Channel: European Space Agency, ESA

Category: People & Blogs

Tags: techcosmic kissastronautsspace crew dragonspace technologyisshuman spaceflightcosmostechnologyspace techspacespace sciencematthias maurercrew 3astronautesaeuropean space agencyinternational space stationuniversescience

Description: Join ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer and @NASA astronaut Kayla Barron as they discuss electron microscopes, antimicrobial spoons and other materials science topics aboard the International Space Station. Matthias starts by explaining an experiment, which saw crew members eat meals with special spoons made of stainless steel and copper. These spoons are part of an investigation into the antimicrobial properties of laser-structured surfaces. Principal investigators Ralf Möller of the Institute of Space Medicine, @DLR, Cologne and Frank Mücklich from the Institute for Functional Materials, @Universität des Saarlandes have been jointly investigating the antimicrobial effect of laser-structured surfaces for use during space travel since 2017. Though the antimicrobial effect of some metals has been known for a while, modern laser surface structuring is thought to result in up to 80% less bacterial adhesion and could significantly reduce the transmission of harmful germs both in space and here on Earth. Following this discussion, the astronauts consider potential applications of a scanning electron microscope that is currently in the technology demonstration phase. This could be used to investigate small parts and biological samples aboard the Station. Matthias and Kayla flew to the Station together in November 2021 as mission specialists for Crew-3. They are expected to return to Earth with NASA colleagues Raja Chari and Thomas Marshburn in April 2022 after approximately six months of science and operations in orbit. Follow Matthias: bit.ly/ESACosmicKiss ★ Subscribe: bit.ly/ESAsubscribe and click twice on the bell button to receive our notifications. Check out our full video catalog: bit.ly/SpaceInVideos Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly/ESAonTwitter On Facebook: bit.ly/ESAonFacebook On Instagram: bit.ly/ESAonInstagram On LinkedIn: bit.ly/ESAonLinkedIn On Pinterest: bit.ly/ESAonPinterest On Flickr: bit.ly/ESAonFlickr We are Europe's gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out esa.int to get up to speed on everything space related. Copyright information about our videos is available here: esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_Conditions #ESA #CosmicKiss #MatthiasMaurer