Avian Development Facility(ADF)

Space Hardware Optimization Technology, Inc. (SHOT)

Greenville, IN

Development of space flight hardware which provides complete control over all experimental variables for avian embryogenesis experiments.

• Fully programmable, closed environment system, including monitored and controlled temperature, relative humidity, O₂ (supply) level and CO₂ (removal) level.
• Full telemetry capability to downlink data and uplink commands for real time telescience and telerobotic experiment manipulation (flight crew interaction not essential for experiment operations).
• The ADF provides capacity for 36 egg holders on two identical carousels. Each carousel rotates independently and is served by a chemical robot that injects reagent solutions into one sample at a time on a predetermined program or by remote control. Each sample holder also rotates independently of carousel rotation.
• Provide concomitant controls at various levels of artificial gravity by programming either/both carousel(s) to rotate
• Independent of carousel rotation, turns each egg about its longitudinal axis automatically in either/both carousel(s) at programmable time intervals

• SHOT is patenting innovations it developed for ADF
• Nearly 20 highly-skilled workers were dedicated to the project

• The Avian Development Facility represents a critical evolutionary step in avian habitat development for the International Space Station’s Gravitational Biology Facility. Consequently, NASA Ames has provided $5.7 million to SHOT, through a Phase III contract, to provide two flight units for use in the Space Station Biological Research Project.
• ADF is manifested to fly on STS-108/UF-1 aboard space shuttle Endeavour.
• With little modification, the ADF could carry non-avian research payloads like insects, plants and fish.

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