NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 10 September 2015
Expedition 44 Commander Gennady Padalka is packing gear inside the Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft for his return home Friday with two first time space visitors. Padalka will be completing his fifth mission for a record 879 cumulative days in space.
Padalka will be flanked by visiting crew members Andreas Mogensen from Europe and cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov from Kazakhstan inside their Soyuz when they undock Friday at 5:29 p.m. EDT (21:29 UTC). They will land in Kazakhstan about three-and-a-half hours later. NASA Television will cover all the activities live, including the crew farewell, beginning at 1:45 p.m. (17:45 UTC).
The rest of the crew, which will officially become Expedition 45 when Padalka undocks, continued normal science and maintenance tasks. NASA astronaut Scott Kelly worked with a pair of tiny bowling ball-sized satellites outfitted with special gear to study fluid physics. He was later joined by cosmonauts Sergey Volkov and Mikhail Kornienko to review procedures and hardware they would use in the event of a medical emergency in space.
Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren worked on plumbing tasks before videotaping crew activities with an IMAX camera. Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui conducted a variety of life science experiments. Finally, cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko worked maintenance on Russian hardware before moving on to Russian science.
On-Orbit Status Report
Human Research Program (HRP) Operations:
– Salivary Markers: Yui collected saliva and urine samples in support of his FD 90 Salivary Markers and inserted them into MELFI. Salivary Markers samples will be used to measure markers of latent viral reactivation (a global indicator of immune impairment and infection risk) in conjunction with salivary antimicrobial proteins and immune cell functional assays. This research study will help identify if there are any risks of an adverse health event in crewmembers due to an impaired immune system. Maintaining a robust immune system during prolonged spaceflight missions (i.e., to other planets or asteroids) will be important to ensure mission success. If any impairment in immunity is found due to spaceflight, this will allow the development of appropriate countermeasures to help mitigate the risks.
Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) Slosh: Kelly performed the third SPHERES Slosh session of Increment 43/44. With assistance from ground teams, Kelly followed the uplinked test plan and worked through eight different objectives. Lindgren setup and recorded the sessions using both the IMAX and 3DA1 Cameras. The SPHERES-Slosh investigation uses small robotic satellites to examine how liquids move around inside containers in microgravity. A water bottle’s contents slosh around differently in space than on Earth, but the physics of liquid motion in microgravity are not well understood, which affects computer simulations of liquid rocket fuel behavior. Middle school and high school students control the SPHERES to study how liquids behave inside containers in space, which increases the safety and efficiency of future rockets.
Ryutai Reconfiguration: Yui reconfigured the Solution Crystallization Observation Facility (SCOF) within the Ryutai rack in preparation for the next session of Soret Facet scheduled for Increment 45. The Soret effect in fluids is a thermodynamic phenomenon in which different particles respond in different ways to varying temperatures. The effect, studied by the Swiss chemist Charles Soret, has been difficult to examine in detail on Earth because of gravity. The Study on Soret effect (thermal diffusion process) for the mixed solution by the in-situ observation technique facilitated at SCOF (Soret-Facet) is the first investigation to verify Soret conditions in steady and changing conditions, and to compare the Soret effect in microgravity with results on the ground, an important measurement for calibrating future investigations.
Node 3 Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Anomaly: Yesterday evening, the Node 3 CDRA pump experienced an anomaly at the beginning of segment 2 during Half Cycle 2. This anomaly had been seen before in February of this year. Ground team’s power cycled the Pump/Fan Motor Controller (PFMC) in order to recover from the problem. At this time Node 3 and Lab CDRAs are operating nominally and CO2 levels are within acceptable limits.
ESA Short Duration Mission
Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES): Commissioning Day#2 is complete and the hardware has been restowed. The team has experienced issues with
– LAN cable connectivity between EPM laptop and MARES Main Box
– End stop over‐travel detection during the use of PEMS and EMG.
MARES is a physiological research facility that will be used to carry out research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular human physiology. The Commissioning Part#2 is the last step in this research rack check‐out activities. Its main goal is the performance of an integrated man‐in‐the‐loop technical protocol which characterizes all MARES subsystems and associated auxiliary measurement devices (ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and electromyogram).
