What kinds of experiments are conducted on the ISS?

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Experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) cover a wide range of scientific disciplines, taking advantage of the unique microgravity environment. Key areas of research include:

  • Life Sciences: Studying the effects of microgravity on human physiology, plant growth, and animal development to understand biological processes and improve health on Earth.
  • Materials Science: Investigating the behavior of materials such as metals, alloys, and polymers in microgravity to enhance manufacturing processes.
  • Biotechnology: Producing highly ordered protein crystals and materials resembling human tissues, which are difficult to create on Earth.
  • Fluid Physics and Combustion Science: Exploring fluid dynamics and combustion processes without the influence of gravity.
  • Fundamental Physics: Conducting experiments to test theories and models in physics under conditions not possible on Earth.