NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 20 August 2018 – Installing the Earth Spectral Sensor

A pair of German experiments took place aboard the International Space Station today including a space exercise study and the installation of an Earth spectral sensor.
The Expedition 56 crew members are also looking ahead to Wednesday’s Russian cargo ship departure and a pair of U.S. spacewalks in September.

Astronaut Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency) exercised today in a t-shirt designed with a specialized fabric for the SpaceTex-2 study. The research, sponsored by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), is evaluating whether the custom t-shirt provides comfort, efficient thermal control and sweat evaporation during a workout in microgravity.

Commander Drew Feustel worked on another DLR experiment that will provide hyperspectral imagery of the Earth. Feustel is readying the German-built Earth spectrometer for its installation outside of the Japanese Kibo laboratory module. It will monitor urban and agricultural development, the health of vegetation and water areas as well as the environmental effects of natural and manmade disasters.

Russia’s Progress 69 (69P) cargo craft loaded with trash is poised for its undocking Wednesday at 10:16 p.m. EDT from the aft port of the Zvezda service module. The 69P will orbit the Earth for seven more days of engineering tests before it deorbits over the Pacific Ocean for a fiery but safe disposal.

Two U.S. spacewalks are planned for Sept. 20 and 26 to replace batteries on the space station’s Port 4 truss structure power channels. Gerst will join Feustel on the first spacewalk then go out again on the second spacewalk with NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold. The batteries are targeted for delivery on Sept. 14 aboard Japan’s “Kounotori” HTV resupply ship.

On-Orbit Status Report

Waste Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Blower Circuit Breaker Trip: This morning the circuit breaker to the WHC blower tripped. After the crew ran the nominal malfunction procedure, the breaker again tripped prompting ground specialists to declare the hardware failed. The crew successfully removed and replaced the failed blower and functional tests were successful; WHC is now a GO for use.

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock Operations for the German Space Agency (DLR) Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer (DESIS): Today the crew removed the Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Deployer 9 (J-SSOD#9) and the Multipurpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) from the JEM Airlock Slide Table and then installed Payload Mounting Assembly (PMA) hardware and the DESIS on the table. The Slide Table was then retracted into the Airlock in preparation for installation of the DESIS on the Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) external facility later this week. The DESIS investigation is expected to verify and enhance commercial space-based hyperspectral (from the visual to near infrared spectrum) imaging capabilities for Earth remote sensing. Requested images are transferred to a hosted cloud that provides user access. DESIS has a number of commercial and humanitarian applications.

Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature-2 (ACE-T-2): The crew configured the LMM (Light Microscopy Module) in the Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) and installed an ACE-T-2 sample. The ACE-T-2 experiment looks at the assembly of complex structures from micron-scale colloidal particles interacting via tunable attractive interactions. The samples contain suspensions of colloidal particles that upon nearing the critical solvent temperature give rise to critical interactions between the particles. Regulating the temperature enables control of the particle interactions, leading to the growth of complex structures.

ESA’s SpacTex-2 and Metabolic Space: A crewmember donned Thermolab equipment, a heart rate monitor, and a SpaceTex shirt as part of the SpaceTex-2 investigation. He also donned Metabolic Space equipment and completed an exercise session using the Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (CEVIS). SpaceTex fabrics provide a higher rate of sweat evaporation and a corresponding higher evaporative heat loss compared to conventional cotton fabrics used by astronauts on the ISS. Metabolic Space provides a technology demonstration for a measurement system worn by astronauts that supports cardio-pulmonary diagnosis during physical activities of astronauts living onboard the ISS, while maintaining unrestricted mobility.

Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology (BEST): The crew swabbed surfaces on the PMM blackout curtain and areas around the crew quarters, and stowed the samples in a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The BEST investigation studies the use of sequencing for the identification of unknown microbial organisms living on the ISS and how humans, plants, and microbes adapt to living on the ISS.

Granular Damping: In support of ESA’s Flying Classroom 2 Education Payloads Operations (EPO), a crewmember recorded a video demonstrating the damping mechanism of granular materials. For this demonstration, three-dimensional printed granular shells were produced on-orbit in the Manufacturing Device 3D Printer. Small particles (granules) are packed inside a larger shell (damper) that is either spherical or cylindrical. The experiment demonstrates how the different amount of filling material affects the amount of dissipation upon collision, using shells of spherical and cylindrical forms filled with different amounts of granules.

Pistol Grip Tool (PGT) Torque Analyzer Kit (TAK) Data Collection: Today the crew attempted to use the TAK to record output torque values from the on-orbit PGTs. During the activity, however, the crew was unable to properly drive the TAK with a PGT; additional troubleshooting this afternoon was unsuccessful and ground experts continue to evaluate today’s anomaly. The PGT is a programmable, computer-controlled hand-drill like device designed for use by EVA crewmembers. This yearly test is part of normal PGT maintenance and ensures the outputted torques match the settings commanded by the astronaut.

