NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 12 June 2019 – Testing Deep Space Biomedical Gear

The Expedition 59 crew collected blood and breath samples today to test new biomedical gear and protect future astronauts going to the Moon and Mars. The orbital residents also participated in a pair of behavioral studies aboard the International Space Station.
The five-year-old Airway Monitoring study from the European Space Agency is analyzing exhaled Nitric Oxide in an astronaut’s breath to detect dust and other toxins. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Anne McClain collected a series of breath samples for the health study today in the U.S. Destiny laboratory module. Future lunar or Martian astronauts could inhale dust collected in their habitats or on their spacesuits potentially inflaming their airways. Monitoring a crewmember’s airways could improve the mission environment and optimize crew health for a successful long-term mission.

David Saint-Jacques collected blood samples during the morning and placed them inside the Bio-Analyzer from the Canadian Space Agency. The new device supports the Life Science Research System and rapidly analyzes molecular and cellular properties of biomedical samples aboard the space station.

Saint-Jacques and McClain later took turns jotting down their impressions of living in a confined space environment separated from family and friends. Crew inputs from the Behavioral Core Measures study could provide insights to doctors seeking a standardized method to measure and assess behavioral health in astronauts.

Flight Engineer Christina Koch started her day taking tests for the Standard Measures study that observes a variety of cognitive functions such as memory, attention and orientation. Later, she checked out spacesuit gloves then stowed hardware from the Capillary Structures life support systems study.

On-Orbit Status Report

Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR)/Light Microscopy Module (LMM)/ACE Module Changeout: The crew removed the processed ACE-T12 Module and installed the ACE-T10 Module. In contrast to the ACE-T12, which studied nanoparticle haloing (a mixture of non-charged large particles with much smaller charged particles), ACE-T10 looks at crystal nucleation in colloidal fluids, the origin of ageing in glasses and gels, as well as the heterogeneous nature of the microscopic dynamics in these structures. The study must be conducted in microgravity, as gravitational stresses affect the structure and growth of these solids from colloids.

Airway Monitoring: The crew completed the Airway Monitoring ambient science session. This was the final session on the final subject for the investigation. In this session, both the high NO (Nitric Oxide) measurements and low NO measurements were taken. The goal of the high NO protocol is to determine how much NO is diffused into the blood, while the low NO measurement determines how much NO is exhaled with the respiration. The primary goals of the Airway Monitoring experiment is to determine how gravity and microgravity influence the turnover of Nitric Oxide in the lungs. During future manned missions to the Moon and to Mars, airway inflammation due to toxic dust inhalation is a risk factor. Since dust may cause airway inflammation and since such inflammation can be monitored by exhaled Nitric Oxide, the present study is highly relevant for astronaut health in future space programs.

Bio-Analyzer: The crew collected a finger blood sample, mixed the sample with the appropriate reagents, and performed two analysis cycles using the Cellular Labeling instrument in the Bio-Analyzer. They also supported a conference with ground personnel to give feedback on the session. Although the ISS is equipped with health and life sciences research tools, existing instrumentation for the analysis of biological samples is almost completely lacking as compared to capabilities found in laboratories on Earth. The Bio-Analyzer Commissioning activity tests the Bio-Analyzer facility, which was specifically developed to quantify molecules and cells in body fluids such as blood, urine or saliva. The analysis is conducted on blood samples collected through a finger prick and the instrument provides the data within 2 hours after blood collection.

Bionutrients: To conclude run 1 of 6, the crew removed the 8 processed production packs for their 30 deg C incubation location and inserted them into Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). Four of the production packs were loaded with S. cerevisiae yeast and four were loaded with S. Boulardii yeast. The crew provided some unexpected video of the 6 hour agitation operations which allowed the ground team to observe and comment on what was seen. The process uses engineered microbes, like yeast, to generate carotenoids from an edible media to supplement potential vitamin losses from food that is stored for very long periods. Specially designed storage/growth packets are intermittently activated by astronauts over a 5-year period, then frozen and returned to Earth for examination.

Capillary Structures: The crew completed the current session of Capillary Structures Evaporation Science 2 which included taking photographs, cleaning and stowing of the hardware, and performing appropriate file transfers. Ground teams scheduled an additional run for this session to make up for the missing 10-12 hours of camera imagery reported on June 5. Current life-support systems on the ISS require special equipment to separate liquids and gases, including rotating or moving devices that could cause contamination if they break or fail. The Capillary Structures investigation studies a new method using structures of specific shapes to manage fluid and gas mixtures. The investigation studies water recycling and carbon dioxide removal systems, benefiting future efforts to design lightweight, more reliable life support systems for future space missions.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the MSS and SSRMS was walked off from MBS PDGF1 to MBS PDGF4. SSRMS was then maneuvered to position the Latching End Effector (LEE) A to perform a snare cable survey. LEE B snare cable survey was performed yesterday.

Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) Glove Voltage Regulator Swap: The crew reconfigured the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)s on EMU Don/Doff Assembly (EDDA)s and swapped the EMU Glove Voltage Regulator (ILCVR) between EMUs 3004 and 3006. The ILCVR regulates power to the glove heaters.

