Space Stations

NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 9 August 2016

By Marc Boucher
Status Report
August 10, 2016
Filed under , ,
NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 9 August 2016
Fluids shift toward the upper body in space since they don’t have to fight against gravity. This results in familiar phenomena such as a puffy face. The fluid shifts also affect intra-cranial pressure and eye shape. Credit: NASA.
NASA

The Expedition 48 crew continued more eye exams and ongoing research to understand how microgravity shifts body fluids toward the upper body. Two NASA astronauts also checked out U.S. spacesuit safety gear and tools.
All six crew members participated in variety of eye exams throughout the day. Some of the eye checks also coincided with the Fluid Shifts study. That research observes how fluid pressure in space affects a crew member’s head and eyes, possibly affecting vision.

Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Kate Rubins are getting ready for an Aug. 19 spacewalk to install an International Docking Adapter. The docking port, delivered by the SpaceX Dragon last month, will enable future commercial crew spacecraft from Boeing and SpaceX dock to the station. The spacewalkers checked their spacesuit safety jetpacks they would use in the unlikely event they became separated from the International Space Station.

On-Orbit Status Report

Fluid Shifts Operations in the Service Module: With ground team assistance, Russian and USOS crew members supported Fluid Shifts Imaging exams by conducting the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) exam, Ultrasound scans, the Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) tests, and a Tonometry exam. The purpose of this investigation is to characterize the space flight-induced fluid shift, including intra- and extravascular shifts, intra- and extracellular shifts, changes in total body water and lower vs. upper body shifts. Results from this investigation are expected to help define the causes of the ocular structure and vision changes associated with long duration space flight, and assist in the development of countermeasures.

Mouse Epigenetics Cage Unit Maintenance: Today, the Mouse Habitat Unit #3 was cleaned, and the crew exchanged filters and collected samples. The food cartridges were exchanged and the MHU was returned to its stowage location 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.

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.

Dose Tracker: The Dose Tracker app was configured and the crewmember completed entries for medication tracking on an iPad. This investigation documents the medication usage of crewmembers before and during their missions by capturing data regarding medication use during spaceflight, including side effect qualities, frequencies and severities. The data is expected to either support or counter anecdotal evidence of medication ineffectiveness during flight and unusual side effects experienced during flight. It is also expected that specific, near-real-time questioning about symptom relief and side effects will provide the data required to establish whether spaceflight-associated alterations in pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics (PD) is occurring during missions.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The crew completed the following in preparation for the IDA2 EVA planned on August 19:

Prepared the Equipment Lock (EL), Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) and ancillary hardware to support EVA prep activities.
Verified that the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) is functional.
Continued configuring required tools.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – Setup
Virus Definition File Update on Auxiliary Computer System (???) Laptops
CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 2888
MOUSE Hardware Setup
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Operator
On MCC GO Regeneration of ??? ?1 Micropurification Cartridge (start)
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Subject
ARED Rope Replacement
Replacement of Komparus Hardware (Removal of ??-??? unit)
Counter Measure System (CMS) Harmful Contaminant Measurements in SM / r/g 3029
WRS Water Sample Analysis
ARED Rope Replacement (assistance)
Analysis of SM Atmosphere for Freon Using Freon Leak Analyzer/Detector (???) r/g 1751
Photo/TV Battery Charge Initiation
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Subject
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Operator
Replacement of Komparus Hardware, (Removal of ??-??? unit)
XF305 Camcorder Settings Adjustment
MOUSE Habitat Cage Unit Cleaning
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Subject
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Operator
FLUID SHIFTS, Ultrasound 2 Activation
Photo/TV Battery charger battery swap
MOUSE Sample MELFI Insertion
EVA Equipment Lock Preparation
Prep for SW Updates on RS1, RS2, RS3, REMOTE RS r/g 3016
??? Maintenance
FLUID SHIFTS, Preparation for Blood Pressure Operations
FLUID SHIFTS, Ultrasound Scan
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Equipment Stowage
SAFER Checkout
FLUID SHIFTS. Ultrasound Scan Assistance
BIOCARD. Experiment Ops r/g 1907
BIOCARD. Operator Assistance During the Experiment / r/g 1907
TOCA Data Recording
DOSETRK Questionnaire Completion
Crew Prep for PAO
HABIT Questionnaire Completion
PAO Hardware Setup
PAO Event
OTKLIK. Hardware Monitoring / r/g 1588
RS internal lighting system audit (SM, MRM1, MRM2, DC1) / r/g 3009
Photo/TV. Battery charger battery swap
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHS) Pre-Treat Tank and Pre-Treat Tank Hose R&R
FLUID SHIFTS, CCFP Operations
EVA Tool Config
IMS Delta File Prep
FLUID SHIFTS, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) measurement Test
FLUID SHIFTS. Tonometer Eye Test with Remote Guidance
FLUID SHIFTS, OCT Baseline Exam
FLUID SHIFTS. Tonometry Setup
FLUID SHIFTS. Tonometer Exam Operator
FLUID SHIFTS, Tonometer Exam
FLUID SHIFTS. Hardware Removal and Stowage
FLUID SHIFTS, Hardware Stowage
FLUID SHIFTS. Post-ops Stowage
Fundoscope Exam Setup
CONTENT. Experiment Ops / r/g 3028
CONTENT. Experiment Ops / r/g 3027
Fundoscope Setup for exam
Fundoscope, Eye Exam
Fundoscope, Eye Exam (Operator)
Terminate Photo/Video Battery Charge
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHS) Urine Receptacle and Insert Filter Changeout
Countermeasures System (CMS) – Sprint Exercise, Optional
Fundoscope Exam Setup
CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 2888
ARED Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
Fundoscope, Eye Exam (Operator)
Fundoscope, Eye Exam
Fundoscope Exam Subject Preparation
Daily Planning Conference (S-band)
Expedition 47 Plaque Hanging
Fundoscope, Eye Examination
Fundoscope, Eye Exam (Operator)
On MCC GO Regeneration of ??? ?1 Absorption Cartridge (end)
Equipment stowage after Fundoscope Eye Imaging

Completed Task List Items
None

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Fluid Shifts support
Nominal ground commanding.

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 08/10: EMU fit check, METEOR hard drive swap, Fluid Shifts, Mouse Epigenetics cage maintenance, Circadian Rhythms
Thursday, 08/11: USOS crew holiday (Japan’s Mountain Day)
Friday, 08/12: NanoRacks Module 9 ops, Heart Cells media change, SPHERES-Zero Robotics competition, Neuro Mapping, HMS Ultrasound, Circadian Rhythms, Fine Motor Skills

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

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