Towards a passive limitation of particle surface contamination in the Columbus module (ISS) during the MATISS experiment of the Proxima Mission.

Future long-duration human spaceflight calls for developments to limit biocontamination of the surface habitats. The MATISS experiment tests surface treatments in the ISS's atmosphere. Four sample holders were mounted with glass lamella with hydrophobic coatings, and exposed in the Columbus module for ~6 months. About 7800 particles were detected by tile scanning optical microscopy (×3 and ×30 magnification) indicating a relatively clean environment (a few particles per mm2), but leading to a significant coverage-rate (>2% in 20 years). Varied shapes were displayed in the coarse (50-1500 µm2) and fine (0.5-50 µm2) area fractions, consistent with scale dices (tissue or skin) and microbial cells, respectively. The 200-900 µm2 fraction of the coarse particles was systematically higher on FDTS and SiOCH than on Parylene, while the opposite was observed for the <10 µm2 fraction of the fine particles. This trend suggests two biocontamination sources and a surface deposition impacted by hydrophobic coatings.

Remote Echography between a Ground Control Center and the International Space Station Using a Tele-operated Echograph with Motorized Probe.

Echography is the most appropriate imaging modality for investigating astronauts. Unfortunately, it requires a great deal of training to perform ultrasound examinations, which can be difficult and time consuming, especially if the astronaut does not have a medical background. We designed a new echography system with motorized probes that allows for the majority of exam functions to be controlled by a ground-based sonographer. Using tele-operation, the sonographer controls the orientation of the transducer (tilt, rotation) and echograph settings (gain, depth, freeze) and triggers ultrasound functions (pulsed wave color Doppler, 3-D capture, radiofrequency data collection, elastography). With this system, astronauts are required to hold the motorized probe only at the locations indicated, with the remainder of the exam being conducted by the ground-based sonographer. During spaceflight, ultrasound imaging of the carotid artery, jugular vein, thyroid, liver, gallbladder, biliary tract and portal vein (2-D, 3-D, color, pulsed wave, radiofrequency) were successfully performed.