NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 5 August 2016

Two NASA astronauts are readying their spacesuits and gear ahead of an Aug. 19 spacewalk. More life science, including heart and DNA research, continued Friday. Finally, tiny internal satellites were tested before next week’s student competition.
Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins inspected the spacesuits they will wear in two weeks during a 6.5 hour spacewalk. The duo will complete the installation of an International Docking Adapter to the Harmony module. The first of two new adapters will allow Commercial Crew vehicles being developed by Boeing and SpaceX to dock in the future.

Rubins continued more work on the Heart Cells experiment today while Takuya Onishi, from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, tended to the Mouse Epigenetics hardware. Cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin joined Williams during the morning collecting and stowing biological samples for the Fluid Shifts study.

Next week, high school students will compete for the best algorithm to control self-contained, bowling ball-sized satellites inside the station. The algorithms control the tiny satellites and test mission and research functions to advance future space missions. Cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka tested the satellites inside the Destiny lab module today for the SPHERES Zero Robotics competition.

On-Orbit Status Report

Vascular Echo Resting Ultrasound Scan and Blood Pressure Operations: With support from the Vascular Echo ground team, the crew installed the Ultrasound 2 probe and ECG Cable, configured the Ultrasound 2 software and the VOX before attaching the ECG Electrodes, marking the arteries, and performing the ultrasound scans. The crew also performed 3 consecutive blood pressure measurements using the Cardiolab (CDL) Holter Arterial Blood Pressure (BP) Unit. This Canadian Space Agency (CSA) investigation examines changes in blood vessels and the heart while the crew members are in space, and then follow their recovery on return to Earth. The results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health, and quality of life for everyone.

Fluid Shifts: Crewmembers configured the Refrigerated Centrifuge for sample load operations, conducted body (blood, urine, and saliva) sample collections and stowed the samples within MELFI (Minus Eighty-degree Freezer for ISS). The crew also collected a galley water sample and stowed it in MELFI prior to ingestion of a tracer solution from the Tracer Syringe. Fluid Shifts is a joint USOS -Russian experiment that measures how much fluid shifts from the lower body to the upper body, in or out of cells and blood vessels, and determines the impact these shifts have on fluid pressure in the head, changes in vision and eye structures.

Heart Cells Media Change Operations: The crew changed the media in the Multiwell BioCell for Heart Cells in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) work volume to provide nutrients to the Heart Cells and encourage continued cell health. The investigation studies the human heart, specifically how heart muscle tissue contracts, grows and changes (gene expression) in microgravity and how those changes vary among subjects. Understanding how heart muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, change in space improves efforts for studying disease, screening drugs and conducting cell replacement therapy for future space missions.

Mouse Epigenetics Cage Unit Maintenance: The crew completed maintenance on the Mouse Epigenetics Habitat Cage Units by transferring the mice from one habitat cage unit to another and refilling the cage units with water. 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.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) Zero Robotics Dry Run: The Russian crew set up the SPHERES hardware and executed a dry run for the Zero Robotics competition scheduled next week. The SPHERES Zero Robotics investigation establishes an opportunity for high school students to design research for the ISS. As part of a competition, students write algorithms for the SPHERES satellites to accomplish tasks relevant to future space missions. The algorithms are tested by the SPHERES team and the best designs are selected for the competition to operate the SPHERES satellites on board the ISS.

Skin-B Operations: A crewmember performed Corneometer, Tewameter and Visioscan measurements on the forearm. The Corneometer measures the hydration level of the stratus coreum (outer layer of the skin), the Tewameter measures the skin barrier function, and the Visioscan measures the skin surface topography. Skin B is a European Space Agency (ESA) investigation that aims to improve the understanding of skin aging, which is greatly accelerated in space. The data will also be used to verify the results from previous testing for the SkinCare investigation on the ISS.

Fine Motor Skills: The Fine Motor Skills investigation activities for today were postponed till tomorrow to allow the crew time today to perform troubleshooting of the Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator II (MERLIN) 3, which is not cooling properly.

Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator II (MERLIN) 3 troubleshooting: MERLIN 3 failed to keep its temperature control operating last week. Today, the crew executed reboot and recovery steps to attempt recovery of the unit. When MERLIN 3 remained unresponsive, the unit was declared failed and it will be returned on SpaceX-9 for refurbishment and return to ISS.

Space Headaches: The crew completed the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Headaches questionnaire to provide information that may help in the development of methods to alleviate associated symptoms and improvement in the well-being and performance of crew members in space. Headaches during space flight can negatively affect mental and physical capacities of crew members which can influence performance during a space mission.

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.

European Crew Personal Active Dosimeter (EuCPAD) Mobile Unit Check-out and De-installation: The crew completed closeout activities and de-installed the mobile units that were installed and activated last week. The EuCPAD is an active device worn by crewmembers in orbit to measure radiation exposure. This device, coupled with other dosimeters in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus Laboratory, provides radiation dosage information that can be used to support risk assessment and dose management. The future goal is to enable the verification of radiation monitoring systems for future medical monitoring of crew members in space.

