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Expedition 38 Section
Expedition 38 Preview
Gallery
Soyuz TMA-10M
Soyuz TMA-11M
Progress M-21M
EVA-37a

Picture
>>>ISS Updates - February 2014

ISS Operations - January 31, 2014

Experiments:
  • Obstanovka – Payload Data Download [Obstanovka (=Environment) features external hardware including a set of magnetometers, wave sensors, potential probes, plasma discharge stimulators, an electron spectrograph and other components to study space weather. Obstanovka will study electromagnetic fields and plasma-wave processes occurring in the ISS Near Surface Zone to examine plasma component factors in near-Earth space. "The problems concerning the interaction of such super-large body as the International Space Station (ISS) with space plasma are of the top-priority importance for both technological and scientific experiments aboard the ISS," the RSC Energia Experiment Overview document said.]
  • Study of veins in lower extremities
  • Identification – Micro-Accelerometer Data Download (Misurkin) [The Identification Payload records structural dynamics data inside the individual modules of the Russian Segment to provide structural data to improve spacecraft design.]
  • Space Headache Questionnaire
  • Food Frequency Questionnaire
  • Journals [Electronic Journals are kept by USOS Crew Members as part of an ongoing NASA Psychological Investigation on psychological aspects of long-duration space flight.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Food Warmer Repair Attempt - Unsuccessful
  • Internal Wireless Integrated System (IWIS) Remote Sensor Unit (RSU) Node3 Deploy
  • Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) Fluid System Servicer (FSS) Lab Refill
  • EMU Li-Ion Battery (LLB) 3004 Troubleshooting
  • Removal of Local Temperature Sensor Switching Unit ЛКТ from Progress M-20M
  • Columbus SW Cycle 14 transition
  • SM Ventilation System Preventive Maintenance.

Other Activities:
  • Preparation for Cube Satellite (CubeSat) Deploys - Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) Removal from JEM Airlock Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform, Installation of NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer
  • Weekly Conference with Flight Control Teams
  • PAO Event
  • Progress M-20M Cargo Operations
  • Progress M-20M Stowage Complete Message
  • Progress M-20M Activation, Air Duct Removal
  • Progress M-20M Hatch Closure & Interface Leak Checks

ISS Operations - January 30, 2014

Experiments:
  • KPT-10 - Kulonovskiy Kristall (Coulomb Crystal) Experiment Session [The KPT-10 telescience study examines “dynamic and structural characteristics of the Coulomb systems formed by charged dispersed diamagnetic macroparticles in a magnetic field (trap), investigating the following processes onboard the ISS RS (Russian Segment): condensed dust media, Coulomb crystals, and formation of Coulomb liquids due to charged macroparticles,” the NASA experiment overview notes.]
  • ENERGY – Experiment Ops, Water Sample Collection [=Astronaut's Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight. ENERGY measures changes in energy balance during long term space flight, adaptations in the components of the Total Energy Expenditure and it will derive an equation for the energy requirements of astronauts. For the crew members, ENERGY includes a special diet, urine sampling, oxygen uptake measurements and diet logging.]
  • NanoRacks Module 9 Experiment Initialization [NanoRacks are small experiment racks that can be placed within ISS facilities to host a number of different autonomous, self-contained experiments that can be flown quickly and inexpensively, enabling students to have payloads flown to ISS. The NanoRacks 9 experiments include studies on enzyme activity in zero-gravity, DNA mutation rates in the space environment, cell regeneration and oil bubble formation.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Lab Inter-module Ventilation (IMV) Fan Cleaning
  • Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Air Hose and Liquid Indicator R&R
  • ENERGY – Transferring and Saving Data

Other Activities:
  • SpaceX-3 Cargo Pre-Pack
  • Post-EVA Tool Restow
  • Post-EVA SM ПхО and DC1 Reconfig to Nominal
  • TV Recording Session for TV Roscosmos
  • Progress M-21M Leak Checks, Hatch Opening, Vehicle Deactivation, Air Duct Installation & Docking System Removal
  • PAO Event

ISS Operations - January 29, 2014

Experiments:
  • ISERV – Removal from WORF for Pointing Mount Installation [The SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System (ISERV) was designed to assess an automated data acquisition process. ISERV will further improve Earth Observation techniques in support of environmental management, humanitarian assistance and disaster assessment. The project is managed by NASA and USAID. It operates from the Window Observation Facility in the Destiny Laboratory.]
  • Capillary Flow Experiment – Vane Gap 1 Test [“Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE) is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate capillary flows and flows of fluids in containers with complex geometries. Results will improve current computer models that are used by designers of low gravity fluid systems and may improve fluid transfer systems on future spacecraft.” (NASA Experiment Description)]
  • Reaction Self Test [RST is performed twice a day, in the morning and after the day's operations are complete, consisting of a short 5-minute simulation using a laptop computer to assess the effect fatigue has on crew members undergoing long-duration space flight.]
  • ENERGY – Experiment Ops [=Astronaut's Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight. ENERGY measures changes in energy balance during long term space flight, adaptations in the components of the Total Energy Expenditure and it will derive an equation for the energy requirements of astronauts. For the crew members, ENERGY includes a special diet, urine sampling, oxygen uptake measurements and diet logging.]
  • Microbial Air Sampling
  • Journals [Electronic Journals are kept by USOS Crew Members as part of an ongoing NASA Psychological Investigation on psychological aspects of long-duration space flight.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Low Temperature Loop (LTL) Pump Troubleshooting – Resistance Measurements, follow up on first Troubleshooting session after Jan 14 failure
  • Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) Light Microscopy Module (LMM) Objective Lens Troubleshooting
  • Columbus SW Cycle 14 transition – PWS2 Activation
  • IP-1 Airflow Sensor Performance and Position Verifications

Other Activities:
  • Post-EVA Orlan Space Suit Reconfig, Orlan Battery Discharging
  • EVA Debrief
  • Closeout with dismantled СКК after EVA-37A
  • Post-EVA Medical Kits Restow
  • TORU Test with Progress M-20M

Progress M-22M set to Launch Biomedical Research to ISS next Week

January 28, 2014

The next Progress Resupply Spacecraft to fly to the International Space Station is in the final stages of launch preparations at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan from where Progress M-22M will blast off atop a Soyuz-U rocket next week. Liftoff is planned on February 5 at 16:23 UTC followed by a four-orbit catch-up with ISS for docking to the Pirs Module at 22:24 UTC the same day.

