Israel's Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies has begun
a bio-medical experiment on the Space Shuttle of the U.S. National
Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA). Fisher, used as a research arm of the
Israel Air Force, was conducting the experiment with Israel's Strauss Water
on the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
"Their mission will be to test a new water purification technology under
zero gravity in space," Fisher said.
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The experiment began on July 8 and included an Israeli research team
headed by Eran Schenker. Organizers said the Space Shuttle was hosting water
purification technology based on polymers that would remove bacteria and
viruses.
"The data accumulated from the research in space will also have
implications for purifying water on earth, as it has direct bearing on the
field of drinking water purification in its broader context," Fisher said.
"This experiment may be of important for the space industry as well, which
is looking to improve the quality of water provided to astronauts on long
missions."
The experiment was enabled by a contract between the Israelis and
NanoRacks under the latter's space agreement with NASA. Israel has been
said to expect a breakthrough in water purification technology.
"Purifying water from bacteria and viruses is a critical process in
water-scarce regions around the world, and it is therefore important to
expand our knowledge in this field," Schenker said.