NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 6 December 2017
After delivering almost 7,400 pounds of cargo to support dozens of science experiments from around the world, the Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo spacecraft has departed the International Space Station. At 8:11 a.m., Expedition 53 Flight Engineers Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba of NASA gave the command to release Cygnus.
On Tuesday, Dec. 5, ground controllers used the Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach the Cygnus spacecraft from the Earth-facing side of the station’s Unity module. The spacecraft, which arrived at the station Nov. 14, then maneuvered above the Harmony module to gather data overnight that will aid in rendezvous and docking operations for future U.S. commercial crew vehicles arriving for a linkup to Harmony’s international docking adapters.
Experiments delivered on Cygnus supported NASA and other research investigations during Expedition 53, including studies in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science.
Later today, Cygnus will release 14 CubeSats from an external NanoRacks deployer. Cygnus also is packed with more than 6,200 pounds of trash and other items marked for disposal during its destructive reentry Monday, Dec. 18.
The Cygnus launched Nov. 12 on Orbital ATK’s upgraded Antares 230 rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia for the company’s eighth NASA-contracted commercial resupply mission.
On-Orbit Status Report
OA-8 Cygnus Release: After yesterday’s unberth and the overnight GPS shadowing (“Photobomb”) Detailed Test Objective (DTO), today SSRMS ground controllers relocated the Cygnus vehicle to the release point and the onboard crew released the vehicle and monitored its departure. Cygnus will be held in that position overnight and then repositioned for release tomorrow. Cygnus arrived at the ISS on the 14th of November carrying supplies, and is now departing with hardware and trash for disposal.
Combustion Integration Rack (CIR) Ignitor Tip R&R: Today the crew removed and replaced the Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus (MDCA) ignitor tip inside CIR. The tip burned out last week during Advanced Combustion Microgravity Experiment (ACME) operations, and science operations have been on hold pending this hardware R&R. The ACME project is a set of five independent studies of gaseous flames to be conducted in the CIR. ACME’s primary and secondary goals are (1) improved fuel efficiency and reduced pollutant production in practical combustion on Earth, and (2) spacecraft fire prevention through innovative research focused on materials flammability.
Lighting Effects: Today a 52S crewmember began a two-week long Sleep Shifted session, by logging into the sleep log application and tracking his daily sleep patterns and wakefulness. The 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.
Earth Imagery from ISS Target Operations: Using the NIKON camera the crew captured time-lapse images of the United Kingdom and the Nile at night. The Earth Imagery from ISS investigation creates a series of videos, showcasing Earth from space. These videos will be taken with cameras on the International Space Station in 6K hi-resolution, then integrated into videos for screensavers for public enjoyment, exploration, and engagement.
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis: This morning, the crew analyzed water quality on board using the EHS TOCA system, looking for contaminants in the water.
EHS Microbial Capture Device (MCD) and Coliform Water Sample Analysis: Today, the crew analyzed water samples which were taken on Monday. This analysis procedure is designed to detect microbial growth in the ISS water system.
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Helmet Swap: Today the crew removed an EMU helmet which has passed its certified lifetime and replace it with a newly launched helmet. The old helmet will be returned to the ground on SpaceX-13 for refurbishment.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry – Subject
MORZE. Evaluation using SPRUT-2.
MORZE. Psycho-physiological Evaluation: Tsentrovka, SENSOR Tests
Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth
Robotic Workstation (RWS) High Definition (HD) Monitor Downlink
USOS Window Shutter Close
ARED Software Big Picture Words review
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Crew Quarters (CQ) Deck Cleaning
Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position
JEM Camera Robot S/N 002 Preparation
UDOD. Experiment Ops with DYKNANIYE-1 and SPRUT-2 Sets. Tagup with specialists
Cygnus PCS Command and PROX Link Verification
JEM Mesh Cover-Return Grille Cleaning
Monitoring closure of shutters on SM windows 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14. See Note 5
MORZE. Psycho-physiological Evaluation: SUPOS Test
Dragon Prepack
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
Reconfigure Galley Rack at NOD1S4 Location
MORZE. Closeout Ops
EXPANDER Exercise
SPHERES Battery Setup
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
??? Maintenance
Miniature Exercise Device Equipment Stow
Microscope Hardware Setup
Photo/TV Ghost Camera in Cuopla on SSC power recording
Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Cygnus Release
Preventive Maintenance of SM Ventilation Subsystem. Group ?1
Water sampling from Water Distribution and Heating Unit (???-?) to drink bags
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test
???-?? water sampling to Russian drink bags
Configure power cables to XF305 for future use
Cygnus PROX Switch OFF
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Social Media Event
PILOT-T. Preparation for the experiment.
Combustion Integrated Rack Rack Doors Open
SPHERES Battery Swap
ESA Weekly crew conference
PILOT-T. Experiment Ops.
Combustion Integrated Rack Front End Cap Open
Health Maintenance System (HMS) PPE Kit Restock
PCS Laptop Relocate
Restore setting of VCA2
ACME Chamber Insert Configuration
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
High Definition Video Camera Assemby 2 Activation in High Definition Mode
Telescience Resource Kit Laptop Setup
ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE. HAM Radio Hardware Activation
High Definition Video Camera Assembly 2 Switch to SD Mode
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
Environmental Health System (EHS) – Microbial Capture Device (MCD) and Coliform Water Sample Analysis 44 +/- 4 hours post processing
PILOT-T. Closeout Ops
ISS HAM Video Power Up
Photo/TV Ghost Camera in Cupola Downlink
Photography of pipeline joints and sealing elements delivered on Progress 419
Combustion Integrated Rack Front End Cap Close
Combustion Integrated Rack Rack Doors Close
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Swap
IMS Update
Crew Departure Prep
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Helmet Swap
Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power On
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan
Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference
Crew Discretionary Event
Completed Task List Activities
Environmental Health System (EHS) – Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Kit Sample Collection
Ground Activities
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Cygnus positioning and release.
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Thursday, 12/07: PEPS Inspection, CQ Cleaning, Eye exams, ELF, EIISS, Crew Handover
Friday, 12/08: Soyuz OBT, Dragon OBT, RAM Retrieve, NASA Platform2, Arthrospira
Saturday, 12/09: Probiotics, Off Duty
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 – Operate
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Standby
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 – Full Up
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Off
