Filipino student’s ‘zero-gravity’ experiment performed on International Space Station

By Gabriela Baron

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Astronaut Dr. Koichi Wakata performs William Kevin Abran’s Asian Try Zero G experiment proposal on the Japanese Experimental Module, “Kibo,” aboard the International Space Station on Jan. 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of JAXA/NASA)

A “zero-gravity” experiment by a University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) student has been performed on the International Space Station (ISS), according to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

ISS astronaut Dr. Koichi Wakata performed William Kevin Abran’s proposal on the behavior of rotating dumbbell-shaped objects in space.

“Maayos naman po ‘yung naging conduct ng experiment. Tama naman po yung inaasahan namin na mangyayari sa mga object na inobserve. Tinest po namin kung magiging stable po yung rotation ng mga object na ito [dumbbell shapes] sa space,” Abran said.

“Tinest po namin ito dahil may mga ilang hugis po ng bagay na kapag pinaikot sa space, bigla po silang bumabaliktad ng ikot nang hindi hinahawakan. Pero napakita po namin na stable naman po yung pag ikot ng dumbbell shapes na ito,” he added.

According to Abran, the study he made was just “simple,” but PhilSA hopes that his experiment would help in the designs of spacecraft.

Abran said he felt “honored” to have his experiment conducted by Koichi and was “satisfied” by the result.

“Hopefully, this initiative inspires more students to continue doing research and be curious about the world around us,” he added.

PhilSA said a scientific paper discussing the results of the experiment will also be published.

Abran’s experiment was among the six experiments, from over 200 submissions across the globe, chosen to be conducted on the ISS. -ag

Popular

Taal Lake site assessment yields sack containing ‘bones’ — DOJ

By Brian Campued The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that authorities retrieved a sack containing burned remains believed to be human bones during the initial...

LTO integrates online driver’s license renewal system in eGovPH app

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has integrated the online driver’s license renewal in the eGovPH app, which ensures a fast and...

5 of 21 Filipinos in Houthi-hit ship in Red Sea rescued — DFA

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora and Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency Five of the 21 Filipino seafarers manning the cargo vessel Eternity C, which...

PBBM directs gov’t officials: Focus on work, avoid politicking

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet At the Malacañang press briefing this Wednesday, July 9, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press officer Claire Castro reiterated...