NASA astronauts conduct fire safety experiments aboard ISS

Biotechnology and fire safety top the schedule

NASA has reported that Expedition 73 crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) conducted experiments on Tuesday focusing on fire safety in microgravity and DNA-inspired nanomaterials, alongside routine station maintenance.

NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers conducted operations using the Life Sciences Glovebox as part of the DNA Nano Therapeutics Mission 2.

This mission explores how specially designed molecules formed by DNA-like nanomaterials might support therapeutic delivery systems.

The pair mixed mRNA and protein solutions to test production methods and formulation processes that could be used for low-cost in-space manufacture.

These materials may also help develop delivery systems that reduce patient side effects.

Ayers also connected a spectrophotometer to measure light wavelengths in further support of the nanomaterials investigation.

Throughout the day, she also performed battery checks on the Astrobees, cube-shaped free-flying robots that assist with logistics and technical testing on board the ISS.

These robots support crew efficiency by performing routine tasks and enhancing communication with ground control.

Investigating flame suppression in microgravity

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim worked with fire-related experiments in the station’s combustion research area.

He installed mist hardware for the Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) experiment.

This system is designed to study flame extinguishment behaviour in space.

Kim also worked with the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR), which facilitates detailed research into how fire starts, behaves and can be suppressed in microgravity conditions.

The experiments are part of NASA’s broader effort to refine safety protocols for current and future missions.

Understanding fire behaviour without gravity is essential for the design of effective safety systems on crewed spacecraft.

Fire experiments and maintenance in the Japanese module

Station Commander Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) carried out fire safety and maintenance tasks in the Japanese Experiment Module.

Onishi managed the Solid Combustion Experiment Module (SCEM), where he exchanged gas bottles and performed leak checks using the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack.

These tasks help support ongoing research into how materials burn and how fires might be detected and controlled on long-duration missions.

He also worked on installing recycled water tanks and configuring drainage systems as part of essential onboard plumbing updates.

Russian crew members focus on station systems

Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritskiy and Kirill Peskov completed maintenance tasks across the Russian segment of the station.

Zubritskiy unloaded supplies, replaced thermal sensors and checked the installation position of a flow sensor.

Peskov performed an audit of ethernet cables and made adjustments to the intermodular ventilation system connecting the Russian and U.S. segments of the ISS.

These infrastructure checks and upgrades support reliable operation across different modules and maintain system integrity on the orbiting platform.

NASA astronauts conduct fire safety experiments aboard ISS: Summary

NASA has reported that Expedition 73 astronauts conducted a series of biotechnology and fire safety experiments aboard the International Space Station.

Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers worked with DNA-based nanomaterials to assess space-based therapeutic production and delivery methods.

Ayers also performed spectrophotometer readings and supported robotic maintenance tasks.

Jonny Kim carried out fire suppression research using SoFIE mist hardware and combustion analysis tools.

Station Commander Takuya Onishi worked with combustion experiments in the Japanese module and performed system maintenance.

Russian cosmonauts focused on ventilation systems, thermal sensor replacements and hardware audits.

The experiments contribute to a better understanding of fire behaviour and response strategies in microgravity.