NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 27 April 2015
The Expedition 43 crew kicked off a new week by focusing on a number of biological experiments.
The crew participated in the Sprint study which evaluates the use of high intensity, low volume exercise training to minimize loss of muscle, bone, and cardiovascular function in crew members during long-duration missions.
Crew members also took part in Ocular Health checkouts as scientists search to better understand the vision changes some astronauts experience during spaceflight. They also collected samples for the Microbiome experiment which investigates the impact of space travel on both the human immune system and an individual’s microbiome.
Station commander Terry Virts did some troubleshooting on the Japanese airlock in preparation for the upcoming Robotics Refueling Mission-2 (RRM-2) operations. RRM-2, a joint study between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, investigates satellite repair and servicing techniques in space. Operators on the ground use the station’s special purpose dexterous manipulator, better known as Dextre, on the end of the Canadarm2, for fine robotics manipulation. Engineers are looking to determine whether it’s possible to refuel satellites and test electrical connections robotically.
On-Orbit Status Report
59 Progress (59P) Launch/Dock: 59P is scheduled to launch tomorrow from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 2:09 AM CDT. Docking to the ISS Docking Compartment (DC)-1 is scheduled to occur tomorrow at 8:07 AM CDT.
Rodent Research-2 Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (RR-2 CASIS): Virts and Kelly configured the Bone Densitometer and Microgravity Sciences Glovebox (MSG) in preparation for tomorrow’s RR-2 sample collection, however during the Bone Densitometer calibration procedure the team received several errors. The team is currently performing troubleshooting steps in an attempt to complete the Bone Densitometer calibration.
Integrated Resistance and Aerobic Training Study (Sprint): Kelly, with Cristoforetti’s assistance, collected data for his Flight Day (FD) 30 ultrasound Sprint Session. Kelly placed reference marks on his right calf and thigh for ultrasound scans. Sprint evaluates the use of high intensity, low volume exercise training to minimize loss of muscle, bone, and cardiovascular function in International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers during long-duration missions. Ultrasound scans are on FD 14, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and R-7 for mission duration of six months and are used to evaluate spaceflight-induced changes in the muscle volume.
Study of the Impact of Long-Term Space Travel on the Astronauts’ Microbiome (Microbiome): Cristoforetti performed her Return-14 (R-14) Microbiome session. She collected body swab samples and inserted into MELFI. Later today, she will collect perspiration samples following her exercise session. The Microbiome experiment investigates the impact of space travel on both the human immune system and an individual’s microbiome.
Ocular Health (OH): Kelly continued his FD30 OH activities. With assistance from Virts and Cristoforetti, respectively, he performed ocular ultrasound and a cardiac echo ultrasound. The ultrasound images will be used to identify changes in globe morphology, including flattening of the posterior globe, and document optic nerve sheath diameter, optic nerve sheath tortuosity, globe axial measurements, and choroidal engorgement. The purpose of this study is to collect evidence to characterize the risk and define the visual changes, vascular changes, and central nervous system (CNS) changes, including intracranial pressure, observed during long-duration exposure to microgravity, including postflight time course for recovery to baseline. This study gathers information that can be used to assess the risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) and guide future research needs.
Japanese Experiment Module Air Lock (JEMAL) Slide Table (ST) Troubleshooting: When the JEMAL ST is retracted in auto mode, there is a grinding noise at the end of the motion. Foreign Object Debris (FOD) has been eliminated as a possible cause. Virts performed troubleshooting steps to ascertain the source of the noise in preparation for Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) activities this Thursday which utilize the ST. Results were that the noise is still audible but is no worse than before, therefore, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is go for RRM operations.
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Pressure Fault: Yesterday, the UPA faulted due to high condensor pressure. Ground controller attempts to restart the UPA were unsuccessful. Teams are standing down from running UPA pending troubleshooting and forward plans.
