NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 9 December 2014

Today: Ocular Health: Wilmore set up Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) hardware and software to perform eye exams using the OCT Laptop.
The Fundoscope and OCT laptop was also used for a retinal imaging examination on Virts with remote guidance from ground specialists. The 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.

Ansio Tubule: The crew retrieved an Aniso Tubule Sample from Minus Eighty degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) and attached the sample on the Saibo rack front to expose it to cabin light. After 6 – 24 hours the crew inserts the sample in the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF). Experimenters will examine growth modifications of Arabidopsis hypocotyls and the changing orientation of cortical microtubule under microgravity conditions in space. Scientists will further observe changes in dynamics of cortical microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins by observing Arabidopsis hypocotyls and microtubule-associated proteins with a fluorescence microscope.

Nanaoracks 27: Virts utilized the Plate Reader to perform the 2nd of 5 scans for NanoRacks Module-27 samples (3 Microplates). The daily scans will continue through Friday with the crew retrieving data for downlink via the NanoRacks Platform after every session. NanoRacks-Module-27 compares the growth rates of microbes isolated from samples collected from ground-based public venues both in the microgravity environment of the ISS and in the lab at UC Davis. This study also characterizes the microbial communities found on surfaces aboard the ISS using culture-independent methods.

Human Research Facility (HRF): Cristoforetti collected and processed urine and blood and completed a health assessment questionnaire to support the Bone and Muscle Check. Salivary Markers of Metabolic Changes during Space Missions (Check-Saliva) tests crewmembers’ saliva, blood, and urine before, during and after spaceflight to study whether saliva tests can serve as reliable health monitors. Microgravity reduces bone and muscle mass, which is related to changes in certain substances in the bloodstream and urine. Some of these changes can also be detected in saliva samples.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Mobility Unit (EMU) 3005 Fan Pump Separator (FPS) Change Out: Today, Wilmore and Cristoforetti performed part 1 to replace the failed FPS. Part 1 consists of preparing the US Airlock, gathering tools, removing the FPS grounding strap and mounting screws. Part 2, which is scheduled for tomorrow will have the crew take out the failed FPS then install and prime the new pump. This change out is being performed as a result of the FPS failing to spin up during an EMU Loop Scrub activity in October. The replacement pump was subsequently flown onboard Soyuz 41S. A full EMU 3005 return to service checkout is scheduled to occur on Thursday.

P6 Channel 2B Battery Reconditioning: Yesterday, ground controllers initiated the P6 Channel 2B battery reconditioning. Reconditioning will be performed over a 7-day period. Nickel hydrogen batteries can develop and display memory loss resulting in a temporary loss of capacity that should be periodically erased by fully discharging and charging cells. After the reconditioning, the data will be analyzed and a new Pre-position Loads (PPLs) will be developed and uplinked, which will be used to maximize the capacity and reserve energy to target values without overcharging.

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

HRF Urine Sample Collection & MELFI Insertion
HRF – Activation of Refrigerated Centrifuge
HRF – Crew removes blood tubes and powers off the Refrigerated Centrifuge.
HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
USND2 – Laptop SW Update
Installation of overlay sheets on FGB interior panel (panel 406)
Photography of SM windows No. 1, 12, 9, data file downlink
OH – Ocular Health Equipment Setup
SALMARK – Health Assessment Questionnaire
Installation of Overlay Sheets on FGB Interior panel (panel 406)
VIRTUAL. Experiment Ops
Download Pille Dosimeter Readings
WRS Water Sample Analysis
SM CO measurement using CMS unit
ANISO – Samples Retrieval from MELFI
ANISO – Attach Ziploc Bag including Sample Chamber onto CBEF door
Node 2 Nadir Hatch Unlatch
OH – Ocular Health OCT Exam
PK4 – Filling Chamber with Cleaning Gas
Filling (Separation) of EDV (KOV) Lid 9 ?.36 from EDV lid 1106
Installation of new SW Version 4.0 on RSS1 Laptop
Bone/Muscle Check (BMC) – Sample Collection and Stowage
BMC – MELFI Sample Insertion
VIRU. Software Update
PROBOY. Cable Installation and Connection
Draining Urine from Recycle Tank to ATV WDS
HRF2 – Subnet Mask Change
TOCA Data Recording
EMU – Fan Pump Separator (FPS) Remove and Repair
VIRU. Earth Observation Relaksatsiya Experiment
Collecting SM and FGB Air Samples Using ??-1? Sampler)
Saving data on RSE1 prior to new SW version installation
WRS. WPA Waste Water Tank Offload into CWC. Experiment
MOD27 – Plate Reader Scan
WRS. Terminate WPA Waste Water Tank Offload into CWC
HRF – Equipment stowage after sample collection
Saving data on RSE1 prior to new SW version installation
Fundoscope Exam
PK4 – Filling Camera with Neon Gas after Cleaning
ANISO – Sample Operations
Completed Task List Items

3D Printer Coupon removal & stowage (2 each)
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Nominal commanding
Battery reconditioning for 2B1 set [In work]
Three-Day Look Ahead:

Wednesday, 12/10: Ocular Health, FPS R&R part 2, Circadian Rhythms,
Thursday, 12/11: EMU 3005 Return To Service, Body Measures, Dragon Robotics OBT
Friday, 12/12: EMU Loop Scrub, Cardox, CIR, Dragon ROBOT Session 1
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 – Stop
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