ISS Daily Summary Report – 4/19/2018

Miniature Exercise Device (MED-2):  The crew set up cameras in Node 3 to capture video from multiple views of the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) and MED-2 hardware.  They applied body markers, performed dead lifts and rowing exercises and then transferred the video for downlink.  The ISS’s exercise equipment is large and bulky, while the MED-2 aims to demonstrate small robotic actuators can provide motion and resistance for crew workout sessions, reducing the size and weight of exercise equipment for long-duration space missions. The MED-2 technology is critical for the design and development of second and third generation countermeasure hardware that is an order of magnitude lighter and smaller than existing ISS countermeasure hardware and that has significantly greater reliability.

Human Research Program (Biochemical Profile, Repository and Cell Free Epigenome):  54S crewmembers collected blood and urine samples for their Flight Day 30 sessions of the Biochem Profile, Repository and Cell Free Epigenome investigations today.

  • The Biochemical Profile investigation tests blood and urine samples obtained from astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results; which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body.
  • Repository is a storage bank used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time and under well-controlled conditions. The repository supports scientific discovery that contributes to our fundamental knowledge in the area of human physiological changes and adaptation to a microgravity environment and provides unique opportunities to study longitudinal changes in human physiology spanning many missions.
  • The JAXA Cell Free Epigenome investigation tests blood samples collected from astronauts and cellular genes are analyzed.  Blood carries molecular signals released from the cells inside the body. The analysis results provide insights to scientists on how human bodies function during space flight.

Mouse Stress Defense:  The crew continued taking blood samples today for the Mouse Stress Defense investigation. They processed the samples in a centrifuge and then placed them into a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI).  Microgravity provokes cellular mechanical stresses and perturbs cellular signaling, leading to reduction of muscle and bone density. To overcome these stresses, one of the promising strategies is to activate Nrf2, a master regulator of antioxidant pathway. Mouse Stress Defense investigates how Nrf2 contributes to effective prevention of space-originated stresses.  

Multi-Omics: Upon wakeup a 54S crewmember collected a saliva sample and placed it into a MELFI and completed a questionnaire. The Multi-omics analysis of human microbial-metabolic cross-talk in the space ecosystem (Multi-Omics) investigation evaluates the impacts of space environment and prebiotics on astronauts’ immune function, by combining the data obtained from the measurements of changes in the gut microbiological composition, metabolites profiles, and the immune system.

Team Task Switching:  A crewmember completed a Team Task Switching survey today.  When crew members are often required to switch their attention between tasks, performance on each of the tasks can be affected.  The objective of the Team Task Switching investigation is to gain knowledge about whether or not crew members have difficulty in switching tasks and determine the impacts of these switches, in order to both reduce any negative consequences and improve individual and team motivation and effectiveness. 

Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Valve Remove & Replace (R&R): This morning, the crew successfully removed and replaced the Lab Forward Port IMV Valve that was associated with the Remote Power Control Module (RPCM) Remote Power Controller 3 (RPC 3) trip that occurred on March 21, 2018. Following the installation of the new valve, the RPC was closed long enough to confirm valve functionality and then reopened as a safety precaution due to the ongoing investigation into the cause of the trip. The degraded IMV valve will be returned to the ground on SpX-14 for Test, Teardown and Evaluation (TT&E).

Node 3 (N3) Mass Constituent Analyzer (MCA) troubleshooting: As part of continuing N3 MCA troubleshooting, the crew removed the Verification Gas Assembly (VGA) ORU (ORU 08) installed on March 01, 2018 and reinstalled the old ORU 08. This will help determine if the newly installed ORU 08 was causing the current Node 3 MCA issues. To help rule out another potential failure mode, the crew also removed, inspected, and reinstalled Mass Spectrometer ORU (ORU 02) to ensure properly mated connections. The Node 3 MCA will be reactivated later today to determine if today’s troubleshooting efforts were effective. 

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Events:  Feustel and Arnold participated in a live-to-air PAO event today with the South River High School in Edgewater, Maryland. This event was sponsored by the Goddard Spaceflight Center. Approximately 900 students and faculty from the area participated.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Last night, robotics controllers used the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) to transfer the two of the three remaining MISSE Sample Container (MSC) from the MISSE transfer tray (MTT) to the MISSE Flight Facility (FF). The third and final MSC was removed from the MTT, however due to time constraints was not installed on the FF. This evening’s robotics operations have already commenced, and controllers will install the remaining MSC and perform a Mobile Transporter (MT) translation from Work Site (WS)2 to WS6.  

