NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 17 May 2016
A new wave of Cubesats was shot into space today for a wide variety of Earth observations and communications research. The crew also explored life science and worked on high-flying plumbing tasks.
Today’s set of Cubesat deployments from the Kibo lab module’s airlock was the second of three consecutive days of deployment operations. The Dove Satellites deployed today are built and operated by Planet Labs Inc. and take images of Earth for several humanitarian and environmental applications.
Back inside the International Space Station, the crew took bone density measurements in mice in the Microgravity Science Glovebox to learn how living in space affects muscles and bones. The Rodent Research-3 experiment is testing an antibody used on Earth that may prevent muscle and bone wasting in space possibly improving the health of astronauts and humans on the ground.
The Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC), one of the orbital lab’s restrooms, experienced a problem last week requiring some part replacement work. That maintenance work coincided with the installation of a new Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly in support of transition to new pre-treat formula which aims to increase the amount of urine that is recycled into potable water.
On-Orbit Status Report
Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEMAL) NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer #7 (NRCSD 7) Deployment Operations: Today a total of 6 Dove satellites will be deployed via ground commanding. This morning the NRCSD 7 Silos 1 and 2 were deployed and Silo 3 is planned to be deployed this evening during crew sleep. This will complete the second of three consecutive days of deployment operations this week. NRCSD 7 contains 17 satellites comprised of MinXSS, CADRE, STMSat-1, 2 NODeS, 8 Doves, and 4 LEMUR satellites. The NRCSD is a commercially operated small satellite deployer from the ISS, maximizing full capabilities of each airlock cycle of deployments. The Dove satellites are a fleet of nanosatellites that enables imagery of the entire changing planet to be taken on a frequent basis, with humanitarian and environmental applications ranging from monitoring deforestation and the ice caps to disaster relief and improving agriculture yields in developing nations.
Rodent Research-3 (RR-3) Operations: Following yesterday’s successful grip strength measurements, today the crew transferred rodents from their habitats to the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), and then performed Bone Densitometry measurements and sample processing. This investigation studies the molecular and physical changes to the musculoskeletal system that occur in space. Results will expand scientists’ understanding of muscle atrophy and bone loss in space while testing an antibody that has been known to prevent muscle wasting in mice on Earth.
Thermolab Instrumentation for Circadian Rhythms: The crew began the first of a three-day European Space Agency (ESA) Circadian Rhythms experiment by performing instrumentation with the Thermolab Double sensors, mounting the Thermolab Unit in the belt, and activating the Thermolab Unit before beginning a 36 hour continuous measurement. The objective of the experiment is to get a better understanding of alterations in circadian rhythms in humans during long-term space flights. Such knowledge will not only provide important insights into the adaptations of the human autonomic nervous system in space over time, but also has significant practical implications by helping to improve physical exercise, rest and work shifts as well as fostering adequate workplace illumination in the sense of occupational healthcare in future space missions.
Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Status: During a process cycle on Thursday night, the stationary bowl temperature in the Distillate Assembly (DA) dropped enough to activate thermostatically-controlled heaters which caused the condenser pressure to increase. The UPA was taken to standby. Due to continued concerns regarding elevated conductivity and precipitation events, a FIT was held and one of the recommendations was to R&R the brine filter which was completed yesterday. An Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly (ARFTA) R&R as well as conversion of the WHC to alternate pretreat were completed today and the UPA is performing as expected.
ARED Right Upper Stop Cable R&R: This morning, the crew reported that the ARED Right Upper Stop Cable had failed. They replaced it with a spare which was launched during Increment 42, and ARED is now fully operational.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Biochemical Urine Test
IMMUNO. Saliva Sample (Session 1) r/g 2253
IMMUNO. First stress test, questionnaire data entry r/g 2253
IMMUNO. Test-Tube Blood Collection (finger) r/g 2253
IMMUNO. Blood Sample Processing r/g 2253
URISYS Hardware Stowage / ?? Book 2 11.4 p. 11-7(118)
IMMUNO. Equipment Stowage / r/g 2253
Auxiliary Computer System [???] Laptops Antivirus Scan Check and DPC Status Report / r/g 8247
CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medication) Intake / r/g 2267
Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) Tank Drain
Rodent Research (RR) Node 2 Camcorder Settings Adjustment
On MCC Go Regeneration of ??? ?2 Micropurification Cartridge (start)
ARED Access Assessment for BEAM Ops
WRS Water Sample Analysis
Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Part 2
Audit of ???? Equipment (fluid connectors) / r/g 2260
Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back
RED Dragon Camera Activation Field Of View
Rodent Research. Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops
Filling (separation) of EDV (KOV) for Elektron or EDV-SV
Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Adjustment
CubeSat Deployment Photos
RED Dragon camera final power OFF
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
RED Dragon Camera File Downlink
RED Dragon Camera Deactivation
COSMOCARD. Setup. Starting 24-hr ECG Recording r/g 2262
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
COSMOCARD. Photography of the Experiment Ops / r/g 2265
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
??? Maintenance
Study of Cardiovascular System Under Graded Physical Load on VELO
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops
Soyuz 719 Samsung Tablet Recharge, Initiate
Rodent Research Closeout Ops
ECLSS Recycle Tank Remove and Replace
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Vacuum cleaning ventilation grille on FGB interior panels (201, 301, 401)
Photography of windows No.1, 12 in SM, EV hatch window No.2 in DC1 / r/g 2259
WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
TOCA Data Recording
In-Flight Maintenance (IFM) WHC Equipment Gathering and Setup
PAO Hardware Setup
Crew Prep for PAO
PAO Event
Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back
CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medication) Intake / r/g 2267
WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Soyuz 719 Samsung Tablet Recharge, Terminate
Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops
CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medication) Intake / r/g 2261
CALCIUM. Experiment Session 8 / r/g 2254
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
VIZIR -?????. Experiment Ops r/g 2264
WHC Pre-Treat Tank and Pre-Treat Tank Hose R&R
Water separation mode selection r/g 2268
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops
Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back
Rodent Research Closeout Ops
CONTROL. Switching Indicator-ISS P/L measuring modes / r/g 2255
WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Weekly conference with the Program Management
MOTOCARD. Experiment Ops r/g 2256
MOTOCARD. Operator Assistance with the Experiment / r/g 2257
IMMUNO. Saliva Sample (Session 2) / r/g 2253
IMMUNO. Second stress test, questionnaire data entry / r/g 2253
Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3
IMMUNO. Final Equipment Stowage / r/g 2253
IMS Delta File Prep
Soyuz 720 Samsung Tablet Recharge, Initiate /Video & Audio
Circadian Rhythms. Setup of Equipment Retrieved from Thermolab
Air Heater Fan [???] Screen Cleaning in Soyuz 720 /Orbital Flight
On MCC GO ??? ?2 Absorption Cartridge Regeneration (end)
Soyuz 720 Samsung tablet charge, End / Video & Audio
HABIT Reminder
Habitability Observations
CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medication) Intake / r/g 2267
Completed Task List Items
CCE-Superbowl 2017 downlink msg
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
NRCSD deploy
RR ops
Nominal ground commanding
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 05/18: RR, WHC hardware gather/pre-treat tank R&R, NRCSD Cubesat deploy
Thursday, 05/19: RR, Sprint Ultrasound, Circadian Rhythms
Friday, 05/20: RR, Emergency book update, Cygnus cargo ops
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 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 – Idle
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
