NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 16 March 2015
The three-person Expedition 43 crew with Commander Terry Virts and Flight Engineers Samantha Cristoforetti and Anton Shkaplerov are the sole occupants of the International Space Station right now. They are getting ready for upcoming module relocation work and preparing for upcoming science work.
Virts installed a connector cap and a power cable to get the station ready for the Permanent Multipurpose Module relocation this summer from the Unity module to the Tranquility module. A new exercise device, the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES), will be commissioned Tuesday for which Cristoforetti reviewed MARES overview materials. She was also troubleshooting the BioLab for work with the TripleLux-B experiment which studies cellular mechanisms in microgravity.
– Read more about the MARES
– Read more about the BioLab
– Read more about the TripleLux-B experiment
Soyuz TMA-16M Commander Gennady Padalka and One-Year crew members Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko have left Star City, Russia, and are heading to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. There the trio will launch March 27 to join Expedition 43 at the orbital laboratory. Kelly and Kornienko will stay in space until March 2016. Padalka with return to Earth Sept. 11.
– Read more about the One-Year Crew
On-Orbit Status Report
Biolab Troubleshooting (TripleLux-B): In order to recover smoke detection in the Biolab facility, Cristoforetti successfully Removed and Replaced (R&R) the smoke detector. She also performed an inspection of the Biolab handling mechanism shutter door. Photos were taken for evaluation by ground teams. Ground teams have performed activation steps and verified that Biolab is go for the start of TripleLux-B operations on Thursday.
The Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES): Cristoforetti reviewed experiment overview materials in preparation for MARES commissioning tomorrow. MARES will be used for research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular human physiology to better understand the effects of microgravity on the muscular system.
Permanent Multi-purpose Module (PMM) Relocate/Node1 (N1) Nadir Berthing Port Readiness: In preparation for PMM relocate and N1 Nadir Berthing Port readiness, Virts installed a connector cap at the NOD3O4 Rack Utility Interface Panel (UIP). He also partially installed a N3 Sample Delivery System (SDS) power cable.
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Hydrogen Sensor Remove & Replace: Virts removed and replaced the OGA Hydrogen sensor as a routine maintenance task. Following the removal of the old hydrogen sensor the crew used the Hydrogen Sensor ORU Purge Adapter (HOPA) to dry out the removed sensor in preparation for its return on SpX-6. As part of this maintenance activity Virts also cleaned the Avionics Air Assembly (AAA) inlet.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted.
OGA Hydrogen Sensor R&R – part 1
MARES. Big Picture Words
BRI Cleaning. (as necessary) / r/g 8246
N3-UOP – Hardware Deactivation
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
Biolab back up smoke detector dismantle and check out before activity BLB-SD-XCHG
Psychological evaluation program (WinSCAT)
Auxiliary Laptop Anti-Virus Update / r/g 8247
Biolab smoke detector replacement and Biolab mechanism shutter check out
Gathering and Connecting Crew Onboard Support Kit (????) Equipment for Hatch Closure TV coverage
ISS-MCC-M TV. TV PAO with the Participants of Russian Schoolchildren conference r/g 8254
[????] hardware Deactivation and Closing Applications on ?? SSC
IFM – Installation of connector caps at NOD3O4 Rack UIP
Biolab Triplelux AAS Insert replacement with Biolab AAS Standard Insert
Replacement of ??? set / r/g 8253
OGA H2 Sensor R&R and AAA Cleaning – part 2
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Restow CTBs to Support MARES Implementation Ops
?2 monthly monitoring
PAO Event
Greasing Exposed ARED Wires
Node1 Port Aft IMV Fan Cleaning
Stylus setup for ??-2 Control Panel / r/g 8249
Physical Fitness Evaluation (on treadmill) / r/g 8248
Exercise data downlink / r/g 6797
N3-UOP – Hardware activation
OGA Hydrogen Sensor R&R – part 3
URAGAN. Observation and photography using Photo Equipment / r/g 8250
Completed Task List Items
Completed Saturday:
ARED Evac T/S parts 1, 2
COL ETC locker photo audit
ESA PAO activities
IMAX WORF setup
iPAD swap
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
N31B4A powerdown/power up
OGA H2 sensor R&R support [N3 MCA and OGA repower is in work]
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 03/17: 41S Emergency Drill, MARES checkout/commissioning part 1, CSLM2 experiment stow
Wednesday, 03/18: MARES checkout/commissioning part 2, IFM hatch seal inspection, MSG inspect/clean
Thursday, 03/19: Triplelux, WHC urine hydraulic components R&R
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – Off
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Standby
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Standby
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Startup
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Shutdown
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Warmup
