CLEVELAND —From launch to splashdown, Artemis II captured the world’s attention, igniting interest in space across the globe.
What You Need To Know
IVGen Mini was created at NASA Glenn Research Center
The device is designed to create intravenous (IV) fluids in space
If NASA could rely on the machine to supply IV fluids to astronauts, it would make long-duration space travel safer
The next Artemis mission won’t happen until late next year, but there’s still a lot happening in space aboard the International Space Station.
In April, Mission Control Houston was a flurry of activity.
“The team is ready and prepared for the upcoming arrival of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus 24 cargo spacecraft with over 11,000 pounds of science, investigations, hardware and cargo for the crew aboard the International Space Station,” NASA Communications Specialist Sandra Jones, said during a NASA livestream.
In the cargo spacecraft, a NASA Glenn Research Center design: IVGen Mini.
The device is created for intravenous (IV) fluids in space. NASA Glenn Research Center Engineering Project Manager Courtney Schkurko led the IVGen Mini team through years of development.
“Just taking it to space is a pretty phenomenal achievement,” Schkurko said.
IV fluids treat approximately 30% of medical conditions that could happen on the International Space Station, according to Schkurko.
“If you’re dehydrated, maybe you get food poisoning,” Schkurko said. “Maybe you’ve overexerted yourself. The crew could potentially be given IV fluids in a situation like that.”
During its time aboard the International Space Station, Schkurko hopes IVGen Mini will produce 10 bags of saline, or IV fluid.
“We flow the fluid and filter it through our device,” Schkurko said. “It removes endotoxins, particulates to make medical sterile-grade fluid. And then we mix that with a solid salt and create 0.9% concentrated saline.”
If NASA could rely on the machine to supply IV fluids to astronauts, it would make long-duration space travel safer.
“IVGEN Mini is largely intended for space flight and long-duration exploration missions where we don’t have frequent resupply, where we don’t have the ability to just send up more IV fluid, quickly, or bring home crew quickly, like we do with the International Space Station,” Schkurko said.
The device could be integral to future NASA missions as the agency works to establish a lunar base and a presence on Mars.