NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 7 December 2016
Japan is preparing to launch its sixth cargo mission to the International Space Station Friday morning. The Expedition 50 crew is training for the cargo ship’s arrival while studying how living in space affects the human body and maintaining station systems.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is getting ready to roll out its H-IIB rocket Thursday afternoon for a launch Friday at 8:26 a.m. Eastern time (10:26 p.m. Japan time) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The H-IIB is carrying the Kounotori HTV-6 cargo craft that will deliver over 4.5 tons of cargo to the International Space Station. Astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Thomas Pesquet continue studying the robotic procedures they will use to capture the HTV-6 when it arrives Tuesday morning.
Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson, who is on her third station mission, spent the entire day researching how microgravity pulls fluids towards the head. Doctors have noted how these fluid shifts apply pressure to the back of astronauts’ eyes potentially causing damage and affecting vision.
Cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Andrey Borisenko joined Whitson throughout the day for ultrasound scans and eye checks as part of the Fluid Shifts study. Cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy measured how activities on the station affect its magnetic field and microgravity environment.
Interior of the Kounotori HTV-6 cargo craft. Credit: JAXA.
On-Orbit Status Report
Story Time From Space Demo: The crew recorded a narrated video that pairs with the books Max Goes to Mars and Max Goes to Jupiter, that demonstrates how in the absence of compressive forces exerted by the earth’s gravity, the human body grows/stretches. Story Time From Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Crew members read five science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related children’s books in orbit, and complete simple science concept experiments. Crew members videotape themselves reading the books and completing demonstrations. Video and data collected during the demonstrations are downlinked to the ground and posted in a video library with accompanying educational materials.
Fluid Shifts: The crew performed the final day for the Fluid Shift operations in the Russian Service Module (SM) for their Flight Day 45 session. The subject donned the Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP/Chibis) device, while the operator, with ground support in Moscow, assisted in the medical monitoring. Additionally, while the subject was in the LBNP and experiencing the negative pressure (pulling the fluid feetward), the Crew Medical Officer performed Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and Tonometry measurements. 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 investigated as a possible intervention. Results from this study may help to develop preventative measures against lasting changes in vision and eye damage.
Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock Slide Table Reconfiguration: With the completion of the Robotics External Leak Locator (RELL) checkout, the crew extended the JEM Slide Table into the module and removed the RELL and JEM On-orbit Replacement Units (ORU) Transfer Interface (JOTI). The crew then installed the Small Fine Arm Attachment Mechanism (SAM) and Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) in preparation for the Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Deployers (J-SSOD) to be delivered on HTV-6. The JOTI will be returned to its Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA)-2 stowage location at a future time.
Personal CO2 Monitor Calibration: Prior to next week’s long duration Personal CO2 Monitor demonstration, the crew performed a calibration of the sensor, comparing the sensor’s readings to that of the Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA). The Personal CO2 Monitor demonstrates a system capable of unobtrusively collecting and downlinking individual crew members’ CO2 exposure for weeks to months. This investigation evaluates wearability principles in microgravity and also demonstrates Modular Wearable Architecture Base Board, allowing rapid certification of future wearable devices.
EVERYWEAR Tonometry: The crew performed the first session of the Everywear Tonometry test. By connecting the Tonometer and the EveryWear application on the iPad, the crew was able to monitor and record pulse waves of the carotid and radial arteries. The EVERYWEAR assistant is an ambulatory data collection system that makes use of wearable sensors connected to a space station iPad tablet computer, which itself, is wirelessly synchronized with computers on the ground. This easy-use system seeks to demonstrate the benefits of extensive physiology data collection for both science and medical follow-up purposes, by improving usability for crew members on the ISS. The main advantage of EVERYWEAR is the ability to aggregate data from different tools, but it also brings with it a simplification in procedures for astronauts. This is a versatile device that can cover a wide variety of needs with a tailored data collection capability that allows a unified treatment of data. The use of this personal assistant brings a very important gain in crew-time availability for ISS crew members.
