NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 23 August 2016

The SpaceX Dragon resupply ship is getting ready to return to Earth Friday morning loaded with gear and a variety of science for analysis. Another spacecraft, the Soyuz TMA-20M, will leave Sept. 6 and land in Kazakhstan with three International Space Station crew members.
Dragon delivered numerous science experiments July 20 that the Expedition 48 crew immediately unloaded and began working on. Two of those experiments set to return on Friday include the Heart Cells study and Mouse Epigenetics. That research explored how microgravity affects human heart cells and alters gene expression and DNA in mice.

The station will get an orbital reboost early Wednesday when the docked Progress 63 cargo craft fires its engines for over 12 minutes. The reboost will put the station at the correct altitude for the departure of the Expedition 48 trio next month.

Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams and cosmonauts Oleg Skripochka and Alexey Ovchinin will return to Earth in two weeks after 5-1/2 months in space. Williams will be completing his fourth space mission and hold the NASA record for cumulative days in space. Skripochka will be completing his second mission and Ovchinin will be completing his first.

On-Orbit Status Report

SpaceX-9 Dragon Pack: In preparation for SpX-9 return this Friday the crew completed the following:

– Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) to Polar Sample Transfer: Samples were transferred from the MELFI to the Polars.
– Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL) CO2 Controller Removal: SABL-1’s CO2 Incubator Controller was removed for return on SpaceX-9.
– SPHERES Blue Satellite: The CO2 tank in the SPHERES blue satellite was removed, vented, and packed.
– Meteor Hard Drive Retrieval: The Meteor Laptop hard drive was retrieved.

Mouse Epigenetics Habitat Cage Unit Maintenance: The Mouse Cage Units containing the mice were transferred from the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) to the glove box to conduct food cartridge exchanges and cleaning activities. The crew also performed troubleshooting activities on the Transportation Cage Units (TCU) by performing individual cover replacements, cage block replacements, and TCU exchanges to prepare for return on SpX-9. The Mouse Cage Units were then returned to CBEF. The Mouse Epigenetics investigation studies altered gene expression patterns in the organs of male mice that spend one month in space, and also examines changes in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of their offspring. Results from the investigation identify genetic alterations that happen after exposure to the microgravity environment of space.

Biomolecule Sequencer Surface Pro 3 Hardware Checkout: The crew set up and connected Surface Pro 3 tablets to the wireless network before completing checkout activities to support upcoming Biomolecule Sequencer operations later this week. The Biomolecule Sequencer investigation seeks to demonstrate for the first time that DNA sequencing is feasible in an orbiting spacecraft. A space-based DNA sequencer could identify microbes, diagnose diseases and understand crew member health and potentially help detect DNA-based life elsewhere in the solar system.

Fine Motor Skills: A series of interactive tasks on a touchscreen tablet was completed for the Fine Motor Skills investigation. This investigation is critical during long-duration space missions, particularly those skills needed to interact with technologies required in next-generation space vehicles, spacesuits, and habitats. The crewmember’s fine motor skills are also necessary for performing tasks in transit or on a planetary surface, such as information access, just-in-time training, subsystem maintenance, and medical treatment.

Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations: The crew recorded and submitted a walk-through video documenting observations of life onboard ISS, providing insight related to human factors and habitability. The Habitability 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.

Dose Tracker: The crew completed entries for medication tracking on an iPad today. This investigation documents the medication usage of crewmembers 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.

Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – SDX Switch 1 Reconfiguration: The crew reconfigured the SDX 1 switch on the PPSB1 for RapidScat in Columbus in preparation for tomorrow’s 63P reboost.

Columbus Power Distribution Unit 1 (PDU-1) Troubleshooting: On Monday, ground teams were unable to repower the COL’s PDU-1 Outlet 3 which provides operational power to RapidScat and Solar Monitoring Observatory (SOLAR) payloads. Today, ground teams successfully repowered SOLAR from Outlet 3 by turning OFF the Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – SDX switch 1 to isolate RapidScat from the power feed. RapidScat has active heater power and can remain deactivated with no impact to hardware. Ground teams continue to investigate the anomaly.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Last night Robotics Ground Controllers stowed the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) on Mobile Base System (MBS) Power Data Grapple Fixture #2 (PDGF2). At the end of rigidizing its Latching End Effector (LEE) on MBS PDGF2, the SPDM safed, which has been observed previously. Controllers performed the necessary recovery steps and latched and mated the SPDM LEE to the PDGF. The SSRMS was then maneuvered to grapple the SpX-9 Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture (FRGF) in preparation of the SpX-9 release on Friday.

