NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 30 January 2017 – Preparing for Operations Beyond Low Earth Orbit
Scientists are researching how International Space Station astronauts adapt to new technology as NASA prepares to send humans beyond low-Earth orbit. Crew members will have to learn how to operate new types of spacecraft and adjust to planetary surfaces with different microgravity environments.
As part of this research, Expedition 50 Flight Engineers Peggy Whitson from NASA and Thomas Pesquet from ESA started Monday morning with an interactive test on an iPad. The test is part of the Fine Motor Skills experiment that observes how astronauts interact with new technologies potentially influencing the design of future spaceships, spacesuits and habitats.
Commander Shane Kimbrough worked throughout the day on science hardware. He rebooted a computer on the MERLIN science freezer before swapping hard drives on a device that observes meteors entering Earth’s atmosphere. In the afternoon, Kimbrough videotaped himself reading a children’s book and performing a simple light experiment for school kids on Earth.
The three cosmonauts, Oleg Novitskiy, Andrey Borisenko and Sergey Ryzhikov, worked in the station’s Russian segment on a variety of science and maintenance tasks. The trio explored the human digestion system and collected blood samples for a bone loss study.
On-Orbit Status Report
Fine Motor Skills (FMS): The crew performed their Flight Day 75 (FD75) FMS sessions this morning. Currently the crew is performing the test at a frequency of every 5 days for the first three months that they are onboard the ISS. After FD90 the crew will transition to a frequency of FMS sessions every 14 days. The FMS experiment is executed on a touchscreen tablet, where the crew performs a series of interactive tasks. The investigation studies how fine motor skills are effected by long-term microgravity exposure, different phases of microgravity adaptation, and sensorimotor recovery after returning to Earth gravity. The goal of FMS is to answer how fine motor performance in microgravity trend/vary over the duration of a six-month and year-long space mission; how fine motor performance on orbit compare with that of a closely matched participant on Earth; and how performance trend/vary before and after gravitational transitions, including the periods of early flight adaptation, and very early/near immediate post-flight periods.
Story Time From Space – Light Demo: The crew recorded an educational video based on three children’s books (Max Goes to Mars, The Wizard Who Saved the World, Max Goes to Jupiter). The video highlights the visible light spectrum and the attenuation of the intensity of the Sun’s light as it is viewed through the atmosphere. Story Time From Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded aboard the 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.
Meteor Hard Drive Swap: The crew performed a regular changeout of the Meteor hard drive located in the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF). 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.
Lighting Effects Sleep Study: The Lighting Effects subject has initiated a two week sleep logging data collection in support of the Lighting Effects investigation. Using an Actiwatch and Sleep Logs the crewmember will track their sleep patterns and wakefulness. Later this week the crewmember will perform a cognition test and over the weekend perform a 48-hour urine collection, with the samples placed in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) for a future return and ground analysis. The Testing Solid State Lighting Countermeasures to Improve Circadian Adaptation, Sleep, and Performance During High Fidelity Analog and Flight Studies for the International Space Station (Lighting Effects) investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance.
Pressurized Mating Adaptor (PMA) 2 Ingress: The crew completed a review of the planned PMA2 ingress activities. After gathering hardware, the crew removed stowage from the Node 2 endcone and ingressed PMA2. They removed the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controller Panel Assemblies (CPAs) that will be installed in the Node 3 Port/PMA 3 vestibule later in the increment in preparation for PMA 3 relocate along with some additional hardware. They installed an IMV Duct that will be used for future docked vehicles. The crew then inspected the PMA for evidence of microbial growth and condensation and evaluated whether a newly designed Hatch Depress Indicator is compatible with the PMA bulkhead. The crew also returned the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) Transfer Interface (JOTI) hardware back into the PMA2, which was used during the Robotics External Leak Locator (RELL) demonstration last year, as well as some additional hardware that is not needed in the near term. Finally, they egressed PMA2 and returned the stowage to the Node 2 endcone.
