SpaceX CRS-21 was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station. It was slated to launch fall 2020. The mission was contracted by NASA and flown by SpaceX on Falcon 9 rocket.
Payload included a completely re-designed electronic microfluidic chip by Micro-gRx. The tissue chip experiment measured human muscle cell contraction in a microgravity environment. The study allows medical scientist to build and improve muscle atrophy recovery and other diseases.
Microfluidic chip mold concept for mass production.
Microfluidic mold made from PDMS (PolyDimethylSiloxane) cures prior to cutting into individual chips.
Aerospace engineering assistant Austin Hinkle prepares a new Micro-gRx chip design for testing.
Lead Designer and Payload Specialist LeGrand "Lee" Malany assembles completed microfluidic chip for SpaceX 21.
Conceptual design for quad microfluidic chip arrangement to sustain high velocity vibration during launch sequence.
Microfluidic chip ready for testing.