NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 8 August 2016

Two astronauts called down to Mission Control today and reviewed next week’s spacewalk. In the Russian segment of the International Space Station, a pair of cosmonauts replaced outdated communications gear. Crew members also collected blood samples and conducted vision tests for a variety of space research.
Commander Jeff Williams joined Flight Engineer Kate Rubins for more spacesuit work and a conference with flight controllers in Houston to review plans for next week’s 6.5 hour spacewalk. On Aug. 19 the duo will work outside the station to complete the installation of an International Docking Adapter to the Harmony module. The first of two adapters will enable Commercial Crew vehicles being developed by Boeing and SpaceX to dock in the future.

The entire Expedition 48 crew conducted vision tests throughout the morning. Cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin and Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi then collected blood, urine and saliva samples for the Fluid Shifts experiment. That study observes how microgravity affects intra-cranial pressure and changes the shape of the eye.

In the afternoon, cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Anatoly Ivanishin worked in the Zvezda service module replacing older gear that communicates with systems throughout the Russian segment. Ovchinin also joined fellow Cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka to explore how living in space changes the human heart.

On-Orbit Status Report

Fluid Shifts Imaging with Chibis in the Service Module (SM): Over the weekend, the Commander and FE-1, with ground team assistance, configured the Ultrasound 2 hardware before completing their Ultrasound scans in the SM while using the Chibis for the Fluid Shifts experiment run. The Fluids Shift investigation is divided into three segments: Dilution Measures, Baseline Imaging, and Baseline Imaging using the Russian Chibis Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) device. The experiment measures how much fluid shifts from the lower body to the upper body, in or out of cells and blood vessels, and determines the impact these shifts have on fluid pressure in the head, changes in vision and eye structures.

Fluid Shifts Dilution Measurements: FE-4 and FE-5 performed their Flight Day 45 (FD45) Fluid Shifts operations by configuring the Refrigerated Centrifuge for sample load operations, conducting body (blood, urine, and saliva) sample collections and stowing the samples in a MELFI (Minus Eighty-degree Freezer for ISS). They also collected a galley water sample and stowed in the MELFI prior to ingestion of a Tracer solution. Additionally, CDR and FE-6 conducted troubleshooting of the Cerebral and Cochlear Fluid Pressure (CCFP) which was not operating as expected on Friday. Ground specialists continue to evaluate the data obtained during the troubleshooting. CCFP measurements are scheduled for tomorrow’s Baseline Data Collections.

Mouse Epigenetics Cage Unit Maintenance: Over the weekend the crew replaced a Mouse Habitat Cage unit for food containment issues. Today the crew refilled the water in the Mouse Habitat Cage Units. The Mouse Epigenetics investigation studies altered gene expression patterns in the organs of male mice that spend one month in space and also examines changes in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of their offspring. Results from the investigation identify genetic alterations that happen after exposure to the microgravity environment of space.

Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations: The crew recorded and submitted a walk-through video documenting observations of life onboard ISS, providing insight related to human factors and habitability. The Habitability investigation collects observations about the relationship between crew members and their environment on the ISS. Observations can help spacecraft designers understand how much habitable volume is required, and whether a mission’s duration impacts how much space crew members need.

Fine Motor Skills: Over the weekend the crew completed a series of interactive tasks for the Fine Motor Skills investigation. This investigation is critical during long-duration space missions, particularly those skills needed to interact with technologies required in next-generation space vehicles, spacesuits, and habitats. The crewmembers’ fine motor skills are also necessary for performing tasks in transit or on a planetary surface, such as information access, just-in-time training, subsystem maintenance, and medical treatment.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: In preparation for the IDA2 EVA, the crew performed the following:

Started and configured the Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) software to receive and display real time Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) joint angle telemetry from a Portable Computer System (PCS) laptop. They also configured the system without real time SSRMS joint angle telemetry.
Procedures review including detailed timeline, overall IDA2 installation plan and tool config.
Procedures conference with ground teams.
Tonometer Eye Simulator Cornea – This morning the crew successfully replaced the artificial cornea in the Tonometer Eye Simulator and all subsequent eye exams were completed nominally. The Tonometer Eye Simulator failed to hold pressure on August 5th, requiring a replacement of the cornea. The eye simulator is used by the on-orbit Chief Medical Officer to practice their tonometry technique before performing exams on another crewmate’s eye.

N3 MCA Ion Pump Spikes – On Friday, ground teams reported an increase in frequency and amplitude of the ion pump spikes for the past 2 months. The FDIR limit has not yet been exceeded. Trend data of previous units has indicated that once the ion pump spikes began, a failure of the Mass Spectrometer (ORU2) will likely occur within several months. N3 MCA ORU2 has been in operation for ~3 years, which is twice the average lifetime of the unit. There is currently one spare ORU2 on-orbit. The Lab MCA was successfully activated at the beginning of July post an R&R of ORU2, however it still requires a pump down of prior to startup and calibration.