>>>Mission Updates
Picture
Photo: RSC Energia

ISS Operations - January 28, 2014

Experiments:
  • ISERV – Pointing Mount Installation Review [The SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System (ISERV) was designed to assess an automated data acquisition process. ISERV will further improve Earth Observation techniques in support of environmental management, humanitarian assistance and disaster assessment. The project is managed by NASA and USAID. It operates from the Window Observation Facility in the Destiny Laboratory.]
  • ENERGY –  Experiment Ops [=Astronaut's Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight. ENERGY measures changes in energy balance during long term space flight, adaptations in the components of the Total Energy Expenditure and it will derive an equation for the energy requirements of astronauts. For the crew members, ENERGY includes a special diet, urine sampling, oxygen uptake measurements and diet logging.]
  • WinSCAT Experiment Ops [MedOps WINSCAT (Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows) is a computer based psychological evaluation that investigates concentration, verbal working memory, attention, short-term memory, spatial processing, and math skill of humans exposed to microgravity for extended periods of time.]
  • Matryoshka-R –Dosimeter Readings [Matryoshka-R consists of a number of radiation dosimeters that are set up inside the space station to assess radiation exposure of the crew relative to ISS position in its orbit and shielding provided by the modules.] 

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Waste & Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Water Container Remove and Replace (R&R)
  • USOS Food Warmer Troubleshooting (Continuing after Jan 16 failure)
  • A/L PCS Troubleshoot
  • Columbus Cycle14 software transition

Other Activities:
  • Story Time From Space – Reading „Max Goes to the Space Station” and “Max Goes to the Moon” as part of an ongoing outreach activity in which space station crew members read space and science related stories in orbit and demonstrate basic experiments covering those fields.
  • Post EVA Operations: Tool reconfiguration and stowage, suit reconfiguration, Pirs Airlock reconfig, equipment transfers
  • Progress M-20M leak checks and hatch opening after EVA, Progress deactivation air duct installation
  • Periodic Fitness Evaluation [Crew members complete regular fitness checks to help flight surgeons to assess their current health and fitness status and adjust daily exercise protocols if needed. For the protocol which is performed once a month, crew members exercise on the CEVIS ergometer wearing biomed sensors to measure BP (blood pressure) & ECG (electrocardiogram).]

Picture
Image: NASA TV
Spacewalkers install Earth-observing Cameras on Space Station

January 27, 2014

Russian Cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazansky ventured outside the airlock of the International Space Station on Monday, performing a partially successful six-hour and eight-minute spacewalk to re-install the two UrtheCast cameras.

The cameras were installed on EVA-37 in December but had to be taken back inside ISS due to a problem with the data path to the cameras. On Monday, the two cameras were successfully re-installed with a good command and data path on the High Resolution Camera to enable UrtheCast to begin sharing HD Earth views later this year. The status of the Medium Resolution Camera is uncertain as Mission Control did not receive the expected telemetry from the system and troubleshooting during the spacewalk did not solve of problem.


>>>EVA Updates

ISS Cosmonauts set for Spacewalk on Monday to complete open Tasks

January 26, 2014

International Space Station Cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazansky are ready for a six-hour spacewalk on Monday to re-attempt the installation of the UrtheCast Cameras on the exterior of the Russian segment - a task that had to be deferred in December when the cameras were taken back inside ISS due to technical trouble.

>>>EVA Updates
Picture
Photo: NASA

ISS Operations - January 24, 2014

Experiments:
  • Ocular Health – Cardiac and Ocular Ultrasounds [OH is a new human physiology study. Its full name is Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews. "The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment," the NASA experiment overview said. It is known that some (not all) astronauts in orbit experience changes in visual acuity (visual clarity) and intraocular pressure as a result of fluid shifts within the body as it is subjected to microgravity. About 20% is astronauts flying to ISS have reported these kinds of changes. Test subjects will undergo pre-flight, flight and post-flight testing of their eyes using a variety of techniques.]
  • SPHERES – Vertigo Payload Ops [SPHERES stands for Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites and involves two satellites that are used inside the space station to provide a miniature testbed to study maneuvering capabilities and spacecraft measurement systems. These two small satellites are used to study maneuvers in space in miniature inside the ISS.]
  • Space Headache Questionnaire

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • US Food Warmer Troubleshooting
  • Replacement of СРВ-К2М Sediment Trap Insert

Other Activities:

  • Handover of US photo camera to RS EVA crew
  • Orlan No. 4, No. 6 Systems Check
  • DC1 Orlan Interface Unit (БСС) Check
  • Orlan Fit Check and Translation Exercise
  • Installation of Orlan spacesuit replaceable elements for EVA
  • “Life on Station” – Documentary Video Shoot (Russian Crew Members) [Crew Members chronicle their lives aboard ISS for a documentary produced by Telekanal Roscosmos.]

ISS Operations - January 23, 2014

Experiments:
  • Body Measures - Body Marker Instrumentation, Calibration & Body Pose Photo Collection, Circumference measurements [During long duration space flight, body measurements change over time due to fluid shift in microgravity. This study attempts to better understand the magnitude and variability of these changes. This is important for future long duration flights and flights to distant destinations with respect to suit sizing, work station design, seat measurements in order to minimize risk of injury and maximise crew effectivity.]
  • Ocular Health - Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Test and Fundoscope Examination [OH is a new human physiology study. Its full name is Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews. "The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment," the NASA experiment overview said. It is known that some (not all) astronauts in orbit experience changes in visual acuity (visual clarity) and intraocular pressure as a result of fluid shifts within the body as it is subjected to microgravity. About 20% is astronauts flying to ISS have reported these kinds of changes. Test subjects will undergo pre-flight, flight and post-flight testing of their eyes using a variety of techniques.]
  • Circadian Rhythms - Thermolab [The Circadian Rhythms Study will examine the role of synchronized circadian rhythms and possible maintenance during long-duration spaceflight and addresses the impacts to crew members’ health and wellbeing. Understanding how the dark/light cycle and sleep shifting affects circadian rhythms and with that the performance of the crew members will enable scientists to develop new sleep shifting techniques for crew members in space and shift workers on Earth.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Filter Change out
  • IP-1 Airflow Sensor Checkout
  • Maintenance activation of Atmosphere Purification System Emergency Vacuum Valves
  • Checkout of Beta-08 Data Output Device (УСИ) Using Gamma-1M

Other Activities:

  • Dragon SpX-3 Return Cargo Pre-Pack
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Camera Configuration
  • Oxygen Repress by Progress M-20M
  • Orlan and БСС telemetry check. Orlan comm check and medical parameter test
  • Comm reconfig into initial after Orlan Comm
  • Installation of US Equipment on Orlans
  • PAO Event

