The International Space Station (ISS) serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory, where scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields. The "Space to Ground" weekly reports, issued by NASA, provide updates on the activities and developments aboard the ISS. The report dated June 20, 2014, offers insights into the station's operations, scientific experiments, and crew activities during that period.

Overview of Expedition 40

Expedition 40 was the 40th long-duration mission aboard the ISS, running from March 25 to September 10, 2014. The crew comprised six astronauts: Commander Steve Swanson and Flight Engineers Reid Wiseman and Alexander Gerst from NASA, and Flight Engineers Oleg Artemyev, Alexander Skvortsov, and Maxim Suraev from the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). This mission focused on a variety of scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and maintenance tasks essential for the station's continued operation. ([nasa.gov](

Key Activities and Experiments

During the week leading up to June 20, 2014, the ISS crew engaged in several significant activities:

  • Resist Tubule Experiment: Commander Swanson removed samples from the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) and placed them into the Measurement Experiment Unit B. This setup was then installed inside the Cell Biology Experiment Facility's 1-gravity Incubator Unit. The Resist Tubule experiment aimed to clarify the mechanisms of gravity resistance in plants, a crucial aspect of understanding how plants adapt to microgravity environments. ([nasa.gov](
  • VEG-01 Plant Harvest: Swanson harvested six 'Outredgeous' lettuce plants grown using the Veggie facility aboard the ISS. The harvested plants were stored in MELFI for return to Earth. This experiment assessed the growth and development of plants in space and the effects of the spaceflight environment on microbial flora associated with the plants. ([nasa.gov](
  • Body Measures Study: Flight Engineers Wiseman and Gerst conducted the 15th session of the Body Measures study. This involved setting up body marker instrumentation, taking calibration and body pose photographs, recording circumference measurements, and capturing a neutral body posture video. The study aimed to understand the magnitude and variability of changes due to microgravity and fluid shifts within the human body during long-duration spaceflight. ([nasa.gov](

Technological Demonstrations

In addition to scientific experiments, the crew participated in technology demonstrations that could enhance future space missions:

  • Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS): OPALS is a technology demonstration aboard the ISS designed to test the use of focused laser energy for space communications. On June 5, 2014, NASA successfully transmitted a high-definition video message of "Hello, World!" from the ISS to Earth using OPALS. This marked the first 175-megabit communication for OPALS and demonstrated the potential for laser communications to vastly improve data rates for future spacecraft communications. ([jpl.nasa.gov](

Maintenance and Safety Operations

Ensuring the safety and functionality of the ISS is paramount. During the week of June 10, 2014, the crew addressed an issue involving smoke and a burning smell emanating from the Water Dispensing and Heating Unit (БРП-М) in the Russian Service Module. The crew followed emergency procedures, including powering down the affected unit and activating air scrubbers. After the БРП-М cooled down, it was removed and stowed in a rubber-lined bag. Ground teams worked to reactivate systems that were deactivated in response to the event. The crew was unharmed and continued their operations after the incident. ([nasa.gov](

Communication and Outreach

NASA's "Space to Ground" weekly reports serve as a vital communication tool, keeping the public informed about the ISS's activities. The June 20, 2014, report highlighted the week's events and provided insights into the ongoing research and daily life aboard the station. These reports underscore the collaborative efforts of international space agencies and the dedication of the crew to advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation. ([](

Conclusion

The "Space to Ground" weekly report from June 20, 2014, encapsulates a week of diverse activities aboard the ISS, including scientific research, technological demonstrations, and maintenance operations. The crew's dedication to advancing our understanding of space and improving the safety and efficiency of long-duration missions is evident in their daily endeavors. Such reports not only document the progress of current missions but also lay the groundwork for future exploration and research in the unique environment of space.

Sources

  • NASA — Expedition 40 —
  • NASA — ISS Daily Summary Report – 06/10/14 —
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — OPALS | NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) —
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — NASA's ISS-RapidScat is Headed Into Space! —
  • NASA — Space Station Expedition 40 Crew Returns to Earth, Lands Safely in Kazakhstan —