This page provides a video archive of presentations at the annual SSEP National Conference by student researchers whose experiments were part of the SSEP Mission 2 to ISS Antares experiments payload. Mission 2 to ISS was the fourth SSEP flight opportunity.
Antares launched on SpaceX-1, 8:35 pm ET, October 7, 2012, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, and returned to Earth on Soyuz (TMA-05M) 31S on November 19, 2012. For details on the flight profile for Antares, see the SSEP Mission 2 to the International Space Station (ISS) page.
Some student flight teams present at more than one annual conference, reporting out status at various stages of the life cycle of a flight experiment. It is also true that not all student flight teams attend a conference. For details on all Antares flight experiments, see the Selected Experiments on SSEP Mission 2 to ISS page.
East Lyme, Connecticut
Title: Effectiveness of Hydrogen Peroxide on Aspergillus Niger Growth in Microgravity
Oral Presentation, 3rd Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2013
East Lyme Middle School
Grade levels of Team: 5-6
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 2 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Noah Barnhart and Makaih Olawale
Co-Investigator: Nick Hyde
Collaborator: Brandon Hall
Teacher Facilitator: Glenn PenkoffLidbeck
Abstract: A yam growing mold in a trash can inspired our researchers to test the effectiveness of spore-killing hydrogen peroxide under microgravity conditions. The tight confines of the FME tube apparatus required a change in experimental design: Malt extract as food and a specific mold type were substituted for the moldy yam, and a stronger hydrogen peroxide was needed since the liquid mold food would dilute its concentration. Once the experiment was returned from space our analysis required we “Think outside the tube!”
Cicero, Illinois
Title: Charlotte Goes to Space
Oral Presentation, 3rd Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2013
Unity Jr. High School, Cicero IL
Grade levels of Team: 8
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 2 to ISS
Principal Investigator: Gisela Munoz
Co-Investigators: Stephany Juarez, Aileen Lopez, and Daniela Ortega
Teacher Facilitator: Crystal McDowell
Abstract: Student scientists studied the survivability, development, and feeding behavior of spiders exposed to microgravity. Students developed protocols to culture the Linyphiid spider Diplostyla concolor in a detrital food web terrarium at their school. The resulting spider egg sacs were used to address 4 main research objectives: 1) Do spider egg sacs survive a space launch? 2) Do the spiders develop and hatch in microgravity? 3) Do the spiders exhibit cannibalism as a food strategy after hatching? 4) Do the spiders survive re-entry to earth? Analysis after re-entry helped shed light in to the development of this spider and has helped add Diplostyla concolor and other microarthropods in the list of space bound invertebrates.
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Title: Will Microgravity Have a Significant effect on Packed Synthetic HBOCs?
Oral Presentation, 3rd Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2013
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
Grade levels of Team: 10 and 12
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 2 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators:
Nadia Machado, Tiffany Nguyen, and Ryan Swift
Collaborator: Yeniffer Araujo
Teacher Facilitator: Paula deDiego
Abstract: Our experiment asked the question; will microgravity have a significant effect on HBOCs. Synthetic blood could be an amazing alternative to packed blood cells in a microgravity environment. Our team wanted to determine if there are any changes between the commercial HBOC product in microgravity vs. ground truth. The findings provide evidence to support that there is no difference between the ground truth and the space flight sample.
Presidio, Texas
Title: The Effect of Microgravity on the Growth and pH of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Oral Presentation, 2nd Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2012
Presidio High School, Presidio Independent School District
Grade levels of Team: 12
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 2 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Illiana Fernandez and Alvaro Ali Romero
Co-Investigator: Rafael Sanchez
Teacher Facilitator: Melody Crowder
Abstract: Presidio High School students are investigating how microgravity affects the growth rate of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Our hypothesis is that microgravity will affect the division and pH of L. acidophilus and the growth rate of the bacteria will slow down. Results will determine need for issuance of probiotics and fermented dairy products in order for astronauts to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Title: Chemical Analysis of the Effect of Gravity on Capsicum chinense ‘Habanero’
Oral Presentation, 2nd Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2012
Lucy Rede Franco Middle School, Presidio Independent School District
Grade levels of Team: 7
Type of Experiment: Honorable Mention Finalist, Mission 2 to ISS
Principal Investigator: Lisa Marie Pena
Co-Investigators: Juan Nieto and Vanessa Rohanna
Collaborators: Alma Baeza and Maxwell Ferguson
Teacher Facilitator: Ernesto Monte
Abstract: When it comes to living in space, taste has become a unifying element that transcends cultures and boundaries. Studies also show that chili can provide a variety of medicinal or health benefits that range from relieving pain to fighting cancer. In this experiment, we will conduct a chemical analysis of Capsicum chinense ‘Habanero’ after its exposure to two different gravitational conditions. The goal is to quantify the effect of microgravity on its chemical content.
Russell County, Virginia
Title: The Rate of Oxidation in a Microgravity Environment
Oral Presentation, 3rd Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2013
Russell County Public Schools
Grade levels of Team: 11-12
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 2 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators:
Diana Odhiambo, Donna Odhiambo, Jacob Akers, and McKinna Collins
Teacher Facilitator: Jane H. Carter
Abstract: The members of the Russell County flight team chose to investigate the effects of microgravity on the rate of oxidation for iron and copper. These two metals were selected based upon their thermal and electrical properties and use in buildings and tools. These metals are also of interest based upon the possibility of them being obtained through galactic mining. Our evaluation will be qualitative in nature.