ISS Daily Summary Report – 5/24/2019

JAXA Mouse Mission: Today the crew performed Mouse blood draws for the Mouse Mission experiment. The purpose of this mission is to analyze any alterations of the gene expression patterns in several organs and the effects on the germ-cell development of mice exposed to a long-term space environment.

Bio-Analyzer Commissioning: The crew mixed raw finger blood with Microvial reagents and placed the sample into the Bio-Analyzer for analysis. Although the ISS is equipped with health and life sciences research tools, existing instrumentation for the analysis of biological samples is almost completely lacking as compared to capabilities found in laboratories on Earth. To tackle this issue, the Bio-Analyzer Commissioning activity tests the Bio-Analyzer facility which was specifically developed to quantify molecules and cells in body fluids such as blood, urine or saliva. The analysis is conducted on blood samples collected through a finger prick and the instrument provides the data within 2 hours after blood collection. 

Multi-purpose Variable-G Platform Cell-01 (MVP Cell-01): The crew removed and exchanged nutrients for the Cell-01 experiment modules and reinserted the modules back into the MVP. The Cartilage–Bone–Synovium (CBS) Micro-Physiological System (MPS) using the MVP Cell-01 aboard the ISS studies the effects of spaceflight on musculoskeletal disease biology. Motivated by a disease called Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis, in which a traumatic joint injury may lead to arthritis after loss of cartilage and bone, the ability of potential drugs to prevent the progression of this disease is tested on Earth and in space.

Fiber Optic Production (FOP): The crew performed a preformed fiber and spool change to initiate runs. The Fiber Optic Production investigation creates optical fibers with high commercial value aboard the ISS using a blend of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium, and aluminum called ZBLAN (ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF). It operates within the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). Extensive theoretical studies along with a limited number of experimental studies suggest that ZBLAN optical fibers produced in microgravity should exhibit far superior qualities to those produced on Earth. The resulting optical fiber from Fiber Optic Production is expected to help verify these studies and guide further engineering efforts to manufacture high value optical fiber in large volume aboard the ISS.

Sextant Navigation for Exploration Missions (Sextant Navigation): The crew performed checkout and the second session of operations of the Sextant Navigation hardware based upon selected observation targets during orbital night. The investigation focuses on stability and star sighting opportunities in microgravity. Astronauts on board the ISS tests a hand-held sextant that is intended for use on future Orion exploration missions. The results from this investigation can aid in the development of emergency navigation methods for future manned spacecraft.

EXHAM (Exposed Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism): The crew repressed the JEM airlock and swapped out samples in the Handheld Experiment Platform-2 with new samples on the JEM A/L slide table. Taking advantage of Kibo’s unique function of having both an airlock and a robotic arm among modules on the ISS, the ExHAM facility enables space experiments to be performed in the exposed space environment, by attachment to the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo’s Exposed Facility (EF).

Centerline Berthing Camera System (CBCS) Troubleshooting (T/S): In April, CBCS String 1 failed the NG-11 pre-flight system checkout. When video was routed, only a black screen was visible on the ground. After troubleshooting, the ground team instructed the crew to remove String-1 and install String-3, which successfully completed its checkout and provided good video to the ground. Today, the ground and crew started an activity to isolate the root cause, however, CBCS String-1 powered up nominally and provided video to the ground. No further troubleshooting was performed and String-1 is considered nominal.  

Completed Task List Activities:

  • CSA writing contest video [Completed GMT 143]
  • LAB filter R&R [Completed GMT 143]
  • IMV blockage inspect [Completed GMT 143]

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

  • JEMAL – Handhold experiment platform #2 sample detach
  • Experiment ops support

Look Ahead:

Saturday, 05/25 (GMT 145)
Payloads:

  • Probiotics Item Gather (JAXA)
  • Mouse data transfer (JAXA)
  • Mouse Icebrick stow (JAXA)
  • MicroAlgae deploy and stow (NASA)

Systems:

  • Crew off duty; housekeeping

Sunday, 05/26 (GMT 146)
Payloads:

  • Probiotics Saliva collect and questionnaire (JAXA)
  • Food Acceptability (NASA)
  • MicroAlgae deploy and stow (NASA)

Systems:

  • Crew off duty

Monday, 05/27 (GMT 147)
Payloads:

