NASA A Researcher’s Guide to International Space Station : Physical Sciences Informatics System

I NT:i<.N/TION/L SP/C if/TIO N
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
A Researcher’s Guide to:
Physical Sciences Informatics System

This International Space Station (ISS) Researcher’s Guide is published by the NASA
ISS Program Science Offce.
Authors:
Dr. Francis Chiaramonte, Program Scientist for Physical Sciences
Ms. Cynthia Frost, PSI Project Manager
Ms. Cheryl Payne, PSI Data Architect
Ms. Preethi Manoharan, Senior Solicitation Support Specialist
Ms. Teresa Miller, PSI Technical Manager
Dr. Harri Vanhala, Lead Solicitation Support Scientist
Executive Editor: Heidi Parris
Technical Editor: Susan Breeden
Designer: Cory Duke
Published: October 10, 2018
Revision: (ebook only) December 7, 2018
Cover and back cover:
a. PSI: Providing Global Access to Microgravity Physical Sciences Data
b. This color image of an ethylene-air diffusion fame was recorded 1.3 seconds after ignition in the
NASA Glenn Research Center 2.2~Second Drop Tower. The fame sheet and soot are clearly visible.
Ignition was performed in microgravity, and most ignition nonuniformities have dissipated here. The
camera used is a Nikon D100 digital still camera with a resolution of 6 megapixels. The scale is
indicated by the 6-mm spherical burner (top). ISS fnal Confguration (bottom). (Image credit: NASA)
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The Lab is Open
Orbiting the Earth at almost 5 miles per second, a structure exists that is
nearly the size of a football feld and weighs almost a million pounds. The
International Space Station (ISS) is a testament to international cooperation
and signifcant achievements in engineering. Beyond all of this, the ISS is a
truly unique research platform. The possibilities of what can be discovered
by using the results of research already conducted, as well as by conducting
research on the ISS, are endless and have the potential to contribute to the
greater good of life on Earth and inspire generations of researchers to come.
As we increase utilization of the ISS as a National Laboratory, now is
the time for investigators to propose ways to use both existing and new
research and to make discoveries unveiling new knowledge about nature
that could not be defned using traditional approaches on Earth.
NASAs Physical Sciences Research Program conducts fundamental
and applied physical sciences research, with the objective of enabling
exploration and pioneering scientifc discovery. NASAs experiments in the
various disciplines of physical science reveal how physical systems respond
to the near absence of gravity. They also reveal how other phenomena that
have a small infuence on physical systems in Earth’s gravity can dominate
system behavior in space.
Not only are we using the ISS to perform investigations, we are also
taking the results from these investigations and making them available to
researchers via open data. The PSI system (https://psi.nasa.gov) allows
researchers to access the data from physical sciences investigations, most
of which have been performed on the ISS.
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3

Unique Features of the ISS
Research Environment
1. Microgravity, or weightlessness, alters many observable phenomena
within the physical and life sciences. Systems and processes affected by
microgravity include surface wetting and interfacial tension, multiphase
fow and heat transfer, multiphase system dynamics, solidifcation, and
fre phenomena and combustion. Microgravity induces a vast array of
changes in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans, including global
alterations in gene expression and three-dimensional (3-D) aggregation of
cells into tissue-like architecture.
2. Extreme conditions in the ISS environment include exposure to extreme
heat and cold cycling, ultra-vacuum, atomic oxygen, and high-energy
radiation. Testing and qualifcation of materials exposed to these extreme
conditions have provided data to enable the manufacturing of long-
life, reliable components used on Earth as well as in the world’s most
sophisticated satellite and spacecraft components.
3. Low Earth Orbit at 51 degrees inclination and at a 90-minute orbit
affords ISS a unique vantage point with an altitude of approximately 240
miles (400 kilometers) and an orbital path over 90 percent of the Earth’s
population. This can provide improved spatial resolution and variable
lighting conditions compared to the sun-synchronous orbits of typical
Earth remote-sensing satellites.
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5

Table of Contents
The Lab is Open 3
Unique Features of the ISS Research Environment 5
Introduction 7
NASA’s Physical Sciences Research Program and
Physical Sciences Informatics System 8
What is the Open Science Research Method? 10
PSI Research Areas 12
Biophysics 12
Combustion Science 13
Complex Fluids 14
Fluid Physics 15
Fundamental Physics 16
Materials Science 17
How the PSI System Works 19
Using the PSI System 20
PSI Funding Opportunities 32
Acronyms 33
6

Introduction
Te Physical Sciences Informatics (PSI) system (https://psi.nasa.gov) is a tool
developed by NASA to serve as a data repository for the experiments performed
on the ISS and other platforms. Te goal of the PSI system is to enable global
access to cutting-edge research data to fuel innovation and discovery. It enables
more scientists to conduct research using data from the rich heritage of reduced-
gravity fight investigations conducted through the NASA Physical Sciences
Research Program.
Figure 1. NASA astronaut Catherine (Cady) Coleman conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment 2 (CFE-2)
Interior Corner Flow (ICF) Experiment. (Image Credit: NASA)
7

