NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 16 November 2015
The six-member Expedition 45 crew paused for a minute of silence today in tribute to the victims of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris. Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren bowed his head in the middle of experiment work while Commander Scott Kelly said the crew “was shocked and saddened” by the events.
Engineers continued to troubleshoot station systems after 1 of the 8 station power channels went down last Friday. There were no impacts to crew activities, the station maintained orbital control and communications remained in good condition. Ground teams are discussing future repair plans and are currently able to manage the power balance for the foreseeable future.
The orbital residents kicked off Monday with the Veggie botany experiment as NASA learns to grow food in space. There were more vision and blood pressure checks helping scientists understand microgravity’s effects on vision. As usual, the crew also continued the upkeep of the orbital laboratory with some plumbing work, battery replacements and cleaning duties.
On-Orbit Status Report
Direct Current Switching Unit (DCSU) 1 Remote Bus Isolator (RBI) 1 Trip Status: Friday evening and into the weekend, Flight Controllers worked to successfully restore power to the systems normally powered by the 1B channel. In review of telemetry, the ground team revealed indications that the Sequential Shunt Unit (SSU) 1B may not be able to regulate voltage, therefore should not be used to provide power to downstream equipment. The ground team is currently able to manage the power balance for the foreseeable future. Teams continue to assess how to configure ISS for the best risk posture and are working SSU 1B recovery plans.
Sally Ride Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (Sally Ride EarthKAM): Kornienko wrapped up a week-long imaging session of the Earth by shutting down the EarthKAM software and stowing the equipment. An estimated 20,000 students from 247 schools in 28 countries are participating in EarthKAM. Well over 10,000 images are expected to be captured and downlinked from the ISS. Students are able to remotely control a digital camera mounted on the ISS to take photographs of coastlines, mountain ranges and other interesting features. The EarthKAM team posts the students’ images on the Internet, where the public and participating classrooms can view these images of the Earth taken from the ISS.
Veggie Hardware Validation Test (Veg-01): Lindgren installed a Veg-01 Root Mat and Plant Pillows in the Veggie facility and watered the root mat to start the VEG-01 Experiment. For this run, Zinnias will be grown on the ISS for 60 days and are expected to produce flowers. The primary goal of Veg-01 testing will be to demonstrate plant growth in the Veggie facility. Lettuce was previously grown and harvested as part of Veg-01 testing.
Russian Joint Research (RJR) Microbiological Sampling: Kornienko used the Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) and Surface Sample Kit (SSK) to take surface and air samples to support a microbiological assessment of the ISS. These activities are performed as part of a joint cooperative research program between NASA and the Russian Space Agency. The results of incubation and analysis of these samples will be used to identify ISS locations and surfaces prone to microbial contamination and will provide a scientific basis for decisions about future microbial monitoring on ISS and on future spacecraft used for human exploration.
Story Time: On Saturday Yui and Lindgren read from the book “Weightless,” then discussed the subject of the book on camera and demonstrated the scientific principles involved. Video recording of the activity will be downlinked to the ground and used for educational purposes.
Ocular Health: Crewmembers Yui and Lindgren initiated their Return – 30 Day Ocular Health testing by completing vision and tonometry tests and taking blood pressure measurements. The Ocular Health protocol calls for a systematic gathering of physiological data to characterize the risks of microgravity-induced visual impairment and increased intracranial pressure in ISS crewmembers. Researchers believe that the measurement of visual, vascular and central nervous system changes over the course of this experiment and during the subsequent post-flight recovery will assist in the development of countermeasures, clinical monitoring strategies, and clinical practice guidelines.
Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock Closeout Operations for Exposed Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism (ExHAM) #2: Yui opened the JEM Airlock inner hatch, extended the slide table into the module, and removed the Handhold Exp Platform Adapter (used previously to attach the ExHAM hardware) from the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform Assembly (MPEP) mounted to the slide table. He then returned the slide table to the JEM Airlock. ExHAM#2 was installed on the JEM Exposed Facility (JEF) on Wednesday, November 11th.
Journals: Kelly completed a Journals entry on Saturday and completed another one today. The Journals investigation obtains information on behavioral and human issues that are relevant to the design of equipment and procedures used during astronauts during extended-duration missions. Study results provide information used in preparation for future missions to low-Earth orbit and beyond.
Sleep Log: One Year Crewmembers Kelly and Kornienko completed Sleep Log entries after waking on Saturday and Sunday, and Kornienko made an additional entry this morning. These entries support the Sleep ISS-12 experiment, which monitors ambient light exposure and crew member activity and collects subjective evaluations of sleep and alertness. The investigation examines the effects of space flight and ambient light exposure on sleep during the ongoing year-long mission on the ISS.
Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) and Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) Fluid Jumper Quick Disconnect (QD) Maintenance: As part of routine maintenance, Kelly replaced the PWD filter then cleaned and lubricated QDs using a QD Maintenance Kit. He then performed corrective maintenance on 4 QDs for EXPRESS Rack 5 Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) fluid jumpers formerly used for the Space Dynamically Responding Ultrasonic Matrix System (SpaceDRUMS) payload.
US Airlock Hardware Restow: Following last week’s work to install the Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System (NORS) Airlock Interface Kit (AIK), Yui worked to restow hardware that was temporarily removed from the US Airlock.
Port Crew Quarters (CQ) Cleaning: Kelly cleaned his Port CQ today. The activity included cleaning the intake and exhaust ducts, fans, and airflow sensors.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
HMS Visual Testing Activity
VEGGIE – OBT
On MCC GO Replacement of ????-1? (?302) ?? Module No.2. Photography behind panel 226
HMS -Vision Questionnaire
Preparation for replacing 800? (??2) unit on FGB
Russian Joint Research (RJR) – Collecting Surface Samples (SSK)
HMS Visual Testing Activity
Ocular Health (OH) Blood Pressure Operations
P/TV Setup to capture S1 radiator through MRM2 window
Photography of S1 Radiator through MRM2 window
HMS – Vision Questionnaire
Eye Exam (Ocular Health) – Tonometry Test Setup
Ocular Health (OH) Blood Pressure Operations
Photography of S1 Radiator through MRM2 window
Photo downlink and hardware stowage after capturing S1 radiator
Eye Exam (Ocular Health)
FPEF – Disconnecting Cables
VEG-01 EXP – Hardware Setup
JEMAL – Slide Table extension
HXP ADPTR- Hardware Removal
Replacement of 800? (??2) unit on FGB
JEMAL – Slide Table Retraction
VEG-01 – Insertion of water sample into MELFI
PWD Filter Replacement
??? Maintenance
EDV inspection
EVA – Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System (NORS) – Restow
MSG – glove box ON
Repairs of SM Interior Panel 310 by Installing Overlay Panels – Day 1
Russian Joint Research (RJR) – ISS Microbial Air Samples (MAS)
IFM – SDRUMS Maintenance
Post NORS EVA kit restow
Node 1 – Nadir Vestibule Outfitting Kit (VOK) Build
IFM – Crew Quarters (CQ,port cabin) cleaning
Replacement of urine receptacle (??) and filter-insert (?-?) in ???. Install Urine Receptacle S/N 0550033 (00067298R, ??1??_1_138_1) and Filter-Insert S/N 1406275 (00064549R, ??1??_1_138_1, in pouch 120024 (00045144R)
Post-Replacement ??? Activation
URISYS Hardware Setup
IMS Delta File Prep
VIZIR. Experiment Ops with ???-? P/L
ARED Flywheel Cylinder Evacuation
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
JRNL – Journal Entry
SPLANH. Preparation for Experiment
Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media
ECON-M. Observation and Photography
URAGAN Observations and Photography
Completed Task List Items
CCE – Spacecom
Crew Provisions restow
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Starboard FGB Survey
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 11/17: EVA Tools Stow, Ocular Health, MCC-21 BCC Test
Wednesday, 11/18: Ocular Health, Port Solar Array Mast Survey, FGB Diagnostics
Thursday, 11/19: C2V2 Aft Cable Routing, Haptics 1
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 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 – Shutdown
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Manual
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
