Weighing up their options: load cells in microgravity
If you’ve even been on a business trip that went on longer than expected, spare a thought for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They are the two astronauts who docked at the International Space Station (ISS) in their Boeing Starliner capsule for what was initially planned as an eight-day mission. Three months on, their empty (and possibly faulty) capsule returned to earth this week, leaving the two astronauts behind on the ISS.
Luckily, both astronauts have been there before; with Ms William remarking to Sky News: “This is my happy place. I love being up here in space.” Indeed, Ms Williams, an experienced NASA astronaut and retired Navy captain, will soon take over as station commander. The plan is for them to hitch a ride back home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft – in 2025.
However, their unexpected extended stay does involve logistical issues such as ensuring there are sufficient supplies, the lack of personal space, and the lack of clean clothing, as:
“Mr Wilmore and Ms Williams, (who) were forced to ditch their personal suitcases before taking off in June to make room for extra equipment, meaning they’ve had to wear spare clothes that were already at the ISS upon arrival.”
The one issue they won’t have to worry about is an increase in the weight of the station, being a microgravity environment. Which led us to the burning question that any load cell company would ask; how do you weigh something in space?
Mass not weight
The answer is; you don’t. Instead you use mass. A short video by NASA explains how:
“In space, astronauts use the Mass Measurement Device (MMD), which applies a known acceleration to the sample and measures the resulting force. The MMD can measure between 1-100 grams and has an accuracy of 0.1 grams.”
Other mass measurement devices on the ISS can measure the mass of an astronaut, an important indicator of health.
Load cells and space rockets, landers and more
In our various articles over the years, we’ve charted the extensive use of load cells to weigh rockets, measure forces and generally make themselves useful at NASA!
Touchdown: lunar landings and load cells
With multiple lunar landing attempts in the past year or two, why do many crash or malfunction? We look at the challenges of landing on the moon’s surface.
Splashdown! Artemis 1 Orion capsule returns safely to Earth
As the Orion capsule from the Artemis 1 mission returns to earth, we take a look at the role load cells played in this and other NASA space missions.
Load cells and space rockets: we finally have lift-off!
After no less than three aborted take-off attempts, NASA’s Artemis 1 Space Launch System finally lifted off from Florida. We look at the role load cells have played in this amazing return to space exploration almost 50 years since the last lunar mission, Apollo 17.
Load cells and NASA: a match made in heaven
There are some jobs involving load cells that make us, frankly, green with envy, and often it’s NASA projects that tops our ‘envy-list!’
Is there life on Mars? Load cells help find the answers
Since it launched in July 2020, the Mars Perseverance Rover has travelled 293 million miles across space, finally touching down in the Jerezo Crater.
Test your next product with our load cells
Our load cells can test everything from rockets to road tyres. If you need to test your product, contact us to discus your requirements:
