NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 4 November 2015

Two NASA astronauts are getting ready for their second spacewalk Friday morning while also conducting science. The rest of the global crew worked on orbital lab maintenance and continued international space research.
Expedition 45 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren organized their spacewalk tools today and attached checklists to their spacesuit cuffs. Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, who will coordinate Friday’s spacewalk from inside the International Space Station, assisted Kelly and Lindgren with their tool checks.

The three astronauts also had time today for some science work to improve life on Earth and for future crews.

Lindgren downloaded data captured from tiny free-flying satellites known as SPHERES that test autonomous rendezvous and docking maneuvers and other flight techniques. Yui worked on the Capillary Flow Experiment with results potentially benefiting fluid systems on future spacecraft. Finally, Kelly took a test to measure his cognitive adaptation during his year-long spaceflight.

On-Orbit Status Report

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: Kelly and Lindgren prepared for Friday’s EVA by reviewing Fluid Quick Disconnect (QD) training material, auditing and configuring EVA tools, and making changes to the ISS EVA Systems Checklist book and Cuff Checklist procedures. Additionally, they installed Rechargeable EVA Battery Assemblies (REBA) on Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) suits 3003 and 3010. Once installed, a checkout was performed to verify the glove heaters are functional and helmet cameras are receiving power. Hatch opening for Friday’s P6 Return To Original Configuration (RTOC) EVA is scheduled for 6:15am CST.

Capillary Flow Experiment-2 (CFE-2): Yui set up and initiated a handheld CFE-2 Vane Gap 1 experiment. Because liquids behave differently in space than they do on Earth, containers that can process, hold or transport them must be designed to work in microgravity. The CFE-2 furthers research into the control of liquid behavior aboard spacecraft through wetting and container geometry. Vane Gap experiments identify the critical geometric wetting conditions of a vane structure that does not quite meet the container wall – a construct used in various fluid systems aboard spacecraft such as fuel tanks, thermal systems and water processors for life support. The results of these tests may be used to improve the capability to quickly and accurately predict how related processes such as passive separation of gases from liquids in the absence of gravity occur.

Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Status: Yesterday afternoon, Yui performed routine maintenance on the WHC by preparing a new recycle tank for installation then performing a tank R&R. Upon WHC activation, the crew observed irregular behavior associated with the Bad Pretreat Quality Light. The WHC has since been configured to store urine via internal tank (EDV). Ground teams are assessing a troubleshooting plan.

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

JEMRMS Bus Monitor cable Setup
QD Training Review
RGN. WSTA Fill
IMA? – Connecting to SSC
ISS Crew / SSIPC FD Conference
SPHERES – Data Downlink
HAM radio session from Columbus
CIR – Post-Experiment Hardware Stowage
CFE – MWA Setup
CFE – Preparation and Hardware Setup
SPHERES – Copy payload data to hard drive [Aborted]
CFE – Test Ops
USOS EVA Tool Configuration
Date and Time Synchronization on 6 RS photo cameras to the station time
SPHERES – Disconnect the USB from the SSC and stow [Aborted]
Rechargeable EVA Battery Assembly (REBA) Swap
Video Footage of Greetings
REBA powered equipment test
USOS EVA Tool Configuration
CFE – Payload transfer into Ziploc bags
??? Maintenance
SPRINT Exercise
USOS EVA Tool Audit
EMU – Printing Instructions
Preparation for comm check between ???? Rate Sensor (???) control sub-network user and Laptops RS3, RS2, RS1 (searching for equipment and r/g review).
Evening Work Prep
IMAX – Terminate Battery Charge
Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT)
IMAX – Terminate Codex 512 GB Drive charge
On Board Training (OBT) ISS Crew Medical Officer (CMO) Computer Based Training (CBT)
IMAX – Power Down
INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops / r/g 0471eu + 0471ru
Flight Director / ISS Crew Tagup
Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media
ECON-M. Observation and Photography

Completed Task List Items
None

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Nominal System Commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Thursday, 11/05: 1/2 Duty Day, EVA Procedure Review, Pre EVA PHS, Equipment Lock Prep
Friday, 11/06: P6 RTOC EVA
Saturday, 11/07: Post EVA Activities

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component – Status
Elektron – Off
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) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up