NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 9 October 2020 – Cancer Therapy Research

Cancer therapy was the main focus of Friday’s research aboard the International Space Station.
The Expedition 63 crew is also getting ready to return to Earth while still finding time for more science work.

Microgravity research on the station has enabled pharmaceutical innovations with real benefits for patients on Earth. Biology experiments in space also provide insights into how the human body adapts to weightlessness. This helps doctors keep astronauts healthy as NASA plans missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The Onco-Selectors study taking place today inside the space station’s Life Sciences Glovebox, installed in Japan’s Kibo laboratory module, seeks to develop drugs that could improve the survival rate of cancer patients. Commander Chris Cassidy spent most of Friday mixing and applying a treatment to healthy and cancerous cell samples being observed for the new cancer investigation.

Cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner were once again exploring ways to reverse the loss of bone mass that occurs during a long-term space mission. The Russian duo worked throughout the day setting up hardware and logging meals and drinks to monitor and understand the mechanisms of bone loss caused by weightlessness.

The two cosmonauts are also gearing up for their return to Earth with Cassidy in less than two weeks. They have been gathering station hardware and personal items that will soon be stowed inside the Soyuz MS-16 crew ship. All three crew members will parachute to Earth inside the Soyuz spacecraft ending their 196-day space research mission on Oct. 21.

On-Orbit Status Report

Payloads

Onco-Selectors: The crew used the LSG to perform the Onco-Selectors hardware setup, prepare the treatment mixtures, and inject treatments into 12-Well Bio-Cells (S/N 1-5). 12-Well Bio Cell S/N 6 will not be processed and will be placed in cold stowage for return. Leveraging Microgravity to Screen Onco-selective Messenger RNAs for Cancer Immunotherapy (Onco-Selectors) tests a biologic drug based on messenger RNA (mRNA) for treatment of leukemia. This mRNA-based drug is capable of differentiating cancer cells from healthy ones (onco-selective) and is designed to kill cancer cells (oncolytic). Recent studies show that microgravity alters cells by modifying the expression of certain proteins involved in mRNA translation, making it a unique platform for testing mRNAs to identify those that are onco-selective for clinical development.

Systems

Systems Operations Data File (SODF) Update: Today, the crew performed an update to the Emergency Response book to incorporate changes to the emergency response procedures. The updates to the procedure account for the upcoming dual Soyuz configuration following 63S arrival.

Completed Task List Activities:

Transfer 62S USOS prepack (ongoing)
Transfer Cygnus Cargo Operations (ongoing)
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Vacuum System (VS) PGT Pressure Bias Update
US/RS Audio Configuration for MRM Ops
Monthly PCS Reboots and File Downlinks
S-Band Index Change
Passive Thermal Control System (PTCS) PMA3 Heater Reset
Caution and Warning Software State Change (Enable FGB Smoke Warning/SD Failure Caution)
Look Ahead Plan

Saturday, 10/11 (GMT 284)
Payloads:

Onco Selectors GLO Reagent (NASA)
LSG WV Stow & Restraint Fold (NASA)
Systems:

No Systems Activities
Sunday, 10/12 (GMT 285)
Payloads:

Myotones Review (ESA)
Systems:

Crew Off Duty
Monday, 10/13 (GMT 286)
Payloads:

Myotones Ops (ESA)
Actiwatch Plus Setup & Swap (NASA)
Bacterial Genome Fitness GAP Termination (NASA)
Systems:

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

KORREKTSIYA. Accelerometry
KORREKTSIYA. Log Entry of Liquids and Food (Medicine) Intake
Onco-Selectors MELFI Sample Retrieve
Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE. HAM radio pass with Vladivostok
??? (Universal Bioengineering Thermostat). Checking ???-? No.07 thermostat temperature and unobstructed area near ???-? inlet/outlet vents
ISS crew and ???? (RSA Flight Control Management Team) weekly conference
ISS Crew departure preparation
[????] Comm Configuration for MRM1
SEPARATION. Water distillation from urine in urine water regeneration system [???-?-??]
LBNP Training (PRELIMINARY)
Onco-Selectors BioCell Transfection
MATRYOSHKA-R. Pre-pack BUBBLE-Dosimeter memory card for return to the ground
Astrobee Off
Airlock Stowage Clear
BIODEGRADATSIYA. Sample collection from structure surfaces and photography
IDENTIFIKATSIYA. Copy ???-? micro-accelerometer data to laptop
Hardware prepack for return and disposal on Soyuz 745
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Systems Operations Data File (SODF) Update