NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 23 November 2015
The next cargo mission to the International Space Station is set to launch Dec. 3 at 5:55 p.m. EST. The Orbital ATK Cygnus commercial cargo craft will arrive Dec. 6 when it will be grappled with the Canadarm2 and berthed to the Unity module.
Commander Scott Kelly joined Flight Engineers Kjell Lindgren and Kimiya Yui and trained for Cygnus arrival. They used computer training software and practiced the rendezvous and grapple techniques they will use while operating the Canadarm2 from inside the cupola.
The crew was back at work Monday conducting more science to benefit life on Earth and astronauts in space. They explored a variety of subjects including human research, botany and physics.
Kelly looked at working with touch-based technologies, explored liquid crystals and tended plants. His One-Year crewmate Mikhail Kornienko downlinked earthquake data captured on the orbital lab and stowed trash inside a Russian resupply ship.
Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko researched veins in the lower extremities of crew members and performed a vision test. Flight Engineer Sergey Volkov participated in Crew Medical Officer training and photographed the condition of the Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft windows.
Yui researched intracranial pressure caused by microgravity potentially affecting an astronaut’s vision. He also began a 24-hour data take while attached to an electrocardiogram. Lindgren studied new exercise techniques using gear that measures respiratory and cardiovascular functions.
On-Orbit Status Report
Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Troubleshooting: Kelly and Lindgren attempted to restore full functionality to the slide mechanism that allows the MSG work volume to be extended for crew access but were not successful. The MSG Ground Team is working with a ground unit to develop additional procedures for correcting the problem. The slide mechanism initially malfunctioned last Tuesday, November 17th.
EXPRESS (EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station) Rack 7 Laptop Software Load: Yui supported the ongoing software updates to ISS EXPRESS Rack laptops by copying a software load to the EXPRESS Rack 7 laptop. These software updates include enhanced security with the Windows 7 operating system, new features and support for new capabilities.
Biological Rhythms 48 Hours: Lindgren donned the Holter Electrocardiogram to support JAXA’s Biological Rhythms 48 Hours investigation. He then synchronized data between the Actiwatch and Holter. This investigation studies the effects of long-term microgravity exposure on heart function by analyzing an astronaut’s electrocardiogram for 48 hours. While the ISS schedule follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), it is not known whether a separate biological rhythm is imposed on long-term flight crews. To study this, astronauts wear an Actiwatch for 96 hours and a Holter electrocardiograph for 48 hours.
Intracranial Pressure and Visual Impairment (IPVI): For JAXA’s IPVI investigation, Lindgren took front and side photos of his face with a USB camera attached to the Medical Laptop. He then participated in a conference with the ground to discuss any current medical conditions and upcoming IPVI operations. Long-duration spaceflight may cause an elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP), resulting in changes in the optic nerve and ocular structure. The aim of this study is to non-invasively estimate the changes in intracranial pressure and brain circulation induced by long-duration spaceflights, by analyzing the arterial blood pressure and brain blood flow waveforms before and after space flight. In addition, researchers hope to correlate the occurrence of abnormalities of the eye (e.g. optic disc edema) with ISS crewmembers experiencing an increase in intracranial pressure.
Veggie (Veg-01): Kelly thinned seedlings today so that each Veg-01 Plant Pillow has one plant, and then refilled the pillows with water. The Veg-01 investigation is used to assess on-orbit function and performance of the Veggie facility, focusing on the growth and development of seedlings in the spaceflight environment and the composition of microbial flora on the plants and the facility. For this run, Zinnias will be grown for 60 days and are expected to produce flowers.
Story Time From Space: Yui read “Atmospheres and Telescopes” from the book Max Goes to the Moon,” discussed the subject on camera, and demonstrated the scientific principles involved. Video recording of the activity will be downlinked to the ground and used for educational purposes.
Integrated Resistance and Aerobic Training Study (Sprint) Volume of Oxygen Utilized (VO2) Max: For his Return minus 30 day (R-30) Sprint VO2 session, Yui attached Electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes to himself, set up and donned Heart Rate Monitor hardware, performed Portable Pulmonary Function System calibrations, and then performed the VO2 protocol. The Sprint VO2 investigation evaluates the use of high intensity, low volume exercise to minimize loss of muscle, bone, and cardiovascular function in ISS crewmembers while reducing total exercise time during long-duration space missions.
Fine Motor Skills: Kelly completed a session of the Fine Motor Skills experiment. During the experiment he performed a series of interactive tasks on a touchscreen tablet. This investigation is the first fine motor skills study to measure long-term microgravity exposure, different phases of microgravity adaptation, and sensorimotor recovery after returning to Earth gravity. Fine Motor Skills sessions completed by Kelly and Kornienko will provide data for identification of trends or variations in fine motor performance in microgravity over the duration of their year-long space mission and upon their return to earth. Kelly’s results will also be compared with a closely matched participant on Earth.
