NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 18 September 2015

With the second half of their mission underway, a pair of One-Year Crew members continued a series of biomedical experiments this week. The six-member Expedition 45 crew is also getting ready for a new space shipment due early next month.
Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineer Mikhail Kornienko have been teaming up for a variety of human research studies in space since March. Scientists are observing the effects of living in space on long-term crew members. This week the duo explored head pressure and visual impairment some station astronauts have experienced to help NASA prepare future crew members for the Journey to Mars.

The next cargo mission, ISS Progress 61 (61P), to the International Space Station is scheduled to launch Oct. 1 and dock six hours later to the rear docking port of the Zvezda service module. A pair of cosmonauts practiced the techniques Friday they would use in the unlikely event it became necessary to use the Zvezda’s telerobotically operated rendezvous system to manually dock the 61P.

On-Orbit Status Report

Fluid Shifts Imaging Measurements with Russian Chibis: Today, 1 Year Crewmembers Kelly and Kornienko, with assistance from Volkov and with remote guidance from a ground team, each used a Russian Chibis (Lower Body Negative Pressure – LBNP) device during examinations for Cerebral and Cochlear Fluid Pressure (CCFP), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Fluid Shifts is a joint NASA-Russian experiment that investigates the causes for severe and lasting physical changes to astronaut’s eyes. Because the headward fluid shift is a hypothesized contributor to these changes, reversing this fluid shift with a lower body negative pressure device is under investigation to support development of preventative measures against a lasting change in vision.

Retraction of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEMAL) Slide Table: Following up on the successful launch yesterday of the two JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (JSSOD) #4 satellites, Yui extended the JEMAL slide table out to the JEM Exposed Facility, monitored the soft dock of the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) with the attached JSSOD to the slide table by the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), then retracted the slide table and powered off the RMS monitors.

Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Video Troubleshooting: Yui performed a resistance measurement for the video cable that connects the CBEF and Image Processing Unit (IPU). This is part of the troubleshooting for issues experienced earlier this week during testing of multiple video downlinks.

Cognition Investigation: Kornienko completed a Cognition session today. Individualized Real-Time Neurocognitive Assessment Toolkit for Space Flight Fatigue (Cognition) is a battery of tests that measure how spaceflight-related physical changes, such as microgravity and lack of sleep, can affect cognitive performance. Cognition includes ten brief computerized tests that cover a wide range of cognitive functions, and provides immediate feedback on current and past test results. The software allows for real-time measurement of cognitive performance while in space.

Radi-N Neutron Field Study (Radi-N): Kononenko handed over eight Radi-N detectors to Lindgren who in turn deployed eight bubble detectors around the ISS for the Radi-N experiment. The objective of this investigation is to better characterize the ISS neutron environment and define the risk posed to the crewmembers’ health and provide the data necessary to develop advanced protective measures for future space flight.

SOLAR Investigation: Measurements continue to be taken for ESA’s SOLAR investigation during the current sun visibility window. Two sun spectrum and two calibration measurements have been performed. The goal of the SOLAR instruments is to measure solar spectral irradiance and variability.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS)-2 Locker Removal and Disposal: Following yesterday’s activity to clear the LAB1P5 location of stowage, Lindgren and Yui removed the MSS-2 Locker and disposed of it in the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-5. This volume will eventually be used by Common Communications for Visiting Vehicle (C2V2) hardware, which will be installed during Increment 46.

Station Support Computer (SSC) Donut Service Pack Status: The Donut Service Pack deployed over the weekend is operating, however continues to experience a couple of issues. On the ground, OPTIMIS Viewer encounters sluggish performance, requiring nonessential users to log off. Nonessential users can still access Flight Notes, Chits, and Jedi Messages etc.. Onboard ISS, SSC Windows Server “ISS-SERVER1” is experiencing high memory usage and requires ground controllers to reboot the server several times per day to reduce memory consumption. As long as these reboots are being performed, there’s no impact to the crew. Ground Teams are working to come up with a more permanent solution to both issues.

Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Reaction Self Test (Wake Test)
HRF- Urine Samples Collection
Morning Inspection, Laptop RS1(2) Reboot
HRF – Insertion of Samples in MELFI
HABIT – Video Recording
HRF- Blood Samples Collection
HRF- Providing Assistance during Blood Samples Collection
FLUID SHIFTS. Comm Configuration to Perform the Experiment
HRF – Refrigerated Centrifuge Config
Daily Planning Conference (S-band)
JEMAL External Hatch Opening and JEF Slide Table Extension
ISS Crew and ???? (RSA Flight Control Team) Weekly Conference
HRF – Closeout Ops
HRF – Insertion of Samples in MELFI
Life on the Station Photo/Video Ops
HABIT – Providing Commentary for the Video
ISS Crew Orientation
FS – OCT Hardware Installation in the SM
FLUID SHIFTS. OCT Laptop Connection to ??? and HRF ?? Connection to ???-26 (instead of RSE-Med).
JEMRMS – Hardware Checkup
FS – OCT Hardware Activation in the SM
HRF – Clouseout Ops
FS – CCFP Activation and Setup in the SM
FS – DPOAE Hardware Installation in the SM
OTKLIK. Hardware Monitoring
FS – TONO Hardware Installation in the SM
HRF – Hardware Restow after Sampling
FLUID SHIFTS. Providing Assistance with CHIBIS and GAMMA-1. Tagup with specialists
FLUID SHIFTS. CHIBIS Setup
JEMAL – Hardware Removal
FLUID SHIFTS. Providing Assistance during DPOAE, OCT, Tonometer, and CCFP Examinations
FS – DPOAE, OCT, Tonometer, and CCFP Examinations / See OPTIMIS Viewer for procedure
JEMRMS – Hardware Deactivation
ECLSS Recycle Tank Transfer and Changeout
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) – LAB1P5 Rack – Locker Removal
FS – Data Transfer from CCFP/DPOAE and CCFP/DPOAE Deactivation in the SM
FLUID SHIFTS. CHIBIS Closeout Ops
Connection of ?1 Cable to ??? Control Panel.Tagup with specialists when required
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
FS – TONO Hardware Restow in the SM
FS – OCT Hardware Deactivation in the SM
On-Orbit Hearing Assessment with EARQ Software
FLUID SHIFTS. Deactivation of the OCT Laptop and HRF and Connection of RSE-Med.
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
FS – OCT Hardware Restow
FLUID SHIFTS. US-invertor Disconnection from [????]
HMS – Filling in Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)
FS – CCFP/PC Hardware Restow
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
Soyuz 718 Samsung Tablet Charging
FS – Hardware Gather prior to Transfer to the USOS
MATRESHKA-R. BUBBLE Dosimeters Preparation and Activation.
FLUID SHIFTS. ???? Hardware Deactivation and Closure of SSC Apps
??? X1 Cable Checkout.
FLUID SHIFTS. Return to Nominal Comm Config
Soyuz 718 Samsung Tablet Charging
RGN REC-TNK – Removal of the Pressure Release Hose for Nominal Ops.
FS – Hardware Transfer to the USOS
MATRESHKA-R. Transfer of BUBBLE Dosimeters to the USOS
RADIN – Takeover of Detectors from the Russian Crew for Deployment
MATRESHKA-R. BUBBLE Dosimeters Activation and Deployment.
RADIN – Detectors Deployment
FS – Cables Removal
FS – OCT Hardware and Laptop Setup
MELF2 – Samples Dryout
Soyuz 717 Samsung Tablet Charging
VIZIR. Experiment Session
RGN – Recycle Tank Drain to EDV
??1 and ??2 Dust Collectors Filters R&R in the FGB (???1???_4_419_1 Bag 424-23. Update IMS)
CBEF and IPU Cables Resistance Measurement
RGN – Recycle Tank Drain to EDV (end)
SHD Questionnaire
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
??? Maintenance
IMS Delta File Prep
Remaining Water Drain from EDV KOV to a EDV
CALCIUM. Experiment Session 5
HMS – Filling in Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)
FS – Hardware Stowage
SHD Questionnaire
Daily Planning Conference (S-band)
COGN – Cognition Test Operations

Completed Task List Items
None

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
JEMRMS Ops to install MPEP on JEMAL Slide Table

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Saturday, 09/19: Weekly Cleaning, Crew Off Duty
Sunday, 09/20: Crew Off Duty
Monday, 09/21: T2 Yearly Maint, SLM Ops, HTV Cargo Ops, OH Vision Test, OH BP Measurements, Lab Bacteria Filter R&R

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – On
[???] 2 – 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 – Shutdown
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Process
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up