Month: November 2024

Advanced technology research into DNA-like nanomaterials, bacterial genetic analysis, and 3D printing kept the Expedition 72 crew busy the day before Thanksgiving. The International Space Station residents also sent down a Thanksgiving message, checked out a Roscosmos cargo craft, and continued their standard orbital maintenance duties.

Commander Suni Williams kicked off her day with Flight Engineer Nick Hague, both NASA astronauts, in the Kibo laboratory module mixing samples of messenger RNA, or mRNA, and protein with water to manufacture nanomaterials that mimic DNA. Williams then imaged the samples using light intensity measurements to evaluate the quality of the nanomaterials. Results may benefit space manufacturing and lead to advanced therapies for Earthbound and space-caused health conditions.

NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore spent all day Wednesday collecting microbe samples throughout the station to analyze their genetic characteristics. Wilmore first swabbed areas the crew touches frequently then transferred those samples to genetic research hardware for analysis. The samples will be incubated for a few days before undergoing a DNA extraction process for identification. Doctors want to understand how antibiotic-resistant bacteria evolve in the microgravity environment in an effort reduce the risk of crew infection aboard spacecraft.

NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit worked in the Columbus laboratory module configuring the Metal 3D Printer that may be able to manufacture spare parts during space missions reducing the need for resupply missions launched from Earth. Williams assisted Pettit removing a printed specimen from the 3D printer and replacing components inside the device.

The four NASA astronauts sent down a Thanksgiving message video highlighting their upcoming meal and expressing their gratitude for their families and living and working in space. The quartet along with the three Roscosmos cosmonauts aboard the space station will take the day off on Thursday enjoying a hearty meal, talking to family members on the ground, and relaxing aboard the orbital outpost.

Roscosmos Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner worked throughout Wednesday checking ventilation systems and docking hardware inside the Progress 89 cargo craft docked to the Zvezda service module’s rear port. The cosmonaut duo also took turns attaching electrodes to themselves recording their heart activity and measuring their blood pressure. Flight Engineer Aleksandr Gorbunov updated laptop computer software and continued unpacking the Progress 90 cargo craft.

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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.

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The Expedition 72 crew studied micro-algae and DNA-like nanomaterials on Tuesday to improve health in space and on Earth. The orbital residents also worked on cargo transfers and lab maintenance aboard the International Space Station.

NASA Flight Engineer Nick Hague began his day processing radiation-resistant samples of Arthrospira C micro-algae and stowing them in an incubator for analysis. The samples will be exposed to different light intensities to observe how they affect the micro-algae’s cell growth and oxygen production. Results may advance the development of spacecraft life support systems and fresh food production in space.

Afterward, Hague joined Commander Suni Williams of NASA for a different research session mixing water with samples of messenger RNA, or mRNA, and protein to create DNA-like nanomaterial products inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox. Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore then transferred the samples, exposed them to ultrasonic waves, and imaged them with a spectrophotometer to measure the intensity of light at different wavelengths and evaluate the quality of the nanomaterials. The samples will also be returned to Earth for further evaluation. Results may lead to improved therapies for Earth and space health conditions as well as advance the space economy.

Wilmore joined NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and removed external research hardware from inside Kibo’s airlock. The hardware housed a variety of samples exposed to the vacuum of space such as polymers, photovoltaic devices, and more. The samples will be returned to Earth and examined to understand how space radiation, the extreme thermal environment, micrometeoroids, and more affect materials possibly benefitting the space industry.

Afterward, Pettit pedaled on an exercise cycle wearing breathing gear that measured his aerobic output in microgravity. He wrapped up his shift packing gear for return to Earth inside the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft due to undock from the Harmony module’s forward port on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Roscosmos Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner worked inside the Progress 89 resupply spacecraft on Tuesday that has been docked to the Zvezda service module’s rear port since Aug. 17. The duo first serviced the spacecraft’s docking mechanism then unpacked cargo for stowing inside the Nauka science module. Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov had a light duty day primarily focusing on exercise inside the Tranquility module, jogging on the treadmill and working out on the advanced resistive exercise device.

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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.

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The Expedition 72 crew kicked off Thanksgiving week with a multitude of advanced biology and technology studies to improve human health and industry on and off the Earth. The orbital residents also focused on spacesuits and space cargo rounding out Monday aboard the International Space Station.

Keeping humans healthy on Earth and during space missions is a key research objective for NASA and its international partners. Scientists use the weightless environment of the orbital outpost to gain unique insights impossible to achieve on Earth’s surface supporting the medicine, commercial, and space industries.

NASA Flight Engineers Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore started their day wrapping up a biology experiment seeking ways to prevent space-caused stress effects and overcome age-related diseases on Earth. The duo processed samples in an artificial gravity-generating incubator, then stowed the research hardware, and disconnected a laptop computer closing out the investigation. During the experiment operations the astronauts used a fluorescence microscope to observe the samples and understand how microgravity impacts inflammation and the immunity system.

Hague then moved on and set up the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox to begin exploring the feasibility of manufacturing nanomaterials that mimic DNA and design advanced therapies enhancing quality of life. Wilmore collected station water samples for microbial analysis then swapped samples for a physics study exploring ways to separate viruses from biological fluids and improve disease detection methods.

NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit started his day loading items inside the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft for return to Earth following its undocking on Thursday, Dec. 5. Next, he serviced the Additive Manufacturing Facility, a 3D printer, then collected a variety of seed samples that will be returned to Earth for growing in school classrooms. At the end of his shift, Pettit turned on the SphereCam-1 to test its ability to capture ultra-high-resolution video for detailed imagery of spacecraft systems.