Cygnus/Orbital ATK (OA)-4 Preps: Kelly, Yui, and Lindgren participated in a conference with Robotics Ground Controllers to discuss rendezvous operations for the OA-4 flight. Following the conference, the crew completed a procedure review and then Kelly and Lindgren performed a Computer Based Training session.
Russian Joint Research (RJR) Microbiological Sampling: On Saturday, Kornienko used the Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) and Surface Sample Kit (SSK) to take surface and air samples in the ISS 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.
Cognition: Lindgren performed his Flight Day 122 session of the Cognition experiment on Saturday. 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.
Journals: Kelly completed a Journals entry on Saturday. 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.
Water Processing Assembly (WPA) Fault: Over the weekend on Saturday, WPA experienced a fault associated with the pre-heater in the Catalytic Reactor unit not staying above the required temperature. Ground Teams assessed then modified temperature limits in order to allow WPA operations to continue, while longer term plans are discussed.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Calf Volume Measurement
IPVI – Photography
SEISMOPROGNOZ. Download Data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (????) HDD (Start)
WRM – ?????? ??????? ????, ????????
FINEMOTR – Experiment Ops
ISS Crew Medical Officer (CMO) Computer Based Training (CBT)
Story Time (ST) – Photography
Photography of Soyuz 718 [??] Windows, plane 2, data file downlink via OCA
Story Time (ST) – Videotaped Reading
IPVI – Private Medical Conference
WRS – Water Sample Analysis
VSG – Trouble shooting
Close out operations with hardware “Tropical Cyclone”
OASIS – Sample Container Exchange [Deferred]
Sample Container Exchange and Glycerol/Water Fill. Handover
DAN. Payload Ops
DAN. Experiment Operator Assistance
ER7 – Hard Drive Insertion into the Laptop
ISSPRESSO – SD Card Ops
ER7 – Close-out Ops with Laptop
ER7 – DVD Insertion into Laptop
HMS – Vision Test
SPRINT Partial Setup
Vision Test – Complete Questionnaire
SPRINT – Hardware Activation
Inspection of ???-?2? Sediment Insert-Trap
WRM – Water Consumption Balance, place holder
Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update
SABL2 Preparation Ops
SPRINT – P/L Operations and Video
SEISMOPROGNOZ. Downlink data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (????) HDD (end) and start backup
SABL1 Preparation Ops
Repairs of SM Interior Panel 326 by Installing Overlay Panel – Day 1
Cleaning FGB Gas-Liquid Heat Exchanger (???) Detachable Screens 1, 2, 3
Symbolic Activity Preparation
Private Psychological Conference
Repairs of SM Interior Panel 326 by Installing Overlay Panel – Day 1
TOCA Data Recording
Preparation of hardware disposed on Progress #428 (DC1) with IMS update
VEG-01 – Plant Thinning
VIDEO – Locating Item
SPRINT – Equipment Stowage
VEG-01 – Refilling Root Mat with Water
WORF – Cables Connection
JRNL – Journal Entry
IMS Delta File Prep
OBT – Cygnus Rendezvous and Docking Conference
OBT – Cygnus Robotics Review
ISSPRESSO – SD Card Re-insertion
ER7 – DVD Removal and Stowage
Filling (separation) of EDV (KOV) for Elektron or EDV-SV
SPRINT – Closeout Ops
OBT – On-board Training (OBT) Cygnus Rendezvous Review
Evening Work Prep
Life On The Station Photo and Video / r/g 0290
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
??? Maintenance [Deferred]
BLR48 – starting measurement
Preparing for Antivirus scan on Auxiliary Computer Laptops
Fine Motor Skills Test Reminder
Installation of inserts to ease opening of SM interior panel locks (Unstow Structural Elements kit – ???????? ??????????? (004890R), ???1???_4_427_1, ??? ?1112 (004106J)
Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media
ECON-M. Observation and Photography
Completed Task List Items
JAXA Report 10
Wanted Poster for MSS-2 Closeout Panel
Wanted Poster for Catalytic Reactor ORU
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Nominal ground commanding
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 11/24: SPRINT, Cygnus Robotics OBT, FIR Switch Reconfiguration, Fundoscope
Wednesday, 11/25: Cygnus Robotics OBT, 44S Emergency OBT, HAPTICS-1 Ops, Port TRRJ Survey, ISS Reboost
Thursday, 11/26: Crew Holiday
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 – 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
