PromISS-3

PromISS-3 operations

PromISS-3 is a Belgian experiment in the International Space Station (ISS) (launched with the Progress 13P on 29th January 2004). Its main scientific objective is to improve the understanding of protein crystal growth processes on protein models.

Responsible scientists are Ingrid Zegers (VUB) for the science and Frank Dubois (ULB) for the hardware.

The B-USOC is the European responsible center for operations in coordination with ESA. This means that the Center is responsible for the science follow-on and any routine matter arising from operations.

Image of protein cells (TIM) in PromISS reactor 1 on February 9.
Click image for better quality.

At ESA responsibles are Mr. Reinhold Ewald (Operation Manager), L. De Parolis/A. Schuette (Integration) and E. Istasse (Science). NASA supports the mission via the Telescience Support Center (TSC), which forms the direct link between the ground communications network and the ISS.

The operations of the Promiss-3 experiment in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) is continuous throughout 30 days. Astronaut Michael Foale is the one to work on it. The samples are transferred from the Progress to the MSG 26,30 hours after the end of the docking phase.

PromISS-3 during Installation. Click image for better quality. Credits NASA.

View of PromISS wheel with cells. Click image for better quality. Credits NASA.

At the end of the required period, the samples will be installed in the return container, which will be moved to the Russian Module for insertion into the Aquarius B Incubator. The return container will be brought down back to Earth with the Soyuz 7S by ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers during the Dutch Soyuz Mission in April 2004.

Timeline for the PromISS-3 experiment

PromISS-3 Proteins under investigation

More details on PromISS-3 (.pdf, 309kB)

 

Timeline for the PromISS-3 experiment:

• 28/01 23:00 GMT: Baikonur Cosmodrome: hand-over of the samples 12 hours prior to the PROGRESS 13P launch
• 29/01 around 11:00 GMT: Baikonur Cosmodrome, PROGRESS 13P launch
• 30/01 13.30 GMT: Michael Foale installs Promiss-3 hardware in MSG
• 31/01 13:00 GMT: PROGRESS 13P docking to ISS
• 01/02 15:30 GMT: PROMISS 3 experiment activation into the Microgravity Science Glovebox
• Check news archive 2004

Taking into account the Daylight Saving Time, please find the actual GMT-related time at the relevant locations:

Huntsville, USA : GMT -6h
ESTEC, The Netherlands : GMT + 1h
B-USOC, Brussels : GMT + 1h
Moscow, Russia : GMT +3h
Baikonur, Kazakstan : GMT + 5h

PromISS-3 Proteins under investigation

• Ferritins are iron storage proteins found in all living things from plants to bacteria and animals.
• Apoferritin is the iron depleted form of ferritin,
• Lysozyme protects us from the ever-present danger of bacterial infection. It is a small enzyme that attacks the protective cell walls of bacteria.
• Lumazine synthase is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of riboflavin
• Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM): The clinical syndrome of triosephosphate deficiency is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by hemolytic anemia and neuromuscular disease.