Space Team Online Chat

Featuring: Tom Dreschel

October 26, 2001

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 0 - 13:16:50 ]
Please join us Friday, October 26, for a chat with Tom Dreschel, Science Education Director for Life Sciences, from the Kennedy Space Center. This chat continues the theme featured in the October 18 webcast from KSC. The topic is why space biology research will benefit people on Earth. Please be sure to read the expert’s profile before joining us, so that your questions will be appropriate to the expert's field.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 2 - 13:17:41 ]
You may go ahead and place questions in the chatroom now to be answered during the webchat. Please don't post test messages or repeats -- though you may not see your question, it is in the chatroom. Again, PLEASE do not repeat your questions. Enjoy the chat :-)

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 3 - 09:41:50 ]
Welcome to our early arriving chat participants! We will begin our chat with Tom in about 20 minutes, at noon Central time.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 4 - 10:00:30 ]
Hello everyone! We are ready to begin today's webchat with NASA expert Tom Dreschel!

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 5 - 10:01:34 ]
RE: [Lori/NASAChatHost] Hello everyone! We are ready to begin today's webchat with NASA expert Tom Dreschel!
Greetings from Kennedy Space Center. I'm Dr. Tom Dreschel with the life sciences group here and I participate in research and education programs.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 9 - 10:03:11 ]
RE: [Tommy] If there was an emergency on the ISS & someone needed blood -- Could you give blood on the ISS (in a microgravity environment)?
Tommy: I believe that they will have the option of providing emergency medical attention, which would include the ability to give blood.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 11 - 10:04:09 ]
RE: [Ryan] I heard that your body shrinks in micro gravity is that true?
Ryan: You actually get taller because of less pressure on your spine. You do lose some fluids, and so would lose weight, as well.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 13 - 10:05:49 ]
RE: [MsWilson5thgrade] Why build a space station for biological research?
Ms. Wilson: NASA believes that a laboratory is needed for long term research in the space environment. The discoveries made on the space shuttle and in earlier missions will pale compared to what we can learn when conducting research for months at a time.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 16 - 10:07:02 ]
RE: [Moria] If you get sick in space, does it take longer to get well, or do you get well sooner?
Moria: There is some indication that you are more likely to become sick in space because your immune system does not work as well to fight off germs. So you probably would be sick longer, if you become sick in space.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 17 - 10:08:15 ]
RE: [Laura] What would happen if someone lived in space for several years?
Laura: The more time you spend in space, the weaker your bones and muscles become. Unless we can find ways of correcting this in our research on the ISS, it will be difficult to take trips to Mars and beyond.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 19 - 10:09:29 ]
RE: [Jess] Why does NASA want to study crytal growth?
Jess: Researchers have found that they can produce much purer crystals in space than on Earth. This could lead to developing better materials, from medicines to integrated circuits.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 20 - 10:10:21 ]
RE: [Heather] What is the biggest discovery you are hoping to make biologically through the ISS research?
Heather: Initially, we hope to find cures for the problems that astronauts have in space -- which may lead to cures for diseases on Earth, such as osteoporosis.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 22 - 10:11:47 ]
RE: [Jon] If you have a mixture of liquids that seperate on Earth, like oil & vinegar, what do they do in space?
Jon: If you mix oil and vinegar in space, they do not separate in layers like on Earth. They will either form an emulsion or small droplets of one liquid will be dispersed among the other.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 23 - 10:13:02 ]
RE: [Nicollete] What types of things have you discovered grow differently in space?
Nicollete: Organisms seem to age faster in space. For example, there is evidence that bacteria reproduce faster, fruit flies develop from larvae to adult faster. The reason is as yet unknown.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 28 - 10:14:44 ]
RE: [Cheri] While in space, do the astronauts undergo testing?
Cheri: The astronauts act as subjects just as the mice, flies, worms, etc. They do experiments on themselves by taking blood samples, exercising and taking measurements, performing reaction tests, and things like that to see how well they can perform in space.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 29 - 10:15:44 ]
RE: [Gretchen] Does water boil in space?
Gretchen: Water does boil in space, but the bubbles do not rise, so large bubbles of steam form within the water.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 31 - 10:17:39 ]
RE: [Katy] What kinds of animals make the best specimins in space? What do youlearn from them?
Katy: It depends on which researcher you talk to and what the purpose of the research is. The astronauts are the best subjects for examining the effects of space on humans, but many other animals can serve as models for humans. We are interested in examining all forms of life in space to tell us how gravity has affected how life on Earth has developed.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 32 - 10:18:43 ]
RE: [Nicollete] Does that mean that humans would age faster in space, too?
Nicollete: We don't yet know if humans will age faster in space, we will need to spend more time in space to find that out. But it is a possibility.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 35 - 10:19:52 ]
RE: [MrsOsClass] Will an anvil float in space?
