Blog

Jun 12, 2023

NASA International Space Station On

Expedition 44 Commander Gennady Padalka is packing gear inside the Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft for his return home Friday with two first time space visitors. Padalka will be completing his fifth mission

Expedition 44 Commander Gennady Padalka is packing gear inside the Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft for his return home Friday with two first time space visitors. Padalka will be completing his fifth mission for a record 879 cumulative days in space. Padalka will be flanked by visiting crew members Andreas Mogensen from Europe and cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov from Kazakhstan inside their Soyuz when they undock Friday at 5:29 p.m. EDT (21:29 UTC). They will land in Kazakhstan about three-and-a-half hours later. NASA Television will cover all the activities live, including the crew farewell, beginning at 1:45 p.m. (17:45 UTC).

The rest of the crew, which will officially become Expedition 45 when Padalka undocks, continued normal science and maintenance tasks. NASA astronaut Scott Kelly worked with a pair of tiny bowling ball-sized satellites outfitted with special gear to study fluid physics. He was later joined by cosmonauts Sergey Volkov and Mikhail Kornienko to review procedures and hardware they would use in the event of a medical emergency in space.

Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren worked on plumbing tasks before videotaping crew activities with an IMAX camera. Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui conducted a variety of life science experiments. Finally, cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko worked maintenance on Russian hardware before moving on to Russian science.

On-Orbit Status Report

Human Research Program (HRP) Operations:

– Salivary Markers: Yui collected saliva and urine samples in support of his FD 90 Salivary Markers and inserted them into MELFI. Salivary Markers samples will be used to measure markers of latent viral reactivation (a global indicator of immune impairment and infection risk) in conjunction with salivary antimicrobial proteins and immune cell functional assays. This research study will help identify if there are any risks of an adverse health event in crewmembers due to an impaired immune system. Maintaining a robust immune system during prolonged spaceflight missions (i.e., to other planets or asteroids) will be important to ensure mission success. If any impairment in immunity is found due to spaceflight, this will allow the development of appropriate countermeasures to help mitigate the risks.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) Slosh: Kelly performed the third SPHERES Slosh session of Increment 43/44. With assistance from ground teams, Kelly followed the uplinked test plan and worked through eight different objectives. Lindgren setup and recorded the sessions using both the IMAX and 3DA1 Cameras. The SPHERES-Slosh investigation uses small robotic satellites to examine how liquids move around inside containers in microgravity. A water bottle’s contents slosh around differently in space than on Earth, but the physics of liquid motion in microgravity are not well understood, which affects computer simulations of liquid rocket fuel behavior. Middle school and high school students control the SPHERES to study how liquids behave inside containers in space, which increases the safety and efficiency of future rockets.

Ryutai Reconfiguration: Yui reconfigured the Solution Crystallization Observation Facility (SCOF) within the Ryutai rack in preparation for the next session of Soret Facet scheduled for Increment 45. The Soret effect in fluids is a thermodynamic phenomenon in which different particles respond in different ways to varying temperatures. The effect, studied by the Swiss chemist Charles Soret, has been difficult to examine in detail on Earth because of gravity. The Study on Soret effect (thermal diffusion process) for the mixed solution by the in-situ observation technique facilitated at SCOF (Soret-Facet) is the first investigation to verify Soret conditions in steady and changing conditions, and to compare the Soret effect in microgravity with results on the ground, an important measurement for calibrating future investigations.

Node 3 Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Anomaly: Yesterday evening, the Node 3 CDRA pump experienced an anomaly at the beginning of segment 2 during Half Cycle 2. This anomaly had been seen before in February of this year. Ground team’s power cycled the Pump/Fan Motor Controller (PFMC) in order to recover from the problem. At this time Node 3 and Lab CDRAs are operating nominally and CO2 levels are within acceptable limits.

ESA Short Duration Mission

Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES): Commissioning Day#2 is complete and the hardware has been restowed. The team has experienced issues with

– LAN cable connectivity between EPM laptop and MARES Main Box– End stop over‐travel detection during the use of PEMS and EMG.

MARES is a physiological research facility that will be used to carry out research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular human physiology. The Commissioning Part#2 is the last step in this research rack check‐out activities. Its main goal is the performance of an integrated man‐in‐the‐loop technical protocol which characterizes all MARES subsystems and associated auxiliary measurement devices (ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and electromyogram).

