NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 13 June 2017 – Setting up New Experiments
Russia’s Progress 67 (67P) cargo craft stands at its launch pad in Kazakhstan ready for liftoff Wednesday at 5:20 a.m. EDT. NASA TV will broadcast the launch live from the Baikonur Cosmodrome including the docking of the 67P Friday at 7:42 a.m. to the Zvezda service module.
Two external experiments have been extracted from the trunk of the SpaceX Dragon resupply ship and attached to the outside of the International Space Station. Ground controllers commanded the Canadarm2 to reach inside Dragon, grapple both experiments and install them on EXPRESS logistics carriers.
The first experiment, MUSES, or Multiple User System for Earth Sensing, was removed June 6 the day after Dragon’s arrival. It was installed two days later on the starboard side of the station’s truss structure. MUSES is an Earth-imaging platform that may improve navigation, agriculture and benefit emergency responders and the petroleum industry.
NICER, or Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer, was extracted Sunday afternoon and will be installed this evening. It will search for new insights into the physics of neutron stars and help scientists develop a pulsar-based, space navigation system.
A third experiment will be extracted June 17 to test a new advanced solar array. The roll-out solar array, or ROSA, rolls out like a tape measure with solar cells on a flexible blanket. The ROSA, which could power future NASA spaceships and communication satellites, will be stowed back inside Dragon’s trunk after seven days of data collection while attached to the station’s robotic arm.
On-Orbit Status Report
Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF): The crew replaced the Sample Cartridge and the stuck Sample Holder in the ELF with a new type of Sample Holder and a Sample Cartridge. The ELF is an experimental facility designed to levitate, melt and solidify materials by containerless processing techniques using the Electrostatic Levitation method. With this facility, thermophysical properties of high temperature melts can be measured, and solidification from deeply undercooled melts can be achieved.
NeuroMapping: The crew set up the Neuromapping hardware and executed testing in both a “strapped in” and “free floating” body configuration. During the test, the crewmember performed three Behavioral Assessments: mental rotation, sensorimotor adaptation, and motor-cognitive dual tasking. The NeuroMapping investigation studies whether long-duration spaceflight causes changes to brain structure and function, motor control, or multi-tasking abilities. It also measures how long it would take for the brain and body to recover from possible changes. Previous research and anecdotal evidence from astronauts suggests movement control and cognition can be affected in microgravity. The NeuroMapping investigation performs structural and functional magnetic resonance brain imaging (MRI and fMRI) to assess any changes that occur after spending months on the ISS.
Habitability Walk-through: The crew recorded and submitted a walk-through videoim documenting observations of life onboard ISS and providing insights related to human factors and habitability. The Habitability investigation collects observations about the relationship between crew members and their environment on the ISS. These observations can help spacecraft designers understand habitable volume requirements and whether a mission’s duration impacts how much space crewmembers need or not.
ISS Medical Accessory Kit (IMAK) Unpack: The crew unpacked resupply kits delivered on SpX-11 and replaced expired items with new ones. They also packed items designated for return to ground.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations in Support of NICER: Overnight, Robotics Ground Controllers walked the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) off the Node2 Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) onto Mobile Base System (MBS) PDGF1. They then translated the Mobile Transporter (MT) with the Neutron Star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER) Payload from Worksite 6 (WS6) to WS2. Finally, Controllers unstowed the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) from MBS PDGF2. These activities were to set up for tonight’s NICER installation onto ELC2.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Crew Earth Observation Shutter Close
On MCC Go Regeneration of Micropurification Unit (???) ?2 Cartridge (start)
Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Install
XF305 Camcorder Setup
Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) sample Cartridge Retrieval
JEM Microbe Sensor Troubleshoot
Pressurization of Elektron-VM Liquid Unit before Activation
Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) Sample Holder Reset
Preparing for Troubleshooting FGB Power Supply System and ???? devices, ODF and R/G review.
Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) Sample Holder Exchange
Habitability Walk-through Video – Subject
Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) sample Cartridge Installation
Strata Payload Stow
Cargo Transfer to Dragon
Adjusting Minimum Tension On Treadmill ??-2 & Taping Up the Belt.
GIS Data Downlink
TOCA Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
Miniaturized Particle Telescope
Cargo Transfer to Dragon
Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) Valve 2 Operation
HRF2 Supply Kit Resupply
??? Maintenance
ISS HAM Video Operations
Video Recording of Greetings
Sprint Portable Pulmonary Function System Setup Partial
NeuroMapping Experiment Neurocognitive Test – Subject
Combustion Integrated Rack Hardware Gather
IMS Update
Dragon Cargo Operations Conference
TOCA Sample Data Record
Rodent Research Habitat 2 Water Check
On MCC Go Regeneration Micropurification Unit (???) ?2 Absorption Cartridge (end)
Completed Task List Items
None
Ground Activities
All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted.
NICER Installation onto ELC2
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 06/14: 67P launch, Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus Hardware Replacement, Rodent Research Habitat Restock, Environmental Health System (EHS) Microbial, Coliform, and Potable Water Samples.
Thursday, 06/15: Rodent Research Habitat Restock, Cardiac Stem Cell ops, Sprint VO2 Max, Progress 66P OBT
Friday, 06/16: 67P dock, JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) Install
