NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 31 May 2019 – Preparing for the SpaceX Dragon Cargo Spacecraft Departure
The Expedition 59 crew is starting the weekend preparing the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft for its departure from the International Space Station on Monday.
The space residents are also juggling a variety of research work and lab maintenance tasks today.
NASA TV is broadcasting the robotic release of Dragon from the station live on NASA TV beginning Monday at 11:45 a.m. EDT. Robotics controllers will command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to release the space freighter around 12:09 p.m. while astronaut David Saint-Jacques monitors from the cupola. Dragon will splashdown in the Pacific about 5:48 p.m. and will not be seen on NASA TV.
Several critical experiments have wrapped up aboard the orbiting lab with the completed results and hardware being packed inside the Dragon this weekend. After the space freighter splashes down Monday, it will be towed to shore where the finalized research will be distributed to labs around the world for analysis.
Astronauts Anne McClain and David Saint-Jacques are cleaning up and inspecting the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) today. This comes after the crew completed a month-long study of the immune system’s response to weightlessness inside the LSG. Samples from that study will also return to Earth aboard Dragon Monday.
The pair first joined Flight Engineer Nick Hague during the morning checking out space biology hardware and transferring more frozen research samples into Dragon’s science freezers. Hague and McClain then participated in regularly scheduled eye exams in the afternoon.
Christina Koch of NASA is helping cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Alexey Ovchinin clean up after the duo’s spacewalk on Wednesday. She stowed the U.S. tools they used back in the Quest airlock while the cosmonauts serviced their Russian Orlan spacesuits in the Pirs airlock.
On-Orbit Status Report
Fluid Shifts: The crew performed eye examinations using the Fundoscope in support of the Fluid Shifts study. Fluid Shifts is a NASA investigation, divided into Dilution Measurements, Baseline Imaging, and Imaging with Chibis. The Chibis hardware is used to perform the Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) part of the experiment. The Fluid Shifts experiment investigates the causes for severe and lasting physical changes to astronaut’s eyes. Because the headward fluid shift is a hypothesized contributor to these changes, reversing this fluid shift with a LBNP device is being evaluated as a possible intervention. Results from this study may help to develop preventative measures against lasting changes in vision and prevention of eye damage.
Furphy (Residual Momentum and Tank Dynamics in Microgravity Environment): The crew completed Furphy spin tests with the Rigid and Flex tanks. Furphy tests the feasibility of transferring fluids in microgravity from a rigid tank to a flexible tank that launches collapsed and deploys as it is filled. By making it possible to fuel small satellites in orbit instead of prior to launch, potentially saving launch mass and volume, this capability supports future space exploration. This first microgravity test is performed aboard the space station to verify tank dynamics including slosh and retention of angular momentum.
Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG): The crew performed the final cleanup of the LSG and installed the filter adapter and filters. The LSG is a sealed work area that accommodates life science and technology investigations in a “workbench” type environment. Due to its larger size design, two crewmembers can work in the LSG simultaneously
CIR (Combustion Integrated Rack): The crew replaced the CIR ACME (Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments) controller and replaced the manifold-2 O2 and N2 bottles. The CIR includes an optics bench, combustion chamber, fuel and oxidizer control, and five different cameras for performing combustion experiments in microgravity.
Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems (STaARS-1): The crew removed all eight Experiment controllers for return on SpX-17. The return of the Controllers will allow ground teams to make Facility configuration file modifications and perform necessary testing before return manifest. The objective of the STaARS-1 experiment facility is to support biotechnology and life science investigations to characterize the effects of microgravity on living systems. The facility aims to facilitate advanced studies targeting the molecular responses to microgravity that alter cell physiology and lead to unique cellular processes and the production of novel compounds that can impact pharmaceutical, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biofuel, and discovery sciences.
Exposed Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism (ExHAM) #2: Robotic specialists in Tsukuba used the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) with the Small Fine Arm (SFA) to transfer the Handhold Experiment Platform (HXP) from the JEM Airlock Slide Table to the JEM Exposed Facility handrail. Taking advantage of Kibo’s unique function of having both an airlock and a robotic arm among modules on the ISS, the ExHAM facility enables space experiments to be performed in the exposed space environment, by attachment to the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo’s Exposed Facility (EF).
Commercial Orbital Transport Services (COTS) UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Checkout: In preparation for the upcoming departure of SpaceX-17 planned on 3 June, the crew coordinated with ground teams to activate the CUCU system and perform a Crew Command Panel (CCP) checkout. CUCU provides a command and telemetry communications link between ISS and Dragon during free flight operations near ISS.
Russian ExtraVehicular Activity (EVA) 46 US Tool Stow: After Wednesday’s successful EVA, the US crew stowed various EVA hardware borrowed by Russia. In addition to conducting an audit of the returned hardware, the crew inspected each piece of equipment and verified they remain in a good configuration for use in future US EVAs.