ISS Operations - January 22, 2014

Experiments:
  • SPHERES Slosh Experiment Test Run [SPHERES stands for Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites and involves two satellites that are used inside the space station to provide a miniature testbed to study maneuvering capabilities and spacecraft measurement systems. The Slosh experiment investigates how liquids move around inside containers in microgravity. A good understanding of the processes at work would improve modeling of the behavior of rocket fuel inside the tanks of satellites and other spacecraft or rockets.]
  • Ocular Health - Tonometry & Blood Pressure Measurements [OH is a new human physiology study. Its full name is Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews. "The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment," the NASA experiment overview said. It is known that some (not all) astronauts in orbit experience changes in visual acuity (visual clarity) and intraocular pressure as a result of fluid shifts within the body as it is subjected to microgravity. About 20% is astronauts flying to ISS have reported these kinds of changes. Test subjects will undergo pre-flight, flight and post-flight testing of their eyes using a variety of techniques.]
  • Cosmo Shoot
  • VIRTUAL Experiment
  • Reaction Self Test [RST is performed twice a day, in the morning and after the day's operations are complete, consisting of a short 5-minute simulation using a laptop computer to assess the effect fatigue has on crew members undergoing long-duration space flight.]
  • Journals [Electronic Journals are kept by USOS Crew Members as part of an ongoing NASA Psychological Investigation on psychological aspects of long-duration space flight.]
  • Interactions – Experiment Operations [‘Vzaimodeistviye’ looks at psychological aspects of long duration space flight during which different cultures come together aboard a Spacecraft such as ISS and seeks to improve crew interactions aboard ISS and with teams on the ground.]

Maintenance/Servicing:

  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Node 2 Endcone Cleanout
  • Replacement of КОБ2 loop Н2 pump on 4СПН2 panel

Other Activities:

  • Orlan 4 and 6 fit adjustment by height
  • Pirs & PKhO Oxygen Tank Pressure Check
  • Spacesuit and БСС leak test and valve tests
  • Review EVA Translation Paths and Work Zones using DOUG
  • Removal of two handles from the front of ТГК 420 hatch, installation of ТКГ 420 docking mechanism
  • Crew Medical Officer Proficiency Training [CMO skills are reviewed and trained at various points in the mission to keep up proficiency and ensure proper responses in critical health situations on board.]

ISS Operations - January 21, 2014

Experiments:
  • ENERGY – Start of 10-day session [=Astronaut's Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight. ENERGY measures changes in energy balance during long term space flight, adaptations in the components of the Total Energy Expenditure and it will derive an equation for the energy requirements of astronauts. For the crew members, ENERGY includes a special diet, urine sampling, oxygen uptake measurements and diet logging.]
  • Sound Level Meter – Acoutstic Survey
  • VIRTUAL - Setup, Conduct Experiment and Closeout Ops
  • COSMO Shoot Operations
  • MOTOCARD Experiment

Maintenance/Servicing:

  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • CDRA Leak Checks
  • BMP Harmful Impurities Removal System Cartridge Bakeout
  • Air Duct Clean Ups in MRM2
  • Dust Filter Replacement in MRM2
  • Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Installation
  • Replacement of СД1-7 Light in Pirs

Other Activities:

  • Retractable Equipment Tether (RET) Inspection and Tool Transfer for EVA-37a
  • Activation and inspection of Orlan suits No. 4, No. 6
  • Checkout of БСС (Spacesuit Interface Unit) in PKhO and Pirs
  • US EVA Equipment Handover
  • Gather BASS samples, InSpace tapes, in a 1.0 CTB, then stage for SpX-3 return

ISS Operations - January 20, 2014

Experiments:
  • Multi-Gas Monitor Installation [The Multi Gas Monitor is a small device that monitors the concentration of multiple gases in the internal Space Station Environment using laser spectroscopy. The device measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and water vapor (humidity) in a spacecraft environment. The core objective of the Multi-Gas Monitor is to demonstrate interference-free and drift-free measurements of the gases in order to maintain crew health.]
  • ENERGY Experiment [=Astronaut's Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight. ENERGY measures changes in energy balance during long term space flight, adaptations in the components of the Total Energy Expenditure and it will derive an equation for the energy requirements of astronauts. For the crew members, ENERGY includes a special diet, urine sampling, oxygen uptake measurements and diet logging.]
  • Ocular Health Vision Tests  [OH is a new human physiology study. Its full name is Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews. "The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment," the NASA experiment overview said. It is known that some (not all) astronauts in orbit experience changes in visual acuity (visual clarity) and intraocular pressure as a result of fluid shifts within the body as it is subjected to microgravity. About 20% is astronauts flying to ISS have reported these kinds of changes. Test subjects will undergo pre-flight, flight and post-flight testing of their eyes using a variety of techniques.]
  • NanoRacks Module 38 Operations – Using Microscope-2 to perform microscopic analysis of the NanoRacks Module-38 Petri Dishes. [This Experiment looks at Petri Dish growth using the NanoRacks Microscope-2 Facility.]
  • DECLIC (Device for the study of Critical Liquids and Crystallization) Maintenance
  • SPHERES – Battery Installation
  • TOCA Calibration
  • Aniso Tubule Closeout [Roles of cortical microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins in gravity-induced growth modification of plant stems. This biological study will fly plants to ISS to study how their microtubules, or tubular proteins, arrange themselves in microgravity directing plant growth and structure. On Earth, these microtubules arrange themselves transversely to provide support to the plant which is required to withstand Earth's gravity.  Taking the plant-anisotropy principle to the next level is testing the hypothesis that plants would develop a long and thin body by changing orientation of cortical microtubule under microgravity conditions in space. And that is exactly what Aniso Tubule will accomplish. ]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • JEM Thermal Control Assembly (TCA) Pump Package Troubleshooting - Unit and Connector Inspection
  • Express Rack 2 Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS) Hardware Removal and Rack Modification
  • BMP Harmful Impurities Removal System Cartridge Bakeout
  • Cleaning FGB ГЖТ Detachable Screens
  • ARED Cylinder Evacuation

Other Activities:
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Retractable Equipment Tether (RET) Inspection
  • Crew Medical Officer Proficiency Training [CMO skills are reviewed and trained at various points in the mission to keep up proficiency and ensure proper responses in critical health situations on board.]
  • Checking EVA support panel (ПОВ) in PKhO
  • Set-Up and Test TV D/L from SM using video camera Sony HVR-Z7E before RS EVA 37A
  • Reviewing EVA Translation Paths and Work Zones through ISS Windows
  • Specific EVA Procedure Review

ISS Operations - January 17, 2014

Robotics:
The Space Station Remote Manipulator System for the first time grappled the Zarya Power & Data Grapple Fixture. Checkouts of the electrical and data interfaces will be performed next week.

