NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status Report 23 February, 2022 – New Human Research

New human research is underway aboard the International Space Station using the microgravity environment to gain unique insights into aging skin cells and cancer tumors.
The Expedition 66 crew also continues to unpack cargo from a U.S. cargo craft while keeping up with eye checks to ensure the crew stays healthy in space.

Weightlessness provides scientists a unique opportunity to observe phenomena not possible in Earth’s gravity. Biology including microbes, plants, and humans, changes in response to microgravity and observations are helping NASA plan longer missions farther into space. Doctors on Earth also use the information to improve numerous treatments and conditions on the ground.

Two new biology experiments delivered on Monday aboard the Cygnus space freighter are already being activated on the orbital lab. NASA Flight Engineer Thomas Marshburn set up the Microgravity Science Glovebox and began exploring the cellular and molecular alterations taking place in samples of skin cells. NASA Flight Engineer Mark Vande Hei is observing tumor cells in the Life Science Glovebox to better understand the onset and progression of cancer. Both investigations have the potential to inform space research techniques and improve therapies on Earth.

Astronauts Raja Chari of NASA and Matthias Maurer of ESA (European Space Agency) worked throughout Wednesday continuing to offload the 8,300 pounds of cargo delivered Monday inside Cygnus. NASA Flight Engineer Kayla Barron Barron deactivated space botany hardware then photographed cotton cell samples being harvested for the Plant Habitat-05 space agriculture study.

Working in the orbiting lab’s Russian segment, Commander Anton Shkaplerov studied plasma physics while Flight Engineer Pyotr Dubrov recorded his heart activity wearing a portable electrocardiogram. The duo from Roscosmos then wrapped up the day with more eye and retina checks using medical imaging gear.

On-Orbit Status Report

Payloads:

Colgate Skin Aging: One of the 6-Well Plates (S/N-001) was retrieved from SABL-1 and installed into the MSG for sampling and preservation of tissue samples. Deterioration of skin tissue is a normal part of aging but occurs over decades. Microgravity leads to changes in the human body very similar to aging, but these changes happen much more quickly. Microgravity Effects on Skin Aging and Health (Colgate Skin Aging) uses a 3D model of engineered human skin cells to evaluate cellular and molecular changes in microgravity. These cells may serve as a valid model to rapidly assess products aimed at protecting skin from the aging process.

ISS Ham: An ISS HAM pass was initiated with Sussex County Charter School for Technology, Sparta, New Jersey. ISS Ham Radio provides opportunities to engage and educate students, teachers, parents, and other members of the community in science, technology, engineering, and math by providing a means to communicate between astronauts and the ground HAM radio units.

MicroQuin 3D Tumor: Eight media bags were retrieved from cold stowage and inserted into SABL-2. The bags of media were injected into each BioCell Well of Habitat A and later each well was fixated. Investigation of Key Signaling Cascades Involved in Tumorigenesis and Their Responsiveness to a New Therapeutic Using a 3D In Vitro Tumor Model (MicroQuin 3D Tumor) examines the effects of a drug on breast and prostate cancer cells. In microgravity, the cells can grow in a three-dimensional model, which makes it easier to characterize their structure, gene expression, and cell signaling and response to the drug. Results could provide new insight into the role of a protein in the cells that are targeted by the drug.

Plasma Krystall-4 (PK-4): The PK-4 hard drives were swapped out, and the crew initiated 2 runs. Plasma Krystall-4 (PK-4) is a scientific collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), performing research in the field of Complex Plasmas: low temperature gaseous mixtures composed of ionized gas, neutral gas, and micron-sized particles. The micro-particles become highly charged in the plasma and interact strongly with each other, which can lead to a self-organized structure of the micro-particles: so-called plasma crystals. Experiments in the facility aim to study Transport Properties, Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Statistical Physics, and Non-linear waves and Instabilities in the plasmas.

Plant Habitat-05: Plant Habitat-05 Experiment Plate Photos were taken and downlinked to the ground. Unlocking the Cotton Genome to Precision Genetics (Plant Habitat-05) cultivates several cotton genotypes that differ in their ability to regenerate into whole plants from undifferentiated masses of cells known as a calli. Cotton is highly resistant to the process of plant regeneration, making it difficult to engineer stable, reproducing plants that have specific or enhanced traits such as drought resistance. The investigation could provide a better understanding of this behavior and a pathway to avert this problem.

Rodent Research-18 (RR-18): Habitats 3 and 4 were powered down and stowed. Astronauts returning from space can experience eye problems, along with headaches and blurred vision. Scientists suspect environmental conditions during spaceflight lead to oxidative stress that adversely affects the eye structure and function. Space Flight Environment Induces Remodeling of Vascular Network and Glia-vascular Communication in Mouse Retina (Rodent Research-18) investigates how spaceflight affects visual function, examining changes in the vascular system of the retina, tissue remodeling and cell-cell interactions in mice.

