INVESTIGATION OF EARLY SYMPTOMS OF MICRODESTRUCTION OF STRUCTURES AND
INSTRUMENT MODULES IN THE RUSSIAN SEGMENT OF ISS (EXPERT)
Research Area: Microbial Populations in Spacecraft
Expedition(s): 18- 22
Investigator(s): ● Oleg A. Saprykin, PhD, Central Research Institute for
Machine Building, Korolev, Russia
● Elena V. Shubralova, Central Research Institute for Machine
Building, Korolev, Russia
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Investigation of Early Symptoms of
Microdestruction of Structures and
Instrument Modules in the Russian
Segment of ISS (Expert) investigates
the early symptoms of the surface
microdestruction of the pressurized
body and structures in the
International Space Station (ISS)
modules while monitoring
temperature-humidity parameters,
acoustic fields of ultrasound band
and other spaceflight factors, which
can affect the microdestruction
processes. Secondly, Expert will lead
the development of an onboard
system to reveal early symptoms of
microdestruction and update methods to prevent microdestruction of the pressurized body and
structures in the ISS.
EARTH BENEFITS
The diagnostic equipment and the method of its usage can be used in civic aviation and
shipbuilding.
SPACE BENEFITS
The results of the Expert provide the long-term ISS safe operation.
RESULTS
Results of Expert included the development of methods for the monitoring of background
physical environmental parameters, which can affect the microdestruction processes. These
parameters were tracked in a database. Thirty zones of possible microdestruction growth were
added to the previously identified potentially hazardous zones of leaks. These zones were
subjected to regular inspections. Fifty percent of the test samples taken from the newly
identified zones of possible microdestruction growth contained decomposer fungi and bacteria.
Cosmonaut Oleg Kotov examines the area behind a panel.
Roscosmos image.