NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 17 September 2019 – Ongoing Biomedical Science Research

The six residents aboard the International Space Station continued more biomedical science and rodent research to improve human health on Earth and in space. The Expedition 60 crew is also gearing up for a crew swap beginning next week.
NASA Flight Engineers Christina Koch and Nick Hague started Tuesday drawing their blood samples and spinning them in a centrifuge. The samples were stowed in a science freezer for later analysis to help scientists understand how astronauts adapt to microgravity.

Koch then spent the rest of the day with crewmates Andrew Morgan of NASA and Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) observing space-caused cellular and molecular changes in mice. The rodents’ genetic similarity to humans may provide therapeutic insights into aging and muscle ailments.

Hague is getting ready to return to Earth on Oct. 3 after 203 days in space. He and Commander Alexey Ovchinin are packing gear and familiarizing themselves with the landing procedures they will use inside the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft. The duo will return to Earth with a new crewmember, Spaceflight Participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori, who will arrive at the orbiting lab next week for an eight-day stay.

Almansoori, from the United Arab Emirates, is joining NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka for a launch to the station on Sept. 25. The trio will lift off inside the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from Kazakhstan for a five-hour and 48-minute ride to the aft-end of the Zvezda service module where they will dock. Meir and Skripochka will stay in space until April of 2020 and return to Earth with Morgan.

On-Orbit Status Report

Electro-static Levitation Furnace (ELF): The crew replaced the ELF gas bottle unit in the ELF facility. ELF is an experimental facility designed to levitate, melt and solidify materials by containerless processing techniques using the electrostatic levitation method. With this facility thermophysical properties of high temperature melts can be measured and solidification from deeply undercooled melts can be achieved.

Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutrons (RADI-N2): The crew retrieved the 8 dosimeter detectors and pouches from Node 1 front rack and conveyed them to the Russian crew for data download. The objective of this Canadian Space Agency investigation is to better characterize the ISS neutron environment, define the risk posed to the crew members’ health, and provide the data necessary to develop advanced protective measures for future spaceflight. It’s been recognized that neutrons make up a significant fraction (10-30%) of the biologically effective radiation exposure in low-Earth orbit. The bubble detectors used in the investigation are designed detect neutrons and ignore all other radiation.

Rodent Research-17 (RR-17): The crew performed Day 2 of Rodent Research operations. RR-17 uses younger and older mice as model organisms to evaluate the physiological, cellular and molecular effects of the spaceflight environment. Some responses to spaceflight in humans and model organisms such as mice resemble accelerated aging. This investigation provides a better understanding of aging-related immune, bone, and muscle disease processes, which may lead to new therapies for use in space and on Earth.

EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments for Space Station Racks (EXPRESS): The crew performed acoustic Inspections on Express Racks 1 and 2 as part of noise level troubleshooting steps. The EXPRESS Racks support science experiments in any discipline by providing structural interfaces, power, data, cooling, water, and other items needed to operate science experiments in space.

Cupola Portable Computer System (PCS): Yesterday, the Cupola PCS went offline and was found unpowered by the crew. Troubleshooting was not successful at returning the PCS to service and a shell swap will be planned. The next planned operations in the Cupola that will need a PCS is HTV-8 capture.

Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Status: Today, ground teams received a telemetry fault indication associated with the UPA Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly. The Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) was then configured to collect urine via internal tank (EDB). Meanwhile, ground teams are developing a forward plan.

Completed Task List Activities:
T2 over temp troubleshooting
HTV-8 trash gather
COL T61P battery remove
EHS water sample
EVA EMU cleanup
HCU troubleshooting
Rodent Research ops
N1 IMV diffuser cover installation

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Payloads ground support

Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 9/18 (GMT 261)

Payloads:
Probiotics Gather (JAXA)
Standard Measures Postsleep Questionnaire (NASA)
HRF – Repository Urine collect (NASA)
Rodent Research-17 Ops (NASA)
NanoRacks Module 82 Photo (NASA)
MSG Illumination Unit check (NASA)
Biolab Life Support module 4 Removal (ESA)
Ring Sheared Drop Hardware Gather (NASA)

Systems:
Crew departure prep

Thursday, 9/19 (GMT 262)