Meteor Grating Exchange: Today the diffraction grating on the Meteor camera located in the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF) was changed from a fine to a coarse grating. By changing the grating, the scientists are able to observe different frequencies of light. The Meteor payload is a visible spectroscopy instrument with the primary purpose of observing meteors in Earth orbit. Meteor uses image analysis to provide information on the physical and chemical properties of the meteoroid dust, such as size, density, and chemical composition. Since the parent comets or asteroids for most of the meteor showers are identified, the study of the meteoroid dust on orbit provides information about the parent comets and asteroids.
Optical PAyload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS): OPALS flight software was updated on Tuesday to correct an issue with the laser RS-422 commanding interface. Yesterday the laser unit was powered on and the RS-422 commanding interface was initialized and verified by test. Following OPALS activation today and prior to the optical laser transmission over the Nice, France ground site, OPALS put itself into a “Safe State”. OPALS is unable to assess and recover prior to the ground pass today, so these operations will be deferred until OPALS performs some troubleshooting steps today, looks at data, and reschedules this ground site opportunity. OPALS tests the potential for using a laser to transmit data to Earth from space. Instead of being broadcast on radio waves, data is packaged onto beams of laser light and hardware on the International Space Station will point the laser to a receiver station on the ground. Radio waves transmission is limited by the speed that it can transfer data, but beaming information packages with lasers can greatly increase the amount of information transmitted over the same period of time.
Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Troubleshooting: The crew reconnected Fluids Control and Pump Assembly (FCPA) Quick Disconnect (QD)27 earlier today, this QD has been disconnected since GMT 322. The UPA has been producing distillate with an elevated conductivity. Sample results have determined Pre-Treated Urine (PTU) is in the purge distillate. The source of PTU is either the FCPA or the Distillation Assembly (DA). Troubleshooting involved disconnecting QD27 for two Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly (ARFTA) concentration cycles to isolate the FCPA housing from the purge distillate.
Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) Fluid System Servicer (FSS) Lab Refill Procedure Review: Today, the crew reviewed procedures outlining FSS operations, and gathered FSS hardware. Over the next couple days the crew will be using the Fluid System Servicer (FSS) Fluid Control Pump Assembly (FCPA) to perform the following ITCS Maintenance Tasks:
Refilling the Lab Low Temperature Loop (LTL) Pump Package Assembly (PPA) Accumulator
Refilling the JEM Moderate Temperature Loop (MTL) Accumulator
Refilling the Columbus Water Pump Assembly 2 (WPA2) Accumulator
Filling a pair of dry ITCS lines running between Node 1 and Node 3
JEM Pressurized Module (JPM) Smoke Detector Cleaning: As part of routine maintenance, the crew inspected and cleaned JPM Cabin Smoke Detector b using the Intravehicular Activity (IVA) Connector Cleaning Tool and Compressed Air.
On-Board Training (OBT) Robotics On-Board Trainer (ROBoT): In preparation for HTV-6 capture and berthing, the crew completed another session of training. In addition to self-study the crew practiced a 30 meter approach and 2 Capture Point (CP)-hold runs.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
EveryWear sleep assessment questionnaire filling
Acoustic Dosimeter Setup Day 3
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill
Story Time from Space Effects on Human Body Demonstration
Story Time From Space Historical Photo
FLUID SHIFTS. Comm Config for the Experiment
Inventory of the Hardware Connected to the Outlets in DC1, MRM1, MRM2, FGB, Systems Power Panels ???-26 and ???-31
Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) Fluid System Servicer (FSS) Coolant Refill of Lab and Columbus – Procedure Review
FLUID SHIFTS. Hardware Prep and Setup for Video Coverage
XF305 Camcorder Setup
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
Fluid Shifts OCT Service Module Setup
Structures and Mechanisms (S&M) JEM ORU Xfer I/F (JOTI) and Robo Ext Leak Locator (RELL) Removal From JEM Airlock
Structures and Mechanisms JEM ORU Xfer I/F Robo Ext Leak Locator Assist
FLUID SHIFTS. Connection of OCT Laptop to BRI and RS HRF to ???-26 (instead of RSE-Med).
