There are a couple of updates on the journey of “Lord British” - fantasy game designer Richard Garriott - to the International Space Station, which is set for October 12. The space tourist will perform a suite of experiments in cooperation with NASA. He also will carry ideas for commercial space ventures proposed by 11 British school children.
First Second Generation Astronaut, Richard Garriott, to Perform Research while in Space in Cooperation with NASA
Space Adventures Press Release
Space Adventures, Ltd. announced today that their orbital spaceflight client, Richard Garriott, will participate in a suite of experiments in cooperation with NASA during his 10-day mission.
Mr. Garriott is scheduled to launch on October 12 on board a Soyuz TMA spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan en route to the International Space Station (ISS). He will be joining the Expedition 18 crew which includes NASA astronaut Michael Fincke and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov.
“I am enthusiastic to participate in these experiments. As my father was a NASA astronaut, it seems fitting that I, as a private astronaut, also assist in their research as a continuation of my family’s contribution to the space agency,” said Richard Garriott.
“Space exploration is of critical importance to our future as a species,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. “Through Richard’s gracious participation in these NASA experiments, he will be making an important contribution to the future of human permanence in space.”
Mr. Garriott will participate in three NASA experiments. The first experiment will study the current microgravity environment encountered by astronauts and how their eyes react to low and high pressure as well as variations in oxygen concentrations. Mr. Garriott will be the first space explorer to have had Photorefractive Keratectomy eye surgery, referred to as PRK.
NASA has recently approved this procedures for their astronauts, but to date, none have been flown or have been selected who have had the procedure. NASA will examine his visual acuity, accommodation and refraction before, during and after spaceflight. There is reason to believe visual acuity might change on orbit, as inner eye pressure goes up by as much as 50 percent during spaceflights. This information will determine if an eye which has undergone a PRK procedure remains stable during a 10-day exposure to microgravity.
The second experiment will study the effects of spaceflight on the human immune system and validate monitoring tests for immune function in astronauts. The study will assess immunity during spaceflight by testing white blood cells for changes in function or response to stimulation as a consequence of spaceflight.
This information may determine astronauts’ clinical risk during spaceflight. Previous data collected suggests that there is indeed a suppression of the immune system associated with spaceflight. Mr. Garriott will be contributing to this data pool, and since his mission will come mid-mission for some other astronauts; he will be able to return fresh blood samples from long-duration crew members, which has rarely been able to be sampled.
The third study will document sleep/wake patterns and sleep characteristics of astronauts. Normal sleep patterns and body chemistry are notably changed during spaceflight. The data collected may assist in determining the efficacy of ongoing countermeasures for space-related sleep disturbances and may also assist in developing additional countermeasures which could potentially impact the health, productivity and safety of astronauts during spaceflight.
Student Ideas are Ready for Lift-off
Press Release
Eleven students have won an opportunity to have their ideas taken by British-born cosmonaut Richard Garriott to the International Space Station (ISS) on 12 October on board a Russian Soyuz rocket. The winners will be formally announced at the International Astronautical Congress in Glasgow on 3 October by Korean Astronaut Soyeon Yi.
The students took part in an out-of-this-world science competition developed in partnership with the British National Space Centre (BNSC), which co-ordinates civil space activities in the UK; and US company Space Adventures, which provides spaceflight opportunities for private citizens.
The educational outreach programme for the mission challenged students to imagine how space enterprise could develop in the future. Mr Garriott is currently undergoing cosmonaut training at Star City in Russia for his forthcoming mission to the ISS.
The winning ideas are:
- Liam Quinn (aged 13), Glasgow, has designed an out of this world hotel.
- David Amison (aged 14), Birmingham, wants to establish The Flying Fish Space Tourism Company based at Birmingham Airport.
- Peter Gyurov (aged 14), Surrey, wants to use space as a private animal and plant research centre that would discover plants that could grow well Africa.
- Nicholas Lucas (aged 13), North London, wants to create a habitable atmosphere on the Moon and create vaults of plants.
- Jenny Edwards (aged 12), London wants to find a new home for mankind in case the Earth becomes uninhabitable because of pollution.
- Alice Brown (aged 12), Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire wants to create interstellar supply chains servicing the US Space Shuttle and emerging space hotels.
- Syed Ali (aged 15) East London wants to market “over the honey-moon’ trips to the Moon.
- Ruby Hirsch (aged 15) East London wants to create a satellite scattering genetically modified algae to reduce pollution in the atmosphere.
- Papiya Sultana (aged 15) East London wants to create a gravitational goal – a football league in space.
- Abigail Cheales (aged 15) Strawberry Hill London wants to set up a business to create memorials to loved ones in space.
- Hannah Cheales (aged 15) Strawberry Hill London wants to create lunar laboratories.
Richard Garriott said of the winners: “We had so many great and creative proposals. Students were clearly thinking a long way in the future and imagined how we might live, work, play and survive in space in decades to come.”
“The winning entries reflect different enterprise possibilities: medical research, future energy supplies, supply chain development, space tourism, environmental protection and communications. It’s great to fly the British flag in space … and I’ve been delighted that my mission has caught the imagination of so many young people.”
Jeremy Curtis, from the British National Space Centre, added: “We’re delighted that Richard is using his mission to inspire the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs. It’s clear from the entries that students understand the importance of space to their future.”
The winners will have an opportunity to meet Richard Garriott at a VIP day in Leicester on 17 December 2008.
Thanks for highlighting the UK dimension of Richard’s mission. Richard is intending to meet the students who have suggested some great experiments at a special event organised in partnership with the British National Space Centre in December.