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Automation		Laboratory Research Equipment
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Laboratory Animal Care Equipment

ORSEP

ORSEP is a multi-sample, multi-step device that separates non-biological particles, biological cells and particles, macromolecular assemblies, and organelles in low gravity based on their surface properties using a process known as counter current phase partitioning.

Such separations cannot be carried to equilibrium on Earth because sedimentation influences the separation before partitioning equilibrium can be established. Equilibrium separations produce subpopulations with nearly identical surface properties rather than with some contamination of surface and density that is the case with Earth-based users.

Four particle samples were processed on STS-57 in ORSEP. The hardware was used to study the separation of organic materials from unwanted impurities. When making any type of drug or any material to be used for medical purposes, purity is an extremely important characteristic to the ultimate usefulness of the product. Enhanced purity will enable smaller quantities of drugs to be used, with reduced chances of unwanted side effects. When certain fluids containing pharmaceuticals are mixed in space, the two fluids will separate, much like oil and water. During this process, impurities will often separate out and be located in the boundary between the two fluids. They then may be removed, leaving the ultra-pure desired products.

Samples processed on STS-60 included growth hormone vesicles along with inert particles for equilibration and diagnostics. Also on STS-60, a new use as a low-gravity cell culturing facility was demonstrated. The ability of ORSEP to mix a culture medium with various activators and fixture agents in a controlled manner offered several unique advantages over other contemporary flight-qualified cell culturing hardware.

The modular ORSEP design can be configured for use with the shuttle middeck, Spacelab, Get Away Special canisters, the SPACEHAB Space Research Laboratory module, sounding rockets and parabolic flight aircraft. For STS-57 and STS-60, it was located in a standard sized locker in the SPACEHAB module.

ORSEP is capable of fully-automated operations, but it relies on crew interaction to maximize its results. A digital display and interaction controls allow the crew to monitor and control the temperature of the experiment. The crew can also control both the initiation and operation of the four experiments which provide for potential variations in mission operations.

ORSEP was developed in partnership with the Consortium for Materials Development in Space based at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.