Experiments:
  • SPHERES - Zero Robotics Test [SPHERES stands for Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites and involves two satellites that are used inside the space station to provide a miniature testbed to study maneuvering capabilities and spacecraft measurement systems. Students developed the sequences that the two bowling-ball sized microsatellites were put through. These two small satellites are used to study maneuvers in space in miniature inside the ISS.]
  • Aniso Tubule Experiment [Roles of cortical microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins in gravity-induced growth modification of plant stems. This biological study will fly plants to ISS to study how their microtubules, or tubular proteins, arrange themselves in microgravity directing plant growth and structure. On Earth, these microtubules arrange themselves transversely to provide support to the plant which is required to withstand Earth's gravity.  Taking the plant-anisotropy principle to the next level is testing the hypothesis that plants would develop a long and thin body by changing orientation of cortical microtubule under microgravity conditions in space. And that is exactly what Aniso Tubule will accomplish. ]
  • Study of Cardiovascular System Under Graded Physical Load on VELO
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
  • ENERGY - Hardware Pre-Assembly
  • Space Headache Questionnaire

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Image Processing Unit (IPU) Video Recording Unit (VRU) Hard Disk Exchange
  • Combustion Integrated Rack Reconfiguration
  • Cleaning ГЖТ4 (Gas-Liquid Heat Exchanger) ВТ-7 Fan Screen

Other Activities:
  • HAM Radio Session
  • Audit and consolidate wet trash bags and trash bag liners
  • Weekly Conference with Flight Control Teams

ISS Operations - January 16, 2014

ISS Reboost:
Canceled due to possible post-reboost conjunction. Replanned for January 17.

Systems Note:
US Food Warmer within Destiny Express Rack 6 experienced an over-current issue and tripped its Remote Power Controller. The Food Warmer is No-Go for use until the issue is resolved.

Experiments:
  • ESA Nightpod Setup in Cupola for imagery acquisition session
  • BCAT-KP Setup [The Binary Colloidal Alloy Test - Kinetics Platform builds on the success of the BCAT payloads that have been active aboard ISS since 2004. BCAT-KP provides a platform for material and industrial scientists to perform colloid phase change experiments in space in order to develop new colloidal materials and formulations with improved properties including new liquid-crystals with longer shelf life and new applications. The study will particularly look at the characterization of phase kinetics for emulsions in a low gravity environment.]
  • NanoRacks Module 38 Operations – Using Microscope-2 to perform microscopic analysis of the NanoRacks Module-38 Petri Dishes. [This Experiment looks at Petri Dish growth using the NanoRacks Microscope-2 Facility.]
  • SPHERES - Zero Robotics Test [SPHERES stands for Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites and involves two satellites that are used inside the space station to provide a miniature testbed to study maneuvering capabilities and spacecraft measurement systems. Students developed the sequences that the two bowling-ball sized microsatellites were put through. These two small satellites are used to study maneuvers in space in miniature inside the ISS.]
  • Vaccine-21 Activation [Vaccine 21 aims to use a spaceflight antibiotic effectiveness model to address drug-resistance issues on Earth by identifying what phenotypic and transcriptomic changes permit bacterial survival under various antibiotics concentrations.The payload is operated via the Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) that requires the crew members to activate the experiment. The experiment is then left active for a pre-determined amount of time before the crew members terminate the experiment. Subsequently, the payload is returned to Earth for detailed analysis.]
  • Seismoprognoz Comm Checks [Seismoprognoz will measure the temporal and spatial scales of ionospheric disturbances caused by seismic phenomena in order to develop algorithms to detect plasma features of earthquakes and anthropogenic impacts from space-based instruments. The payload consists of an external monoblock, a Data Control and Acquisition Module, an attachment kit, flash memory and associated cables and connectors.]
  • Matryoshka-R –Dosimeter Initialization & Deployment [Matryoshka-R consists of a number of radiation dosimeters that are set up inside the space station to assess radiation exposure of the crew relative to ISS position in its orbit and shielding provided by the modules.] 

Maintenance/Servicing:

  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • AMS Software Load
  • Installation of Power Supply System Diagnostic Equipment ИН-50 in Zarya
  • MELFI Nitrogen Pressure Check

Other Activities:
  • Preparation of Spacesuit Replaceable Elements, Service and Personal Gear
  • ISS Medical Accessory Kit (IMAK) Unpack
  • Locating EVA hardware and tools
  • Post EVA 25 Airlock Audit Systems 
  • PAO Event
Picture
Photo: NASA
Picture
Photo: NASA
Picture
Photo: NASA

ISS Operations - January 15, 2014

Experiments:
  • Try Zero-Gravity (Try Zero-G) Experiments - Series of JAXA Outreach Experiments
  • Vaccine-21 Activation [Vaccine 21 aims to use a spaceflight antibiotic effectiveness model to address drug-resistance issues on Earth by identifying what phenotypic and transcriptomic changes permit bacterial survival under various antibiotics concentrations.The payload is operated via the Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) that requires the crew members to activate the experiment. The experiment is then left active for a pre-determined amount of time before the crew members terminate the experiment. Subsequently, the payload is returned to Earth for detailed analysis.]
  • NanoRacks Module 9 Experiment Initialization [NanoRacks are small experiment racks that can be placed within ISS facilities to host a number of different autonomous, self-contained experiments that can be flown quickly and inexpensively, enabling students to have payloads flown to ISS. The NanoRacks 9 experiments include studies on enzyme activity in zero-gravity, DNA mutation rates in the space environment, cell regeneration and oil bubble formation.]
  • Hand Ergometry
  • OBSTANOVKA – Data Download [Obstanovka (=Environment) features external hardware including a set of magnetometers, wave sensors, potential probes, plasma discharge stimulators, an electron spectrograph and other components to study space weather. Obstanovka will study electromagnetic fields and plasma-wave processes occurring in the ISS Near Surface Zone to examine plasma component factors in near-Earth space. "The problems concerning the interaction of such super-large body as the International Space Station (ISS) with space plasma are of the top-priority importance for both technological and scientific experiments aboard the ISS," the RSC Energia Experiment Overview document said.]
  • Journals [Electronic Journals are kept by USOS Crew Members as part of an ongoing NASA Psychological Investigation on psychological aspects of long-duration space flight.]
  • КАПЛЯ-2 Experiment Ops

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Waste & Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Component Maintenance
  • IP-1 Airflow Sensor Verification
  • Urine transfer from EDV-U to ТКГ 420 Rodnik Tank 2
  • Replacement of Х1 cable for condensate pumping control unit
  • EVA Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Recharge Terminate
  • Deploy AC INVERTER on LAB UOP2-J4, PS-120 Junction Box J4

Other Activities:
  • ISS Emergency Simulation On-board Training (Toxic Ammonia Release) for all Crew Members to maintain crew proficiency in contingencies & tagup with ground specialists
  • Cygnus Cargo Ops - Unpack complete
  • Soyuz TMA-10M Kazbek Fit Check [Crew members check the fit of their custom fitted Kazbek Seat Liners inside their Soyuz vehicles to make slight adjustments if required to maintain proper fit and clearances in preparation for deorbit and landing and in readiness for emergency deorbit.]

