Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images
Experiment/Payload OverviewThe Space Experiment Module (SEM) introduces students to the concept of performing space based research on ISS. SEM provides students with the opportunity to conduct their own research on the effects of microgravity, radiation and space flight on various materials.
Principal InvestigatorNo Information Available
Payload DeveloperGoddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Sponsoring AgencyNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Expeditions Assigned|10|11|13|14|
Previous ISS MissionsSEM has a long history of space flight. It has flown on 11 Space Shuttles, including STS-107 (Columbia), which was lost in 2003 and ISS Expeditions 10-11 and 13.
The Space Experiment Module (SEM) provides high school students with an opportunity to conduct research on the effects of microgravity, radiation, and space flight on various materials. Research objectives for each experiment are determined by students but generally include hypotheses on changes in selected materials due to the space environment. This is achieved by providing students space capsules that contain passive test articles for flight. These capsules are clear, sealable polycarbonate vials, 1 inch in diameter and 3 inches in depth. The vials are packed in satchels (20 per satchel) that contain special formed foam layers for flight.
Students select the items that will be contained inside the vials. Some of the items include seeds, such as corn, watermelon, cucumber, beans, peas, and several other vegetables. Additional items include materials, such as wool, Kevlar, silk, ultraviolet beads, chicken bones, copper, plastic, dextrose, yeast, over-the-counter medications, human hair, mineral samples, light bulbs, and brine shrimp eggs. Many students will test for seed growth after microgravity exposure; other students will test how materials protect against radiation exposure and survival rates of microscopic life forms.
SEM introduces the concept of space-based scientific experiments to the next generation.
Earth ApplicationsEleven schools are running experiments on the first Space Experiment Module (SEM) satchel flight. The experiments are contained in clear polycarbonate vials. These vials are also flown in passive (no power required) SEM experiment modules. Students create their own experiments, and consider such variables as space radiation, microgravity and launch environment. SEM is educating and inspiring the next generation to take the journey.
On orbit the satchels are placed in passive stowage on the ISS for one stage. At some point during the stage, a crew member will remove the satchels and - using a video camera - will take videos of the experiment capsules and describe their contents and student interests. These videos will be down-linked to the ground for use by the students in their analysis.
Operational ProtocolsSEM will not require any crew interaction.
Eleven schools and 300 students developed experiments for SEM Satchel 001. The satchel was launched during ISS Expedition 10 in December 2004 and returned to Earth on space shuttle Discovery (STS-114) in August 2005. The sample vials will be returned to the students for analysis.