Working in the Quest airlock, station Commander Suni Williams spent all day configuring spacesuit systems. She first serviced airlock oxygen and nitrogen tanks, then filtered and inspected suit cooling loops, and finally installed shields protecting suit life support systems.

Roscosmos cosmonauts Ivan Vagner and Aleksandr Gorbunov worked together on Monday and continued unpacking the Progress 90 resupply ship that arrived on Saturday loaded with nearly three tons of food, fuel, and supplies. After the hatch to Progress 90 was first opened, crew members reported an unusual odor from the spacecraft. Flight controllers on the ground activated air scrubbing equipment as part of normal procedures, indicating that the odor likely was outgassing from materials inside the cargo spacecraft. The crew reported the odor dissipated quickly and cargo transfer operations are proceeding on schedule.

Vagner also cleaned ventilation systems and conducted photography inspections. Gorbunov downloaded radiation data then installed Earth observation hardware to image Earth’s nighttime atmosphere in near-ultraviolet wavelengths. Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin began his day exploring futuristic spacecraft and robotic piloting techniques, then transferred water from the newly arrived Progress 90, before finishing up in the Nauka science module cleaning fans.

The International Space Station is orbiting slightly higher today after the docked Progress 89 cargo craft fired its engines for three-and-a-half minutes early Monday. The debris avoidance maneuver positioned the orbital outpost farther away from a satellite fragment nearing the station’s flight path.

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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.

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The Expedition 72 crew members continued studying how the human immune system responds to weightlessness while also setting up space botany and exercise hardware at the end of the week. Meanwhile, a cargo craft is on its way to resupply the International Space Station on Saturday.

Three NASA astronauts worked throughout Friday processing cell samples inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox. Flight Engineer Nick Hague kicked off the research work fixating bone marrow cell samples that produce platelets, or tiny blood cells that form clots to stop bleeding. Next, he imaged those samples in a fluorescent microscope to observe space-caused inflammation and immunity changes.

Commander Suni Williams joined in the sample processing and imaging work toward the end of her shift allowing Hague to take a break for his daily exercise sessions. Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore assisted the duo during the daylong biology research activating the microscope, handing over the cell samples to his teammates for examination, then collecting the processed samples for stowage in a science freezer. The Megakaryocyte Flying-One investigation seeks to protect astronaut health on space missions and provide insights for blood conditions on Earth.

Williams also set up the Advanced Plant Habitat in advance of research operations for the Plant Habitat-07 experiment. She added water to the facility then collected water samples for microbial analysis. The upcoming space botany study will explore how different water levels affect plant growth and the community of microorganisms that live on plants. Results may lead to improved methods for growing food on Earth and in space.

NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit set up breathing measurement gear and exercise hardware on Friday. He attached sensors to his chest then pedaled on the Destiny laboratory module’s exercise cycle checking out the performance of the biomedical instrumentation and systems.

A new cargo craft is orbiting Earth and on its way to deliver nearly three tons of food, fuel, and supplies to the Expedition 72 crew. Roscosmos Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner will be on duty monitoring the Progress 90 resupply ship when it docks to the space station‘s Poisk module at 9:36 a.m. EST on Saturday. The hatches will open to Progress about three hours after its docking and the cosmonauts will begin unloading the new supplies.

Live coverage of Progress’ rendezvous and docking begins at 8:45 a.m. Saturday on NASA+ and the agency’s website. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.

Ovchinin and Vagner started Friday cleaning ventilation systems in the Zvezda service and Nauka science modules. The duo then called down to mission controllers and discussed Progress’ automated approach and rendezvous procedures. Flight Engineer Aleksandr Gorbunov assisted his fellow cosmonauts with the cleaning duties, conducted a hearing test, then wrapped up his day maintaining life support equipment.

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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.

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The Progress 90 cargo craft is orbiting Earth and on its way to resupply the International Space Station after its launch Thursday morning. In the meantime, the Expedition 72 crew continued exploring space immunity and a host of other research topics while servicing spacesuits on Thursday.

The Progress lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 7:22 a.m. on Thursday beginning its two-day journey to the space station. Packed inside Progress are nearly three tons of food, fuel, and supplies due to arrive at the orbital outpost when Progress automatically docks to the Poisk module at 9:36 a.m. EST on Saturday. Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner will be on duty Saturday monitoring the cargo ship during its automated approach and rendezvous maneuvers.

NASA Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Nick Hague were back on space biology on Thursday continuing to explore how living in space affects inflammation, or how the body responds to injury or infection. The duo imaged the biological samples using specialized luminescence hardware to visualize space-caused inflammatory changes. Insights from the biology study may help researchers protect astronaut health on long-term space missions.

NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore replaced experiment samples inside the Combustion Integrated Rack for a fire safety experiment that observes how flames spread in the weightless environment. He also continued servicing a spacesuit that was recently delivered aboard the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft. Wilmore first removed hardware that secured the spacesuit inside Dragon then installed camera and data cables on the suit with assistance from Commander Suni Williams from NASA. Afterward, Wilmore performed standard maintenance emptying and filling water tanks on a pair of spacesuits inside the Quest airlock.

Williams spent most of her day inside the Tranquility module removing components from inside the waste and hygiene compartment, the space station’s bathroom. Wilmore assisted Williams as she removed the orbital plumbing gear during a break in his science and spacesuit tasks.

Roscosmos Flight Engineer Aleksandr Gorbunov installed Earth observation hardware to obtain visible and near-infrared imagery of natural and human-made changes on the Earth’s surface. Ovchinin spent his day disinfecting the Zvezda service module and cleaning its ventilation systems. Vagner jogged on Zvezda’s treadmill for a fitness evaluation then tested a 3D printer for its ability to manufacture tools and hardware on the orbital lab.

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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.

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