Treadmill 2 (T2) Status: Following Friday morning’s false fire indication in the T2 rack, the crew performed an unmanned activation and checkout. T2 engineers have reviewed the data captured during the checkout and T2 was declared ‘GO for use’ Friday night.

V-Guide Bag Assembly: Today the crew assembled and configured the V-Guide Bag and Radiator V-Guides expected to be taken outside ISS during the next EVA and stowed for future use. The V-Guides would be installed by EVA crewmembers in a contingency to allow the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to remove and install a degraded Radiator Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) on the S1 or P1 truss.

Live Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event: Today Gerst participated in a PAO event with Peter Altmaier, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy and Space. They discussed how the relevance of human research in microgravity and the need for international cooperation in space could be used to generation enthusiasm for space exploration in the next generation.

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

Body Mass Measurement – BMMD
??-8. Closeout Operations
Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology (BEST) Swabbing Operations
Camera setting in the Lab for video support during Metaspace and Spacetex-2 experiments
KOSMOKARD. 24hr electrocardiogram recording (prep + init)
Metabolic Space equipment connection and calibration
Thermolab instrumentation for Spacetex-2
DAN Experiment Ops.
Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology (BEST) MELFI Sample Insertion into a Box Module
JEM Airlock Press
Metabolic Space instrumentation
Photo/TV Inspired Energy Battery Charger Deploy
CEVIS exercise session for MetabolicSpace and Spacetex-2 experiments
XF305 Camcorder Setup
JEM Airlock Leak Check
DLR Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer Install Overview
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
MetabolicSpace de-instrumentation
Thermolab de-instrumentation for Spacetex-2
Casablanca (CB2) T61p Station Support Computer (SSC) Teardown
JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) onto Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform Removal
Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config Columbus Setup
PAO Preparation
On MCC Go Progress 439/DC1 Interface Leak Check
Searching for and replacing Chibis-M curtain
Fluids Integrated Rack Rack Doors Open
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) in Columbus
ACE-T2 Sample Configuration
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Setup
Metabolic Space data transfer and equipment stowage
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
Thermolab data downlink for Spacetex-2
DC-?? Transfer Hatch Opening
Fluids Integrated Rack Doors Close
Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) Removal JEM Airlock Slide Table
Spacetex-2 Nominal Questionnaire filling
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Long Life Battery (LLB) Terminate
Progress-?? Hatch Opening
Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) Removal JEM Airlock Slide Table Support
Installation of Quick Release Screw Clamps on SM Aft side
Progress 439 Deactivation, Air Duct Installation
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-Cohesive Sedimentation SB-800 Flash Battery Changeout
Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology (BEST) Swabbing Operations
DLR Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer Airlock Slide Table Install
Checking ??-2 treadmill carriage position
Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology (BEST) MELFI Sample Insertion into a Box Module
DLR Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer Airlock Slide Table Install
DLR Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer Install Photos
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
EPO Gerst Flying Classroom 2 – Light Field Camera Big Picture Words
EPO Gerst Flying Classroom 2 – Granular Damping Big Picture Words
Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Termination
Post ROS-EVA tool stow, update IMS Post-EVA GoPro 360 Ops
EPO Gerst Flying Classroom 2 – Granular Damping Recording
Extravehicular Activities (EVA) Pistol Grip Tool (PGT) Torque Analyzer Kit (TAK) Calibration
Sextant Navigation Session 3 Operations
BioServe Protein Crystallography MELFI Retrieve
Food Relocate
BioServe Protein Crystallography Plate Seal Check
EVA V-GUIDE BAG ASSEMBLY
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update
??? maintenance
MATRYOSHKA-R. Tritel Hardware Monitoring and Data Downlink
IPV Tablet Configuration [Aborted]
Zero-G Battery Testing MWA Preparation
iPad Air 2 Food Intake Tracker (FIT) Update [Aborted]
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
Zero-G Battery Testing
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
GEMATOKRIT. Equipment setup

Completed Task List Activities:
CSL Laptop Stow [Completed GMT 230]
ESA EPO – Syringe Rocket [Completed GMT 230]
Unknown Ziplock Photo Document [Completed GMT 230]
PMM Stowage Reconfiguration [Completed GMT 231]
KTO Replace [Completed GMT 231]

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
ACE-T2 Support
JEM A/L Support

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 08/21: PL Control Box relocate, JEM LAN Monitor removal, BDS SFA interface Box Install, WHC Piping R&R, RR7 Camera Clean, BEST Swab, OBT-Emergency Mask Review, Max CEVIS
Wednesday, 08/22: Ground Strap install, EVA Biomed inspect, JPM1F5 Rack cleanout, BPC Microscopy, PCG-13 Microscope Ops, Wet Lab, ESA EPO Bouncing in a Tube, BEST, Metabolic Space/SpaceTEX2, HV4 Server
Thursday, 08/23: PCG-13 card fill, BPC Microscopy, Plant Habitat Removal, ER5 subsystem valve R&R, MATISS, COL IMV Supply Fan Assy R&R P1, Sextant, Time Perception

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 – 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