This mosaic depicts the space station pictured from the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft on Nov. 8, 2021.
The Progress 89 thrusters were fired at 2:09 p.m. CST today for 5 minutes, 31 seconds, to raise the orbit of the International Space Station to provide an extra margin of distance from a piece of orbital debris from a defunct defense meteorological satellite that broke up in 2015. The Pre-determined Debris Avoidance Maneuver (PDAM) was conducted in coordination with NASA, Roscosmos and the other space station partners.
Without the maneuver, ballistics officials estimated that the fragment could have come within around 2 ½ miles of the station.
The maneuver had no impact on station operations and will not affect Thursday’s scheduled launch of the Progress 90 cargo craft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
NASA astronaut Nick Hague processes samples for a biotechnology experiment that explores using microorganisms and cell cultures to produce materials and biomolecules on a commercial scale.
The Expedition 72 crew members began the week exploring the numerous ways living in space affects the human body to develop advanced therapies promoting health on and off the Earth. The orbital residents are also preparing for the departure of a cargo ship and the arrival of another this week at the International Space Station.
Preventing space-caused changes in eye pressure, inflammation, and blood clotting were the dominant research themes aboard the orbital outpost on Monday. The insights can be achieved only in the microgravity environment and may provide new strategies researchers can use to treat space-caused and Earthbound symptoms and conditions.
NASA Flight Engineers Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore tested a thigh cuff as a way to draw body fluids into their extremities. In microgravity, the human body adjusts by eliminating fluids no longer needed in an astronaut’s torso and head. The fluid shifts can apply pressure to an astronaut’s eyes affecting eye structure and vision. Wilmore assisted Hague at the beginning of the day, imaging his eyes to measure his retina’s thickness then attaching the tight-fitting, fluid-shifting thigh cuffs to both of his legs. Next, Wilmore conducted scans with the Ultrasound 2 device to observe Hague’s cardiac activity and collected blood pressure measurements. Hague had a second round of the same tests at the end of the day before stowing the biomedical hardware. The data was downloaded for doctors on the ground to analyze the effectiveness of the thigh cuff that may help protect astronauts on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit serviced biology hardware in the Kibo laboratory module to prepare for an upcoming study exploring ways to prevent space-caused inflammatory changes. He installed components inside Kibo’s artificial gravity-generating incubator to observe how weightlessness and radiation affect the immune system, bones, and muscles creating symptoms that are similar to age-related issues on Earth. Insights may lead to therapies counteracting the stresses of living in space as well as aging conditions on Earth.
Commander Suni Williams inserted cell samples inside a fluorescence microscope that scientists remotely controlled to observe inflammation and immunity response changes in microgravity. Researchers seek to identify genes regulated by gravitational forces and understand their impact on the human immune system to protect astronaut health on future missions.
A Roscosmos cargo mission swap is due to take place beginning at 7:53 a.m. EST on Tuesday when the trash-packed Progress 88 resupply ship undocks after six months attached to the Poisk module. The next cargo craft to replace it, the Progress 90, has already rolled out to its launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Loaded with about 5,500 pounds of cargo, the Progress 90 will launch at 7:22 a.m. on Thursday for a two-day trip to the station. The space delivery will arrive at 9:35 a.m. on Saturday for an automated docking to Poisk beginning another six-month cargo mission.
Cosmonaut Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner trained on Monday for the departure and arrival of the two Progress spacecraft. The Roscosmos duo practiced operating on a computer the telerobotically operated rendezvous unit, or TORU, in the unlikely event it would be necessary to remotely control the Progress spacecraft if they lost their automated capabilities. The duo then split up as Vagner closed the Progress 88 hatch and checked for leaks while Ovchinin serviced the treadmill inside the Zvezda service module. Flight Engineer Aleksandr Gorbunov assisted Ovchinin with the treadmill maintenance and synchronized cameras with space station clocks.
