NASA Space Station Status Report 18 July, 2022 – New Science Experiments

New science experiments continue to be unpacked from inside the newly-arrived SpaceX Dragon resupply ship.

The seven Expedition 67 crew members also ensured the International Space Station continues orbiting Earth in tip-top shape.

NASA Flight Engineers Jessica Watkins and Bob Hines spent Monday unloading some of the more than 5,800 pounds of science experiments and crew supplies delivered on Saturday inside the Dragon cargo craft. The duo transferred time-critical research samples into the orbital lab to begin exploring a variety of space phenomena to benefit humans on and off the Earth. Some of the new experiment include a human immune system study, a protein production investigation, and a cancer treatment experiment.

NASA Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren assisted Watkins and Hines today moving science freezers inside Dragon to access cargo pallets. Lindgren also tended to radishes and mizuna greens growing using hydroponic and aeroponic methods for the XROOTS space botany study. ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti tested computer connections inside the European Physiology Module that supports neuroscientific, cardiovascular, and physiological studies inside the Columbus laboratory module.

The station’s three cosmonauts focused mainly on life support maintenance duties. Commander Oleg Artemyev and Flight Engineer Denis Matveev serviced Russian ventilation systems replacing vents and filters. Flight Engineer Sergey Korsakov worked on orbital plumbing duties inside the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module.

On-Orbit Status Report

SpaceX-25 (SpX-25) Docking: The SpaceX-25 Cargo Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS on Saturday at 11:21 AM CT. Since its launch on Thursday evening, the spacecraft successfully performed a series of maneuvers and docked to the Node 2 (Harmony Module) forward docking port of the ISS.

Payloads:

European Physiology Module (EPM): EPM FCC troubleshooting was performed by reformatting the Mass Memory Unit and using the Test Link and software commanding to transfer files via the Hyper-Terminal. EPM is designed to investigate the effects of short- and long-duration spaceflight on the human body. It includes equipment for neuroscientific, cardiovascular, and physiological studies.

Fiber Optic Production-2 (FOP-2): Hardware was gathered in preparation for Fiber Optic Production 2.0 operations. 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.

Rodent Research-22 (RR-22): Rodent Habitats were set up and Rodent Transporters 1 and 2 were transferred from SpX-25 Dragon into the US Lab. Effects of Spaceflight on Tissue Regeneration (RR-22) investigates the effects of spaceflight on systemic and local responses of skin healing using mice as a model organism. Researchers use multiple genetic and biological assessments to define the underlying biological changes and identify those that affect tissue regeneration, which could provide therapeutic targets for improved treatments.

eXposed Root On-Orbit Test System (XROOTS): Fluid from Root Modules was recirculated back into Fluids Reservoir and the wicks were examined and opened when required. 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:

RS Extravehicular Activity (EVA) ESA Preparations: Crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti continued preparation activities for the upcoming RS EVA ESA, beginning with a review of the depress procedure for exiting MRM2. A familiarization activity was completed for translation ways and ESA EVA work zones using Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG). The Russian EVA is planned for Thursday, July 21.

Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Water Container (ЕДВ-У) Remove and Replace (R&R): Today the crew R&Red the existing ЕДВ-У in the WHC. The ЕДВ-У is intended for short-term storage and manual water transportation between facilities. The crew also swapped the EDV in the offload EDV spot of the Urine Transfer System (UTS).

Countermeasures Systems (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Maintenance: The crew completed 6-month routine ARED maintenance tasks including re-torqueing the crank handle socket head cap screw and inspecting the heel raise pin and mechanism. ARED helps the astronauts maintain muscle strength and mass by incorporating adjustable resistance piston-driven vacuum cylinders along with a flywheel system to simulate free-weight exercises in normal gravity.

Completed Task List Activities:

• None

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

• ARS Thermal Amine Vent
• PRO Start STP-H5 Timeliner Sequences
• Set Columbus WPA IFHX Limits to 900 kPa
• Reset the COL WPA IFHX Limits to 195 kPa

Look Ahead Plan

Tuesday, July 19 (GMT 200)
Payloads:

• Fiber Optic Production-2 Hardware Install (NASA)
• Forward Osmosis Membrane (FOM) Cell Activation (NASA)
• Immunosenescence Media Change and Sampling Ops (NASA)
• JAXA MCU T/S Setup (JAXA)
• Rodent Transporter Stow (NASA)
• SERFE CWC Iodine Removal (NASA)
• VECTION Session (CSA)

Systems:

• Dragon Node 2 Forward SODF Deploy
• RS EVA ESA Prep
• IFM WHC Pre-Treat Tank R&R

Wednesday, July 20 (GMT 201)
Payloads:

• Advanced NanoStep Cartridge Install (JAXA)
• FLARE (SCEM) sample insert (JAXA)
• FOM cell stow (NASA)
• Microscope H/W Setup via SABL (NASA)
• FOP-2 Sample Replace (NASA)
• Immunosenescence Microscopy (NASA)

Systems:

• RS EVA ESA Prep
• Cupola PCS Log File Transfer

Thursday, July 21 (GMT 202)
Payloads:

• FOP-2 Sample Replace (NASA)
• ISS HAM Pass (NASA)
• NanoRacks Module 48 Imagery (NASA)
• Rodent Water Check (NASA)
• XROOTS Nutrient Mix and Fluid Recovery and Check (NASA)

Systems:

• Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
• RS ESA EVA
• IFM NOD3A5 Rack Rotation for Inspection

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

• Setup For Charging All Solid State Li-ion Battery
• Dragon Cargo Transfer
• Review depress procedure per Exit from MRM2. Prepare Extracts from Exit from MRM2 procedure and electronic version of the procedure
• Urine Transfer System Offload EDV Swap
• Waste & Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Water Container (ЕДВ) Remove and Replace
• Rodent Research Animal Transfer
• High Definition Video Camera Assembly 2 Activation in High Definition Mode
• EPM Test Link Installation and Connection
• EPM FCC Troubleshooting
• Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) 6-Month Maintenance
• [in work] Cold Atom Lab Jumper Leak Check
• Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in JEM
• Microgravity Science Glovebox Activation
• Familiarization with translation ways and ESA EVA work zones through ISS windows and with DOUG software
• XROOTS Water Refill
• XROOTS Status Check
• Polar (Unpowered) Dragon Uninstall, Transfer, And Dragon Install
• EPM Test Link session end
• High Definition Video Camera Assembly 2 Switch to SD Mode
• Powered Payload Uninstall, Transfer, and EXPRESS Rack Install
• Fiber Optic Production 2.0 Hardware Gather
• LSG Work Volume Deploy