition 53.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Barratt (astronaut)</span> American aerospace medicine physician and astronaut born 1959

Michael Reed Barratt is an American physician and a NASA astronaut. Specializing in aerospace medicine, he served as a flight surgeon for NASA before his selection as an astronaut and has played a role in developing NASA's space medicine programs for both the Shuttle-Mir Program and International Space Station. His first spaceflight was a long-duration mission to the International Space Station, as a flight engineer in the Expedition 19 and 20 crew. In March 2011, Barratt completed his second spaceflight as a crew member of STS-133. Barratt pilots the SpaceX Crew-8 mission that launched on 4 March 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrobotany</span> Study of plants grown in spacecraft

Astrobotany is an applied sub-discipline of botany that is the study of plants in space environments. It is a branch of astrobiology and botany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-135</span> 2011 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS and final flight of the Space Shuttle program

STS-135 was the 135th and final mission of the American Space Shuttle program. It used the orbiter Atlantis and hardware originally processed for the STS-335 contingency mission, which was not flown. STS-135 launched on July 8, 2011, and landed on July 21, 2011, following a one-day mission extension. The four-person crew was the smallest of any shuttle mission since STS-6 in April 1983. The mission's primary cargo was the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Raffaello and a Lightweight Multi-Purpose Carrier (LMC), which were delivered to the International Space Station (ISS). The flight of Raffaello marked the only time that Atlantis carried an MPLM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 in spaceflight</span> Spaceflight-related events of 2011

The year 2011 saw a number of significant events in spaceflight, including the retirement of NASA's Space Shuttle after its final flight in July 2011, and the launch of China's first space station module, Tiangong-1, in September. A total of 84 orbital launches were conducted over the course of the year, of which 78 were successful. Russia, China and the United States conducted the majority of the year's orbital launches, with 35, 19 and 18 launches respectively; 2011 marked the first year that China conducted more successful launches than the United States. Seven crewed missions were launched into orbit during 2011, carrying a total of 28 astronauts to the International Space Station. Additionally, the Zenit-3F and Long March 2F/G carrier rockets made their maiden flights in 2011, while the Delta II Heavy made its last.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expedition 28</span> Long-duration mission to the International Space Station

Expedition 28 was the 28th long-duration expedition to the International Space Station, and began on 23 May 2011 with the departure of the members of Expedition 27. The first three members of Expedition 28 arrived on the ISS aboard the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft on 4 April 2011, and were joined on 9 June 2011 by the three other crew members, who arrived aboard Soyuz TMA-02M. The expedition saw a number of significant events, including the final Space Shuttle mission, STS-135, which took place in July 2011. Expedition 28 was superseded by Expedition 29 on 16 September 2011.

<i>Leonardo</i> (ISS module) Italian module of the International Space Station

The Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) is a module of the International Space Station. It was flown into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-133 on 24 February 2011 and installed on 1 March. Leonardo is primarily used for storage of spares, supplies and waste on the ISS, which was until then stored in many different places within the space station. It is also the personal hygiene area for the astronauts who live in the US Orbital Segment. The Leonardo PMM was a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) before 2011, then was modified into its current configuration. It was formerly one of two MPLM used for bringing cargo to and from the ISS with the Space Shuttle. The module was named for Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets</span> Former NASA program

Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) was a program established by NASA to sponsor research projects that advance the technology and techniques used in planetary exploration. The objective was to enable the study of astrobiology and to aid the planning of extraterrestrial exploration missions while prioritizing science, technology, and field campaigns.