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

MO-8 Body mass measurement Configuration Setup
Body Mass Measurement r/g 3165
??-8. Closeout Ops
MORZE. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 3167
Virus Definition File Update on Auxiliary Computer System (???) Laptops
Conference of Search and Rescue (????) specialists with returning crew
DRAGON. Transfers
WRS Sample Collection
Fine Motor Skills (FINEMOTR) Experiment Ops
Measuring top and bottom plate connection in SM (panels 225, 226) r/g 3171
PILOT-T. Preparation for the experiment r/g 3159
DRAGON. Transfers
PILOT-T. Experiment Ops r/g 3159
Photo/TV, Camcorder Activation Check
Filling (separation) of ???-??. for Elektron or ???-??
TOCA Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) Sample Analysis
DUBRAVA. Observation and photography using VSS / r/g 3176
WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Water Processing using MCD
??? Maintenance
Procedure review for sample transfer from MELFI to POLAR
ARED Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
Sample Transfer from MELFI to POLAR
Photo/TV, Camcorder Activation Check
PILOT-T. Experiment Ops r/g 3163
Relocate Double Coldbags for access to Dragon Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH) Enclosure
HABIT Preparing for the experiment
Dragon Lithium Hydroxide Filter Bag Remove and Replace
SP3 Hardware Checkout
PILOT-T. Photography of the Experiment Ops / r/g 3161
Photo/TV, Camcorder Activation Check
Software Update installation on RSS1 Laptop for BRI Diagnostics r/g 3169
PILOT-T. Closeout Ops r/g 3163
SPHERES Battery Replacement
MOUSE Hardware Setup
PAO Hardware Setup
MORZE. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 3167
On MCC Go Transfer of urine from RS ???-? U and USOS brine to Progress 433 (DC1) r/g 3164
MORZE. Psycho-physiological Evaluation: SUPOS Test
Preparation for diagnostics of FGB Power Supply System Devices r/g 3168
Crew Prep for PAO
XF305 Camcorder Settings Adjustment
MOUSE Habitat Cage Unit Cleaning
PAO Event
SEISMOPROGNOZ. Check Ethernet interface cable routing between ???? and ??? r/g 3166
RS internal lighting system audit (SM, MRM1, MRM2, DC1) / r/g 3009
TOCA Data Recording
Gathering Centerline Berthing Camera System (CBCS) and Vestibule Outfitting Kit Equipment
ISS-HAM Radio Session
Mouse Epigenetics. Habitat Cage Unit Cleaning 5 and Food Exchange in Glovebox
Photo/TV, Camcorder Activation Check
DRAGON. Transfers
Mouse Epigenetics. Habitat Cage Unit Cleaning 5
Photo/TV, Camcorder Activation Check
Plant RNA Regulation/European Modular Cultivation System Onboard Training (OBT)
Video Footage of Greetings / r/g 3175
CONTENT. Experiment Ops / r/g 3160
MORZE. Experiment setup / r/g 3170
Photo/TV, Camcorder Activation Check
IMS Delta File Prep
Polar Transfer Review
Dragon Cargo Operations Conference
USOS Window Shutter Close
Closing window 6,8,9,12,13,14 shutters/ r/g 6965
MORZE. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake / r/g 3167
SPLANH. Diet Restrictions Reminder / r/g 3162

Completed Task List Items
None

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Maritime payload ops
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 08/24: NanoRacks Module 9 retrieve, CBEF cable reconfig, Biological Rhythms 48, Plant RNA Regulation Experiment Container install, Polar transfer
Thursday, 08/25: Biological Rhythms 48, Double Cold Bag packing, Mouse Habitat Unit transfer for return, Dragon egress
Friday, 08/26: Dragon unberth, Biomolecule Sequencer ops, Biological Rhythms 48, Fine Motor Skills, HMS Fundoscope exam, Crew departure prep

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) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up