NASA’s Physical Sciences
Research Program and Physical
Sciences Informatics System
NASA has conducted thousands of experiments in space to understand the efect
of reduced gravity on physical, chemical, and biological systems. Reduced gravity
manifests itself through efects such as reduced buoyancy-driven convection,
sedimentation, and hydrostatic pressure. NASA’s Physical Sciences Research Program
conducts both fundamental and applied physical sciences research and supports the
vision of the Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications (SLPSRA)
Division, which is to enable space exploration and pioneer scientifc discovery. Te
Physical Sciences Research Program is organized into six disciplines: biophysics,
combustion science, complex fuids, fuid physics, fundamental physics, and
materials science (Figure 2). Te goal of the research is to understand the physics
and chemistry of systems in low gravity. Over the years, this research program has
been guided by the National Research Council (NRC) reports, such as Microgravity
Research in Support of Technologies for the Human Exploration and Development
of Space and Planetary Bodies (2000), Directions in Microgravity and Physical
Sciences Research at NASA (2003), and Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration:
Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era (2011).
Biophysics
Combustion Science
Fluid Physics
• Biological macromolecules
• Biomaterials
• Biological physics
• Fluid for biology
• Spacecraft ÿre safety
• roplets
• Gaseous – premixed and
non-premixed
• Supercritical reacting uids
• Solid fuels
• Adiabatic two-phase ow
• Boiling and condensation
• Capillary ow
• Interfacial phenomena
• Cryogenic storage and
handling
Materials Science
• Glasses and ceramics
• Granular materials
• Metals
• Polymers and organics
• Semiconductors
Complex Fluids
• Colloids
Fundamental Physics • Liquid crystals
• Foams
• Space optical/atomic clocks
• Gels
• Quantum test of equivalence
• Granular ows
principle
• Cold atom physics
• Critical point phenomena
• usty plasmas
Figure 2. The six research areas for the Physical Sciences Research Program.
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NASA’s Physical Sciences Research Program benefts from collaborations with
several international partners – Canadian Space Agency (CSA), European Space
Agency (ESA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Roscosmos
State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos) – and foreign nations with
space programs, such as France, Germany, and Italy. Additional partnerships have
been formed within NASA, such as with the Space Technology Mission Directorate
(STMD) and Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) division, as well as with
other U.S. Government agencies, such as the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), and with non-
government organizations such as the Center for the Advancement of Science In
Space (CASIS). Te scale of this research enterprise promises new possibilities in the
physical sciences. Some of these possibilities are already being realized in the form of
innovations for space exploration and in advances in scientifc knowledge that may
lead to new ways of improving the quality of life on Earth.
NASA’s experiments in the various disciplines of physical science reveal how
physical systems respond to the near absence of gravity. Tey also show how other
phenomena, which have limited infuence in Earth’s gravity, can dominate system
behavior in space. Examples of observations in space include boiling in which
bubbles do not rise, colloidal systems producing crystalline structures not achievable
on Earth, circular fames burning around fuel droplets, and solidifcation of metal
alloys producing a dendritic structure that is nearly uniform. Furthermore, reduced
gravity enables the probing of ultra-cold atoms for longer duration and at lower
energy compared to what is possible on Earth.
Physical science data and reports from completed ISS experiments are being
loaded into the PSI system. Tis system is a web-based online informatics system
containing science data from completed physical science reduced-gravity fight
experiments conducted on the ISS, Space Shuttle fights, or Free Flyers, and from
related ground-based studies. Tis informatics library is designed to be a research
tool that allows investigators to expand upon the valuable research performed
on reduced-gravity platforms to advance science in accordance with the open
science research method. Te PSI website is open to the general public to use in
their research and further their knowledge. Tis database provides an opportunity
to accelerate progress from ideas to research to products while also leading to
advancements in fundamental research.
9

SCi•i-.tt ROIHlCh
Communitiot
Applications for Industry and
Go..,.mment
,_.,..
Outcomes:
❖ Global access to cutting-edge research data
❖ F....l ll'U'M)VtiUon
disc:owry lti~ing to li-.t...lMd tc:onomlc: ~rowth
❖ Accelerallon from Ideas lo reitarch to products
❖ Enhanc:4m•nt and ..,.llflubon of numtrle:111
and analytical moo.11
❖ Increased products, patents, and publications
❖ Advancement of fundamental research
• En.ableeicploratlon
• PionHr 1c1onuf1c
cusc:ovory
and Earth benefits
What is the Open Science
Research Method?
Federal Government data are a valuable national resource. Managing Federal
Government data to make the data open, available, discoverable, and usable to
the general public, businesses, journalists, academics, and advocates promotes
efciency and efectiveness in Government, creates economic opportunities, and
promotes scientifc discovery. As a Federal Agency, NASA is required to publicly
disclose the results of its sponsored research to generate knowledge that benefts the
nation. Furthermore, promoting the full and open sharing of data with the research
communities, private industry, academia, and the general public is a longstanding
core value of NASA. Terefore, NASA has developed an Agency plan, “NASA
Plan for Increasing Access to the Results of Scientifc Research,” which outlines a
framework for activities to increase public access to scientifc publications and digital
scientifc data resulting from NASA-funded research. Te PSI system is designed as a
tool for investigators to further science in accordance with the open science method,
while also meeting the requirements of the nation’s open data policy.
Figure 3. The Physical Sciences research program flow.
10