ISS Operations - January 14, 2014

Systems Note:
The JEM Low-Temperature Internal Thermal Control System Loop Remote Power Controller tripped due to a spike in  current. The Loop shut down as a result and single Low-Temp Loop had to be configured to provide cooling to all systems. The problem is being investigated by JAXA specilists.

Experiments:
  • Cosmo Shoot Operations using 4K Camera
  • Vaccine-21 Activation [Vaccine 21 aims to use a spaceflight antibiotic effectiveness model to address drug-resistance issues on Earth by identifying what phenotypic and transcriptomic changes permit bacterial survival under various antibiotics concentrations.The payload is operated via the Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) that requires the crew members to activate the experiment. The experiment is then left active for a pre-determined amount of time before the crew members terminate the experiment. Subsequently, the payload is returned to Earth for detailed analysis.]
  • Aniso Tubule Experiment [Roles of cortical microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins in gravity-induced growth modification of plant stems. This biological study will fly plants to ISS to study how their microtubules, or tubular proteins, arrange themselves in microgravity directing plant growth and structure. On Earth, these microtubules arrange themselves transversely to provide support to the plant which is required to withstand Earth's gravity.  Taking the plant-anisotropy principle to the next level is testing the hypothesis that plants would develop a long and thin body by changing orientation of cortical microtubule under microgravity conditions in space. And that is exactly what Aniso Tubule will accomplish. ]
  • Reaction Self Test [RST is performed twice a day, in the morning and after the day's operations are complete, consisting of a short 5-minute simulation using a laptop computer to assess the effect fatigue has on crew members undergoing long-duration space flight.]
  • Study Of Cardiac Bioelectric Activity At Rest
  • KPT-10 - Kulonovskiy Kristall (Coulomb Crystal) Experiment Session [The KPT-10 telescience study examines “dynamic and structural characteristics of the Coulomb systems formed by charged dispersed diamagnetic macroparticles in a magnetic field (trap), investigating the following processes onboard the ISS RS (Russian Segment): condensed dust media, Coulomb crystals, and formation of Coulomb liquids due to charged macroparticles,” the NASA experiment overview notes.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Hatch Seal Inspection
  • Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Long Life Battery (LLB) Autocycle Initiate

Other Activities:
  • Cygnus Cargo Operations
  • Soyuz TMA-10M Emergency Descent Training
  • PAO Event
  • Progress M-20M Cargo Operations

ISS Operations - January 13, 2014

Experiments:
  • Ants in Space – Camera Setup, ant forage habitat setup & dorr opening to relase atns into forage areas. [The CGBA provides automated processing for biological experiments on the International Space Station. The ants experiment flies a group of ants (Pavement Ant (Tetramorium Caespitum)) to space to study their behavior in microgravity conditions and make comparisons to their behavior in normal gravity. The experiment will examine how the interactions among ants in a group depend on the number of ants in a given area to gain knowledge on group dynamics. 
  • NanoRacks Module 9 Experiment Initialization [NanoRacks are small experiment racks that can be placed within ISS facilities to host a number of different autonomous, self-contained experiments that can be flown quickly and inexpensively, enabling students to have payloads flown to ISS. The NanoRacks 9 experiments include studies on enzyme activity in zero-gravity, DNA mutation rates in the space environment, cell regeneration and oil bubble formation.]
  • NanoRacks Module 38 Operations – Using Microscope-2 to perform microscopic analysis of the NanoRacks Module-38 Petri Dishes. [This Experiment looks at Petri Dish growth using the NanoRacks Microscope-2 Facility.]
  • RFx - Reversible Figures Experiment [This is an ESA-operated study that examines the adaptive nature of the human neuro-vestibular system in the processing of gravitational information related to 3D visual perception.]
  • Taking PILLE radiation dosimeter readings
  • KPT-10 - Kulonovskiy Kristall (Coulomb Crystal) Experiment Session [The KPT-10 telescience study examines “dynamic and structural characteristics of the Coulomb systems formed by charged dispersed diamagnetic macroparticles in a magnetic field (trap), investigating the following processes onboard the ISS RS (Russian Segment): condensed dust media, Coulomb crystals, and formation of Coulomb liquids due to charged macroparticles,” the NASA experiment overview notes.]
  • Cardiovascular evaluation during graduated VELO exercises.
  • Vaccine-21 Transfer from Cygnus to Express Rack [Vaccine 21 aims to use a spaceflight antibiotic effectiveness model to address drug-resistance issues on Earth by identifying what phenotypic and transcriptomic changes permit bacterial survival under various antibiotics concentrations.The payload is operated via the Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) that requires the crew members to activate the experiment. The experiment is then left active for a pre-determined amount of time before the crew members terminate the experiment. Subsequently, the payload is returned to Earth for detailed analysis.]
  • Journals [Electronic Journals are kept by USOS Crew Members as part of an ongoing NASA Psychological Investigation on psychological aspects of long-duration space flight.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Crew Quarters Laptop Powerdown
  • Air Sampling inside Zarya & Service Module
  • Tighten screw clamps at МRМ1-ГА-FGB Interface
  • Auxiliary Computer System [ВКС] Equipment Pre-Pack For Disposal In Progress M-20M

Other Activities:
  • Emergency Procedure Review
  • Cygnus Cargo Operations
  • OBR-5 (Education-5 project) - VELIKOE NACHALO (“Great Beginning”) – Education Event during which Russian crew members respond to questions from the public concerning space flight

Robotics:
  • SSRMS ungrapple from Cygnus PVGF and maneuver for Latching End Effector A inspection via Cupola Windows, SSRMS walkoff from Node 2 PDGF to the Lab PDGF for LEE-B inspection

Picture
Image: NASA
Cygnus installed on Space Station after flawless Rendezvous & Capture

January 12, 2014

Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft has arrived at the International Space Station, being captured by the Station's robotic arm on Sunday at 11:08 UTC after a clean rendezvous. The Cygnus spacecraft, named C. Gordon Fullerton, was berthed to the Harmony Module later on Sunday which will be followed by hatch opening to mark the start of a four-week docked mission to facilitate the transfer of nearly 1,500 Kilograms of cargo.

