In this Oct. 20, 2025, photo, tiny ball bearings surround a larger central bearing during the Fluid Particles experiment, conducted inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) aboard the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module. A bulk container installed in the MSG, filled with viscous fluid and embedded particles, is subjected to oscillating frequencies to observe how the particles cluster and form larger structures in microgravity. Insights from this research may advance fire suppression, lunar dust mitigation, and plant growth in space. On Earth, the findings could inform our understanding of pollen dispersion, algae blooms, plastic pollution, and sea salt transport during storms.
In addition to uncovering potential benefits on Earth, research done aboard the space station helps inform long-duration missions like Artemis and future human expeditions to Mars.
Image credit: NASA/Zena Cardman
在2025年10月20日拍摄的这张照片中，在国际空间站命运号实验舱内的微重力科学手套箱中开展的流体颗粒实验里，微小的钢珠围绕着一个更大的中心轴承分布。安装在手套箱内的整体容器中填充了高黏度流体并嵌入颗粒，通过施加振荡频率，在微重力环境下观察颗粒如何聚集并形成更大的结构。该研究的发现有望推动灭火技术、月球尘埃缓解以及太空植物生长等领域的发展。在地球上，这些结果也可加深我们对花粉扩散、藻华暴发、塑料污染以及风暴期间海盐输运等现象的理解。
除揭示潜在的地球应用价值外，空间站开展的研究还为阿尔忒弥斯等长期任务以及未来人类火星探测提供关键信息支撑。
图片来源: NASA/ZenaCardman
