NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 24 April 2019 – Head and Eye Pressure Research

The Expedition 59 crew is unloading one U.S. cargo ship today and preparing for the arrival of another after it launches from Florida next week.
The orbital residents also continued exploring how microgravity impacts the human body and a variety of terrestrial materials.

Astronauts Christina Koch and David Saint-Jacques worked Wednesday afternoon to offload some of the 7,600 pounds of cargo the Cygnus space freighter delivered last week. Saint-Jacques is also training today to capture the SpaceX resupply ship with the Canadarm2 robotic arm when it arrives next Thursday. Dragon will be the sixth spaceship parked at the station and occupy the Harmony module’s Earth-facing port.

The duo also split the day working with a variety of biomedical hardware and research gear to ensure healthy astronauts and successful space research. Koch and Saint-Jacques participated in ultrasound scans for ongoing health checks. Koch then explored the feasibility of manufacturing fiber optic cables in space. Saint-Jacques set up Kubik incubator hardware inside Europe’s Columbus lab module.

NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nick Hague were back collecting more blood, urine and saliva samples today. The samples are spun in a centrifuge, stowed in a science freezer then analyzed for the long-running Fluid Shifts study. The experiment seeks to understand and prevent the upward flow of body fluids in space that cause head and eye pressure in astronauts.

McClain then studied how living aboard the International Space Station affects her perception and cognition. Hague researched and photographed a variety of coating materials for their thermal protection and optical recognition properties.

On-Orbit Status Report

Kubik: The crew installed Kubik #5 and #6 in the Columbus module in support of the upcoming NanoAntioxidents experiment arriving on SpX-17. Kubik is a small controlled-temperature incubator or cooler with removable inserts designed for self-contained, automatic microgravity experiments such as those using seeds, cells, and small animals.

International Commercial Experiment Cubes (ICE Cubes): The crew installed Experiment Cubes #4 and #5 in the ICE Cube facility; Cube #0 was relocated to slot J02 of the facility. The ICE Cubes Facility is a capable experiment platform that offers flexibility to host many different experiments for research, technology demonstration or educational objectives.

Space Fibers: The crew installed a sample cartridge into the Space Fibers facility and the ground team initiated a science run. Manufacturing Fiber Optic Cable in Microgravity (Space Fibers) evaluates a method for producing fiber optic cable from a blend of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium and aluminum, called ZBLAN, in space. ZBLAN produces glass one hundred times more transparent than silica-based glass, exceptional for fiber optics. Microgravity suppresses two mechanisms that commonly degrade fiber, and previous studies showed improved properties in fiber drawn in microgravity compared to that fabricated on the ground.

Life Support Rack (LSR) Status: Yesterday the LSR experienced a fast shutdown. Following a software parameter update, LSR operated as expected and was scrubbing CO2 from the ISS atmosphere. Both LAB and Node 3 Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRAs) were put in stand-by mode and ppCO2 levels were within nominal parameters. Due to a false fire alarm in the Cygnus vehicle today, LSR commissioning was interrupted and the LSR is in the process of being brought back up. The LSR captures carbon dioxide from cabin air and recovers 50% of its oxygen for use by the astronauts. LSR will operate for a minimum of one year on the ISS to demonstrate the robustness of the technology for future exploration missions.

Treadmill 2 (T2) Status: Following Monday’s T2 failure, and yesterday’s treadmill remove and replace (R&R) activity, T2 was declared GO for use after engineers reviewed the Activation and Checkout (ACO) data captured yesterday afternoon.

SpaceX (SpX)-17 Arrival Preparations: In preparation for SpX-17 launch currently planned for April 30 and berthing on May 2, the crew completed the following On-Board Training (OBT):

Dragon Rendezvous: On-board proficiency training on the Dragon mission profile, Dragon rendezvous crew procedures and crew interfaces for monitoring and commanding the vehicle.
Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session 1: The crew practiced a 30-meter approach, two capture point hold runs, and 2-meter runs.
Node 2 (N2) Filter R&R: The crew removed existing bacteria filters in N2 and cleaned the smoke detectors. They then replaced the filters with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) and charcoal filters that were delivered on the Cygnus vehicle. N3 filters are scheduled to be replaced next Monday.