MELONDAU: yesterday DEMES tasting session#5 was completed nominally, session #6 (and final session) was completed earlier today. Current status of MCA/AQM measurements:

‐ MCA measurements have been received by BIOTESC for GMT 248 to 250, and GMT 251 files are pending.

‐ AQM: confirmed that we have NO measurements for either for GMT 248 or 249. GMT 250, some files were acquired with AQM in speed mode (rather than autorun mode). GMT 251, the same speed mode was used.

Long‐distance and long‐term human space travel will only be possible with adequate life support systems in place, allowing extensive recycling of water and the in situ production of oxygen and food, with closed regenerative systems the most ideal way of reducing launch mass and costs. MELONDAU is a significant precursor flight experiment which will verify the recovery of biological processes of selected micro‐organisms, test a microfluid system essential for the overall monitoring and control of a closed regenerative life support system, and verify the acceptability of snacks composed of Micro‐Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) ingredients. This is a first step to enable the successful deployment of ESA’s MELiSSA system in space in the future.

MOBI‐PV: yesterday, Mogensen unstowed the MOBI-PV equipment. A missing USB adapter cable was found later in the day, and all the planned MOBI‐PV activities (i.e. smartphones battery charging) could be completed. The current ISS laptop‐based crew information system has certain drawbacks with respect to operator mobility and user interface options. The mobiPV experiment will demonstrate new technologies and operations concepts for ISS crew procedure execution, both for onboard crew, and ground teams, offering wireless operation, voice navigation and real time (over the shoulder) video streaming of workplace activities and synchronized in‐flight/on ground procedure execution. The mobiPV system could be deployed for future crew procedures and contingency operations with a potential to significantly shorten anomaly processing and resolution.

EPO IrISS: Mogensen completed three EPO scripts from the Cupola. The need for education in an ever‐increasing knowledge based society is without question and education forms a fundamental part of the mandate of the European Space Agency (ESA). The EPO IrISS set of education activities aims to introduce the concept of microgravity and human spaceflight to European children and students ranging from primary to tertiary level education. The activities related to this project are intended to stimulate the curiosity of students and to motivate them towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects as well as to bring awareness to the younger generation of the importance of the ISS as a testing bed for future exploration activities in space.

ENDOTHELIAL CELLS: KUBIK FM5 temperature is kept at +6°C until packing for return tomorrow. Human subjects and experimental animal models returning from space have shown muscle‐skeletal and cardiovascular problems accredited to injury of the endothelium: the system of cells lining the inner surface of all blood vessels. This project aims at understanding the reaction of cultured endothelial cells to spaceflight through cellular and genetic analysis.

Today’s Planned ActivitiesAll activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

