NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 15 August 2018 – Spacewalk Underway
Expedition 56 Flight Engineers Oleg Artemyev and Sergey Prokopyev of the Russian space agency Roscosmos began a spacewalk when they opened the hatch of the Pirs docking compartment of the International Space Station at 12:17 p.m. EDT.
Artemyev will be designated extravehicular crew member 1 (EV1) for the spacewalk wearing the Russian Orlan spacesuit with red stripes. Prokopyev will be extravehicular crew member 2 (EV2) wearing the Russian Orlan spacesuit with blue stripes.
Coverage of the spacewalk continues on NASA Television and the agency’s website. Views from a camera on Artemyev’s helmet are designated with the number 20, and Prokopyev’s is labeled with the number 18.
On-Orbit Status Report
Russian ExtraVehicular Activity (EVA) 45: Today Artemyev (EV1) and Prokopev (EV2) exited the Docking Compartment (DC)1 at 11:17 AM CDT in order to complete Russia EVA #45. The EVA is on-going and the Russian Crew are working to complete the following tasks:
Deployment of 2 nanosatellites “Tanyusha-YuZGU” [Completed]
Deployment of 2 nanosatellites “SiriusSat” [Completed]
Panoramic shooting for TV company “Russia Today” using GoPro 360 cameras
Installation of P/L “ICARUS” on URM-D work station on Pl.II of the Service Module (SM) [In-Work]
Removal and jettison of SE “Obstanovka” hardware (if crew time available)
Removal of “Test” exposure cassettes #15 and 16 on Mini Research Module (MRM)2
Removal of “Test” exposure cassettes #17 and 18 on DC1
Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) 13: The crew set up the PCG 13 investigation hardware and prepared the sample tubes and pipettes to enable filling of the PCG Card wells. The CASIS PCG 13 investigation seeks to enhance the way crystals are grown in a microgravity environment by allowing crew members to observe imperfections within a crystal and make real-time adjustments to follow-up experiments, rather than returning a sample to Earth and relaunching for additional attempts. The changes have the potential to dramatically reduce the time it takes to conduct an experiment onboard the ISS and result in a more cost-effective solution for prospective researchers.
Sextant Navigation: Today the crew performed the third session for the Sextant Navigation investigation. Following data collection, the crew recorded the results for ground evaluation. The Sextant Navigation investigation focuses on stability and star sighting opportunities in microgravity. Astronauts onboard the ISS test a hand-held sextant that is intended for use on future Orion exploration missions. The results from this investigation can aid in the development of emergency navigation methods for future manned spacecraft. Historically, Gemini missions in 1965-66 were the first to exercise sextant sightings from a spacecraft. A sextant was built into Apollo vehicles as a navigation backup in case of lost communications.
Surface Tension Containment Experiment-2: Today the crew used a camcorder to provide live high definition video documentation of Surface Tension Containment experiment operations. Surface Tension Containment Experiment-2 is designed to support efforts to increase the ability of the ISS crew to conduct experiments outside of gloveboxes and in the open cabin of the ISS. It assesses the formation and capture of microdroplets using airflow when a pipette is repeatedly inserted and withdrawn from liquid in a well plate, and tests the stability of liquid in a well plate under various conditions. Safely and effectively conducting experiments outside of gloveboxes expands the capabilities of the space station as a microgravity laboratory.
Chemical Gardens: The crew removed a Chemical Gardens ampoule kit from a Cargo Transfer Bag, broke the seal between the ampoules and mixed the contents of both. In the Chemical Gardens experiment, selected metal salts are added to an aqueous solution of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), resulting in the formation of inorganic structures that resemble plant growth in a time span ranging from minutes to hours. On Earth, gravity-induced flow due to buoyancy differences between the reactants complicates our understanding of the physics behind these “chemical gardens”. Conducting this experiment in the microgravity environment onboard the ISS removes the gravity effects, ensures diffusion-controlled growth, and allows researchers a better assessment of initiation and evolution of chemical gardens.
Story Time From Space: A crewmember participated in the Story Time from Space project this morning by reading from “Ada Twist, Scientist” while being videotaped and photographed. The recording will be downlinked and used for educational purposes. Story Time From Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded onboard the ISS. Crewmembers read science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related children’s books on orbit, and complete simple science concept experiments. Video and data collected during the demonstrations are downlinked to the ground and posted in a video library with accompanying educational materials.
Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) PS-120 Junction Box Remove and Replace (R&R): Earlier today, the crew replaced a PS-120 Junction Box at the JPM1A7 location. After the new junction box was installed, the crew re-connect all the downstream loads that were disconnected for the R&R. The PS-120 is a power strip that contains integrated over-current protection for downstream users.
Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM)1O2 Rack Cleanout: In preparation for HTV-7 arrival next month, the crew emptied the rack at the PMM1O2 location today in order to make room for trash generated during the upcoming mission. All items in this rack were sorted into bags and moved to the Gutted Mares Rack now at the PMM1D4 location.
ExtraVehicular Activity (EVA) Loop Scrub Hardware Reorganization: Earlier today, the crew swapped out the old EVA Loop Scrub hardware, part of the Airlock Cooling Loop Recovery Unit (ALCLR), with new components that arrived earlier this year. This new hardware adds the capability for real-time water conductivity measurements during loop scrubs and includes improvements to the filter media and water loop routing.
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Biochemical Urine Test
XF305 Camcorder Setup
Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Wipe Post Mouse Stress Defense
MRM2 Preparation and Soyuz 738 Activation before EVA
EVA COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Verify off
Removal of Air Duct ??-??? Hatch protective ring, Closure of ??-??? Hatch
Preparation of ??? and DC1 for EVA. ??? Hatch cover removal
Sextant Navigation Session 3 Operations
JEM PS-120 Junction Box R&R at JPM1A7
Orlan Systems Check
Lighting Effects Visual Performance Tests Light Setting Subject
Surface Tension Containment MWA Operations
Checkout of ??? (Spacesuit Interface Unit) in ???
DC1 Spacesuit Interface Unit (???) Checkout
JEM Stowage Consolidation
ISS Onboard System Configuration before EVA (part 1)
Biolab Incubator Door Locking Bolt Functional Check – Part 2
USOS Window Shutter Close
ISS HAM Radio Power Down in Columbus
ISS HAM Video Uninstall
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
JEM MTL QD Reconnection To MSPR And MSPR2
DC1 ??-3? Check
Comm config before EVA, reconfiguring ??? (C&W) panel
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test – Battery Changeout
Medical telemetry monitoring, comm check.
Surface Tension Containment Data Transfer
Orlan and ??? (Orlan Interface Unit) Final Inspection prior to entering Orlan
Midday Meal
ISS Onboard System Configuration before EVA
Air duct disassembly in DC1 (without removal of B3 fan)
Donning Gear
PCG-13 MWA PREP
Retrieval of PCG13 Hardware from MELFI
Food Acceptability Questionnaire
PCG-13 Card Fill
PMM1O2 Rack Cleanout
PRE-EVA airlock operations
Pre-EVA Airlock Ops, assistance
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
PMM1O2 Rack Cleanout
Insertion of PCG13 Hardware into MELFI
Waste and Hygeine Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace
EVA-45 Tasks
Activation of ???? camcorder in MRM2 for Mpeg2 TV coverage of EVA-45 in Ku-band
Chemical Gardens MWA Preparation
Chemical Gardens Mix Ops
US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Loop Scrub Hardware Reorganization
Story Time Book ADA Read
???? Camcorder Deactivation in MRM2
??-???, ???-?? (SM) Hatch Closure
Air duct disassembly in MRM2
USOS Window Shutter Close
MRM2-?? (SM) Hatch Closure
Soyuz 738 crew isolation in MRM2 for EVA-45
Post-EVA airlock operations
Post EVA Repress
MRM2- ??(SM) Hatch Opening
Assemble air ducts in DC1 after EVA
Switching comm system to initial configuration, reconfiguring C&W indication from EVA Support Panel (???) in DC1 and ??? and Monitoring Caution & Warning Panel (???) signal
RS ISS Reconfiguration for Nominal Ops
Biochemical Urine Test
Post-Eva Orlan Suit Maintenance
Post-EVA MRM2 nominal Reconfig and Soyuz 738 Deactivation
??-??? Hatch Opening, Installation of protective ring on ??-??? Hatch and air duct
RS ISS Reconfiguration for Nominal Ops
Completed Task List Activities:
None
Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
RS EVA 45 Support
SMCC Data Dump
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Thursday, 08/16: BEAM ingress/egress, BEAM Sensor Cable R&R, N3 Duct install, LLB Cycle terminate, PCG-13, IMV Split Atmosphere, EVA ERCA inspect, EVA Tool stow, Chemical Gardens, IPAD Crewnet
Friday, 08/17: MD Granular Damping, BEAM Access cleanup, SPHERES RESWARM, PCG Microplate, Plant Habitat, SUPVIS Justin, CIR Valve Timers, PCG-13, BCAT, Sextant Ops
Saturday, 08/18: Housekeeping, BCAT Battery Changeout, Crew Off-Duty
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – Off
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Operate
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Standby
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Idle
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
