Sally Ride Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle Schools (EarthKAM): Today EarthKAM mission 66 concluded with a shutdown and stow of the related hardware. As of the latest report, a total of 225 schools representing 24,512 students and 31 countries had signed up to request images; 22,123 image requests had been submitted, 10,278 images had been downlinked, and 9,982 images had been posted to the web (earthkam.org). A total of 5 Russian schools representing 64 students participated in this mission. EarthKAM allows thousands of students to photograph and examine Earth from a space crew’s perspective. Using the Internet, the students control a special digital camera mounted on-board the ISS. This enables them to photograph the Earth’s coastlines, mountain ranges and other geographic items of interest from the unique vantage point of space. The EarthKAM team then posts these photographs on the Internet for viewing by the public and participating classrooms around the world.
Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR)/Light Microscopy Module (LMM)/Biophysics-6 experiment start: The crew removed a LMM/Biophysics-6 (Bio-6) plate from MELFI and allowed it to thaw. When the crew performed an inspection of the thawed plate, they reported a possible broken capillary. The plate was bagged and stowed appropriately and ground teams will assess a forward plan. LMM/Bio-6, more formally known as Growth Rate Dispersion as a Predictive Indicator for Biological Crystal Samples Where Quality Can Be Improved with Microgravity Growth, studies ground-based predictions of which crystals benefit from crystallization in microgravity, where Earth’s gravity does not interfere with their formation. In this experiment, two proteins of interest in cancer treatment and radiation protection are to be studied. Observing crystallized proteins via X-ray crystallography on the ground allows scientists to determine how they are built, which can explain how they work or how other molecules, such as drugs, might interact with them.
The ISS Experience: The crew set up the ISS Experience hardware with the goal of capturing the crews’ evening Daily Planning Conference evening meal. These are both Human interactions targets of interest for the ISS Experience team. The ISS Experience creates a virtual reality film documenting daily life aboard the ISS. The 8 to 10 minute videos created from footage taken during the six-month investigation cover different aspects of crew life, execution of science aboard the station, and the international partnerships involved. The ISS Experience uses a Z-CAM V1 Pro Cinematic Virtual Reality (VR) 360-degree camera with nine 190° fisheye lenses.
SUBSA (Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules) Sample Exchange: The crew removed the completed InI (Indium Iodide) sample cartridge #1 and inserted sample cartridge #7 to be processed. Both of these are solidification-from-melt samples and require up to 50 hours to be fully processed. The experiment currently running in SUBSA is the Detached Melt and Vapor Growth of InI. InI is ideal for space experiments in the SUBSA Transparent Furnace because it is non-toxic, has a relatively low melting point of only 365°C, and does not react or stick to the silica crucible. Directional solidification of InI from the melt can be performed at a rate of 5 mm/hr, and growth from the vapor can be performed at ~5 mm/week. This work advances the process of fabricating high-quality InI and other crystals on Earth for use as better and less expensive detectors of nuclear radiation.
P4 4A Battery Status: Over the weekend, the ground successfully performed a charge/discharge cycle on the 4A3 Nickel Hydrogen (NiH2) battery set with its newly installed Battery Charge/Discharge Unit (BCDU). 4A3 NiH2 is operating nominally on the 4A channel in the 4A1 and 4A2 Li-Ion mixed battery configuration.
Cygnus On-board Training: Crewmembers scheduled to capture NG-11 (Cygnus) performed a Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) session. ROBoT is an on-orbit version of the ground-based Dynamics Skills Trainer (DST) that simulates robotics operations with graphical feedback. NG-11 is on track to launch on April 17 and berth to ISS on April 19.
Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator (MERLIN)-1 Recovery: Last week the MERLIN-1 cooler used by the crew in the Galley as a refrigerator, experienced a Disk on Chip (DOC) failure. The crew was able to recover the MERLIN on Saturday by temporarily connecting it to a Space Station Computer (SSC) for a specialized ground recovery procedure. This is the first time this failure has been recovered on orbit. Previous units needed to be returned to the ground for repair.
Portable Emergency Provisions (PEPS) Inspection: The crew inspected Portable Fire Extinguishers (PFEs), Extension Hose Tee Kits (EHTKs), Portable Breathing Apparatuses (PBAs) and Pre-Breathe Masks for damage. They also ensured each item was in a useable configuration and fully functional. Considered routine maintenance, this inspection is scheduled every 45 days.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: On Friday, Robotics Ground Controllers powered up MSS and maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) for SPDM to grasp the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) 3 tool pedestal and retrieved it from the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (AL) after it had been extended. MSS was maneuvered over the Express Logistic Carrier (ELC) 1 where the RRM3 payload is located.
Controllers commanded the SPDM to insert the tool pedestal into the RRM3 interface. Once mated, the connector was extended to provide a power and date connection to the tools. Once this was confirmed, the SPDM released the tool pedestal and backed away. The MSS was then configured in preparation of a Mobile Transporter (MT) translation from worksite 7 to worksite 3.
Following translation, Controllers repowered the MSS. SSRMS stowed SPDM onto Mobile Base System (MBS) 2. After a base change, the SSRMS released the SPDM and was configured for a walkoff to Node 2 Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF). Upon successful base change, the SSRMS released MBS PDGF 1 and was parked in preparation for the crew offset grapples scheduled on Tuesday, April 16. Finally ROBO performed SSRMS checkouts for NG-11 capture on April 19.
