NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 22 August 2018 – Russia’s Progress 69 Set to Leave

A Russian cargo ship is packed and ready for departure tonight from the International Space Station after a six-month stay.
Meanwhile, the Expedition 56 crew members explored a variety of biological phenomena impacted by the weightless environment of space.

Russia’s Progress 69 (69P) cargo craft will undock from the Zvezda service module tonight at 10:16 p.m. EDT packed with trash and discarded hardware. It will orbit Earth for seven more days of engineering tests before finally reentering Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean for a fiery, but safe destruction. The 69P arrived in February delivering over three tons of food, fuel and supplies for the Expedition 54 crew.

Three astronauts worked three different life science experiments today to understand how living in space affects biology. The results could potentially increase the efficiency of orbital research and improve the lives of humans on Earth and in space.

Commander Drew Feustel, who leads the six-member station crew, looked at protein crystals through a microscope today for the BioServe Protein Crystalography study. The experiment is helping scientists on Earth analyze the samples in space real time, possibly saving critical research time and improving the development of disease-treating drugs.

Educator astronaut Ricky Arnold of NASA took part in another similar protein crystal study today peering through a microscope and photographing research samples. The main objective of the Protein Crystal Growth-13 experiment is to fine-tune the research process in space and help public and private organizations deliver results and benefits sooner.

Exercise is critically important in space so astronauts can stay healthy while living off the Earth for long periods of time. Researchers from the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) are observing a new type of t-shirt with a specialized fabric that can help astronauts dispel heat and sweat efficiently during a space workout. Astronaut Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency) exercised today in the custom t-shirt for the SpaceTex-2 study to report on its comfort and effectiveness.

On-Orbit Status Report

69 Progress (69P) Undock: This evening, 69P is scheduled to undock from the Service Module (SM) Aft port at 9:16 PM CDT. This Progress vehicle will conduct Non-ISS free-flight experiments from August 23 to August 30. The deorbit burn is scheduled for Wednesday, August 29 at 8:24 PM CDT followed by atmospheric entry and destruction.

Atomization: The crew replaced sample syringes for the Atomization investigation today. The Atomization experiment investigates the disintegration processes of a low-speed water jet for various jet issue conditions in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) to validate the new atomization concept by observing the process using a high-speed camera. The knowledge gained can be applied to improve various engines utilizing spray combustion.

BioServe Protein Crystallography (BPC)-1: The crew performed BPC-1 microscope operations today. They removed the BPC-1 samples from the Space Automated Bioproduct Laboratory (SABL), made observations, and photographed the sample wells using the microscope, and returned the samples to the SABL.BPC-1 seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting protein crystal growth in real time onboard the ISS. Crewmembers add solutions to the hardware, observe the crystals that form and adjust for follow-on experiments. This approach gives scientists the ability to optimize crystal growth in microgravity instead of waiting for samples to return and then launching them again.

Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) 13: The crew performed microscope photo operations for PCG-13 with assistance from the Payload Developer. The CASIS PCG 13 investigation seeks to enhance the way crystals are grown in a microgravity environment by allowing crewmembers 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.

WetLab-2 Parra: Today the crew completed a session for the WetLab-2 Parra investigation. WetLab-2 Parra tests a passive method to remove air bubbles from a liquid sample (e.g., extracted ribonucleic acid [RNA]) for dispensing. Excessive air bubbles in the sample chamber introduces noise in the data acquired during SmartCycler analysis.

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

SpaceTex-2 and Metabolic Space: A crewmember donned Thermolab equipment, a heart rate monitor, and a SpaceTex shirt for ESA’s 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.

ExPRESS Rack (ER) 6 Troubleshooting: Today ground controllers powered off ER6 and performed a nominal activation under both Main and Aux power while testing the transition from Main to Aux and then back to Main. These steps provided confidence that the voltage sensing circuit that monitors both power feeds is working properly and that the rack can successfully transition from one input power to another. This commanding was successful, and ground controllers are proceeding with payload re-activation in the rack.

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Ground Strap Install: This morning the crew installed two new ground straps at the JPM1A5 location in preparation for the new Expedite the Processing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack 10B rack arriving on H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-7 in September.

JEM Pressurized Module (JPM)1F5 Rack Cleanout: The crew relocated hardware stowed in and around the JPM1F5 Zero-G Stowage Rack (ZSR) this morning. This hardware needs to be relocated to support the installation of the new Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG), arriving on H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-7 in September, at the JPM1F5 location.