MrsOSClass: Yes, anything will free-fall in space. You may have seen the astronauts working on satellites while in space. They are much heavier than an anvil and the astronauts can move them around easily.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 38 - 10:21:46 ]
RE: [Jess] How do they make medicines from crytals?
Jess: Some of the crystals that are produced are from chemicals that cause certain diseases. The structure of these chemicals can be determined by a process called X-ray diffraction. The scientists can then find chemicals that fit onto the "bad" chemical and make it unable to damage the body.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 39 - 10:22:48 ]
RE: [Laura] What advice do you have for kids that want to work in your field?
Laura: Study science and math and consider getting an advanced degree.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 42 - 10:25:09 ]
RE: [Nathan] Do the astronuats on the station ever get stircrazy up there? What about depresion?
Nathan: Most of the time the astronauts are too busy to get "cabin fever". Of course, as they spend more time in space, this is a possibility. They miss their families, etc. but love the experience of being in space. Most of the astronauts that I've heard, even from the ISS missions, hate to see the mission end. They love to look out the window and participate in the experiments, especially taking care of plants.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 44 - 10:26:36 ]
RE: [MrsOsClass] How long can an astronaut stay outside the space shuttle?
MrsOsClass: Most of the Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA's) are planned to be about four hours, although I believe that the life support in a space suit can sustain them for about eight hours.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 46 - 10:28:53 ]
RE: [MsWilson5thgrade] What kinds of experiments will be done on the station and how will they benefit people here on Earth?
MsWilson5thgrade: On ISS, research will be conducted in life sciences, physics (combustion, crystal growth), human behavior and biology, remote sensing, and a number of other areas. All of these have potential for the development of better materials and technologies that have applications on Earth.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 47 - 10:29:52 ]
RE: [Christopher] What kind of life science experiemnts will be done on the space station?
Christopher: A variety of life sciences experiments are planned. One of the first will be to see how wheat grows and produces food in space, for future missions.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 50 - 10:30:55 ]
RE: [David] What kinds of plants will be grown on the space station?
David: The first plants will be wheat and mustard, but eventually there will probably be a system to produce salads for the crew. Many other plants will be used in the future.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 53 - 10:32:11 ]
RE: [Norman] If life was found in space or on another planet, would it be brought back to earcth to study?
Norman: That probably depends on whether it would be a danger to life on Earth if brought here. I would expect that it would have to be extensively studied where it lives, before it would be brought to Earth.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 55 - 10:34:35 ]
RE: [Jon] After reading your bio, I wanted to know where you want to be in 10 yaers?
Jon: I would like to be conducting research and education projects on the ISS in ten years. If not that, I will probably still be here at Kennedy Space Center. I think it is the coolest place on the planet to work. It is 140,000 acres of wildlife refuge, as well as the place where we launch humans into space. I wish everyone could visit here, where every American from Alan Shepard to the most current ISS astronauts have been launched to space or the moon.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 56 - 10:36:34 ]
RE: [MrsOsClass] What animals have gone into space? What would happen if a bird tried to fly aboard the shuttle??
MrsOsClass: The list is very long -- from bacteria and yeast, flies, bees, worms, fish, frogs, dogs, mice, rats, monkeys, chimps, and humans. I probably left some off. The Russian cosmonauts have had quail on their space stations and they cannot fly normally, they tend to tumble when they try.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 58 - 10:37:52 ]
RE: [David] Is there anything that won't float in space?
David: Not to my knowledge. Everything has to be attached by Velcro or something else, or put in a container to keep from floating on the shuttle or ISS.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 60 - 10:39:28 ]
RE: [Norman] What is the coolest part of your job?
Norman: I have many cool jobs, but one that I enjoy the most is being involved doing environmental briefings for the shuttle launches. Doing things like this are also a lot of fun for me.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 61 - 10:40:28 ]
RE: [Christopher] What kind of life science experimetns on humans? (on the ISS)
Christopher: The astronauts will examine how exercise affects them, how their blood, muscle, bones, reaction rates, etc. are affected by space.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 63 - 10:41:12 ]
RE: [David] How long will it take to set up food crops on the ISS?
David: We hope that within the next five years, we will be able to have a system to provide salads for the ISS crew.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 66 - 10:42:51 ]
RE: [kathalene] Will animals ever be raised on the ISS for a food source? If so, what kind . . fish, birds?
Kathalene: I don't know of any plans for animals to be grown as a food source on ISS. But we believe when we go out to other planets, or set up a colony on the moon, we will probably raise fish and possibly chickens. Plants are the best because they make their own food. Anything else has to be fed to produce food, and competes with the crew for oxygen.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 68 - 10:43:27 ]
Welcome Mrs. O's 4th grade class! Glad you could join us today :-)

