NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 10 March 2016

The International Space Station is being upgraded with new communications gear as NASA moves ahead with its Commercial Crew Program. Meanwhile, science taking place on the orbital laboratory today included human research and Earth photography.
Astronauts Tim Kopra and Tim Peake were back at work today installing hardware that will communicate with future commercial crew vehicles. The equipment will enable hardline and frequency communications with the private spacecraft during rendezvous, docking and mated activities.

Kopra also conducted a quarterly inspection of a treadmill ensuring it is in operable condition. He later conducted a ham radio pass with students at the University of North Dakota, the 1,000th such contact made possible by the ARISS program.

Peake spent a few moments collecting a saliva sample for a study that observes the human immune system in space. He is also helping engineers understand the factors necessary for a comfortable living space during long term missions.

Cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko explored Earth photography techniques to better identify features on the ground. He also researched the effects of living in space on blood circulation.

On-Orbit Status Report

Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) Alignment Guide Removal: Kopra removed the Alignment Guides from CIR to unlock PaRIS before the beginning of CIR operations that require a microgravity environment. CIR provides sustained, systematic microgravity combustion research and it houses hardware capable of performing combustion experiments to further research of combustion in microgravity.

Multi-Omics Saliva Operations: Peake completed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Multi-Omics investigation by collecting saliva samples and inserting the samples into a Box Module within a MELFI (Minus Eight-degree Freezer for ISS) Rack. The Multi-Omics analysis of human microbial-metabolic cross-talk in the investigation evaluates the impacts of space environment and prebiotics on astronauts’ immune function, by combining the data obtained from the measurements of changes in the gut microbiological composition, metabolites profiles, and the immune system.

Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations: Peake viewed videos to learn about the different sessions of the Habitability experiment. The investigation collects observations about the relationship between crew members and their environment on the ISS. Observations can help spacecraft designers understand how much habitable volume is required and whether a mission’s duration impacts how much space crew members need.

Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC): Last Friday, the crew completed a pre-treat tank Remove & Replace (R&R) without the Pre-Treat Bad Qual Light (PTBQL) illuminating. Illumination is expected when water in the EK hose passes through the piping where the PTBQL sensor is located. Ground teams believe this was an indication of a bad PTBQ sensor and recommended R&Ring the following 3 items: the piping (which includes the PTBQ sensor), the dose pump, and the EK hose. The dose pump was at the end of its expected 6 month life. The EK hose would serve to verify that the PTBQ sensor and light are both working. Kopra R&Rd these components today with no issues. The PTBQL illuminated as expected, then cleared with dosing as expected and the crew then configured WHC to UPA.

Common Communications For Visiting Vehicles (C2V2): Peake, with assistance from Kopra, continued C2V2 installation which began on Monday. Peake completed coldplate installation, Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) umbilical re-routing and temperature sensor installation. The comm unit installation is scheduled for tomorrow. C2V2 will integrate a communications system for the ISS to be used specifically for communicating with future visiting vehicles. This system will utilize both an S-Band based Radio Frequency (RF) system, and hard-line connections to visiting vehicles so secure, reliable communications will be available for all phases of rendezvous, docking, and mated operations. The system will consist of elements that will be permanently installed on the ISS as well as a corresponding element that will be made available to visiting vehicles.

Remote Power Controller Module (RPCM) LAP51A4A-A R&R: This RPCM experienced a FET Controller Hybrid (FCH) failure on RPC 2 in September of 2012 and RPC 18 in March of 2014. Four different spare RPCMs were installed in the LAP51A4A-A location. None would communicate with the Multiplexer/De-multiplexer (MDM) on either channel, however, each worked nominally in other locations on ISS. The original RPCM was reinstalled and has continued to communicate in this LAP51A4A-A location. Both FCH failures have since self-healed. A failed RT Address connection in the rack is the most likely cause of the prior inability to communicate with the four spare RPCMs.Today the crew installed a unique RPCM with a pre-installed RT Address Jumper in the LAP51A4A-A location.The R&R was completed with no issues followed by the ground performing a successful refresh of the RPCM.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Yesterday Robotic Ground Controllers powered up the MSS and maneuvered Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) Arm2 into position to grasp the Robotic Offset Tool (ROST). Over the course of last evening, the ROST was released from its tool holster and checked out in free space. After the successful checkout, the tool was re-stowed. These operations used the updated recon files from Canadian Space Agency (CSA) that modified the expected size of the grasp fixture. Operations were nominal throughout.

Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Multi Omics (MO) – Saliva Sample Collection
Multi Omics (MO) – Sample Insertion into MELFI
Multi Omics (MO) – Equipment Stowage
Multi Omics (MO) – Questionnaire Completion
Prep for SW Updates on RS1, RS2, RS3, REMOTE RS r/g 1634
PCS Powerdown
Common Communications Equipment for Visiting Vehicles (C2V2) Mod Kit Installation in Lab
Water Separation in EDV using Separation Unit (??). Tagup with specialists as necessary / r/g 1638
Replacement of ??? components / r/g 1637
Assistance with Installation of Common Communications Equipment for Visiting Vehicles (C2V2) Mod Kit in Lab
Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT)
WHC maintenance
T2 Monthly Inspection
Replacement of urine receptacle (??) and filter-insert (?-?) in the toilet [???] / SM r/g 1637
Post-Replacement ??? Activation
CIR – Equipment Removal
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
??? Maintenance r/g 1633
EXPRESS Rack 4 Drawer Recovery
Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position
COSMOCARD. Closeout Ops / r/g 1611
Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power On
VIZIR. Experiment Ops with Photo Image Coordinate Reference System (????-?) Hardware / r/g 1639
RPCM R&R and Installation of UOP behind LAB1P5 Rack
IMS Delta File Prep
HABIT – Data Recording to iPad
Physical Fitness Evaluation (on the treadmill) r/g 1636
Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power Off
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
SSC21 – Hard Drive Swap
Post-Exercise Hygiene Procedure
IMS Conference
CONTENT. Experiment Ops / r/g 1635
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – Nutritional Assessment (ESA)
HAM radio session from Columbus

Completed Task List Items
None

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Nominal ground commanding
WHC maintenance support

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 03/11: C2V2 comm unit install, LAB1P5 reconfig, OBT Cygnus conference
Saturday, 03/12: Crew off duty, housekeeping
Sunday, 03/13: Crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component – Status
Elektron – Off
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Override
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 – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up