NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 29 August 2016

Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins are going back outside the International Space Station Thursday morning for their second spacewalk in less than two weeks.
The duo will retract and cover a thermal control radiator no longer being used and install lights and a new high definition camera for better views of Earth and the station structure.

Less than a week after they complete that spacewalk, Williams will return to Earth with his Expedition 48 crewmates Oleg Skripochka and Alexey Ovchinin. The two cosmonauts are checking their Sokol launch and entry suits today and packing the Soyuz before next week’s ride home. They will undock from the Poisk module Sept. 6 inside the Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft and land in Kazakhstan ending their 5 ½-month mission.

As always, advanced space science is continuing aboard the orbital laboratory. Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gathered research samples for return to Earth aboard the home-bound Soyuz spacecraft. Over the weekend, Rubins completed a DNA sequencing process for the Biomolecule Sequencer study that could possibly benefit crew health and identify life in space. Body samples were also collected today for the Multi-Omics study observing the changes to an astronaut’s metabolism and immune system.

On-Orbit Status Report

Biomolecule Sequencer WIFI Reconnection and Sample Sequence Completion: Over the weekend the crew completed the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing process that began last week and transferred the screenshots to the Surface Pro 3 tablet for downlink. 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.

Marrow Blood, Breath, and Ambient Air Sample Collection: Over the weekend the crew set up the Marrow air sample collection hardware in the crew quarters and today upon waking the crew took breath and ambient air samples to measure carbon monoxide concentration for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Marrow experiment. Marrow investigates the effect of microgravity on human bone marrow. It is believed that microgravity, like long-duration bed rest on Earth, has a negative effect on bone marrow and the blood cells that are produced in the marrow. The extent of this effect and its recovery are of interest to space research and healthcare providers on Earth.

Human Research Program (HRP) Generic Urine and Frozen Blood Collection Double Spin: The crew continued HRP operations that began over the weekend by collecting saliva and urine samples for 24-hours and processing a set of blood samples for double spin operations using the Refrigerated Centrifuge. The samples were stowed in the Minus Eighty-degree Freezer for ISS MELFI.

Mouse Epigenetics Closeout and Reconfiguration Operations: The crew performed Mouse Epigenetics closeout and reconfiguration activities to clean up and disassemble the Glove Box before removing the Mouse Habitat Cage Unit from the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF). The crew also changed the CBEF video output cable configuration from multiple channel cable to single channel cable and disconnect the CBEF Multiple Video Cable between CBEF and Image Processing Unit (IPU) as well as the CBEF and Video compression and Recording Unit 2 (VRU2) on Multi-purpose Small PayloadRack2 (MSPR2).

Thermolab Instrumentation for Circadian Rhythms: The crew began the first of a three-day European Space Agency (ESA) Circadian Rhythms experiment by performing instrumentation with the Thermolab Double sensors, mounting the Thermolab Unit in the belt, connecting and powering on the Thermolab Unit before beginning a 36 hour continuous measurement. After the measurement was completed, the data was transferred and hardware stowed. The objective of the experiment is to get a better understanding of alterations in circadian rhythms in humans during long-term space flights. Such knowledge will not only provide important insights into the adaptations of the human autonomic nervous system in space over time, but also has significant practical implications by helping to improve physical exercise, rest and work shifts as well as fostering adequate workplace illumination in the sense of occupational healthcare in future space missions.

Multi-Omics Operations: Today the crew supported the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Multi-Omics investigation by collecting body samples and inserting them into a Box Module in the Minus Eighty-degree Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The investigation evaluates the impacts of space environment and prebiotics on astronauts’ immune function by combining the data obtained from the measurements of changes in the microbiological composition, metabolites profiles, and the immune system.

Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations: The crew will recorded and submited 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.

Trailing Thermal Control Radiator (TTCR) Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The Extravehicular (EV) crew conducted a review of procedures that cover the suit donning plan, pre-breathe protocol, Equipment Lock activities, egress and detailed EVA timeline. Following the review they participated in a conference with ground teams. The Intravehicular (IV) crew accessed the Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) software and completed a robotics review of Space Station Remote Manipulator System support plan for US EVA #37 this Thursday.

External Television Camera Group (ETVCG) Troubleshooting Test Lead Build: The crew performed part 1 of a procedure to verify the heaters on the spare ETVCG Light are functional. They built two jumpers from pin kit materials for use in tomorrow’s task.

Remote Power Control Module (RPCM) Remove & Replace (R&R): Over the weekend, Robotics Ground Controllers unstowed the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) from Mobile Base System (MBS) Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF)2. At the end of re-rigidizing the SPDM Latching End Effector (LEE) for SPDM unstow, the SPDM safed, which has been observed previously. Controllers performed the necessary recovery steps and released the SPDM LEE from MBS PDGF2. Once the SPDM had been unstowed, controllers maneuvered the SSRMS and SPDM to position SPDM Arm2 to use Robot Micro Conical Tool #2 (RMCT2) to demate and remove RPCM P12B_A from its slot which was previously attempted on June 14, 2016 without success. Today, after numerous pull and wiggle attempts, the RPCM came out of its slot. Both the RPCM and its slot were inspected and nothing was seen that would preclude pressing with stowing the RPCM in a spare slot and installing another RPCM in Slot P12B_A. This RPCM was then stowed in Spare Slot P13A_H. Controllers commanded the SPDM Arm 2 On-Orbit Replaceable Unit (ORU) Tool Change-out Mechanism (OTCM) handling the RMCT2 to release the Failed RPCM (removed from P12B_A slot) in the P13A_H slot. They then maneuvered the SSRMS and SPDM to position SPDM Arm2 to align RMCT2 with the spare RPCM located in P11A_D to demate and remove it from its slot. This RPCM was then moved to the P12B_A slot. It was successfully inserted and bolted to P12B_A worksite after being pushed with the maximum force allowed of 200 N. SPDM Arm 2 released the spare RPCM in P12B_A and ground teams confirmed it was functioning nominally.