A long-exposure shot taken by NASA astronaut Don Pettit shows the intricacies of stars in the Milky Way as the International Space Station orbited 253 miles above the Atlantic Ocean.
The Expedition 72 crew explored new technologies on Friday including life support systems supported by photosynthesis, capturing satellites with robots, and cold welding in microgravity. The International Space Station residents also continued checking out spacesuits while keeping up standard lab maintenance tasks at the end of the week.
Using micro-algae to remove carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and create food in the spacecraft environment is an important test for NASA as it plans longer human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA Flight Engineer Nick Hague worked in the Columbus laboratory module servicing samples of the Arthrospira C micro-algae for incubation and analysis. Scientists will expose the radiation-resistant samples to different light intensities while monitoring their cell growth and oxygen production. Results may advance life support systems and fresh food production in space.
Engineers are studying how satellites interact in close proximity with each other to learn how to capture space objects for servicing or removal. NASA Commander Suni Williams checked out the Astrobee robotic free-flyer in the Kibo laboratory module and installed tentacle-like arms containing gecko-like adhesive pads to demonstrate satellite capture techniques. Engineers on the ground then remotely-controlled the cube-shaped, toaster-sized robotic assistant testing its ability to conduct docking maneuvers and capture free-flying objects. Development of this robotic technology may increase the life span of satellites and enable the removal of space debris.
NASA Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Butch Wilmore worked on installing new scientific hardware to explore materials exposed to space radiation and test a spacecraft repair technique. Pettit set up external research gear inside Kibo that will be placed in the vacuum of space to observe how a variety of materials react to the extreme thermal environment, different types of radiation, micrometeoroids, and more to promote the space industry. Wilmore installed the Nanolab Astrobeat space repair experiment hardware in the Destiny laboratory module that will explore a cold-welding technique to repair micrometeoroid impacts to spacecraft.
Roscosmos Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner were back on spacesuit duty Friday conducting leak checks, valve tests, and servicing the suits’ life support components. The duo is readying the suits for a spacewalk planned in mid-December. Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov primarily spent his day on orbital plumbing tasks before wrapping up his shift on computer maintenance in the Nauka science module.
Star trails, an aurora, and Earth’s atmospheric glow highlight this long-duration photograph taken from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above the North Pacific Ocean.
The Expedition 72 crew’s space biology research on Thursday explored how the human immune and digestion systems react to weightlessness to improve health on Earth and in space. The seven residents aboard the International Space Station also worked on a variety of other experiments while continuing the upkeep of the orbital lab.
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Nick Hague , Expedition 72 Commander and Flight Engineer respectively, partnered together in the Kibo laboratory module processing cell samples using the Life Science Glovebox. The duo was exploring how spaceflight and radiation affect the immunity system and blood clotting possibly providing insights to advance health protecting astronauts in space and humans on Earth.
Space physics is also a key science topic as researchers study phenomena that can only be observed in the microgravity environment to build stronger, higher quality materials benefitting Earth and space industries. Working in Kibo’s Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF), a research facility that exposes materials to high temperatures, NASA Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Butch Wilmore removed samples from inside the device stowing them for return to Earth. The ELF enables measurements of thermophysical properties unobtainable on the ground.
Roscosmos cosmonauts Ivan Vagner and Aleksandr Gorbunov scanned their stomachs with an ultrasound device after breakfast again to observe how the gastrointestinal tract, part of the digestion system, changes in microgravity. The ultrasound scans, just one part of the long-running study, were looking at the system’s biochemistry, organs, and vessels.
Vagner later joined Roscosmos Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin and checked out a pair of Orlan spacesuits ahead of a planned spacewalk. Vagner then packed trash inside the Progress 88 resupply ship ahead of its departure next week. Ovchinin also took inventory of Roscosmos cargo and serviced communications gear. Gorbunov finished charging video camera batteries and conducting orbital plumbing.
Astronauts (from left) Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore partner together inside the Kibo laboratory module on space biology research.