Te open science method that has been adopted by NASA’s Physical Sciences
Research Program brings together the community of researchers to defne an
envelope of broadly scoped experiments that are conducted and analyzed, with the
resulting data placed into the open-access PSI system. In this manner, the Physical
Sciences open science vision (Figure 3) leverages raw and analyzed data from
completed experiments to create experimental informatics libraries that support
many more investigators who are conducting microgravity-derived research,
converting what traditionally would be a single Principal Investigator (PI) research
opportunity into multiple PI research opportunities. Data generated from the new
research is loaded into the PSI, which provides mass dissemination of the new data
to numerous investigators. In addition, open science can be viewed as the principle
of providing access to the physical science data to other scientists in addition to the
investigators who originally obtained the data.
Figure 4. ESA Astronaut Alexander Gerst works on the Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS)
experiment aboard the International Space Station. (Image Credit: NASA)
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PSI Research Areas
Biophysics
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that studies the application of physics to
biological systems. Current investigations include protein crystallization, bioflms,
and amyloid fbril formation.
• Protein crystals grown in space are often larger than those grown on Earth,
as shown in Figure 5. It is theorized that the chemical conditions for optimal
crystal growth are diferent in microgravity.
• Bioflms have been found to be growing on ISS surfaces and fuid systems,
which cause biofouling, corrosion, and contamination. Studies on this subject
will provide important data for the development of materials and methods for
controlling bioflm formation to ensure environmental control systems, water
supplies, and other necessary vehicle systems function properly during long-
duration exploration missions.
• Amyloid fbril formation in proteins is widely studied because of its role in
conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease, as well as its
promise for advanced materials. Te absence of gravity allows surface tension
to provide fuid containment so that protein does not interact with solid walls.
Flow efects on protein fbrillization can therefore be studied at fuid interfaces
similar to physiological processes.
Microgravity fuid physics research will aid both respective fundamental science
and translational research, leading to results applicable to numerous biophysical
challenges encountered in space and on Earth.
Te research area of biophysics includes the following themes:
• Biological macromolecules
• Biomaterials
• Biological physics
• Fluids for biology
Figure 5. Images of human insulin crystals grown in 1-g (left) and microgravity (right). Crystals grown in microgravity are
larger and of higher resolution. (Image Credit: NASA)
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Combustion Science
Figure 6. Left: Flames on Earth in 1-g driven by convection
currents. Right: Flames in microgravity exhibiting that
convection does not occur in microgravity: the hot wax from
the candle does not rise; instead, the hot gas diffuses and
burns when reaching a supply of oxygen. (Image Credit: NASA)
One of the goals of the microgravity
combustion science research program
is to improve combustion processes,
which are expected to lead to added
benefts to human health, comfort,
and safety. NASA’s combustion
science in microgravity research
focuses on efects that can be studied
in the absence of buoyancy-driven
fows caused by Earth’s gravity, as
illustrated in Figure 6. Tis fgure
shows that the familiar teardrop
shape of the fame on Earth, caused
by upward airfow, becomes spherical
in microgravity due to the absence of
this fow. Research conducted without the interference of buoyant fows can lead
to an improvement in combustion efciency that has the potential for considerable
economic and environmental impact.
Combustion science is relevant to a range of challenges for long-term human
exploration of space that involve reacting systems in reduced and low gravity. Tese
challenges include the following:
• spacecraft fre prevention, detection, and suppression
• thermal processing of regolith for oxygen and water production
• thermal processing of the Martian atmosphere for fuel and oxidizer production
• processing of waste and other organic matter for stabilization and recovery of
water, oxygen, and carbon
Substantial progress in any of these areas will be accelerated signifcantly by an active
reduced-gravity combustion research program using the open science method.
Te research area of combustion science includes the following themes:
• Spacecraft fre safety
• Droplets
• Gaseous – premixed and non-premixed
• Supercritical reacting fuids
• Solid fuels
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Complex Fluids
Complex fuids comprise a large class of soft materials including colloids, micro-
emulsions, foams, liquid crystals, and granular material. It is possible to study
these systems and gain insight into many diverse felds such as phase transitions,
nucleation and crystal growth, coarsening, glass formation, chaos, feld theory, and
much more. Furthermore, research in complex fuids provides the underpinnings
of translational research related to NASA’s exploration of planetary surfaces as well
as to terrestrial applications in industries such as pharmaceutical, chemical, plastics,
soap and detergent, electronic display, and petroleum.
Te need to conduct research in a microgravity environment is clear. Because of the
relatively large size of the basic structures, gravitational forces dominate and cause
sedimentation, convective fows, jamming, and other property gradients. Weaker
forces such as surface tension and entropic forces are completely masked on Earth.
In granular materials, stresses and yield properties are also sensitive to gravity. Figure
7 shows the efect of gravity on liquid crystal circular islands in a liquid crystal
bubble flm. Te suspended liquid crystal islands in microgravity (right), allow
the long-term, dynamic interaction of coarsening. On Earth (left image), due to
sedimentation, the liquid crystal islands collapse into a continuous medium at the
Figure 7. The dramatic effect of gravity on liquid crystal islands on a thin liquid crystal bubble film, on Earth (left) and
in microgravity (right). On Earth, all the islands (circular domains of several layers of liquid crystal) were sedimented at
the bottom of the extremely thin liquid crystal bubble film. The bubble film is about two to three layers of Smectic liquid
crystal; each layer is 3 nanometers. In microgravity, the liquid crystal islands were dispersed over the very thin liquid
crystal film. These islands coarsened into larger domains in about 20 minutes and remained dispersed throughout the
bubble film. The liquid crystal microgravity tests were conducted on the ISS as part of the Observation and Analysis of
Smectic Islands in Space experiment. (Image Credit: NASA)
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bottom of the sphere. Using the open science method, including this informatics
database, is anticipated to inspire new areas of research, enhance discovery, and
increase innovation in soft materials.
Te research area of complex fuids includes the following themes:
• Colloids
• Liquid crystals
• Foams
• Gels
• Granular fows
Fluid Physics
Te goal of the microgravity fuid physics program is to understand fuid behavior
of physical systems in space, thereby providing a foundation for predicting,
controlling, and improving a vast range of technological processes. Te absence of
buoyancy and the stronger infuence of capillary forces can have a dramatic efect
on fuid behavior, specifcally in reduced gravity. For example, capillary fows in
space can pump fuids to higher levels than those achieved on Earth. In the case
of systems where phase change heat transfer is required, it has been shown that
bubbles will not rise under pool boiling conditions in microgravity, resulting in a
change in the heat transfer rate at the surface. Consequently, these bubbles coalesce
into a large bubble, as shown in Figure 8. Te microgravity experimental data is
archived in the PSI database where it can be used to verify computational fuid
dynamics models. Tese improved models can then be used by future spacecraft
Figure 8. Left: Liquid heated to boiling point in 1-g, generating vapor bubbles that rise. Right: Liquid heated to boiling
point in microgravity, which occurs in the absence of natural convection or buoyant flows. Under these conditions,
bubbles generated at the heater coalesce into a single large bubble. (Image Credit: NASA)
15