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Live Event: Anne McClain participated in the following three live PAO events:

An interview with the Army News Service that will be used by the U.S. Army PAO to highlight McClain’s achievements on National Astronaut Day.
A discussion with KCTS, a Public Broadcasting Service TV station in Seattle, Washington, on how exploration and space travel can inspire a smarter world.
In an exchange with KUOW, a National Public Radio member station in Seattle, Washington, McClain answered questions about life on-board ISS and how experiments conducted in space impact our lives on Earth.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Last night robotics ground controllers completed a walk-off of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) before maneuvering the MSS to the start position for tonight’s Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) robotics operations. Tonight, the MSS will transfer new MISSE Sample Carriers (MSC) from the JEM Airlock to the external facility. The primary MISSE platform provides the ability to test materials, coatings, and components or other larger experiments in the harsh environment of space, which is virtually impossible to do collectively on Earth.

Cygnus Cargo Transfer Operations: The crew has completed approximately 28 hours of cargo transfer activities. Approximately 13 hours remain to be completed.

Completed Task List Activities:
None

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
NORS N2 repress
MT translate from WS6 to WS2
Dragon ROBoT OBT

Look Ahead
Thursday, 04/25 (GMT 115):

Payloads:
ASTROBEE Docking station activation (ESA)
ISS Experience Node3 setup (NASA)
Team Task Survey (NASA)
PONDS Historical Photo and work area prep (NASA)
Fluid Shifts ops (NASA)
Space Fiber hardware stow (NASA)
Veggie Display OBT (NASA)

Systems:
NG-11 Cargo Transfer
ROBoT Session for Dragon
THC IMV Flow Measurement Survey

Friday, 04/26 (GMT 116):

Payloads:
Rodent Research-12 Habitat Restock and access unit clean (NASA)
Astrobee Docking Station Deact (NASA)
Fluid Shifts Ops (NASA)

Systems:
OBT ISS Emergency Simulation/results conference with ground teams
Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion (CSA-CP) checkout

Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Fluid Shifts Saliva Baseline Collection
Fluid Shifts MELFI Insertion Operations
Fluid Shifts Urine Collection
Fluid Shifts MELFI Insertion Operations
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Baseline Collection Subject
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Operator
Fluid Shifts Galley Water Collection And Tracer Ingestion Operations
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Blood Collection Configuration
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Blood Collection Spin Conclude
Fluid Shifts MELFI Insertion
Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power On
HLTA Device Data Downlink. Tagup with specialists
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan performed by a Crew Medical Officer (CMO)
COSMOCARD. Preparing for and Starting 24-hr ECG Recording
MORNING PREPARATION WORK
FGB Onboard Complex Control System (????) R&R (replacement of cable 77??-7229-1620)
Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Setup
In-Flight Maintenance Node 2 HEPA and Charcoal Filter R&R
NeuroMapping Experiment Neurocognitive Test
Fluid Shifts Urine Collection Mid
Fluid Shifts MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood 3-Hour Collection Subject
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Operator
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Blood Collection Configuration
Fluid Shifts Saliva 3-Hour Collection
Fluid Shifts MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Fluid Shifts Baseline Imaging Reference Material Review
Fluid Shifts CCFP Baseline Setup
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Blood Collection Spin Conclude
Fluid Shifts MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System N2 Repress Part 1
Adlink Mini PC Power ON
Insertion of new Experiment Cubes to the ICE Cubes Facility
Fluid Shifts Hardware Battery Installation
Team Task Switching Experiment Survey
On-board Training (OBT) Dragon Rendezvous Review
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
Crew Medical Officer (CMO) Proficiency Training
On-board Training (OBT) Dragon Rendezvous Review
Fluid Shifts HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Conclude And Stow
Fluid Shifts Saliva 5-Hour Collection
Space Fibers Hardware Exchange
Fluid Shifts MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Fluid Shifts Urine Collection End
ZBOOK Hard Disk Drive Udpate
Fluid Shifts MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Fluid Shifts Urine Collection Stow
On-board Training (OBT) Dragon Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session 1
FGB Onboard Complex Control System (????) R&R (replacement of cable 77??-7229-1620)
Food Acceptability Questionnaire
Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config JEM Setup
ZBOOK Hard Disk Drive Udpate
PAO Preparation
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Pre-Treat Tank Remove & Replace
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
Deck 2 cleanup for KUBIK activty
Kubik 5 Setup with MPCC
Kubik 6 Setup
Cyclops ICE Experiment Photos
Node 2 Nadir Hatch Unlatch
Transfer Cygnus Cargo Operations
PROFILAKTIKA-2. Equipment setup
ISS HAM Service Module Pass
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System N2 Repress Part 3
Actiwatch Plus Evaluation Display Check
Cygnus Cargo Operations Conference
Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Stow