NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 29 July, 2021 – Nauka Docks
The uncrewed Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM), named Nauka, the Russian word for “science,” arrived at the International Space Station’s Poisk module on the space-facing side of the Russian segment at 9:29 a.m. EDT, eight days after lifting off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Nauka will serve as a new science facility, docking port, and spacewalk airlock for future operations.
Following the docking of the Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM), named Nauka, to the International Space Station at 9:29 am EDT, Russian cosmonauts aboard the space station conducted leak checks between Nauka and the service module. At 12:45 pm, the flight control team noticed the unplanned firing of MLM thrusters that caused the station to move out of orientation. Ground teams have regained attitude control and the motion of the space station is stable.
The crew was never and is not in any danger, and flight controllers in Mission Control Houston are monitoring the status of the space station. Teams are also monitoring the impact to tomorrow’s launch of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Updates on the space station will be provided on NASA.gov and the agency’s social media pages.
On-Orbit Status Report
Significant Events:
Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) Docking: Today at 8:29 AM CT, the MLM docked to the Service Module (SM) Nadir port completing its 9-day rendezvous to the ISS. The MLM, named ??????- the Russian word for Science, is a pressurized module designed to support crew life, science, interior and exterior cargo stowage, and provide additional docking and airlock capabilities to the Russian On-orbit Segment (ROS). The MLM is now the largest module flown to the ISS to-date measuring approximately 43 feet (13 meters) in length and weighing more than 44,000 pounds (20 metric tons). Included on the MLM is the European Robotic Arm (ERA), a mobile robotic arm that will be used to install large-scale payloads, perform transport operations, replace and maintain service and science equipment on the exterior of ISS, support Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), and perform monitoring of the ISS exterior.
On-Orbit Anomaly: At 11:45 a.m. CT today, following the docking of Roscosmos’ “Nauka” Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) to the International Space Station, flight control teams noticed the unplanned firing of MLM thrusters, causing the station to move out of orientation. Flight controllers in Mission Control Houston continue to monitor the status of the ISS, but as of this afternoon, ISS has returned to its nominal orientation.
Payloads
InSPACE-4: The crew performed the steps necessary to initiate experiment runs, with a goal of working through runs 54-57. Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Ellipsoids (InSPACE-4) studies the assembly of tiny structures from colloids using magnetic fields. These structures change the properties of the assembled material, such as its mechanical response to or interaction with light and heat. Microgravity allows observation of these assembly processes free of confining sample walls and sedimentation and during timescales not possible using simulated microgravity. Results could provide insight into how to harness nanoparticles to fabricate and manufacture new materials.
Manufacturing Device (ManD): The crew removed the printed objects, cleaned the extruder print nozzle, photographed, and stow the pair of printed objects. The Manufacturing Device enables the production of components on the ISS for both NASA and commercial objectives. Parts, entire experiments, and tools can be created on demand utilizing the ManD printer that is installed into an Express Rack locker location. ManD is capable of producing parts out of a wide variety of thermopolymers including engineered plastics.
Pilote: Using a virtual reality headset, a space-mouse and a haptic device, the crew performed several test protocols related to the Pilote investigation. In some of the test protocols, the haptic device produced unexpected jitter, but the ground team reported good data and feedback was obtained during the testing today. In order to test the ergonomics of a multisensory interface for controlling robotic arms and spacecraft, it is necessary to perform the trials in microgravity. Performing the test on Earth would lead to a design of a workstation using terrestrial ergonomic principles that do not correspond to conditions experienced on a spacecraft in orbit. The Pilote investigation tests the effectiveness of novel control schemes for the remote operation of robotic arms and space vehicles, using virtual reality and a new class of user-machine interfaces based on haptics.
Systems
Starliner On-Board Training (OBT): The crew completed several OBTs in preparation for the upcoming Boeing Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) mission. The OBTs provided the crew with an overview of the OFT-2 mission profile, crew procedures for rendezvous, interfaces for monitoring/commanding OFT-2, and ISS attitude control expectations.
CASA Airflow and Carbon-Dioxide (CO2) Measurements: The crew stood down from taking airflow and CO2 measurements in CASA due to communication issues with the ground support team. CASA is a crew accommodation located in the Columbus module that can host a 5th United States On-orbit Segment (USOS) crewmember when needed during periods of increased crew capacity. When not used as a crew accommodation, CASA is used for storage.
Completed Task List Activities:
None
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Structural Dynamics Measurement System (SDMS) Timeliner Bundle activation
Electrical Power System (EPS) Power Management Controller Unit (PMCU) Diagnostic Buffer Collection List (DBCL) Dump
Video Distribution Subsystem (VDS) Configuration
Look Ahead Plan
Friday, July 30 (GMT 211)
Payloads:
SAMS CU activation, TReK laptop power-on
Systems:
Crew off duty day
Saturday, July 31 (GMT 212)
Payloads:
No utilization activities
Systems:
No systems ops planned
Sunday, August 1 (GMT 213)
Payloads:
HRF urine setup, InSPACE-4, MELFI icebrick inserts
Systems:
No system ops planned
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
DOCKING PREP
INSPACE-4 (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 4) Experiment Run
JAXA HRDL to Ethernet Conv Relocation
Solid Combustion (SCEM) Troubleshoot Closeout
PILOTE Science
Photo Survey of T2 Thumbwheels and Jam Nut Witness Markings
Activation of MPEG2 multicast TV coder
Comm Checks from Endeavor.
Crew Dragon PCS Checkout
Monitoring MLM docking to SM ???
NORS Shuffle
On-Board Training (OBT) CST-100 OFT Rendezvous Monitoring CBT 2
On-Board Training (OBT) CST-100 OFT-2 OBT Conference
CASA Air Flow Monitoring
Open ???-??(MLM) hatch
CASA CO2 Monitor Reading (Deferred)
On MCC Go Opening MLM-?? (SM) hatch and preliminary MLM ingress
Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) 6-Month Maintenance
Manufacturing Device Print
Environmental Health System (EHS) Grab Sample Container (GSC) Sampling Operations
Columbus Hardware Consolidate
PMM Hardware Consolidate
Adlink Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Reset and Power on Thermal Amine AC Power Switch
CASA Stowage
Crew Tagup for MLM Docking
Power off A-2 atmosphere filter
