NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 19 November 2015
The six-member Expedition 45 crew continued exploring more life science Thursday.
Commander Scott Kelly, who is comparing his space-borne body with his ground-based twin brother and ex-astronaut Mark Kelly, collected and stored blood and urine samples for the ongoing Twins study. Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren explored using a joystick that transmits sensitive vibrations to control a rover on the ground from a spacecraft. Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui studied the atrophy of skeletal muscle cells caused by the lack of gravity while living in space.
Kelly and Yui later partnered up to install and route cables in the U.S. Destiny lab module. Those cables will standardize and increase the efficiency of video, audio and telemetry data links with future crew and cargo vehicles docking to the station.
In the Russian segment of the orbital laboratory, cosmonaut Sergey Volkov studied the depletion of calcium in a crew member’s bones. He then joined Oleg Kononenko to research acoustic methods for detecting micrometeoroid impacts on the station. Kononenko also got together with One-Year crew member Mikhail Kornienko to explore microgravity’s effects on the human cardiovascular and respiratory system.
At about 2:14 a.m. Central time this morning, a Potential Fire Alarm sensor was triggered aboard the International Space Station and was traced to the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) experiment in Express Rack 3 in the Columbus module. The experiment is enclosed and no smoke or fire was detected. Sensors indicated a slight rise in carbon monoxide inside EMCS, while background readings in all surrounding areas remained normal. The crew was never in any danger and the event only lasted a few minutes. As a precautionary measure, Express Rack 3 was temporarily powered down. The rack has since been repowered with the exception of EMCS. There was no impact to station science.
On-Orbit Status Report
Columbus A1 Express Rack 3 (ER3) Combustion Event: This morning at approximately 2:14AM CST, a Potential Fire Alarm associated with Columbus A1 Express Rack 3 (ER3) came into alarm. The crew sampled the fire port associated with the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) since the crew had been working at that location minutes earlier. Fire port Compound Specific Analyzer (CSA)-Combustion Products (CP) readings for EMCS showed elevated Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels of 19ppm, increasing to 22ppm. The Crew and Ground executed Emergency Book fire procedures and obtained background readings in Columbus and Node 2, which were all negative. During the event, lockers in the rack were all unpowered and the crew switched the Rack Power Switch to off. The CO readings in the EMCS fire port stabilized at 22ppm. Ground Teams conducted a controlled repower of ER3, with the exception of EMCS, to support the Veggie payload.
Cognition: Yui performed his Flight Day 122 session of the Cognition experiment today. The Individualized Real-Time Neurocognitive Assessment Toolkit for Space Flight Fatigue (Cognition) investigation is a battery of tests that measure how spaceflight-related physical changes, such as microgravity and lack of sleep, can affect cognitive performance. Cognition includes ten brief computerized tests that cover a wide range of cognitive functions, and provides immediate feedback on current and past test results. The software used allows for real-time measurement of cognitive performance while in space.
Biochemical Profile: Kelly collected his Flight Day 240 Biochemical Profile blood sample and stowed it in a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) for return on a later flight. The Biochemical Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples obtained from astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results, which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body.
Story Time: Yui read from the books “Begin” and “Color,” discussing the subject of the book on camera and demonstrated the scientific principles involved. Kelly obtained a picture of Yui while he is reading the book, with the Cupola in the background. The video recording will be downlinked to the ground and used for educational purposes.
Twins Study: In support of the Twins Study, Kelly completed a 24 hour period of collecting and stowing urine samples in a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). This investigation is an integrated compilation of ten different studies led by multiple investigators. The studies take advantage of a unique opportunity to look at the effects of space travel on identical twins, with one of them experiencing space travel for a year while the other remains earth-bound for that same year. The study looks at changes in the human body that are important in the fields of genetics, psychology, physiology, microbiology, and immunology.
Sleep Actiwatch Configuration: Kelly configured Kornienko’s Actiwatch Spectrum for active data collection. The actiwatches have a photodiode that measures ambient light and an accelerometer to measure the movement of the arm or leg that the watch is attached to. The actiwatch data recorded on the watch supports the Sleep ISS-12 experiment, which assesses the effects of space flight and ambient light exposure on sleep during a year-long mission on the ISS.
Veggie (Veg-01) Wick Opening: Lindgren opened the wicks for the Veg-01 experiment which was started on Monday, November 16th. 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.
Haptics-1: Lindgren set up equipment and performed experiment protocols for the vest-mounted configuration of European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Haptics-1 investigation. The Haptics-1 experiment is performed in two different configurations to evaluate hardware and human performance under varying mounting conditions: wall-mounted on rack seat tracks and body-mounted in a vest assembly. Haptics-1 supports analysis of engineering parameters and the merits of body-grounded versus non-body grounded force feedback to a crewmember within a microgravity environment. The physiological property analysis will identify changes in human kinesthetic perception and performance in position and force-torque control tasks and in cognitive performance.