Wednesday’s research schedule aboard the International Space Station was packed with DNA-like nanomaterials, ultrasound scans, and a variety of advanced science hardware maintenance. The Expedition 72 crew also continued its ongoing life support and systems servicing ensuring the upkeep of the orbital outpost.
NASA Flight Engineers Suni Williams and Nick Hague continued exploring manufacturing DNA-like nanomaterials to develop therapies and treat space-caused and Earthbound conditions on Wednesday. The duo processed and imaged messenger RNA (mRNA) samples in the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox to evaluate their quality in space. The results will be compared to Earth-developed samples testing the hypothesis that space-manufacturing will create superior vaccines, regenerative medicine, and more.
NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore kicked off the DNA therapy manufacturing experiment by relocating a laptop computer to support the biotechnology study. Afterward, Wilmore replaced hardware and experiment samples inside the Combustion Integrated Rack continuing a study that observes how solid fuels burn in microgravity potentially increasing spacecraft fire safety.
NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit spent most of his day transferring biology hardware from an incubator to a glovebox located inside Kibo to study the effects of space-caused inflammation. Following that, the four-time space station visitor spent the rest of the afternoon on orbital plumbing tasks in the Tranquility module.
Roscosmos Flight Engineers Ivan Vagner and Aleksandr Gorbunov scanned their stomachs with an ultrasound device after breakfast on Wednesday. The cosmonauts were exploring how the digestive system adapts to the long-term weightless environment aboard the orbital outpost. Vagner and Gorbunov later joined Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin and checked the Zvezda service module’s telerobotically operated rendezvous system, or TORU, that can be used to control Roscosmos spaceships from the station. Finally, Ovchinin and Vagner tested ways to improve communications with international crews and flight controllers while Gorbunov checked thermal sensors inside the Zarya module.
The International Space Station is orbiting higher today after the Progress 89 cargo craft docked to the rear port of Zvezda fired its thrusters for over 31 minutes. The orbital reboost places the station at the correct altitude for the Progress 90 resupply mission planned to launch next week after the departure of the Progress 88 cargo craft.
Astronaut Butch Wilmore installs portable experiment hardware inside the Destiny laboratory module aboard the International Space Station.
Biotechnology research topped the science schedule aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday to advance in-space manufacturing of health therapies. The Expedition 72 crew members also took a physical fitness test, studied futuristic piloting techniques, and maintained a variety of research and electronics hardware throughout the day.
NASA Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Nick Hague worked together on Tuesday exploring how to manufacture nanomaterials to mimic DNA. The astronauts partnered together in the Kibo laboratory module processing and imaging samples of the DNA-inspired nanomaterials inside the Life Science Glovebox. Doctors expect results in microgravity will be superior to those on Earth helping build the space economy and improve treatments for space-caused and Earthbound health conditions.
Roscosmos Flight Engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Aleksandr Gorbunov joined each other for a pair of human research studies on Tuesday exploring physical fitness and planetary piloting techniques. Ovchinin attached electrodes to Gorbunov that recorded his heart and breathing activity while he pedaled on an exercise cycle. Afterward, the duo took turns wearing a sensor-packed cap that measured their responses as they practiced on a computer futuristic planetary and robotic piloting techniques crews might use.
Station Commander Suni Williams and Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore, both NASA astronauts, worked throughout the day servicing a host of research hardware and electronics components ensuring ongoing lab operations with high quality results. Williams first collected her blood sample, spinning it in a centrifuge, then stowing the specimen in a science freezer for later analysis. Next, she inspected a power cable in the Tranquility module, swapped batteries in medical hardware, then serviced samples for a 3D medical device printer. Wilmore started the sample operations for the 3D medical device printer study, then replaced a power cable for a wireless system, swapped fuel bottles inside the Combustion Integrated Rack, and finally serviced racks and panels inside the Columbus laboratory module.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner spent his day primarily on orbital maintenance testing thermal sensors, transferring gases and liquids, and inspecting windows in the Zvezda service and Nauka science modules. He also explored ways to improve communications among international crews and flight controllers then joined Gorbunov and set up hardware for an upcoming space digestion study.
NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Suni Williams, Expedition 72 Flight Engineer and Commander respectively, discuss orbital lab maintenance procedures aboard the International Space Station.
A host of activities topped Friday’s schedule aboard the orbital outpost as the Expedition 72 crew penned in time for experiment activation, spacesuit work, training, and more.
International Space Station Commander Suni Williams spent the first half of her day on spacesuit duty, removing the impact shields and inspecting the gear for any leaks. In the afternoon, she serviced biotechnology hardware and installed new cassettes for crystallization research.
Later on, Williams was joined by her three of her crewmates, NASA Flight Engineers Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, to review medical emergency procedures and hardware.
Both Hague and Wilmore separately assisted NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit throughout the day to illuminate space-induced inflammation changes in organisms. Hague also set up new experiment containers for an investigation that will test how to transplant and grow micro-algae in space.
Meanwhile, Wilmore continued work that Williams began yesterday and activated additional mixing tubes that contain protein and bacteria for the NanoRacks Module-9 investigation, which is a student-led experiment that examines how microgravity affects protein synthesis.
The orbiting lab’s three cosmonauts completed an array of upkeep tasks throughout the day. Gorbunov and Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner conducted some orbital plumbing, while Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin worked some life support systems and electronics tasks before photographing various landmarks on Earth. At the end of the day, the trio was joined by their four NASA crewmates to review Dragon cargo emergency training materials and response.
On Earth, the four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8, who splashed down off the coast of Florida on Oct. 25, will discuss their microgravity science mission during a post-flight news conference this afternoon, Nov. 8, at 3:15 p.m. EST. Watch the quartet live on NASA+ and the agency’s website.
Astronaut Nick Hague explores the potential of biomanufacturing using microorganisms and cell cutlures to create food, medicine, and more in space.
The Expedition 72 crew began activating new experiments on Thursday following a day of unpacking the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft, installing new science gear, and stowing fresh research samples aboard the International Space Station.
Veteran Flight Engineer Don Pettit spent his shift on DNA research first collecting station water samples to examine for microbes. Next, he extracted DNA from the microbial samples and processed them for analysis and identification. Flight Engineer Nick Hague set up biology hardware inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox to illuminate space-caused inflammation changes in organisms. At the end of their shift, Pettit imaged Hague’s eyes using standard medical imaging hardware testing a hypothesis that a B Complex vitamin supplement may prevent space-caused vision issues.
NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore worked in the Destiny laboratory module and installed new physics hardware in the Microgravity Science Glovebox that measures particle movements in fluids. The investigation takes advantage of the microgravity environment to learn how to separate viruses from biological fluids for disease detection. Commander Suni Williams activated mixing tubes containing proteins and bacteria for a set of student-designed NanoRacks Module-9 experiments promoting healthy crew members and encouraging future space researchers. Williams also worked on a variety of science maintenance tasks while continuing to unpack the Dragon spacecraft.
The Canadarm2 robotic arm is in position on the Harmony module to extract experimental hardware to measure the solar wind from the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft’s trunk. Robotic engineers on the ground will remotely command the Canadarm2 and its fine-tuned Dextre robotic hand to gently remove the solar measurement gear from Dragon on Saturday. Then on Monday, the solar experiment will be installed on the port side of the orbital outpost’s Integrated Truss Structure where it will soon begin operations. CODEX, or Coronal Diagnostic Experiment, will use a coronagraph to filter out the sun’s bright light to reveal its outer atmosphere, or corona, and examine how solar wind forms.
Roscosmos Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner started his day servicing a 3D printer in the Nauka science module then completed his shift conducting photographic inspections of windows on the Zvezda service module. Cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Aleksandr Gorbunov worked throughout Thursday maintaining Roscosmos electronics and life support systems.
