NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 June 2018 – Space Physics Experiment
The Expedition 56 crew members are configuring the International Space Station for several new experiments being delivered on the upcoming SpaceX Dragon cargo mission. The orbital residents also explored space physics and serviced U.S. spacesuits.
NASA astronauts Drew Feustel and Ricky Arnold worked on science hardware today to support new research being delivered aboard Dragon when it arrives Monday at 7 a.m. EDT. The duo also continued studying the robotics procedures necessary to capture Dragon after its approach and rendezvous next week.
Feustel cleaned a mouse habitat for the Rodent Research-7 experiment observing microbes in the gastrointestinal system in mice. Arnold checked out the functionality of the Veggie facility that will process plants for the Veg-03 study researching how to grow food in space.
Flight Engineer Serena Auñón-Chancellor looked at how cement solidifies in space exploring its microstructure and material properties. Results could impact the design of lightweight space habitats and improve cement and concrete processing on Earth.
Finally, Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency looked at spacesuit gear and set up the Quest airlock for future spacewalk operations. Gerst purged nitrogen from the suit’s oxygen lines and helped ground controllers prepare for overnight oxygen leak checks.
On-Orbit Status Report
Predetermined Debris Avoidance Maneuver (PDAM) Status: Last night’s possible PDAM for object #99999 was not required. A second update to the object’s trajectory was received overnight and the Probability of Collision (PC) had dropped well into the green threshold. Concern level was low and PDAM planning was no longer needed.
MagVector 3D: The crew relocated a 3 dimensional (3D) sensor array to a deck rack within the Columbus module this morning and then began the first sample run. A total of 12 different samples will be processed (1 per day). ESA’s MagVector investigation supports a study of how Earth’s magnetic field interacts with an electrical conductor. Using extremely sensitive magnetic sensors placed around and above a conductor, researchers can gain insight into ways that the magnetic field influences how conductors work. This research is expected to help improve future ISS experiments and electrical experiments, and could also offer insights into how magnetic fields influence electrical conductors in general.
Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) 3: The crew transferred one MICS 3 ampoule kit to the ISS Portable Glovebag and broke the seal between the upper and center ampoules in each of the two sample bags and mixed the contents in the ampoules with a spatula. Later today, the crew broke the seal between the center and lower ampoules in each sample bag and pushed the alcohol in the lower ampoule to cover the hardened cement sample. They then returned each sample bag to the kit bag, which they stowed for return. This is the first of eight MICS sessions. 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.
Lighting Effects: The crew conducted a Visual Performance Test today. They stowed the hardware in their crew quarters, set the light to the correct mode, turned all other light sources in the crew quarters off, and performed a Numerical Verification Test, followed by a Color Discrimination Test. The Lighting Effects investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance.
Veggie: Today the crew checked out the Veggie 1 and 2 facilities in preparation for processing of VEG-03 plants arriving on the SpaceX-15 vehicle.
On-board Training (OBT) Dragon Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT): The crewmembers tasked with capturing Dragon completed an OBT session using ROBoT. ROBoT is an on-orbit version of the ground-based Dynamics Skills Trainer (DST) that simulates robotics operations with graphical feedback. During today’s session, the crew reviewed the Backaway Cue Card and simulated a 30m approach and two Capture Point (CP) hold runs. The crew will also practice crew coordination and review details, such as timing of calls, related to capture.
Umbilical Interface Unit (UIA) Remove and Replace (R&R): This morning the crew completed removal of the old UIA after the required safing was in place. Next, the crew replaced the seals on the Gamah fittings, used to pass water and O2 between ISS and the UIA, and began installation of the new UIA. When attempting to mate the Oxygen lines, however, the crew reported the lines appeared approximately 2mm too short to mate successfully without the potential for damage to hardware. The crew investigated several possible alternatives, including attempts to gain some slack in the lines, and ground teams are evaluating the next steps. The UIA was placed in a safe configuration and tomorrow’s activities are on hold pending engineering recommendations. All connections on the new UIA are connected and torqued except for O2. The aborted SCU preparations, and the deferred Biocide Filter install, will be rescheduled.
Cygnus Cargo Operations: Yesterday the crew completed the bulk of the Cygnus cargo operations. Photos of the cargo configuration have been downlinked for Orbital to analyze the OA-9 Center of Gravity (CG). Overall, the crew reported working 60 hours to complete OA-9 cargo unloading and loading.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Today the Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and performed SSRMS Latching End Effector (LEE)-B Checkouts and SSRMS Joint Diagnostics on both Strings in preparation for Space-X 15 Dragon capture on 2 July. Additionally, controllers powered up the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) and are currently performing SPDM Arm2 Direct Drive Tests. The data collected from these tests will be used to support trending of the health of the SPDM Arm2 joints.
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Measuring Hematocrit Number
Hematocrit Hardware Restow
Check the Results of [BKC] Laptops Antivirus Scanning
Relocation of Magvector 3D sensor Array from COL1F2 to COL1D1 and preparation for first Sample Run
PHASE TRANSITION. Experiment Setup and Performance
Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) Procedure Review
Acoustic Monitor Setup for Crew Worn Measurements
Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) Preparation
Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) 3 Ampoule Mix Ops
Camcorder Setup for Umbilical Interface Assembly Remove & Replace.
MRM1 Ventilation Screens Cleaning (Group C)
N1 Camcorder setup for Umbilical Interface Assembly Remove & Replace
Vacuum Cleaner Preparation
Airlock Utility Interface Assembly Remove & Replace
[СНТ22] (А22) R&R
Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Wipe and Configuration Change
Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Setup
Vacuum Cleaner Closeout
ESA trash pre-gather for future disposal
[СНТ22] (А22) Telemetry Cable Mating
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
SM Rodnik КД1 Valve Telemetry Connection
[СНТ22] (А22) R&R
PHASE TRANSITION. Closeout Operations
PHASE TRANSITION. Experiment Setup and Performance
VEGGIE Software On-Board Training
In-flight Maintenance (IFM) Umbilical Interface Unit Remove and Replace
VEGGIE Hardware Checkout
Gas-Liquid Heat Exchanger (ГЖТ) Removable Screens 1, 2 and 3 Cleaning in the FGB (#695)
VEGGIE-01 Hardware Checkout
[СТ-25] Unit R&R (А7)
Cold Atom Lab Station Support Computer Relocate Setup
Cold Atom Lab Fiber Troubleshooting
Reconfigure Node 3 BelAir Wireless Access Point (WAP) Antennas for Checkout
PAO Hardware Setup. Check Video and Voice Comm with Glavny
TV Session with Dmitry Rogozin, Roscosmos General Director
Cold Atom Lab Station Support Computer Relocate Setup
Lighting Effects Visual Performance Tests Light Setting Subject
Extravehicular Activities (EVA) Umbilical Interface Assembly (UIA) Biocide Filter Install [Aborted]
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Servicing and Cooling Umbilical (SCU) Check [Aborted]
PHASE TRANSITION. Closeout Operations
On-board Training (OBT) Dragon Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session 1
Verify the Activation of SM Rodnik КД1 Valve
Verify the Closing of Vozdukh Atmospheric Purification System Valves
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) 3 Ampoule Mix Ops
EDV (KOV) Filling (Degassing) for Elektron-VM or EDV-SV
СОЖ maintenance
Manufacturing Device Manual Feedstock Feed to Extruder
Robotics Onboard Training (ROBoT) Session for Dragon
Dragon Prepack
Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Stow
Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules Hardware Stow
Bone Densitometer Exam Box Inspect
VZAIMODEISTVIYE-2. Experiment Session
Acoustic Monitor Battery Swap
SPLANKH. Experiment Setup
CONTENT. Experiment Session
Completed Task List Activities:
None
Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Lab MCA Full Calibration
SPDM Direct Drive Test
UIA O2 Gamah Seal Leak Check [Aborted]
MBSU Data Dump
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 06/27: UIA R&R Ops, EMU SCU Install, Dragon Offset Grapple OBT, MICS Ops, ANGX Setup in MSG, Rodent Research 7 Prep, Cygnus Cargo Ops, Atomization Syringe Swap
Thursday, 06/28: Cygnus Cargo Ops, SPHERES Maintenance, Airway Monitoring, UIA R&R Checkout, Sextant Ops, Veggie Hardware Consolidate
Friday, 06/29: Dragon ROBOT Session, Cygnus Cargo Ops, Airlock Restow, Airway Monitoring, DECLIC Sample Insert, HRF2 Resupply. MPCC Cable Troubleshooting
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – On
[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) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Full Up
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Off
