NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 6 July, 2021 – Using Augmented Reality
Due to forecast extreme weather off the coast of Florida, SpaceX CRS-22 undocking is no longer planned for Wednesday, July 7.
NASA and SpaceX flight control teams continue to monitor the weather and splashdown locations and are prepared to support undocking of the Dragon cargo spacecraft once conditions are safe to do so. Certain parameters like wind speeds and wave heights must be within certain limits to ensure the safety of the recovery teams, the science, and the spacecraft.
The next opportunity for undocking is July 8 at 10:35 a.m. EDT, with NASA TV coverage scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Additional opportunities are available on July 9 and 10. NASA will provide an update Wednesday, July 7 on the date for undocking following a weather briefing.
NASA Flight Engineers Mark Vande Hei and Shane Kimbrough worked on cargo transfers inside the Dragon today. Kimbrough then joined Flight Engineers Megan McArthur and Thomas Pesquet and Commander Akihiko Hoshide at the end of the day and reviewed cargo craft emergency departure procedures. Pesquet set up a pair of computers inside the cupola in support of Dragon’s undocking and monitoring.
Hoshide and Kimbrough swapped roles as Crew Medical Officer today taking charge of vein scans with the Ultrasound-2 device. The duo took turns scanning each other’s neck, shoulder and leg veins. Hoshide also scanned McArthur’s veins as part of standard health checks with doctors on the ground monitoring.
Pesquet also had time Tuesday to wear the specialized Sidekick headset and examine the Tranquility module’s treadmill using augmented reality. The two-time station resident then moved on inspecting and photographing hatch seals on the Kibo laboratory module.
Roscosmos Flight Engineers Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov stayed focused on Russian cargo and station life support activities. Novitskiy updated computer data files associated with the recent docking of the ISS Progress 78 resupply ship. Dubrov worked on orbital plumbing and thermal systems hardware.
On-Orbit Status Report
Payloads
Collapsible Contingency Urinal (CCU) Demo: The crew performed multiple handheld fill and drain cycles of the CCU using fruit punch as a test fluid. The ground team guided and observed the operations to analyze performance characteristics and observe fluid dynamics and stability of liquid in the system. The CCU is exploration hardware flown to the ISS as a technical demonstration. The approach includes a fractal wetting design that incorporates smart capillary fluidics. This work could have a broad impact on capillary-based fluid management on spacecraft and on Earth.
Cargo Dragon Polar Troubleshooting: The crew was able to resolve issues with stuck fasteners in the Upper Port cargo pallet in Cargo Dragon SpaceX-22 (SpX-22) which prevented them from relocating a Polar unit yesterday. This allowed subsequent planned Polar relocations to occur. Polar is a Cold Stowage managed facility that provides transport and storage of science samples at cryogenic temperatures (-80ºC) to and from the ISS. Polar operates on 75 W supplied power and uses air cooling as its heat rejection method. Polar can accommodate up to 12.75 liters of sample volume and 20 lbm including sample support equipment.
JAXA Video Take 3: The crew participated in a video session for the delivery of a message to the public. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Public Relations Activity (JAXA EPO) includes conducting cultural activities such as writing reports about and filming video of activities aboard the ISS. These tools can help inform the public about the importance of the ISS, JAXA’s Kibo module, and human spaceflight.
T2 Treadmill Augmented Reality (T2AR) Monthly Inspection: The crew performed the science operations for the T2AR system. The objective is to use the T2AR system to assist the crew with the ISS treadmill monthly maintenance. T2AR conducts tests using augmented reality to help crew members perform inspection and maintenance on the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT). The ability to perform such tasks without assistance from Mission Control is vital for future space exploration such as a mission to Mars, where significant time delays occur in communications between space and ground. Using augmented reality to guide astronauts through complex spacecraft maintenance and repair activities also reduces the time needed for training and task performance.
Systems
Cargo Dragon Departure Preparations: The crew reconfigured several cold stowage assets in preparation of the SpX-22 departure. First, the crew completed troubleshooting to remove the Upper Port Cargo Pallet so that a Polar could be placed in the Upper Port powered payload location. Next, the crew relocated a Polar from the Upper Aft powered payload location to the return Upper Port powered payload location within SpX-22. Finally, the crew transferred two Polars from ISS to SpX-22 and installed them to the Upper Aft powered payload location. Due to inclement weather off the coast of Florida, SpX-22 undock has been delayed to Thursday, July 8th to return cargo and payloads to the ground. SpaceX will continue to monitor weather conditions for the next undock opportunity and reassess as needed.
