NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 6 April 2018 – NanoRacks Module-66, Includes Alzheimer Research

Today – Mobile Servicing System (MSS) SpX-14 Operations: Overnight, the Robotics ground controllers released the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) from the SpaceX-14 Dragon Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture (FRGF).
They performed a survey of the Dragon trunk and then unstowed the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) from Mobile Base System (MBS) Power Data Grapple Fixture 2 (PDGF2). The Robotics ground controllers configured the SSRMS and the SPDM for the start of the extraction of the Pump Flow Control Subassembly (PFCS) and the Material on ISS Experiment – Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) payloads from the Dragon Trunk. Later today, ground robotic controllers will extract MISSE-FF and the PFCS from the Dragon Trunk. PFCS will be temporarily stowed on the Enhanced ORU Temporary Platform (EOTP) Side 1 while MISSE will temporarily be stowed on EOTP Side 2.

Plant Gravity Perception (PGP): Today, the crew replaced Experiment Containers in the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS). Ground Specialists have started powering up the Plant Gravity Perception experiment. Power up will continue through tomorrow at which time they will begin hydration. For this investigation, normal and mutated forms of thale cress, a model research plant, are germinated to support the study of the plants’ gravity and light perception. Results provide insight into the plants’ adaptation to a microgravity environment and supports efforts to grow plants for food on future space missions.

Veg-03: The crew watered the plants and harvested leaves from each plant to complete the Veg-03E investigation. The leaves were preserved and inserted into cold stowage for later return to the Earth. Plants for the Veg-03F investigation will continue to grow. Veg-03 supports the proof-of concept for the Veggie plant growth chamber and the planting pillows. Future long duration space missions will require a fresh food supply grown in space to supplement crew diets.

Team Task Switching: A crewmember completed a Team Task Switching survey today. Crew members are often required to switch their attention from one task to another. If they struggle with those shifts, performance on the original task and the subsequent task can be affected. Additional impacts (e.g., on motivation) are also possible. The objective of the Team Task Switching investigation is to gain knowledge about whether or not crew members have difficulty in switching tasks and determine the impacts of these switches in order to both reduce any negative consequences and improve individual and team motivation and effectiveness.

Invitrobone: The crew configured EXPRESS Racks 6 and 8, then retrieved Invitrobone-1 and Invitrobone-2 from the Dragon vehicle and inserted them into those racks, respectively. The Invitrobone investigation seeks to provide insight into the effect of the microgravity environment on bone turnover, to support development of more efficient countermeasures for astronauts.

NanoRacks Module-66: The crew installed NanoRacks Module-66 into the NanoRacks Platform-1 today. Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible neurodegenerative process, is characterized by formation of neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein and plaques, or clumps of amyloid beta peptide, that kill brain cells. Research suggests that an intermediate stage in fibril formation is ten times more toxic and may play a greater role in cell death and development of Alzheimer’s disease. This investigation examines fibril formation and beta amyloid peptides in microgravity using a fluorescence spectrometer. Results could lead to ways to slow down the rate at which Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain or to eliminate toxic effects of beta amyloid peptide.

Multi-Use Variable-G Platform (MVP): The crew installed the Drosophila module and food cylinders into the MVP today. MVP is used to conduct research in space with a wide variety of sample types, such as fruit flies, flatworms, plants, fish, cells, protein crystals and many others. It includes 2 internal carousels that simultaneously can produce up to 2 g of artificial gravity. Each carousel hosts 6 separate removable experiment modules on each carousel. Video and still imagery, including microscopy, can be included. The platform provides temperature and humidity controls and monitors and records oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

Made in Space Fiber Optics (MSFO): The crew set up the MSFO locker and cables in preparation for 3D print operations in the Manufacturing Device. This investigation demonstrates the merits of manufacturing fiber optic filaments in microgravity.

Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG): Today the crew configured the MSG Life Science hardware to support Metabolic Tracking and Micro-11 operations.