>>>Mission Updates

Cygnus Spacecraft ready for Rendezvous with Space Station on Sunday

January 11, 2014

The International Space Station is ready to welcome the Cygnus spacecraft making its first regular flight to ISS. Cygnus is approaching the Station for its final rendezvous sequence on Sunday for capture by the Space Station's  robotic arm controlled by Astronaut Mike Hopkins. Capture is set for 11:02 UTC followed by berthing the spacecraft to the Harmony module to mark the start of a busy cargo mission expected to last about four weeks.

>>>Mission Updates
Picture
Photo: NASA

ISS Operations - January 10, 2014

Experiments:
  • Aniso Tubule Experiment [Roles of cortical microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins in gravity-induced growth modification of plant stems. This biological study will fly plants to ISS to study how their microtubules, or tubular proteins, arrange themselves in microgravity directing plant growth and structure. On Earth, these microtubules arrange themselves transversely to provide support to the plant which is required to withstand Earth's gravity.  Taking the plant-anisotropy principle to the next level is testing the hypothesis that plants would develop a long and thin body by changing orientation of cortical microtubule under microgravity conditions in space. And that is exactly what Aniso Tubule will accomplish. ]
  • VIABLE Experiment - 6-month ops involving touching the experiment materials & exhaling onto them [VIABLE = eValuatIon And monitoring of microBiofiLms insidE the ISS – Long Term Study]
  • Capillary Flow Experiment – Vane Gap 2 Test Operations (Cassidy) [This study evaluates managing techniques for handling liquid fuels, cryogens, water-based solutions and thermal fluids in spacecraft systems.]
  • Pro-K – Urine Spot Test, Diet Logging, Sample Processing and stowage [The full name of this study is Dietary Intake Can Predict and Protect against Changes in Bone Metabolism during Spaceflight and Recovery. It involves crew members sticking to a low salt or high salt diet for five days, logging their food intake, collecting and analysing urine and blood samples and preparing samples for analysis on the ground.] 
  • URAGAN - Earth Observation Session using Photo Spectral System
  • Ocular Health - Tonometry & Blood Pressure Measurements [OH is a new human physiology study. Its full name is Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews. "The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment," the NASA experiment overview said. It is known that some (not all) astronauts in orbit experience changes in visual acuity (visual clarity) and intraocular pressure as a result of fluid shifts within the body as it is subjected to microgravity. About 20% is astronauts flying to ISS have reported these kinds of changes. Test subjects will undergo pre-flight, flight and post-flight testing of their eyes using a variety of techniques.]
  • Matryoshka-R – Tritel Readings, BUBBLE Dosimeter Initialization & Deployment, RADIN Dosimeter Deploy [Matryoshka-R consists of a number of radiation dosimeters that are set up inside the space station to assess radiation exposure of the crew relative to ISS position in its orbit and shielding provided by the modules.] 
  • Interactions – Experiment Operations [‘Vzaimodeistviye’ looks at psychological aspects of long duration space flight during which different cultures come together aboard a Spacecraft such as ISS and seeks to improve crew interactions aboard ISS and with teams on the ground.]
  • Journals [Electronic Journals are kept by USOS Crew Members as part of an ongoing NASA Psychological Investigation on psychological aspects of long-duration space flight.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Payload 1 (PL-1) MDM Enhanced Processor Integrated Communications (EPIC) Card Replacement
  • Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Set Screw Tightening
  • Cosmo Shoot High Definition Television (HDTV) Recorder Removal and Replacement
  • Zarya - Lighting Assembly Replacement

Picture
Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Cygnus in Orbit after dynamic Countdown but flawless Antares Launch

January 9 ,2014

Embarking on the first operational flight to the International Space Station, Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft was launched atop an Antares launch vehicle blasting off from Wallops at 18:07 UTC on Thursday. 

Antares made a flawless ten-minute ascent into orbit, delivering Cygnus to its intended trajectory to start chasing ISS for Rendezvous & Capture on Sunday in order to deliver nearly 1,500 Kilograms of hardware to ISS.

>>>Mission Updates

ISS Operations - January 9, 2014

Experiments:
  • Ocular Health - Tonometry & Blood Pressure Measurements [OH is a new human physiology study. Its full name is Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews. "The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment," the NASA experiment overview said. It is known that some (not all) astronauts in orbit experience changes in visual acuity (visual clarity) and intraocular pressure as a result of fluid shifts within the body as it is subjected to microgravity. About 20% is astronauts flying to ISS have reported these kinds of changes. Test subjects will undergo pre-flight, flight and post-flight testing of their eyes using a variety of techniques.]
  • Circadian Rhythms - Thermolab [The Circadian Rhythms Study will examine the role of synchronized circadian rhythms and possible maintenance during long-duration spaceflight and addresses the impacts to crew members’ health and wellbeing. Understanding how the dark/light cycle and sleep shifting affects circadian rhythms and with that the performance of the crew members will enable scientists to develop new sleep shifting techniques for crew members in space and shift workers on Earth.]
  • Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutrons 2 (RaDI-N2) - Bubble Dosimeter Deployment
  • Material Science Laboratory (MSL) Solidification and Quench Furnce (SQF) Sample Cartridge Exchange
  • Pro-K – Urine Spot Test, Diet Logging, Sample Processing and stowage [The full name of this study is Dietary Intake Can Predict and Protect against Changes in Bone Metabolism during Spaceflight and Recovery. It involves crew members sticking to a low salt or high salt diet for five days, logging their food intake, collecting and analysing urine and blood samples and preparing samples for analysis on the ground.] 
  • URAGAN - Earth Observation Session using Photo Spectral System
  • Matryoshka-R – Bubble Dosimeter Deploy [Matryoshka-R consists of a number of radiation dosimeters that are set up inside the space station to assess radiation exposure of the crew relative to ISS position in its orbit and shielding provided by the modules.] 
  • Journals [Electronic Journals are kept by USOS Crew Members as part of an ongoing NASA Psychological Investigation on psychological aspects of long-duration space flight.]
  • Interactions – Experiment Operations [‘Vzaimodeistviye’ looks at psychological aspects of long duration space flight during which different cultures come together aboard a Spacecraft such as ISS and seeks to improve crew interactions aboard ISS and with teams on the ground.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Service Module Fan Replacement
  • Zarya - Lighting Assembly Replacement
  • Cleaning ISS Russian Segment Habitation Area Interior Panels

Other Activities:
  • EVA Debriefing
  • Robotics Workstation Setup 

Russian Cosmonauts to re-attempt UrtheCast Camera Installation in January

January 8, 2014

Russian International Space Station Cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazansky are set to perform an additional Spacewalk later this month to re-attempt the installation of the two UrtheCast Cameras on the exterior of ISS - a task that was performed during Russian EVA-37 in December but had to be aborted when the two cameras experienced connectivity problems and were unable to send telemetry and data back to Earth through the station's data systems. 


