Month: November 2023

Space Biology, 3D Printing Fill Crew’s Research Schedule

Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa poses for a portrait next to cell biology research hardware inside the Kibo laboratory module.
Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa poses for a portrait next to cell biology research hardware inside the Kibo laboratory module.

Human research and space manufacturing packed the science schedule aboard the International Space Station once again on Tuesday. The Expedition 70 crew also continued its post-spacewalk cleanup activities and cargo craft work.

Keeping crews healthy and in shape while living in the weightless environment of a spacecraft is a key priority for NASA and its international partners. Two space biology studies taking place today on the orbital lab are looking at how microgravity affects immunity and physical fitness as astronauts prepare for longer missions farther away from Earth.

Commander Andreas Mogensen from ESA (European Space Agency) spent the morning moving back and forth between the Harmony module and the Columbus laboratory module processing blood samples. Mogensen retrieved sample tubes that had been incubated, placed them in a centrifuge for spinning, then stowed them in a science freezer for later analysis. The biomedical work is supporting the Immunity Assay experiment that is observing space-caused cellular stress and tissue damage and how it may impact human immunity.

Flight Engineers Satoshi Furukawa and Jasmin Moghbeli took turns today pedaling on an exercise cycle in the Destiny laboratory module for a fitness evaluation. During the first workout session, Furukawa from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) activated the advanced cycle, attached sensors to himself, and wore breathing gear while pedaling for an hour. Moghbeli from NASA then followed him strapping herself onto the exercise cycle and pedaling as the instrumentation measured her aerobic capacity and oxygen uptake.

Moghbeli also joined up with fellow NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara cleaning spacesuit components and stowing tools following their first spacewalk together last week. The duo also worked on life support tasks including analyzing water samples for microbes, inspecting orbital plumbing components, and cleaning a carbon dioxide removal device.

3D printing research was underway again in the orbiting lab’s Russian segment as veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko activated the payload to demonstrate manufacturing tools and supplies in space to promote self-sufficient crews. First-time Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub packed trash and discarded gear in the Roscosmos Progress 84 cargo craft that is targeted to end its mission at the of November. Konstantin Borisov, also a first-time cosmonaut, wore a cap packed with sensors as he explored futuristic spacecraft and robotic piloting techniques to inform potential planetary missions.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe

Science and Spacesuit Work Begin the Week for Station Crew

(From left) Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O'Hara wear Bio-Monitor headbands packed with sensors that monitor crew health.
(From left) Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara wear Bio-Monitor headbands packed with sensors that monitor crew health.

Life science and spacesuit maintenance topped the schedule at the beginning of the week for the Expedition 70 crew. The orbital residents also pursued Earth observation and space manufacturing research aboard the International Space Station.

Commander Andreas Mogensen from ESA (European Space Agency) started Monday morning treating blood samples then spinning them in a centrifuge for the Immunity Assay experiment. Afterward, he stowed the samples inside a Kubik research incubator located inside ESA’s Columbus laboratory module. NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli helped Mogensen start up the human research study that observes how microgravity affects cellular immune functions in blood samples. The pair would then spend the afternoon on a variety of life support maintenance tasks.

Astronauts Loral O’Hara and Satoshi Furukawa joined each other for chest scans and blood pressure checks with guidance from doctors on the ground. O’Hara from NASA first powered on the Ultrasound 2 device and set it up for data downlinks. Then she and Furukawa from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) took turns collecting the biomedical measurements for the cardiovascular portion of the CIPHER investigation.

O’Hara and Furukawa also took turns cleaning cooling loops inside a pair of spacesuits worn during last week’s spacewalk. O’Hara continued cargo operations inside the Cygnus space freighter while Furukawa began setting up breathing gear that measures aerobic capacity while pedaling on the Destiny laboratory module’s exercise cycle.

At the end of the day, the crew members representing SpaceX Crew-7, including Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, practiced undocking and departing procedures in the Dragon Endurance spacecraft. The quartet has been aboard the station since Aug. 27 and is in the midst of a planned six-month research mission.

