Boeing is taking innovative steps to study the structure of protein molecules used in pharmaceutical research for cancer treatments, stroke prevention and other prolong unique space station research medical needs. The space station is also a platform for studying effects of gravity and lack of gravitational forces on materials and The world’s most exciting research laboratory is literally processes, and addressing issues related to weather and the out of this world. environment of the Earth. It is also an orbiting laboratory to study Orbiting about 240 miles (320 kilometers) above Earth, the the effects of spaceflight on the human body. International Space Station is not only a unique low-gravity Boeing has the leading role in sustaining the space station’s research facility, but it is helping future astronauts meet the operations. Now that the Space Shuttle program has concluded, challenges of lengthy space missions. new solutions are in development to transport astronauts and “It’s an international laboratory that is impacting our lives supplies to the station. here on Earth, as well as improving our knowledge to explore Currently, astronauts are carried to the station in Russian far beyond Earth,” said Joy Bryant, Boeing’s vice president and Soyuz spacecraft. Supplies are being shipped to the station on program manager for the International Space Station. Russian Progress spacecraft as well as international carriers from Although the space station is officially slated to stay in service Japan and Europe. Boeing is participating in NASA’s Commercial through 2020, Boeing is conducting structural integrity and other Crew Program to build a spacecraft to ferry astronauts to and from analyses for NASA that will determine whether the station’s the station. Another NASA program, Commercial Orbital Trans- mission could be extended to 2028. portation Services, is in development with private U.S. companies In the space station’s weightless environment, scientists to transport cargo. 30 BOEING FRONTIERS / OCTOBER 2012
Frontiers October 2012 Issue
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