On-Board Training (OBT) Medical Emergency: This onboard training provides the opportunity for the 54S crew to review procedures, hardware and communication methods necessary to manage a medical emergency onboard ISS. Emergency medical equipment was deployed and the crew practiced Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) positioning to ensure familiarity with procedure execution should a medical emergency occur.

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Events: Feustel and Kanai participated in two live-to-air PAO events today. Kanai’s event was with Toho University’s Junior and Senior High Schools in Narashino City, Japan. Feustel’s event, was with Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

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

Microbial Tracking-2 Sample MELFI Retrieval Insert
Max Cycle Ergometer w/ Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Set Up
Move Station Support Computer (SSC) 17 for Earth Knowledge Applied to Middle schools (EarthKAM)
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Inspection
Inventory Management System (IMS) conference
iPad Verify Kindle App
CHeCS Emergency Health Maintenance System Contingency Drill Training
Force Loader [??-1?] Memory Card Check.
XF305 Camcorder Setup
Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Filter Case Attachment
Glove Box Cleaning
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain
Preparation to install thermal mode enhancement equipment for Electric Power System 800? unit in SM.
Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Subject
Fruit Fly Lab-03 Hardware Transfer
Glove Box Gloves Replacement
Recycle Tank Drain
European Modular Cultivation System Gas Valve Open
Water Recovery System (WRS) Waste Tank Sample
DAN. Experiment Session.
DAN. Experiment Operator Assistance
Temp Stowage of H/W for JEM PAO event
PAO Preparation
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
Plant Gravity Perception/European Modular Cultivation System Experiment Container Removal
Invitrobone-1 Transfer from Dragon capsule to ExPRESS Rack
Plant Gravity Perception/European Modular Cultivation System Experiment Container Installation
Environmental Health System (EHS) – Rad Detector Rotate
Invitrobone-2 Transfer from Dragon capsule to ExPRESS Rack
??? maintenance, Replacement of CO sensor in ??2106 gas analyzer.
VEG-03F Plant Pillow Water
CALCIUM. Experiment Session 5.
Soyuz 737 Kazbek Fit Check
Made In Space Fiber Optics Locker and Cable Setup
Multi-Use Variable-G Platform On-Board Training Review
Multi-Use Variable-G Platform Installation Operations
VEG-03E MWA Preparation
MPEG2 Video Streaming Multicast Test (after BRI cleaning).
VEG-03E Harvest
Gas-Analyzer ??2106 mode changing to operation. Executed 2 hours after activation.
Comm config for conference from MRM1
Acoustic logger ops during Soyuz 738 and ISS mated flight.
SEPARATION Removal and transfer of ???-? 521??.1213-0 frame to MRM1.
Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Partial Stow
VEG-03E MELFI Insertion #2
VEG-03E Harvest
Metabolic Tracking MSG Life Science Hardware Setup
Team Task Switching Experiment Survey – Subject
Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
Comm reconfig for nominal ops
NanoRacks Module-66 MELFI Sample Retrieve
NanoRacks Platform-1 Module Install
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill [Aborted]
Space Headaches – Weekly Questionnaire
Polar Samples to Cold Stowage – Transfer 2
Polar Desiccant Swap
Replaces stowage in JEM that was removed before PAO event
Countermeasures System (CMS) Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Conclude
ISS Crew Orientation
Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Space Headaches – Weekly Questionnaire

Completed Task List Activities
None

Ground Activities
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
C2V2 Checkout
MSS Operations to Extract PFCS and MISSE from Dragon Trunk

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Saturday, 04/07: Housekeeping, Crew Off-Duty
Sunday, 04/08: Crew Off-Duty, HRF Samples, Veg03, Microbial Tracking
Monday, 04/09: HRF Samples, MSG VUE Troubleshooting, Dragon Cargo Ops, Mouse Stress Defense Ops, CIR Hardware Consolidation, Veg03 Harvest, APEX6 Ops

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component – Status
Elektron – On
Vozdukh – Manual
[???] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off
[???] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – Operate
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – Standby
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – Standby
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) – Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – Full Up
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Off