NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 29 September 2018

Today – Binary Colloidal Alloy Test – Cohesive Sedimentation (BCAT-CS): The crew replaced all four SB-800 flash batteries with new AA batteries; they then verified the camera focus and alignment with manual images.
Recent reports from the BCAT team indicate the pixel brightness in the downlinked images is higher for the ISS samples compared to ground samples. This is possibly due to more spherical aggregates as they form in microgravity. The brightness may need to be corrected in future images. BCAT-CS focuses on the study of forces between particles that cluster together by using sediments of quartz and clay particles. Conducting the research in the microgravity environment of the ISS makes it possible to separate the forces acting on the particles over a short range (adhesive forces) versus those acting over a long range (cohesive forces). The quartz/clay system is commonly found in a wide variety of environmental settings (such as rivers, lakes, and oceans) and plays an important role in technological efforts related to deep-sea hydrocarbon drilling and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Human Research Facility Portable Computer (HRF PC): The crew attempted to perform the HRF PC software updates today, but encountered issues connecting to the network. Some troubleshooting was performed to verify the cause of the connection issues, the hardware was then returned to the original configuration. The HRF PCs are used to install and execute software that supports HRF experiments. They are also used to control equipment; to collect and store data, crew notes, and equipment notes; and to provide uplink and downlink capabilities.

JAXA Protein Crystallization Growth (JAXA LT PCG): The crew completed the transfer of two sets of JAXA LTPCG Samples from the HTV/ICE Box on HTV-7 to the Freezer-Refrigerator Of STirling cycle (FROST). The objective of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Protein Crystallization Growth (JAXA LT PCG) investigation is to grow high quality protein crystals in microgravity to determine protein structures in detail. The structures are used to develop pharmaceutical drugs in order to explore the mystery of our lives.

Japanese Experiment Module Airlock (JEMAL) Operations: The crew installed the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) Adapter Plate and JEM AL Slide Table Passive Capture Mechanism in preparation for the upcoming JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer 10 (J-SSOD) installation on Monday. The J-SSOD is a unique satellite launcher, handled by the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), which provides containment and deployment mechanisms for several individual small satellites. Once the J-SSOD is installed on the MPEP by crewmembers, it’s passed through the JEM airlock for retrieval, positioning and deployment by the JEMRMS.

HII Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-7 Cargo Transfer: The crew completed 11 hours 30 minutes of HTV-7 Cargo transfer operations today. The crew completed enough cargo operations today and will be able to move forward with the rack transfers currently scheduled for Monday. Ground specialists estimate it will take the crew a total of 15 hours to complete the first message.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: This evening, Robotics Ground Controllers will be powering up the MSS, maneuvering the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to extract the External Platform (EP) from the HTV-7 Unpressurized Logistics Carrier (ULC), and installing it on the Payload and ORU Accommodation (POA).

Completed Task List Activities:
None

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
C2V2 R2 Full RF Demonstration
External Platform (EP) Extract from HTV and Stow on POA
SPDM Unstow

Two-Day Look Ahead:

Saturday, 09/29: Housekeeping and Off Duty

Sunday, 09/30: HRF Saliva Collection, Off Duty

Monday, 10/01:

Payloads
J-SSOD 10 install on JEMAL slide table
FROST2 Controller Replace

Systems
HTV Cargo Transfer
Life Science Glovebox (LSG) hardware temporarily installed into JPM1F5
Express Rack 9B transfer from HTV-7 to COL1F2
RSR transfer from JPM1A5 to HTV-7
Express Rack 10B transfer from HTV-7 to JPM1A5
RSR transfer from LAB1P1 to HTV-7
Life Support Rack (LSR) transfer from HTV-7 to LAB1P1
MSS Operations: MT Translation to WS7

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

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-Cohesive Sedimentation SB-800 Flash Battery Changeout
Binary Colloidal Alloy – Cohesive Sedimentation Camera Check
Data Preparation for Return
Record COP24 script
Record ESTEC Open Day 2018 script
Record Wildscreen Festival script
EVA Procedure Review for Suit IV
Flight Director/ISS CREW CONFERENCE
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Medical Accessories Kit (IMAK) Unpack from HTV7
Health Maintenance System (HMS) Personal Medication Stow
Zbook PC2 Stow [Aborted]
Zbook Transfer to Express Rack 3 [Aborted]
Perform Data Connections Between HRF Rack 1 and Zbook PC1 [Aborted]
H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Ingress
Review HTV-7 Rack Transfer Big Picture Words
Delta file prep
International Procedure Viewer Tablet Questionnaire
ISS Crew departure preparation
MPEP Installation to JEM Airlock Slide Table
JAXA Video Taking
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
Transfer ICE Box 3 Temperature Logger data to JAXA Laptop
JAXA LTPCG Transfer
Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry Subject
Node 2 Nadir Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) Removal
Node 2 Nadir to HTV Vestibule Outfitting Part 2
Cascading Failure Recovery OBT for USOS crew
On-Board Training (OBT) HTV OBT post capture Conference
HTV Emergency Procedure Review
Making a documentary about life onboard the ISS
Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
Spacetex-2 questionnaire filling
Team Task Switching Experiment Survey Subject
Ultrasound 2 HRF 1 Power on [Aborted]
Restow Node 2 Nadir Vestibule Outfitting Kit (VOK)
XF305 Camcorder Setup
Transfer Operations – Prepack of US items to be loaded into Soyuz
Transfer Operations – Pack and stow items on HTV
HTV Cargo Operations Conference
BIODEGRADATION Structure Surface Sampling and Photography
Monitoring shutter closure on windows 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14. Note 9
ISS Crew and ???? (RSA Flight Control Team) Weekly Conference
ECON-M. Observations and photo (Task list)
Nikon still camera sync with station time
PROFILAKTIKA-2. Operator Assistance in Preparation for the Experiment
PROFILAKTIKA-2. Experiment Ops on ??-2 Treadmill (Individual strategy test). PROFILAKTIKA-2. Hygiene Procedures
PROFILAKTIKA-2. Closeout Ops.
PROFILAKTIKA-2. Preparation for the experiment.
VZAIMODEYSTVIE-2. EXPERIMENT OPS
??? Maintenance. Distillate sampling from ??? 1191
HTV Air Sampling using ??-1?
Dosimeter data readout and Pille flash-card replacement
Soyuz 738 Transfer Ops
Soyuz 738 ???? No.2 test prior to undocking.
Visual inspection and leak check, using US leak detector ULD in the orbital compartment [??] of Soyuz ?739. Report to MCC during comm pass
Soyuz 738 ??? Activation
Soyuz 738 Stowage Complete Report