EXPRESS (EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station) Rack 1 Laptop Software Load: Lindgren supported the ongoing software updates to ISS EXPRESS Rack laptops by copying a software load to the EXPRESS Rack 1 laptop.
Sleep Log: Kornienko recorded a Sleep Log entry today. The Sleep ISS-12 experiment 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 a year-long mission on the ISS.
Common Communications for Visiting Vehicle (C2V2) Cable Route: Kelly and Yui removed Lab Aft Closeout Panels, temporally closed the Lab Aft Hatch, then routing the W2687 cable through the Aft Endcone and Port/Deck Standoffs. Once the cable was routed, they opened the Lab Aft Hatch and re-installed the closeout panels. C2V2 is an integrated communications system to be used specifically for communicating with future visiting vehicles. This system will utilize both an S-Band based radio frequency system, and hard-line connections to visiting vehicles such that secure, reliable communications will be available for all phases of rendezvous, docking, and mated operations.
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) Routine Maintenance: Yui performed a change out of the WHC UR and insert filter. Following the change out, a WHC functionality test was successfully performed.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
TWIN – Urine Sample Collection
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
HRF Blood Sample Collection and Cold Stowage
HRF – Blood Sample collection operator assistance
HRF Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
HRF – Blood Sample Collection Closeout Ops
Soyuz 718 Samsung tablet charge – start
24-hour ECG Monitoring (termination)
EMCS – Experiment Ops
ER1- Software Installation
HRF – MELFI Sample Insertion
??? Maintenance
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHS) Urine Receptacle and Insert Filter Changeout
MARES – Checkout. Part 2. Big Words Reading
HAPTICS1 Experiment Ops
24-hour BP monitoring (terminate)
HRF Closeout Ops
ER1 – Closeout Ops
CALCIUM. Experiment Session 14
TWIN – Post-Experiment Hardware Stowage
CIR – Post-Experiment Hardware Stowage
UBNT – Hardware Setup
DAN. Experiment Ops
HAPTICS1 – Hardware Setup and Activation
Story Time (ST) Setup Ops
Actiwatch Spectrum Configuration for Data Collection
Story Time (ST) Historical Photo
Charging Soyuz 718 Samsung tablet – end
Story Time (ST) Preparing for the experiment
Gathering Equipment – Common Communications for Visiting Vehicles (C2V2) Cable Routing
Water Recovery System (WRS) Drain Waste Water Tank, initiate
ER1- Computer Software Load
MELF2 – Ice Brick Insertion into MELFI
HAPTICS1 – Experiment Ops
Water Recovery System (WRS) Drain Waste Water Tank, terminate
PROBOY. RS?1 Laptop Ops
PROBOY. Penetration Simulator Ops
??? 428 (DC1) Stowage and IMS Ops
HAPTICS – Closeout Ops
HAP1 – Photography of the Experiment Ops
CMS3 – Hardware Transfer
CMS3 – MSPR – Hardware Removal
Crew Prep for PAO
PROBOY. Copy and Downlink Data
??? 428 (DC1) Stowage and IMS Ops
Replacement of ????2-12 ???2?15 device – Preparation
CMS3 – Cable Installation
On MCC Go Replacement of ????2-12 ???2?15 device – Demate cables from ????2-12 Static Memory Devices (???)
Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) – Cable Installation
On MCC Go Changeout of Elektron Purification Column Assembly (???)
???2?15 (????2-12) Device R&R
CBEF – Connecting Converter
C2V2 Cable Routing in the Lab
RGN. WSTA Fill
Assistance with C2V2 Cable Routing in the Lab
??-2 Exercise, Day 3
IMS Update
HAP1 – Close-out Ops and Stowage
Ultrasonic Background Noise Test (UBNT) – Battery Replacement [Deferred]
Photography of Plume Impingement and Deposit Monitoring Unit (????) position on MRM2 through SM window No.13
Repairs of SM Interior Panel 321 by Installing Overlay Panels – Day 2
Closeout Ops after C2V2 Cable Routing in the Lab
VEG-01 – Experiment Ops
ER1 – Hardware Removal
RGN. WSTA Fill
Crew Prep for TV Conference
Crew Prep for TV Conference
High Definition (HD) TV Conference Config Setup
COGNITION – Experiment Ops and Filling Questionnaire
TV Greetings to Zhukovsky Academy. TV Greetings to the Participants of Conference “Aerospace Industry Focus Area. Innovations and Roadmap for Development”
Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media
ECON-M. Observation and Photography
Completed Task List Items
None
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Lab CDRA Monthly Activation
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 11/20: PEPS Audit, SSRMS LEE-B Inspection, MPEP Removal from JEMAL Slide Table
Saturday, 11/21: Weekly Cleaning, Crew Off Duty
Sunday, 11/22: 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 – 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 – Full Up
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Off
