Space Qualified Hardware
Description: The LMA is a manually operated system used to mix samples of two or three liquids in microgravity at pre-determined times in the mission timeline. Each vial nominally contains up to 5 milliliters of experiment materials in two or three separate chambers. These materials can be combined in various volumetric proportions and at different mixing rates.
An LMA vial consists of a transparent tube (usually a polycarbonate) containing pistons and valves. The liquids (and solids) are in two or three compartments, depending on the experiment needs. Typically, four vials are contained in a lightweight tray.
The operation of the LMA is as follows: At a specified point in the timeline, the astronaut gains access to the trays holding sets of vials that have been pre-loaded in ground-based laboratories. The push-rod is activated in each vial to permit the liquid to pass from one chamber into another chamber. If 3-fluid vials are used, this procedure is repeated at a later point in the timeline to mix the remaining fluid in those vials.
The LMA is flight qualified and has been used successfully in three missions of the Space Shuttle. The LMA provides three levels of containment. In these flights, the LMA trays were housed in the CRIM, a temperature controlled enclosure within the mid-deck locker. Experiments conducted in the LMA have included:
An advanced version of the LMA will provide automated operations.
Photograph of Bence-Jones protein crystals from a human cancer patient grown on STS-80 in ITA's Liquids Mixing Apparatus (LMA). These crystals may provide key data in the development of selective drug therapy delivery.
photo: A. Edmundson and C. Manion (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)
Dimensions: 7.1 cm x 20.3 cm x 2.4 cm
Volume: 346 cubic cm
Weight: 156 grams
Power: none (astronaut activated)
Data Yield: Standard Vial of 4 trays: 4 samples per tray / Tray with capillaries: 16 samples per tray
Typical Shuttle (piggyback) payload: - 6 trays (24 vials)
Flight history: CMIX-3 P/L (STS-67), CMIX-4 P/L (STS-69), CMIX-5 P/L (STS-80)
ITA continues to adapt its equipment and develop new hardware based upon customer requirements and needs.
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