NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 July 2018 – Station Reboost
The International Space Station got an orbital boost today to position itself for a crew swap taking place later this year.
Inside the lab complex, the current residents spent their time today exploring a diversity of phenomena impacted by long-term exposure to microgravity.
A docked Russian Progress 69 resupply ship fired its engines this morning slightly increasing the space station’s orbital altitude to enable the departure and arrival of a pair of Soyuz crew ships this autumn. Three Expedition 56 crew members will return to Earth Oct. 4 inside the Soyuz MS-08 spacecraft. They will be replaced a week later by two new Expedition 57 crew members when they dock inside the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft.
NASA astronauts Drew Feustel and Serena Auñón-Chancellor continued a second week of research operations to gain fundamental data about fertility in space. The duo examined biological samples in a microscope and stowed them in a science freezer for later analysis. The Micro-11 study is exploring the possibility of human reproduction in space including ways to address aging problems on Earth.
Alexander Gerst, of the European Space Agency, explored the sedimentary properties of quartz and clay particles. The German astronaut mixed quartz and clay samples suspended in a liquid for photographic and video downlink to scientists on Earth. Observations can help guide future geological studies of unexplored planets and improve petroleum exploration here on Earth.
Expedition 56 Flight Engineer Ricky Arnold of NASA split his time working on a variety of science gear that examines different microscopic properties. He set up Aerosol Samplers in the Harmony and Tranquility modules to collect airborne particles in the station’s air cabin for analysis. Arnold later stowed a Biomolecule Sequencer he used this month to sequence DNA extracted from microbes living on space station surfaces.
On-Orbit Status Report
Progress 69P ISS Reboost: This morning at 11:10 AM CT, the ISS completed a 3m 19s reboost using 69P thrusters. The purpose of the reboost was to start phasing for 54S landing and 55S launch in October and increased the ISS velocity by 0.40 meters per second (m/s).
External High Definition Camera (EHDC) Preparation for Return: During the Node 2 Forward External Wireless Communications (EWC) ExtraVehicular Activity (EVA) in June, the degraded Camera Port (CP)3 EHDC was removed for return and refurbishment. To prevent possible exposure to toxic Z-93 paint, the crew executed special procedures today to safely pack the EHDC for return on SpaceX-15. They also stowed the EVA tools that were co-located with the EHDC after checking for potential Z-93 contamination.
Micro-11: Today the crew performed two sessions for the Micro-11 investigation. They checked out, configured and calibrated theMicro-11 microscope, thawed samples removed from a General Laboratory Active Cryogenic ISS Experiment Refrigerator (GLACIER), fixed those samples and loaded them into the microscope for imaging. Afterwards, they inserted the samples into a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). There are a thirteen runs for the Micro-11 investigation. Micro-11 examines whether spaceflight alters human sperm, by tracking the swimming patterns of human and bull sperm during spaceflight. This investigation also assesses other aspects of sperm functionality related to male fertility. As a result, Micro-11 provides fundamental data indicating whether successful human reproduction beyond Earth is possible, and whether countermeasures are needed to protect sperm function in space.
Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS): The crew transferred a MICS ampoule kit to the ISS Portable Glovebag and broke the seal between the upper and center ampoules and mixed the contents in the ampoules with a spatula. They then returned each sample bag to the kit bag. The MICS investigation supports the evaluation of microstructure and material properties of benchmark cement samples. Different responses to thermal and mechanical loading are expected and will be characterized in detail. Positive attributes found in the hardening process due to the microgravity environment aboard the ISS will be reported with the intent of improving Earth-based cement and concrete processing.
Aerosol Samplers: Today the crew deployed Active Aerosol Samplers (AASs) in Nodes 2 and 3. The battery-powered AASs actively pull in air and collect particles using the principal of thermophoresis. This is accomplished by flowing the sampled air through a large thermal gradient in a narrow channel. During this process, particles are driven to the cold side of the channel, where an electron microscope (EM) grid is held in place by a tiny magnet. When returned to Earth, these grids are easily removed and placed directly in an EM for analysis.
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test – Cohesive Sediment (BCAT-CS): This morning the crew deployed an AC Inverter in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) to support BCAT operations. They then set up the BCAT-CS hardware and mixed all ten samples, while taking manual photos and initiating automated photography utilizing the camera intervalometer. The Camcorder will provide live high-definition video to the ground. BCAT-CS focuses on the study of forces between particles that cluster together by using sediments of quartz and clay particles. Conducting the research in the microgravity environment of the ISS makes it possible to separate the forces acting on the particles over a short range (adhesive forces) versus those acting over a long range (cohesive forces). The quartz/clay system is commonly found in a wide variety of environmental settings (such as rivers, lakes, and oceans) and plays an important role in technological efforts related to deep-sea hydrocarbon drilling and carbon dioxide sequestration.
Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutron (RaDI-N): Today a USOS crewmember retrieved 8 bubble detectors from deployed locations in Node 3 and handed them over to a Russian crewmember, who will process all the detectors in the Bubble Reader. This Canadian Space Agency investigation measures neutron radiation levels in the ISS. Bubble detectors are designed to only detect neutrons and ignore all other radiation.
Food Acceptability: Two crewmembers completed Food Acceptability questionnaires today. The Food Acceptability investigation seeks to determine the impact of repetitive consumption of food currently available from the spaceflight food system. Results will be used in developing strategies to improve food system composition to support crew health and performance on long duration missions.