MELONDAU: yesterday DEMES tasting session#5 was completed nominally, session #6 (and final session) was completed earlier today. Current status of MCA/AQM measurements:
‐ MCA measurements have been received by BIOTESC for GMT 248 to 250, and GMT 251 files are pending.
‐ AQM: confirmed that we have NO measurements for either for GMT 248 or 249. GMT 250, some files were acquired with AQM in speed mode (rather than autorun mode). GMT 251, the same speed mode was used.
Long‐distance and long‐term human space travel will only be possible with adequate life support systems in place, allowing extensive recycling of water and the in situ production of oxygen and food, with closed regenerative systems the most ideal way of reducing launch mass and costs. MELONDAU is a significant precursor flight experiment which will verify the recovery of biological processes of selected micro‐organisms, test a microfluid system essential for the overall monitoring and control of a closed regenerative life support system, and verify the acceptability of snacks composed of Micro‐Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) ingredients. This is a first step to enable the successful deployment of ESA’s MELiSSA system in space in the future.
MOBI‐PV: yesterday, Mogensen unstowed the MOBI-PV equipment. A missing USB adapter cable was found later in the day, and all the planned MOBI‐PV activities (i.e. smartphones battery charging) could be completed. The current ISS laptop‐based crew information system has certain drawbacks with respect to operator mobility and user interface options. The mobiPV experiment will demonstrate new technologies and operations concepts for ISS crew procedure execution, both for onboard crew, and ground teams, offering wireless operation, voice navigation and real time (over the shoulder) video streaming of workplace activities and synchronized in‐flight/on ground procedure execution. The mobiPV system could be deployed for future crew procedures and contingency operations with a potential to significantly shorten anomaly processing and resolution.
EPO IrISS: Mogensen completed three EPO scripts from the Cupola. The need for education in an ever‐increasing knowledge based society is without question and education forms a fundamental part of the mandate of the European Space Agency (ESA). The EPO IrISS set of education activities aims to introduce the concept of microgravity and human spaceflight to European children and students ranging from primary to tertiary level education. The activities related to this project are intended to stimulate the curiosity of students and to motivate them towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects as well as to bring awareness to the younger generation of the importance of the ISS as a testing bed for future exploration activities in space.
ENDOTHELIAL CELLS: KUBIK FM5 temperature is kept at +6°C until packing for return tomorrow. Human subjects and experimental animal models returning from space have shown muscle‐skeletal and cardiovascular problems accredited to injury of the endothelium: the system of cells lining the inner surface of all blood vessels. This project aims at understanding the reaction of cultured endothelial cells to spaceflight through cellular and genetic analysis.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
HRF – Sample Collection and Prep for Stowage
PARODONT-2. Activities with Microbial Control and Mouthwash sets
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
HRF Urine Sample Collection
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
URAGAN. Observation and photography using Photo Equipment
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill [Deferred]
Diagnostics of FGB СУБК instruments 11М156М.
XF305 – Camcorder Setup
PCG – Canister Attachment
MARES. Experiment Ops
SPHERES – Payload Conference
Crew Departure Prep
MARES. Ankle with sensors session
SCOF – Cope cell reconfig
Sanitary & Hygiene Status Monitoring
CBEF – Adding water to CBEF IU
Testing FGB СЭС БФ-2 and БСШ-2. Tagup with specialists as necessary Collect SM and FGB Air Samples Using АК-1М Sampler
Laptop 3DA1 Battery Charge
Stowage of charged batteries for the upcoming SPHERES session
Pre-pack sampling equipment for return
ИПД Air Sample Collection for Ammonia in SM
PGS2 – Setup of Experiment Laptop Terminal ELT2 and connecting cables to CBEF
HABIT – Recording Walk-Through Video
ИПД tool belt transfer from Medical Locker container No.7 to soft container
In-flight Microbiology Water analysis for coliform detection 44+/-4 hrs post processing
Familiarization with Auxiliary Computer System.