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (AL) Slide Table: The crew installed the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) adapter plate and JEMAL slide table passive capture mechanism on the JEMALslide table today in preparation for Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Demonstration (JSSOD) installation tomorrow.

Water Storage System (WSS) Checkout: Ground controllers performed additional functional checkout of the WSS Node 2 and potable water systems after the unexpected water transfer from WSS Resupply Tanks (RST) to the WPA Waste Water (WW) tanks on Monday. These system checkouts include valve actuations for the N2 and potable water systems.

Oreo Service Pack (SP): Ground controllers completed the deployment of the Oreo SSC Service Pack including Joint Station Local Area Network (JSL) Routers and Switches. Reloading Adlink Mini-PC was also part of final configuration.

Completed Task List Activities:
Tuesday
ER2 ZBook setup
Glovebag trash
Rodent Research inventory

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Int MDM Swap
SPDM Lee Survey
MT Translation
WSS Checkout

Look Ahead:
Thursday, 6/13 (GMT 164)

Payloads:
CIR manifold bottle replace
ELF
ISS HAM pass
JSSOD-11 install
Standard Measures
Vascular Echo

Systems:
SSRMS contingency power jumper install
58S crew emergency drill

Friday, 6/14 (GMT 165)

Payloads:
Astrobee
Actiwatch spectrum
JEMAL depress
JAXA Mouse Mission cleanup
Neuromapping
RR audit
Standard Measures
STFS
Vascular Echo
Veg-04A

Systems:
EMU Loop Scrub and UIA O2 Hose Inspection
Flight Director Conference

Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Probiotics Saliva Operations
Probiotics Salive Sample MELFI Insertion
Probiotics Question
Bio-Analyzer Session Setup
Photo/TV (P/TV) Airway Monitoring Video Setup
Airway Monitoring Setup and Power On
Sampling Condensate Water [???] from ???-?2? before Gas-Liquid Mixture Filter (???) – Sampler removal, Disassembly Sample transfer from [???] container to drink bag, Closeout Ops
Recharging Soyuz 742 Samsung PC prior to OBT, start recharge
ISS EXP ZCAM Setup
Standard Measures Cognition Testing HRF PC 1
??? maintenance
Sampling atmospheric condensate [???] up to ???-?2? ??? (Water Purification Column Unit), configuration setup, sampler installation (drink bag)
XF305 Camcorder Setup
Bio-Analyzer Blood Sampling And Cellular Labeling Analysis Two Samples
Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) Software upload Cable Disconnection
Preventive Maintenance of SM Ventilation Subsystem. Group ?2. Inspection of Air Conditioning System [???1, ???2]
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test
Hardware prepack for return and disposal on Soyuz 741
Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Session
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
MPEP Installation to JEM Airlock Slide Table
AIRMON Low NO measurements, Calibration and High NO measurement
Collecting condensate water samples [???] up to [???-?2?] ???, sampler replacement
BIOCARD. Operator Assistance During the Experiment and Photography
BIOCARD. Experiment Session Tagup with specialists
MPEP Installation to JEM Airlock Slide Table Support
BioNutrients-1 Retrieval from SABL
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
BioNutrients-1 MELFI Insert
BioNutrients-1 Crew Survey
Search for AC Dry Vacuum Cleaner Debris Bags
Light Installation for JPM1OF2
Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth
AIRMON High NO measurement
Private Psychological Conference (PPC)
Space Automated Bioproduct Lab, CO2 Incubator Swap
Bio-Analyzer Crew Session Debrief
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
Bio-Analyzer Hardware Conclude
Private Medical Conference (PMC)
JEM Dragon18 Stowage Reconfiguration
Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position
Recharging Soyuz 742 Samsung PC prior to OBT, remove from recharge
Preventive Maintenance of SM Ventilation Subsystem. Group ?2. Inspection of Air Conditioning System [???1, ???2]
Low NO Analyzer Jumper Connection
Private Psychological Conference (PPC)
Sampling condensate water [???] upstream of ???-?2? ???, removing sampler, equipment disassembly
Private Medical Conference (PMC)
PILOT-T. Preparation for the experiment. Tagup with specialists as necessary
Standard Measures Fecal Collection Setup
PILOT-T. Experiment Ops. Tagup with specialists as necessary
Private Family Conference (PFC)
ExtraVehicular Activity Glove Regulator Removal
ExtraVehicular Activity Glove Regulator and EVA Mobility Unit Swap
Airway Monitoring Power Off
Environmental Health System (EHS) – Formaldehyde Monitoring Kit (FMK) Stow Operation
Water Resource Management Water Storage System Compressor-N On
Private Psychological Conference (PPC)
Cupola Robotic Work Station (RWS) Fastener and Cable Inspection.
ISS Crew departure preparation
PILOT-T. Experiment Ops. Tagup with specialists as necessary
Behavioral Core Measures Journals Entry
Capillary Structures MWA Prep
Capillary Structures Evaporation Science 2 Teardown
Fluids Integrated Rack Rack Doors Open
ACE Module Changout
PILOT-T. Closeout Ops. Tagup with specialists as necessary
ISS CREW/CSA Conference
Behavioral Core Measures Journals Entry
CONTENT. Experiment Ops
Fluids Integrated Rack Rack Doors Close
ISS Experience Hardware Stow
Program Management/ISS Crew Conference