NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 20 January 2015

Today: Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixtures (CSLM)-4: Virts set up and began processing on the first of six CSLM-4 runs. Over the next week, six CSLM sample processing units (SPUs) will be processed in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) and prepared for return on SpaceX-5.
For each run, the crew will configure valves and connections to vent the SPU and water lines, start the automated processing sequence, transfer experiment data and exchange the processed SPU with a new one after each sample run. CSLM-4 is a materials science investigation that studies the growth and solidification processes (i.e., coarsening) in lead-tin solid-liquid mixtures that contain a small amount (low volume fraction) of tin branch-like (i.e., dendritic) structures, some of which possess many arms. During sample heating, the growth at the tip of each dendrite continues over time, whereas side branches, behind the tip, develop during constant temperature (i.e., isothermal) conditions. By understanding how temperature and time control the growth of such dendrites, researchers hope to develop more efficient and economical means of producing higher quality products derived from the casting of molten metals.

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test (BCAT)-Low Gravity Phase Kinetics Platform (KP): Wilmore changed the camera battery, set the intervalometer, and checked the camera alignment and focus for the BCAT-KP experiment. BCAT-KP provides a platform for material and industrial scientists to investigate colloid phase changes, providing results that may be used to develop new colloidal materials and formulations with unique properties. The results may support new applications, from new liquid crystals to consumer goods having longer shelf life and uses.

Fruit Fly Lab -1 (FFL-1): Cristoforetti prepared the Maintenance Work Area (MWA) for Fruit Fly Lab operations, removed old food trays from fly cassettes in the Nanoracks Biorack platform-3 and applied a RNAlater fixative solution. The samples will then be frozen in the Minus Eighty Degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). New fly cassettes will be installed into the NanoRacks Centrifuge to continue the Fruit Fly experiment. Drosophila melanogaster, or the fruit fly, serves as a useful model organism to investigate the biological effects of the space environment. In previous experiments, it’s been shown that the innate immune system of the fly is affected by spaceflight. In this experiment we plan on studying what the combined effect of altered host immunity and altered microbial physiology will be in the space flight environment.

Dragon Cargo Transfer: Today, the crew continued with cargo operations for the newly arrived SpaceX-5 Dragon. The crew has completed ~18 hours of the estimated 65 hours needed to unpack then pack SpaceX-5 cargo.

Lithium-ion Battery Charger Calibration: Wilmore performed a series of checks to determine if the Lithium-ion Battery Charger is operating within calibration standards. This verification is required once every five years.

Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Quarterly Maintenance: As part of periodic maintenance, Wilmore greased the ARED Vibration Isolation System (VIS) Rails, Rollers, Upper Stop catch plates, and Rack Indicator Catch Mechanisms. He then inspected the X-Rotation Dashpots.

Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-L Testing: Wilmore successfully performed S-Band and Ku-Band communications checks with MCC-H via the new satellite. TDRS-L, which launched from Cape Canaveral on January 23rd 2014 has been undergoing various testing sessions. Provided the remaining test objectives are successful, TDRS-L will replace an older geo-synchronous satellite located at 41 degrees west longitude on February 9th 2015. TDRS-L is a third-generation spacecraft with new designs to ensure vital operational continuity for NASA by expanding the lifespan of the TDRS fleet.

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

HRF – Urine Sample Collection and insertion into MELFI
BCAT – Camera Battery Replacement and image downlink
BAR. Experiment Run
CSLM-2 sample processing. Crew completes vacuum cleaning, powers up ECU and activates CSLM-2 in preparation for the experiment
SLT – Reboot
ARED – Lubrication
EMU- Conductivity Test
Filter R&R on dust collectors ??1 and ??2 in FGB
RGN-REC TK – Transfer and Replacement
ESPANDER Exercise
WRS – Water Recovery System Container Filling
Environment Micro Ecosphere Checkup – Sampling at Sampling Points Nos 1-8. Refrigerator Insertion for Incubation / r/g 7733
ECG Daily Recording (completion)
FFL01 – Familiarization and Training Before Experiment Run
CSLM-2 SPU exchange with crew
FGB Interior Panel Ventilation Grille Cleaning (panels 201, 301, 401)
EDV (KOV) Filling (Separation) for ELEKTRON or EDV-SV
FFL01 – Secure Samples
ECG Daily Recording (beginning)
ARED – Lubrication of Guides
CSLM2 – data check after re-recording
PROBOY. Mounting, Connection of Cables and Microphones in ???
Med Ops OBT
FFL01 – Replacement of Trays
EHS system AQM transfer
AQM Cartridge Replacement
Charge unit calibration compatibility check with EMU
PROBOY. Mounting, Connection of Cables and Microphones in ???
Preparation of ??-325 Boxes (2 pcs) of Regul-OC System to be Returned on SpX-5
Transfer of ??-325 Boxes (2 pcs) of Regul-OC System to ISS US OS Crew Member to be Returned on SpX-5
CSLM-2 dew point vacuum check part 1
RGN REC-TNK – Pressure Relief Hose Removal for Nominal Ops.
FFL01- insertion of samples into MELFI
CSLM-2 dew point vacuum check part 2
Comm checks S/G 2,3,4
Preparation for ??-21. ECOSFERA Power Pack Charging
Completed Task List Items

None
Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

P1-2 MDM Powercycle
S-Band String Swap (1 to 2) in preparation for RPCM LAD11B_A R&R scheduled for tomorrow
TDRS-L Voice, Command, and Telemetry Checks
Three-Day Look Ahead:

Wednesday, 01/21: APEX-03 Payload Harvest, Ocular Health, Cargo Ops, T-Cell, NanoRacks Plate Reader Remove
Thursday, 01/22: CATS External Payload Transfer, Cargo Ops, Ocular Health, Epigenetics, Emergency OBT
Friday, 01/23: CIR MDCA replace, Ocular Health Cardiac Ops, MagVector
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – On
[???] 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) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full up