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Live Event: David Saint-Jacques participated in a live PAO event with 140 students and 60 community residents in Umiujaq, Northern Quebec where he practiced medicine before becoming an Astronaut. During today’s event, students asked questions about how to live in space and the current mission of the ISS and its role in advancing science.
SpaceX-17 Cargo Operations: Today the crew completed approximately 4 hours of SpaceX cargo loading in support of unberth on 3 June. The approximately 8 hours of remaining operations will be completed on Sunday in conjunction with loading of the Center Stack, and transfer of late-load items, into Dragon. In total, the crew will have spent 64 hours loading Dragon with the cargo and hardware needed for return.
Completed Task List Activities:
Completed Thursday (GMT 150)
Adlink SD card move
Fundoscope troubleshooting
ISS Experience message review
ISS Photo Inspections from Cupola, JEM
Rodent Research 12 Lab audit
Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
LSG filter inspect
CUCU checkout
Furphy spin ops
Look Ahead:
Saturday, 06/01 (GMT 152)
Payloads:
Food Acceptability (NASA)
MicroAlgae removal from VEGGIE and MELFI insert (NASA)
Nanoparticle Formulation Imagery (NASA)
Mouse Mission Transfers Procedure review (JAXA)
Systems:
Crew off duty; housekeeping
Sunday, 06/02 (GMT 153)
Payloads:
Mouse Mission Transfers (JAXA)
POLAR-Dragon Transfer review (NASA)
Systems:
Cargo transfer ops for Dragon departure
Dragon egress
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Conclude
JEM FROST Photo Taking
Polar Sample Transfer From Cold Stowage
AQM Sieve Cartridge Remove and Replace
FROST Ethernet Cable Connection
Drying Orlan-MKS Water Feed Line
JAXA Mouse Mission Post-mission Transfer Familiarization 2
Multi-use Variable-g Platform Module Removal
Rodent Research Life Science Glovebox Cleanup
Orlan-MKS Drying, start
Space Pup Item Gather
Space Pup MELFI Retrieval
Space Pup Sample Stowage
RFID Ember 1 Demate
Photography of Plume Impingement and Deposit Monitoring Unit [????] position on MRM2 through SM window No.13 – setup
Dragon Vestibule Outfitting Kit (VOK) Gather
Furphy Spin Ops
Photography of Plume Impingement and Deposit Monitoring Unit [????] position on MRM2 through SM window No.13
Photography of Plume Impingement and Deposit Monitoring Unit [????] position on MRM2 through SM window No.13 – Closeout Ops
Post-EVA Orlan-MKS debrief with specialists
Glisser-M equipment ops after EVA (copying video recordings to hard drive and battery installation for recharging). Downlink via OCA
Functional Check of SM Onboard Memory Storage (???)
Drying Orlan-MKS (switchover to a backup fan)
On-board Training (OBT) Dragon Departure Review
On Board Training (OBT) Dragon Ground Control Release Self Study
Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Kit Consolidate
Nanoparticle Formulation Camera Activities
Glovebox Freezer – Life Science Glovebox – Teardown
Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Helmet Light Inspection
Orlan-MKS Drying – terminate
Orlan Feedwater Bladder Refill
??1-??4 cartridge replacement
UPA Brine Filter Gather
Micro Algae Maintenance Work Area Preparation
Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config JEM Setup
Environmental Health System (EHS) Grab Sample Container (GSC) Sampling Operations
PAO Preparation
Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference
Micro Algae Culture Bag Photography
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tools Stow
Life Science Glovebox (LSG) Filter Inspection
Orlan No.4 Liquid Cooling Garment [???] Closeout
EVA Support Panel (???-2) Powerdown in DC1
Combustion Integrated Rack Rack Doors Open
Combustion Integrated Rack Front End Cap Open
ACME Controller Replace 1
Setting up Orlan and ??? for storage mode
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Countermeasures System (CMS) Treadmill 2 (T2) Exercise Session
Combustion Integrated Rack Front End Cap Close
Life Science Glovebox (LSG) Life Science Ancillary Hardware (LSAH) Adapter Install
Post-EVA Orlan-MKS Spacesuit Equipment Stowage
Combustion Integrated Rack Manifold #2 Bottle Replacement
Fluid Shifts Fundoscope Baseline Imaging Setup
Combustion Integrated Rack Rack Doors Close
Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems BioScience-3 Experiment Container Removal
Fluid Shifts Fundoscope Baseline Imaging Preparation
Photo/TV CUCU HD Video Setup
CUCU Crew Command Panel (CCP) Checkout
Glacier Desiccant Swap
Evening Preparation Work
Dragon Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH) Filter Bag Installation
Photo/TV CUCU HD Video Deactivation
LSG Work Volume Stow
Fluid Shifts Fundoscope Baseline Imaging Exam Operator
Fluid Shifts Fundoscope Baseline Imaging Exam Subject
Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test
Metal Oxide (METOX) Regeneration Initiation
Fluid Shifts Fundoscope Baseline Imaging Stow
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Glisser-M equipment ops after EVA (Closeout Ops and Stowage)