Ultrasound Exam: Today, the crew used the ultrasound device to perform a Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) scan. This routine medical exam utilizes existing on-orbit eye exam ultrasound hardware for bilateral imaging of the internal jugular, entire subclavian-axillary axis, and lower extremity deep veins. VTE scans utilize a different frequency than the eye exams.
Air Avionics Assembly (AAA) Fan Inspection: The crew inspected the AAA which was removed from the NOD3D5 rack during Water Recovery System (WRS) recovery in May. The crew noted potential areas of microbial growth and cleaned the suspect locations with disinfectant wipes after downlinking images to the ground. The crew then temporarily stowed the AAA hardware while the ground assesses the imagery.
Hatch Damage Inspection: The crew performed hatch seal inspections of the JPM Starboard and LAB Aft hatches. The crew completed a photo surveys of both the JPM Starboard and LAB Aft hatches and realigned the JPM Starboard Interlocking Joint.
Emergency Air Supply Assembly: The crew completed the assembly of the Emergency Air Supply and then performed a system flow check with a quick-don mask to verify good functionality. The installation of the Emergency Air Supply into Endeavor will occur after the upcoming Port Relocation from Node 2 Forward to Node 2 Zenith.
Emergency On-Board Trainings (OBTs): The crew completed several OBTs in order to maintain crew emergency proficiency. The Endeavor crew completed Crew Dragon free-flight depressurization and emergency departure OBTs, and the 64S crew completed an emergency mask OBT.
Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products (CSA-CP) Extended Maintenance: As part of routine maintenance, the crew replaced battery packs in all six deployed CSA-CPs and zero calibrate all units. The CSA-CPs provide real-time readings following a combustion event and subsequent clean-up efforts. The CSA-CP is also used for continuous monitoring of carbon monoxide levels in the ISS.
Completed Task List Activities:
Crew Provisions Relocate
Cargo Dragon Departure OBT
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Solar Array Commanding for DC-1 Purges
Lab CDRA Activation for 4 Half Cycles (In Work)
Look Ahead Plan
Wednesday, July 7 (GMT 188)
Payloads:
Astrobee/Soundsee
CCU crew use
FIR/LMM/ACE-T-5
Food Physiology
Functional Immune
InSPACE-4
Junior Astronaut Video
Systems:
PIP AC Inverter R&R
AAA Fan Dry Out
UOP-5 Troubleshooting/R&R
Soyuz Emergency Drill
PEPS Audit
Max CEVIS
Thursday, July 8 (GMT 189)
Payloads:
CCU Use
FIR/LMM/ACE Module Configuration
InSPACE-4
MSL SCA Exchange
Plant Habitat-04
PWM 3 and 4
Systems:
SpX-22 Undock
JEM Return Grille Cleaning
Crew Dragon Free-Flight Fire OBT
Friday, July 9 (GMT 190)
Payloads:
Astrobee Off
Food Acceptability
GRIP
InSPACE-4
LIDAL Return to Nominal Location
PLT3 Preparation
PWM 3 and 4
Systems:
Crew Dragon Deorbit Entry and Landing Contingencies OBTs
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
HRF Generic Saliva Collection
Hematocrit test
HRF Generic Urine Collection
EHS CSA-CP Extended Maintenance
JAXA Video Taking Part 3
Crew Supplies Audit
Emer Air Supply Gather
Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 2 Power On
Cargo Dragon Polar Install Troubleshooting
HMS VTE Scans
Air Quality Monitor Rotate and Vent Inspection
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Thermal Amine Scrubber (TAS) Outlet Screen Rotate (Aborted)
Emergency Mask OBT
Collapsible Contingency Urinal In-Cabin Demo
Emer Air Supply Assembly
Polar Dragon Uninstall, Transfer, And Dragon Install
Dragon Locker Assist
Damaged Hatch Seal Inspection
Polar Express Rack Uninstall, Transfer, And Dragon Install
T2 Monthly Maintenance performed with Sidekick
Crewmember fills out questionnaire following T2 Maintenance with Augmented Reality.
Cargo Dragon Station Support Computer Relocate
IFM AAA Dry Out Set Up
EVA Battery Operations Terminal Autocycle Terminate
Metal Oxide (METOX) Regeneration Initiation
SpX-CREW DRAGON Emergency Departure proficiency
SpX-CREW DRAGON Free-Flight Depress Response Refresher
Food Physiology Fecal Sample Collection (Deferred)
Food Physiology MELFI Sample Insertion 1 (Deferred)
Food Physiology Fecal Sample Collection Hardware Stow (Deferred)