46 Soyuz Survey: Following the RPCM R&R, controllers walked the SSRMS off MBS PDGF3 onto the Node 2 PDGF then onto the Lab PDGF and finally onto the Functional Cargo Block (FGB) PDGF. From there, the SSRMS was used to perform a survey of the 46S Soyuz using the Tip LEE. When the survey was completed they walked the SSRMS off the FGB PDGF onto the Lab PDGF, then off the Lab PDGF onto MBS PDGF3. Finally, the SSRMS was maneuvered to its start position for the Trailing Thermal Control Radiator (TTCR) Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) scheduled this Thursday.

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

MARROW Air Samples
NEUROIMMUNITET. Saliva Sample. Psychological Test (morning).
HRF Urine Sample Collection
CORRECTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Blood Collection.
HRF, MELFI Sample Insertion
HRF Blood Draw
NEUROIMMUNITET. Venous blood sample processing (smear)
CORRECTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Venous blood sample processing using Plasma-03 centrifuge
HRF Blood Collection Operator
CORRECTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Handover to USOS for MELFI Insertion
Russian Experiments (RUEXP) FE-2 Blood Sample Handover for MELFI Insertion (Correctsiya, Neuroimmunitet)
CORRECTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Closeout Ops
HRF Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
CORRECTSIYA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medicine) Intake
HRF Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
HRF MELFI Sample Insertion
D4 Batteries Recharge for USOS EVA Camera
HABIT Data Recording to iPad
Multi Omics (MO) Sample Collection
Final printout of EVA procedures
HRF Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
HRF MELFI Sample Insertion
HRF Refrigerated Centrifuge Closeout Ops
ЦВМ1 R&R Preparation Ops.
Multi Omics (MO) Sample Insertion into MELFI
Multi Omics (MO) Equipment stowage after sample collection
XF305 Camcorder Settings Adjustment
Mouse Epigenetics Close-out Ops, Part 1
NEUROIMMUNITET. End of ECG Recording. Close-out Ops and Data Downlink
EVA Tool Config
Demate Central Computer [ЦВМ] telemetry connector (J-04).
ЦВМ1 R&R.
Crew Departure Prep
CARDIOVECTOR. Experiment
MSG Close-out Ops, Part 3
Mating ЦВМ1 (J-04) Telemetry Connectors.
P/TV – camcorder setup
Water Recovery Management (WRM) Water Consumption Balance, place holder
ЦВМ1 R&R Closeout Ops.
MHU-I/F UNIT Removal
CARDIOVECTOR. Photography of the Experiment Ops
NEUROIMMUNITET. Hair Sample
LBNP Exercise (PRELIMINARY).
HRF Hardware Stowage after Urine Collection
Soyuz 731 Samsung tablet recharge, initiate
CBEF – video hardware cable reconnection
WRS – water sample analysis
Kentavr Fit Check for Soyuz 720 Crew
Routine Maintenance of H2O valves (КН), Air Press Valves [КВ], and Drainage Valves (КД) in SM Rodnik Tanks
ELT2 – laptop relocation
Soyuz 731 Samsung tablet recharging, termination
Sokol Space Suit leak check
Filling (separation) of ЕДВ (КОВ) for Elektron or ЕДВ-СВ. Fill ЕДВ (КОВ) No.1212 (00067599R, ФГБ1ПГО_1_109) from ЕДВ No.1265 (00058343R, ТКГ433ГрО_з4_пл 4-1). Use ЕДВ No.1160 for separation, if necessary (00068243R, ФГБ1ПГО_1_108)
Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT)
СОЖ Maintenance
Sokol Suit Dryout, Setup Suits 1 and 2 for Drying
USOS items prepack for return on 46S
WRS Tank fill for EDV processing
METEOR Rack Doors Open
EVA Procedure Review
NEUROIMMUNITET. Psychological Test
IMS Delta File Prep
LBNP Exercise (PRELIMINARY).
USOS EVA Procedure Review
Terminate Drying of Suits 1,2
Start drying the 3rd space suit and setup the 1st pair of gloves for drying
Finish drying the 1st pair of gloves and start drying the 2nd pair
FMK Deployment Ops
Environmental Health System (EHS), GSC Sample Container
TOCA – data recording
Terminate Drying the Second Pair of Gloves
Pre-EVA PMC
IFM, ETVCG configuration for EVA
Sprint Exercise, Optional
CORRECTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Experiment Setup
Hygienic ops
Finish Drying the 3rd suit, Start Drying the 3rd Pair of Gloves
WRS – Tank fill for EDV processing
Thermolab, Instrumentation Ops for Circadian Rhythms
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
Terminate drying the 3rd pair of gloves
Stowage of suits and gloves after drying
NEUROIMMUNITET. Saliva Sample. Psychological test (evening)
SPLANH. Diet Restrictions Reminder
NEUROIMMUNITET. Saliva Sample
NEUROIMMUNITET. Measuring Blood Pressure and Starting 24-hr ECG Recording

Completed Task List Items
None

Ground Activities
All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted.
46S survey
DOUG review
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 08/30: Cardio Ox Ultrasound, EVA preparations, CEVIS isolater inspection, Fine Motor Skills
Wednesday, 08/31: CBEF reconfig, EVA preparations
Thursday, 09/01: Trailing Thermal Control Radiator (TTCR) EVA

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – On
[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Operate
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Standby
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