Microgravity

Biotechnology System (BTS) Diagnostic Experiment

BTS Computer Module BTS Facility

Objectives

The objectives of this experiment were to verify and validate the Data Acquisition and Control System (DACS) for the BioTechnology Facility on ISS. DACS is hardware, firmware and software designed to monitor, operate, and control experiment specific payloads and Facility systems, and to capture and archive experiment data and hardware performance data.

Shuttle-Mir Missions
NASA-2 - NASA-5, NASA-7

Approach
The table seen below is a summary of the BTS facility components that went through diagnostic testing. The purpose of the testing was to determine the possible risks involved with data acquisition from the BTS facility.

Mission Location Duration Facility Components
Pre-2 Spektr Module 105 days Passive PCMCIA Card
2 Priroda BTS Facility 156 days Powered DACS
3 Priroda BTS Facility 130 days Powered DACS with Bioreactor
4 & 5 Priroda BTS Facility 263 days Powered DACS
7 Priroda BTS Facility 142 days Powered DACS and
Powered DACS with Bioreactor

Results
The table is a summary of the conclusions determined from each mission's diagnostic testing.

Mission Facility Hardware Activity Summary
Pre-2 Passive PCMCIA Card SRAM cards in stowage are susceptible to radiation induced SEU corruption.
Unpowered FLash PC-Cards in stowage are immune to SEU corruption at Mir radiation levels.
2 Powered DACS Powered FLash PC-Cards are immune to SEU corruption at Mir radiation levels.
Verified DACS integrated operation.
3 Powered DACS with Bioreactor Verified DACS control of experiment specific hardware.
Verified operations of DACS RRS.
4 & 5 Powered DACS Extended previous results for larger capacity flashcards and longer duration operations.
Detection of DRAM SEUs.
7 Powered DACS and
Powered DACS with Bioreactor
Verified DACS control of experiment specific hardware, including RRS.
Verified capability of DACS RRS to repair, monitor and protect SRAM PC-Cards in flight.
Extended and reinforced previous results.

Earth Benefits
Biological processes can be altered as a result of microgravity. The unique qualities of the microgravity environment could lead to new discoveries in biotechnology which could ultimately result in improvements in medicine, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. Advances made in hardware development have application for designing better instrumentation on the ground.

Publications
None available at this time

Principal Investigators
Steven R. Gonda, Ph.D.
NASA/Johnson Space Center

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Curator: Julie Oliveaux
Responsible NASA Official: John Uri

Page last updated: 07/16/1999

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