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 | | Experiment Support Laboratories | | |
The Experiment Support Laboratories provide a basis for principal investigators to conduct preflight science activities and science-to-hardware
integration in preparation for installation of payloads into the Space Shuttle. This collection of laboratories includes science and hardware
integration laboratories, a central services room, shared-equipment rooms, and a walk-in cold room. The Experiment Support Laboratories support
experimental ground-based studies and testing, ground control activities, flight hardware buildup and development, postflight activities for
experiments returning from orbit, and the ongoing resident research in the Space Life Sciences Lab. Designed for maximum flexibility, the Experiment
Support Laboratories can be configured in many different ways to accommodate science experiment disciplines from cell culture science to plant
physiology to protein crystal growth. The Experiment Support Laboratories have successfully supported numerous Space Hab, Mars, and SpaceLab missions,
and payloads for Space Shuttle, MIR, and the International Space Station.
Image to right: Experiment Support Laboratory preflight operations.
Laboratory Services
- Configure, outfit, and close out laboratories; calibrate equipment; and dispose of biohazardous, chemical, and radioactive waste
- Provide specimen and hardware support: receiving, condition verifi cation, preparation, transport, postfl ight recovery, and import/export
- Simulate experiments, verify/refine scientific protocols and timelines, and support preparation of ground control experiments
- Provide animal husbandry for specimens and provide/coordinate Biospecimen Sharing Program
- Obtain all necessary approvals (Institutional Review Board - human subjects, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee animal subjects)
- Coordinate science and hardware turnover to NASA for Orbiter installation
- Laboratory environmental monitoring
- Steam/ethylene oxide sterilization with quality control
Laboratory Assets & Specialized Equipment
- Cold-room environment
- Class 100K clean-room environment
- Double distilled-water systems
- Ultrapure (18-meg) and deionized water systems
- Fume hoods with air, vacuum, and water available in all science laboratories
Staff Credentials
- Research Support Scientists (B.S.)
- Research Support Technicians
- Laboratory Animal Technologists
- Administrative Assistant
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