References

  1. LOCAD-PTS International Space Station (ISS) Page. "NASA - Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS)". Archived from the original on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  2. "Charles River Laboratories (CRL) Endosafe-PTS". Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  3. NASA's Advanced Environmental Monitoring and Control (AEMC) Program. "Advanced Environmental Monitoring and Control Program". Archived from the original on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  4. "No Foolin' -- 'Lab on a Chip' Works!" Science@NASA article (April 6, 2007).
  5. J. Maule, N. Wainwright, A. Steele, L. Monaco, H. Morris, D. Gunter, M. Damon and M. Wells (2009). "Rapid Culture-Independent Microbial Analysis aboard the International Space Station (ISS)". Astrobiology, in press.
  6. J. Maule, N. Wainwright, A. Steele, H. Morris, L. Monaco, M. Damon and M. Effinger (2008). "Lab-on-a-Chip on the ISS: Preparing for Human Exploration of the Moon and Mars". AIAA SPACE 2008 Conference, San Diego, California; 9–11 September 2008. Paper: AIAA-2008-7900.
  7. J. Maule, N. Wainwright, A. Steele et al. (2008). "Lab-on-a-Chip: From Astrobiology to the Space Station". NASA Astrobiology Conference, Santa Clara, CA. April 2008.
  8. V.A. Castro, A.N. Thrasher, M. Healy, C.M. Ott and D.L. Pierson (2004). "Microbial characterization during the early habitation of the International Space Station". Microb. Ecol. 2004 Feb; 47(2): 119-26.
  9. "Astronauts Swab the Deck." Science@NASA article (February 6, 2009)
  10. J. Maule, N. Wainwright and A. Abercromby (2007). "Function of second and third generation Lab-on-a-Chip cartridges in microgravity: Preparation for operations on the International Space Station (ISS)". NASA report: TM-2007-214765 "C-9 and other microgravity simulations", September 2007.
  11. J. Maule, M. Fogel, A. Steele, N. Wainwright, D. Pierson and D. McKay (2004). "Antigen-Antibody Interactions in Altered Gravity: Implications for Immunosorbent Assay during Space Flight". J. Gravitational Physiology, Volume 10, Issue 2, 2004.
  12. 1 2 J. Maule, M. Fries, A. Steele, H. E. F. Amundsen, N. Wainwright, M. Damon and the AMASE, Desert-RATS and LOCAD Teams (2007). "Rapid On-Site Science Operations and Human-Robot Interactions at Lunar and Mars Analog Sites". 38th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston, March 2007.
  13. D. Eppler, J. Maule, A. Steele, O. Botta and G. Huntress (2008). "Svalbard: Training astronauts in geology and surface exploration activities in a Mars-relevant environment". NASA Astrobiology Conference, Santa Clara, CA. April 2008.
  14. 1 2 LOCAD-PTS Tests on Desert-RATS and Arctic Mars Svalbard Analogue Expeditions (AMASE) during 2006. Planetary Society. "Reports from AMASE 2006 - Explore the Cosmos | the Planetary Society". Archived from the original on 2009-04-07. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  15. J. Eigenbrode, L. Benning, J. Maule, A. Steele and H.A. Amundsen (2009). "A field-based cleaning protocol for sampling devices used in life-detection studies". Astrobiology, in press (2009)
  16. J. Maule, J. Toporski and A. Steele (2006). "How lively are volcanic hot spring environments? In situ field analysis in Kamchatka, Russia". Astrobiology, Vol. 6, No. 1, p. 209, February 2006.
  17. J. Maule, D. Gilichinsky, A. Shaw, P. Morrill, S. Leuko, R. Anitori, Z. Tsygankova and E. Gostev (2006). "Permafrost Astrobiology". Frozen Ground – The News Bulletin of the International Permafrost Association, No. 30, p. 20, December 2006.
  18. J. Maule, A. Steele, D. Burbank, D. Eppler, J. Kosmo, A. Ross, N. Wainwright, A. Child, G. Flores, L. Monaco, D. Graziosi and K. Splawn (2006). "Monitoring forward contamination during simulated surface extra-vehicular activity (EVA) at Meteor Crater, Arizona: Implications for human exploration of the moon and Mars". Astrobiology, Vol. 6, No. 1, p. 275, February 2006.
  19. J. Maule, D. Pierson, N. Wainwright, M. Ott, V. Castro (2003). "Bacterial Detection: Correlation of an Automated Real-time System Operated in situ with Comprehensive Characterization in the Laboratory (NEEMO-SWAB)". NASA Johnson Space Center Life Sciences Data Archive, June 2003.
  20. NASA Johnson Space Center Life Sciences Data Archive (LSDA). "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2009-03-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. NASA Heads up Mt. Everest
  22. Review of NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program--An Interim Report. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. 2008-12-12. doi:10.17226/12189. ISBN   978-0-309-11943-6.
  23. LOCAD-PTS Exploration International Space Station (ISS) Page. "NASA - Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System - Exploration (LOCAD-PTS-Exploration)". Archived from the original on 2009-04-07. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  24. "ISS Spacewalkers Test Planetary Protection Concept." Science@NASA article (March 20, 2009).
  25. The 2006 NASA Strategic Plan. NASA Document NP-2006-02-423-HQ.