Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31497: MESSAR on the ISS: Probing Asteroid Secrets with Sound Waves in Space

What do sound waves tell us about asteroids? The MESSAR experiment—short for Microgravity Experiment to measure the Speed of Sound inside simulated Asteroid Regolith—aimed to find out. Conducted on the ISS during Expeditions 74 and 75, this study explored how sound travels through materials that mimic the surface of asteroids.

Led by Dr. Amilcar Rincon-Charris and Dr. Gerardo Morell, MESSAR was designed to measure acoustic properties of regolith in microgravity. Regolith is the loose, dusty material that covers the surface of asteroids. Understanding how sound travels through it can reveal details about its structure, density, and even its history.

On Earth, gravity compresses materials and alters wave behavior. In microgravity, however, researchers can study these interactions more purely. This helps scientists design better tools for asteroid mining, landing, and exploration missions. MESSAR could even support future plans to build habitats or extract resources from asteroids.

The experiment also contributed to student engagement and STEM education in Puerto Rico, encouraging new generations to explore space science.

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