NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 November 2018 – Space Physics Research

The Expedition 57 crew aboard the International Space Station conducted human research and space physics today while maintaining life support systems.
The space trio also continued U.S. and Russian cargo operations as another crew on Earth prepared for its launch early next week.

Commander Alexander Gerst started his day with astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and scanned her eyes with an ultrasound device helping doctors understand how microgravity impacts vision. Gerst then observed protein crystals associated with Parkinson’s disease to help improve treatments on Earth. Auñón-Chancellor jotted down her space experiences for a psychological study then set up hardware for a semiconductor crystal experiment.

Gerst also gathered items to be packed inside the next SpaceX Dragon cargo vessel due to launch Dec. 4 and arrive at the station for capture Dec. 6. Flight Engineer Sergey Prokopyev transferred fluids for disposal aboard the Russian Progress 70 cargo craft which will depart from the Pirs docking compartment Jan. 25.

Back on Earth in Kazakhstan, three Expedition 58 crew members are in their final week of mission preparations before beginning a six-and-a-half-month mission aboard the orbital lab. Astronauts Anne McClain and David Saint-Jacques will join Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko for a six-hour ride aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft to the station. The new trio will launch Dec. 3 at 6:31 a.m. EST and dock to the Poisk module at 11:36 a.m. NASA TV will broadcast live the launch, docking and crew greeting.

On-Orbit Status Report

At Home in Space (AHIS): The crew completed an AHIS questionnaire this morning. This Canadian Space Agency investigation assesses culture, values, and psychosocial adaptation of astronauts to a space environment shared by multinational crews on long-duration missions. It is hypothesized that astronauts develop a shared space culture that is an adaptive strategy for handling cultural differences and they deal with the isolated confined environment of the spacecraft by creating a home in space. At Home in Space also uses questionnaires to investigate individual and culturally related differences, family functioning, values, coping with stress, and post-experience growth.

Crystallization of Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) Under Microgravity Conditions-2 (CASIS PCG 16): The crew set up PCG-16 experiment hardware on the Maintenance Work Area and used a pipette to fill PCG Card Micro-G card wells. CASIS PCG 16 evaluates growth of Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) protein crystals in microgravity. LRRK2 is implicated in Parkinson’s disease, but crystals of the protein grown on Earth are too small and compact to study. Detailed analysis of larger, space-grown crystals can define the protein’s exact shape and morphology and help scientists better understand the disease’s pathology.

Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA) Setup in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG): Today the crew setup the SUBSA in the MSG. This will be used to support the design of Scalable Gas Separation Membranes via Synthesis Under Microgravity (Cemsica) investigation. Cemsica tests a novel approach of using particles of calcium-silicate (C-S) to synthesize nanoporous membranes (those with pores 100 nanometers or smaller) that can separate carbon dioxide molecules from air or other gases. Synthesizing the materials in microgravity may resolve existing challenges in membrane manufacturing and lead to development of lower-cost membranes with improved flux and high-temperature stability. SUBSA offers a gradient freeze furnace for materials science investigations that can reach 850°C.

JEM Airlock (JEMAL) Depressurization: This depressurization supports the NanoRacks External Platform Inserts (NREP) retrieval from the Exposed Facility Unit (EFU) 4 and relocation to the JEMAL which will occur tonight via ground commanding. NREP represents the first external commercial research capability for testing in support of scientific investigations, sensors, and electronic components in space.

MATISS: The crew removed the Microbial Aerosol Tethering on Innovative Surfaces in the International Space Station (MATISS) Sample Holder Serial Number 6 and prepared it for return to the ground. The MATISS experiment investigates the antibacterial properties of materials in space for possible application in future spacecraft. MATISS is expected to provide additional insight into the mechanisms of attachment of biofilms in microgravity conditions.

Veg-03G Plant Check and Watering: The Veg-03 plants were checked for dryness, watered as necessary, and imagery was taken of the overall Veggie facility and individual plants. The current plan is to harvest the plants later this week. Veg-03G is currently in a ~28-day growth cycle, which began on 25-October for the Red Russian Kale and Dragoon Lettuce plants. The primary goal of the Veg-03 G/H/I testing is to demonstrate plant growth in the Veggie hardware using leafy green vegetables as a test crops.

SpaceX-16 (SpX-16) Dragon Pre-Pack: In preparation for SpX-16 Dragon launch planned for December 4 and arrival to ISS on December 6, the crew started to pack items that will be returning to the ground.

Completed Task List Activities:
None

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
JEM Airlock Depressurization in support of NREP Exchange

Two-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 11/27:

Payloads
Cemsica sample exchange
ER9 Locker Preparation
Food Acceptability
Glacier4 Desiccant Swap
HRF2 Supply Check
ISS HAM Pass
MVP Cell-05
PCG-16 Microscope Ops
Vection

Systems:
Dragon Rendezvous OBT
Cygnus Cargo Ops
55S Undock Prepack
SPDM Direct Drive Characterization

Wednesday, 11/28:

Payloads:
Cemsica Sample exchange
JEMAL Pressurization (supports crew access to NREP)
NREP Hardware Swap
Myotones
Veg-03G Harvest

Systems:
EMU Loop Scrub
55S Undock Prepack
Dragon Prepack
SPDM Direct Drive Characterization

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

IMS Delta File Prep
Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media
ECON-M. Observation and Photography
FOTOBIOREACTOR. Visual Control and Imagery
Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power On
Wireless Compose SD Card Data Copy
Update Antivirus Software on [ВКС] Auxiliary Computer System Laptops
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan
Preparation of Spacesuit ORUs, Auxiliary and Personal Equipment
Environmental Health System (EHS) – Rad Detector Rotate
Deinstallation of MatISS Sample Holder S/N6
Vection Flash Drive Install
JEM Airlock Depressurization
Dragon Prepack
CEMSICA Operations Onboard Training
NanoRacks External Platform Operations Review
Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules Hardware Gather
At Home In Space Questionnaire Verision 2 Subject
VEG-03G Plant Check/Water
Transfer Urine and Brine from EDV to Rodnik Water Tank (БВ1) of DC1 Progress #439 and Flush [В1] Connector
N2 Nadir Hatch to Unlatch Hardstop
JEM System Laptop Terminal Reboot
Microgravity Science Glovebox Activation
JEM Airlock Vent
СОЖ maintenance
Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules Hardware Setup
Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Operations
Cargo Prepack for Return on Soyuz #739
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
PCG-16 MWA Preparation
Removal of PCG-16 MicroG Card (s) from MELFI
Retrieval of PCG-16 Sample Tube from MELFI
PCG-16 Card Fill Operations
Retrieval of PCG-16 Sample Tube from MELFI