Cupola Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) Modification Kit Installation: The crew removed the existing Cupola ATU coldplate hardware and installed modified hardware. The new hardware protrudes less into the Cupola work volume and better protects the ATU flex lines from inadvertent damage.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Last year, the Columbus Module experienced a power anomaly when a subset of Power Distribution Unit -1 (PDU-1) outlets went unexpectedly to OFF. Among the equipment that suddenly lost power was the RapidScat Feeder#1. The RapidScat power up troubleshooting attempts were not successful. The new ESA payload Atmosphere Space Interaction Monitor (ASIM), arriving on SpX-13, is currently planned for installation at the RapidScat site, therefore the electrical components of the payload site need to be tested to ensure that this location is fully operational. Today ground controllers removed RapidScat from the Columbus External Platform and then demated the electrical connector on the adapter plate to allow for troubleshooting of the interface. Based on the troubleshooting, the payload site on Columbus has been cleared, and the fault is isolated to RapidScat. Once the troubleshooting was completed, the ground controller mated the adapter plate connector and re-installed RapidScat.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry – Subject
Fine Motor Skills Experiment Test – Subject
Fine Motor Skills Historical Documentation Photography
Recharge Air Conditioner [???1] with Freon from bottles, preparation.
KORREKTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food Intake (Medicine)
Columbus Video Camera Assembly 2 Adjustment
Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA 2) Big Picture Word Review
Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – Switch reconfiguration
Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF) Cable R&R Part1
Air Conditioner [???1] refill with Freon from tanks.
Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA) 2 Hardware Gather
Treadmill 2 (T2) Exercise Video Equipment Setup
Acoustic Dosimeter Setup Day 1
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update
Crew Medical Officer (CMO) Proficiency Training
Node 2 Endcone Cleanout
Preventive maintenance of DC1 ??? hatch sealing mechanisms and Progress 433 (DC1) [???] hatch
Cupola Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) Modification Kit Gather
PMA2 Ingress Part 1
On MCC GO Brine/urine transfer from two ??? to Progress 433 (DC1) Rodnik H2O tank 1 and 2
SPLANH. ???? registration end. Closeout Ops.
Cupola Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) Mod Kit Install
PMA-2 Ingress Part 2
Portable Fan Assembly (PFA) Setup
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
PMA2 Stowage Retrieval
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
Study Of Cardiac Bioelectric Activity At Rest
MERLIN Troubleshooting
Removal of ???305 Lights from Progress 433 (DC1) and Stowage in Spares Kit
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) PMA2 Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Reconfiguration
Meteor Hard Drive Swapout
Meteor GFCI Reset
Progress 433 (DC1) Cargo Ops Completion Report
Cupola Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) Modification Kit Stow
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Detent Remove and Replace
KORREKTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food Intake (Medicine)
Progress 433 Activation, Air Duct Removal
Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA2) SurfacFine Motor Skills (FMS): The crew performed their Flight Day 75 (FD75) FMS sessions this morning. Currently the crew is performing the test at a frequency of every 5 days for the first three months that they are onboard the ISS. After FD90 the crew will transition to a frequency of FMS sessions every 14 days. The FMS experiment is executed on a touchscreen tablet, where the crew performs a series of interactive tasks. The investigation studies how fine motor skills are effected by long-term microgravity exposure, different phases of microgravity adaptation, and sensorimotor recovery after returning to Earth gravity. The goal of FMS is to answer how fine motor performance in microgravity trend/vary over the duration of a six-month and year-long space mission; how fine motor performance on orbit compare with that of a closely matched participant on Earth; and how performance trend/vary before and after gravitational transitions, including the periods of early flight adaptation, and very early/near immediate post-flight periods.
Story Time From Space – Light Demo: The crew recorded an educational video based on three children’s books (Max Goes to Mars, The Wizard Who Saved the World, Max Goes to Jupiter). The video highlights the visible light spectrum and the attenuation of the intensity of the Sun’s light as it is viewed through the atmosphere. Story Time From Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded aboard the 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.
Meteor Hard Drive Swap: The crew performed a regular changeout of the Meteor hard drive located in the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF). 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.
Lighting Effects Sleep Study: The Lighting Effects subject has initiated a two week sleep logging data collection in support of the Lighting Effects investigation. Using an Actiwatch and Sleep Logs the crewmember will track their sleep patterns and wakefulness. Later this week the crewmember will perform a cognition test and over the weekend perform a 48-hour urine collection, with the samples placed in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) for a future return and ground analysis. The Testing Solid State Lighting Countermeasures to Improve Circadian Adaptation, Sleep, and Performance During High Fidelity Analog and Flight Studies for the International Space Station (Lighting Effects) investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance.
