NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 1 May 2017 – Bone Loss Studies

Today: OsteoOmics Investigation: In preparation for OsteoOmic investigation activities planned this week, the crew configured OsteoOmics hardware and the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), reviewed procedures, conferred with ground experts and completed an OsteoOmics practice session.
Samples were retrieved from Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) and General Laboratory Active Cryogenic ISS Experiment Refrigerator (GLACIER) for the investigation and temporarily stowed them for tomorrow’s operations. Crewmembers experience bone loss in orbit due to lack of gravity acting on their bones. OsteoOmics investigates the molecular mechanisms that dictate this bone loss by examining osteoblasts, which form bone, and osteoclasts, which dissolve bone. Improved understanding of these mechanisms could lead to more effective countermeasures to prevent bone loss during space missions and in a wide range of disorders on Earth. This may lead to better preventative care or therapeutic treatments for people suffering bone loss as a result of bone diseases like osteopenia and osteoporosis, or for patients on prolonged bed rest.

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEMAL) Operations: In preparation for the deploy of NanoRack Cubesat Deployer (NRCSD) #11 satellites planned for May 15, the crew opened the inner hatch of the JEMAL, extended the airlock Slide Table (ST) into the JEM Pressurized Module (JPM), mounted the Small Fine Arm Attachment Mechanism (SAM) and Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) facilities to the ST and returned the table into the JEMAL.

Human Research Program (HRP) Collections and Operations: A 50S crewmember collected Flight Day (FD) 15 blood and urine samples yesterday and today for Biochem Profile, Repository, and Marrow investigations and air samples for Marrow.

The Biochem Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples obtained from astronauts before, during and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results, which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body.
Repository is a storage bank that is used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time under controlled conditions. This archive of biosamples will be used as a resource for future spaceflight related research.
The Marrow investigation identifies the effect of microgravity on bone marrow. It is believed that microgravity, like long-duration bed rest on Earth, has a negative effect on the bone marrow and the blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow.
SkinSuit Investigation: Over the weekend the crew performed two days of Skinsuit activities. With assistance from a crewmember acting as operator they took measurements after donning the suit in the morning and again before doffing in the afternoon. The Skinsuit is a tailor-made overall with a bi-directional weave specially designed to counteract the lack of gravity by squeezing the body from the shoulders to the feet, with a force similar to that felt on Earth. The subjects perform an evaluation of the efficacy of the Skinsuit in reducing or preventing lower back pain and preventing spine elongation. They measure the gravitational load provided by Skinsuit and evaluate operational considerations, in particular hygiene, microbiology, comfort, thermoregulation, donning and doffing, impingement and range of motion. Results from this investigation will be used to prepare for long duration missions.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The EVA crew completed the following in preparation for the EXPRESS Pallet Controller Assembly (ExPCA) EVA currently planned for May 12.

Unstowed hardware from the Airlock not needed for the EVA and prepared the Airlock to support EVA operations.
Reviewed a briefing package including hardware overview/tool config, detailed timeline, and expected Caution and Warnings.
Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion (CSA-CP) Checkout: The crew changed the batteries in 2 newly resupplied CSA-CP units and updated internal clock settings. The units will remain deactivated with new batteries for at least 24 hours for sensors to re-establish bias voltages.

Mobile Service System (MSS) Operations: Last Friday night, Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the MSS and used the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) Arm 2 to extract the S11A-C Remote Power Control Module (RPCM). They temporarily stowed this RPCM in the S14B-H empty slot. Next, controllers extracted the S14B-G RPCM and installed it in the in S11A-C slot. Finally the RPCM in the S14B-H slot (old S11A-C) was extracted and installed in the S14B-G slot and the MSS was configured for park.

Cygnus Cargo Operations Status: The crew completed Message #2 over the weekend. Teams are working to complete Message #3 but at present, there are no cargo operations planned for this week.

