The International Space Station (ISS) serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory, where scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, and other fields. On September 5, 2014, the ISS was in the midst of Expedition 40, with a crew of six astronauts aboard. This period was marked by various scientific experiments, maintenance activities, and preparations for upcoming missions. Below is an overview of the ISS's status and activities on that date.

Crew Composition and Mission Overview

As of September 5, 2014, the ISS crew consisted of Commander Steve Swanson (NASA), Flight Engineer 1 Alexander Skvortsov (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer 2 Oleg Artemyev (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer 3 Reid Wiseman (NASA), Flight Engineer 4 Koichi Wakata (JAXA), and Flight Engineer 5 Alexander Gerst (ESA). The crew was engaged in a range of scientific experiments, maintenance tasks, and preparations for the arrival of new crew members and cargo missions.

Scientific Experiments and Research

On September 5, 2014, the crew focused on several key scientific experiments:

  • Capillary Channel Flow (CCF): Flight Engineer Wiseman removed the CCF hardware from the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) and stowed it. The CCF experiment had been running without crew interaction from the ground for approximately four weeks. This experiment aimed to study the natural wicking of fluid between narrow channels in microgravity, which has applications in understanding fluid behavior in space and in the design of fluid systems for future missions. ([nasa.gov](
  • SPHERES Slosh Test: Flight Engineer Wiseman successfully conducted a SPHERES Slosh test session. The SPHERES-Slosh investigation uses small robotic satellites to examine how liquids move around inside containers in microgravity. Understanding liquid motion in space is crucial for the design of fuel tanks and other liquid storage systems on spacecraft. ([](

Maintenance and Operational Activities

In addition to scientific research, the crew performed several maintenance and operational tasks:

  • NanoRacks CubeSat Deployers (NRCSD): Utilizing the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), ground controllers performed an emergency stop shake test on the NRCSD. No deployments were observed during this time. However, after approximately seven hours, an additional door (#7) was observed to be open, implying an inadvertent deploy during the morning of the crew workday. The crew was informed of this development and instructed to monitor the situation. ([nasa.gov](
  • Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS): The status of various ECLSS components was as follows:
    • Elektron: On
    • Vozdukh: Manual
    • SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”): On
    • SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”): Off
    • Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab: Standby
    • Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3: Operate
    • Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab: Stop
    • Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3: Operate
    • Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA): Standby
    • Urine Processing Assembly (UPA): Normal
    • Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab: Off
    • Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3: Full up
    These systems are critical for maintaining the ISS's habitability and ensuring the safety and well-being of the crew. ([](

Upcoming Missions and Preparations

Looking ahead, the crew prepared for several upcoming missions:

  • SpaceX-4 Cargo Resupply Mission: The crew began cargo operations by removing items located in the vehicle’s center stack. An estimated 55 hours of crew time were required to complete cargo operations in the coming weeks. This mission aimed to deliver supplies, equipment, and scientific experiments to the ISS. ([nasa.gov](
  • ISS-RapidScat Instrument Installation: The ISS-RapidScat instrument, designed to monitor ocean winds for climate research, weather predictions, and hurricane monitoring, was scheduled to be installed on the ISS. The launch of this instrument was part of a new era of Earth observation from the space station's vantage point. ([jpl.nasa.gov](

Conclusion

On September 5, 2014, the ISS was actively engaged in a variety of scientific experiments, maintenance activities, and preparations for future missions. The crew's efforts contributed to advancing our understanding of fundamental scientific principles and the development of technologies essential for long-duration spaceflight. The ISS continues to serve as a vital platform for international collaboration and scientific discovery in space.

Sources

  • NASA — ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/10/14 —
  • NASA — ISS Daily Summary Report – 09/09/14 —
  • NASA — ISS On-Orbit Status Report —
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — NASA Launches New Era of Earth Science from Space Station —
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — ISS-RapidScat —