NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 12 March, 2021 – Spacewalk on Tap
NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Michael Hopkins are scheduled to exit the International Space Station’s Quest airlock Saturday to complete tasks that were deferred from earlier spacewalks to allow for the successful installation of modification kits in preparation for future solar array upgrades.
The pair will set their spacesuits to battery power about 7:30 a.m. EST tomorrow, signifying the start of their spacewalk, which is expected to last about six and a half hours. NASA will begin its live coverage on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website at 6 a.m.
During the spacewalk, Glover and Hopkins will vent early ammonia system jumper cables and relocate one outside the Quest airlock. The duo also will connect cables for the Columbus Bartolomeo payload platform, continuing work from a Jan. 27 spacewalk, and replace a cable for an amateur radio system. Additionally, the astronauts will replace a wireless antenna assembly on the Unity module, install a “stiffener” on the airlock’s thermal cover to provide additional structural integrity, and route cables to enable ethernet capabilities for two high-definition cameras on the station’s port truss, or “backbone.”
This will be the 237th spacewalk in support of space station assembly. Glover will be designated extravehicular crew member 1 (EV 1) and wear a spacesuit bearing red stripes. Hopkins will be extravehicular crew member 2 (EV 2), wearing an unmarked suit.
Glover and Hopkins both arrived at the space station in November as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission. This will be the fourth career spacewalk for Glover, and the fifth for Hopkins.
On-Orbit Status Report
ISS Reboost: Today the ISS performed a reboost using the SM Aft 75P R&D thrusters at 1:09 PM CT. This is the first of two planned reboosts to set up phasing for 64S rendezvous on April 9th and 63S landing on April 17th. This reboost also facilitates the separation of the ISS trajectory from re-encountering the jettisoned EP9.
Payloads
Grape Microbiota: In preparation for experiment ops, the crew inspected the recently thawed Grape Microbiota culture bags for leaks or ruptures. The inspection revealed no leaks or ruptures and lots of bubbles, which is a good configuration for the experiment. Microbes (bacteria, algae, and fungi) that coexist with plants are a key factor influencing fruit size, shape, color, flavor, and yield of fruit for grapes and a variety of other crops. Grape Juice Fermentation in Microgravity Aboard ISS observes the complete process of fermentation in microgravity and measures physical and genetic differences in the microbes involved. Characterizing the differences seen in microgravity could provide a better understanding of how microbes affect their host crops.
JEM Airlock (JEMAL) / JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD)-16 Install: The crew completed the remaining activities to install the J-SSOD-16 hardware onto the JEMAL table. Deployment of the eight satellites is currently planned for Sunday. The J-SSOD provides a novel, safe, and small satellite launching capability to the ISS. The J-SSOD is a unique satellite launcher, handled by the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), which provides containment and deployment mechanisms for several individual small satellites.
Packed Bed Reactor Experiment – Water Recovery (PBRE-WR): The crew performed a routine inspection for water leakage during the PBRE-WR series of experiments PBRE-WR examines flow rates of gas and liquid through a filtering substrate in the space station water processor, replacing oxygen with nitrogen. This investigation could help identify optimum conditions and enhance accuracy of models that predict simultaneous flow of gas and liquid (two-phase flow) in microgravity.
Systems
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The crew performed several activities in preparation for the ISS Upgrades 3.5 EVA. The crew completed EVA tool configurations, performed an EVA tool audit, and performed equipment lock preparations. Finally, the crew reviewed procedures and participated in a conference with the ground. The ISS Upgrades 3.5 EVA is scheduled for tomorrow, March 12th, and crew egress is expected at 6:30 AM CT.
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove & Replace (R&R): The crew completed routine maintenance to R&R the UR/IF. Following the R&R, the crew cleaned the WHC power supply, reactivated WHC, and performed a leak check to close out the activity.
Completed Task List Activities:
None
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
ISS Reboost Commanding
JEMAL Commanding
Look Ahead Plan
Saturday, March 13 (GMT 072)
Payloads:
AC Touch
Grape Microbiota
HRF Urine Setup
Micro-16
PBRE-WR
Systems:
ISS Upgrades 3.5 EVA
Sunday, March 14 (GMT 073)
Payloads:
J-SSOD-16 Deploy
Repository
Systems:
EVA Debrief
EMU H2O Recharge
CWC-I Degas
Monday, March 15 (GMT 074)
Payloads:
AC Touch
APM Relocate from Node 1 to Lab
BAC
Bio-Monitor
HRP Blood and Urine Collections
ICE Cubes SSD Replacement
Myotones
PBRE-WR Stow
Ribosome Profiling
RTPCG-2
STP-H5 ICE Photos
Transparent Alloys Installation
Wanted Poster – Mobil-o-graph
Systems:
AVU HDD Swap
A/L Deconfiguration,
Emergency OBT
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
PBRE/MSG Water Release Inspection/Cleanup
Soyuz 747 Sokol suit leak check
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Periodic Health Status (PHS) Pre EVA Examination
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) (Resupply and Multi) onto Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) Installation Part 3
Fill ??? with water from Progress 445 (DC1) H2O tank 1
Drying Sokol spacesuits – installation of suit 1 and 2 for drying
On-board Training (OBT) Quick Response Review
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Extravehicular Activity Pistol Grip Tool Battery Installation
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) iPad Preparation
PILLE sensors gathering and setup for USOS EVA
Equipment Lock (E-LK) Preparation
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
Closure of Progress 445 (DC1) Rodnik H2O air pressure [??1] valve
JPM Common Gas Supply Equipment (CGSE) GAS LINE SWITCH
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring
Grape Microbiota Bags Inspect
URAGAN. Video Spectral System (VSS) PL R&R
Start drying spacesuit 3 and install the 1st pair of gloves for drying
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Audit
Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 2 Setup Alternate
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan (ABORTED)
Drying 1-st pair of gloves – ending, install on drying the 2-nd pair of gloves
TV conference with the guests of Space Literary Lounge Word and Space
LSG Acoustic Survey
Review Emergency OBT Simulator Functionality
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review
Urine Transfer System Offload EDV Swap
Micro-16 Checklist Print
Stow suits and gloves after drying
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Conference
Private Medical Conference (PMC)
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygeine Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – OCT2 Exam
ISS HAM Kenwood Radio Power Down in Columbus
Air duct removal, ??-??? hatch closure in SM
