*SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468*

Science Continues Aboard the Station

ISS014-E-15705 --- Michael Lopez-Alegria in the Zvezda Service Module Image above: Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria works in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA

TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html Flight Engineer Sunita Williams conducted another session of an experiment that measures cosmic radiation and its effects on astronauts’ central nervous systems. A specific focus of the experiment is abnormal visual perceptions, known as phosphenes or light flashes, while the eyes are closed and the impact of particles on brain functions in micro-gravity.

The three station residents completed their fourth session with an experiment of hand-eye coordination. This experiment tests the idea that the decrease in motor skills reported by some astronauts is due to the brain adapting to being in space. Scientists hope to test the theory that while the brain is adapting to space, it is unable to fully provide the resources necessary to perform normal manual skills.

On Feb. 27, the International Space Station Independent Safety Task Force issued its final report. It was released simultaneously to Congress, NASA and the public.