NASA Space Station Status Report 22 July, 2022 – Space Manufacturing Study

Four Expedition 67 crew members slept in on Friday following a spacewalk the day before at the International Space Station.

The other three orbital residents wrapped up the workweek researching a variety of space phenomena, unpacking a U.S. cargo ship, and maintaining orbital lab systems.

Commander and six-time spacewalker Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos led ESA (European Space Agency) Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti on her first spacewalk on Thursday. The duo set up the European robotic arm for operations on the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module during a spacewalk that lasted seven hours and five minutes. Ten nanosatellites were also deployed into Earth orbit for a radio technology experiment at the beginning of the excursion.

Artemyev and Cristoforetti woke up late on Friday and spent the rest of the day cleaning their Russian Orlan spacesuits and inspecting spacewalk tools and tethers. Cosmonauts Denis Matveev and Sergey Korsakov also slept in on Friday having monitored the spacewalkers and assisted the duo in and out of their spacesuits the day before. The pair also helped out with the post-spacewalk activities returning the Poisk airlock to its normal configuration and re-opening the hatch to the ISS Progress 80 cargo craft.

The station’s three NASA Flight Engineers including Bob Hines, Jessica Watkins, and Kjell Lindgren, worked a normal shift on Friday and wrapped up their workweek focusing on an array of science and maintenance operations.

Hines swapped fiber optic samples for a space manufacturing study, photographed samples for a cell-free protein production experiment, then activated the Astrobee robotic free-flyers ahead of a student robotics competition. Watkins continued unpacking cargo from inside the SpaceX Dragon resupply ship before stowing hardware for a water recycling experiment. Lindgren worked on payload cable connections then moved on to orbital plumbing tasks inside the station’s bathroom, also known as the Waste and Hygiene Compartment.

On-Orbit Status Report

Payloads:

Astrobee-Zero Robotics: Astrobee Free Flyers were prepared in the JEM and the crew assisted the ground team in conducting multiple test runs of autonomous robotic maneuvering in support of a student robotics competition dry run. For Astrobee-Zero Robotics, students write software to control one of the space station’s Astrobee free-flying robots. The first several rounds of the competition, co-led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Innovation Learning Center, and many collaborators, use an online simulation. Finalists have their code downloaded by NASA to the Astrobee platform and observe its performance. The experience helps inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.

Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF): Covers were placed over the CBEF facility units, the CBEF-1G Vent Fan cable was demated, and Sensor 1 was replaced by Sensor 2. The CBEF fans were then checked out in preparation for upcoming missions. The CBEF is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) subrack facility; it is an incubator with an artificial gravity generator. CBEF is housed in the Saibo (living cell) Experiment Rack with the Clean Bench (CB).

Forward Osmosis Membrane (FOM): The crew performed a 24 hour check of membrane 2 and stowed samples and hardware for return. This completes all activities for the FOM experiment. Water has some of the highest mass of any component needed for space travel, and effective recovery of potable water from wastewater is critical for life support and environmental health on long-term missions. Assessing the Performance of Urease-phospholipid Reactive Forward Osmosis Membranes for Water Reclamation Aboard the ISS (FOM) tests reactive membranes for water reclamation in microgravity as compared to 1g on Earth. These membranes show promise on the ground, but their performance must be evaluated in microgravity to advance the technology.

Fiber Optic Production-2 (FOP-2): The FOP-2 sample preform and fiber spool module/cartridges were exchanged. FOP-2 builds on previous work to manufacture commercial optical fibers in microgravity using a blend of elements called ZBLAN. Earlier theoretical and experimental studies suggest that ZBLAN optical fibers produced in microgravity exhibit qualities superior to those of fibers produced on Earth. Results from FOP-2 could help further verify these studies and guide manufacture of high value optical fiber aboard the space station for commercial use.

Genes in Space-9 (GIS-9): Sample S/N 04 photographs were taken, and samples were prepared for return. Cell-free technology is a platform for protein production that does not include living cells. GIS-9 evaluates two approaches for using this technology in microgravity: cell-free protein production and biosensors that can detect specific target molecules. The technology could provide a portable, low-resource, and low-cost tool with potential applications for medical diagnostics, on-demand production of medicine and vaccines, and environmental monitoring on future space missions.

Materials Science Laboratory (MSL): Gas and vacuum lines on MSRR MSL were verified. The MSL is used for basic materials research in the microgravity environment of the ISS. The MSL can accommodate and support diverse Experiment Modules. In this way many material types, such as metals, alloys, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, crystals, and glasses, can be studied to discover new applications for existing materials and new or improved materials.

Protein Manufacturing: Protein Manufacturing experiment hardware was inserted into the Space Automated Bioproducts Laboratory (SABL) Incubator. Protein Manufacturing demonstrates bioreactor technology for converting inedible plant materials and other wastes into high-protein, edible fungal biomats in microgravity. The ability to produce fresh food in space reduces the amount of prepackaged food that must be taken along on missions, reducing launch mass and storage needs. This technology could contribute to the success of future human space exploration missions.