designers to predict the performance of fuid conditions in space exploration
systems such as air revitalization, solid waste management, water recovery, thermal
control, cryogenic storage and transfer, energy conversion systems, and liquid
propulsion systems.
Te research area of fuid physics includes the following themes:
• Adiabatic two-phase fow
• Boiling and condensation
• Capillary fow
• Interfacial phenomena
• Cryogenics storage and handling
Fundamental Physics
Te microgravity environment of space ofers a unique experimental environment
that enables high-precision measurements of fundamental physics in felds such
as thermophysical measurements, atomic physics, and relativistic physics. Tis
research is signifcant: it seeks to reveal the principles that govern the behavior of
the physical world.
Figure 9. This series of graphs shows the changing density of a cloud of rubidium atoms as it is cooled to lower and
lower temperatures (going from left to right) approaching absolute zero. The emergence of a sharp peak in the later
graphs confirms the formation of a Bose-Einstein condensate – a fifth state of matter – occurring here at a temperature
of 130 nanoKelvin (0.00000013 Kelvin) above absolute zero. The color shows density variations. Blue valleys represent
the lowest density; red pointed peaks represent the highest density. Red signifies condensation of particles into the
ground state; i.e., the lowest possible energy state. These tests were conducted on the ISS in the Cold Atom Lab.
(Image Credit: NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech)
16

Te microgravity environment also leads to new measurement regimes that are
not accessible on the ground. Examples include studies of ultra-cold atoms, dusty
plasma, and critical phenomena. Furthermore, large gravitational potential variation,
velocity, and spatial extent boost the science sensitivity enormously and provide
access to particular physical efects. Figure 9 illustrates the formation of a Bose-
Einstein condensate in space. On Earth, the condensate can only be observed for a
very short time before it falls to the bottom of the experiment chamber. In space,
these condensates can achieve lower temperatures and be observed much longer.
Te research area of fundamental physics includes the following themes:
• Space optical/atomic clocks
• Quantum test of equivalence principle
• Cold atom physics
• Critical point phenomena
• Dusty plasmas
Materials Science
Te goal of the microgravity materials science program is to improve the
understanding of materials properties that will enable the development of higher-
performing materials and processes for use both in space and on Earth. Te
program takes advantage of the unique features of the microgravity environment,
Figure 10. Left: Alloy solidified in 1-g reveals dendrite clustering from gravity-induced convection. Right: Alloy solidified
in microgravity reveals a uniform dendrite network that is diffusion controlled, unlike the dendrites on the left where the
effect of Earth’s gravity induces convective and buoyancy effects. (Image Credit: NASA)
17

where gravity-driven phenomena such as sedimentation and thermosolutal
convection are nearly negligible. Figure 10 shows the microstructure of an
aluminum alloy grown on Earth and in microgravity. On Earth, natural convection
leads to clustering of dendrites, whereas in microgravity, in the absence of buoyant
fow, the dendritic structure is nearly uniform.
Major types of research that can be investigated include solidifcation efects
and the resulting morphology, as well as accurate and precise measurement of
thermophysical property data. Tese data can be used to develop computational
models. Te ability to predict microstructures accurately is a promising
computational tool for advancing materials science and manufacturing. Using open
science will create new opportunities to develop materials experiments and will
make it easier for researchers in the government, industry, and academia to share
information with the scientifc community.
Te research area of materials science includes the following themes:
• Glasses and ceramics
• Granular materials
• Metals
• Polymers and organics
• Semiconductors
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How the PSI System Works
Te PSI system contains publicly accessible science data from completed physical
science reduced-gravity experiments from the six previously described disciplines:
Biophysics, Combustion Science, Complex Fluids, Fluid Physics, Fundamental
Physics, and Materials Science. Tese experiments were conducted on the ISS,
Space Shuttle fights, and Free Flyers, or as part of related ground-based studies
using drop towers or aircraft. Information from new investigations is added to the
PSI system as it becomes available. Tis information consists of raw and analyzed
data, science requirements, experiment design and engineering data (including
applicable drawings), analytical or numerical models, publications, reports, patents,
and commercial products developed because of the research. In addition to data in
a textual or numerical format, for many of these experiments, large portions of both
raw and analyzed data include digital images and videos.
Te PSI system resides on the Athena software platform. Tis platform provides the
capability for data visualization, advanced search, simultaneous views of multiple
panels, interactive plots, ad hoc reporting capabilities, collaboration, and data
sharing. Te PSI system has multiple avenues for data entry and extraction. Data
entry is available through a web interface that supports both single item and bulk
data loading.
Te PSI system contains a variety of information on the hardware, as well as both
raw and analyzed data for each investigation. Links to papers and publications are
also included in the database, which can be searched multiple ways. In addition
to data search, the PSI system also allows the user to generate reports and send
messages to the researcher who generated the data. Te PSI system has a vast
number of users across universities, industries, NASA and its support contractors,
other government agencies and their support contractors, and international agencies
as well as industries. To learn about PSI and the specifc experiments that are
available, navigate to the PSI website at https://psi.nasa.gov. Te PSI screens and
navigation described in this guide are subject to change as the system is refned over
time. For the most current navigation guidance, please refer to the PSI system.
19

Using the PSI System
Tis section contains a step-by-step guide on accessing the PSI system and navigating
experiment data. When frst accessing the PSI website (http://psi.nasa.gov), general
navigation is provided through a series of buttons along the top on a horizontal
navigation bar, as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11. PSI website navigation bar.
High-level information about experiments in PSI and information about any new
or ongoing events related to NASA Research Announcement (NRA) activities
relevant to using PSI are provided on the PSI landing page. Te lists of Investigations
available in PSI are also provided and organized by research area. To review the lists
of experiments where all the available data have been loaded into the system, hover
over the Investigations button and then click on the desired research area from the
dropdown list. Tis button is highlighted inside the yellow rectangle in Figure 12.
Ml.It.~ ...... ---- c.--~~
.._,,_,__-.....
----
----
Figure 12. Highlighting Investigations, Awarded Research, and Register buttons on the navigation bar as well as the
registration form submission button at the end of the form.
20