The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft is pictured from an external space station camera approaching the orbital outpost above Argentina on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Credit: NASA+
New science experiments and research samples delivered aboard the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft on Tuesday are being installed today aboard the International Space Station. Meanwhile, more science and lab maintenance continued ensuring the upkeep of the orbital outpost.
The four NASA astronauts representing the Expedition 72 crew, Flight Engineers Don Pettit, Nick Hague, and Butch Wilmore, and Commander Suni Williams, spent the day unloading the research-packed Dragon that arrived on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The quartet quickly transferred the advanced research hardware and temperature-sensitive specimens into the space station and installed them into research racks and cold storage.
Pettit entered Dragon and removed new space biology hardware to explore space-caused inflammation changes then installed it inside the Kibo laboratory module for activation. Hague partnered together with Wilmore and disconnected Dragon’s portable science freezers containing critical science samples then installed them in station EXPRESS racks for upcoming processing and analysis. Williams also participated in the Dragon science hardware transfers before joining Wilmore to unpack frozen research sample bags for stowage in a variety of station science freezers.
The space station’s three cosmonauts, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, spent Wednesday on their task list of Roscosmos science experiments and lab maintenance.
Ovchinin and Vagner worked together throughout the day in the Zvezda service module setting up an X-ray spectrometer that was delivered aboard the Progress 89 resupply ship on Aug. 17. The duo installed cables and electronics components to support the astrophysics observation study that will be installed outside the orbital lab on a later date. Gorbunov closed out an experimental session observing Earth’s nighttime atmosphere in near-ultraviolet wavelengths then spent the rest of his shift servicing electronics and life support systems.
Thrusters on the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft fire adjusting the vehicle’s approach toward the station for a docking to the Harmony module’s forward port in November of 2023.
Four of the seven Expedition 72 crew members aboard the International Space Station had a light duty day on Monday awaiting a space delivery due to arrive Tuesday morning. However, there was still time aboard the orbital outpost for a heart health study, DNA research, spacesuit work, and more.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon cargo spacecraft atop is at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida counting down to a lift off at 9:29 p.m. EST today. Dragon is packed with over 6,000 pounds of science, supplies, and hardware to replenish the lab residents. NASA Flight Engineers Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore will be on duty monitoring Dragon’s automated rendezvous and docking scheduled for 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday. Afterward, station Commander Suni Williams and Flight Engineer Don Pettit, both NASA astronauts, will join the duo and begin unloading critical research samples and hardware to begin exploring the solar wind, radiation tolerance in plants, and more aboard the orbital outpost.
Watch Dragon’s launch and docking live on the NASA+ streaming service via the web or the NASA app. Coverage also will air live on NASA Television, YouTube, and on the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.
The NASA quartet mostly had an off-duty day on Monday following Sunday morning’s short ride aboard the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft to different space station docking port. Hague commanded Williams, Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov inside Dragon as it undocked from the Harmony module’s forward port at 6:35 a.m. then redocked to Harmony’s adjacent space-facing port at 7:25 a.m. opening it up for Tuesday’s Dragon cargo delivery. Pettit remained inside the space station monitoring the crew’s automated relocation maneuver aboard the Dragon crew spacecraft.
However, Hague spent about an hour on Monday gathering hardware that will measure his heart and breathing activity during an upcoming exercise session for the Cardiobreath human research study. Wilmore had a quick task setting up a student-designed DNA experiment that will explore the genetic risks, including cancer, of living and working in space. Williams was on spacesuit duty during the second part of her day inspecting the spacewalking gear for leaks. Pettit spent a few moments logging his daily meals in a space health app for the EveryWear technology demonstration.
Gorbunov had a full schedule aboard the station on Monday operating a variety of Earth observation gear imaging the nighttime atmosphere and landmarks on the ground in different wavelengths. Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin inventoried personal cosmonaut items then worked on ventilation systems in the Nauka science module. Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner charged video camera batteries then stowed trash and other discarded items inside the Progress 88 resupply ship before its departure later this month.
