EXPOSE

Abstract: EXPOSE-R flew as the second of the European Space Agency (ESA) EXPOSE multi-user facilities on the International Space Station. During the mission on the external URM-D platform of the Zvezda service module, samples of eight international astrobiology experiments selected by ESA and one Russian guest experiment were exposed to low Earth orbit space parameters from March 10th, 2009 to January 21st, 2011. EXPOSE-R accommodated a total of 1220 samples for exposure to selected space conditions and combinations, including space vacuum, temperature cycles through 273 K, cosmic radiation, solar electromagnetic radiation at >110, >170 or >200 nm at various fluences up to GJ m⁻². Samples ranged from chemical compounds via unicellular organisms and multicellular mosquito larvae and seeds to passive radiation dosimeters. Additionally, one active radiation measurement instrument was accommodated on EXPOSE-R and commanded from ground in accordance with the facility itself. Data on ultraviolet radiation, cosmic radiation and temperature were measured every 10 s and downlinked by telemetry and data carrier every few months. The EXPOSE-R trays and samples returned to Earth on March 9th, 2011 with Shuttle flight, Space Transportation System (STS)-133/ULF 5, Discovery, after successful total mission duration of 27 months in space. The samples were analysed in the individual investigators laboratories. A parallel Mission Ground Reference experiment was performed on ground with a parallel set of hardware and samples under simulated space conditions following to the data transmitted from the flight mission.

Abstract: Abstract The goal of clinical research is to develop scientific knowledge that can guide the improvement of medical care for future patients. A central concern in research ethics is to protect participants from exploitation in the course of this socially valuable activity. To avoid exploitation, the risks to which research participants are exposed must be reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits. This requirement raises a host of difficult questions. Must the potential clinical benefits to participants outweigh the risks they face? Or is it ethically acceptable to expose participants to some risks for the benefit of society? Assuming it is ethical to expose participants to some risks for the benefit of society, are there limits on the level of these risks? And if there are such limits, to what extent do they vary depending upon the participants in question, whether they can consent or not, whether they are children or not?

Abstract: EXPOSE-E has been the first of three long-duration space missions provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) within the European Program of Life and Physical Science in Space (ELIPS) for long-term astrobiology studies on board the International Space Station. As part of the European Technology Exposure Facility, EXPOSE-E was launched together with ESA’s Columbus laboratory and mounted in open space onto the external balcony of the Columbus laboratory from 15 February 2008 until 2 September 2009. It accommodated a variety of chemical and biological test systems from five different experiments. Exposing them to selected parameters of the space environment, the following astrobiological issues were studied: