NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 24 August 2017 – New Smaller Exercise Gear

A pair of Expedition 52 astronauts checked out new, smaller exercise gear today. The crew also worked on a variety of human research while a new cosmic ray detector has begun scanning outer space.
The space station’s two newest astronauts, Paolo Nespoli and Randy Bresnik, joined forces today to measure the effectiveness of the new Mini-Exercise Device-2 (MED2). The MED2 is smaller and less bulky than other space exercise equipment providing more habitability room on a spacecraft. The duo worked out on MED2 and took photographs to demonstrate its ability to provide motion and resistance during an exercise session.

Flight Engineer Jack Fischer scanned his leg artery with an ultrasound device after a short exercise during the afternoon. The Vascular Echo study is examining how blood vessels and the heart adapt to microgravity. Astronaut Peggy Whitson spent her afternoon swapping cell cultures inside the Advanced Space Experiment Processor.

The Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass Investigation, or CREAM, is now observing cosmic rays coming from across the galaxy. CREAM was attached to the outside of the Kibo lab module on Tuesday after a handoff from the Canadian robotic arm to the Japanese robotic arm. CREAM was delivered aboard the SpaceX Dragon and will help determine the origin of the cosmic rays and measure their features across the energy spectrum.

On-Orbit Status Report

Miniature Exercise Device (MED-2): The crew set up cameras in Node 3 and Cupola to capture video from multiple views of the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) and MED-2 hardware, applied body markers, performed exercises and transferred video for downlink. The microgravity environment of space weakens muscle and bone, so orbiting crew members spend significant amounts of time exercising with equipment that is large and bulky. MED-2 aims to demonstrate that small robotic actuators can provide motion and resistance for crew workout sessions during long-duration space missions with exercise equipment that is smaller in size and mass that equipment currently being used on the ISS.

ADvanced Space Experiment Processor (ADSEP): The crew will removed Cell Culturing (CellCult) cassettes from ADSEP, inserted cells into each cassette and reinserted them into ADSEP. ADSEP is a thermally controlled facility that accommodates up to three cassette-based experiments that can be independently operated. A collection of experiment cassettes are used to accommodate experiments in cell technology, multiphase fluids, solution chemistry, separation science, microencapsulation, and crystal growth. For CellCult investigations, each cassette contains a rotating filtered bioreactor, a reservoir for fresh media, two peristaltic pumps, a waste reservoir, and up to 6 sample-collection or reagent containers connected by a manifold to the reactor. Cultures can be operated in continuous perfusion, batch fed, static, or sampling modes. The removal of samples and the addition of additives to the reactor volume can be programmed or teleoperated.

Microbial Tracking-2 (MT-2): The crew collected saliva samples for the Microbial Tracking-2 investigation and placed them in a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). After the samples are returned to Earth, a molecular analysis of the RNA and DNA will be conducted to identify the specific microbes that are present on ISS. MT-2 monitors the different types of microbes on ISS over a 1-year period and how they change over time.

Vascular Echo Ultrasound: With guidance from a ground expert, a crewmember performed an ultrasound of the femoral artery on their right leg after a one minute light leg exercise. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Vascular Echo investigation examines changes in blood vessels and the heart while the crew members are in space, and then upon their return to Earth. The results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health.

Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) Biomission: The crew deinstalled Biomission experiment containers from the Kubik 5 facility in the Columbus module, completing the fifth run. Each of the containers will be placed into a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) in order to preserve the scientific samples. Kubik 5 supports Biomission investigations by providing a small controlled-temperature incubator / cooler for the study of biological samples in a microgravity environment. Kubik is equipped with removable inserts designed for self-contained, automatic experiments using seeds, cells, and small animals.

Lighting Effects: This morning a crewmember provided a sleep log entry for the Lighting Effects investigation. The light bulbs on the ISS are being replaced with a new system designed for improved crew health and wellness. Fluorescent bulbs are being replaced with solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that have adjustable intensity and color. Investigators will determine if the new lights improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance. Results from this investigation also have implications for people on Earth who use electric lights.

Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry – Subject
Columbus Circadian Rhythms items repack
Video for episode 5 of “Space Yura and Nura” cartoon
DUBRAVA. Observation and photography using Photo Equipment
Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos web site and social media
Recording Greetings Video
ECON-M. Observation and photography
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain
Miniature Exercise Device Hardware Gather
Terminate discharge of the 3rd Orlan 825М Battery Pack (Stow in spares kit ФГБ1ПГО_2_221_1)
Soyuz 735 Angular Rate Integration Unit (БИУС) telemetry setup
JEM System Laptop Terminal Reboot
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Part 2
Teardown of charger [ЗУ-С] setup, start
Miniature Exercise Device ARED Session 1st Crew
Bone Densitometer Express Rack Relocation
JEM Camera Robot Activation
On MCC GO Demating TLM connectors from ЗУ-С
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT Setup
JEM Camera Robot Shooting
Teardown of battery charger [ЗУ-С] setup, end
Hardware prepack for return and disposal on Soyuz 735
Miniature Exercise Device ARED Session 2nd Crew
JEM Camera Robot Deactivation
Temperature and Humidity Control (THC) Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Flow Measurement Survey
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
DAN. Experiment Session
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – OCT Exam
PROBIOVIT. Insertion of Probiotic kit No.1 in Glovebox-S and turning the light on
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT Stow
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth
PROBIOVIT. Filling Kit No. 1 Water container from СРВК
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Full Fill
Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems Locker Installation
PROBIOVIT. Photography of water filling of the container from [СРВК]
PROBIOVIT. Filling Kit No. 1 Product container in Glovebox-S
PROBIOVIT. Photography during filling in the Glovebox
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Full Fill
PROBIOVIT. Kite retrieval from Glovebox-S, Probiotic No.1 kit transfer and setup in ТБУ-В No.02 at +37 deg C /
Verification of ИП-1 Flow Sensor Position
ADSEP MELFI Removal #3
Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Advanced Space Experiment Processor Cell Collection
Filling (separation) of ЕДВ (КОВ) for Elektron or ЕДВ-СВ. Fill ЕДВ-КОВ cover No.1201 (00068432R, ФГБ1ПГО_1_110) from ЕДВ cover No.1296 (00071688R, СМ1ПрК)
Vascular Echo Exercise PDOP Measurement
PROBIOVIT. Setup of Probiotic kit No.2 in Glovebox-S
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3
Environmental Health System (EHS) Grab Sample Container (GSC) Sampling Operations
PROBIOVIT. Filling Kit No.2 Water container from [СРВК]
PROBIOVIT. Filling Kit No. 1 Product container in Glovebox-S
Hardware prepack for return and disposal on Soyuz 735
PROBIOVIT. Kit retrieval from Glovebox-S, Probiotic No.2 kit transfer and setup in ТБУ-В No.2 at +37 deg C
PROBIOVIT. Photography of Probiotic kit No.2 in ТБУ-В No.02 at +37°С
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
PROBIOVIT. Dismantling Glovebox-S Hardware
Pre-pack cargo items for return or disposal on Soyuz 735
Probiotics Item Gathering
Experiment Container deinstallation
ADSEP MELFI Sample Insertion #2
ASI Experiment Container insertion into MELFI
Microbial Tracking-2 Saliva Setup
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Eye Exams

Completed Task List Activities
SABL2 Door Open – Morning
50S US Prepack

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
ADSEP cell collection
THC IMV flow measure

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 08/25: Genes In Space, RR habitat restock, 50S prepack, WHC maintenance, Dragon transfer ops
Saturday, 08/26: Crew off duty, Mouse Habitat maintenance, ADSEP cell collection
Sunday, 08/27: Crew off duty, Marrow sampling

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – On
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Standby
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Process
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Full up
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Off