Fluid Shifts Tonometry Service Module Setup
Fluid Shifts OCT Service Module Power On
Fluid Shifts CCFP Service Module Configuration
Fluid Shifts DPOAE Service Module Setup
FLUID SHIFTS. Chibis Suit Pressure Control Unit Prep
FLUID SHIFTS. Assistance during Operations with Chibis and Gamma-1.
Fluid Shifts Experiment Service Module Data Collection
Small Fine Arm (SFA) Airlock Attachment Mechanism (SAM) installation To JEM Airlock (AL) Slide Table FLUID SHIFTS. Closeout Ops with Chibis
Fluid Shifts CCFP DPOAE Service Module End
FLUID SHIFTS. ???? Hardware Deactivation and Closing of SCC Apps
Dose Tracker Data Entry Subject
Fluid Shifts Tonometry Service Module Stow
FLUID SHIFTS. Restoration of Nominal Comm Config
Fluid Shifts OCT Service Module Power Off
Personal CO2 Monitor Payload On Board Training
JEM Airlock Capture Mechanism Release
FLUID SHIFTS. OCT Laptop Power Off. RSE-Med Connection.
Personal CO2 Monitor Sensor Calibration
JEMRMS Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform Installation to Small Fine Arm Attachment Mechanism Part1.
FLUID SHIFTS. Disconnection of US Inverter from ????
Fluid Shifts OCT Service Module Stow
JEM Airlock Capture Mechanism Capturing
JEMRMS Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform Installation to Small Fine Arm Attachment Mechanism Part2.
Fluid Shifts CCFP HRF PC Service Module Stow
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
METEOR Grating Configuration
Temperature Measurement on ????-1? (position ?304).
ESA ACTIVE DOSIMETER MOBILE UNIT SWAP
Pulse Wave monitoring with EveryWear Tonometer
Temperature Measurement on ????-1? (position ?304). Assistance
Fluid Shifts Hardware Final Gather
Fluid Shifts Hardware USOS Transfer
ESA Monthly Management Conference
Leak Check of ??? fluid section and ?? ??-23 Safety Valve Setup. Tagup with specialists
Capillary Flow Experiments Interior Corner Flow Procedure Review
Fluid Shifts Ultrasound 2 Data Export Alternate
On-board Training (OBT) HTV Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session
Comm Config in MRM2 for the Experiment
KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL. Experiment Ops.
Aerosol Passive Samplers Drawer 3 Closure
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) QD27 Remate
Dose Tracker Data Entry Subject
JPM Cabin Smoke Detector b Cleaning
Fluid Shifts HRF PC 2 Reconnect
Fluid Shifts OCT Laptop US Lab Setup
Fluid System Servicer (FSS) Lab Stowage Clear
Restoration of Nominal Comm Config in MRM2
Fluid Shifts Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Setup Power On From Cargo Transfer Bag
Temperature Measurement on ????-1? (position ?304).
KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL. Data Transfer and Downlink
Fluid Shifts Hardware Stow
On-board Training (OBT) HTV Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session
Delta file prep
Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
SD b Cleaning Closeout
In-flight Maintenance (IFM) Rheostat Air Mix Valve (RAMV) Adjustment And Tightening
URAGAN. Photo Spectrum System Battery Charge (start)
Completed Task List Items
Veggie 03 Pillow Watering
Unpack Inc 50 Coffee
Relocate Stowage from NOD2D2 to Clear Hatchway for HTV6
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Cupola AVU Checkout
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Thursday, 12/08: FSS ITCS Coolant Loop Refill, Solar Array Mast Imagery
Friday, 12/09: MSPR Combustion Chamber Installation, ITCS Coolant Loop Fill, HRF Samples, Fine Motor Skills
Saturday, 12/10: Weekly Housekeeping, HRF Samples
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 – 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
