Space Stations

NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 31 August 2016

By Marc Boucher
Status Report
September 1, 2016
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NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 31 August 2016
NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 31 August 2016.
NASA

Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins of NASA will begin a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station at about 8:10 a.m. EDT Thursday. NASA TV coverage will begin at 6:30 a.m.
Williams and Rubins will retract a thermal radiator that is part of the station’s cooling system. The radiator is a backup that had been deployed previously as part of an effort to fix an ammonia coolant leak. They’ll also tighten struts on a solar array joint, and install the first of several enhanced high-definition television cameras that will be used to monitor activities outside the station, including the comings and goings of visiting cargo and crew vehicles.

On-Orbit Status Report

Trailing Thermal Control Radiator (TTCR) Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The Commander and Flight Engineer-6 completed their pre-EVA medical checkup, final EVA tool configuration and EVA timeline review earlier today. This afternoon the crew performed a conference with EVA ground specialist to discuss any final question about tomorrow’s TTCR EVA. The crew also prepared the Equipment Lock, EMUs and ancillary hardware to support EVA prep activities. Crew egress of the Airlock is scheduled for 7:10 am CDT.

Multi-Omics sample collections: Flight Engineer-5 collected samples for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Multi-Omics experiment. Samples were then placed into the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The Multi-omics analysis of human microbial-metabolic cross-talk in the space ecosystem (Multi-Omics) 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 gut microbiological composition, metabolites profiles, and the immune system. Biomarkers for immune dysfunction during the crewmembers time on the ISS could be useful for the health management of astronauts.

Habitability walkthrough: The Commander performed his sixth and final Habitability walkthrough video. Williams has been requested to focus on the windows available to the crew on the ISS, and their impact on habitability and productivity. The Habitability investigation results will be used to assess the relationship between crew members and their environment in order to better prepare for future long-duration spaceflights. Observations recorded during 6 month and 1 year missions can help spacecraft designers determine how much habitable volume is required, and whether a mission’s duration impacts how much space crew members need.

Fine Motor Skills (FMS): Flight Engineer-5 completed his 9th of 20 sessions of FMS. Performing a series of interactive tasks on a touchscreen tablet were 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.

Circadian Rhythms: After 36 hours of wear-time, Flight Engineer-5 doffed the Double Sensors and Thermolab Control Unit and stowed the equipment. The objective of the experiment is to get a better understanding of any 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.

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

NEUROIMMUNITET. Saliva Samples Collection
NEUROIMMUNITET. Closeout Ops
Multi Omics (MO) Multi Omics Saliva P/L. Saliva Sampling Ops
SPLANKH. Setup and Starting EGEG Recording
NEUROIMMUNITET. Saliva Samples Collection
Multi Omics (MO) Multi Omics Saliva P/L
Multi Omics (MO) Multi Omics P/L Questionnaire
KORREKTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Blood Samples Collection
KORREKTSIYA. NEUROIMMUNITET. Processing venous blood samples using Plasma-03 centrifuge
NEUROIMMUNITET. Venous blood samples processing (smear)
Regeneration of ??? ?1 Micropurification Cartridge
Soyuz 720 Stowage Ops for Return
NEUROIMMUNITET. Psychological Test
EVA Tool Config
Fine Motor Skills (FINEMOTR) Experiment Ops
CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS Ops
Replacement of FS1 laptop main HDD.
DOSETRK iPad data entry
Greetings Video Footage
Removal of deployed Formaldehyde Monitoring Kit (FMK) Monitors
EVA Procedure Review
HABIT Habitability Walk-Through Video
USOS EVA Tool Audit
SPLANKH. Termination of EGEG Recording and Closeout Ops
SPLANKH. Photography of the Experiment Ops
??? Maintenance
LBNP Training
Soyuz 731 IRIDIUM Phone Recharging
Soyuz 720 Stowage for Return
ALGOMETRIYA. Experiment Ops
NEUROIMMUNITET. Hair Samples Collection
Replacement of ???-?2? Separator and Membrane Filter Separator (???)
EV1 Glove Repair
IMS Delta File Prep
Robotics Workstation Monitor Checkout
PAO Hardware Setup
Changeout of ???-?2? purification column assembly (???)
EVA Procedure Conference
Download Pille Dosimeter Readings
Crew Prep for PAO
PAO Event
Pille sensors prep for USOS EVA
Crew Departure Prep
Equipment Lock Preparation
INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops
EVA, iPad Contingency Procedures preparation
ISS HAM RADIO Power Down
NEUROIMMUNITET. End of ECG Recording. Closeout Ops and Data Downlink
Airlock LHA Replacement

Completed Task List Items
None

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Lab CDRA to Standby
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Thursday, 09/01: TTCR EVA
Friday, 09/02: EVA Debrief, EMU H2O Recharge, Post EVA PHS, Soyuz Descent Training
Saturday, 09/03: Crew Off Duty, Housekeeping, Overhead CQ Cleaning

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) – Standby
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up

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