Pressurized Mating Adaptor (PMA) 2 Ingress: The crew completed a review of the planned PMA2 ingress activities. After gathering hardware, the crew removed stowage from the Node 2 endcone and ingressed PMA2. They removed the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controller Panel Assemblies (CPAs) that will be installed in the Node 3 Port/PMA 3 vestibule later in the increment in preparation for PMA 3 relocate along with some additional hardware. They installed an IMV Duct that will be used for future docked vehicles. The crew then inspected the PMA for evidence of microbial growth and condensation and evaluated whether a newly designed Hatch Depress Indicator is compatible with the PMA bulkhead. The crew also returned the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) Transfer Interface (JOTI) hardware back into the PMA2, which was used during the Robotics External Leak Locator (RELL) demonstration last year, as well as some additional hardware that is not needed in the near term. Finally, they egressed PMA2 and returned the stowage to the Node 2 endcone.
Cupola Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) Modification Kit Installation: The crew removed the existing Cupola ATU coldplate hardware and installed modified hardware. The new hardware protrudes less into the Cupola work volume and better protects the ATU flex lines from inadvertent damage.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Last year, the Columbus Module experienced a power anomaly when a subset of Power Distribution Unit -1 (PDU-1) outlets went unexpectedly to OFF. Among the equipment that suddenly lost power was the RapidScat Feeder#1. The RapidScat power up troubleshooting attempts were not successful. The new ESA payload Atmosphere Space Interaction Monitor (ASIM), arriving on SpX-13, is currently planned for installation at the RapidScat site, therefore the electrical components of the payload site need to be tested to ensure that this location is fully operational. Today ground controllers removed RapidScat from the Columbus External Platform and then demated the electrical connector on the adapter plate to allow for troubleshooting of the interface. Based on the troubleshooting, the payload site on Columbus has been cleared, and the fault is isolated to RapidScat. Once the troubleshooting was completed, the ground controller mated the adapter plate connector and re-installed RapidScat.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry – Subject
Fine Motor Skills Experiment Test – Subject
Fine Motor Skills Historical Documentation Photography
Recharge Air Conditioner [???1] with Freon from bottles, preparation.
KORREKTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food Intake (Medicine)
Columbus Video Camera Assembly 2 Adjustment
Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA 2) Big Picture Word Review
Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – Switch reconfiguration
Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF) Cable R&R Part1
Air Conditioner [???1] refill with Freon from tanks.
Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA) 2 Hardware Gather
Treadmill 2 (T2) Exercise Video Equipment Setup
Acoustic Dosimeter Setup Day 1
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update
Crew Medical Officer (CMO) Proficiency Training
Node 2 Endcone Cleanout
Preventive maintenance of DC1 ??? hatch sealing mechanisms and Progress 433 (DC1) [???] hatch
Cupola Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) Modification Kit Gather
PMA2 Ingress Part 1
On MCC GO Brine/urine transfer from two ??? to Progress 433 (DC1) Rodnik H2O tank 1 and 2
SPLANH. ???? registration end. Closeout Ops.
Cupola Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) Mod Kit Install
PMA-2 Ingress Part 2
Portable Fan Assembly (PFA) Setup
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
PMA2 Stowage Retrieval
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
Study Of Cardiac Bioelectric Activity At Rest
MERLIN Troubleshooting
Removal of ???305 Lights from Progress 433 (DC1) and Stowage in Spares Kit
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) PMA2 Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Reconfiguration
Meteor Hard Drive Swapout
Meteor GFCI Reset
Progress 433 (DC1) Cargo Ops Completion Report
Cupola Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) Modification Kit Stow
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Detent Remove and Replace
KORREKTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food Intake (Medicine)
Progress 433 Activation, Air Duct Removal
Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA2) Surface Inspection for Condensation
HRF Nomex gather
Connecting HDV Sony HVR-Z7E Camcorder in DC1 and starting NASA MPEG-2 (for TV coverage of “Removal of Quick Release Screw Clamps (???))