Trough a series of NRAs, NASA has awarded research grants for the scientifc
community to use the data available in PSI and to propose new scientifc research.
Te most current list of PSI-related research grants can be viewed by clicking
the Awarded Research button. Tis button is also highlighted inside the yellow
rectangle in Figure 12.
To request access to the PSI system from the PSI website, click on the Register
button, fll out the application form, read and accept the usage agreement, and click
the Send button to submit the request. Te Register button and the Send button
on the request form are both highlighted with red ovals in Figure 12. A notifcation
email will be sent to the email address provided in the request form when the
account has been provisioned, typically within 24 hours of submission. Te email
will contain user credentials for accessing the system.
Once the user account has been provided, sign in to PSI from https://psi.nasa.gov
by hovering over the Sign In button, select Sign In from the dropdown list as
highlighted with a red oval in Figure 13, and sign in to the system with the
credentials provided in the account notifcation email.
Phjsical SciBncBs Informatics svstBm
Homa About v rnvest:lgatlons v Awarded Rasean;h
Login Help
Figure 13. Sign In to PSI from the public website https://psi.nasa.gov.
Inside the PSI application, general navigation takes place through a series of buttons
along the top on a horizontal navigation bar. Te buttons are highlighted with a red
rectangle in Figure 14.
Figure 14. PSI system navigation bar.
21

Te buttons on the top navigation provide lists of data in the appropriate category.
Te lists are sorted alphabetically. Filters can be applied to refne the list being
returned. Clicking on the Research Areas button (highlighted with a yellow oval in
Figure 14) returns an alphabetical list of the research areas in the RECORD NAME
column as well as links to lists of the investigations in that particular research area
in the ASSOCIATED CATEGORIES column, as highlighted with a red oval in
Figure 15. Troughout the PSI system, items appearing in blue bolded text are
clickable. Clicking on one of these items opens a new window, or panel, with the
details about that particular item.
Note: Throughout this guide, the
term “panel” is used to describe
the PSI screens that are provided
in Figures to explain navigating
through the system.
c
c
-
c
-
c
-
c
-
.,__
Figure 15. Investigation lists organized by research area.
Clicking on one of the Investigations links in the ASSOCIATED CATEGORIES
column, as shown in Figure 15, returns a list of alphabetically sorted Investigations
in that particular research area. Links to associated categories of data are also
available for that investigation. Tese data categories include experiment data,
facilities, researchers, presentations, publications, and reports. Tis overview panel
gives the user one-click access to each of these data categories. For the purpose
of this guide, the investigations associated with the Combustion Science research
area were selected, as highlighted with a green rectangle in this fgure. Clicking on
Investigations in the Associated Categories column for Combustion Science opens
a new window with the Combustion Science investigations listed in alphabetical
order, as shown in Figure 16.
-
_.,._..,_._.,._ ,,~4
___ ._._ .._ _,,11,
____ ,___,_....,_
-II
_.....,_._rUf
...
--~·
--
Figure 16. Combustion Science investigations listed alphabetically with links to
associated data available in the Associated Categories columns.
Note: For the purpose of
this guide, from the list
of Combustion Science
investigations, the
Flame Extinguishment
Experiment (FLEX)
investigation was selected
from the RECORD NAME
column, as highlighted
with a green rectangle in
Figure 16.
22

Note: For the remaining fgures that feature panels, the header for the panel contains the
panel name and the footer contains the data type or category for that particular panel.
In Figure 17, the panel name is Flame Extinguishment Experiment (FLEX) and a
footer indicates that the data type is INVESTIGATIONS for this panel. Te tabs
along the top of the panel, as highlighted with a green rectangle, allow the user to
click through the diferent data sets available in that panel.
• Te General tab contains high-level, general information about the investigation,
including researchers and points of contact.
• Te Overview tab contains specifc information about the research that is being
conducted as part of the investigation as well as research applications for both
Earth and space.
• Te Data tab contains scientifc data and other investigation information. A data
organization document describes how the scientifc data are organized in the PSI
system, as highlighted with a purple oval. Te experiment data are also located
on this tab along with any science requirements documentation. Te black down
arrow, or download icon, on the far right side (highlighted with a red triangle)
indicates that the data can be downloaded. Clicking on the arrow will download
the data to the local computer.
• Te Engineering tab, Pubs Docs tab, and Comments tab on the Flame
Extinguishment Experiment (FLEX) INVESTIGATIONS panel are discussed later
in this guide, following in-depth guidance for navigating through an Experiment
Data item.
: Flame ExUngu1t,hm1ntExpenment (FLEX) X
EnilnHttng Pwbs Ooc, com,.,.,u (0)
Sc:
Jentlfc0.au, 1.ndln1onn~'don
~~ OraanlmonOoc-.i ~
l!~Jtmenc C,11t.1.
~ fll.U • ~lbntkln
f'~ - LCTP C.3fltw.1don
P'LU • R.Jflom•litr calb-;,odon
f'~Nl!P
Fl.ll...011
Opw.1tlona : FL.EX-1Tut PIM
Sdtnc:t R:e,qulrwMnts
0oc:-.i~a) : FL£X_EIR0_v4.pdf (3 ~)
PIMSJS.AMS
Aui•i.ntion C~ • Prlr,(lip;il h'IVfftiQ.tti:tr Miuogr.wiry S•rllitiH lnt•tMtiGn.31 Sp:iH S.Utitin W•bsit•
INVESTIGATIONS
Figure 17. Investigation panel highlighting the different data tabs as well as the ability to download data.
23

