A Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off from launchpad on November 4, 2024, carrying the CRS-31 resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). On board was a Cargo Dragon packed with over 2,700kg of crew supplies, scientific equipment, and essential materials. Among these were several cutting-edge experiments designed to study the effects of solar wind, radiation resilience, and cold welding in space.
CODEX, an experiment measuring the solar wind, aims to better understand its impact on long-term space habitation. ARTEMOSS studies the effects of cosmic radiation on biological material, a crucial area of research for NASA’s Artemis program. The Euro Material Aging investigation exposes materials to space vacuum for 18 months to analyze their durability in extreme conditions.
A new experiment called Nanolab Astrobeat tests the feasibility of using cold welding to repair spacecraft components. In space, metals can fuse together when placed next to each other without oxygen interference. Understanding this process could aid or hinder future space exploration. As scientists continue to push the boundaries of knowledge on the ISS, research like this brings humanity closer to achieving its goals in space.
These experiments are essential for advancing our understanding of space and paving the way for future human missions. Despite not being as high-profile as some other launches, the CRS-31 mission represents vital work behind the scenes that continues to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
Source: https://daytonastateinmotion.com/news/fire-in-the-night-crs-31-brings-food-and-science-to-the-iss