Russian Chibis Suit Smoke Event: This morning while performing their Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP training in the Chibis suit, the Russian crew reported smelling a burning odor and saw a small puff of smoke when they powered on the suit. The suit was unpowered and Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products (CSA-CP) readings were taken which showed nominal for ISS atmosphere. Moscow believes the odor and smoke were due to a failed micropump are investigating the issue.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
BIOME – Taking Body Samples
Morning Inspection
??-8. Configuration Setup
MORZE. r/g 8640
Body Mass Measurement
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
??-8. Closeout Ops
Auxiliary Laptop Anti-Virus Update / r/g 8247
USND2 – Hardware Activation
Elektron-VM Liquid Unit Pressurization before Activation
HMS. Ultrasound 2 Scan Prep
JEM System Laptop Terminal Reboot
HMS. Ultrasound 2 Scan (CMO)
HMS. Ultrasound 2 Scan (subject)
Study Of Cardiac Bioelectric Activity At Rest
MORZE. Psychophysiological Evaluation r/g 8640
HMS. Ultrasound 2 Data Export
HMS. Ultrasound 2 Post Exam. End exam and remove, clean, stow probe.
Periodic fitness evaluation – subject
ECON-L. Observation and Photography
SPRINT Experiment Ops
SPRINT – Assistance with the Experiment
LBNP – Exercise (PRELIMINARY) assistance / r/g 8631 [Deferred]
Waste and Hygiene Compartment. Pre-Treat Tank and hose Remove & Replace
JEM Airlock Slide Table – Troubleshooting grinding noise anomaly during Slide Table Deployment
ISS RS Atmosphere Analysis Using ??? ????-4?
MOTOCARD. Experiment Ops. / r/g 8633
MOTOCARD. Assistance with the Experiment / r/g 8634
Ocular Health Cardiac Operations Subject
Video Footage for Nauka 2.0 TV Channel / r/g 8588
Ocular Health Cardiac Operations Operator
Rodent Research (RR) – Hardware Gathering for the Experiment Ops
PAO Event
TPLXA – Big Picture
USND2 – Hardware Deactivation
Greasing exposed ARED wires
ECON-L. Observation and Photography
CALCIUM. Experiment Session 7. / r/g 8632
MORZE. Psychophysiological Evaluation: Strelau Test / r/g 8640
DRAGON. Transfers Ops
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill [Aborted]
BIOME – Hardware Setup for Sampling
MSG – Glovebox activation
NAPOR-miniRSA. ???-M Software Upgrade. / r/g 8641
IMMUNO r/g 8635
Dragon Cargo Operations Conference
Rodent Research (RR) – Camcorder Node2 Setup
Rodent Research (RR) – Dissection procedure review
Rodent Research (RR) – Experiment Setup
IMS Delta File Prep
Rodent Research (RR) – Crew Conference
MORZE. Psychophysiological Evaluation: SUPOS Test / r/g 8640
BIOME – Perspiration Sampling
MORZE. Psychophysiological Evaluation: Cattell’s Test / r/g 8640
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
Bone Densitometer (BD) – Hardware Installation and Calibration
BIOME – Collecting Surface Samples
Exercise Data Downlink / r/g 6797
MORZE. Closeout Ops / r/g 8640
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
BIOME – Sample Stowage
Completed Task List Items
ESA EPO parts 1, 2 [Completed Saturday]
ESA PAO [Completed Saturday]
P/TV Soyuz imagery [Completed Saturday]
WHC EDV-Y R&R [Completed Saturday]
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Sprint Ultrasound ops
Ocular Health cardiac ops
Rodents Research CASIS ops
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 04/28: 59P launch/docking, RR CASIS, 41S undock pre-pack, SCOF relay connector reconfig 1, Triplelux A prep
Wednesday, 04/29: RR Fixative swap, Triplelux A insert, SCOF relay connector reconfig 2, 41S undock pre-pack
Thursday, 04/30: 41S undock pre-pack, Body Measures, RR access unit cleaning, Space Aging sample 1, JEMAL table extension for RRM
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – Off
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – On
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Operate
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Shutdown
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Shutdown
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up