HRF – Sample Collection and Prep for StowagePARODONT-2. Activities with Microbial Control and Mouthwash setsHRF – Sample MELFI InsertionHRF Urine Sample CollectionHRF – Sample MELFI InsertionURAGAN. Observation and photography using Photo EquipmentWRS – Recycle Tank Fill [Deferred]Diagnostics of FGB СУБК instruments 11М156М.XF305 – Camcorder SetupPCG – Canister AttachmentMARES. Experiment OpsSPHERES – Payload ConferenceCrew Departure PrepMARES. Ankle with sensors sessionSCOF – Cope cell reconfigSanitary & Hygiene Status MonitoringCBEF – Adding water to CBEF IUTesting FGB СЭС БФ-2 and БСШ-2. Tagup with specialists as necessary Collect SM and FGB Air Samples Using АК-1М SamplerLaptop 3DA1 Battery ChargeStowage of charged batteries for the upcoming SPHERES sessionPre-pack sampling equipment for returnИПД Air Sample Collection for Ammonia in SMPGS2 – Setup of Experiment Laptop Terminal ELT2 and connecting cables to CBEFHABIT – Recording Walk-Through VideoИПД tool belt transfer from Medical Locker container No.7 to soft containerIn-flight Microbiology Water analysis for coliform detection 44+/-4 hrs post processingFamiliarization with Auxiliary Computer System.Download Pille Dosimeter ReadingsHandover of PILLE dosimeters to FE-2BLR48 – Multi Media Card ExchangeWaste and Hygiene Compartment (WHS) Urine Receptacle and Insert Filter Changeout [Deferred]CALCIUM. Experiment SessionСОЖ maintenanceHRF Urine Sample CollectionHRF – Sample MELFI InsertionARED ExerciseMARES. Start battery dischargeSPHERES – Camera Setup and Video RecordingInstallation of Radiation Area Monitors [Deferred]MARES. Ankle configuration deinstallationReplacement of ПФ1, ПФ2 Dust Filters and Cleaning В1, B2 Fan Grills in MRM2 (ФГБ1ПГО_4_419_1, bag 428-25 (00067328R). Discard the removed items. Reflect changes in IMS)Microbial Environment Monitoring (Sample collection for Kit 2)Rodent Research (RR) – Equipment label and handover to RSCOSMOCARD. Closeout OpsVerification of ИП-1 Flow Sensor PositionBIOSIGNAL. Hardware Transfer to Soyuz 716ТК 716 Equipment Stowage for ReturnEPO IRISS LEGO & ROBOTICS Unstow and AssemblySPHERES – Camera Setup and Test OpsPOLIGEN. Video of fruit flies w/blocked access to foodPOLIGEN. Closeout OpsHRF Urine Sample Collection3DA1 Camcorder SetupCrew time for ISS adaptation and orientationBIORISK Biorisk-KM Tablet Removal from SM and Transfer to Soyuz 716POLIGEN. ТК 716 Transfers.MATRYOSHKA-R. QuestionnaireHRF – Sample MELFI InsertionENDO – KUBIK Temperature CheckCONSTANTA-2. Hardware Unstow and transfer to Soyuz 716WRM – Water Consumption Balance, place holderIMAX – Video of the Science OpsEPO – Video RecordingSTRUKTURA. Deactivation of crystallization processRetrieval of Replaceable HDD and Handover to StowageSTRUKTURA. Photo during the Experiment and at Exposure LocationVideo Recording – Announcement of EPO IRISS Space Robotics CompetitionCASKAD. Connecting Anabioz Incubator to РБС and Power UpTransfer of LUCH-2 kit to Soyuz 716EPO IRISS CubeSat Procedure OpsHMS – Food Frequency QuestionnaireCleaning FGB Gas-Liquid Heat Exchanger (ГЖТ) Detachable Screens 1, 2, 3IMS Delta File PrepDEMES – Tasting light salty snackCASKAD. Starting Anabioz No. 2 Battery ChargeMARES. Battery discharge statusEUCPD – Packing for ReturnHRF – Blood Collection SetupEUCPAD – Packing for ReturnBISTRO – Packing for ReturnEvening Work PrepHRF Urine Sample CollectionBISTRO. Transfer of Anabioz hardware for return to the ground3DA1 Camcorder Removal, File Transfer and DownlinkMARES. Monitoring Data transfer and power downSPHERES ShutdownHRF – Sample MELFI InsertionWRM – Water Consumption Balance, place holderMARES. Laptop relocation for file downlinkCONTENT. Experiment OpsMARES. Final StowageSPHERES – Data ExportТК 716 Transfer Operations Report (S-band)CheCS OBTMARES. Power Down and StowagePCRF – Temperature MeasurementSigning ISS RS Handover ProtocolMARES. Power Down and StowageMARES – Columbus work area reconfig for nominal opsMARES. HDD RemovalSpace Headaches Daily QuestionnaireEPO IRISS LEGO & ROBOTICS StowageComm Check and Ops from ТК 716 via RGSТПК 716 [СА] cool down prior to descent (12-15 hours before ТПК 716 Hatch Closure)КР1 VALVE – “ХСА MIN”,KP2 VALVE — XCA MAX

Completed Task List ItemsNone

Ground ActivitiesAll activities were completed unless otherwise noted.PVCU Refresh

Three-Day Look Ahead:Friday, 09/11: 42S Undock, PCG removal, SLAMMD setup control run, MSPR2 CO2 umbilical mate, Capillary BeverageSaturday, 09/12: Weekly Cleaning, Crew off dutySunday, 09/13: Crew Off Duty

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component – StatusElektron – OnVozdukh – Manual[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) – Off[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) – OnCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab – OperateCarbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 – OperateMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab – ShutdownMajor Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 – OperateOxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) – ProcessUrine Processing Assembly (UPA) – StandbyTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab – OffTrace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 – Full Up

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