NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 16 March 2018 – Preparing For the Mouse Stress Defense Investigation
Today – Veg-03: Today the crew watered the Veg-03 plants and harvested leaves from each plant.
The leaves will then be preserved and inserted into cold stowage for later return to the Earth. The remainder of the plants will be left to grow and sprout new leaves. Veg-03 supports the proof-of concept for the Veggie plant growth chamber and the planting pillows. Future long duration space missions will require a fresh food supply grown in space to supplement crew diets.
Mouse Stress Defense: Today the crew set up a Glove Box in preparation for transfer of mice for the Mouse Stress Defense investigation after their arrival on the SpaceX-14 Dragon vehicle. Space flight brings an extreme environment with unique stressors. Microgravity provokes cellular mechanical stresses and perturbs cellular signaling, leading to reduction of muscle and bone density. To overcome these stresses, one of the promising strategies is to activate Nrf2, a master regulator of antioxidant pathway. Mouse Stress Defense investigates how Nrf2 contributes to effective prevention of space-originated stresses.
NanoRacks Rock Candy: The crew continued the ongoing photo-documentation of each Rock Candy pouch, showing any visible sugar crystal growth in each. This investigation teaches students about the effects of microgravity on crystal formations using nearly identical flight kits flown and operated onboard the ISS. With access to crew member videos and data on the same experiment, students are able compare crystal formations in space to those in their classrooms. The investigation aims to promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields to the next generation of students.
Space Headaches: The crew completed the weekly questionnaire for the ESA Space Headaches investigation today. This investigation collects information that may help in the development of methods to alleviate associated symptoms and improvement in the well-being and performance of crewmembers in space. Headaches during space flight can negatively affect mental and physical capacities of crewmembers that can influence performance during a space mission.
Lighting Effects: Upon waking, a 53S subject completed a daily sleep log entry to track his 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. Results from this investigation also have major implications for people on Earth who use electric lights.
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Suit Maintenance: Following this week’s removal of EMU 3008 and installation of EMUs 3003 and 3010 on the Equipment Lock EMU Don/Doff Assembly, the crew performed routine maintenance on EMU 3003 and 3006 including a loop scrub and EMU water conductivity tests. These tests are required to ensure proper function of the EMU water subsystem during this month’s US EVA.
Node 3 Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Inspection: On GMT 60, the Verification Gas Assembly (VGA) was replaced on the Node 3 MCA. After the R&R, partial pressure readings were not as expected and handheld Portable Oxygen Monitor (POM) and Carbon Dioxide Monitor (CDM) readings confirmed the MCA was not producing reliable partial pressure readings. In order to troubleshoot potential causes of the data irregularities, the crew performed an inspection of interfaces manipulated during the R&R. Following the crew inspection activities, the ground performed an MCA zero calibration and began a Quest airlock rapid sample activity so that ground teams can assess the MCA sample data.
Remote Power Control Modules (RPCM) P14B-G and P13A-G Swap: Overnight, the ground robotic specialists, using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), completed the swap of RPCMs P14B-G and P13A-G. Both RPCMs are re-powered and the PTR MDM survival heaters are functional with the good RPC 11 in the P13A-G location.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Video Recording of Greetings
Replacement of RJ45 connectors on network cables
Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media
Progress 437 (DC1) Stowage and IMS Ops
Life On The Station Photo and Video
ECON-M. Observation and photography
Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry
Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Backup Power Setup
N3 MCA connectors inspection with photo documenting throughout.
Termination of 825? unit discharge and removal from discharge operation
Demating of TLM connector from ??-?.
[??-?] charger teardown – closeout ops
Glove Box Setup 1
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Lab
FAZOPEREKHOD experiment
ISS crew and ???? (RSA Flight Control Management Team) weekly conference(S-band)
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Long Life Battery (LLB) Terminate
??? maintenance
Inventory Management System (IMS) conference
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Scrub
Progress 437 (DC1) Stowage and IMS Ops
MPEG-2 TV Downlink Test via KU-band prior to Soyuz 738 Docking to the ISS.
Vacuum cleaning vents on FGB interior panels
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
VEG-03 Dual Facility Watering for each Plant Pillow
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Lab
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Conductivity Test
Delta file prep
NanoRacks Rock Candy Imagery
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
VEG-03E Science Harvest
Portable air samples with CDM
Metal Oxide (METOX) Regeneration
VEG-03E MELFI Insertion #1
Completed Task List Activities
Glove Box Setup 1
Ground Activities
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Airlock LTL Flow Initiation for EMU Loop Scrub
MCA Zero Calibration
Airlock MetOx Regen
N3 ITCS mode transition to Single LT
SPDM RMCT Stow
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Saturday, 03/17: Housekeeping, Crew Off-Duty
Sunday, 03/18: EIISS Targets, Crew Off-Duty
Monday, 03/19: IMV Flow Measurement Survey, Dragon Prepack, Veggie Harvest, EVA Tool Config
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 – 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
