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Several small life sciences research modules were designed to accommodate both scientific research and K-12 educational objectives on the same spaceflight mission. The K-12 educational objectives are accomplished by participating students around the globe and complimented by ground experiments conducted in their own classrooms. The spaceflight research is analyzed by students through image analysis of downlinked video and still images. The science objectives of the mission often require sample return for more detailed sample analysis on ground. Integration of new modules as part of a CGBA Science Insert (CSI) into the CGBA incubator is facilitated through standardized interfaces. Engineering challenges, trades and system architecture designs are presented for the CGBA Incubator and the CSI life sciences habitats currently on board of ISS.

BioServe Space Technologies has developed and flown a series of miniature habitats to house several different biological specimens and one biochemical experiment. This effort was in support of an educational program, Space Technology and Research Students (STARS), developed by SPACEHAB Inc. The STARS program gives students from around the world a chance to design and conduct their own spaceflight experiments. STARS-Bootes, the payload flown on STS-107, housed a Japanese Medaka fish experiment; a Chinese silkworm experiment; an American Harvester ant experiment; a Carpenter bee experiment from Liechtenstein, an Australian Orb Weaver spider experiment; and a biochemical crystal growth experiment from Israel. Each habitat was custom designed to suit each specimen's individual needs. The habitats provided passive humidity control, lighting, feeding areas, and containment as well as an artificial environment for the specimens to be observed in.

This paper describes the development and ground-test results of three passively controlled life support systems for experiments currently onboard ISS, and scheduled for flight on STS-107 as part of the Space Media Inc. (SMI) Science and Technology Research Student (STARS®) global education program. Two experiments use the Autonomous Biological System (ABS) technology, which has been tested during two 4-month Mir experiments. One ABS will house embryos and fry of the Japanese Medaka Fish, Oryzias latipes, A second ABS contains a complex ecosystem experiment. The third system uses a passive life support system based on agar gel for the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex occidentalis. Thermal control, lighting and still and streaming digital imaging during the experiments are provided by the Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus - Isothermal Containment Module (GBA-ICM).

BioServe Space Technologies is developing a set of habitats which will support various biological specimens and one biochemical experiment. The habitats are being developed to support a spaceflight educational payload called Space Technology and Research Students (STARS). The STARS program entrusts high school students with the development and design of their own spaceflight experiments. Experiments are solicited from various countries and primarily focus on the life sciences. Once selected, all experiments must be accommodated within one middeck locker sized payload, the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus.