NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 18 May 2016

The final set of Cubesats was ejected from the International Space Station today. Inside the orbital lab, the station residents continued more rodent bone and muscle research, checked for microbes and cleaned fans.
A total of 17 Cubesats have been released since Monday from a small satellite deployer on the outside of the Kibo experiment module’s airlock. The suite of Cubesats deployed today will provide Earth observations, improve commercial ship tracking and provide weather data on the Earth’s seas.

Bone density measurements were on the schedule again for the mice being monitored as part of the Rodent Research-3 study. The experiment is researching the bone and muscle wasting that takes place in space and is exploring an antibody to prevent musculoskeletal weakness to benefit astronauts and people on Earth.

The crew sampled and analyzed the station’s surfaces and air for microbes to monitor and protect the orbital lab’s environment. Ventilation fans in the U.S. Destiny lab module were also inspected and cleaned today to keep the air clean and flowing keeping the environment safe.

On-Orbit Status Report

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEMAL) NanoRacks Cubesat Deployer #7 (NRCSD 7) Deployment: This morning, operations which began Monday were completed with the deployment of four Dove satellites and four LEMUR-2 satellites. All satellites were deployed on time as commanded. The empty deployer will be returned to the JEM Airlock.

Rodent Research-3 (RR-3) Operations: Yesterday the crew completed operations on 5 rodents. They performed operations on 5 more rodents today and are scheduled for 5 each day for the remainder of the week. The crew performed bone densitometry measurments and then transferred the rodents to the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) for sample processing. This investigation studies the molecular and physical changes to the musculoskeletal system that occur in space. Results will expand scientists’ understanding of muscle atrophy and bone loss in space while testing an antibody that has been known to prevent muscle wasting in mice on Earth.

Environmental Health System (EHS) Microbial Air and Surface Sampling: The crew took surface and air samples for microbial analysis using the Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) with Petri Dishes. The EHS monitors the atmosphere for gaseous contaminants from nonmetallic materials off-gassing, combustion products, and propellants, microbial contaminants from crewmembers and Station activities, water quality, acoustics, and radiation levels.

Dose Tracker: The crew completed entries for medication tracking today. This investigation documents the medication usage of crew members before and during their missions by capturing data regarding medication use during spaceflight, including side effect qualities, frequencies and severities. The data is expected to either support or counter anecdotal evidence of medication ineffectiveness during flight and unusual side effects experienced during flight. It is also expected that specific, near-real-time questioning about symptom relief and side effects will provide the data required to establish whether spaceflight-associated alterations in pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics (PD) is occurring during missions.

Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations: The crew recorded and submitted a walk-through video documenting observations of an area or activity providing insight related to human factors and habitability. The Habitability investigation collects observations about the relationship between crew members and their environment on the International Space Station. Observations during the 1-year mission, as well as 6-month missions, can help spacecraft designers understand how much habitable volume is required, and whether a mission’s duration impacts how much space crew members need.

LAB Forward (Fwd) Starboard (Stbd) Inter-Module Ventilation (IMV) Cleaning: During the IMV reconfig it was discovered that this fan is not performing as expected, most likely due to Foreign Object Debris (FOD). Today the crew inspected and cleaned the fan and silencer inlets. The crew subsequently used the Velocicalc tool to take flow measurements in the Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA) 1, Airlock (AL), Node 1 (N1), Cupola, Oxygen Generation System (OGA) rack and Node 2 (N2) ventilation inlets and outlets as part of system health monitoring.

Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED): The crew reported a loud banging noise during ARED rope exercise. They determined that the right cable arm rope was off its guides and the exercise rope did not retract as far as it should. The ARED is go for bar exercises but no-go for rope exercises. Ground teams are assessing the problem.

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) fault: The UPA experienced a fault, likely due to belt slippage inside the distillation assembly. The Waste Hygiene Compartment (WHC) has been configured to use its internal EDV while ground teams assess recovery of the UPA.

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

CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 2283
Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT)
COSMOCARD. Closeout Ops r/g 2262
CubeSat Deployment Photos
Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) Equipment Removal
DOSETRK Questionnaire Completion
BIOCARD. Operator Assistance During the Experiment / r/g 1907
BIOCARD. Experiment Ops r/g 1907
Manufacturing Device Removal and stowage
WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Rodent Research (RR) Node 2 Camcorder Settings Adjustment
DOSETRK Questionnaire Completion
HABIT Data Recording to iPad
Camcorder setup to capture T2 exercise
Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back
Study of cardiovascular system under graded physical load on Cycle Ergometer
Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops
Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Adjustment
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Stow Video Equipment to capture T2 Exercise
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
MOTOCARD. Experiment Ops r/g 2275
Russian Joint Research (RJR) Collecting Surface Samples using SSK
DOSETRK Crew Conference
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) LAB Forward Starboard Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Fan Cleaning
MOTOCARD. Operator Assistance with the Experiment / r/g 2274
Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops
??? Maintenance
Rodent Research Closeout Ops
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
IMV Flow Measurement
HABIT Video Recording
CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 2283
WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Laptop preparation and ???-? Progress 432 (Aft) Test Configuration Setup
On MCC Go: Changeout of Elektron purification column assembly (???) Install No.1507074 r/g 2234
Russian Joint Research (RJR) ISS Microbial Air Samples
HABIT Task Video End
Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back
Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
Private Medical Conference
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Wet Lab RNA SmartCycler Payload Teardown
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Rodent Research (RR) Bone Densitometer Scan
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
Rodent Research Rodent Dissection and Bone Densitometer Ops
CORRECTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Experiment setup / r/g 2284
IMS Delta File Prep
Rodent Research Animal transfer to MSG and back
Surface Sample Kit (SSK) Collection/Incubation
Rodent Research Closeout Ops
Rodent Research MELFI Sample Insertion
Private Medical Conference
CONTENT. Experiment Ops / r/g 2277
SPLANH. Preparation for Experiment / r/g 2273
Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Kit Sample Collection
Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3
CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 2283
NEUROIMMUNITET. Saliva Collection / r/g 2283
NEUROIMMUNITET. Starting 24-hr ECG Recording / r/g 2283
Monitoring Progress 432 (Aft) ???-? exchange from the Laptop during the test / r/g 2272
Habitability P/L Reminder
CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medication) Intake / r/g 2282

Completed Task List Items
CCE-Superbowl downlink msg [Active]

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
NRCSD deploy
RR ops
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Thursday, 05/19: RR, Sprint Ultrasound, Circadian Rhythms
Friday, 05/20: RR, Emergency book update, Cygnus cargo ops
Saturday, 05/21: Crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – On
[???] 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 – Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Norm
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up