Te Experiment Data list contains all the experiment data associated with a
particular investigation listed in alphabetical order. Open a new panel by clicking on
one of the items in the Experiment Data list. Te panel contains specifc data and
information about that experiment. In this case, FLEX HEP was selected from the
Experiment Data listing, as highlighted with an orange parallelogram in Figure 17.
Note: The FLEX HEP EXPERIMENT DATA panel is used in Figures 18 through 26 to describe
navigating through the raw, analyzed, video and image data related to the FLEX HEP
experiment for the purpose of this guide.
Tabs across the top of the FLEX HEP EXPERIMENT DATA panel depict the
diferent categories of data that are present on the panel, as shown in Figure 18.
Te Scientifc Data and Information tab (highlighted with a red oval) contains any
associated raw and analyzed data, as well as associated videos and images. Notice
that the text on tabs may be truncated due to a character limit on the tab itself.
Te full tab text can be viewed just below the tab, as indicated in this fgure. Te
General tab contains high-level, general information about the experiment. Te
Comments tab contains an area for users to post comments and/or questions about
the experiment.
~ Gtnfl'lll Comm•ntt(O)
~ ~Dataa.l'Cl tr,fomuidon
X
FLEX HEP
Rilw 0.iiA:; Olspl•ylng 109Ncorcb.
AM!yr.ct 0,1a; Olspl.aying 153 recorcl-s-
lrMGK= Olsplaylng 097 tKonh .
Figure 18. EXPERIMENT DATA panel highlighting the Scientific Data and Information tab.
Expanding the Raw Data list by clicking on the caret (^) on the right side of the
list (highlighted with a red oval in Figure 19) and then clicking on any of the items
in the list will open yet another panel with experiment specifc raw data. In this
example, FLEX 023_24_Oct_2009_Hep_196F002 was selected from the FLEX
HEP Raw Data list and is highlighted with a green rectangle.
When the FLEX 023_24_Oct_2009_Hep_196F002 RAW ANALYZED DATA
panel opens, the familiar data tab confguration appears across the top of the panel.
24

-ID,ioa..,..,......
___
llll'l'IU,_11,..U.,_,._..._,...,._...
IU'llt.. ,-1
11.l:lltlt•°'-'--•'
I.LIi N~:nllllli.i.
liln,_M_,-....-J'191,_,..._
nLIIUJMllltlONl'INI...U
nu111.11..-..-.)wlo.•u,,•1
llll'l'U,.u.-..-J,lo,f,.1--,
l'l,C.I.NIJF.-.,-..,..,.11Jll'W'I
l,l,ltH_l'f_.-._,...J-1-,_,,....
IDOU • ,._ 2t1t ,-. mHOI
n.u~•--_tt•tJ!wl,_tttfftil
11,r11u,~
I..Ut111_1,_.,___,.,..,....._~
_,......_ a.....,,...1
,1
-
.....,..,
...
_
---
-
-~..
,-
Figure 19. EXPERIMENT DATA panel highlighting the ability to expand the Raw Data list. By clicking on the caret (^), the
Raw Data list is expanded to display the entire list with a right side scroll bar.
Te General tab contains high-level, general information about the data. Te
Comments tab contains an area for users to post comments and/or questions about
the data. On the Raw Data and Information tab, a list of raw data documents is
displayed in the Raw Data list, as shown in Figure 20. When clicked, these items
open via default programs available on the local machine. Te entire list of raw data
documents can also be downloaded to the local computer into a .zip fle by clicking
the download icon on the far right side of the panel.
: FLEX 023_24_Oct_2009_Hep_ 196F002 X
An•lyudD ... E::) Commenb(OI
RawO;a~ ,1ndlnform.1UCM1
bSNrim•n t - A..aw
O;ab : FLEX HEP
R:awDo1u
: Olsp l.3.ylnsJilfil•s..
1W002_L LLUV_C;amen
_S•tdng• ,txt ()
1KF002 _MOCA._Co1or_C;am1~
_S•n lnguxt (1 2318
)
1W002 _MOCA...
Tts:rpolnLStnings .oo {2 4K8)
196F002_R111d
Jomtttr_RH dings .t11:1(251KB)
196F002.IXI (11 6KB)
tMF002 _Ch.:Jmbe
t_~•ld l.ng,s
.o:1 (m l8)
1KF002 _Color_C.t1Mr'-S•ttings .txt 0
tK1'002_Comm•.nt1 .tx1 O
tKFOO:Z_HISMS.Co1m•ni_S•ttin9t ,b:l ()
Fl.AW
A~ALVZEO
DATA
Figure 20. Highlighting the Raw Data and Information tab on a RAW ANALYZED DATA panel.
25

