NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 21 October 2016
Three new crew members are aboard the International Space Station. The hatches on the space station and Soyuz MS-02 opened at 8:20 a.m. EDT, marking the arrival to the orbiting laboratory for NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Andrey Borisenko of the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
Their Soyuz MS-02 spacecraft docked with the station’s Poisk module at 5:52 a.m. At the time of docking, the space station was flying 251 miles over southern Russia.
The trio join Expedition 49 Commander Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos and Flight Engineers Kate Rubins of NASA and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, who have been aboard the complex since July. The incoming crew will spend a little more than four months together aboard the space station, returning to Earth in late February.
The crew members will contribute to more than 250 research experiments ongoing aboard the space station, in diverse fields such as biology, Earth Science, human research, physical sciences and technology development.
On-Orbit Status Report
48 Soyuz (48S) Dock: 48S launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Wednesday, October 19th, and docked to the ISS this morning bringing Ryzhikov, Borisenko, and Kimbrough to the ISS. Docking to the Mini Research Module-2 (MRM-2) module was completed at 4:53 am CDT with hatch opening at 7:20 am CDT. Today’s docking increases the ISS crew complement from 3 to 6 crewmembers.
Airway Monitoring Preparations: FE-6 reviewed training material then prepared the Joint Airlock for next week’s Airway Monitoring by removing the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Mobility Units (EMUs), and gathering and configuring hardware for next Tuesday’s reduced pressure measurement session in the Airlock. The Airway Monitoring investigation studies the occurrence and indicators of airway inflammation in crewmembers, using ultra-sensitive gas analyzers to analyze exhaled air. This helps to highlight any health impacts and to maintain crewmember well-being on future human spaceflight missions, especially longer-duration missions to the Moon and Mars for example, where crewmembers will have to be more self-sufficient in highlighting and avoiding such conditions.
Human Research Program (HRP) Collections: FE-5 performed Return minus 14 (R-14) blood collections and started an R-14 24-hour urine collection for several NASA and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) HRP experiments. Blood vials were filled and placed in Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) in support of Biochemical Profile, Repository, Cardio Ox, CSA Marrow, and CSA Vascular Echo. Urine collections supported Biochemical Profile, Repository, and Cardio Ox. The Biochemical Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples obtained from astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results, which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body. Cardio Ox attempts to determine whether biological markers of oxidative and inflammatory stress are elevated during and after space flight and whether this results in an increased, long-term risk of atherosclerosis risk in astronauts. Repository is a storage bank used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time and under well-controlled conditions. This repository supports scientific discovery that contributes to our fundamental knowledge in the area of human physiological changes and adaptation to a microgravity environment and provides unique opportunities to study longitudinal changes in human physiology spanning many missions. The Marrow investigation looks at the effect of microgravity on the bone marrow. It is believed that microgravity, like long-duration bed rest on Earth, has a negative effect on the bone marrow and the blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow. Vascular Echo experiment investigates the stiffening of the arteries and increased blood pressure (hypertension) observed in some returning ISS crewmembers. By observing the changes in blood vessels, and the heart, while the crew members are in space and following their recovery on return to Earth, investigators hope to provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health, and quality of life.
JAXA Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) Installation: FE-5 installed the JAXA PCG canisters, delivered this morning to the ISS by the 48Soyuz capsule, into the Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF) of the Ryutai Rack. The PCG experiment attempts to obtain high quality protein crystals in the microgravity environment. Results from the PCG experiment will contribute to the development of pharmaceuticals for multidrug-resistant bacteria, Alzheimer’s disease, and muscular dystrophy.
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Pressure Control and Pump Assembly (PCPA) Operations: Today, the crew performed a second demating of the connection between the Fluid Control and Pump Assembly (FCPA) and PCPA at Quick Disconnect 27 (QD27), which is located on the PCPA. This activity was first performed on October 7th, and additional data is needed to determine whether the FCPA is the source of the high conductivity seen in the UPA distillate.
Crew Quarters (CQ) Solid State Lighting Assembly (SSLA) Installation: Today, FE-6 installed SSLAs into the Port and Overhead CQs. The SSLAs were designed to replace General Luminaire Assemblies (GLAs) to improve visual acuity and to provide a crew health countermeasure for circadian rhythms, sleep, alertness and performance. To accomplish these goals, SSLAs are designed to operate in 3 modes with 3 distinct spectrum. The different spectrum provide control of the blue portion of the light which impacts melatonin production in humans which impacts sleep.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
USOS Window Shutter Close
Habitability Narrated Task Video Setup – Subject
HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Double Spin Collection – Operator
Closing Window Shutters 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14.
