Building on 20 years of plant research in both suborbital and orbital environments, researchers are working to refine a biological imaging system for exploration science. The goal: to enable autonomous, high-resolution image data collection for a variety of biological payloads during transitions in gravity levels. The current hardware, while flight proven, lacks autofocus and modern resolution. Improvements will address these shortcomings and also examine new biological sensors for the imager.

Problem Statement
This flight-proven imaging concept and hardware system fills the need for state-of-the-art images that characterize biological responses to changes in gravity levels during spaceflight. The suborbital flights are designed to provide context to similar deep space imaging systems. This experiment will conduct camera comparisons and a flight test of camera power and control based on triggering from capsule flight data. It is expected to enable finalizing of flight design, operations, and documentation.

Technology Maturation
The camera and support hardware for the imaging system is designed to autonomously provide high-resolution fluorescent images of any biological specimen on a Petri plate during all phases of suborbital flight. This would facilitate the collection of morphometric, gene expression, and biochemical responses through fluorescent biosensors. The test flights will enable high-fidelity testing of the camera’s systems to inform development for cislunar applications.

This technology is designed to be sufficiently robust and detailed to collect morphometric, gene expression, and biochemical responses through images of any biological specimen at all phases of suborbital flight. This would benefit future NASA missions, the commercial space industry, and other government agencies.

Future Customers
• Government, academic, and commercial biological research
• Biological studies to understand orbital and beyond low-Earth orbit environments