ELVIS Set to Enter Orbit
Holographic Microscope Will Launch on NASA’s SpaceX CRS-32 Mission
Don't get out your tinfoil hat. This ELVIS is a scientific instrument, not the King of Rock and Roll. The Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System, dubbed ELVIS, is an innovative holographic technology designed to deliver detailed 3D views of cells and microbes. The system allows scientists to study the adaptability and resilience of life under extreme conditions set to launch to the International Space Station not earlier than April 21 on the CRS-32 mission. Knowledge gained could reveal how life might persist on distant moons and planets, significantly enhancing our search for life outside Earth.
“The successful operation of ELVIS in the demanding conditions of space not only paves the way for its use in off-Earth environments but also holds implications for enhancing biomedical and microbiological research on our planet.”
Jay Nadeau, Portland State University
Beyond the capabilities of traditional two-dimensional microscopes, ELVIS offers scientists a closer look at the intricate structure, volume, and environmental interactions of cellular organisms. This detailed view enables more accurate biological assessments that could shed light on the ability of life to thrive in the most extreme environments of space.
Portland State University (PSU), in collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is spearheading the ELVIS project, which is scheduled to launch on SpaceX’s 32nd Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission, contracted by NASA. The investigation, sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, combines expertise in biology, physics, and cutting-edge imaging technology, says Jay Nadeau, a physics professor at PSU and a principal investigator on the project.
“We are thrilled to leverage the ISS National Lab to prepare ELVIS for its future roles in space exploration missions,” says Nadeau. She added, “The successful operation of ELVIS in the demanding conditions of space not only paves the way for its use in off-Earth environments but also holds implications for enhancing biomedical and microbiological research on our planet.”
During its tenure in space, ELVIS will focus its analysis on two resilient types of Earth-based life forms: Euglena gracilis, a microalga lauded for its adaptability, and Colwellia psychrerythraea, a bacterium that thrives in frigid ocean waters. This study goes beyond merely observing organisms; it tests their observable and genetic adaptations to microgravity. The insights gained could illuminate how life might survive beneath the icy shells of distant moons like Europa and Enceladus.
Built to endure the rigors of space, ELVIS incorporates durable, low-maintenance components and features automation that minimizes astronaut involvement, ensuring experiments can run continuously without disruption. As ELVIS gears up for launch, the team looks forward to testing its full potential to explore the resilience and adaptability of life under extreme conditions, Nadeau noted.