Russian EVA-37a will be performed on January 27, 2014.

>>>EVA Updates
Picture
Photo: NASA

Picture
Photo: NASA SDO
Solar Activity forces Antares Launch Delay

January 8, 2014

The launch of an Antares launch vehicle carrying the first operational Cygnus spacecraft was delayed on Wednesday due to space weather constraints. Countdown Operations were initiated on Wednesday and the launch team took a close look at space weather and Proton Flux conditions and predictions. 

As models predicted high values that would violate Antares launch commit criteria, the launch team decided to delay the launch before starting any significant countdown activities.

>>>Mission Updates

ISS Operations - January 8, 2014

USOS Crew Off-Duty because of upcoming weekend work with Cygnus Orb-1

Russian Ops:
  • KPT-10 - Kulonovskiy Kristall (Coulomb Crystal) Experiment Session [The KPT-10 telescience study examines “dynamic and structural characteristics of the Coulomb systems formed by charged dispersed diamagnetic macroparticles in a magnetic field (trap), investigating the following processes onboard the ISS RS (Russian Segment): condensed dust media, Coulomb crystals, and formation of Coulomb liquids due to charged macroparticles,” the NASA experiment overview notes.]
  • ALBEDO Battery Charging & Experiment Session
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Zarya - Light Assembly Replacement
  • Matryoshka-R – Lulin-5 & Tritel Dosimeter readings [Matryoshka-R consists of a number of radiation dosimeters that are set up inside the space station to assess radiation exposure of the crew relative to ISS position in its orbit and shielding provided by the modules.] 
  • Replacement of Purification Column Units for Elektron SVO, Disposal of old units via Progress M-20M
  • MRM1 - Light Assembly Replacement
  • Cleaning ISS RS Habitation Area Interior Panels
  • HAM Radio Session
  • Progress M-20M Cargo Transfers
  • IP-1 Airflow Sensor Position & Performance verification

ISS Operations - January 7, 2014

Experiments:
  • Body Measures - Body Marker Instrumentation, Calibration & Body Pose Photo Collection, Circumference measurements [During long duration space flight, body measurements change over time due to fluid shift in microgravity. This study attempts to better understand the magnitude and variability of these changes. This is important for future long duration flights and flights to distant destinations with respect to suit sizing, work station design, seat measurements in order to minimize risk of injury and maximise crew effectivity.]
  • Circadian Rhythms - Thermolab [The Circadian Rhythms Study will examine the role of synchronized circadian rhythms and possible maintenance during long-duration spaceflight and addresses the impacts to crew members’ health and wellbeing. Understanding how the dark/light cycle and sleep shifting affects circadian rhythms and with that the performance of the crew members will enable scientists to develop new sleep shifting techniques for crew members in space and shift workers on Earth.]
  • Binary Colloidal Alloy Test (BCAT)-4 [Part of the successful series of BCAT Studies performed aboard ISS, BCAT-4 looks at how crystals grow in space compared to crystal growth under normal gravity with special focus on on crystal formation at different temperatures and particle concentrations. The experiment uses ten different samples that are monitored over an extended period of time]
  • Sprint Ultrasound Scans [Evaluation of Sprint exercise program - High-Intensity, low-volume exercise to minimize loss of muscle and bone mass and cardiovascular function. 
  • Reaction Self Test [RST is performed twice a day, in the morning and after the day's operations are complete, consisting of a short 5-minute simulation using a laptop computer to assess the effect fatigue has on crew members undergoing long-duration space flight.]
  • On-Orbit Hearing Assessment with EarQ Software

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Columbus Internal Thermal Control Systems (ITCS) Water Sampling to monitor Ortho-Phthalaldehyde (OPA) and ammonia levels in the ITCS 
  • Wiping surfaces behind FGB panels with Fungistat
  • SM ventilation system preventive maintenance

Other Activities:
  •  “Life on Station” – Documentary Video Shoot (Russian Crew Members) [Crew Members chronicle their lives aboard ISS for a documentary produced by Telekanal Roscosmos.]
  • PAO Event

Antares & Cygnus back at the Launch Pad for Liftoff this Week

January 6, 2014

Orbital Sciences has rolled out its Antares rocket to Pad 0A at the Wallops Flight Facility to begin final preparations for the first operational Cygnus mission to the International Space Station planned to launch on Wednesday at 18:32 UTC. 

>>>Mission Updates
Picture
Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls

ISS Operations - January 6, 2014

Experiments:
  • PZEh-MO-8 Body Mass Measurement (All Crew Members) [Measuring body mass in Zero-G, where matter is weightless, but not massless, is accomplished by measuring the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring constants. By logging the period of each oscillation of the crew member and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the unknown mass can be calculated.] 
  • Calf Volume Measurements - PZEh-MO-7 (Russian Crew) [These measurements are done with the IZOG device which is a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf. The knee and lower foot of the left leg are used as reference points. The measurements provide a rough index of deconditioning in Zero-G and can be used to assess countermeasures.]
  • Cardio Ox Investigation [„The purpose of this study is to measure levels of biomarkers in blood and urine that are affected by oxidative and inflammatory stress before, during, and after long duration spaceflight and relate them to the risk of developing atherosclerosis.“ (NASA)]
  • VIRTUAL. Set up, Conduct Experiment and Closeout Ops
  • Uragan Earth Observations using the Photo Spectral System
  • TERMO-LADA. Installation of TCU-LADA 02 module
  • KPT-10 - Kulonovskiy Kristall (Coulomb Crystal) Experiment Session [The KPT-10 telescience study examines “dynamic and structural characteristics of the Coulomb systems formed by charged dispersed diamagnetic macroparticles in a magnetic field (trap), investigating the following processes onboard the ISS RS (Russian Segment): condensed dust media, Coulomb crystals, and formation of Coulomb liquids due to charged macroparticles,” the NASA experiment overview notes.]
  • BODYM – Crew gathers equipment in preparation for Body Measurements data collection operations

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • Internal Thermal Control System Sampling in Kibo, Node 3 and Destiny to monitor Ortho-Phthalaldehyde (OPA) and ammonia levels in the ITCS 
  • Advanced Biological Research System (ABRS) Deconfiguration
  • Cleaning ventilation system screens on Zarya interior panels
  • TOCA Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) Sample Analysis
  • Preparation for RS ISS Window Inspection and Photography
  • Flushing Elektron-VM Gas-Liquid Separator
Picture
Photo: NASA
Picture
Photo: NASA
Picture
Photo: NASA
Other Activities:
  • ISS Safety Video Survey - Rick Mastracchio performed a videotaped tour of the entire Station with special focus on stowage locations to give controllers on the ground the chance to get the big picture of the equipment situation on board. Also, this video is used to identify any safety concerns like blocked ventilation outlets, blocked hatchways and other hazards. This survey is performed every six months. 
  • Periodic Fitness Evaluation [Crew members complete regular fitness checks to help flight surgeons to assess their current health and fitness status and adjust daily exercise protocols if needed. For the protocol which is performed once a month, crew members exercise on the CEVIS ergometer wearing biomed sensors to measure BP (blood pressure) & ECG (electrocardiogram).]
  • HAM Radio Session, HAM Radio Relocation
  • PAO Event

