Science Research and Education Modules for the CGBA Spaceflight Incubator

Several small life sciences research modules were designed to accommodate both scientific research and K-12 educational objectives on the same spaceflight mission. The K-12 educational objectives are accomplished by participating students around the globe and complimented by ground experiments conducted in their own classrooms. The spaceflight research is analyzed by students through image analysis of downlinked video and still images. The science objectives of the mission often require sample return for more detailed sample analysis on ground. Integration of new modules as part of a CGBA Science Insert (CSI) into the CGBA incubator is facilitated through standardized interfaces. Engineering challenges, trades and system architecture designs are presented for the CGBA Incubator and the CSI life sciences habitats currently on board of ISS.