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

  • Multi Omics Saliva Operations
  • HRF Generic Urine Collection
  • Multi Omics Saliva sample MELFI Insertion
  • Multi Omics Saliva Stow
  • HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations
  • Multi Omics Question
  • HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection
  • HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
  • СТТС Reconfiguration in MRM1
  • FAZOPEREKHOD. Preparation steps and starting the experiment.
  • SEPARATION. ЕДВ gathering.
  • Mouse Stress Defense Item Gathering and Blood Drawing Preparation
  • СОЖ maintenance
  • SEPARATION. Connecting exchangeable ЕДВ containers.
  • HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Conclude And Stow
  • SEPARATION. Preparation of separated and filtered in БКО water for filling the system, filling water container [ЕВ].
  • Miniature Exercise Device Operations Session
  • SEPARATION. Checking the initial condition, preparation for activation, activation of system for filling.
  • Remove and Replace the Lab Forward Port Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Valve
  • XF305 Camcorder Setup
  • Mouse Stress Defense MELFI Retrieval
  • Mouse Stress Defense Blood Drawing
  • FAZOPEREKHOD. Closeout Ops.
  • SEPARATION. Running a trial distillation using water.
  • Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
  • THE GREAT START. EPO session and video recording of IKARUS PL installation in SM
  • Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test
  • ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
  • EML High Speed Camera Lens Switch
  • Mouse Blood Centrifuge Processing Start
  • ISS HAM Service Module Pass
  • Mouse Stress Defense Blood Drawing Closeout
  • SEPARATION. Closeout Ops.
  • Mouse Blood Centrifuge Processing Stop
  • Mouse Stress Defense MELFI Insertion
  • SEPARATION. Downlink of zipped file.
  • Comm reconfig for nominal ops
  • Photo TV High Definition Verification Gas Assembly Video Downlink
  • Earth Imagery from ISS Nikon Target Operations
  • THE GREAT START. Export camcorder data
  • URAGAN. Installation of IKARUS PL OBC-I unit with re-installation of БИТС-2-12 СЗУ static memory device.
  • Node 3 MCA Verification Gas Assembly Removal
  • Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Lab
  • URAGAN. Demate cables from БИТС2-12 Static Memory Devices (СЗУ).
  • URAGAN. Installation of IKARUS PL OBC-I unit with re-installation of БИТС-2-12 СЗУ static memory unit.
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
  • Team Task Switching Experiment Survey – Subject
  • URAGAN. Connecting БКС cables to СЗУ-БИТС 2-12.
  • Material Science Laboratory Onboard Training
  • URAGAN. Installation of IKARUS PL OBC-I unit with re-installation of БИТС-2-12 СЗУ static memory device.
  • Reseat Node 3 MCA Mass Spectrometer.
  • THE GREAT START. Export camcorder data
  • Node 3 MCA Verification Gas Assembly Replace
  • 24-hour BP recording (terminate)
  • HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations
  • HRF Columbus HD Video Setup
  • THE GREAT START. Terminate Camcorder Data
  • Photo TV High Definition Verification Gas Assembly Video Deactivation
  • Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference
  • Inspection and photography of protective screen on ПН28-120 voltage converter on the RS
  • Photo/TV JEM HDSDI Cable Swap
  • URISYS Hardware Setup

Completed Task List Activities

  • None 

Ground Activities
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

  • N3 MCA Activation
  • MISSE Robotics Operations
  • MT Translation

Three-Day Look Ahead:

  • Friday, 04/20: MSL Furnace Swap, APEX6 Harvest, Mouse Stress Defense, EIISS, PEPS Inspection, MSG VUE Removal
  • Saturday, 04/21: Housekeeping, EEIISS Target, US LAB Edge Router to BRI Troubleshooting, Mouse Stress Defense Cage Maintenance, Off Duty
  • Sunday, 04/22: Off Duty

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component

Status

Elektron

On

Vozdukh

Manual

[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”)

Off

[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”)

Off

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab

Operate

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3

Standby

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab

Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3

Startup

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)

Process

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)

Drydown

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab

Full Up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3

Off