ISS Daily Summary Report – 08/05/2016

Vascular Echo Resting Ultrasound Scan and Blood Pressure Operations: With support from the Vascular Echo ground team, the crew installed the Ultrasound 2 probe and ECG Cable, configured the Ultrasound 2 software and the VOX before attaching the ECG Electrodes, marking the arteries, and performing the ultrasound scans. The crew also performed 3 consecutive blood pressure measurements using the Cardiolab (CDL) Holter Arterial Blood Pressure (BP) Unit. This Canadian Space Agency (CSA) investigation examines changes in blood vessels and the heart while the crew members are in space, and then follow their recovery on return to Earth. The results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health, and quality of life for everyone.

Fluid Shifts: Crewmembers configured the Refrigerated Centrifuge for sample load operations, conducted body (blood, urine, and saliva) sample collections and stowed the samples within MELFI (Minus Eighty-degree Freezer for ISS). The crew also collected a galley water sample and stowed it in MELFI prior to ingestion of a tracer solution from the Tracer Syringe. Fluid Shifts is a joint USOS -Russian experiment that measures how much fluid shifts from the lower body to the upper body, in or out of cells and blood vessels, and determines the impact these shifts have on fluid pressure in the head, changes in vision and eye structures. 

Heart Cells Media Change Operations: The crew changed the media in the Multiwell BioCell for Heart Cells in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) work volume to provide nutrients to the Heart Cells and encourage continued cell health. The investigation studies the human heart, specifically how heart muscle tissue contracts, grows and changes (gene expression) in microgravity and how those changes vary among subjects. Understanding how heart muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, change in space improves efforts for studying disease, screening drugs and conducting cell replacement therapy for future space missions.

Mouse Epigenetics Cage Unit Maintenance: The crew completed maintenance on the Mouse Epigenetics Habitat Cage Units by transferring the mice from one habitat cage unit to another and refilling the cage units with water. The Mouse Epigenetics investigation studies altered gene expression patterns in the organs of male mice that spend one month in space, and also examines changes in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of their offspring. Results from the investigation identify genetic alterations that happen after exposure to the microgravity environment of space.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) Zero Robotics Dry Run: The Russian crew set up the SPHERES hardware and executed a dry run for the Zero Robotics competition scheduled next week. The SPHERES Zero Robotics investigation establishes an opportunity for high school students to design research for the ISS. As part of a competition, students write algorithms for the SPHERES satellites to accomplish tasks relevant to future space missions. The algorithms are tested by the SPHERES team and the best designs are selected for the competition to operate the SPHERES satellites on board the ISS. 

Skin-B Operations: A crewmember performed Corneometer, Tewameter and Visioscan measurements on the forearm. The Corneometer measures the hydration level of the stratus coreum (outer layer of the skin), the Tewameter measures the skin barrier function, and the Visioscan measures the skin surface topography. Skin B is a European Space Agency (ESA) investigation that aims to improve the understanding of skin aging, which is greatly accelerated in space. The data will also be used to verify the results from previous testing for the SkinCare investigation on the ISS. 

Fine Motor Skills: The Fine Motor Skills investigation activities for today were postponed till tomorrow to allow the crew time today to perform troubleshooting of the Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator II (MERLIN) 3, which is not cooling properly. 

Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator II (MERLIN) 3 troubleshooting:  MERLIN 3 failed to keep its temperature control operating last week.  Today, the crew executed reboot and recovery steps to attempt recovery of the unit.  When MERLIN 3 remained unresponsive, the unit was declared failed and it will be returned on SpaceX-9 for refurbishment and return to ISS. 

Space Headaches: The crew completed the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Headaches questionnaire to provide information that may help in the development of methods to alleviate associated symptoms and improvement in the well-being and performance of crew members in space. Headaches during space flight can negatively affect mental and physical capacities of crew members which can influence performance during a space mission. 

Habitability Human Factors Directed Observations: The crew recorded and submitted a walk-through video documenting observations of life onboard ISS, providing insight related to human factors and habitability. The Habitability investigation collects observations about the relationship between crew members and their environment on the ISS. Observations can help spacecraft designers understand how much habitable volume is required, and whether a mission’s duration impacts how much space crew members need.