Systems:

Environmental Health System (EHS) Air Quality Monitor (AQM) Vent Vacuum: As part of regular preventive maintenance, the EHS AQM vents were cleaned to remove dust buildup. The AQM is part of the EHS as an Intravehicular Activity (IVA) atmospheric monitor that is used to detect and measure Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) onboard the ISS.

In-Flight Maintenance (IFM) Vestibule Barrier Assembly (VBA) Radial Port Closeout R&R: The crew installed a new VBA in crew-preferred USOS Radial Port vestibule locations to replace old and degraded VBAs.

Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Initiation and Termination: Today, the crew initiated a manual fill of the WHC EДВ-СВ (Water Container) using a Post-Flight Analysis Bag to capture any pressure relief to protect the dose pump. The ЕДВ-CB is intended for short-term storage and manual water transportation between facilities. After successfully filling the EДВ-СВ, the crew returned the WHC to nominal use. The EDV was also swapped in the Offload EDV spot of the Urine Transfer System (UTS).

EHS Compound Specific Analyzer – Combustion Products (CSA-CPs) Extended Maintenance: Today, the crew replaced the battery packs in all CSA-CPs and calibrated the units. The CSA-CPs provide real-time readings following a combustion event and subsequent clean-up efforts. The CSA-CPs are also used for continuous monitoring of carbon monoxide levels in the ISS.

Post-Extravehicular Activity (EVA): Following yesterday’s successful RS EVA ESA, crew completed several post-EVA activities. The Lithium-Ion Rechargeable EVA Battery Assembly (LREBA) was uninstalled from the Orlan suit, US EVA tethers were inspected, EVA tools were transferred, Orlan water lines were dried, and a post-EVA conference was completed.

Completed Task List Activities:

• None

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

• MSS SpaceX-25 External Cargo Operations
• Ku-Band Antenna Mask Configuration

Look Ahead Plan

Saturday, July 23 (GMT 204)
Payloads:

• FOP-2 Sample Replace (NASA)

Systems:

• Post-RS EVA ESA Ops

Sunday, July 24 (GMT 205)
Payloads:

• FOP-2 Sample Replace (NASA)
• XROOTS Fluid Recovery and Check (NASA)
• CAL Jumper Check (NASA)

Systems:

• Crew Off-Duty

Monday, July 25 (GMT 206)
Payloads:

• FOP-2 Hardware Removal (NASA)
• TREK Laptop Relocate (NASA)
• JAXA SpySE (MCU)  ASLIB Install (JAXA)
• NUTRISS Measurement (ESA)
• CAL Jumper Check (NASA)

Systems:

• Food Consolidate
• ECLSS Recycle Tank R&R
• IMS PMM RF Audit

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

• Protein Manufacturing MELFI Sample Retrieve
• Protein Manufacturing Historical Photography
• Protein Manufacturing Space Automated Bioproducts Laboratory Incubator Insertion
• Astrobee Stowage Clear/Replace
• Clouseout After All Solid State Li-ion Battery Charge
• Environmental Health System (EHS) Air Quality Monitor (AQM) Vent Vacuum
• CMAU ZBook Replug
• Fiber Optic Production 2.0 Procedure Review
• Small PL Multi-purpose Cntlr Cable Reconfiguration
• ISS HAM Kenwood Radio Power Up
• Genes in Space 9 Run 1 End
• In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Vestibule Barrier Assembly (VBA) Radial Port Closeout R&R
• Genes in Space-9 MELFI Insert 1
• Cold Atom Lab Jumper Leak Check
• Telescience Resource Kit Laptop Set Up
• Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Initiate/Terminate
• Polar Desiccant Swap
• Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Ventilation Fan Sub Cover
• Environmental Health System (EHS) – Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products (CSA-CP) Extended Maintenance
• [aborted] Spaceborne Computer-2 Cartridge Reseat
• Astrobee-Zero Robotics Dry Run Operations
• EPM ESEM Switches check
• Deinstall the LREBA battery in ORLAN suits
• Urine Transfer System Offload EDV Swap
• Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in Columbus
• US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tether Inspection
• Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS EveryWear (EVW) Nutrition Tracking
• In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Filter Hose Remove and Replace (R&R)
• Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
• Material Science Laboratory Gas Valve Open
• Russian Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Transfer
• Drying Orlan-MKS #4, #5 water feed lines
• Health Maintenance System (HMS) Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test
• Tagup after EVA
• Extravehicular Activity Battery Installation
• Forward Osmosis Membrane Cell Stows
• Return Node 3 camcorder to nominal location
• Environmental Health System (EHS) – Radiation Environment Monitor 2 (REM2) reseat
• 64GB USB Flashdrive Removing From PLT5
• Fiber Optic Production 2.0 Sample Exchange
• Swap SSC (Station Support Computer) 12 and 20
• Flight Director/ISS Crew Conference