Download Pille Dosimeter Readings
Handover of PILLE dosimeters to FE-2
BLR48 – Multi Media Card Exchange
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHS) Urine Receptacle and Insert Filter Changeout [Deferred]
CALCIUM. Experiment Session
СОЖ maintenance
HRF Urine Sample Collection
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
ARED Exercise
MARES. Start battery discharge
SPHERES – Camera Setup and Video Recording
Installation of Radiation Area Monitors [Deferred]
MARES. Ankle configuration deinstallation
Replacement of ПФ1, ПФ2 Dust Filters and Cleaning В1, B2 Fan Grills in MRM2 (ФГБ1ПГО_4_419_1, bag 428-25 (00067328R). Discard the removed items. Reflect changes in IMS)
Microbial Environment Monitoring (Sample collection for Kit 2)
Rodent Research (RR) – Equipment label and handover to RS
COSMOCARD. Closeout Ops
Verification of ИП-1 Flow Sensor Position
BIOSIGNAL. Hardware Transfer to Soyuz 716
ТК 716 Equipment Stowage for Return
EPO IRISS LEGO & ROBOTICS Unstow and Assembly
SPHERES – Camera Setup and Test Ops
POLIGEN. Video of fruit flies w/blocked access to food
POLIGEN. Closeout Ops
HRF Urine Sample Collection
3DA1 Camcorder Setup
Crew time for ISS adaptation and orientation
BIORISK Biorisk-KM Tablet Removal from SM and Transfer to Soyuz 716
POLIGEN. ТК 716 Transfers.
MATRYOSHKA-R. Questionnaire
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
ENDO – KUBIK Temperature Check
CONSTANTA-2. Hardware Unstow and transfer to Soyuz 716
WRM – Water Consumption Balance, place holder
IMAX – Video of the Science Ops
EPO – Video Recording
STRUKTURA. Deactivation of crystallization process
Retrieval of Replaceable HDD and Handover to Stowage
STRUKTURA. Photo during the Experiment and at Exposure Location
Video Recording – Announcement of EPO IRISS Space Robotics Competition
CASKAD. Connecting Anabioz Incubator to РБС and Power Up
Transfer of LUCH-2 kit to Soyuz 716
EPO IRISS CubeSat Procedure Ops
HMS – Food Frequency Questionnaire
Cleaning FGB Gas-Liquid Heat Exchanger (ГЖТ) Detachable Screens 1, 2, 3
IMS Delta File Prep
DEMES – Tasting light salty snack
CASKAD. Starting Anabioz No. 2 Battery Charge
MARES. Battery discharge status
EUCPD – Packing for Return
HRF – Blood Collection Setup
EUCPAD – Packing for Return
BISTRO – Packing for Return
Evening Work Prep
HRF Urine Sample Collection
BISTRO. Transfer of Anabioz hardware for return to the ground
3DA1 Camcorder Removal, File Transfer and Downlink
MARES. Monitoring Data transfer and power down
SPHERES Shutdown
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
WRM – Water Consumption Balance, place holder
MARES. Laptop relocation for file downlink
CONTENT. Experiment Ops
MARES. Final Stowage
SPHERES – Data Export
ТК 716 Transfer Operations Report (S-band)
CheCS OBT
MARES. Power Down and Stowage
PCRF – Temperature Measurement
Signing ISS RS Handover Protocol
MARES. Power Down and Stowage
MARES – Columbus work area reconfig for nominal ops
MARES. HDD Removal
Space Headaches Daily Questionnaire
EPO IRISS LEGO & ROBOTICS Stowage
Comm Check and Ops from ТК 716 via RGS
ТПК 716 [СА] cool down prior to descent (12-15 hours before ТПК 716 Hatch Closure)
КР1 VALVE – “ХСА MIN”,
KP2 VALVE — XCA MAX
Completed Task List Items
None
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
PVCU Refresh
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 09/11: 42S Undock, PCG removal, SLAMMD setup control run, MSPR2 CO2 umbilical mate, Capillary Beverage
Saturday, 09/12: Weekly Cleaning, Crew off duty
Sunday, 09/13: Crew Off Duty
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – On
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Operate
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Shutdown
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