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Hatchway Assessment for Depress Indicator
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
VEG-03 Plant Photo
Removal of Quick-Release Screw Clamps from DC1-Progress 433 Interface and Video of the Interface
DC1-Progress Hatch Closure
MELFI Wetlab Removal
DC1-?? and Progress-?? Hatch Leak Check
MELFI Osteo Kit Removal
Story Time From Space Historical Photo
Story Time from Space Light Demo
Deactivation of HDV Sony HVR-Z7E camcorder and closing of NASA MPEG-2 Viewer application
Video Downlink via OCA (as necessary)
SPLANH. Preparation for the experiment
Preparation of protective Bubble Wrap Bags for PK-4 Hard Drives return stowage on Soyuz
??? maintenance
Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – Switch reconfiguration
Pressurize Mating Adapter (PMA) 2 Stowage Replace
Envrionmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Portable Fan Assembly (PFA) Teardown
PMA2 Egress
Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) /Group Combustion Module (GCM) Component Activation
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Full Fill
Node2 Endcone Stowage Replace
Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – Switch reconfiguration
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
KORREKTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food Intake (Medicine)
Preparation for Antivirus Scanning on [???] Laptops
Completed Task List Items
MCG Summary Display Thruster Selection Check [Completed Saturday]
MSG Frequent Use Drawer (FUD) Audit [Completed Saturday]
MSG Logistics Drawer (LGD) Audit [Completed Saturday]
MSG Low Usage Drawer (LUD) Audit [Completed Saturday]
Crew Evaluation of New Food Items [Completed Saturday]
PMM Rack Front Cleanup [Completed Saturday]
SPRINT VO2 Trash [Completed Saturday]
Columbus PWS1 Battery Exchange [Completed Saturday]
Veggie 03 Pillow Watering [Completed Sunday]
EVA EMU Parts Audit
ESA PAO Recorded Message “Seminaire Espace”
ESA PAO Recorded Message “CNES RT”
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Rapidcat/COL SDX Nadir Troubleshooting
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 01/31: MSL SCA Exchange, Story Time: Pendulous; Lab CDRA T/S Cable Install, SPHERES SLOSH Tank Maintenance, MPEP/SAM removal, Haptics, RADIN Deploy
Wednesday, 02/01: ROBONAUT Troubleshooting, PAO 4K Superbowl D/L, SPHERES Tether, CAST Session #3, PBRE Exchange, MSG Front Window
Thursday, 02/02: Body Measures, SPHERES HALO, EML, BEAM Ingress
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 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Standby
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 Upe Inspection for Condensation
HRF Nomex gather
Connecting HDV Sony HVR-Z7E Camcorder in DC1 and starting NASA MPEG-2 (for TV coverage of “Removal of Quick Release Screw Clamps (???))
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Hatchway Assessment for Depress Indicator
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
VEG-03 Plant Photo
Removal of Quick-Release Screw Clamps from DC1-Progress 433 Interface and Video of the Interface
DC1-Progress Hatch Closure
MELFI Wetlab Removal
DC1-?? and Progress-?? Hatch Leak Check
MELFI Osteo Kit Removal
Story Time From Space Historical Photo
Story Time from Space Light Demo
Deactivation of HDV Sony HVR-Z7E camcorder and closing of NASA MPEG-2 Viewer application
Video Downlink via OCA (as necessary)
SPLANH. Preparation for the experiment
Preparation of protective Bubble Wrap Bags for PK-4 Hard Drives return stowage on Soyuz
??? maintenance
Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – Switch reconfiguration
Pressurize Mating Adapter (PMA) 2 Stowage Replace
Envrionmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Portable Fan Assembly (PFA) Teardown
PMA2 Egress
Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) /Group Combustion Module (GCM) Component Activation
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Full Fill
Node2 Endcone Stowage Replace
Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – Switch reconfiguration
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
KORREKTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food Intake (Medicine)
Preparation for Antivirus Scanning on [???] Laptops
Completed Task List Items
MCG Summary Display Thruster Selection Check [Completed Saturday]
MSG Frequent Use Drawer (FUD) Audit [Completed Saturday]
MSG Logistics Drawer (LGD) Audit [Completed Saturday]
MSG Low Usage Drawer (LUD) Audit [Completed Saturday]
Crew Evaluation of New Food Items [Completed Saturday]
PMM Rack Front Cleanup [Completed Saturday]
SPRINT VO2 Trash [Completed Saturday]
Columbus PWS1 Battery Exchange [Completed Saturday]
Veggie 03 Pillow Watering [Completed Sunday]
EVA EMU Parts Audit
ESA PAO Recorded Message “Seminaire Espace”
ESA PAO Recorded Message “CNES RT”
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Rapidcat/COL SDX Nadir Troubleshooting
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 01/31: MSL SCA Exchange, Story Time: Pendulous; Lab CDRA T/S Cable Install, SPHERES SLOSH Tank Maintenance, MPEP/SAM removal, Haptics, RADIN Deploy
Wednesday, 02/01: ROBONAUT Troubleshooting, PAO 4K Superbowl D/L, SPHERES Tether, CAST Session #3, PBRE Exchange, MSG Front Window
Thursday, 02/02: Body Measures, SPHERES HALO, EML, BEAM Ingress
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 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Standby
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
