NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 13 December 2018 – Three Crew Members Preparing to Leave

Half of the Expedition 57 crew is getting ready to depart International Space Station while the other half is getting used to life on orbit. Amidst those preparations, all six space residents are researching what microgravity does to their bodies while keeping the orbital lab in tip-top shape.
Commander Alexander Gerst continues unpacking the Space Dragon cargo craft today with its near 5,700 pounds of science, supplies and hardware. The German astronaut from ESA (European Space Agency) is also packing the Soyuz MS-09 crew ship that will take him and two crewmates home next week. He’ll parachute to a landing aboard the Soyuz in Kazakhstan Dec. 20 at 12:03 a.m. EST with fellow crew members Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Sergey Prokopyev after 197 days in space.

Auñón-Chancellor spent Thursday working with a variety of research gear supporting space biology. She processed research samples today in the NanoRacks Plate Reader that enables pharmaceutical and biotechnology science in space. She also stowed biological samples in a science freezer for a cellular adaptation study.

The newest trio aboard the station that arrived last week are hard at work today on human research and getting up to speed on station systems. Flight Engineers Anne McClain and David Saint-Jacques collected blood and urine samples to be analyzed for the Biochemical Profile space adaptation study. The duo also scheduled some time today to get used to life in space. Four-time station cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko joined Prokopyev for more spacesuit maintenance after Tuesday’s spacewalk.

On-Orbit Status Report

ICE Cubes (International Commercial Experiment Cubes): A crewmember removed Experiment Cubes (Cube set #2) from the ICE Cubes facility and installed the new set of Cubes (Cube set #1) that were flown on SPX-16. The ICE Cubes Facility is a capable experiment platform that offers flexibility to host many different experiments for research, technology demonstration or educational objectives.

Micro-14: Today a crewmember performed Operations-1 activation of Micro-14 for three Group Activation Packs (GAP) by hand cranking and shaking the GAP modules prior to re-insertion back into SABL-1(Space Automated Bioproduct Laboratory). The Micro-14 (Characterizing the Effects of Spaceflight on the Candida albicans Adaptation Responses) life science research mission will investigate and evaluate the responses of the Candida albicans microorganism to microgravity conditions and, in particular, to assess changes at the physiological, cellular, and molecular level and to characterize virulence factors.

STaARS BioScience-7 (Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems): Today a crewmember inserted six Biochip kits into the MELFI-2 (Minus Eighty-degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS-2). STaARS BioScience-7 uses tissue chips to investigate the relationship between aging of the immune system and its function. The study looks at the biology of aging from two perspectives; immune function in microgravity and recovery of the cells after return to a 1g environment. Aging is associated with dysregulation of the immune response, termed immunosenescence, a condition that also may be accelerated by prolonged exposure to microgravity.

STaARS BioScience-4 (Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems): Today a crewmember removed an additional Active EC (Experiment Container) from the STaARS facility and stowed it in MELFI-3 (Minus Eighty-degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS-3). This particular active EC was showing signs of degradation and the ground team requested that it be removed and stowed. The STaARS BioScience-4 investigation examines how oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) react to microgravity, specifically the rate at which the cells proliferate and differentiate in the microgravity environment.

SpaceX (SpX-16) Cargo Operations: The crew continued to perform cargo unloading operations today. The crew has now completed all scheduled unpacking operations. SpX-16 will remain berthed to ISS until January 13.

Completed Task List Activities:
None

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Nominal ground commanding

Three Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 12/14:

Payloads:
GEDI MSS handover from Dragon to JEMRMS and install on EUF6 (NASA)
Marrow breath, air and blood collection (NASA)
Circadian Rhythm Doff and stow and downlink (ESA)
Molecular Muscle De-install, MELFI insert, Downlink, Kubik backup stow (NASA)
Airway Monitor Kit Consolidate (ESA)
Cerebral Autoregulation Measurements (JAXA)
MT2 ISS Surface Collect, MELFI insert (NASA)
NanoRacks Module 74 plate scans (NASA)
Micro-14 GAP Term Session 1 and MELFI inserts (NASA)
Actiwatch Plus eval test (NASA)
Biochem profile HRF Urine collections (NASA)
Actiwatch Spectrum data d/l (NASA)
ISS HAM (NASA)

Systems:
Soyuz Descent Training
ISS Orientation

Saturday, 12/15:

Payloads:
Probiotic Fecal and Saliva collections (JAXA)
MT2 saliva Collect and MELFI insert (NASA)
HRF Saliva collections (NASA)
APEX-05 Plate insert into LMM (NASA)
NanoRacks Module 74 plate scans (NASA)

Sunday, 12/16:

