NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 2 June, 2021 – Russian Spacewalk Completed

Expedition 65 Flight Engineers Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos have completed a spacewalk lasting seven hours and 19 minutes.
The two cosmonauts opened the hatch to the Poisk docking compartment airlock to begin the spacewalk at 1:53 a.m. EDT. They re-entered the airlock and closed the hatch at 9:12 a.m.

During the spacewalk, the duo disconnected the external mechanical links between Pirs and the space station, relocated spacewalk hardware including a telescoping crane, and reconfigured antennas to prepare the Pirs module for undocking and disposal. Additionally, the cosmonauts replaced a fluid flow regulator panel on the nearby Zarya module, jettisoned the old panel as planned, and replaced biological and material science samples on the exterior of the Russian modules.

Pirs will be replaced by the new Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module, named “Nauka,” which is Russian for “science.” The undocking of Pirs is scheduled for this summer, about two days after Nauka launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

This was the first spacewalk for both cosmonauts and the 238th spacewalk overall in support of International Space Station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades. It also marks the sixth spacewalk of 2021.

On-Orbit Status Report

Russian Segment (RS) Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #48: Today, FE-4 Oleg Novitskiy (EV1) and FE-5 Petr Dubrov (EV2) egressed the Mini-Research Module (MRM)-2 airlock and completed the following tasks during today’s 7 hour and 19 minute EVA

Demonstration of RSC ENERGIA emblem
R&R of Flow Regulator Panel (SP RRZh) on FGB and airtight container jettisoning from MRM2
STRELA1 boom retraction and stowing on MRM2
Demating SM “KURS-P” Antenna Feeder Unit from DC1 “KURS-P”
Mating SM “Kurs-P” to “Kurs-P” Antenna Feeder Unit on ПхО nadir Docking Assembly
Removal of EVA ladder – SM [PO]sm.dia. gap spanner
Installation of VINOSLIVOST payload on MRM2
Installation of TEST payload on MRM2
US Astronaut Mark Vande Hei aided the Russian crew in pre and post EVA operations. This EVA prepares the ISS for DC-1 decommissioning and replacement by the Multipurpose Logistics Module (MLM)

Payloads:

AC Touch: Per standard procedure, the crew touched both the coated and uncoated coupons for this long-term investigation. Boeing Environment Responding Antimicrobial Coatings tests an antimicrobial coating on several different materials that represent high-touch surfaces. Some microbes change characteristics in microgravity, which could create new risks to crew health and spacecraft systems as well as creating the possibility of contaminating other planetary bodies. The samples remain in space approximately six months then return to Earth for analysis.

ELF Holder exchange: The crew performed the necessary steps to access the ELF experiment volume and exchanged sample holder 2 in the sample cartridge. They also gathered and stowed any loose samples found in the experiment volume. JAXA’s 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. ELF typically processes oxide samples, but is also capable of processing semiconductors, alloys, and metals.

ISS HAM pass: The crew participated in an ISS HAM pass with The Father’s House Christian School, Morinville, Alberta, Canada. Some of the questions asked included how the ISS avoids crashing into space debris, what the Canadaarm is used for, and an example of some of the experiments the crew is working on. ISS Ham Radio provides opportunities to engage and educate students, teachers, parents and other members of the community in science, technology, engineering and math by providing a means to communicate between astronauts and the ground HAM radio units.

ManD: The crew accessed the Manufacturing Device (ManD) print volume, removed the latest printed object, cleaned the extruder print nozzle, took photos and stowed the printed object. The Manufacturing Device enables the production of components on the ISS for both NASA and commercial objectives. Parts, entire experiments, and tools can be created on demand utilizing the ManD printer that is installed into an Express Rack locker location. ManD is capable of producing parts out of a wide variety of thermopolymers including engineered plastics.

Molecular Muscle 2 (MME-2): The crew reviewed the big picture words, and set up the experiment containers in the Kubik 5 facility, beginning the 5 ½ day investigation. The Molecular Muscle Experiment 2 (MME-2) uses a validated model organism, the C. elegans worm, to study human health changes in space. MME-2 tests a series of drugs to see if they can improve health in space, as well as evaluating if a specific molecule controls some of the health changes in space.

