NASA Space Station Status Report 20 July, 2022 – Spacewalk Upcoming for ESA Robotic Arm

A Russian cosmonaut and an Italian astronaut are finalizing preparations for a spacewalk on Thursday to configure the International Space Station’s third and newest robotic arm.

As the pair was being assisted by two cosmonauts the rest of the Expedition 67 crew ensured ongoing advanced space research was proceeding full speed ahead aboard the orbiting lab.

Station Commander Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency) are scheduled to exit the space station into the vacuum of space at 10 a.m. EDT on Thursday. The spacewalkers will spend about seven hours readying the European robotic arm for operations on the station’s Russian segment. The duo will also deploy 10 nanosatellites to collect radio electronics data. NASA TV begins its live spacewalk coverage at 9:30 a.m. on the agency’s app and website.

Artemyev and Cristoforetti spent Wednesday reviewing their spacewalk procedures and checking Orlan spacesuit components. They were assisted throughout the day by cosmonauts Denis Matveev and Sergey Korsakov who will monitor the spacewalkers and help them in and out of their Orlan spacesuits on Thursday.

Science operations continued rolling ahead as the rest of the orbital residents explored space-caused accelerated aging, advanced drug development methods, and state-of-the-art optical fiber manufacturing techniques.

NASA Flight Engineers Bob Hines and Jessica Watkins took turns today exploring how microgravity affects the human immune system. Hines first set up tissue samples inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox. Afterward, Watkins examined the stem cell samples using a microscope inside the U.S. Destiny laboratory module. Watkins also spent a few moments today checking samples for the Fiber Optic Production-2 space manufacturing study.

NASA Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren studied the mechanisms of protein crystals growing without the influence of Earth’s gravity. Observations from the Advanced Nano Step investigation may improve biochemistry research and advance the production of materials and drugs in space. Lindgren then checked on a water recycling study and stowed its hardware for return to Earth.

On-Orbit Status Report

Payloads:

Advanced Nano Step: Sample Cartridges, specimen Cell4, and the Nano Step Circuit Box were installed into the Solution Crystallization Observation Facility (SCOF). The Temp Logger data was transferred to Payload Laptop Terminal 4 (PLT4). The Effects of Impurities on Perfection of Protein Crystals, Partition Functions, and Growth Mechanisms (Advanced Nano Step) experiment monitors and records how the incorporation of specific impurity molecules affects the development and quality of protein crystals, as they grow in a quartz cell aboard the ISS. The crystals grown on the ISS are returned to Earth and characterized using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The protein crystal and impurity interactions are managed and monitored jointly by both scientists on the ground and the ISS crew.

Solid Combustion Experiment Module (FLARE): SCEM Experiment Insert 2 was swapped out and Igniter 2 was exchanged. Fundamental Research on International Standard of Fire Safety in Space – Base for Safety of Future Manned Missions (FLARE), a JAXA investigation, explores the flammability of materials in microgravity. Various solid fuels are burned under different conditions and observed inside a flow tunnel. Microgravity significantly affects combustion phenomena and results are expected to contribute to the improvement of fire safety in space.

Fiber Optic Production-2 (FOP-2): The FOP-2 Calibration Probe was removed, and sample Preform and Fiber Spool Module/Cartridges were installed. FOP-2 builds on previous work to manufacture commercial optical fibers in microgravity using a blend of elements called ZBLAN. Earlier theoretical and experimental studies suggest that ZBLAN optical fibers produced in microgravity exhibit qualities superior to those of fibers produced on Earth. Results from FOP-2 could help further verify these studies and guide manufacture of high value optical fiber aboard the space station for commercial use.

Forward Osmosis Membrane (FOM): A 24-hour check of membrane 1 was performed, photographed, and stowed for return. Membrane 2 will be activated later this week. Water has some of the highest mass of any component needed for space travel, and effective recovery of potable water from wastewater is critical for life support and environmental health on long-term missions. Assessing the Performance of Urease-phospholipid Reactive Forward Osmosis Membranes for Water Reclamation Aboard the ISS (FOM) tests reactive membranes for water reclamation in microgravity as compared to 1g on Earth. These membranes show promise on the ground, but their performance must be evaluated in microgravity to advance the technology. 

