NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 15 May 2015

The six-member Expedition 43 crew ends its work week with a wide variety of science exploring life in space benefiting both crews in space and humans on Earth. Meanwhile, one space freighter is preparing to fire its thrusters to lift the station’s orbit as another is being packed and readied for splashdown.
One-Year crew members Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko participated in the Fine Motor Skills experiment which monitors different phases of a crew member’s microgravity adaptation and recovery back on Earth. Commander Terry Virts took samples of air and surface microbes for the Microbial Observatory-1 study which will be analyzed by scientists on the ground.

Samantha Cristoforetti studied the physics of where fluids and gases meet in Japan’s Kibo lab module. Flight Engineer Gennady Padalka worked on video gear and tested magnetometers in the station’s Russian segment. Flight Engineer Anton Shkaplerov studied chemical reactions in the Earth’s atmosphere, checked Russian docking systems and photographed windows in the Pirs and Poisk modules.

The ISS Progress 58 resupply ship docked to the Zvezda service module will fire its engines Friday night. The orbital boost will place the International Space Station at the correct altitude for the undocking of Expedition 43 in early June. The SpaceX Dragon loaded with science and gear will be released from the grips of the Canadarm2 May 21 at 7:05 a.m. EDT for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean a few hours later.

On-Orbit Status Report

Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF) Marangoni Deformation (MD) Removal: Cristoforetti removed the MD10 from the FPEF in preparation for Dynamic Surf-3 scheduled in Increment 45. Fluid convection observations are performed of a silicone oil liquid bridge that is generated by heating the one disc higher than the other within the FPEF. By observing and understanding how such fluids move, researchers can learn about how heat is transferred in microgravity, and ultimately drive the design and development of more efficient fluid flow based systems and devices.

Actiwatch Reconfiguration: Kelly reconfigured his and Kornienko’s SLEEP Actiwatches. He verified the remaining battery life and modified the settings to match the data collection intervals required for the experiment. The Sleep ISS-12 experiment monitors ambient light exposure and crew member activity, and collects subjective evaluations of sleep and alertness, to examine the effects of space flight and ambient light exposure on sleep during a year-long mission on the International Space Station (ISS).

Microbial Observatory-1 Sample Collection: Virts performed surface and air sampling using various devices in multiple locations and photograph each location prior to sample collection. This activity is to characterize the types of microbial populations on ISS. The samples will return on SpaceX-6.

ISS Reboost: The ISS is scheduled to perform a reboost tonight using 58 Progress (58P) thrusters. Planned burn duration is 15 minutes, 1 second with a Delta-V of 1.64 meters/second. This reboost, combined with a planned burn on June 7, targets phasing requirements for 41 Soyuz (41S) landing currently scheduled for June 11.

Mobile Servicing System Operations: Today, the Robotics Ground Controllers maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) to prepare to stow Robotic Micro-Conical Tool 2 (RMCT2). SPDM Arm 1 was then used to maneuver RMCT2 over the Tool Holster Assembly (THA) and stow the RMCT. After releasing the RMCT, Arm 1 was configured to a stow configuration. The Robotics Ground Controllers are currently maneuvering SSRMS to place the SPDM on Mobile Base System (MBS) Power Data Grapple Fixture 2 (PDGF2). They will then release SPDM and maneuver SSRMS to a park position.

Node 3 Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Update -Yesterday, the crew successfully replaced the N3 CDRA blower fan. Ground teams completed leak checks on beds 1 and 2 today. No leaks were detected on vacuum side, however, data indicates a possible leak on the air side. No impacts expected to CO2 removal and plan is to leave Node 3 CDRA operational while engineering continues to monitor. Lab CDRA will be deactivated tonight. CO2 levels remain low.

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

Checking email connection after resetting
Check position of MRM2 manual Circuit Breakers [???] on DC ??? panel and Fuse LED indication status on ???-30, ???-36 Fuse Boxes
Checking Fuse LED indication on ???-4, ???-7 Fuse Boxes in MRM1
SLEEP – Complete Questionnaire
ISS crew and ???? (RSA Flight Control Management Team) weekly conference
Fine Motor Skills – Experiment Ops
BRI Cleaning.
FINEMOTR – Experiment Ops
XF305 – Camcorder Setup and Data Downlink Start
FPEF – Hardware Deactivation and Stowage
SSCs 5& 6 Log Off in the LAB. Preparation for MCC-H control
RELAKSATSIYA. Hardware Setup
PAO hardware setup
Fluid Shifts – Urine Collection Hardware Setup
Crew Prep for PAO
TV Conference with the Center for Development of Gifted Children
PAO Hardware Setup
RELAKSATSIYA. Setting Parameters
Crew Prep for PAO
Replacing ???-3 Smoke Detectors in DC1.
PAO Event
RELAKSATSIYA Observation
Food Frequency Questionnaire
Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT)
EXPANDER Exercise
RELAKSATSIYA Closeout Ops
ECLSS Recycle Tank Remove and Replace
MICROBS1. Crew conference
Post-Exercise Hygiene Procedure
IMS Tagup
Sample Collection (Part 1) for Microbial Observatory-1
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
Test Activation of Magnetometers ??-8?-1 and ??-8?-2 with crossover of power supply lines ??-8?-1 and ??-8?-2.
???-?2? Filter-Reactor (?-?) Replacement
Audit of docking and internal transfer system (????) kits, consolidation of the kits, installation of by-pass caps on Docking Mechanism
Rodent Research (RR) – Samples Retrieval from MELFI
Replacement of urine receptacle (??) and filter-insert
??? Activation after Replacement
Preparing for Photography of RS Window Glass (Procedure and r/g review).
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
??? Maintenance / Life Support System (???)
Inspection and Photography of EV1 (DC1) and EV2 (MRM2) windows
WRM – Pumping
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
Rodent Research (RR) – Cleaning Animal Access Unit
MRM1 Fan Screen Cleaning (group B). Cleaning behind panels 405, 406
Actiwatch spectrum configuration modification for data collection
Camcorder setup to capture ??-2 exercise
Audit of docking and internal transfer system (????) kits, consolidation of the kits, installation of by-pass caps on Docking Mechanism
??-2 Test. ??-2 Exercise
RGN REC-TNK – Removal of depress hose for nominal operations
RGN – Initiate drain into EDV
Closure of outer covers on SM windows 6,8,9,12,13, and 14 for ISS Reboost
Removal of Video Equipment to capture Treadmill ??-2 Exercise
IMS and Stowage Conference
Transfer of recorded video files from LF ??? to RSS1 Laptop and Downlink of ??-2 Exercise test files via OCA
Fluid Shifts – Blood Collection Hardware Setup
RGN – Terminate water drain into EDV
Flight Director / ISS Crew Conference (S-band)
ISS RS Window Inspection Photo Downlink via OCA or ????
Crew Conference with Astronaut Office (S-band)
Closing USOS Window Shutters
Completed Task List Items

None
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

JEM XF305 downlink
SPDM/RMCT stow
ISS Reboost [On Schedule]
Lab CDRA Deactivation [On Schedule]
Three-Day Look Ahead:

Saturday, 05/16: Crew off duty, housekeeping, Dragon transfer ops
Sunday, 05/17: Crew off duty
Monday, 05/18: Dragon departure OBT, Ocular Health, MELFI to POLAR same transfer
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 – Operate
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Shutdown
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Process
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up