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 69 - 10:44:44 ]
RE: [Cheri] Can you do surgery in space, & if not will you ever be able to?
Cheri: I believe that NASA is looking into that and has built some glove-boxes and glove-bags so that the person being operated on can be sealed so that blood, etc. won't be able to float around. This will be a number of years in the future, though. Probably not for 5 to 10 years. If there is an emergency, the crew will probably choose to come back to Earth.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 71 - 10:46:23 ]
RE: [Jeremy] Are plants that are grown used for oxygen, eating, or experiemtns OR all 3?
Jeremy: Right now, plants are used for experiments and a few have been used for food. The oxygen plants produce just adds a little for the crew, but mainly the crew brings the oxygen they will need. Some day, we think plants will be needed for all three purposes.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 72 - 10:48:28 ]
RE: [MrsOsClass] We are a 4th grade class in New Hampshire and we're proud of the fact that Alan Shephard was from our state. Did you ever meet him?
MrsOsClass: Unfortunately, I never got to meet him, though I have met a number of the current astronauts. You should plan to come and see where he was launched both in the first flight and his flight to the moon. Very cool places!!!

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 74 - 10:50:18 ]
RE: [Mary] Is a headache worse in space? Is there more pressure?
Mary: I don't know if a headache is worse in space, but I would expect that changes in pressure due to EVA's, the stress of being in space, floating, etc. may all contribute to headaches.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 76 - 10:52:11 ]
RE: [Theresa] Do you think there will ever be floating colonies and hospitals in space?
Theresa: I sure hope so, but I don't expect it in my life time. It will take a lot of resources even to have a mission to Mars, and a large commitment from the countries participating. Many people are even talking about building hotels/resorts in space but that would be something that a corporation would have to fund.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 77 - 10:53:20 ]
We will be finishing up our webchat with Tom Dreschel shortly. Please take a moment to give us your feedback on today's webchat and our the new NASA Quest re-design by filling out our online survey. Thanks!

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 79 - 10:54:59 ]
RE: [Ottie] What kinds of food do the astronauts eat that keep them healthy inspace? Do they take vitamins?
Ottie: The astronauts eat foods in space similar to what they eat at home. Some foods are freeze-dried and need water to be added, but they also have fruits and vegetables. They can have ice cream, candy, and other treats, as well. I think they probably take vitamins and minerals, especially calcium for their bones. The astronauts say they tend to like spicy foods when in space, because they don't taste things as well and the other foods sometime get boring. Most of the foods are "sticky" so they don't float out of their containers.

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 80 - 10:55:18 ]
RE: [Jon] Thanks Mr. Dreschel for chatting with me today.
Jon: Your welcome!

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 81 - 10:56:51 ]
Gang: Thanks for the great questions and I hope that I sparked some interest in space biology with you. Best regards, Dr. Dreschel

[ TomDreschel/KSC - 85 - 11:01:11 ]
RE: [MrsOsClass] We have to go now, but thanks!! This was awesome! My class enjoyed this!!
Your welcome! I enjoyed it, too!

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 83 - 10:59:16 ]
To keep up with NASA Quest events, please see our calendar.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 84 - 11:00:09 ]
Have a great day all!! See you online next time :-)