NanoRacks External Platform (NREP) Operations: Following yesterday’s installation of the NanoRacks-Gumstix experiment onto NREP, and the installation of NREP on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEM A/L) slide table, today NREP was deployed from the JEM A/L, installed on the JEM Exposed Facility (JEF), and activated. NREP then connected to the External Wireless Communication (EWC) for communicating wirelessly to ISS data handling system. This represents the first usage of the EWC since its initial activation in May. The NanoRacks External Platform represents the first external commercial research capability for the testing of scientific investigations, sensors, and electronic components in space. The NanoRacks-Evaluation of Gumstix Performance in Low-Earth Orbit (NanoRacks-Gumstix) investigation tests small computers called Gumstix modules which are based on open-source software as an alternative off-the-shelf option for use in space. The investigation studies whether the Gumstix microprocessors can withstand the radiation environment on board the ISS.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The crew continued preparation for the EVA planned for August 19 by performing the following:

Cooling loop maintenance on EMUs 3003 and 3008 including ionic and particulate filtration (scrubbing) and biocidal maintenance (iodination). A water sample was taken from the loops for subsequent conductivity testing.
Continued tool gather and config.
Inspected EMU sublimator for water leakage using water test strips.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

FLUID SHIFTS. Saliva Test, Subject
FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection, Subject
FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
FLUID SHIFTS. Basic blood collection
FLUID SHIFTS Blood Collection
FLUID SHIFTS Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
FLUID SHIFTS. Galley Water Collection and Tracer Ingestion Ops, Subject
Morning Inspection. SM ??? (Caution & Warning Panel) Test
FLUID SHIFTS. Centrifuge Spin Conclusion
FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
IMS Tagup (S-band)
USND2 Unit Activation
Fine Motor Skills (FINEMOTR) Test
VECHO. Ultrasound Scan
Photo of Wide-band Communication System (???) MDM location / r/g 2999
CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 2888
HRTCEL Equipment Gathering
Acoustic Dosimeter Stow
Audit of cables behind SM panels 228 and 229? r/g 2998
SKNB Preparation and hardware gathering
FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection, Subject
FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
HABIT Questionnaire Completion
SEISMOPROGNOZ. Downlink data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (????) HDD (start) r/g 2224
Laptop and ELC4 ER1 racks reconfiguration
FLUID SHIFTS Blood Collection
FLUID SHIFTS. 3-Hour Blood Collection, Subject
FLUID SHIFTS Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
FLUID SHIFTS. 3-hour Saliva Collection, Subject
FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
MOUSE Hardware Setup
HRTCEL. Heart Cell Media Change
FLUID SHIFTS. Centrifuge Spin Conclusion
FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
XF305 Camcorder Settings Adjustment
Collecting SM and FGB Air Samples Using ??-1? Sampler / Pressure Control & Atmosphere Monitoring System r/g 2994
MOUSE. Mouse Transportation Cage Unit Changeout
Start EMU cooling loop scrub
Tightening QD Screw Clamps between SM Aft and Progress 432
FLUID SHIFTS. 5-hour Saliva Collection, Subject
FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
JEMAL Slide Table extension
FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection End, Subject
VECHO. BP Measurement
FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
JEM Airlock Releasing Capture Mechanism
SEISMOPROGNOZ. Download data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (????) HDD (end) and start backup r/g 2224
Initiate EMU Cooling Loop Scrub Part 1
SPHERES. Camera setup in the Work Area
EUCPAD Removal and Relocation of Dosimeter Module
Dust Filter Cartridge Replacement in SM
Progress 433 (DC1) Transfers and IMS Ops / Progress 433 Transfer Ops + r/g 2834, 2835, 2929, 2961
EMU Cooling Loop Maintenance, Deconfiguration
JEMAL Slide Table Retraction
Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA), Inspection of Sublimator Flange
Biological Research in Canisters Natural Products (BRICNP). Canister Transfer
NREP. Photography
Biological Research in Canisters Natural Products (BRICNP). Photo Documentation
EVA Tool Config
Food Frequency Questionnaire
FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection Container, disposal and installation
SPHERES. Camera adjustment and Zero Robotics dry run test
EMU Water Refill
IMS Delta File Prep
EMU-LVCG Water Charge
SM Ventilation Subsystem Preventive Maintenance. Group ?1
Start EMU cooling loop scrub
MERLIN Troubleshooting
??? Maintenance
EVA Hardware Transfer to Airlock
Space Headaches (SHD) Weekly Questionnaire
Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT)
SPHERES. Hardware power off, battery replacement, and stowage
Laptop and ELC4 ER4 racks reconfiguration

Completed Task List Items
None

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Heart Cells ops
Fluid Shifts ops
EMU prep support
JEMAL/NREP ops
Nominal ground commanding.

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Saturday, 08/06: Crew off duty, housekeeping, Fluid Shifts, Mouse cage maintenance
Sunday, 08/07: Crew off duty
Monday, 08/07: Fluid Shifts, Tonometry exams, EVA DOUG/procedure review, Mouse cage maintenance

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – On
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