NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 30 March, 2021 – Busy Science Schedule Today

Human research, botany and a technology demonstration were on the science schedule aboard the International Space Station today.
NASA Flight Engineer Shannon Walker was the Crew Medical Officer on Tuesday imaging the eyes of astronauts Michael Hopkins and Soichi Noguchi. Walker operated non-invasive imaging technology hardware to detect how microgravity impacts a crew member’s eyes and especially the retina.

Hopkins also joined Flight Engineer Victor Glover for an experiment investigating how astronauts manipulate objects and move around in weightlessness. The duo strapped themselves in a specialized seat inside the Columbus laboratory module for a series of tests exploring their grip force and up/down movements. Results could inform future spacecraft interfaces and provide new insights into the human nervous system.

NASA Flight Engineer Kate Rubins explored hydroponics today as way to support space agriculture for the Plant Water Management botany study. Noguchi tested a new optical device that beams down large amounts of data to Earth from outside the space station.

Expedition 64 Commander Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos worked on computer and life support maintenance throughout the day. Flight Engineer Sergey Kud-Sverchkov serviced video gear then photographed hardware on the outside of the Poisk mini-research module.

On-Orbit Status Report

Payloads

Confocal Space Microscopy: The crew removed the Confocal Space Microscopy Temp Logger and attached to a laptop to transfer data. Confocal Microscope is a JAXA facility that provides fluorescence images of biological samples aboard the International Space Station. Confocal microscopy uses spatial filtering techniques to eliminate out-of-focus light or glare in specimens whose thickness exceeds the immediate plane of focus. With the Confocal Microscope data can be obtained on the fundamental nature of cellular and tissue structure and functions in real-time.

GRIP: Crewmembers performed science protocol sessions in the seated configuration. The GRIP experiment studies the long-duration spaceflight effects on the abilities of human subjects to regulate grip force and upper limbs trajectories when manipulating objects during different kind of movements: oscillatory movements, rapid discrete movements and tapping gestures.

Plant Water Management: The crew transferred fluid to the Plant Water Management (3&4) Test Stand Kit and performed a system priming session and Wedge 1 test. The investigation demonstrates passive measures for controlling fluid delivery and uptake in plant growth systems. Reduced gravity creates challenges in providing adequate fluid and nutrition for plant growth. This investigation examines using other physical properties such as surface tension, wetting and system geometry to replace the role of gravity.

J-SOLISS: The crew installed the SOLISS hardware onto EFU Adapter and mounted onto the JEM Airlock Slide Table. SOLISS demonstrates use of this optical system with power, communication and cooling provided by an EFU Adapter, which is a Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) exposed facility platform interface. SOLISS technology allows transmission of large amounts of data from the space station, as well as from satellites in Geostationary Orbit (GEO), to ground stations.

Systems

Joint Station Lan (JSL) Cable Routing: The crew connected the new Gigabit Ethernet cables between Lab, Node 1 and Node 3 including new vestibule jumpers. They also connected the Lab Router to Node 1 and Node 3 Ethernet switches.

Node 2 Manual Flow Control Valve (MFCV) Adjustments: The crew adjusted both the N2 Low Temperature Loop (LTL) MFCV and the LTL Bypass MFCV from their current positions in order to allow 1230 lbm/hr of LTL coolant flow through the CCAA heat exchanger. This will provide greater cooling capability for larger crew compliments.

Lab Charcoal/HEPA Filter Inspection: The crew inspected and cleaned the charcoal and HEPA filters in the LAB one standoff at a time, completing inspection of all Port side filters first, then moving to Starboard filters. This inspection supports exploration objectives and will help determine how these filters are loading over time.

Completed Task List Activities:

JSL Lab routing part 2
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Payloads ops support
SOLISS install on EFU adapter
JSL cabling
Look Ahead Plan

Wednesday, March 31 (GMT 090)
Payloads:

GRIP Seated session 2 (ESA)
CSA blood setup and BioAnalyzer (CSA)
AC Touch (NASA)
SERFE Sample (NASA)
PWM 3&4 cylinder test ops and Plant swap (NASA)
Standard Measures Saliva, body , Fecal collect and survey (NASA)
Actiwatch Plus HRF1 setup (NASA)
Transparent Alloys Data Exchange (NASA)
Systems:

WHC pre-treat tank R&R
IBOT task review
CASA ZSR mod
EVA battery stowage compartment mod
Thursday, April 1 (GMT 091)
Payloads:

CSA Blood collect (CSA)
ESA EPO Paxi robotic (ESA)
GRIP Supine #3 (ESA)
KOBAIRO Water refill (JAXA)
RTPCG-2 Plate load (NASA)
Standard Measures Saliva and fecal collect (NASA)
ISS Experience EVA lens focus (NASA)
Astrobee Mapping (NASA)
Food Acceptability (NASA)
WORF Bumpshield Install (NASA)
Systems:

Dragon OBT
Friday, April 2 (GMT 092)
Payloads:

GRASP seated session (ESA)
SCEM Insert-2 (JAXA)
MOCHII Mechanical inspection (NASA)
Food Acceptability (NASA)
Standard Measures Saliva body and Fecal collect (NASA)
AC Touch (NASA)
Veggie Monitoring photo (NASA)
Systems:

Express Rack AAA fan cleaning
OBT Crew Dragon conference
Lab work light deploy
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

HRF Generic Saliva Collection 10 Minutes
ARED Photo/TV Reminder
GRIP experiment constraints reminder
Greetings Video
HRF Generic MELFI Sample Insertion Operations
GRIP Big picture reading
IFM NOD1O1-02 Closeout Panel Modification
GRIP setup in the SEATED configuration
Joint Station LAN (JSL) Gigabit Ethernet Cable Connections
HMS Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test [Aborted]
GRIP Big picture reading
Micro-16 SABL USB Drive Install
GRIP science performance in seated position
Node 2 Manual Flow Control Valve Adjustments
Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config JEM Setup
PAO Preparation
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
XF305 Camcorder Setup
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
SOLISS Installation to EFU Adapter
Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
Checkout of the Node 2 Fwd International Docking Adapter (IDA) Control Panel.
GRIP science performance in seated position
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
Robotic Workstation (RWS) Checkout
In-Flight Maintenance LAB Filter Inspection
Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Configuration Airlock
PAO Preparation
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Node 1 Camcorder Towards Airlock
XF305 Camcorder Setup
Confocal Space Microscopy Temp Logger Removal
Confocal Space Microscopy Temp Logger Data Read
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Initiation
Columbus Toolbox tools swap
Confocal Space Microscopy Temp Logger Installation
Organization of Radio Sportsmen
HRF Generic Saliva Collection Setup
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Termination
PROBOY. Flash drive packing for return
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT2 Setup
Standard Measures Fecal Collection Setup
Preparation for working with ???2 smoke detectors (???-4)
Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Session
PCS Laptop Relocate
Space Automated Bioproduct Lab, Hard Drive Swap
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT2 Prep
Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – OCT2 Exam – Operator
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT2 Exam – Subject
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT2 Prep
Health Maintenance System (HMS) – OCT2 Exam – Operator
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT2 Exam – Subject
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT2 Stow