Microbiome: For Yui’s Return Minus Zero day (R-0) and Kelly’s Flight Day 240 Microbiome sessions, they each collected saliva samples today. Kelly also collected water from the Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) in the galley and stowed it for ambient return on the 43 Soyuz (43S) vehicle, which is scheduled to undock from the ISS this Friday. Microbiome investigates the impact of space travel on both the human immune system and an individual’s microbiome (the collection of microbes that live in and on the human body at any given time).
Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space (OASIS) Sample Exchange: Kelly exchanged the OASIS samples in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) today. Kelly was able to restore full functionality to the slide drawer mechanism yesterday, which allowed this activity to be performed today. OASIS studies the unique behavior of liquid crystals in microgravity, including their overall motion and the merging of crystal layers known as smectic islands. Liquid crystals are used for display screens in televisions and clocks, and they also occur in soaps and cell membranes. The experiment allows detailed studies of the behavior of these structures, and how microgravity affects their unique ability to act like both a liquid and a solid crystal.
Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock Operations for Robotics Refueling Mission (RRM): Yui has depressurized and vented the JEM Airlock today in preparation the retrieval later this month of RRM Task Board 4 from the ExPRESS Logistics Carrier-4 (ELC-4), located on the ISS Starboard 3 (S3) Truss.
Twins Study: In support of the Twins Study, Kelly continued his week-long Flight Day 240 daily saliva collection and also made a urine collection. This investigation is an integrated compilation of ten different studies led by multiple investigators. The studies take advantage of a unique opportunity to look at the effects of space travel on identical twins, with one of them experiencing space travel for a year while the other remains earth-bound for that same year. The study looks at changes in the human body that are important in the fields of genetics, psychology, physiology, microbiology, and immunology.
Habitability: Today Kelly documented his recent observations related to human factors and habitability for the Habitability investigation. Habitability assesses the relationship between crew members and their environment in order to better prepare for future long-duration spaceflights to destinations, such as near earth asteroids and Mars. Observations recorded during 6 month and 1 year missions can help spacecraft designers determine how much habitable volume is required, and whether a mission’s duration impacts how much space crew members need.
Sleep Log: Kornienko recorded a Sleep Log entry today after waking. The Sleep ISS-12 experiment monitors ambient light exposure and crew member activity and collects subjective evaluations of sleep and alertness. The investigation examines the effects of space flight and ambient light exposure on sleep during a year-long mission on the ISS.
Journals: Kelly completed a Journals entry today. The Journals investigation obtains information on behavioral and human issues that are relevant to the design of equipment and procedures used by astronauts during extended-duration missions. Study results provide information used in preparations for future missions to low-Earth orbit and beyond.
Cygnus Arrival Preparation: The USOS Crew reviewed the Cygnus rendezvous timeline and material associated with Cygnus retreat protocol, Cygnus lighting, navigation sensors, and camera settings. Once their review was complete, they participated in a conference with specialist on the ground to answer any questions.
43S Crew Departure Preparation: Yui and Lindgren prepared and transfered US cargo that will be returning to the ground via 43S. They also continued to pack their personal items. The personal items will return by way of 43S, SpaceX-8, and SpaceX-9 vehicles. Finally, Yui worked with Kononenko to perform a Motion Control Test on 43S. The 43S Crew is scheduled to return to earth on December 11th.
43S Nominal Descent Drill #2: Yui, Lindgren and Kononenko all participated in a nominal Soyuz Decent Drill. As part of this training they reviewed preliminary undocking and descent data, then worked through the descent timeline (from Soyuz activation through post-landing activities).
Portable Computer System (PCS) Hardware Audit: Kelly performed a periodic audit of PCS hardware today. During the activity he took note of serial numbers for all deployed PCS shells, batteries, 1553 cards and cables. The information was then downlinked for ground teams to track.
Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
- TWIN – Sample Collection
- Morning Inspection. SM ПСС [Caution & Warning Panel] Test
- SLEEP – Questionnaire
- HRF – Sample Collection and Prep for Stowage Insertion
- HRF – Sample MELFI Insertion
- Acoustic Dosimeter Reminder
- JEMAL – Depress and Vent
- ВКС Laptops Antivirus Scan Check and Status Report
- CORRECTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medication) Intake
- MORZE. Psycho-physiological Evaluation: Cattell’s Test
- Acoustic Dosimeter Setup
- SEISMOPROGNOZ. Downlink data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (МКСД) HDD (start)
- HAM radio session from Columbus
- USOS Window Shutter Closure
- Collect SM and FGB Air Samples Using АК-1М Sampler
- VIBROLAB. Monitoring hardware activation
- Monthly Inspection of T2 Treadmill System
- On-orbit hearing assessment using EARQ
- Progress 428 (DC1) Stowage Ops with IMS Support
- Review of Cygnus Capture Day Key Reminders
- ИПД Air Sample Collection for Ammonia in SM
- Cygnus Rendezvous Operations Conference
- HMS Defibrillator Inspection
- JEMAL- Closeout Verification
- JEMAL – JEM Ailock Vent Confirmation
- Post-Exercise Hygiene Procedure
- Soyuz 717 СУД Test No.2 Before Undocking
- Video Footage of Greetings / r/g 0816
- HABIT – Experiment Ops
- WRS – Recycle Tank Fill
- Soyuz 717 АСУ Activation
- On MCC GO ISS Repress from ТКГ 428 (DC1) СрПК Section 1 – initiate
- Prepack US hardware to be loaded into Soyuz
- Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Activation
- CORRECTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medication) Intake
- On MCC GO ISS O2 Repress from ТКГ 428 (DC1) СРПК Section 1 – terminate
- INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops
- Emergency Roles and Responsibilities Review
- Prepack US hardware to be loaded into Soyuz 43S
- SEISMOPROGNOZ. Download data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (МКСД) HDD (end) and start backup
- СОЖ Maintenance
- Soyuz 717 Descent OBT
- OASIS Sample Container Exchange.
- VIBROLAB. Copy and Downlink Data
- MOTOCARD. Experiment Ops
- JRNL – Journal Entry
- WRS – Recycle Tank Fill [Aborted]
- MORZE. NEIROIMMUNITET. CORRECTSIA. Experiment setup
- BIOME – Gather Alternate Hardware
- IMS Delta File Prep
- BIOME – water sample collection from the Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) using alternate hardware
- MORZE. Psycho-physiological Evaluation: Strelau Test
- TWIN – Equipment Setup
- Ghost Camera Setup
- Robotic Work Station (RWS) Setup
- USOS Window Shutter Close
- CONTENT. Experiment Ops
- CORRECTSIA. Logging Liquid and Food (Medication) Intake
- NEIROIMMUNITET. Saliva Test
- Installation of inserts to ease opening of SM interior panel latches
- Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media
- ECON-M. Observation and Photography
- URAGAN Observations and Photography
- Personal Data Prep for Return
- Video Recording for All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (ВГТРК)
Completed Task List Items
- SSC4 Shell Swap
Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
- JEMAL depressurization in preparation for RRM TB4 Ops
- USOS 43S MCS Test
Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 12/09: Cygnus Rendezvous, Capture and Berth, Crew Departure Prep, Twin Studies
Thursday, 12/10: Cygnus ingress, SPRINT, Crew Departure Prep
Friday, 12/11: 43S Undock and Landing, Twin Study, Cygnus Cargo Ops
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
| Component | Status |
| Elektron | Off |
| Vozdukh | Manual |
| [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) | Off |
| [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) | On |
| Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab | Standby |
| Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 | Operate |
| Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab | Idle |
| Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 | Operate |
| Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) | Process |
| Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) | Norm |
| Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab | Full Up |
| Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 | Off |