Completed Task List Activities:
- Thursday:
- Airway Monitoring A/L stow
- CSA Time Q&A video
- EVA A/L stow
- RGR downlink msg
- Friday
- Vacuum cleaner bag R&R
- Bone Densitometer Locker removal
- REBA troubleshooting
- Medical Kit restock
- WPA MF bed effluent sample build
- P/TV A/L video stow
- Rodent Research locker prep
- Urine funnel stow
- EVA tool stow
- WHC EDV-Y R&R
- Saturday
- WHC adapter R&R
- MERLIN-1 troubleshooting
- EVA tool stow
- Sunday
- Food consolidation
- JEM stowage rack relocate
- PMM rack front restow
Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- Airway Monitoring video
Tuesday, 4/16:
Payloads:
- EML lens switch
- Food acceptability
- ISS Experience
- JAXA/Mouse Mission prep
- Myotones
- Standard Measures
Systems:
- Cygnus Offset Grapple OBT
- Mouse Habitat Unit watering function checkout
- Swap TReK demo laptop from T61p to ZBook
Wednesday, 4/17:
Payloads:
- AHIS culture photo
- EML lens switch
- ISS Experience hardware stow
- ISS HAM pass
- Lighting Effects
- JAXA/Mouse Mission prep
- JEMAL slide table ops
- Repository
- Rodent Research gather
- Standard Measures
- Time Perception
Systems:
- Cygnus RoBOT OBT
- EVA loop scrub
- Cygnus cargo transfer conference
Thursday, 4/18:
Payloads:
- GLACIER/POLAR desiccant swaps
- LSG Repository
- MISSE procedure review
- Rodent Research-12 hab install
- Standard Measures
Systems:
- EVA Airlock restow
- CBCS installation/checkout
- HRF blood collections
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- Body Mass Measurement – BMMD
- JAXA Mouse Mission Item Gathering
- MO-8 equipment stowage
- On MCC GO [БМП Ф1] cartridge regeneration (start)
- ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE. Ham radio pass with students from South Ural University
- Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) Filter Remove and Replace (R&R)
- VOZDUKH deactivation
- XF305 Camcorder Setup
- Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Video Cable Reconfiguration to Video Compression and Recording Unit 2 (VRU2) part 1
- Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Setup
- Examination of heart bioelectrical activity at rest
- Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Backup Power Setup
- [ВКС] laptop antivirus signature base update
- Columbus cleanup for Myotones
- PAO Hardware Setup Video and Audio check
- KONSTANTA-2.
- PAO Preparation
- Myotones Kit Gathering
- TV event with pupils of school №504 in Moscow
- Glove Box Setup
- Water Processor Assembly Multi-filtration Bed Sample Collection
- Weekly c/o of video recording equipment operation at RS ISS
- Pre-treat tank [Е-К] and hose R&R in [АСУ] system
- Robot Startup
- Interior Wireless Instrumentation System (IWIS) Service Module (SM) Remote Sensor Unit (RSU) Check
- ИП-1 sensors positioning check
- KONSTANTA-2.
- Standard Measures Cognition Testing HRF PC 1
- Utility Outlet Panel (UOP) Activation
- On-board Training (OBT) Cygnus Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session 1
- Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules Sample Exchange
- Physical exercise data d/l via ОСА
- US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tools Stow
- PAO Preparation
- Filling (separation) of ЕДВ (КОВ) for Elektron or ЕДВ-СВ, Water refill (separation) from [ЕДВ] 1350 into [ЕДВ] 1330
- PAO Hardware Setup Video and Audio check
- TV event with participants of “ISS on call” project (Ku+S-band)
- Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
- Extra Vehicular Activity Mobility Unit swap
- СОЖ maintenance
- RYASKA. Photography of cultivation cells with plants
- Standard Measures Fecal Collection Setup
- Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Termination
- Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
- Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
- Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Initiation
- Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Portable Emergency Provisions (PEPS) Inspection
- Prepare for [БОА] purification unit in VOZDUKH
- Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
- ISS HAM Service Module Pass
- MOTOCARD. Experiment Ops
- ISS Experience Solid State Drive Changeout
- MOTOCARD.
- Food Acceptability Questionnaire
- EarthKAM Node 1 Shutdown, Disconnect and Stow
- On-board Training (OBT) Cygnus Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Self study Session
- LMM MELFI Sample Retrieve
- MOTOCARD. Science ops run instead of exercise
- ISS HAM Service Module Pass
- Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config JEM Setup
- MOTOCARD. End of Video-recording and Closeout Ops
- Move Station Support Computer (SSC) 18 for Earth Knowledge Applied to Middle schools (EarthKAM)
- PAO Preparation
- Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
- Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
- Food Acceptability Questionnaire
- Fluids Integrated Rack Rack Doors Open
- ISS Experience Node 1 Setup
- LMM Biophysics Plate 1 Installation
- Fluids Integrated Rack Rack Doors Close
- Deactivate VOZDUKH
- ISS Experience Microphone Don
- ISS Experience Social Moments Recording
- ISS Experience Microphone Doff
- ISS Experience Hardware Relocate
- Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Stow