Borisov started his day setting up a camera in the Harmony module and pointing it toward Earth allowing students to remotely photograph landmarks on the ground. 3D printing was also on the Roscosmos research schedule as Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub tested the ability to make tools and supplies in space reducing dependency on resupply missions. Veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko filmed himself during an exercise session for analysis then spent the rest of the day on standard lab upkeep tasks.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe

Dragon Preps, Human Research, and Life Support Wrap Up Week

The sun's glint beams off a clear blue north Atlantic Ocean. In the foreground, are a pair of the station's main solar arrays (right) and the Canadarm2 robotic arm with its fine-tuned robotic hand Dextre (left).
The sun’s glint beams off a clear blue north Atlantic Ocean. In the foreground, are a pair of the station’s main solar arrays (right) and the Canadarm2 robotic arm with its fine-tuned robotic hand Dextre (left).

The Expedition 70 crew has turned its attention to an upcoming cargo mission and ongoing human research following a pair of spacewalks at the International Space Station. The orbital residents also continued their standard lab maintenance tasks while working in a pair of docked resupply ships.

NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli partnered together at the end of the week training for the upcoming arrival of the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft. The duo first reviewed Dragon’s approach and rendezvous procedures. Next, they practiced on a computer the techniques they will use while monitoring Dragon’s automated arrival and docking.

Dragon is targeted to launch at 8:28 p.m. EST on Nov. 9 carrying science experiments, food, crew supplies, and hardware to the orbiting lab. The commercial cargo craft is planned to dock to the Harmony module’s forward port at 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11. NASA TV, on the agency’s app and website, will broadcast both the launch and docking of SpaceX’s 29th commercial resupply mission.

Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa began his day in the Kibo laboratory module servicing a science freezer and uploading software for an Astrobee docking demonstration. Afterward, he stowed biology research hardware and serviced life support gear. Furukawa, from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), joined O’Hara at the end of the day for an eye examination. He imaged her eyes and retinas using standard medical gear found in an optometrist’s office on Earth.

Commander Andreas Mogensen spent his morning in the Destiny laboratory module collecting water samples and replacing components inside an oxygen generator. Moghbeli assisted Mogensen, from ESA (European Space Agency), installing a new hydrogen sensor on the oxygen generator while he was finishing the maintenance job. Mogensen also worked in the afternoon inside the Columbus laboratory module studying how microgravity affects cellular immune functions.

In the Roscosmos segment of the orbiting lab, veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko continued studying 3D printing that may help crews become less dependent on cargo missions from Earth. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub packed the Progress 84 cargo craft with trash and obsolete gear in advance of its departure later this month. Finally, Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov worked on orbital plumbing tasks transferring fluids into the Progress 85 cargo craft.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe

Health Checks and Science on Station, SpaceX Adjusts Launch Date

Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli is pictured tethered to the space station during a spacewalk to replace solar array hardware.
Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli is pictured tethered to the space station during a spacewalk to replace solar array hardware.

The Expedition 70 crew participated in standard post-spacewalk activities today including health checks, spacesuit work, and a team conference. Meanwhile, science remained on Thursday’s schedule as the International Space Station residents studied future piloting techniques and space manufacturing.

NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara had their first post-spacewalk medical exams on Thursday. The duo spent a few moments measuring each other’s vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. Afterward, the pair began cleaning up the Quest airlock and deactivating their spacesuits.

Moghbeli also downlinked imagery captured using spacewalk cameras on Wednesday. She then photographed the spacesuit gloves for inspection and analysis by mission controllers on the ground. O’Hara logged into a computer and participated in a cognitive assessment.

After lunchtime, the two astronauts joined Commander Andreas Mogensen and Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa for a conference with ground specialists and discussed the previous day’s spacewalk activities. Mogensen from ESA (European Space Agency) also spent an hour-and-a-half servicing the spacesuits the spacewalkers wore the day before. Satoshi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) joined the trio at the end of the day for eye scans using the Ultrasound 2 device.

The orbiting lab’s three cosmonauts spent Thursday focused on space research and lab maintenance in the orbital outpost’s Roscosmos segment. Cosmonaut Nikolai Chub split his day on a pair of different experiments. During the morning, he explored spacecraft and robotic piloting techniques crews may use on future planetary missions. He then spent the afternoon testing a 3D printer that could help crews become less dependent on supply missions launched from Earth. Cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Konstantin Borisov worked throughout the day maintaining a variety of life support and electronics hardware.

