NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 27 February 2015
Today: NanoRack Cubesat Deployer (NRCSD) Operations: The ground started a series of deployments of CubeSats from the NRCSD via the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS).
The NRCSD is installed on top of the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) and was taken outside through the JEM Airlock (JEMAL) via the slide table. The JEMRMS grappled the MPEP, positioned the NRCSD, and deployed two Dove Sats. Wilmore took still photos and video for downlink. Ground teams performed most of the operations. Communication was established with the two Dove Sats. Over the next week, twelve Dove sats, one TechEdSat-4, one GEARRSat, one LambdaSat, one MicroMas will be jettisoned.
TripleLux-B: Cristoforetti reviewed overview and back-ground information of the TripleLux-B experiment and then unstowed hardware and gathered items and tools needed for the Triplelux-B activities. Later, the crew removed the Biolab Automatic Ambient Stowage (AAS) standard insert from the AAS compartment and inserted the Triplelux AAS Insert. Finally, the crew inserted the Biolab video tape into the video tape recorder (VTR) and then stowed items and tools. The objective of Triplelux-B is to further understand the cellular mechanisms underlying the increase in radiation responses, and the impairment of the immune system functions, under spaceflight conditions. Triplelux-B specifically studies phagocytosis in invertebrate immune cells, using Hemocyte primary cells (non-adherent suspension) derived from the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), for investigating basic immune functions. Those functions include the induction of gene activation, phagocytosis, and DNA repair on the radiation affected cells.
Microbe IV sample collection: Cristoforetti prepared Microbe IV microbial detection sheets, set up cameras, took photos of sampling locations and then sampled for microbes in the JEM Pressurized Module (JPM) and Japanese Experiment Logistics Module – Pressurized Section (JLP). Monitoring microbes that can cause illness is crucial for maintaining crewmember health. Microbe-IV uses several passive devices to capture and sample microbes, such as bacteria, on the International Space Station (ISS). The sampling devices will be frozen and returned to Earth, where researchers and students will count and classify the microbes. Sampling the microbial environment on the ISS will help scientists monitor the station’s air purity.
Plant Rotation: Virts removed Plant Rotation Run #2 samples from Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Incubator Unit (IU) 1G Centrifuge, took close out photos and configured the sample on the microscope for two days of observation by ground teams. This is the second of two planned Plant Rotation experiments. Many species of climbing plants grow upward in a spiraling shape, a process known as circumnutation. Plant organs also grow in a spiraling, helical shape. This spiraling process can take many forms, including very tight loops and broad curves. Plant Rotation verifies the hypothesis that this type of plant growth requires gravity. Scientists on the ground will study images of rice and morning glory plants growing in microgravity and simulated gravity conditions on the International Space Station.
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test (BCAT)-Low Gravity Phase Kinetics Platform (KP): Wilmore changed the camera battery, set the intervalometer, and checked camera alignment and focus. 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.
EVA 31 Preparations: The crew swapped out batteries and installed Metal Oxide (Metox) canisters for carbon dioxide scrubbing in EMUs 3003 and 3005. Wilmore and Virts will continue configuring tools in preparation for EVA 31 planned for this Sunday, March 1. They will also review the EVA procedures.
Mobile Transporter Relay Assembly (MTRA) Commissioning: The Robotics Ground Controllers performed the commissioning MTRA. This consisted of powering off the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), checking the MTRA relays, demating the Mobile Transporter (MT) Umbilical Mechanism Assemblies (UMA) and powering up the MSS on both the Prime and the Redundant Strings using the MTRA. The MTRA commissioning was completed nominally.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities are completed unless otherwise noted.
IMMUNO. Saliva Sample (Session 1) / r/g 8103
Body Mass Measurement
??-8. Closeout Ops
ISS Crew and ???? (RSA Flight Control Team Management) Weekly Conference (S-band)
JEMRMS RLT Laptop Activation
Crew Departure Prep
RELAKSATSIYA. Health Check of UV-camera (??) / r/g 8121
Prepare Microbe-III Microbial Detection Sheet
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Slide Table Extension to JEF Side Part 1
MICB – Sample Photos
D2XS Battery Charge
Columbus Portable Workstation CLSW Configuration Tool Opening
IMS tagup (S-band) / r/g 8124
Terminate EMU Metox Regeneration
Crew Departure Prep
PROBOY. RS?1 Laptop Ops. / r/g 8125 + Proboj_Init4.rar
PROBOY. Penetration Simulator Ops. / r/g 8126
JEMRMS Small Fine Arm (SFA) Ungrapple
MICB – Sample MELFI Insertion
TPLXB – Review Big Picture Words
EMU Metal Oxide (METOX) Canister Installation
VIRTUAL. Experiment Ops / r/g 7782
BCAT – Binary Colloid Alloy Test Intervalometer Change
EVA Tool Config
TPLXB – Hardware Unstow & Setup
JEM Airlock Slide Table Retraction from JEF side part 1
TPLXB – Video Tape Installation
D2XS Battery Charge
TPLXB – Equipment Stowage
PRT-1G – Disconnecting PEU (2) from CBEF 1G
PRT – Sample Retrieval
Plant Rotation (PRT) – Closeout Ops
CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 8041
PRT – Data Export
CUBESAT – Photos to Inspect Secondary Latch of NanoRacks Cubesat
??2106 Gas Analyzer Replacement / r/g 8120
PAO Event
CUBESAT – Photos to Inspect Secondary Latch of NanoRacks Cubesat
Replacement of ?1, ?2 and ?3 fans in DC1 with low-noise ones. / r/g 8122
CUBESAT – Photography in Cupola
Mating Telemetry Connectors to ????2-12 / r/g 8120
??2106 Gas Analyzer Replacement – Closeout Ops / r/g 8120
D2X EVA Cameras Configuration for EVA
IMMUNO. Saliva Sample (Session 2) / r/g 8103
EVA Tool Config
IMS and Stowage Conference
PROBOY. Removal of ???? P/L in ???. / r/g 8123
EVA2 Procedure Review
Transfer of ??? ???? Gas Analyzer to ??? for Nominal Ops. Adjustment of CO channel factor and taking readings followed by report to MCC / r/g 8118
CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 8041
WRS – Recycle Tank Fill from EDV
Flight Director / ISS Crew Tagup
Crew conference with Astronaut Office
Completed Task List Items
COL ETC A2 Photo audit
Thermolab Kit Audit
Ground Activities
All activities are completed unless otherwise noted.
Routine ground commanding.
Cubesat deploy
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Saturday, 02/28: EVA Procedure and DOUG Review, REBA Install and Checkout, Equipment Lock Preparation
Sunday, 03/01: EVA #31
Monday, 03/02: Post EVA PHS, NMAP, Metox Regen, USOS Crew Day Off
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) – Stop
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full up
