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ISS On-Orbit Status Report

ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/03/2019

ECHO: The crew attached the USB keyboard, powered the ECHO unit and its power supply, and booted the ECHO unit from its backup system. Ground commanding to the ECHO unit was subsequently performed in an effort to correct recent issues. The ECHO unit experienced issues last week which prevented the Vascular Aging science session from being fully completed. Echo is a tele-operated ultrasound system, equipped with motorized probes that are controlled by flight controllers on the ground.

ISS Experience: The crew recorded two sessions for the ISS Experience investigation. One session involved a musical session and the other session centered around Artemis and the process of lunar orbital rendezvous. 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.

Microgravity Crystals: The crew set up a microscope, then took images of the solutions and crystals in the wells of the crystal plates. The Microgravity Crystals investigation crystallizes a membrane protein that is integral to tumor growth and cancer survival. Although crystallization of this protein has yielded unsatisfactory results on Earth, this investigation leverages extensive protein crystallization work on the space station, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful crystal growth. Results may support development of cancer treatments that target the protein more effectively and with fewer side effects.

Materials Science Laboratory (MSL): In a continuation of the checkout and recommissioning of the MSL and low gradient furnace insert (LGF), the crew inserted the calibration cartridge into the LGF. The actual calibration activities will be performed via ground commanding in the next few weeks. The MSL is used for basic materials research in the microgravity environment of the ISS. The MSL can accommodate and support diverse Experiment Modules. In this way many material types, such as metals, alloys, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, crystals, and glasses, can be studied to discover new applications for existing materials and new or improved materials.

Space Moss: The 3rd run of Space Moss was initiated by inserting it into the Plant Experiment unit which was then attached to the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) incubator. Space Moss grows mosses aboard the ISS and on Earth to determine how microgravity affects their growth, development, gene expression, photosynthetic activity, and other features. Tiny plants without roots, mosses need only a small area for growth, an advantage for their potential use in space and future bases on the Moon or Mars.

Vegetable Production System (Veggie) Display Training and Light Meter Installation: In preparation for the start of the Veg-04B investigation in the near future, the crew reviewed training material and used the light meter to characterize the ambient light conditions in the Veggie-1 and Veggie-2 area. The Veggie is a deployable plant growth unit capable of producing salad-type crops to provide the crew with a palatable, nutritious, and safe source of fresh food and a tool to support relaxation and recreation. The Veggie provides lighting and nutrient delivery and utilizes the cabin environment for temperature control and as a source of carbon dioxide to promote growth.

Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) Intermediate (I)-Level Maintenance: Last week the on orbit repairable MBSU was placed on the Japanese Experiment Module Airlock (JEMAL) Slide Table using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM). Today the crew opened the MBSU chassis to access a failed circuit card for replacement. A test was then completed to verify functionality of the unit prior to staging it for egress via the JEMAL. The SPDM will be used again this evening in order to swap the repaired MBSU with a failed MBSU. After the swap is complete, the failed MBSU will be brought inside ISS and prepared for return to the ground via SpaceX-19.

H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-8 On-Board Training (OBT): The crew completed a session of this robotics OBT for proficiency in HTV capture. Launch is currently scheduled for September 10 and capture on September 14.

Waste Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Separator Replacement: As part of routine maintenance, the crew completed the WHC Pump Separator replacement today. The Pump Separator is required to be replaced following 1 year of operation.

Completed Task List Activities:

  • ESA PAOs: Council of Europe; UN Climate Action, ITAF Innovation Day, Skylight, ITAF Flight Test Center 70th Anniversary, Wired Magazine,
  • ESA EPO: Body in Space
  • Vacuum cleaner return to service
  • EXPRESS failed light bulb R&R
  • Laptop CTB audit
  • AstroPi SD card swap
  • EMU glove RTV trim

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

  • MBSU I-Level maintenance support
  • Payloads ops support
  • SSRMS/SPDM ops

Look Ahead:

Wednesday, 9/4 (GMT 247)
Payloads:

  • BEST
  • DOSIS
  • Fluid Shifts
  • IPU HRDL cable change
  • ISS Experience stow
  • LSG work volume deploy
  • Micro-15 hardware teardown
  • PCRF maintenance unit relocation
  • Probiotics
  • Standard Measures
  • Veg-04B experiment start

Systems:

  • OBT HTV rendezvous
  • Acoustic monitoring survey

Thursday, 9/5 (GMT 248)
Payloads:

  • CBEF humidifier
  • Food Acceptability
  • Fluid Shifts
  • FSL/RUBI cable exchange
  • Microgravity Crystals
  • Rodent Research-17 maintenance
  • Space Moss
  • Time Perception
  • Veg-04B

Systems:

  • FSL power cable exchange
  • JOTI MBSU hardware stow

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

  • Probiotics Saliva Operations
  • Probiotics Saliva Sample MELFI Insertion
  • Probiotics Question
  • JEM Airlock Pressurization
  • Atmosphere Control and Supply (ACS) Oxygen Manual Valve Close
  • JEM Airlock Leak Check
  • On-board Training (OBT) HTV Robotics Review
  • JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
  • Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) Remove from JEM Airlock
  • ВКС Laptops Antivirus software checkout
  • JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
  • Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) I-Level Maintenance
  • Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) I-Level Maintenance Assist
  • Return Cargo Transfer and Packing in Soyuz 743 (60S)
  • Microscope Hardware Setup via SABL Power
  • JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
  • Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) Transfer to JEM Airlock
  • JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
  • Microgravity Crystals Microscopy Plate Set B, Session 1 (Day 4)
  • Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Termination
  • Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Initiation
  • HRF Generic Saliva Collection Setup
  • Solution Crystallization Observation Facility (SCOF) Cable Connection
  • Stowage of the equipment to be returned to earth
  • Microscope Reposition Post Ops
  • ISS HAM Service Module Pass
  • Installation of Cable Insert and Adapter on MDM2 Broadband Communication System (МДМ2 ШСС). Obtaining Extended Diagnostic Data from МДМ2 ШСС
  • PILOT-T. Experiment Session
  • PILOT-Т. Closeout
  • Reminder Standard Measures Multi-day Saliva Collection
  • Reminder Rodent Research Thermal Consideration
  • HRF Generic Saliva Collection 10 Minutes