A new study has adapted an archaeological strategy for space to reveal how astronauts actually use areas aboard the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting differences from their intended uses.
The findings, presented by Justin Walsh of Chapman University, California, and colleagues, were published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on August 7, 2024.
Over more than two decades, the ISS has hosted over 270 people from 23 countries. While interviews with crew members provide insights into how they adapt to the unique environment of isolation, confinement, and microgravity, they may not capture all the nuances of daily life aboard the station.
To address this, Walsh and his team launched the International Space Station Archaeological Project, applying an archaeological framework to study the materials used by the ISS crew as artifacts.
For their first direct work on the ISS, the team adapted the traditional archaeological strategy known as the shovel test pit. Instead of digging pits, they asked the ISS crew to document six locations by taking daily photos for 60 days in 2022.
This innovative approach allowed the team to assess artifact distribution and usage patterns.
The study focused on two sample areas: one designated for equipment maintenance and another near the latrine and exercise equipment. Using an open-source image analysis platform, the researchers analyzed 5,438 instances of "artifacts" being used for various purposes, such as writing tools, Post-It notes, and an augmented reality headset.
The analysis revealed that the area near the exercise equipment and latrine, though not designated for any specific purpose, was used for storing toiletries, resealable bags, and a rarely used computer.
The equipment maintenance area was primarily used for storage, with little to no maintenance activities taking place there.
These findings demonstrate that traditional archaeological techniques can be adapted to study remote or extreme habitats like the ISS. The insights gained could inform the development of future space habitats.
The authors noted, “The experiment is the first archaeology ever to happen off of the planet Earth. By applying a very traditional method for sampling a site to a completely new kind of archaeological context, we show how the ISS crew uses different areas of the space station in ways that diverge from designs and mission plans. Architects and planners of future space stations can learn valuable lessons from this work.”
Source: India Today