ISS Operations - January 3, 2013

Picture
Photo: NASA
Picture
Photo: NASA
Robotics:
  • Pre-Translation Survey & Checkouts
  • Mobile Transporter Translation from Worksite 2 to WS4
  • SSRMS Walk-Off to Node 2 PDGF
  • Node 2 Nadir Active Common Berthing System (ACBM) survey set-up (for Cygnus Berthing)

Experiments:
  • Ocular Health - Cardiac & Ocular Ultrasound Scans, Blood Pressure Measurements [OH is a new human physiology study. Its full name is Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews. "The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment," the NASA experiment overview said. It is known that some (not all) astronauts in orbit experience changes in visual acuity (visual clarity) and intraocular pressure as a result of fluid shifts within the body as it is subjected to microgravity. About 20% is astronauts flying to ISS have reported these kinds of changes. Test subjects will undergo pre-flight, flight and post-flight testing of their eyes using a variety of techniques.]
  • Body Measures - Body Marker Instrumentation, Calibration & Body Pose Photo Collection, Circumference measurements [During long duration space flight, body measurements change over time due to fluid shift in microgravity. This study attempts to better understand the magnitude and variability of these changes. This is important for future long duration flights and flights to distant destinations with respect to suit sizing, work station design, seat measurements in order to minimize risk of injury and maximise crew effectivity.]
  • Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE) Interior Corner Flow (ICF)-5 Test  [“Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE) is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate capillary flows and flows of fluids in containers with complex geometries. Results will improve current computer models that are used by designers of low gravity fluid systems and may improve fluid transfer systems on future spacecraft.” (NASA Experiment Description) The ICF experiment determines the rates of three-dimensional inhibition of wetting fluids in complex containers.]
  • Xromatomass – Blood and Saliva Collection & Sample Processing
  • Human Research Facility Blood Draw & Sample Processing
  • Reaction Self Test [RST is performed twice a day, in the morning and after the day's operations are complete, consisting of a short 5-minute simulation using a laptop computer to assess the effect fatigue has on crew members undergoing long-duration space flight.]
  • BAR Experiment Operations  [The BAR suite of science instruments is used aboard ISS to perform problem area monitoring inside the Russian Segment in order to extend the Station's orbital lifetime. KPT-2 includes temperature, humidity and acoustic measurements.]
  • KPT-10 - Kulonovskiy Kristall (Coulomb Crystal) Experiment Session [The KPT-10 telescience study examines “dynamic and structural characteristics of the Coulomb systems formed by charged dispersed diamagnetic macroparticles in a magnetic field (trap), investigating the following processes onboard the ISS RS (Russian Segment): condensed dust media, Coulomb crystals, and formation of Coulomb liquids due to charged macroparticles,” the NASA experiment overview notes.]
  • OBSTANOVKA – Data Download [Obstanovka (=Environment) features external hardware including a set of magnetometers, wave sensors, potential probes, plasma discharge stimulators, an electron spectrograph and other components to study space weather. Obstanovka will study electromagnetic fields and plasma-wave processes occurring in the ISS Near Surface Zone to examine plasma component factors in near-Earth space. "The problems concerning the interaction of such super-large body as the International Space Station (ISS) with space plasma are of the top-priority importance for both technological and scientific experiments aboard the ISS," the RSC Energia Experiment Overview document said.]
  • Space headache Questionnaire
  • Journals [Electronic Journals are kept by USOS Crew Members as part of an ongoing NASA Psychological Investigation on psychological aspects of long-duration space flight.]

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Preparation for RS ISS Window Inspection and Photography
  • IP-1 Airflow Sensor Re-Position
  • ПФ1-4 Dust Filter Cartridge Replacement in Zvezda
  • Urine transfer from EDV-U to ТКГ 420 Rodnik Tank 2

Other Activities:
  • Weekly Conference with Russian Flight Control Team

ISS Operations - January 2, 2014

Experiments:
  • Ocular Health Optical Coherence Tomography Test and Fundoscope Examination [OH is a new human physiology study. Its full name is Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews. "The Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews (Ocular Health) protocol aims to systematically gather physiological data to characterize the Risk of Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure on crewmembers assigned to a 6 month ISS increment," the NASA experiment overview said. It is known that some (not all) astronauts in orbit experience changes in visual acuity (visual clarity) and intraocular pressure as a result of fluid shifts within the body as it is subjected to microgravity. About 20% is astronauts flying to ISS have reported these kinds of changes. Test subjects will undergo pre-flight, flight and post-flight testing of their eyes using a variety of techniques.]
  • Nanoracks Biorack Centrifuge Troubleshooting [Checkout operations were deferred i November when power-up was unsuccessful. Ground specialists assisted with troubleshooting steps]
  • Xromatomass – Blood and Saliva Collection & Sample Processing
  • Reaction Self Test [RST is performed twice a day, in the morning and after the day's operations are complete, consisting of a short 5-minute simulation using a laptop computer to assess the effect fatigue has on crew members undergoing long-duration space flight.]
  • On-Orbit Hearing Assessment

Maintenance/Servicing:
  • Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks  (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
  • T2 Treadmill Inspection
  • WetLab Hardware Cleanup and Relocate
  • Iridium Phone Battery Charge (TMA-10M & TMA-11M)
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) – Fundoscope Troubleshooting

Other Operations:
  • Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) Survey - Annual survey using external ISS video cameras to note any degradation on AMS and diagnose future AMS anomalies. 
  • Periodic Fitness Evaluation [Crew members complete regular fitness checks to help flight surgeons to assess their current health and fitness status and adjust daily exercise protocols if needed. For the protocol which is performed once a month, crew members exercise on the CEVIS ergometer wearing biomed sensors to measure BP (blood pressure) & ECG (electrocardiogram).]
  • Crew Medical Officer Proficiency Training [CMO skills are reviewed and trained at various points in the mission to keep up proficiency and ensure proper responses in critical health situations on board.]
  • PAO Event
Picture
Photo: NASA
Picture
Photo: NASA
Picture
Photo: NASA
>>>ISS Updates December 2013
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