NASA Space Station Status Report 28 July, 2022 – Burning in Microgravity

The seven-member Expedition-67 crew split their time studying burning in microgravity, space manufacturing, testing an ultrasound device, and more, in addition to conducting some maintenance work aboard the International Space Station.

NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Watkins focused on setting up the Combustion Integrated Rack inside the U.S. Destiny laboratory module to support the operations for the SoFIE-GEL, or Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction – Growth and Extinction Limit, study. The investigation measures the amount of heating in a fuel sample to determine how fuel temperature affects material flammability. Results could improve understanding of early fire growth behavior and help determine optimal fire suppression techniques, improving crew safety in future space facilities.

NASA Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren opened the Cell Biology Experiment Facility to set up the Rodent Research-22 experiment. He also completed a Robotic On-Board Trainer for Research (ROBoT-r) session as part of the Behavioral Core Measures experiment. Later in the day, Lindgren performed the fourth medical technology demonstration of the Butterfly IQ Ultrasound device, focused on testing the effectiveness of a portable ultrasound device used in conjunction with a mobile device in the space environment. Such commercial off-the-shelf technology could provide essential medical capabilities for future deep space exploration missions.

ESA (European Space Agency) Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti conducted public affairs activities for ESA and moved cargo from the SpaceX CRS-25 Dragon spacecraft. NASA Flight Engineer Bob Hines worked on the Genes in Space-9 investigation,  Space Fibers-3 space manufacturing study, and transferred supplies from the Dragon spacecraft.

The station’s three cosmonauts focused mainly on maintenance and exercise. Commander Oleg Artemyev spent his morning searching for leaks in the Zvezda service module while cosmonaut Sergey Korsakov checked the brakes on the European Robotic Arm. Cosmonaut Denis Matveev set up an electrocardiogram for a 24-hour survey of his heart health. He rested for 20 minutes before using the Tranquility module’s advanced resistive exercise device (ARED) to perform exercises such as bench presses, squats, and deadlifts.

On-Orbit Status Report

Payloads:

Butterfly IQ Ultrasound: The fourth Medical Tech Demo of the Butterfly Ultrasound Device was performed. Butterfly IQ Ultrasound demonstrates the effectiveness of a portable ultrasound device used in conjunction with a mobile computing device in the space environment. Such commercial off-the-shelf technology could provide important medical capabilities for future exploration missions beyond low-Earth orbit. The investigation also examines the effectiveness of just-in-time instructions for autonomous use of the device by the crew.

Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF-L): The optical connector cap was cleaned and attached to the CBEF-L (Cell Biology Experiment Facility – Left) Centrifuge Frame. CBEF-L is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) new subrack facility, which is an upgraded facility of the original CBEF currently aboard the ISS. CBEF-L provides new capabilities with additional new resources such as Full High Definition video interface, Ethernet, 24 VDC power supply, and a larger diameter centrifugal test environment. By using the original CBEF and CBEF-L as one facility for the same experiment, the payload user is provided with an upgraded experimental environment that can handle the processing of more experimental samples for a wider array of experiments.

Cerebral Autoregulation: Crew transferred items for upcoming Cerebral Autoregulation Data Measurement activities. As the body’s most important organ, the brain needs a strong and reliable blood supply, so the brain is capable of self-regulating blood flow even when the heart and blood vessels cannot maintain an ideal blood pressure. The Cerebral Autoregulation investigation tests whether this self-regulation improves in the microgravity environment of space. Non-invasive tests measure blood flow in the brain before, during, and after a long-duration spaceflight, and provide new insights into how the brain safeguards its blood supply in a challenging environment.

Electro-static Levitation Furnace (ELF): Troubleshooting was performed on the ELF Intelligent Vision System (IVS). The ELF is an experimental facility designed to levitate/melt/solidify materials by containerless processing techniques using the Electrostatic Levitation method. With this facility, thermophysical properties of high temperature melts can be measured, and solidification from deeply undercooled melts can be achieved. The ELF is located in the JEM Multipurpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) in Kibo.

Electromagnetic Levitator (EML): Crew changed the measurement mode of the EML High Speed Camera to RECAL mode. The EML is a facility composed of four inserts installed into the European Drawer Rack (EDR) for the electromagnetic levitation of samples. The experiment samples are installed in a dedicated Sample Chamber that is attached to EML, and can be replaced by new Sample Chambers for new experiment batches.

Genes in Space-9 (GIS-9): GIS-9 Run 2 was terminated and samples were photographed and prepped for return and stowed. 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.

ISS Ham Radio: An ISS Ham pass was initiated with the Buehler Challenger & Science Center, Paramus, N.J. Since the earliest space station expeditions, ISS Ham Radio has allowed groups of students in schools, camps, museums, and planetariums to hold a conversation with the people living in space. As the ISS passes overhead, students have about nine minutes to ask crew members 10 to 20 questions.

Protein Manufacturing: The sample was transferred into a Box Module within MELFI-1 (Minus Eight-degree Freezer for ISS). 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.

Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction – Growth and Extinction Limit (SoFIE-GEL): The SoFIE Chamber insert was removed from CIR (Combustion Integrated Rack) and the Far Radiometer was removed. Trimming was performed on the shrink tubing on a cable. The SoFIE Short Duct was replaced with the SoFIE Long Duct and items were re-inserted back into the chamber; and rack doors were closed. The SoFIE-GEL investigation studies burning in microgravity, measuring the amount of heating in a fuel sample to determine how fuel temperature affects material flammability. Results could improve understanding of early fire growth behavior and help determine optimal fire suppression techniques, improving crew safety in future space facilities.

Space Fibers-3: The crew performed a data cable swap as part of troubleshooting efforts. The first sample run was aborted due to a misalignment. The failed sample was exchanged with Sample #2. Manufacturing Fiber Optic Cable in Microgravity (Space Fibers) evaluates a method for producing fiber optic cable from a blend of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium, and aluminum, called ZBLAN, in space.  ZBLAN produces glass one hundred times more transparent than silica-based glass, exceptional for fiber optics. Microgravity suppresses mechanisms that commonly degrade fiber, and previous studies showed improved properties in fiber drawn in microgravity compared to that fabricated on the ground.

Systems:

Water Storage System (WSS) Compressor Troubleshooting: The WSS compressor was checked to see if it is connected to the Ku Band Power Supply and reconfigurations were performed as needed. The ground powered on the compressor and may call crew into additional troubleshooting actions.

Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis & Data Record: The crew performed an analysis of the Water Processing Assembly (WPA) using the TOCA. The TOCA unit oxidizes organic carbon species present in the water to carbon dioxide gas and measures the concentration using nondispersive infrared spectroscopy. Analysis of the potable water using the TOCA occurs on a weekly basis. 

Water Transfer Station Setup: As part of a formal agreement with IP Russia, the crew gathered and set up Contingency Water Containers Iodine (CWCIs) for transfer of USOS water from the Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) to EDVs for the Russian Segment. EDVs are intended for short-term storage and manual water transportation between facilities.

Completed Task List Activities:

• None

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

• Combustion Integrated Rack Hardware Configuration
• PRO MSRR Deactivation Commanding

Look Ahead Plan

Friday, July 29 (GMT 210)
Payloads:

• ANITA Calibration and Measurement (ESA)
• CAL Jumper Leak Check (NASA)
• MSL SCA Exchange #2 (ESA)
• PGTD Cup Photo and SRO Sample (NASA)
• SF-3 MSG Ops (NASA)
• TangoLab-3 Cardcube Replace (NASA)
• TREK Video S/D (NASA)

Systems:

• IFM IRU R&R
• Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
• EMU Swap
• EVA IRU Check Out
• SLE Rotation
• BPA Photo Activity

Saturday, July 30 (GMT 211)
Payloads:

• CAL Jumper Leak Check (NASA)

Systems:

• Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations

Sunday, July 31 (GMT 212)
Payloads:

• Off-Duty

Systems:

• Crew Off-Duty

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

• Setup for the Butterfly Ultrasound Device activity
• Space Fibers-3 MSG Operations
• Cell Biology Experiment Facility Ops
• ESA Weekly crew conference
• Environmental Health System (EHS) – Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products (CSA-CP) Reading
• Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction MWA Preparation
• PGTIDE Stain Removal Ops – Pre-Stain Removal Procedure Review
• WSS Compressor Troubleshooting
• Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis/Data Record
• Genes in Space 9 Run 2 End
• Genes in Space-9 MELFI Sample Retrieve 3
• Genes in Space-9 MELFI Insert 2
• Protein Manufacturing Space Automated Bioproducts Laboratory Incubator Retrieve
• Protein Manufacturing MELFI Sample Insertion
• [deferred] Telescience Resource Kit Laptop Video Setup in Node 2
• PAO message recording
• Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS EveryWear (EVW) Nutrition Tracking
• Behavioral Core Measures ROBoT-r Research Testing
• Combustion Integrated Rack Hardware Configuration
• Material Science Laboratory Procedure Review
• MSL SCA Exchange Big Picture Words Review
• Installation of Experiment Cube #9 in the ICE Cubes Facility (slot J19)
• Cerebral Autoregulation Item Confirmation and Transfer
• Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
• Water Recovery System CWC-Iodine Fill Terminate/Initialization
• [aborted] Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference
• Cold Atom Lab Jumper Leak Check
• Butterfly Ultrasound Device Operations
• ISS HAM Columbus Pass Kenwood
• CWC-Iodine Fill Teardown
• Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Medical Accessories Kit (IMAK) Unpack from SPX-25
• Butterfly Ultrasound Device Stow
• Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) Intelligent Vision System (IVS) troubleshooting
• In-Flight Refill Unit Remove and Replace Gather
• Flight Director/ISS Crew Conference