NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 13 March 2017

Today – Rodent Research-4: Over the weekend and continuing today, the crew performed Rodent Research operations, in coordination with ground specialists, collecting samples and stowing them in Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) for return on SpX-10.
The Tissue Regeneration-Bone Defect (RR-4) investigation studies what prevents vertebrates such as rodents and humans from regrowing lost bone and tissue and how the microgravity extraterrestrial condition impacts the process. Results could lead to tissue regeneration efforts in space and a better understanding of limitations of limb regrowth at wound sites.

Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight (Energy): The crew concluded their 11-day Energy session on Saturday with both the subject and the control collecting urine and water samples. The subject doffed the arm band on Saturday and downlinked the data today. The Energy investigation measures adaptations in the components of total energy expenditure of crewmembers so that an equation to determine the energy requirements of crewmembers during space flight may be derived. Such knowledge of energy requirements will ensure health, good performance and the overall success of a mission and also helps in planning exercise load and cargo allotments for food during space flight.

Auxin Transport: On Saturday and Sunday, the crew executed Days 5 and 6 of the Auxin Transport Experiment Run 4. On Day 5 the crew performed Sample Fixation by harvesting plants and inserting them into Chemical Fixation Bags. On Day 6, the Chemical Fixation Bags were stowed in MELFI for return on SpX-10. Auxin Transport is a JAXA sponsored study to clarify the role of the plant hormone auxin under microgravity conditions. Specialists hope to collect gene expression data, including levels and redistribution of the proteins for auto-morphogensis (differentiation of tissues and subsequent growth without an introduced stimulus) using corn plants as the plant organism model for Auxin Transport 4.

Exposed Experiment Handhold Attachment Mechanism (ExHAM) Exchange: Ground controllers removed ExHAM-1 from the JEM Exposed Facility (JEF) Platform and installed it on the JEM Airlock (JEMAL) slide table. The crew removed the ExHAM and installed ExHAM-2 on the Handhold Experiment Platform (HXP). The Slide Table was retracted back into the airlock. The JEMAL will be depressed prior to ground teams installing ExHAM-2 on the JEF.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS): Friday evening, Robotics Ground Controllers temporarily removed a spare Direct Current Switching Unit (DCSU) on the EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Logistics Carrier 2 (ELC2) Site 2 to provide access to the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE). To do so Ground Controllers had to perform an offset approach due to unexpected DCSU Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) interference. The MISSE Payload was then removed from ELC2 Site 3. The MISSE will be stowed in the SpX-10 Trunk later today. Saturday, Robotics Ground Controllers translated the Mobile Transporter (MT) from Worksite #2 (WS2) to WS6 and walked off Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) from Mobile Base System (MBS) Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF)1 onto Node2 PDGF. MSS performance was nominal this weekend.

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

RELAKSATSIA. Battery charge for RELAKSATSIYA Experiment (init)
JEM Airlock Press
ASEPTIK. Kit transfer. External visual inspection and photography of nutrition media in Poverkhnost and Vozdukh devices.
Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations – Subject
XF305 Camcorder Setup.
Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) item Gathering part 1
Fine Motor Skills Experiment Test – Subject
ASEPTIK. Glovebox-C HW Prep. Sampling Prep. HW Placing in Glovebox. Sample Collection from Glovebox-C surface prior to sterilization. Pump activation.
JEM Airlock Leak Check
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
DAN. Experiment Ops.
Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Sample Detachment 1
Rodent Research Node 2 Camcorder Video Setup
Rodent Research 4 Pink Habitat Transfer
ASEPTIK. Edit and downlink photos
ASEPTIK. Activating Kriogem-03 at +37deg ?
Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Sample Stow
Rodent Research 4 Blue Habitat Transfer
Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Item Gathering part 2.
PRODUTSENT. Photography of ???-? #2 and ???-? #4 thermostats
Virus Definition File Update on Auxiliary Computer System [???] Laptops
Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Sample Attachment 2
RELAKSATSIYA. HW install.
ASEPTIK. Monitoring automatic pump shutdown
ASEPTIK. Removing Vozdukh 1 and Poverkhnost 1 from the glovebox and placing them for incubation into Kriogem-03.
Rodent Research 4 Green Habitat Transfer
RELAKSATSIYA. Setting parameters.
Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Item Closeout
RELAKSATSIYA. Observation.
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
JEM Airlock Depressurization
RELAKSATSIA. Closeout Ops and HW teardown.
ASEPTIK. Activating Glovebox-C and sterilization init.
Sensewear Activity Monitor Data Saving
PILOT-T. Experiment prep.
Rodent Research 4 Tan Habitat Transfer
ASEPTIK. Glovebox sterilization deactivation. Changing HW positions inside glovebox. Reactivation of sterilization process.
PILOT-T. Experiment Ops.
ASEPTIK. Glovebox sterilization deactivation. Glovebox-C scientific HW shutdown.
PILOT-T. Closeout Ops.
Rodent Research 4 MELFI Insert
Sensewear Activity Monitor Stowage
JEM Airlock Vent
Metal Oxide (METOX) Regeneration Termination
Metal Oxide (METOX) Regeneration Initiation
JEM Airlock Vent Confirmation
Exercise data downlink via ???
Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) /Group Combustion Module (GCM) Component Activation
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Configure to Internal ???-?
Completed Task List Items

EVA Procedure review for EPIC Shields EVA [Completed Sunday]
O-OHA with EarQ Software Setup and Test [Completed Sunday]
WinSCAT Test [Completed Sunday]
Manufacturing Device Print Removal, Clean and Stow [Completed Sunday]
Microgravity Science Glovebox MLC File Access [Completed Sunday]
EMU Enhanced Caution and Warning System (ECWS) On-Board Training [Completed Saturday]
Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) Filter Circuit Breaker Reset [Completed Saturday]

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
N3 MCA Full Calibration
JEMAL Depress
N2 Zenith CBM Checkout
Lab CDRA operate for 4 half cycles
MISSE Install S/U

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 03/14: Rodent Research operations, APEX4, Microbial Sampling
Wednesday, 03/15: Dragon Cargo Transfer, Auxin Transport, NanoRack Science Box 2, MERLIN1 Transfer
Thursday, 03/16: APEX, Sample transfers to Glacier/Polar, FCPA Inspection, EVA Loop Scrub, RR Habitat Stow

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