TangoLab: A TangoLab-2 Card Cube was removed and replaced with newly arrived card cubes. TangoLab-3 was installed into Express Rack 6, and the unit was activated. TangoLab is a reconfigurable general research facility designed for microgravity research and development and pilot manufacturing in the ISS.

Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System (Veggie PONDS) Validation: Veggie facilities were deactivated. This completes the planned grow out and harvest operations for the Veggie PONDS experiment. Organisms grow differently in space, from single-celled bacteria to plants and humans. Future long-duration space missions will require crew members to grow their own food. Therefore, understanding how plants respond to microgravity and demonstrating the reliable vegetable production on orbit are important steps toward that goal. Veggie PONDS uses a newly developed passive nutrient delivery system and the Veggie plant growth facility aboard the ISS to cultivate lettuce and mizuna greens which are to be harvested on-orbit, and consumed, with samples returned to Earth for analysis.

Systems:

Treadmill 2 (T2) Isolator Inspection: As part of on-going troubleshooting on the T2 Rack, the crew inspected new isolators to verify their configuration.

Transfer Cygnus Cargo Operations: The crew continued offloading Cygnus cargo, which includes science experiments, crew provisions, and hardware. Cargo operations will continue throughout the week.

Environmental Health System (EHS) On-Orbit Sampling: To ensure cabin air quality and crew health, the crew deployed two Formaldehyde Monitoring Kits (FMKs) in designated sample locations for post-flight analysis of on-orbit formaldehyde levels. The crew also used a Grab Sample Container (GSC) to collect instantaneous air samples for post-flight analysis. Sampling is performed every 45 days.

In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Operations: The WHC is a modified ACY (Russian toilet) system that was altered to be integrated into a USOS rack. Today, the crew removed and replaced the Urine Receptacle (UR) and its Insert Filter (IF) as part of routine preventative maintenance. The UR is made up of a replaceable Russian supplied funnel, urine hose, and receptacle switch for turning the WHC on and off with associated wiring. After replacement, a functionality test was performed.

Completed Task List Activities:

None
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Video Distribution Subsystem (VDS) Robotics Ground Configuration
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Cygnus Ungrapple
Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Boom Survey
Look Ahead Plan

Thursday, February 24 (GMT 55)
Payloads:

Food Acceptability (NASA)
Food Physiology Diet Brief (NASA)
Immersive Exercise Session-CEVIS (ESA)
LSG Front Glove Swap (NASA)
MQ3D Injections and Fixation Hab-B (NASA)
Plant Hab-05 Media Transfer Gather (NASA)
RR-18 Ops and Habitat Restock (NASA)
TOUCH (ESA)
Systems:

Transfer Cygnus Cargo Operations
Environmental Health System (EHS) Grab Sample Container (GSC) Sampling Operations
BPA Bladder Changeout
Friday, February 25 (GMT 56)
Payloads:

Acoustic Diagnostics Measurement (ESA)
Cold Atom Lab MTL Leak Check (NASA)
Colgate Skin Media Change and Preservation (NASA)
EasyMotion Power Box Charge (ESA)
Plant Hab-05 Media Transfer (NASA)
RR-18 Access Unit Clean (NASA)
SABL-2 Co2 Controller Remove (NASA)
SQuARES (NASA)
Systems:

Training for Emergency Response On-Board ISS
Transfer Cygnus Cargo Operations
Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain
EVA Battery Operations
Saturday, February 26 (GMT 57)
Payloads:

Repository Urine Setup (NASA)
SQuARES (NASA)
Systems:

Crew Off-Duty
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Treadmill 2 (T2) Isolator Inspection
Brine Processor Bladder Remove Only
TangoLab-2 Card Cube Replace for NG-17 Number 1
Transfer Cygnus Cargo Operations
Countermeasures System (CMS) Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (CEVIS) Exercise Session with EasyMotion Electro-Myo-Stimulation (EMS)
Environmental Health System (EHS) Formaldehyde Monitoring Kit (FMK) Deployment Operations
Environmental Health System (EHS) Grab Sample Container (GSC) Sampling Operations
Veggie Facilities Deactivation after Veggie Ponds Ops
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ESA Nutritional Assessment
Rodent Research Habitat Stow
Light Ions Detector-REM Reconfiguration
Colgate Skin Aging
Wireless Compose SD Card Data Transfer
Plant Habitat-05 Experiment Plate Photos
Wireless VR Headset Charging for Immersive Exercise
TangoLab-3 Activation and Checkout
SQuARES Flexible Daily Imagery
ISS HAM Columbus Pass Kenwood
Colgate Skin Aging MELFI Sample Insertion Operations Session, Preservation Ops
Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT2
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace
MicroQuin 3D Tumor Iceberg Sample Insertion, MELFI Sample Insertion, SABL Insertion, Media Injection Ops, Preservation/Fixation Ops
LSG Primary Crew Restraint Unfold, Fold
Hypervisor 3 Hard Drive Stow
Multi-use Variable-g Platform Plant-01 Trash
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Hydrogen Sensor Technology Demo (H2ST) Adlink Mini PC Power Cycle
EasyMotion Suit Stow