Continuing with this example, in the FLEX-HEP EXPERIMENT DATA panel,
clicking on the caret (^) on the right side of the Analyzed Data list (Figure 21)
expands the list of available Analyzed Data.
---....,.._.,
,..
,
_
O.U .- _ .. .-...-..-..
,..u.,._
..~,_~
,....
-....
~~~
~~~~-..
-~~
,......
_..
....
~..;.;;,
,....
_.,.__
_______
_
, .... __ 1!1.,.
_ ___,.. __
•1.A-_1~...-......-
'Wl
_ _,,_.,._~.11- j
Figure 21. EXPERIMENT DATA panel highlighting the ability to expand the Analyzed Data list. By clicking on the caret (^),
the Analyzed Data list is expanded to display the entire list with a right side scroll bar.
When the example FLEX 023_24_Oct_2009_Hep_196F002 RAW
ANALYZED DATA panel opens, the familiar data tab confguration is displayed
across the top of the panel, as shown in Figure 22. Te General tab contains high-
level, general information about the data. Te Comments tab contains an area for
users to post comments and/or questions about the data. On the Analyzed Data
: FLEX 023_24_Oct_2009_Hep_ 196F002 X
G•n•ral AnolyzodD .•. E::) Comm •nb(OI
fbwO;,it~ ~nd lnform~tion
Exst-rim•nt
- R.awO.ata
; FLEXHEP
R.awO.au
: Olspt.aylng t ftlu .
1Hl'~_LLLUV_c.-.m..,._s. mnus,tx.t ()
1KF002 _MOC-.Color_C;ame~_S•n lngun (1 23KB)
1KF002 _MDCA_TH11oi
nLS•nl ng1,1){! (211418)
1N-F002_Rilcliomt'ttr_RHdingS ,IAl (251KB)
1KF002 ,IXI (11 6KB)
tW002 _Ch.:Jmbe
t_R'•ldlngs.b:I (m t
8)
tWOOZ. Color-
_C~mt-
r.1
. S.ttinu• .txt 0
1W002_Comnwflu .oo 0
196F002_Hl8MS _C1mtr~S•ntno1 .oo: ()
RAW ANALYZED DATA
Figure 22. Highlighting the Analyzed Data and Information tab on a RAW ANALYZED DATA panel.
26

and Information tab, a list of analyzed data documents is displayed in the Analyzed
Data list. Tese items are clickable and open via default programs available on the
local machine when clicked. Te entire list of analyzed data documents can also be
downloaded to the local computer into a .zip fle by clicking the download icon on
the far right side of the panel.
the list of available Audio/Video Files is expanded by clicking on the caret (^) on
the right side of the Audio/Video Files list, as shown in Figure 23. Carbon Dioxide
– C021H02A is highlighted with a green rectangle in this fgure and is used for
describing navigation of the videos and images within FLEX-HEP experiment.
- ,__
,.
--0-- ... t;W'
c-n...- .OIO--,C
----(.tll-Ji.l
Cl-o,,..;,.o.cN
t:_O,.,. .... N,-·
~Plo.M•Qll~
C.--0...•CN.-IO
c:.---ce,
~0-..-all--
--Olls'W•(.H .......
~0.--...,
r_,___,_,_,.,
'l::-~-1-11!1--
----
--~--
~, ....
.,_,..__
---
~--
•
Figure 23. EXPERIMENT DATA panel highlighting the ability to expand Audio/Videos Files list. By clicking on the caret
(^), the Audio/Video Files list expands to display the entire list with a right side scroll bar.
Video data is diplayed on the General tab along with high-level, general
information about the Video and Images data. Te Comments tab contains an
area for users to post comments and/or questions about the data. See Figure 24.
27

Not all browsers support video streaming. Where browser video streaming is
supported, the video is displayed on the General tab of the VIDEOS IMAGES
panel with a video control bar beneath the video. To view the video in the
browser, click the play icon on the control bar, as highlighted with a
yellow pentagon in Figure 24. Individual video fles can be downloaded by
clicking on the download button on the video control bar, as highlighted with
a blue diamond, or via the download link underneath the video window, as
highlighted with a green rectangle. If there are multiple videos, a dropdown
selection box will appear for selecting which video to play. Multiple videos may be
downloaded to a .zip fle via the download icon on the far right side.
: Carbon Dioxide - C021 H02A X
Comnwnts{OI
1n
...
ut1g.1bDn(s) ! FLEX
Unk to nsocl.1ced ln..,ntlgn lon(s) : Fb.lne Exdngulshnwnt ~m•nt (FLEX)
R.cord Accenlble by: ~
AudioMd.o Om .1ndlnfom,.1tlon
An((.i;,t,d upt'rim,ntt1} ; FLEXHfP
Vld.os :
Figure 24. Video files on the General tab of the Carbon Dioxide – C021H02A VIDEOS IMAGES panel, displaying video
streaming in the browser window. The video control bar appears at the bottom of the video window.
the list of available Images is expanded by clicking on the caret (^) on the right side
of the Images list, as shown in Figure 25.
28

..........~ ,.
__
,.
...... ~ ..1._.,
~CIMIN-·Clm~
..--c---w,_
~i:ir-.-•efl1-
r;...-.lllllor-•c.z'IIIIIK
c..-ci.-w.-cu,~
-=-o...i..e.21-
~~.cm-
'--~_,._,,i..c
c:.,.,...i:i-., .... c.11....ci

Figure 25. EXPERIMENT DATA panel highlighting the ability to expand the Images list. By clicking on the caret (^), the
Images list is expanded to display the entire list with a right side scroll bar.
By clicking on the example Image Data and Information tab, the associated image
gallery is displayed on the Carbon Dioxide – C021H02A VIDEOS IMAGES
panel, as shown in Figure 26. Clicking on an individual image opens it in a
separate window that allows users to scroll through and zoom in on the image. If
the original image fles are available, they will appear in the Original Image Files
feld (highlighted with a green parallelogram), and a .zip fle can be downloaded by
clicking on the download icon at the far right side of the panel. Te Comments tab
contains an area for users to post comments and/or questions about the videos and
images data.
~..._, ..
,.....
-------~ r~rr~r
-11 11- 11-11 - 11-11-11
-111.-
- ~~-111.~
_.,. -·11 -·11-·11 -·11-·11 -·11
....
--~Iii ' ,UXffl;Jt
~IIIIM111f1' cffl~ itl'JGM
J
, ' CIIIIIIIII
.,_
.!.
Figure 26. Image gallery on the Image Data and Information tab of the Carbon Dioxide – C021H02A VIDEOS IMAGES
panel, highlighting that images are clickable and can be expanded into an individual window for more detailed viewing.
Original high-definition image files may be available for download.
29

