NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 8 September 2016
As one crew gets used to Earth’s gravity after 172 days in space, another crew is preparing to launch to the International Space Station in just over two weeks.
Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams arrived in the United States just 24 hours after landing Tuesday evening in Kazakhstan and completing his mission. His Expedition 48 crewmates Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka, who were seated next to each other in the Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft, have returned to their home space agency Roscosmos in Russia. Williams has completed one shuttle mission and his third station mission accumulating 534 days in space – a NASA astronaut record.
They will soon be replaced by another trio of Expedition 49-50 crew members who have arrived at their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Andrey Borisenko will launch Sept. 23 on a two-day trip to the space station. They are in final preparations for a mission scheduled to last until Feb. 25, 2017.
Back in space, the Expedition 48-49 crew consisting of Commander Anatoly Ivanishin and Flight Engineers Kate Rubins and Takuya Onishi are continuing science operations and maintenance of the orbital laboratory. Rubins continued more DNA sequencing work today and inspected emergency equipment. Onishi cleaned ventilation fans and measured air flow. Ivanishin worked on the Pilot-T experiment exploring how a crew member adapts to the working conditions of a long-term space mission.
On-Orbit Status Report
Biomolecule Sequencer (BMS) Sample Analysis: Yesterday, the crew initiated the third BMS sample off of the task list. Following retrieval of the Flow Cell and Media Syringe Tube from the from Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) and thawing of the sample, the crew injected the sample into the Flow Cell and initiated the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing via the Surface Pro 3 tablet. The goals of the BMS experiment are to provide a proof-of-concept for the functionality and evaluate crew operability of a DNA sequencer in a space/microgravity environment. The capability for sequencing of DNA in space could provide for a better ability to identify microbes in real-time, instead of requiring sample return and ground based analysis.
Node 1 Starboard Aft Intra-Module Ventilation (IMV) Fan Inlet Cleaning: Yesterday, the crew completed the IMV Fan Inlet cleaning. The purpose of this cleaning is to remove any foreign object or debris (FOD) from Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Fan inlet flow straighter and Silencers located at the Node 1 Starboard Aft location.
Portable Emergency Provisions (PEPS) Inspection: Today, the crew conducted a regular inspection of the Portable Fire Extinguishers (PFEs), Extension Hose Tee Kits (EHTKs), Portable Breathing Apparatus (PBAs), and Pre-Breathe Masks. Pre-Breathe Masks are not emergency equipment, but have similar maintenance requirements and are included in this inspection.
EXpedite PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack 7 (ER7) Solid State Power Control Module (SSPCM) Remove and Replace (R&R): The crew replaced the SSPCM in ER7 to recover the rack. After powering the rack, ground teams report that the SSPCM powered up successfully. The SSPCM failed on July 8, 2016. Following the recovery of ER7 capability, tomorrow the crew will relocate the two Space Automated Bioproduct Laboratories (SABLs) currently in ER8 to ER7 to make room for the SpaceX-9 delivered Phase Change Heat Exchanger (PCHx). The primary objective of the PCHx Project is to create a unique test platform utilizing the EXPRESS Rack on the ISS to advance the technology readiness level of phase change heat exchangers for infusion into future exploration vehicles. Phase change material heat exchangers are a useful technology that helps certain space missions in regulating the thermal conditions on their particular spacecraft. They serve as a supplemental heat rejection device during time-varying heat loads and/or transient environments. It does so by storing waste energy by melting a phase change material during peak loads. It can then reject this energy through a radiator when conditions allow, causing the phase change material to freeze.
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Rope Replace: As part of routine maintenance, the crew replaced both ARED cable arm ropes. After the installation, the crew was unable to engage detents while the ARED Main Arm is on the Upper Stops. Currently the crew is no go for ARED exercise. Ground teams are discussing a forward plan.
Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Flow Measurements: As part of system health monitoring, the crew utilized a Velocicalc tool in order to obtain measurements of selected ventilation inlets and outlets within the USOS. Today’s measurements were taken in the Joint Airlock, Node1, Node 2, Node 3, Cupola, and the Lab.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
ER7 Removal of Glacier 4 from EXPRESS Rack 7
PILOT-T. Preparation for the experiment
EMCS Opening Gas Valve
PILOT-T. Experiment Ops
Fine Motor Skills (FINEMOTR) Experiment Ops
WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
ER7 Rack Rotation
EMU Conductivity Test
ER7 SSPCM Replacement
PILOT-T. Closeout Ops
Preventive Maintenance of FS1 Laptop
Semi-annual BRI Cleaning
NAPOR-mini RSA. Cleaning Onboard Memory Storage ???-? vents
WRS Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Testing comm between modules
ARED Rope Replacement
ER7 Rack Rotation
Inspection of Portable Breathing Apparatus (PBA) and Portable Fire Extinguisher (PFE)
BRI log download from RSS1
MPEG2 Multicast Video Streaming Test after BRI Cleaning
??? Maintenance
ER7 Glacier 4 Setup in EXPRESS Rack 7
Configuration Setup for MMB Measurement
IMV Flow Measurement
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
IMV Flow Measurement
Start EMU Metox Regeneration
Stow Syringes used in ?2? Conductivity Test
Completed Task List Items
JEM Stowage Consolidation for OA-5
Dust Mask Transfer
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
EPS Max Loading Test
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 09/09: OBT 47S emergency drill, SABL relocate
Saturday, 09/10: Housekeeping, Crew Off Duty
Sunday, 9/11: Crew Off Duty
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
