NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 27 March 2017 – Getting Ready for the New International Docking Adapter-3

The Pressurized Mating Adapter-3 (PMA-3) was robotically removed Sunday from the Tranquility module and attached to the Harmony module after being prepared during a successful spacewalk Friday. A second spacewalk is scheduled for Thursday at 8 a.m. EDT to finalize the PMA-3 cable connections on Harmony.
Download hi-res video of briefing animations depicting the activities of all three spacewalks.

Commander Shane Kimbrough disconnected cables from PMA-3 while still attached to Tranquility during a spacewalk on Friday. That work allowed ground controllers to use the Canadarm2 robotic arm to remotely grapple and remove PMA-3 from Tranquility and attach it to Harmony.

The relocation readies the PMA-3 for the future installation of the new International Docking Adapter-3 (IDA-3) set to be delivered on a future cargo mission. The IDA-3 will accommodate commercial crew vehicle dockings and provide the pressurized interface between the station and the adapter.

Thursday’s spacewalk will see Kimbrough and Peggy Whitson complete the PMA-3 attachment work on the Harmony’s space-facing port. The duo will also install computer relay boxes containing software upgrades to enable future commercial crew vehicle dockings at the International Space Station.

On-Orbit Status Report

Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA)3 Relocation: Yesterday, Robotics Ground Controllers utilized the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to grapple and relocate PMA3 from Node3 Port to Node2 Zenith. After the relocation, they ungrappled PMA3 and maneuvered the SSRMS in position ready to provide viewing support for EVA 41 (Enhanced Processor Integrated Communications (EPIC) External Multiplexer/Demultiplexer (MDM) Shields), scheduled for March 30th. The PMA3 relocation was needed to configure Node2 Zenith as a future visiting vehicle docking port.

Fluid Shifts Chibis Measurements, Day 1: On March 9th, the 48S subject performed the first of two days of operations in the Russian Segment conducting the Return minus 45 day Fluid Shifts operations, however, due to communication issues with Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS)-275, insufficient data collection occurred. Today, the crewmember repeated the session and donned the Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP/Chibis) device while the operator, with ground support in Moscow, assisted in the medical monitoring. Additionally, while the subject was in the LBNP and experiencing the negative pressure (pulling the fluid feetward), the Crew Medical Officer performed Cerebral and Cochlear Fluid Pressure (CCFP) and Ultrasound measurements. Fluid Shifts is a joint NASA-Russian experiment that investigates the causes of severe and lasting physical changes to astronauts’ eyes. Because the headward fluid shift is a hypothesized contributor to these changes, reversing this fluid shift with a lower body negative pressure device is investigated as a possible intervention. Results from this study may help to develop preventative measures against lasting changes in vision and eye damage.

Cool Flames Investigation (CFI) Science Runs: Last week ground teams successfully calibrated the CFI Intensified Camera, placing the CIR in a good configuration for operations. This morning, the crew removed the Combustion Integration Rack (CIR) Alignment Guides to isolate the rack. Ground teams then initiated the science run. CFI provides new insight into the phenomenon where some types of fuels initially burn very hot, then appear to go out but continue burning at a much lower temperature with no visible flames (cool flames). Understanding cool flame combustion helps scientists develop new engines and fuels that are more efficient and less harmful to the environment.

Ice Brick Conditioning: The crew ibegan conditioning of 18 of the -32° Celsius Ice Bricks, inserting them into the three Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezers for ISS (MELFIs). The bricks will be used as thermal mass in MELFI and for future sample return on SpaceX-11.

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) 3008 Discoloration: During last week’s EVA, EV1 reported yellow discoloration similar to a grass stain on his gloves and equipment. The source of the staining has been identified as coming from the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Exposed Facility (JEF) scuff plate. JAXA provided information on the JEF scuff plates material. Ground teams are investigating potential risk to crew and hardware and development of a method for removing the substance. On Sunday, the crew attempted to clean some of the affected hardware with tape and lint free wipes. Ground teams met today to discuss the result of this activity.

U.S. Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #41 EPIC Shields Preparations: In preparation for this Thursday’s planned EVA, the crew performed a procedures review followed by a conference with ground teams. Topics covered included:

Detailed timeline
Briefing package
Tool config summary
Get-ahead plan
Following the conference, the crew configured the required tools to be used during the EVA.

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

МО-8. Concluding ops
VECTOR-T. Experiment Ops
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Calibration Check
SABL CO2 CLOSE
Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Removal Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Removal
Post sleep
FLUID SHIFTS
Charging EVA Camera D4 Battery
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring
Inspect and reinstall EVA Eyepiece onto Shane’s EVA Camera. If threads are damaged, additional crew time will be required prior to the EVA to configure a different camera.
Body Measures Equipment Gather
ISS Crew departure preparation
Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update
Water Recovery System Waste Water Tank Drain Termination
Node 2 Zenith Centerline Berthing Camera System (CBCS) Remove
Node 2 Zenith Hatch latch
NOD2O2 Restow
Cable reconfiguration between SM panels 228 and 229А
СКПФ1, СКПФ2 Dust Collector and MRM1 ГЖТ Cleaning with Vacuum Cleaner.
48S Mesh Bag Deploy
On MCC Go Re-mating Vozdukh TLM-connectors
Cable reconfiguration between SM panels 228 and 229А
Maintenance Closures of Vozdukh Valves
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review
Audit of HDD in SM Central Post drawer
CONTENT. Experiment Ops
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Conference
Surface Sampler Kit (SSK) and Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Analysis T + 5
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring
Fluid Shifts Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Setup Power On From Cargo Transfer Bag
MELFI Ice Brick Insert
Fluid Shifts Ultrasound 2 Data Export Alternate
Surface Sampler Kit (SSK) and Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Analysis T + 5

Completed Task List Items
Extravehicular Activity ExPRESS Carrier Avionics Procedure Review [Completed GMT 84]
Preparations to connect the AstroPi Vis to the ISS Joint Station LAN [Completed GMT 85]
Solid State Drive 1& 2 USB Stick Disconnect [Completed GMT 85]
CubeSat Video Recording [Completed GMT 85]
ESA Active Dosimeter Area Monitoring [Completed GMT 85]
ESA PAO Message – TF1 Video Postcard [Completed GMT 85]
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Resize [Completed GMT 85]
EVA Procedure review for EPIC Shields EVA [Completed GMT 85]
Configure Tools and hardware for US EVA EPIC Shields [Completed GMT 85]
Montreal’s 375th Birthday Video [Completed GMT 85]

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
Nominal System Commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 03/28: Fine Motor Skills, Body Measures, EVA prep
Wednesday, 03/29: Crew departure prep, Dose Tracker, EVA prep
Thursday, 03/30: EVA #41

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 – Standby
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – ReProcess
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up