Immunosenescence: Media change was performed on the remaining cells of Sample B. The Microscope was deployed using SABL-2 power and images were taken on each of the three BioCells. Microgravity causes changes in human immune cells that resemble aging, but happen faster than actual aging. Microgravity as a Model for Immunological Senescence and its Impact on Tissue Stem Cells and Regeneration (Immunosenescence) studies the effects of microgravity on cells involved in tissue regeneration and whether recovery occurs post-flight. Results could provide insight into whether effects of the biological aging process can be reversed.

Materials Science Laboratory (MSL): The MSL Vacuum Sensor combination package was removed and replaced, and the water lines were checked out. The MSL is used for basic materials research in the microgravity environment of the ISS. The MSL can accommodate and support diverse Experiment Modules. In this way many material types, such as metals, alloys, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, crystals, and glasses, can be studied to discover new applications for existing, new or improved materials.

Systems:

RS Extravehicular Activity (EVA) ESA Preparations: Crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti continued preparation activities for the upcoming RS EVA ESA, beginning with an updated EVA timeline review, and followed by Orlan drink bag refill/install and moleskin gathering. The Russian EVA is planned for Thursday, July 21.

Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis & Data Record: The crew performed an analysis of the Water Processing Assembly (WPA) using the TOCA. The TOCA unit oxidizes organic carbon species present in the water to carbon dioxide gas and measures the concentration using nondispersive infrared spectroscopy. Analysis of the potable water using the TOCA occurs on a weekly basis. The crew also changed out the Waste Water Bag (WWB).

Completed Task List Activities:

• None

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

• Crew Dragon System Checkout
• Close Thruster Manifold Isolation Valves for EVA
• MT Translation
• MSS SpaceX-25 External Cargo Operations

Look Ahead Plan

Thursday, July 21 (GMT 202)
Payloads:

• FOP-2 Sample Replace (NASA)
• ISS HAM Pass (NASA)
• GIS-9 Ops (NASA)
• JAXA SpySE (MCU) ASLIB Disconnect (JAXA)
• NanoRacks Module 48 Imagery (NASA)
• Rodent Water Check (NASA)
• XROOTS Nutrient Mix and Fluid Recovery and Check (NASA)

Systems:

• Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
• RS ESA EVA
• IFM NOD3A5 Rack Rotation for Inspection

Friday, July 22 (GMT 203)
Payloads:

• Astrobee Prep and Zero-Robotics Dry Run (NASA)
• CBEF Fan Sensor Replace and Checkout (JAXA)
• FOP-2 Sample Replace (NASA)
• GIS-9 Run (NASA)
• JAXA SpySE (MCU) T/S Closeout (JAXA)
• MSL Valve Gas Open (ESA)
• Protein Manufacturing SABL Insert (NASA)

Systems:

• EHS – CSA-CP Extended Maintenance
• Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
• Post-RS EVA ESA Ops
• IFM WHC Urine Hydraulic Components R&R

Saturday, July 23 (GMT 204)
Payloads:

• FOP-2 Sample Replace (NASA)

Systems:

• Post-RS EVA ESA Ops

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

• Immunosenescence MELFI Sample Retrieve/Insertion
• Material Science Laboratory Operations Review
• Fiber Optic Production 2.0 Procedure Review
• Payload Laptop Terminal 3 (PLT3) Hard Disc Drive Removal
• Updated EVA timeline review
• MSL Hardware Gather
• Fiber Optic Production 2.0 Initial Sample Installation
• Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis/Data Record
• Advanced Nano Step Cartridge and Cell4 Installation
• Material Science Laboratory Vacuum Sensor Remove and Replace
• Immunosenescence Microscopy Review
• Cupola PCS Log File Transfer
• Advanced Nano Step Temp Logger data Save
• Solid Combustion Experiment Module (SCEM) Item Gathering
• Solid Combustion (SCEM) Experiment Insertion 2 Exchange 1
• LSG Primary Crew Restraint Unfold/Fold
• Immunosenescence Media Change and Sampling Ops
• Orlan-MKS #5 and #4 drink bag refill and install. Moleskin gathering
• Polar Desiccant Swap
• Urine Transfer System Offload EDV Swap
• Fiber Optic Production 2.0 Sample Exchange
• Initiate/Terminate water transfer from CWC-I to ЕДВ
• Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Waste Water Bag (WWB) Changeout
• Material Science Laboratory Waterloop Check
• Forward Osmosis Membrane Cell Stows
• LSG Work Volume Stow
• Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in JEM
• Immunosenescense Microscopy Ops
• Microscope Hardware Setup via SABL Power
• Biochemical urine test