Photo TV Battery Charge Initiation
Habitability Narrated Task Video End – Subject
MPEG2 Multicast Test via Ku-band
ISS HAM Radio Power Down
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion
???? configuration for Soyuz 732 docking to MRM2. Comm check with Soyuz 732 via RSA2-S/G2
Preparation for Soyuz 732 Docking
HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Spin Conclude
HRF Sample Photo
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion
HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Conclude Stow
Activation of TV Data and MPEG2 Multicast Monitoring Equipment
Monitoring Soyuz 732 Rendezvous with ISS (MRM2)
Airway Monitoring Big Picture Words Read
Activation of MPEG2 multicast video recording mode
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Airlock Unstow
Monitoring Soyuz 732 Rendezvous with ISS (MRM2)
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) QD27 Demate
MRM2-?? PEV switchover to ELECTR CONTR position
Airway Monitoring Hardware Location
Exit Applications and Downlink MPEG2 Multicast Video via OCA
Comm reconfig after Soyuz 732 docking
Gas Analyzer Activation in Soyuz 731
Photo TV Battery Charge Swap
BIOPLENKA. Thermostat Activation at +4 deg ?
WHC Goggle Swap
Soyuz 732 – MRM2 Interface Leak Check
Hardware Setup in SM for Expedition 49 Arrival TV Coverage
Equipment Setup in MRM2 for Hatch Opening from MRM TV Coverage
Soyuz 732-MRM2 Hatch Opening TV Coverage of Expedition 49 Arrival
Exiting Applications, Deactivation of camcorders and TV monitors
Installation of Quick Release Screw Clamps on MRM2-Soyuz 732 Interface
Comm reconfig for nominal ops
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)
End of space suits 1, 2 drying (Soyuz 732)
ISS HAM Radio Power Up
Start drying suit 3 and the 1st pair of gloves (Soyuz 732)
Meteor Shutter Open
Terminate drying the 1st pair of gloves and start drying the 2nd pair (Soyuz 732)
Photo TV Battery Charge Swap
Terminate drying the second pair of gloves (Soyuz 730)
ISS Safety Briefing
Safety briefing after Soyuz 732 docking.
HRF Generic Urine Collection Setup
??? maintenance
Soyuz 732 Deactivation (without Gas Analyzer deactivation)
Photo of traces left by the Active Docking Mechanism probe on the MRM2 Passive Mechanism Receiving Cone
Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference
Terminate drying of the 3rd space suit, start drying the 3rd pair of gloves (Soyuz 732)
Analysis of SM Atmosphere for Freon Using Freon Leak Analyzer/Detector (???)
Download docking cone internal surface photos to OCA
Terminate drying the 3rd pair of gloves (Soyuz 732)
Space suit and gloves post-drying stowage ops in Soyuz 732
Soyuz 732 Transfers and IMS Ops
Space Headaches – Weekly Questionnaire
KRISTALLIZATOR. PCG kit transfer from Soyuz, Inspection, and Handover to USOS
Space Headaches – Daily Questionnaire
KRISTALLIZATOR. Photo of PCG Kits Handover
JAXA Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) Installation
Transfer of Conyugatsiya, Microvir, Produtsent, Bioplenka P/L from Soyuz and setup in thermostat at +4 degrees C
POLIGEN. Transfers and Setup
Space Headaches – Weekly Questionnaire
POLIGEN. Photography of Kits at Exposure Locations
KORREKTSIYA. Preparation of ECCO mini-container and cool packs to USOS
REGENERATSIYA-1. Hardware transfer and setup
Photo TV Battery Charge Deactivation
REGENERATSIYA-1. Photography at Setup Location
Completed Task List Items
SSLA Install – Overhead Crew Quarters
SSLA Install – Port Crew Quarters
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
SDMS Recording for 48S Docking
PCPA Pumpdown
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Saturday, 10/22: Cygnus Capture OBT, Emergency Roles/Responsibilities Review, Crew Adaptation
Sunday, 10/23: Cygnus Approach and Capture, Vestibule Outfitting
Monday, 10/24: BEAM Ingress, Airway Monitoring Setup, Cygnus Cargo Transfer Review
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”) – On
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Standby
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Idle
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