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

Marrow Breath And Ambient Air Sample Collection – Subject
Reminder HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Double Spin
Reminder HRF Generic Urine Collection End
HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Double Spin Collection – Subject
HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Double Spin Configuration 1
HRF Generic Urine Collection Male – Subject
HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Double Spin Configuration 2
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion
Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Removal
HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Spin Conclude
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion
Preventive Maintenance of FS1 Laptop (Cleaning and rebooting)
VIZIR. Start charging ???? Infrared Receiver (???) battery
HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Conclude Stow
JEM Internal Port Camera HD Status Check
Atmospheric Control System (ACS) NORS Oxygen Transfer to Low Pressure O2 Tank
NAPOR-mini RSA. Cleaning Onboard Memory Storage ???-? vents
Monthly Smart Switch Router (???)
HRF Generic Urine Collection Stow
OsteoOmics SABL CO2 Valve Open
XF305 Camcorder Setup
Comm config to support tagup on S/G2 from MRM2
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
RSE-2 laptop install in MRM2 Test activation
Active Mechanism Tether Loop Removal from JEM Airlock Slide Table
Small Fine Arm (SFA) Airlock Attachment Mechanism (SAM) installation To JEM Airlock (AL) Slide Table
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Airlock Unstow
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
OsteoOmics Bag Retrieval
MRM2 Comm Reconfig for Nominal Ops
OsteoOmics MWA Prep
EVA Safing for Thermal Painted Surfaces on ExPCA ORU
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring
????1, ????2 Dust Collector and MRM1 ??? Cleaning with Vacuum Cleaner
JEM Airlock Capture Mechanism Release
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
JEMRMS Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform Installation to Small Fine Arm Attachment Mechanism Part1.
JEM Airlock Capture Mechanism Capturing
JEMRMS Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform Installation to Small Fine Arm Attachment Mechanism Part2.
Changeout of SM ??1-4 dust filter cartridge
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
EVA Safing and Cleanup for Thermal Painted Surfaces on ExPCA ORU
CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor
VIZIR. C??? Infrared Receiver battery charge
OsteoOmics Operations Practice
OsteoOmics Operations Review 1
ISS Crew Orientation
RS2 and RS3 laptops inspection and cleaning
OsteoOmics BioCell Split
OsteoOmics Payload Crew Conference
Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update
Environmental Health System (EHS) – Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion (CSA-CP) Checkout
OsteoOmics MSG Setup
RS1 laptop inspection and cleaning
?3 fan grill cleaning in DC1
Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config for JEM Event
PAO Preparation
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) JEM
Crew Medical Officer (CMO) Proficiency Training
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
Atmospheric Control System (ACS) Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System(NORS) Oxygen Transfer Termination
VIZIR. C??? Infrared Receiver battery charge
SM Ventilation Subsystem Preventive Maintenance. SM Ventilation Subsystem Preventive Maintenance. Group ?1
??? (SOZH) maintenance
Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Installation
OsteoOmics MERLIN Removal

Completed Task List Items
EVA tool config
ESA PAO daily activities
N2P knob tightening
Everywear Smartshirt setup
HRF generic frozen blood collection double spin overview
VEG-03 consumption harvest #1
VEG-03 plant water/photo
Cygnus cargo ops
IFM Robotic Hand Controller
EMER CMS Battery Charging
JSL Router Cable T/S
ARED Slider Inspection
Extremo Session A
CD Library Audit
IFM Light Lab1Op2 R&R
Wanted Docking Accessory Kit

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
OsteoOmics support
EVA prep support

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 05/02: OsteoOmics media change, EVA loop scrub, Fluidics
Wednesday, 05/03: OsteoOmics media change, Sprint Ultrasound, OBT ISS emergency hardware familiarization
Thursday, 05/04: OsteoOmics media change, EVA tool config/SAFER checkout, CEVIS portable PFS setup

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”) – Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Standby
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Standby
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Full Up
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Off