NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 29 October 2018 – Testing Free-Floating Satellites

A pair of Expedition 57 astronauts spent the day exploring how humans think and work while living long-term in space. A cosmonaut also tested a pair of tiny, free-floating satellites operating inside the International Space Station.
NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor is helping doctors on the ground understand if an astronaut’s brain structure and mental abilities change in space. She took part in a behavioral assessment test today that involves the mental imaging of rotating objects, target accuracy during motion or stillness and concentrating on two tasks at the same time. The NeuroMapping experiment, which has been ongoing since 2014, is exploring an astronaut’s neuro-cognitive abilities before, during and after a spaceflight.

Scientists are also learning how an astronaut’s nervous system may be impacted by different gravitational environments such as the moon, asteroids or planets. The GRIP study from ESA (European Space Agency) is exploring how space residents interact with objects by monitoring their grip and load forces.

Commander Alexander Gerst from Germany strapped himself into a specialized seat in the Columbus lab module for the GRIP study today. He performed several motions in the seat while gripping a device collecting data measuring cognition, grip force and movement kinematics.

Cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev set up the bowling ball-sized SPHERES satellites for a test run inside Japan’s Kibo lab module. The SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) are used for a variety of experiments including autonomous formation-flying, shipping liquids such as fuels and introducing students to spacecraft navigation techniques.

On-Orbit Status Report

Actiwatch Spectrum: Following the discovery of some bad data from a previous Actiwatch spectrum data collection, this activity set up the nine remaining Actiwatch spectrum units to verify they are producing good data. The Actiwatch Spectrum is a waterproof, nonintrusive, sleep-wake monitor worn on a crewmember’s wrist. The device contains an accelerometer for measuring motion and color sensitive photodiodes (a photodetector capable of converting light into voltage) for monitoring ambient lighting. Together, these capabilities enable the Actiwatch Spectrum to analyze circadian rhythms, sleep-wake patterns, and activity.

Grip Seated Science Session: The crew completed the Grip seated session which is the first of three Grip activities for the week. Pending verification of the downlinked data, the ground reported the session went well. ESA’s Grip investigation tests how the nervous system takes into account the forces due to gravity and inertia when manipulating objects. Results from this investigation may provide insight into potential hazards for astronauts as they manipulate objects in different gravitational environments, support design and control of haptic interfaces to be used in challenging environments such as space, and provide information about motor control that will be useful for the evaluation and rehabilitation of impaired upper limb control in patients with neurological diseases.

Spaceflight Effects on Neurocognitive Performance: Extent, Longevity, and Neural Bases (Neuromapping): The crew performed a NeuroMapping Experiment Neurocognitive Test which includes testing in both “strapped in” and “free floating” body configurations. The investigation studies whether long-duration spaceflight causes changes to brain structure and function, motor control, and multi-tasking abilities. It also measures how long it takes for the brain and body to recover from possible changes. Previous research and anecdotal evidence from astronauts suggests movement control and cognition can be affected in microgravity. The NeuroMapping investigation includes use of structural and functional magnetic resonance brain imaging (MRI and fMRI) to assess any changes that occur after spending months on the ISS.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) Zero Robotics Unit Test: As part of the 2018 High School Tournament, the crew performed a unit test today. The unit test occurs prior to the actual competition and allows the ground to verify various aspects of the competition are working as intended. When the actual completion is performed in January, the High School Tournament teams will be tasked with dodging virtual space debris in low Earth orbit to retrieve a damaged SPHERES satellite. The SPHERES-Zero-Robotics investigation establishes an opportunity for high school students to design research for the ISS. As part of a competition, students write algorithms for the SPHERES satellites to accomplish tasks relevant to future space missions. The algorithms are tested by the SPHERES team and the best designs are selected for the competition to operate the SPHERES satellites on board the ISS.

Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System (NORS) Nitrogen (N2) Transfer Initiation: The crew reconfigured the ISS N2 System and initiated the N2 transfer from the NORS tank to the ISS High Pressure Gas Tank. This NORS N2 tank will be left installed until the N2 is depleted, which is expected in approximately one month.

Lab Waste Water Bus Reconfiguration: Today, the crew attempted to reconfigure the waster bus for the upcoming commissioning and use of the newly installed Life Support Rack (LSR). The crew noticed when demating the Node 1 to LAB waste water line that the male side of the Quick Disconnects (QD) poppet was off nominal and still depressed. The crew took photos for ground assessment and remated the connector. LSR commissioning is currently scheduled for November 6.

Completed Task List Activities:
None

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
NORS N2 Initiation

Two Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 10/30:

Payloads:
BCAT Camera Activity
ESA/ECHO Maintenance
Grip Seated Science 2 Session
EarthKAM Mission 64 Conclusion

Systems:
LSG Integration

Wednesday, 10/31

Payloads:
CIR Manifold Bottle Replacement
ELF Cartridge Operations
EML Gas Valve Close
Grip Seated Science 3 Session

Systems:
LSG Configuration and Closeout

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

HTV Small Re-entry Capsule (HSRC) Procedure Review
Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update / Auxiliary Computer
SPHERES Payload OBT Russian Crew
ACS NORS Nitrogen Transfer Initiation
GRIP Big picture reading
COLUMBUS Bay 1, 2, 3 clean-up
GRIP setup in the SEATED configuration
Atmospheric Control System (ACS) Nitrogen System Node 2 Gather
Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS) Tool Page Case Audit
Atmospheric Control System (ACS) Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System (NORS) Nitrogen Transfer Initiation
Water Recovery and Management (WRM) Waste Water Bus (WWB) Split
GRIP science performance in seated position
Exercise Data Downlink via OCA /r/g 0130
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) Hardware Gather
JPM Window Shutter Constraints Cue Card Replace
DESIS Cushion Relocate
GEMATOKRIT. Equipment setup
SPHERES Crew Conference
SPHERES Test Session Setup
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) Big Picture Words Review
HMS Food Intake Tracker (FIT) Screenshots
120 VDC to 120 VAC Inverter and PS-120 Junction Box Relocation
SPHERES Test Session Run
NeuroMapping Experiment Neurocognitive Test
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
Actiwatch Spectrum HRF Rack 2 Setup
Toilet Funnel Stow
Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Termination
Actiwatch Spectrum EVAL SUP
Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Initiation
SPHERES Test Shutdown
Acoustic Monitor Battery Swap
ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE. Hardware Deactivation and Closeout
Actiwatch Spectrum HRF Rack 2 Stow