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

Biochemical Urine Test r/g 3008
Morning Inspection, Laptop RSS1,22 Reboot / Auxiliary Computer System
SM ??? (Caution & Warning Panel) Test
Inspection of ??-?, ??2, ??4, ??5 connector on ???-?? separator pump in [???]
Morning Inspection, Laptop RS1(2) Reboot / Onboard Computer System
FLUID SHIFTS Sample Collection
SPLANH. Preparation and Initiate EGEG Recording r/g 3002
FLUID SHIFTS Sample Insertion into MELFI
FLUID SHIFTS Urine Sample Collection
Biochemical Urine Test r/g 3008
FLUID SHIFTS Sample Insertion into MELFI
FLUID SHIFTS Blood Collection
FLUID SHIFTS. Blood Collection Operator
FLUID SHIFTS. Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
FLUID SHIFTS Water Collection from the Galley and taking radioisotope marker
Daily Planning Conference (S-band)
WRS. Recycle tank refill from EDV
FLUID SHIFTS Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
FLUID SHIFTS Sample Insertion into MELFI
Vision Test (VIS)
BIOCARD. Experiment Assistance. / r/g 1907
BIOCARD. Experiment Ops r/g 1907
Biochemical Urine Test r/g 3008
Vision Test, Questionnaire Completion
Tonometry Test Setup
Vision Test (VIS)
CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 2888
Eye simulator. Cornea Removal and Return
Vision Test Questionnaire Completion
FLUID SHIFTS. CCFP Hardware Setup
Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update
URISYS Hardware Stowage
FLUID SHIFTS Urine Sample Collection
Preparation for installation of 17??.2076?-0cover on [????] pipelines in SM ??? Transfer Tunnel r/g 3003
??? Maintenance
FLUID SHIFTS Sample Insertion into MELFI
WRS. Condensate Sample Collection (init)
BREAKFAST
Vision Test (VIS)
Tonometry Test, Operator
Tonometry Test, Subject
Tonometry Test, Subject
FLUID SHIFTS. Blood Collection Operator
FLUID SHIFTS, Blood Collection
Tonometry Test, Operator
FLUID SHIFTS. Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
HABIT Preparing for the experiment
FLUID SHIFTS, Sample Collection
FLUID SHIFTS, Sample Insertion into MELFI
WRS. Condensate Sample Collection (term)
SPLANH. Photography of the Experiment / r/g 3010
Battery replacement in Laptop RS1 with battery taken from USOS Ziplock / r/g 3017
SPLANH. Termination EGEG Recording and Closeout Ops r/g 3002
EMU Conductivity Test
Vision Test, Complete Questionnaire
T2 Crew Briefing
FLUID SHIFTS, Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
FLUID SHIFTS, Sample Insertion into MELFI
Tonometry Test, Operator
Tonometry Test, Subject
FLUID SHIFTS. CCFP Troubleshooting, part 1
IMS Delta File Prep
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
WRS. Recycle tank refill from EDV
Tonometry equipment stowage
DOUG Software Review
FLUID SHIFTS, Sample Collection
FLUID SHIFTS, Sample Insertion into MELFI
FLUID SHIFTS, Urine Sample Collection
FLUID SHIFTS, Sample Insertion into MELFI
MOUSE Hardware Setup
FLUID SHIFTS, Equipment stowage after sample collection
EVA Procedure Review
Installation of 17??.2076?-0 cover on [????] pipelines in SM ??? Transfer Tunnel r/g 3003
Replacement of Komparus Hardware, Procedure Review, Equipment Prep r/g 3007
FLUID SHIFTS, Battery Installation
XF305 Camcorder Settings Adjustment
MOUSE Habitat Cage Unit 3 Cleaning
EVA Procedure Conference
Installation of 17??.2076?-0 cover on [????] pipelines in SM ??? Transfer Tunnel r/g 3003
Replacement of Komparus Hardware, Preparation Ops
MOUSE Sample MELFI Insertion
FLUID SHIFTS, Refrigerated Centrifuge Spin Conclude
Stow Syringes used in ?2? Conductivity Test
Crew OBT, Crew Medical Officer (CMO), Computer based training
FLUID SHIFTS. CCFP Troubleshooting, part 2
CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 2888

Completed Task List Items
WHC KTO R&R
JAXA Report part 3
EVA tool config [Active]

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Fluid Shifts ops
DOUG review support
Nominal ground commanding.

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 08/09: Tonometry exams, Fluid Shifts, Mouse Epigenetics cage maintenance, WHC pretreat tank R&R, EVA equipment lock prep/SAFER checkout/tool config
Wednesday, 08/10: EMU fit check, Fine Motor Skills, METEOR hard drive swap, Fluid Shifts, Mouse Epigenetics cage maintenance, Circadian Rhythms
Thursday, 08/11: USOS crew holiday (Japan’s Mountain Day)

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 – 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