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting 8:28 p.m. EST, Nov. 9, for launch of the company’s 29th commercial resupply services (CRS-29) mission to the International Space Station. The additional time allows for completion of final prelaunch closeout ahead of liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon cargo spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Prior to every Dragon mission, SpaceX conducts extensive prelaunch checkouts at every stage of refurbishment and final integration to ensure the spacecraft is ready to safely fly its next mission. During the initial propellant load in preparation for the CRS-29 mission, teams identified a leak of NTO (nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer) in a Draco thruster valve, which per standard procedure required a pause to the operation to troubleshoot. The team inspected the valve and respective data, and decided to replace the thruster.

SpaceX continues to keep NASA informed throughout the process and the joint team collectively decided to shift launch to account for the initial part replacement and subsequent system checkouts and data reviews.

With a Nov. 9 launch, the spacecraft will arrive at the space station about 5:20 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe

Astronauts Complete Spacewalk, Dragon Launch Moves to Nov. 7

NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli (top) and Loral O'Hara (bottom) team up during their first spacewalk for maintenance on the outside of the space station. Credit: NASA TV
NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli (top) and Loral O’Hara (bottom) team up during their first spacewalk for maintenance on the outside of the space station. Credit: NASA TV

NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara concluded their spacewalk today at 2:47 p.m. EDT after 6 hours and 42 minutes.

Moghbeli and O’Hara were able to complete one of the spacewalk’s two major objectives, replacing one of the 12 trundle bearing assemblies on the port solar alpha rotary joint, which allows the arrays to track the Sun and generate electricity to power the station. Mission Control told the station crew that the solar array is functioning well after the bearing replacement. Spacewalkers also removed a handling bar fixture to prepare for future installation of a roll-out solar array and properly configured a cable that was previously interfering with an external camera.

The astronauts had planned to remove and stow a communications electronics box called the Radio Frequency Group, but there was not enough time during the spacewalk to complete the work. The duo lifted some multilayer insulation to make a better assessment of how to approach the job before replacing the insulation and deferring the task to a future spacewalk.

During the activity, one tool bag was inadvertently lost. Flight controllers spotted the tool bag using external station cameras. The tools were not needed for the remainder of the spacewalk. Mission Control analyzed the bag’s trajectory and determined that risk of recontacting the station is low and that the onboard crew and space station are safe with no action required.

Moghbeli and O’Hara are in the midst of a science mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting 9:16 p.m. EST Tuesday, Nov. 7, for launch of the company’s 29th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. The additional time allows for completion of final prelaunch processing ahead of liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and cargo Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Television coverage of launch will begin at 8:45 p.m. The spacecraft, which is carrying approximately 6,500 pounds of supplies, research, and hardware will arrive at the space station shortly before 12 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, with coverage beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe

Two Spacewalkers Exit Station for Communications, Solar Array Work

(From left) Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O'Hara are pictured trying on their spacesuits and testing their suits' components aboard the space station.
(From left) Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara are pictured trying on their spacesuits and testing their suits’ components aboard the space station.

NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara began a spacewalk at 8:05 a.m. EDT today to conduct science research and station maintenance.

Moghbeli, designated extravehicular crew member 1 (EV1), is wearing a suit with red stripes. O’Hara, designated extravehicular crew member 2 (EV 2), is in an unmarked suit. Coverage of the spacewalk continues on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe

Astronauts Prep for Maintenance Spacewalk Today on NASA TV

(From left) Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O'Hara pose for portraits in spacesuits at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
(From left) Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara pose for portraits in spacesuits at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

NASA Television coverage of today’s spacewalk with NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara is now underway and is also available on the NASA app, the space station blog and the agency’s website.

The crew members of Expedition 70 are preparing to exit the International Space Station‘s Quest airlock for a spacewalk expected to begin about 8:05 a.m. EDT and last approximately six-and-a-half hours.

Moghbeli and O’Hara will exit the station’s Quest airlock to remove an electronics box called the Radio Frequency Group from the station’s truss that was temporarily stowed after a faulty communications antenna was replaced in Dec. 2021. They also will replace one of 12 trundle bearing assemblies on a solar alpha rotary joint. The bearings enable the station’s solar arrays to rotate to track the Sun as the station orbits the Earth to collect and store electricity for power generation for station systems.

Moghbeli will serve as extravehicular activity (EVA) crew member 1 and will wear a suit with red stripes. O’Hara will serve as extravehicular crew member 2 and will wear an unmarked suit. U.S. EVA 89 will be the first spacewalk for both crew members.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here: www.nasa.gov/subscribe