SUBSA Hardware stow: The crew removed and stowed the final processed DFM ampoule, and then removed the SUBSA furnace facility from the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) and stowed it. When a metal solidifies during casting or additive manufacturing, it forms a multitude of tiny crystals called dendrites. The dendrite shape and whether the dendrites fragment determines the strength of the resulting solid metal. However, since gravity affects the growth and fragmentation process, it is unclear how those dendrites grow during freezing. The Dendrite Fragmentation and Morphology During Melting and Solidification (DFM) investigation, conducted in the Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA) facility, uses microgravity to examine the effects of cooling and heating rate on the shape of these crystals.

Systems:

IDA MLI Imagery and Measurements: On Sunday, May 30, the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) performed a visual survey of the Zenith International Docking Adapter striker plates to determine the condition of the Multilayer Insulation (MLI). In addition, on Monday May 31, Crew completed a measurement of the on orbit MLI on the IDA assembly to help correlate the MLI thickness on orbit to ground testing hardware. Teams agree that despite the slight interference of the MLI on the striker plates, the current configuration can accept the SpX-22 vehicle. The IMMT polled go for SpX-22 Launch and Dock which is targeted for June 3rd and June 5th respectively.

SpaceX-22 pre-docking preparations: in preparation for SpX-22 arrival the crew prepacked bags with items that will be returned on the vehicle. They also performed on-board training and reviewed Space X Cargo Dragon rendezvous procedures. SpX-22 is currently scheduled to Launch from KSC on Thursday, June 3 and dock to the ISS on Saturday, June 5.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The crew continued preparations for the upcoming IROSA EVA. The crew performed an EVA review of the Suit IV briefing package, and an EVA tool configuration.

Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis & Data Record: Crew performed an analysis of the water processing assembly (WPA) using the TOCA. The TOCA unit oxidizes organic carbon species present in the water to carbon dioxide gas and measures the concentration using nondispersive infrared spectroscopy. Analysis of the potable water using the TOCA occurs on a weekly basis

Completed Task List Activities:

None
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Atmospheric Control System (ACS) Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System(NORS) Nitrogen Transfer
Attitude Control Subsystem (ACS) Configuration Controller Database (CCDB) Attitude Update
Common Communications for Visiting Vehicles (C2V2) Activation
Crew Dragon Awake Mode Checkout
Look Ahead Plan:

Thursday, June 3 (GMT 154)
Payloads:

AC Touch, Food Acceptability, Food Physiology, ManD print remove, Nanoracks Module-9 OBT, POLAR/Dragon transfer overview, RTPCG-2 plate load, TICTOC procedure review, Toilet questionnaire
Systems:

EVA Loop scrub
Water Resource Management Water Resupply Tank Transfer to WSS Teardown
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review
US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Retractable Equipment Tether Inspection
Friday, June 4 (GMT 155)
Payloads:

BPA filter clean, Cold Stowage unpack
Systems:

Crew off-duty day
Saturday, June 5 (GMT 156)
Payloads:

ADSEP2 historical photos, Cold Stowage transfer/unpacking, HRF urine setup, Lyophillization-2, MME-2, Nanoracks Mod-9 ops 1, Tangolab-2 card cube replace, TICTOC, UMAMI
Systems:

Dragon Zenith Approach Monitoring
Dragon Cargo Transfer
Dragon Docking Station Support Computer Relocation
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Review of Molecular Muscle 2 Big Picture Words
Atmospheric Control System (ACS) Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System(NORS) Nitrogen Transfer
Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) sample Holder Change
Extravehicular Activitiy (EVA) Suit Intravehicular (IV) Review
Unstowing and installing the NORS N2 Tank to the AIK
Kubik 5 setup on COL1D2 for Molecular Muscle 2
Urine Transfer System Offload EDV Swap
Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config JEM Setup [Deferred]
On MCC Go DC1-СУ (SM) Hatch Closure
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Downlink Message [Deferred]
On MCC Go ПГО-СУ (SM) hatch closure. Report to MCC
SpaceX-22 Dragon Rendezvous review CBT
Post-EVA Airlock operations, assistance
On-Board Training (OBT) Conference after Rendezvous CBT review
Reconfigure comm for nominal ops
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Inspection
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – ESA Nutritional Assessment
ISS HAM Columbus Pass Kenwood
Antimicrobial Coatings Touch
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring
Dragon 22 Prepack
Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules Hardware Stow
NOD2O2 Stowage Clear
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Crew Dragon Forward Monthly PCS Checkout
Dragon LiOH Bag Install
Manufacturing Device Print Removal, Clean and Stow
Microgravity Science Glovebox Power Down
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record