ExtraVehicular Activity (EVA) Biomed Pigtail Electrical Connector Inspections: During preparations for US EVA 51 in June, ground controllers failed to receive a biomed signal from Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) 3003. When the crew checked the biomed connector, they observed a bent pin that prevented proper mating; the crew straightened the pin and restored the biomed signal. Today the crew took additional photos of all the Biomed Pigtails to support an engineering led investigation as to the cause of the bent pin and impacts to future EVAs.

EVA Preparation: Today the crew started preparing for the HTV-7 Battery R&R EVAs. Today’s activities included EVA tether inspections and the Extravehicular Activity Mobility Unit (EMU) Enhanced Caution and Warning System (ECWS) On-Board Training. The HTV-7 Battery R&R EVAs are planned September 20th and 26th.

Completed Task List Activities:
CrewNet Review for FE-3

Ground Activities:
All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted.
EHDC Comm Test
69P Undock Support

Two-Day Look Ahead:

Thursday, 08/23:

Payloads
ER5 subsystem valve R&R, which requires Plant Habitat Disassembly
Fill new set of wells in PCG-13 card
Photography of Bioserve Protein Crystallography (BPC)-1 samples
Sextant Navigation session
ESA’s Time Perception in Microgravity session

Systems
Node 3 Mass Constituent Analyzer (MCA) ORU-2 R&R
Columbus module spare IMV Supply Fan Assembly (ISFA) checkout
Friday, 08/24:

Payloads
Plant Habitat reinstallation in ER5
SPHERES SmoothNav session
CASIS PCG 13 fill subset of wells in new card
SpaceTex-2 and Metabolic Space exercise session

Systems
Columbus module IMV Supply Fan Assembly (ISFA) R&R

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

Biochemical Urine Test
URISYS Hardware Stowage
JEM Temp Stowage
Vacuum cleaning of ??7 screens on ???4 behind FGB panel 108
JEM Ground Strap NASA Rack Retrieval
Food Acceptability Questionnaire – Subject
MATRYOSHKA-R. Installation of Personal Hygiene Articles ??? and ???-3 into starboard CQ protective curtain pockets.
Combustion Integrated Rack Doors Open
CIR Valve Timer Set
JEM Stowage Return
Combustion Integrated Rack Optics Bench Translation Out
In Flight Maintenance JPM1A5 Ground Strap Install
ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE. HAM radio session
ISS HAM Radio Power Down in Service Module
ISS HAM Radio Power Down in Columbus
COL1O3 HRF Hardware Relocate
DAN. Experiment Session.
XF305 Camcorder Setup
Atomization syringe installation
CIR Hard drive removal
Combustion Integrated Rack Optics Bench Translation In
Tropical Cyclone Hardware Closeout
JPM1F5-RACK -CLEANOUT
Combustion Integrated Rack Doors Close
SM Air Sampling for CO using ??? Samplers
Cleaning of gas-liquid heat exchangers 1,2,3 (???) screens in FGB
PCG-13 PCG Card Microscope Photo Operations
Collect SM and FGB air samples using ??-1? sampler
??? Maintenance
Crew Tether Inspection
Vacuum cleaning vents on FGB interior panels (201, 301, 401).
FGB internal lighting system audit
HRF Rack 2 Supply Kit Inventory
Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology (BEST) Swabbing Operations
Wet Lab-2 MWA Preparation
EVA Biomed Pigtail Electrical Connector Inspections
Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology (BEST) MELFI Sample Insertion into a Box Module
Wet Lab-2 Parra Basic Session
Metabolic Space equipment connection and calibration
Lighting Effects Visual Performance Tests Light Setting – Subject [Aborted]
VIZIR. Experiment Ops.
Food Acceptability Questionnaire – Subject
Thermolab instrumentation for Spacetex-2
Extravehicular Activity Mobility Unit (EMU) Enhanced Caution and Warning System (ECWS) On-Board Training
Metabolic Space instrumentation
INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops
CEVIS exercise session for MetabolicSpace and Spacetex-2 experiments
Team Task Switching Experiment Survey Subject
Waste Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Hardware Locate
MOTOCARD. Experiment Session
MetabolicSpace de-instrumentation
Verification of ??-1 Flow Sensor Position
Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
Thermolab de-instrumentation for Spacetex-2
PAO Preparation
Metabolic Space data transfer and equipment stowage
Microgravity Science Glovebox Power Down
MOTOCARD. Assistance with the Experiment.
Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config LAB Setup
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Lab
Spacetex-2 Nominal Questionnaire filling
MOTOCARD. Experiment Session.
BioServe Protein Crystallography Microscope Phase 2 Operations
Hypervisor 4 Hardware Setup
Microscope Reposition Post Ops
USOS Window Shutter Close
Battery Charge Initiation for MetabolicSpace