  • BioMonitor Donning (CSA)
  • Probiotics Saliva Collect and questionnaire (JAXA)
  • Mouse Mission Cage Units Maintenance (JAXA)
  • RR-12 Habitat RH1 Stow (NASA)
  • Behavioral  Core Measures Robot test (NASA)
  • Standard Measures Cognition test (NASA)
  • ISS Experience Labe setup, Intro recording and relocation (NASA)
  • NanoRacks Platform 2 reboot (NASA)
  • Food Acceptability (NASA)
  • Nanoparticle Formulation setup in JEM (NASA)
  • MicroAlgae MWA prep and VEGGIE insertion (NASA)
  • NanoRacks Module 78 removal (NASA)
  • SEXTANT Ops #8 (NASA)

Systems:

  • Nanoparticle Formulation hardware setup
  • WSS power cable routing 

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

  • Fiber Optic Production Tail Extend
  • MICRO ALGAE Culture Bag Daily Deploy
  • XF305 Camcorder Setup
  • Gathering and Activation of Crew Onboard Support Kit (КСПЭ) camcorder in DC1 for TV Mpeg2 coverage EVA-46 Dry Run via Ku-band
  • JAXA Mouse Mission Blood Drawing Preparation
  • Water Recovery Management (WRM) JEM Sample Teardown
  • Comm assets configuration for Orlan dry run
  • Air Duct Disassembly in DC1 before Exercised (without removal of В3)
  • Transfer of Samples(s) from Glacier to Glacier
  • Water Recovery Management (WRM) Condenste Pumping Initiation
  • Standard Measures Cognition Testing HRF PC 1
  • DC1 Orlan Interface Unit (БСС) Check
  • Multi-Use Variable-G Platform MELFI Sample Retrieve
  • Bio-Analyzer Session Setup Partial
  • Fiber Optic Production Sample Exchange
  • Pre-Dry Run Orlan-MKS No.4, No.5 Systems Check
  • Behavioral Core Measures ROBoT-r Testing
  • Bio-Analyzer Blood Sampling And Cellular Labeling Analysis Two Samples
  • Water Recovery Management (WRM) Condensate Pumping Termination
  • Donning EVA Gear
  • JAXA Mouse Mission MELFI Retrieval
  • Comm check and medical parameter test
  • Mouse Blood Drawing
  • CBCS Troubleshooting
  • Orlan and БСС Initial Conditions Check In Run
  • Entry into Orlan, Seal off Backpacks
  • Orlan and БСС Controls Checkout
  • Orlan and БСС Preliminary Leak Check
  • Orlan Fit Check at Suit Pressure = 0.4
  • JEM Airlock Press
  • Orlan Translation Exercise
  • Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Item Gathering part 1.
  • JEM Airlock Leak Check
  • Mouse Blood Centrifuge Processing
  • JAXA Mouse Mission Blood Drawing Closeout
  • Mouse Blood Centrifuge Processing Closeout
  • JAXA Mouse Mission MELFI Insertion
  • Post-Suited Exercise Comm Reconfig For Nominal Ops
  • Assembly of air ducts in DC1 after the exercise
  • Deactivation of camcorder, TV system monitoring equipment, closing applications
  • XF305 Camcorder Setup
  • JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
  • Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Sample Detachment 3
  • Bio-Analyzer Hardware Stow
  • Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
  • Post-dry run Orlan Closeout Activities
  • In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Full Fill
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
  • Food Acceptability Questionnaire
  • Cryo Chiller Sample Cartridge Removal and Decontamination
  • Fiber Optic Production Sample Exchange
  • In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Full Fill
  • Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config Columbus Setup
  • Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Setup
  • Installation of Orlan-MKS No.4, No.5 replaceable elements for EVA
  • Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) in Columbus
  • Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Sample Stow
  • Multi-use Variable-g Platform MWA Preparation
  • On MCC Go: БК-3М oxygen tank replacement
  • Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Item Gathering part 2.
  • Multi-use Variable-g Platform Cell-01 Replace
  • Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Sample Attachment 4
  • Probiotics Fecal Sample Operations
  • Probiotics Fecal Sample MELFI Insertion
  • Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Stow
  • Sextant Navigation Session 7 Operations
  • Team Task Switching Experiment Survey
  • Handhold Exp Platform #2 (HXP2) Item Closeout
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
  • JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)
  • Multi-use Variable-g Platform Historical Documentation Photography 2
  • Multi-Use Variable-G Platform Sample MELFI Insertion
  • Fiber Optic Production Sample Exchange
  • MICRO ALGAE Culture Bag Daily Stow
  • Multi-Use Variable-G Platform Sample MELFI Insertion