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Experiment creating lunar soil-based materials begins on ISS

The objective of the experiment will be to study dispersed systems and solutions of polymers in microgravity conditions and their response to temperature changes and exposure to vibrations and electric and magnetic fields

ISS, November 1. /TASS/. An experiment called Dispersiya (Dispersion) has started aboard the International Space Station (ISS), TASS special correspondent and Roscosmos cosmonaut Dmitry Petelin reports.

The objective of the experiment will be to study dispersed systems and solutions of polymers in microgravity conditions and their response to temperature changes and exposure to vibrations and electric and magnetic fields.

Petelin explained that the data obtained would be used to create materials and structural elements in a future lunar program and the development of processing modes for obtaining and forming composite dispersed materials made of lunar soil.

The experiment is being conducted by the Moscow Aviation Institute. The research equipment was developed by the joint-stock company Laser Systems. Petelin said about 20 experiment sessions would be conducted during the ISS-68 expedition.

On November 17, 2021, TASS and Roscosmos signed a memorandum of cooperation. The news agency's office was opened on the ISS. Cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin became the first special correspondent for TASS. His flight lasted twelve days. Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev took over as the second special correspondent. Dmitry Petelin is in charge of the TASS bureau at the moment.