Payloads:
Probiotics Saliva Ops and Questionnaire (JAXA)
Express Rack bulb Replace (NASA)
MUSES Server Vent Clean (NASA)
Rodent Research-17 Ops (NASA)
Universal Battery Charger Charging check (Joint)
Ring Sheared Drop Overview (NASA)

Systems:
Express failed light bulb replacement

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

Standard Measures Post-sleep Questionnaire
Personal Data Prep for Return
Preparation of reports for Roscosmos website and social media
Photography of removable handrails covers inside RS
URAGAN. Observation and photography
SCENARIY. Observation and photography using Photo Equipment
Photography of space behind SM panel
ECON-M. Observation and Photography
Reminder Probiotics Intake
HRF Generic Urine Collection Male
HRF Generic MELFI Sample Insertion Operations
HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection 25 Minutes Subject
HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Operator
HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Configuration
Verification of anti-virus scan results on Auxiliary Computer System (???) laptops
HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Spin Conclude
HRF Generic MELFI Sample Insertion
Food Acceptability Survey
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Food Acceptability Survey
COSMOCARD. Closeout Ops
Conference of Search and Rescue (????) specialists with returning crew (S-band)
Rodent Research Consolidate
COSMOCARD. Preparing for and Starting 24-hr ECG Recording
MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE-dosimeter gathering and measurements
Collecting condensate water samples from ???-?2? before Gas-Liquid Mixture Filter (???) into Russian Samplers, initiate
Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth
Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) Gas Bottle Unit (GBU) Replacement
SEPARATION. Activation of [???-?-??] system. Starting distillation cycles
Radi-N Detector Retrieval/Readout
Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutrons Hardware Handover
MATRYOSHKA-R. Handover of BUBBLE-dosimeters from USOS
MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE-dosimeter gathering and measurements
Rodent Research 17
Rodent Research Assist
Hardware prepack for return and disposal via Soyuz 742
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain
HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Conclude And Stow
Food Acceptability Survey
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Part 2
Rodent Research Cryo Chiller Insert-3
Rodent Research Centrifuge Setup Configure
Rodent Research MELFI Insert
Rodent Research Cryo Chiller Insert-3
HRF Centrifuge Spin Conclude
Rodent Research MELFI Insert 3
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
MRM1 (MRM2) Comm Config
Magnetic 3D-bioprinter Session 5 Cleanup
Rodent Research Assist
HRF Generic Urine Collection Male
HRF Generic MELFI Sample Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Filling (separation) of ??? [???] for Elektron or ???-?? (flush water container)
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Magnetic 3D-bioprinter. Photography of the Experiment Ops
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Rodent Research 17
Rodent Research Assist
Magnetic 3D-bioprinter. Gathering Cuvettes No.2 kit Mfr.No.06 and insertion in ???-? No.07 (+4 deg ?)
HRF Generic Urine Collection Male
HRF Generic MELFI Sample Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Rodent Research Cryo Chiller Insert-3
HRF Generic Urine Collection Male
Rodent Research MELFI Insert
SEPARATION. Deactivation of [???-?-??] system. Downlink of log-file
HRF Generic MELFI Sample Retrieval And Insertion Operations
Rodent Research Cryo Chiller Insert-3
Current converter fan (???) screen cleaning
Rodent Research MELFI Insert
SEPARATION. Collecting condensate (water) sample from ???-?
Rodent Research Cryo Chiller Insert-3
Rodent Research Centrifuge Configure
IMS Delta File Prep
HRF Centrifuge Spin Conclude Final
Rodent Research MELFI Insert 3
CONTENT. Experiment Ops
Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position
Rodent Research Assist-1
Magnetic 3D-bioprinter. Measuring temperature in kit Cuvettes No.2 Mfr No.06 in ??? No.07
Magnetic 3D-bioprinter. Retrieval and setup of magnetic bioprinter for operation
ER1 and ER2 Acoustic Inspection
RR Cryo Chiller Sample Transfer to MELFI
Magnetic 3D-bioprinter. Retrieval of Cuvette No.2 kit Mfr No.06 from ???-? No.07 (+4 deg C) and setup at work site. ???-? No.7 deactivation
Magnetic 3D-bioprinter. Running experiment session 6 with the use of Magnetic 3D Bioprinter PL. Stowage at ambient temperature
Soyuz 742 Cargo Ops
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Inspection
Comm reconfig for nominal ops
Adlink Mini PC Activation
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Standard Measures Pre-sleep Questionnaire