Astronauts Become Space Archaeologists And Document Iss Artifacts

Archaeologists Conduct First Space Excavation on ISS and Discover Surprising Quirks of Zero-G Life

Innovative Open-Source Image Analysis Platform Revolutionizes Space Archaeology

The space archaeologists unearthed a wealth of information about astronaut behavior and the challenges of living and working in zero gravity. Their findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, could help to improve the design of future space missions and habitats.

Tools of the Trade

The archaeologists used an innovative open-source image analysis platform called WEB-SQuARE to identify over 5,000 instances of artifacts being used in various ways. The platform allowed them to quickly and easily analyze a large number of images, which would have been impossible using traditional methods.

The findings revealed that astronauts often used tools and equipment in unexpected ways. For example, they found that astronauts commonly used duct tape to secure objects and zip ties to create makeshift tool holders.

Habitation Challenges

The archaeologists also discovered that the astronauts faced a number of challenges due to the unique environment of the ISS. For example, they found that objects often floated away if they were not properly secured, and that dust and debris could quickly accumulate on surfaces.

These findings could help to improve the design of future space missions and habitats by identifying the specific challenges that astronauts face and by providing solutions to these challenges.

Conclusion

The first archaeological excavation on the ISS has provided valuable insights into the challenges and quirks of zero-gravity life. The findings from this study could help to improve the design of future space missions and habitats, making them more efficient and comfortable for astronauts.