Team Task Switching (TTS): A crewmember completed a TTS survey today. When crewmembers are required to switch their attention between tasks frequently, performance on each of the tasks can be negatively affected. The objective of the TTS investigation is to gain knowledge about whether or not crew members have difficulty in switching tasks and determine the impacts of these switches, in order to both reduce any negative consequences and improve individual and team motivation and effectiveness.
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Events: Today the crew participated in two Live PAO events:
This morning, Gerst answered questions at a public European Space Agency (ESA) event in his hometown Kunzelsau, Germany.
As part of this week’s ISSResearch and Development (R&D) Conference in San Francisco, Feustel talked to approximately 1,000 representatives from commercial industry, academia, government and media, all interested in the future of the International Space Station and future space-based R&D platforms.
Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) 4 Cable Checkout: Last week, the crew replaced a damaged CBM CPA Latch 4 Actuator Cable. Today the crew re-installed the affected CBM CPA and performed a checkout using this new cable, ensuring proper operation prior to Dragon unberth on 3 August.
Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products (CSA-CP) Extended Maintenance: Today the crew discharged the old CSA-CP batteries for disposal and performed a battery change-out in all units. Once the new batteries were installed, all units were zero calibrated and deactivated. The CSA-CPs are used onboard the ISS to indicate the presence of a fire or pre-ignition and indicate when toxic gas levels have subsided and it is safe for the crew to re-enter the affected area.
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Aerosol Samplers Battery Charge
JPM Moderate Temp Loop(MTL) Leak Locate
PK-4 Data Hard Drives Exchange
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
EarthKam power off
Deploy AC Inverter in JPM to support BCAT operations.
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3
JPM Moderate Temp Loop(MTL) Leak Locate
Expose-R2 Hardware Photos
PK-4 Data Hard Drives Packing
EarthKam power on
Maintenance closures of Vozdukh emergency valves
Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products (CSA-CP) Extended Maintenance
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test Hardware Gather
CONSTANTA-2. Cassette No.3-5 removal from ТБУ-В No.05 and setup on the panel for 1-hour warmup
PK-4 Experiment Run 2/1
Photography of EXPOSE-R2 Hardware
Micro-11 Microscope Checkout
Micro-11 Microscope Operations
Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Setup
CONTROL. Switching Indicator-ISS P/L measuring modes
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
Micro-11 Glacier Sample Removal 1
MICRO-11 Thaw Operations
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test Hardware Setup
Micro-11 Microscope Operations
CONSTANTA-2. Preparation and Execution 5.
Monitoring shutter closure on SM windows 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14. Note 5
Micro-11 MELFI Sample Return Bag Insertion
Micro-11 Microscope Operations
Micro-11 MELFI Sample Return Bag Insertion
Micro-11 Microscope Operations
Micro-11 Glacier Sample Removal 1
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
MICRO-11 Thaw Operations
Micro-11 Microscope Operations
BEST Biomolecule Sequencer Stow
PK-4 Experiment Run 2/2
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test Sample Mix Imaging Setup
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
Aerosol Active Samplers Hardware Deployment
Micro-11 MELFI Sample Return Bag Insertion
Micro-11 Microscope Operations
Aerosol Active Samplers Hardware Photography
СОЖ maintenance
Micro-11 MELFI Sample Return Bag Insertion
EarthKAM Node 1 Lens Change
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test Camera Activity
High Definition (HD) Config JEM Camera Setup for Crew Choice Event
Telescience Resource Kit Laptop Setup
Food Acceptability Questionnaire Subject
Preventive Maintenance of SM Ventilation Subsystem. Group А
USOS Window Shutter Close
PK-4 Experiment Run 2/3
Icebrick Stow
Team Task Switching Experiment Survey Subject
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – ESA Nutritional Assessment
MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE-dosimeter gathering and measurements.
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) in Columbus
Radi-N Detector Retrieval/Readout
SREDA-ISS. Preparation Steps and Start Imagery Ops
Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutrons Hardware Handover
MATRYOSHKA-R. Handover of BUBBLE-dosimeters from USOS
MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE-Dosimeter Retrieval And Readout
Node 2 Nadir Aft Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) Gather
Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) Rotation, Installation, and Closeout
Preventive Maintenance of SM Ventilation Subsystem. Group А
Food Acceptability Questionnaire Subject
Lab Potable Bus Flush
CONTENT. Experiment Ops
SREDA-ISS. Closeout Ops
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test Camera Activity
Micro-11 Glacier Sample Removal 1
PK-4 Experiment Run 2/4
Node 2 Nadir Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) Removal/Rotation
IMS Update
PK-4 Chamber Filling with Cleaning Gas
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
Node 2 Nadir Aft Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) Stow
PK-4 Video Monitor Deinstallation
ISS HAM Service Module Pass
Completed Task List Activities:
None
Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Reboost (TIG-16:10 GMT)
PCPA Pumpdown
MCA Zero Calibration
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 07/27: Micro-11, MICS, Dragon Cargo Ops, Eye Exams, MSFO stow, ESA EPO GV-Earth, LMM Biophysics Plate Removal, Pretreat Tank R&R, JEMAL Leak Check, AngieX Operations, Aerosol Samplers Deploy, PK-4 Ops
Saturday, 07/28: Housekeeping, Micro 11 Operations, Off Duty
Sunday, 07/29: Off Duty, Micro-12 Sample Activation and Termination, Removal of final culture bags and deactivate Veggie Facility, NanoRacks Module 9 Ops Session 4
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”) – Off
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) – Process
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Full Up
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Off
