ISS Daily Summary Report – 12/22/14

Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) white light source replacement:  During Advanced Colloids Experiment (ACE-M3) operations last week, the white light lamp burned out.  Today, Wilmore opened up the FIR and replaced the lamp, enabling operations to continue.  In the ACE-M-3 investigation, a model colloidal system is used to observe the microscopic behavior of liquids and gases separating from each other, near the critical point, via a process called spinodal decomposition. Previous ISS experiments observed the macroscopic behavior for weeks of slow separation, while this experiment looks at the level of individual particles, with the aid of a new microscope that allows observation of the behavior at short times. The ISS is a unique environment for these experiments, as liquids and gases of the same material almost invariably have different densities, and the lack of gravity prevents sedimentation.

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test (BCAT)-Low Gravity Phase Kinetics Platform (KP) Sample Initiation: Wilmore set up the BCAT Module for the BCAT-KP investigation, homogenized sample 5 and set up the camera intervalometer to initiate automated pictures. BCAT-KP provides a platform for material and industrial scientists to investigate colloid phase changes, providing results that may be used to develop new colloidal materials and formulations with unique properties. The results may support new applications, from new liquid crystals to consumer goods having longer shelf life and uses.

Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Solidification Processing (CETSOL) sample removal:  Cristoforetti removed the CETSOL sample 6 which was processed in the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL) on GMT days 328 and 329 (November 24 and 25).  This is the final sample in the currently planned set of samples for processing in MSL, and will be returned on SpaceX-5.  The CETSOL investigation aims to deepen the understanding of the physical principles that govern solidification processes in metal alloys. The patterns of the crystals resulting from transitions of liquids to solids is of substantial importance to processes in producing materials such as solar cells, thermoelectrics, and metal alloys.

Circadian Rhythms:  Cristoforetti donned the Circadian Rhythms equipment and will wear it for 36 hours. Circadian Rhythms investigates the role of synchronized circadian rhythms, or the “biological clock,” and how it changes during long-duration spaceflight. Researchers hypothesize that a non-24-hour cycle of light and dark affects crewmembers’ circadian clocks. The investigation also addresses the effects of reduced physical activity, microgravity and an artificially controlled environment. Changes in body composition and body temperature, which also occur in microgravity, can affect crewmembers’ circadian rhythms as well. Understanding how these phenomena affect the biological clock will improve performance and health for future crewmembers.

ATV and Dragon cargo operations:  Virts and Wilmore performed cargo operations to prepare hardware for loading on ATV-5 and pre-pack for return on Dragon.

Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

  • Inspection of СМ-У connector on МНР-НС behind panel 139 АСУ and pipe line 5182-03 from ДКиВ to МНР in its transparent section
  • RELAKSATSIYA. Charge battery for “Relaksatsiya” experiment / r/g 6827
  • HRF- urine sample collection & install in MELFI
  • Photo/video Life on the Station / r/g 7290
  • Comm. config for communication from МRМ2 for experiment session
  • HMS Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test
  • FIR – Replace one of the FIR White Light
  • KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL. Experiment ops. / r/g 7505
  • ESA – weekly crew conference
  • Nikon photo camera sensor dust contamination monitoring / r/g 7512
  • RELAKSATSIYA. Parameter settings / r/g 7508
  • CIR alignment guide removal
  • Remove items from panel prior to installing overlay sheets on FGB interior panel (p.104).
  • RELAKSATSIYA. Monitoring / r/g 7508
  • Comm. config. for communication from МRМ1
  • VIZIR. Experiment ops. / r/g 7506
  • Restoration of nominal attachment for ЦВ3 fan in МRМ1. / r/g 7507
  • HRF- urine sampling
  • BCAT – Binary Colloidal Alloy Test Sample Initialization
  • JSL- Joint Station LAN (JSL) Network Monitoring System (NMS) Laptop Recovery
  • ELITE-S2 – Hardware gather
  • PE data downlink / r/g 6797
  • МRМ1 comm. reconfig to nominal
  • СПО МИС test verification on RSOS ISS. / r/g 7514
  • ATV transfer ops
  • WRS – fill from EDV for processing
  • MSL – sample retrieve
  • Installation of overlay sheets on FGB interior panel (p.104)
  • RODENT RESEARCH – Habitat change
  • USOS EVA conference
  • Dragon equipment prep
  • Comm. check with JEM S/G from SSIPC and МCC-H
  • ATV flow measurement
  • HRF- equipment set up
  • PROBOJ. Ops with RSЕ1 laptop. / r/g 7509
  • PROBOJ. Ops with penetration simulator / r/g 7510
  • ATV transfer conference
  • SPLANKH. Experiment prep / r/g 7511
  • CMS – Т2 nuts adjustment and apply witness marks
  • Thermolab – ops with Circadian Rythm instrumentation
  • Ku-band cable reconnect

Completed Task List Items

  • COL- HDVCA adapter installation
  • ESA EPO S1/5
  • Locate NPV plate [Not found]
  • NMS Laptop Recover [In Work]
  • PIP-Nod3 HW-Deploy
  • T61P Battery Audit

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

  • Nominal commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:

  • Tuesday, 12/23: NMAP Test, EHS Water Audit, HRF Blood & Urine Ops, MSL sample removal
  • Wednesday, 12/24: OOHA test, 40S OBT Emergency Drill, JEMRMS Bus Mon, ELITE 2 Camera Setup
  • Thursday, 12/25: Crew Holiday

 

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

                              Component

Status

Elektron

On

Vozdukh

On

[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”)

On

[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”)

Off

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab

Operate

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3

Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab

Stop

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3

Operate

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)

Process

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)

Standby

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab

Off

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3

Full up