NASA Space Station Status Report 23 May, 2022 – Unloading Cargo from Starliner
Two Expedition 67 astronauts are unloading cargo delivered inside Boeing’s Starliner crew ship and testing its systems ahead of its departure this week.
Meanwhile, the other residents aboard the International Space Station are juggling advanced space research and orbital lab maintenance.
NASA Flight Engineers Kjell Lindgren and Bob Hines have been unpacking some of the 500 pounds of NASA cargo delivered aboard Starliner on Friday. The duo has also been testing the commercial crew vehicle’s communications and power systems.
They will turn their attention on Tuesday to readying Starliner for its undocking and return to Earth on Wednesday. Lindgren and Hines will pack Starliner with 600 pounds of return cargo, close the vehicle’s hatch, and monitor its departure set for 2:36 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. It will parachute to a landing in White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 6:49 p.m. (4:49 p.m. Mountain Time) the same day.
Science is always underway on the orbiting lab with the crew exploring a multitude of phenomena to benefit humans living on Earth and in space. Today, NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Watkins attached electrodes to herself and scanned her neck, chest and leg with an Ultrasound device for the Vascular Echo study. The experiment investigates how microgravity affects an astronaut’s arteries and veins with insights possibly improving cardiovascular conditions on Earth.
Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency) worked on complex research hardware and supported a space botany experiment on Monday. Cristoforetti replaced a sensor on the Materials Science Laboratory then swapped components inside the DECLIC device that supports fluid and material physics research. She also refilled water and nutrients in the XROOTS facility that explores growing plants in space using hydroponics and aeroponics.
Over in the station’s Russian segment, Commander Oleg Artemyev checked thermal control system pipes then serviced the Elektron oxygen generator. He also joined Flight Engineer Denis Matveev and tested communication systems aboard the ISS Progress 79 cargo craft. Matveev also installed radiation detectors then unpacked cargo from the inside the ISS Progress 80 resupply ship. Flight Engineer Sergey Korsakov worked on ventilation and orbital systems then set up gear for the future installation of a glovebox facility inside the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module.
On-Orbit Status Report
Payloads:
AstroPi: The aperture of the AstroPi Vis 5mm Camera Lens was adjusted for night-time photography. Two augmented Raspberry Pi computers (called AstroPis) were flown to the ISS and are both equipped with the mighty Sense Hardware Attached on Top (HAT) that measures the environment inside the ISS, detects how the station moves through space, and picks up the Earth’s magnetic field. Each AstroPi is also equipped with different types of cameras: one has an infrared camera, and the other has a standard visible spectrum camera.
DEvice for the study of Critical LIquids and Crystallization – Directional Solidification Insert-Reflight (DECLIC DSI-R):The ALICE-Like insert and cable was removed from the DECLIC instrument. The DECLIC is used to study crystal growth in transparent liquids. The DSI portion of DECLIC observes clear alloys that freeze like metals in microgravity. By providing real-time views of the crystal structures that form in the liquid, DECLIC-DSI sheds light on the physics that control the formation of solid materials.
NanoRacks Module-63 and 83: Photographs of NanoRacks Module-63 and Module -83 were taken free floating in the Cupola with the lit Earth in the background. NanoRacks Modules allow experimenters and students to perform extended on-orbit operations using space-proven hardware. Each individual module houses a unique experiment. Anything approved for transport to ISS can be incorporated into a module experiment, representing any field of science.
Vascular Aging: Today, the crew completed blood pressure measurements using the Holter Arterial Blood Pressure Unit. The Vascular Ultrasound Echo measurements were taken. Emerging data points towards linkage among cardiovascular health risk, carotid artery aging, bone metabolism and blood biomarkers, insulin resistance, and radiation. Data indicate that aging-like changes are accelerated in many ISS crew members, particularly with respect to their arteries. As part of the Space Environment Causes Acceleration of Vascular Aging: Roles of Hypogravity, Nutrition, and Radiation (Vascular Aging) investigation, ultrasounds of the arteries, blood samples, oral glucose tolerance, and wearable sensors from ISS crewmembers are analyzed.
eXposed Root On-Orbit Test System (XROOTS ): Fluid was recovered from the Root Modules and recirculated back into the Fluids Reservoir. Water was also added to the Nutrient Solution and the wicks were checked for wetness. The XROOTS investigation uses hydroponic and aeroponic techniques to grow plants without soil or other growth media. Video and still images enable evaluation of multiple independent growth chambers for the entire plant life cycle from seed germination through maturity. Results could identify suitable methods to produce crops on a larger scale for future space missions.
Systems:
Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) Systems Verification Activities: Today, the crew preformed activities to as to verify CST-100’s capabilities while attached to ISS. The crew was able to perform an audio communication check, a switch panel check, vehicle power up, and a radiator cold start. The on-orbit flight tests are conducted to demonstrate CST-100 spacecraft’s human transportation capabilities.
Boeing OFT-2 Cargo Transfer Activities: Today, the crew completed cargo operations in preparation for OFT-2 return this week. The crew moved cargo out of CST-100, loaded cargo for return, and took photos of the cargo configuration as well as other areas of interest.
Boeing OFT-2 Thermal Protection System (TPS) Survey: Today, Robotics Ground Controllers completed the OFT-2 TPS survey using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM). TPS inspections are performed on returning vehicles prior to undock from the ISS to ensure the vehicle is in a good configuration for re-entry.
Columbus AC Inverter Swap: Today, the crew swapped out a failed AC Inverter in Columbus with a stowed spare. The new AC inverted will be used to power science payloads in the Columbus Module.
Completed Task List Activities:
None
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
CST-100 Power Up and Activation
CST-100 TPS Survey
Primary Power System (PPS) Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) Position
Look Ahead Plan
Tuesday, May 24 (GMT 144)
Payloads:
CBEF-L Cable Reconnect (JAXA)
CIR cable inspect (NASA)
Desiccant swaps (ICEBERG, POLAR, GLACIER) (NASA)
EPM Troubleshoot ops (ESA)
ICEBERG-1 sample Removal (NASA)
Metabolic Space – ThermoLab kit stow (ESA)
MSL Gas Vlv Open (ESA)
Repository Urine setup (NASA)
Surface Avatar H/W setup
Systems:
On-Board Training (OBT) CST-100 OFT-2 Undocking Departure
Extravehicular Activity CWC-I (Iodinated Contingency Water Container) Degas
Transfer CST-100 Cargo Operations
Wednesday, May 25 (GMT 145)
Payloads:
Astrobee Perch arm removal (NASA)
AstroPi night setting (ESA)
ECHO Maintenance setup (ESA)
ELC2 RR file transfer (NASA)
Repository Urine Collect (NASA)
Standard Measures Blood setup (NASA)
Transparent Alloy Switch (ESA)
XROOTS fluid recovery (NASA)
Systems:
CST-100 Undock Operations
Echo Unit partial setup and video routing anomaly investigation
Thursday, May 26 (GMT 146)
Payloads:
Astrobee stowage clear (NASA)
Cerebral Autoregulation Setup (JAXA)
Repository Urine collect (NASA)
Robo Pro challenge-3 Tech rehearsal (JAXA)
Standard Measure blood collect and Presleep questions (NASA)
XROOTS plant check (NASA)
Systems:
NG 17 Cargo Ops
EVA Water Containment Testing
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Cold Atom Lab MTL Jumper Leak Check [Deferred]
Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Quarterly Inspection
COL AC Inverter Swap
Hardline Audio Communications Check
CST-100 Photo Transfer and Downlink
CST-100 Dock Debrief [Deferred]
CST-100 Vehicle Powerup
CST-100 Radiator Cold Start
CST Switch Panel Verification
Cargo Transfer from CST-100 to ISS
Measure CST-100 Floor Flexion [Deferred]
Lithium-Hydroxide (LiOH) Changeout
Portable Computer System (PCS) Transfer and Checkout
DECLIC EXPRESS Rack Camble Removal and ALICE-Like Insert Removal
DECLIC Directional Solidification Insert Installation & Express Rack Power and Data Cable Installation [Deferred]
DECLIC Removable Hard Disk Drive Exchange
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) Helmet Light Prep
Material Science Laboratory Vacuum Sensor Remove and Replace [Aborted]
Material Science Laboratory Waterloop Check [Deferred]
NanoRacks Mainframe Alpha Module Removal
Photo/TV XF705 Camcorder Display Troubleshooting
Vascular Aging CDL Holter Arterial Blood Pressure Measurement
Vascular Aging Resting Ultrasound Scan
Vascular Aging Ultrasound Echo Unit Activity
XROOTS Water Refill
NUTRIENT Solution Fill
