NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 22 April 2015
The Expedition 43 lab assistants conducted biomedical science in the International Space Station on Wednesday. Meanwhile, controllers on the ground will remotely maneuver the Canadarm2 outside the station to experiment with the possibility of servicing satellites on orbit for longer missions.
The crew participated in a wide variety of life science studies. The Myco experiment, which analyzes nose, throat and skin samples, examines how microorganisms on the space station can affect a crew member’s allergies and illnesses. Another study, Interactions, explores how crews from different cultures learn to work with each other. More Rodent Research work took place, as the astronauts readied samples for return to Earth and checked out the rodents’ habitat.
Crew members also underwent medical exams, checking vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure. Later there were crew eye checks as doctors on the ground explore how microgravity affects vision.
The Robotics Refueling Mission, a joint study between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, investigates satellite repair and servicing techniques in space. Operators on the ground use the station’s special purpose dexterous manipulator, better known as Dextre, on the end of the Canadarm2, for fine robotics manipulation. Engineers are looking to determine whether it’s possible to refuel satellites and test electrical connections robotically.
On-Orbit Status Report
Ocular Health: Padalka performed his Flight Day (FD) 30 fundoscopy, with assistance from Virts as his CMO and ground remote guiders. The fundoscope is utilized to image the fundus (interior surface of the eye including the retina, optic disc, macula, and fovea). Ocular Health protocol calls for a systematic gathering of physiological data to characterize the risk of microgravity-induced visual impairment/intracranial pressure in ISS crewmembers. Researchers believe that the measurement of visual, vascular and central nervous system changes over the course of this experiment and during the subsequent post-flight recovery will assist in the development of countermeasures, clinical monitoring strategies, and clinical practice guidelines.
Rodent Research-2 Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (RR-2 CASIS): Kelly completed a fixative swap on the samples collected during yesterday’s RR-2 operations. Following the swap, the samples in the new fixative were inserted into MELFI.
Mycological Evaluation of Crew Exposure to ISS Ambient Air (MYCO) Familiarization: Kelly reviewed the procedure prior to his first MYCO collection scheduled for tomorrow. The MYCO experiment evaluates the risk of microorganisms’ via inhalation and adhesion to the skin to determine which fungi act as allergens on the ISS.
Nanoparticles and Osteoporosis and Kubik Closeout: Cristoforetti removed the last 6 of the 8 Nanoparticles and Osteoporosis Experiment Containers (ECs) and stowed them in Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). She comleted a data download, stowed the Kubik and packed Kubik-3 for return on SpX-6. Nanoparticles based countermeasures for Treatment of microgravity induced osteoporosis (Nanoparticles and Osteoporosis) studies how microgravity changes the metabolic environment of bone leading to site-specific alterations in bone remodeling. This study uses strontium containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP-Sr) as a countermeasure to prevent osteoporosis induced by microgravity during space flight. The in vitro biological effect of nHAP-Sr will be evaluated on differentiated human osteoblasts and osteoclasts and during their differentiation process, varying incubation time and dose-dependence in simulated microgravity and during space flight.
Nematode Muscle: Cristoforetti retrieved the nematode samples from the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) and performed sample fixation using the Chemical Fixation Apparatus. The samples were then inserted into MELFI. The Alterations of C. elegans muscle fibers by microgravity (Nematode Muscles), aims to clarify how and why these changes take place in microgravity. Studying worms exposed to both microgravity, and gravity-like conditions in a centrifuge, could help scientists understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for muscle atrophy and other spaceflight-induced changes.
Advanced Resistance Exercise Device (ARED) Maintenance: Virts performed this regularly scheduled quarterly maintenance. He greased the Vibration Isolation System (VIS) rails, rollers and upper stop catch plates and inspected the X-rotation dashpots. The task was completed nominally and no problems were reported.
Robotics Operations: Today the Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) and released the Dragon Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture (FRGF). They then walked SSRMS off Node 2 Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) onto the Mobile Base System (MBS) PDGF 1. After completing the walk off, the Robotics Ground Controllers manoeuvred the SSRMS to the Mobile Transported (MT) translation position for tomorrow (GMT113) translation from Worksite #4 to Worksite #7 in preparation of the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) transfer ops next week. MSS performance today was nominal.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
SLEEP – Complete Questionnaire
Biochemical Urine Test
URISYS Hardware Stow
PHS Evaluation Setup
NANO/CSE – Removal of Containers from KUBIK
MRM2 comm config to support the P/L Ops
KULONOVSKYI KRISTALL. Experiment Ops
COSMOCARD. Preparation. Starting 24-hr ECG Recording.
NATO/CYTO – Sample Insertion into MELFI
EML – Hardware Activation
Replacing ??-50-1? No.9 (?209) device with the new unit No.?3001009.
Periodic Health Status
Periodic Health Status (PHS) Data Entry and Stowage of All Hardware Used in PHS
URAGAN. Observations and Photography
MRM2 Comm Reconfig for Nominal Ops
KULONOVSKYI KRISTALL. Copy and Downlink Data via ????
Demating ??-50-1? TLM Connectors from ???
BAR. Experiment Ops.
Replacement of ??-50-1? No.9 (?209).
VIZIR. Experiment Ops. [Deferred]
ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE. HAM Radio Session
RGN-REC TK – Transfer and Replacement
KULONOVSKYI KRISTALL. Hardware Teardown
BAR. Experiment Ops.
Dragon Transfer Ops
On MCC GO Mating ??-50-1? TLM Connectors to ???
??-50-1? No.9 (?209) R&R – Closeout Ops.
Preventive Maintenance of ??? Hatch Sealing Mechanisms (DC1) and Progress 424 Hatch.
PAO Hardware Setup
Crew Prep for PAO
PAO Event
Rodent Research (RR) – Water Box and Light Check
BCAT – Camera Focus Setup
ISS N2 Repress from Progress 424 (DC1) ???? Section 2 (start)
Rodent Research (RR) – Camcorder Setup
CMS – ARED Quarterly Maintenance
PPS – Closeout Ops
ISS N2 Repress from ???424 (DC1) ???? Section 2 (terminate) [Aborted]
Life On The Station Photo and Video
Replacement of ??1-7 Lights in DC1
KUB3 – Hardware Packing
BCAT – D2Xs Battery Charge
??? Maintenance
NEMATODE – Data Gathering
Rodent Research (RR) – Sample Relocation to MELFI
IMS Delta File Prep
VZAIMODEISTVIYE-2. Experiment Ops [Deferred]
JRNL – Journal Entry
MSG – Powerdown
MYCO – Session Review
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – Fundoscope Preparation
NEMATODE – Container Retrieval from MELFI
Fundoscope – Eye Exam
SLEEP – Hardware Setup and Activation
NEMATODE – Sample Fixation
Dragon Cargo Operations Conference
NEMATODE – Sample Insertion into MELFI
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – Fundoscope Removal and Stowage
Completed Task List Items
ARED detent adjust
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
57P Prop Purge
Rodent Research operations
Ocular Health operations
MSS powerup
SSRMS walkoff from N2 to MBS1
MSS power down
CATS Fiber Distributed Data Interface operations
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Thursday, 04/23: Ocular Health, Dragon cargo ops, RR unit cleaning
Friday, 04/24: NeuroMapping Neurocognitive Ops, USOS Crew off duty
Saturday, 04/25: Crew off duty, housekeeping
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – Off
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – On
[???] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – Off
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) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up