--
(111111'~ ~caa,--TM1....,..,...N,..._lllll~r ..... f'{:l'lf'
..... .,__~t11L'l,IH)
.....,__--......,.,.a...,.. --
.... ,. ... ,c-,_________ _
____
....,.
_______
_
--..- ... ..--1111:111,-.1!:IINl, .. DIWHI
- -,10-,.,¥_,.,.__...,._
____ _
=::.i:=--=:--
....
-;-::-,~.-;;-e- ..
--•--L
........
f._......._..,_
.....__ _
~- ..
--.,...,
·----·-·
....
...........
~_.... ..
....._...,...,._ ..
___
_,..._ ._,_,__,,, __
___
..........
~ ...
-
-1...----- ..------
==-::t:.~-===-~~~-
·
.,,.,,-.n111r-,a,._.....,...,.
__ .,__ _
_______________
......
ca.,--
--~ .......
.,
__
,.,.._c-,,,,.,~1P'I-.
,_____..~~
Continuing with the Flame Extinguishment Experiment (FLEX)
INVESTIGATIONS panel example, as originally seen in Figure 17, the remaining
tabs contain Engineering data, publications and documents (Pubs Docs), and
Comments. Te Engineering tab contains engineering documents and drawings.
Te Pubs Docs tab contains associated publications, reports, presentations, and
resulting products. As with previous navigation, the caret (^) on the right side of the
list can be clicked to expand the list of publications associated with an investigation
(Figure 27). Te Comments tab contains an area for users to post comments and/or
questions about the investigation.
Figure 27. Highlighting the publications listings associated with Flame Extinguishment Experiment (FLEX)
INVESTIGATIONS panel. The lists of associated publications can be expanded to reveal a right side scroll bar.
30

pt?
, PSI
Phvs1calSciences Informatics svstem
Hom, About...,. lnveltlg1don1 v Awardt,dRlaurcn Regl1t1r
Slgnln
L09klH1lp -
Users requiring assistance may contact the PSI team by using the information
provided at https://psi.nasa.gov by hovering over the Sign In button and then
clicking on Login Help, as shown in Figure 28. Users may also contact the PSI team
by using the information provided within the PSI system on the home page. See
Figure 29.
Figure 28. Requesting help from the PSI team. Contact information available at https://psi.nasa.gov.
Figure 29. Requesting help from the PSI team. Contact information available within the PSI system on the landing page.
31

PSI Funding Opportunities
NASA provides funding for researchers to use PSI data through an NRA. Te goals
of the PSI NRA are to: a) promote rapid, multiple investigations resulting in more
scientists participating in reduced-gravity research; b) allow new areas of research and
discovery to occur more quickly through open access; and c) accelerate the “research
to product or publication” timeline through the rapid sharing of data.
Annual calls for proposals via appendices are planned to be released every September
through the NRA process. Each appendix will include details specifc to that
particular call for proposals, including a list of investigations that are eligible for use
in developing a proposal.
Te PSI NRA solicits ground-based research proposals that present a compelling
case on how the experimental data from the PSI system will be used to promote the
advancement of further research. Proposers must show a clear path from the scientifc
data obtained from the PSI system to the proposed investigation. In addition, the
project must address an important problem in the proposed area of research and
advance scientifc knowledge or technology. Examples of possible investigations that
utilize the PSI data include:
• enhancement and verifcation of numerical and analytical models
• development or enhancement of data analysis or other informatics tools to
increase science readiness
• a new ground-based experiment or data analysis to verify phenomena observed in
the original investigation
• a new ground-based experiment or data analysis that expands upon the results
from the original investigation
• a new ground-based experiment or data analysis that is not directly linked with
the science objectives from the original investigation
To view the list of prior selected proposals from the PSI NRA, visit the Awarded
Research section of the PSI website at https://psi.nasa.gov/research.html. For
information on the availability of funds and duration of awards for each appendix,
check the detailed information provided for the PSI NRA on the NASA Solicitation
and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) website at
https://nspires.nasaprs.com. To receive notifcation of future PSI solicitations,
create an NSPIRES account and subscribe to the HEOMD solicitations mailing
list as part of your account preferences. To fnd additional information on past
and present research sponsored by the Physical Sciences Research Program, visit
Space Life Physical Sciences Research and Applications Division Task Book at:
https://taskbook.nasaprs.com.
32

Acronyms
3-D three-dimensional
AES Advanced Exploration Systems
CASIS Center for the Advancement of Science In Space
CFE-2 Capillary Flow Experiment - 2
FLEX Flame Extinguishment Experiment
HEOMD Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate
ICF Interior Corner Flow
ISS International Space Station
MICS Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
NRA NASA Research Announcement
NRC National Research Council
NSF National Science Foundation
NSPIRES NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System
PI Principal Investigator
PSI Physical Sciences Informatics
SLPSRA Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications
STMD Space Technology Mission Directorate
TRL Technology Readiness Level
33

The Complete ISS Researcher’s
Guide Series
1. Acceleration Environment
2. Cellular Biology
3. Combustion Science
4. Earth Observations
5. Fluid Physics
6. Fruit Fly Research
7. Fundamental Physics
8. Human Research
9. Macromolecular Crystal Growth
10. Microbial Research
11. Microgravity Materials Research
12. Plant Science
13. Rodent Research
14. Space Environmental Effects
15. Technology Demonstration
16. GeneLab
17. Physical Sciences Informatics System
34
34

For more information...
Space Station Science
https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science
Station Facilities
https://www.nasa.gov/stationfacilities
Station Reference Guide: Utilization Edition
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/fles/atoms/fles/np-
2015-05-022-jsc-iss-guide-2015-update-111015-508c.pdf
Station Opportunities for Researchers
https://www.nasa.gov/stationopportunities
35
35

36
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Johnson Space Center
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson
www.nasa.gov
NP-2018-08-018-JSC

NASA A Researcher’s Guide to International Space Station : Physical Sciences Informatics System

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