SpaceX (SpX)-11 Unberth Status: Teams met this afternoon to discuss the plan to unberth Dragon on Sunday, July 2. Weather at the splashdown area has been a concern for the past few days but reports are that the weather is improving. Teams decided to go forward with the plan to release on Sunday at 10:38AM …
Extremophiles: In preparation for Session C of the Extremophiles investigation the crew wiped designated surfaces in Node 1, Node 3 and the Cupola with sterile wet wipes and placed them into a Biolab Thermal Control Unit. Archaea and extremophilic bacteria have not been considered as significant contributors to the microbiome on the ISS. The Extremophiles …
Rodent Research-5 (RR-5) Systemic Therapy of NELL-1 for Osteoporosis: The two animal habitats that will remain on ISS following SpX-11 departure were cleaned and restocked with new food bars. Because spaceflight has significant and rapid effects on the musculoskeletal system it is important to investigate targeted therapies that could ameliorate some of the detrimental effects …
Cardiac Stem Cells: In support of the ongoing Cardiac Stem Cells investigation, the crew changed out the media in one of the BioCell Habitats in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). Cardiac Stem Cells investigates how microgravity affects stem cells and the factors that govern their activity, in order to clarify the role of stem cells …
Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA): On Sunday, three attempts to retract ROSA solar array were unsuccessful. Imagery showed the array was not lining up correctly (“telescoping”), preventing the locking of ROSA’s latches which is required for return in Dragon. Teams met and agreed to stand down on further retraction attempts due to the risk of …
Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) Halo: The crew completed a test session for the SPHERES Halo investigation. For this investigation the ISS fleet of SPHERES satellites are upgraded to enable each satellite to communicate with six external objects concurrently, supporting testing of new control and remote assembly methods. Results may be used …
Rodent Research-5 (RR-5) Systemic Therapy of NELL-1 for Osteoporosis: The crew completed injections of the mice in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) for the RR-5 investigation. Spaceflight has significant and rapid effects on the musculoskeletal system; therefore, it is important to investigate targeted therapies that could ameliorate some of the detrimental effects of spaceflight. The …
Rodent Research-5 (RR-5) Systemic Therapy of NELL-1 for Osteoporosis: The crew set up and checked out the spare Rodent Habitat which replaces Rodent Habitat 2 that has excessive condensation in its water box. Later the crew will perform injections of the mice in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). Spaceflight has significant and rapid effects on …
Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM): The crew ingressed BEAM and replaced a 3.3 mm thick Radiation Environment Monitor (REM) shield that was installed onto a REM sensor on May 31, 2017 with a 10.0 mm thick shield that was also printed on the 3D printer onboard the ISS. BEAM is an experimental expandable module attached …
Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA) External Payload: Over the weekend, Robotic ground controllers maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) to remove the ROSA payload from the Dragon Trunk and position it at the ROSA Nominal Dynamics Operations position. When at this position, the controllers mated the …
