Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31286: Can Foam Materials Regain Their Shape in Space? The MATI-75 Experiment

Have you ever squeezed a sponge and watched it bounce back to its original shape? Scientists wanted to know if cellular polymer materials, like foam, behave the same way in space. The MATI-75 experiment investigated the ability of such materials to restore their shape after deformation in microgravity.

Led by researchers at the K. E. Tsiolkovsky Russian State Technological University, this educational experiment was carried out during Expeditions 18 and 33/34. The goal was to understand how materials behave without Earth's gravity constantly pulling on them.

This research helps in developing better packing materials, habitat components, and possibly even wearable tech for astronauts. It's also a fun, tangible way to engage students with the science of materials in space.

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