Payloads:
HRF Saliva collections (NASA)
NanoRacks Module 74 plate scans (NASA)
Lighting Effects Sleep log (NASA)
TangoLab-2: Cube swap on Card 012 (NASA)

Systems:
Crew Off Duty

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

R PAO event report preparation
ECON-M. Observations and photo (Task list)
Marrow Breath And Ambient Air Sample Collection – Subject
Microbial Tracking-2 Saliva Collection and MELFI insert
Reminder 1A HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection
Reminder HRF Generic Urine Collection End
HRF Generic Urine Collection
Reminder to the crew about Circadian Rhythms experiment constraints
Reminder 2A HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection
HRF Generic Urine Collection Female
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
CSA Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection 25 Minutes Subject
CSA Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Operator
On MCC GO Regeneration of Micropurification Unit (БМП) cartridge Ф1 (start)
FOTOBIOREAKTOR. Photography and transfer of the kit to ТБУ-В No.05 thermostat
CSA Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Configuration
CSA Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Spin Conclude
Dragon Locker Remove
CSA Generic Sample MELFI Retrieve/Insertion
Drying Orlan-MKS No.4 and No.5 Water Feed Line
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion
Environmental Health System (EHS) Water Sample Analysis 44+/-4 hrs post processing.
Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Power Up
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Medical Accessories Kit (IMAK) Unpack from SpX-16
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Personal Items Stow
Molecular Muscle KUBIK Run Check
Drying Orlan-MKS No.4 and No.5 (start)
Plate Reader2 Module-74 Microplate
Cargo Transfer to Dragon
Orthostatic Tolerance Evaluation and LBNP with an immediate transition to LBNP training.
Evaluation of Orthostatic Stability with LBNP (assistance)
LBNP Training (PRELIMINARY)
LBNP (ОДНТ) training (preliminary)
Cargo Transfer to Dragon
СОЖ maintenance
FOTOBIOREAKTOR. Closeout Ops
Recharging Soyuz 739 Samsung tablet, initiate charge
ASEPTIC. Glovebox-S hardware prep. Activation of Bench Cleaning
Drying Orlan-MKS No.4 and No.5 (moding to a backup fan)
STaARS BioScience-07 BioChip Kits Removal from SABL and MELFI insert
Post-EVA Orlan-MKS debrief with specialists
Cargo Transfer to Dragon
Micro-14 Sample Activations and SABL Insert (session 1)
Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Partial Stow
ASEPTIC. Repositioning of gloves and equipment in the Glovebox
HRF Generic Urine Collection Female
HRF Generic Urine Collection Male
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth
ASEPTIC. Glove Box Sterilization Desable
ASEPTIC. Surface and Air Samples Collection after Sterilization
Drying Orlan-MKS No.4 and No.5 (end)
CSA Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Conclude And Stow
Recharging Soyuz 739 Samsung tablet, end
HRF Generic Urine Collection Male
HRF Generic Urine Collection Female
ISS Crew Orientation
End discharge of the 1st Orlan-MKS battery 825М3 unit and start discharging the 2nd battery
On MCC Go Monitoring power supply unit 825МЗ
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Refill of water tank in Orlan-MKS No.4 and No.5
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations
CSA Generic Frozen Blood Collection Setup
HRF Generic Urine Collection Female
Cerebral Autoregulation Data Measurement Item Gathering
Setting up Orlan and БСС for storage mode
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Marrow Breath And Ambient Air Sample Setup – Subject
Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference
Installation of Cube #1 in the ICE Cubes Facility
Dragon Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH) Filter Bag Removal
Post-EVA Orlan-MKS Equipment Stowage
ISS CREW/CSA CONFERENCE
Plate Reader2 Module-74 Microplate
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Rodent Research Water Box and Light Check
HRF Generic Urine Collection Male
Microbial Tracking-2 Crew Conference
Cargo Transfer to Dragon
Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth
HRF Generic Urine Collection Female
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
ISS Crew Orientation
On MCC Go Monitoring power supply unit 825МЗ
ASEPTIC. Preparation and start of the second air sample collection using Vozdukh No.2 device.
HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Max Cycle Ergometer w/ Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Partial Set Up
ASEPTIC. ТБУ-В No.2 installation and activation at + 37 deg С setting
Evening Preparation Work
HRF Generic Saliva Collection Setup
Dragon Cargo Operations Conference
Flight Director/ISS CREW CONFERENCE
On MCC Go Monitoring power supply unit 825МЗ
ASEPTIC. Glovebox Power Off Sample insertion for incubation in ТБУ-В No.02 at +37 deg С
Reminder 2A HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection
On MCC Go Regeneration of Micropurification Unit (БМП) Ф1 Absorber Cartridge
Reminder Marrow Breath and Ambient Air Sample Collection