NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 November 2019 – Honing Repair Techniques

Two Expedition 61 astronauts are getting up to speed with the fine repair techniques they will use next week during the 11th spacewalk of 2019.
The International Space Station is also hosting intense biology work this week to improve the health of humans in space and on Earth.

The orbiting lab’s cosmic particle detector, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), is getting a new thermal control system that requires innovative spacewalking repair techniques. Astronauts Andrew Morgan and Luca Parmitano are studying the careful, deliberate procedures with new tools specifically designed for the job. The AMS, which has exceeded its three-year operational lifespan by five-and-a-half years, was never designed to be repaired in space.

Morgan and Parmitano will continue the AMS repair job during their third spacewalk together beginning Monday at 6:50 a.m. EST. This will be the third of four planned spacewalks to ensure the astrophysics device continues searching for evidence of dark matter and antimatter for years to come. NASA TV will start its live broadcast at 5:30 a.m.

The Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) in the Japanese Kibo lab module is seeing a lot of biology research work this week. NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch are looking at blood and cell samples in the LSG to understand the stresses microgravity imposes on organisms. Doctors are looking for advanced therapeutic insights into Earth-bound diseases such as cancer and diabetes as well as space-caused ailments. Morgan and Parmitano are also on life science duty this week assisting the duo in between spacewalk preparations.

In the Russian segment of the station, Roscosmos Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka attached sensors to his legs to observe how his veins are adapting to long-term spaceflight. Cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov worked on computer hardware and life support gear.

On-Orbit Status Report

Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation: The crew continued preparation for the third AMS repair EVA with procedure reviews. The AMS-02 repair EVAs are being performed with the goal of recovering a series of cooling pumps within the AMS-02 experiment. The first and second of the AMS EVAs were completed successfully and went very well. The third EVA is currently scheduled to occur next Monday, 02-December. AMS-02 is a state-of-the-art particle physics detector that uses the unique environment of space to advance knowledge of the universe and lead to the understanding of the universe’s origin by searching for antimatter, dark matter and measuring cosmic rays.

Life Support Rack (LSR) Remove & Replace (R&R): As a troubleshooting measure, the crew performed the necessary activities to change out the Deionization Unit in the LSR. LSR is a Technology Demonstrator for Closed Loop Air Revitalization. It generates oxygen (O2) and removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the cabin atmosphere. In addition, CO2 and hydrogen (H2) can be used to synthetize water (H2O) and methane (CH4).

Rodent Research-14 (RR-14): The second day of the RR-14 science sessions was performed today. RR-14 focuses on microgravity as a disruptor of the 12-hour circatidal clock. The study uses mice to test the hypothesis that disruptions in a microgravity environment to the circadian rhythm sleep/wake cycle will affect the body on a cellular and key organ level. The importance of this 12-hour clock has been established as a mechanism that controls stress-responsive pathways. The unique environment of the ISS provides an ideal setting to challenge this. In short, exposing cellular systems in mice to the stress of microgravity provides an opportunity to study the response of the 12-hour body clock from cellular adaptation and its effect(s) on organismal behavior.

Systems:

JEM Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) Back-up Drive System (BDS) Checkout: In preparation for SpaceX-19 arrival on 12/7/19, the crew worked with ground teams to accomplish the JEMRMS BDS checkout activity. During this activity, the following checkouts were successfully performed: communication between Back-up Controller (BUC) and Joint Electronics Units (JEUs), JEU matrix command function, Emergency Stop function, Console Bus and Arm Bus channel reconfiguration.

Completed Task List Activities:
Convert SSC6 from wireless to wired for OCT2 Ops

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
JEMRMS BDS Checkout

Wednesday, 11/27 (GMT 331)

Payloads:
AMS procedure review
Analog-1 teardown
Food acceptability
Rodent Research-14
ESA/Photobioreactor remove
Veg-04B plant check
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT2 Exam
Replacement of IceCubes SSDs

Systems:
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace

Thursday, 11/28 (GMT 332)

Payloads:
AMS procedure review and training
GLACIER4 desiccant swap
Rodent Research-14
Space Moss prep
Veg-04B final harvest
HRF Veg-04 Taste Test And Survey

Systems:
Endoscope Kit Prep
RGN Tank Drain/Fill/Process

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

Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos web site and social media
ECON-M. Observation and Photography
Standard Measures Post-sleep Questionnaire
Virtual ATU Configure JEM
Rodent Research Dissection Assist
Calf Measurement
Rodent Research 14 Dissection
Rodent Research Centrifuge Setup
Glovebox Freezer Sample Insert
Rodent Research Centrifuge Configure
Checkout of Virus Definition File Update on Auxiliary Computer System (???) Laptops and Report
HRF Centrifuge Spin Conclude
Rodent Research MELFI Insert 1
JEMRMS Backup Controller (BUC) Power On
Standard Measures Post-sleep Questionnaire
Rerouting cable 77??-7229-230.
Rodent Research Dissection Assist
Study of veins in lower extremities.
Rodent Research 14 Dissection
Rodent Research Centrifuge Configure
Glovebox Freezer Sample Insert
HRF Centrifuge Spin Conclude
Rodent Research MELFI Insert 1
JEMRMS Backup Drive System (BDS) Checkout 2
Exchange of Deionization Unit – Part 1-3
AMS Cut/Swage Training
Discharge Makita drill battery (4 count: No.2, No.3, No.4, No.5). Install Makita battery No.2 to charge.
Flushing Membrane Filter-Separator (???) in the separation device.
Filling (separation) of ??? [???] for Elektron or ???-??
Handhold Exp Platform Desiccant Installation
Extravehicular Mobility Unit Power Up
??? maintenance
On MCC Go ISS Repress with N2 from Progress 442 (DC1) ???? Section 2 (start)
AMS Procedure/video review
On MCC Go ISS N2 repress from Progress 442 (DC1) ???? Section 2 (terminate)
Makita Battery#2 charge termination
Extravehicular Mobility Unit Power Down
Rodent Research Dissection Assist
On MCC Go Installation of Progress 442 (DC1) Docking Mechanism
JEMRMS Back Up Controller (BUC) Power Off for BDS C/O
Rodent Research 14 Dissection
JEMRMS Backup Drive System (BDS) Checkout cleanup
Glovebox Freezer Sample Insert
Preparation and Configuration Setup for Remote RS Laptop on USOS.
Rodent Research Centrifuge Configure
Glovebox Freezer Sample Insert
Delta file prep
HRF Centrifuge Spin Conclude
On MCC Go Testing RS Remote Laptop with ???1 and ???2.
Rodent Research Assist
Teardown of remote RS laptop setup.
Rodent Research MELFI Insert
MPEG-2 video downlink test via KU-band in preparation to Progress 443 docking to the ISS.
VEG-04B Plant Check/Watering for each Plant Pillow
Rodent Research Dissection Assist
Rodent Research 14 Dissection
Glovebox Freezer Sample Insert
Rodent Research Centrifuge Configure
Glovebox Freezer Sample Insert
HRF Centrifuge Spin Conclude
Rodent Research Assist
Rodent Research MELFI Insert 1
Rodent Research Dissection Assist
SCENARIY. Observation and photography using photo equipment
Evening Preparation Work
Rodent Research-14 Dissection
Evening Preparation Work
Rodent Research Centrifuge Configure
Glovebox Freezer Sample Insert
HRF Centrifuge Spin Conclude Final
Rodent Research MELFI Insert