NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 1 August 2017 – Six Person Crew Ready to Tackle Research Projects

Expedition 52 is now up to full speed with six crew members. The latest trio from the United States, Italy and Russia arrived Friday afternoon beginning a 4-1/2 month mission in space.
The new crew is familiarizing itself with International Space Station systems and getting used to life 250 miles above Earth’s surface. NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik is starting his second space mission and spent time on Tuesday replacing networking hardware in the Japanese Experiment Module.

Astronaut Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency is on his third spaceflight. Nespoli took part in the Sarcolab-3 study using the Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System (MARES) chair in the Columbus module. The data collected for Sarcolab-3 will be used to assess microgravity’s impact on muscle loss in astronauts, focusing specifically on the calf muscle in the leg.

Cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy begins his second mission aboard the station as a flight engineer. He last visited the orbital complex in 2013 with his Expedition 37-38 crewmates. Ryazanskiy conducted routine maintenance across the station’s Russian segment and assisted Nespoli during the Sarcolab-3 experiment session.

On-Orbit Status Report

Sarcolab-3: With assistance from a Russian operator, a USOS crewmember ingressed the Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System (MARES) chair in the Columbus module and adjusted pads and constraints for the Sarcolab-3 ankle protocol. The operator then collected ultrasound images of the subject’s right leg. Ground experts are evaluating anomalies that occurred during the investigation that prevented completion of the session. The data collected for Sarcolab-3 will be compared to pre and post flight measurements to assess the impact of hypothesized microgravity induced muscle loss. Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaptation to Long-term Spaceflight (Sarcolab) investigates the adaptation and deterioration of the soleus (calf muscle) where it joins the Achilles tendon, which links it to the heel and carries loads from the entire body. Muscle fiber samples are taken from crew members before and after flight, and analyzed for changes in structural and chemical properties. MRI and ultrasound tests and electrode stimulation are conducted to help assess muscle and tendon changes caused by microgravity exposure.

Rodent Research-5 (RR-5) Systemic Therapy of NELL-1 for Osteoporosis: The crew completed the third of four days of bone scans and sampling for RR-5. Because spaceflight has significant and rapid effects on the musculoskeletal system, it is important to investigate targeted therapies that could ameliorate some of the detrimental effects of spaceflight. The NELL-1 drug being studied in the RR-5 investigation has the potential to slow or reverse bone loss during spaceflight.

Space Headaches: The 51 Soyuz (51S) USOS crewmembers continued completion of daily questionnaires for the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Headaches investigation. The daily questionnaires are used during the first week of USOS crewmember’s arrival at the ISS. The Space Headaches investigation collects information that may help in the development of methods to alleviate associated symptoms and improvement in the well-being and performance of crewmembers in space. Headaches during space flight can negatively affect mental and physical capacities of crewmembers that can influence performance during a space mission.

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Layer 2 Ethernet and Multiplexer (LEHX): The crew removed and replaced the LEHX 1553B module. The LEHX has experienced communication issues since December, 2016 with an increase in their frequency over time.

Tropical Cyclone: This morning the crew took pictures of the Category 3 Typhoon Noru in the western Pacific. The Tropical Cyclone investigation is used to capture images of tropical cyclones and hurricanes that are rated at Category 3 or greater on the Saffir-Simpson scale. A pseudo-stereoscopic method is used to determine the altitudes of the cloud tops near the center (eye) of a cyclone by precisely tracking the apparent positions of cloud features with respect to the Earth and how those positions change over time as an observer (the ISS in this case) passes over the storm. The photographic images will be used to demonstrate that pseudo-spectroscopy can be used to measure the cloud altitudes to sufficient precision so that, when combined with other remote-sensing data, an accurate determination of the intensity of hurricane or cyclone can be made.

Express Rack (ER) 4 Quick Disconnect (QD) Maintenance: During a Rack Interface Controller (RIC) R&R in 2012, the crew demated umbilicals behind the rack and observed 3 different leaking QDs. A workaround was developed to contain the leaks but teams advised that QD troubleshooting and maintenance should be scheduled prior to rotating the rack again. This Thursday, the crew is scheduled to remove the Payload Ethernet Hub Bridge (PEHB) and replace it with an Improved Payload Ethernet Hub Gateway (iPEHG) which requires ER4 rotation. Today the crew performed this corrective QD maintenance ahead of Thursday’s planned activities.

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

Test video coverage for RT channel
PILOT-T. Experiment Ops
Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos web site and social media
Preventive Maintenance of SM Ventilation Subsystem. Group ?
ECON-M. Observation and photography
Microbial Tracking-2 Body Sample Collection
Microbial Tracking-2 Saliva Sample MELFI Insert
Tropical Cyclone Untended Operations
Fine Motor Skills Experiment Test – Subject
JEM Layer2 Ethernet Hub and Multiplexer (LEHX) 1553B Task Review
Microbial Tracking-2 Saliva Stow
JEMRMS Backup Controller (BUC) Power On
JEM Layer 2 Ethernet and Multiplexer (LEHX) Removal
DECLIC Facility and High Temperature Insert CTB Retrieve
Human Research Facility Ultrasound 2 set up and power on
Soyuz 736 Samsung Tablet Recharge, Initiate
Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position
Tropical Cyclone Hardware Closeout
MARES Ultrasound session [Not completed]
MCT Manual Scan Alternate
Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position
Preventive Maintenance of SM Ventilation Subsystem. Group ?
Ultrasound 2 Guided Data Export
JEM Layer 2 Ethernet and Multiplexer (LEHX) 1553B Removal and Replacement
Quick Disconnect (QD) Maintenance for ExPRESS Rack 4 Part 1
JEM Layer 2 Ethernet and Multiplexer (LEHX) Installation Part 1
JEM Camera Robot Cable Swap
DECLIC Facility and High Temperature Insert Removal
Installation of the DOSIS 3D passive detector packs in Columbus and photo documentation.
JEMRMS BUC Power Off
MARES Ankle setting adjustments
Quick Disconnect (QD) Maintenance for ExPRESS Rack 4 Part 2
Rodent Research Node 2 Camcorder Video Setup
JEM Layer 2 Ethernet and Multiplexer (LEHX) Installation Part 2
SARCOLAB. MARES and Laptop Power OFF
Rodent Research 5 Dissection 2A
Rodent Research 5 Dissection 2B
Soyuz 736 Samsung tablet recharging, terminate
Preparation of spacesuit replaceable elements, service and personal gear
ISS Crew Orientation
Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Setup
Rodent Research Bone Densitometer Scan
Rodent Research MELFI Insert
HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Spin Conclude
ARED Handover Video Review
ISS Crew Adaptation
Rodent Research Refrigerated Centrifuge Configure
Rodent Research 5 Dissection 2B
HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Spin Conclude Final
ISS HAM Service Module Pass
Rodent Research Locker Preparation
Space Headaches – Daily Questionnaire
Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Install

Completed Task List Items
Wanted Poster for T2 Utility Box
Wanted Poster: Bacteria Filter

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Rodent Research Support
SPDM Pump Flow Control Subassembly Troubleshooting

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 08/02: Rodent Research operations, NanoRacks 2 removal/PEHG install, CBEF video cable reconfig, MARES ops, OBT ISS Emergency hardware review
Thursday, 08/03: Fine Motor Skills, MARES ops, ER4 iPEHG install, Meteor hard drive swap, SABL filter cleaning
Friday, 08/04: Dragon OBT, RR5 fixative swap, Cupola window #6 scratch pane R&R

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – On
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) – Standby
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Full up
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Off