European Crew Personal Active Dosimeter (EuCPAD) Mobile Unit Check-out and De-installation: The crew completed closeout activities and de-installed the mobile units that were installed and activated last week. The EuCPAD is an active device worn by crewmembers in orbit to measure radiation exposure. This device, coupled with other dosimeters in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus Laboratory, provides radiation dosage information that can be used to support risk assessment and dose management. The future goal is to enable the verification of radiation monitoring systems for future medical monitoring of crew members in space.

NanoRacks External Platform (NREP) Operations: Following yesterday’s installation of the NanoRacks-Gumstix experiment onto NREP, and the installation of NREP on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEM A/L) slide table, today NREP was deployed from the JEM A/L, installed on the JEM Exposed Facility (JEF), and activated. NREP then connected to the External Wireless Communication (EWC) for communicating wirelessly to ISS data handling system.  This represents the first usage of the EWC since its initial activation in May.  The NanoRacks External Platform represents the first external commercial research capability for the testing of scientific investigations, sensors, and electronic components in space.  The NanoRacks-Evaluation of Gumstix Performance in Low-Earth Orbit (NanoRacks-Gumstix) investigation tests small computers called Gumstix modules which are based on open-source software as an alternative off-the-shelf option for use in space. The investigation studies whether the Gumstix microprocessors can withstand the radiation environment on board the ISS.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: The crew continued preparation for the EVA planned for August 19 by performing the following:

  • Cooling loop maintenance on EMUs 3003 and 3008 including ionic and particulate filtration (scrubbing) and biocidal maintenance (iodination). A water sample was taken from the loops for subsequent conductivity testing.
  • Continued tool gather and config.
  • Inspected EMU sublimator for water leakage using water test strips.

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

  • FLUID SHIFTS. Saliva Test, Subject
  • FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
  • FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection, Subject
  • FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
  • FLUID SHIFTS. Basic blood collection
  • FLUID SHIFTS Blood Collection
  • FLUID SHIFTS Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
  • FLUID SHIFTS. Galley Water Collection and Tracer Ingestion Ops, Subject
  • Morning Inspection. SM ПСС (Caution & Warning Panel) Test
  • FLUID SHIFTS. Centrifuge Spin Conclusion
  • FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
  • IMS Tagup (S-band)
  • USND2 Unit Activation
  • Fine Motor Skills (FINEMOTR) Test
  • VECHO. Ultrasound Scan
  • Photo of Wide-band Communication System (ШСС) MDM location / r/g 2999
  • CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 2888
  • HRTCEL Equipment Gathering
  • Acoustic Dosimeter Stow
  • Audit of cables behind SM panels 228 and 229А r/g 2998
  • SKNB  Preparation and hardware gathering
  • FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection, Subject
  • FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
  • HABIT Questionnaire Completion
  • SEISMOPROGNOZ. Downlink data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (МКСД) HDD (start) r/g 2224
  • Laptop and ELC4 ER1 racks reconfiguration
  • FLUID SHIFTS Blood Collection
  • FLUID SHIFTS. 3-Hour Blood Collection, Subject
  • FLUID SHIFTS Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
  • FLUID SHIFTS. 3-hour Saliva Collection, Subject
  • FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
  • MOUSE Hardware Setup
  • HRTCEL. Heart Cell Media Change
  • FLUID SHIFTS. Centrifuge Spin Conclusion
  • FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
  • XF305 Camcorder Settings Adjustment
  • Collecting SM and FGB Air Samples Using АК-1М Sampler / Pressure Control & Atmosphere Monitoring System r/g 2994
  • MOUSE. Mouse Transportation Cage Unit Changeout
  • Start EMU cooling loop scrub
  • Tightening QD Screw Clamps between SM Aft and Progress 432
  • FLUID SHIFTS. 5-hour Saliva Collection, Subject
  • FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
  • JEMAL Slide Table extension
  • FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection End, Subject
  • VECHO. BP Measurement
  • FLUID SHIFTS. MELFI Urine Sample Insertion
  • JEM Airlock Releasing Capture Mechanism
  • SEISMOPROGNOZ. Download data from Control and Data Acquisition Module (МКСД) HDD (end) and start backup r/g 2224
  • Initiate EMU Cooling Loop Scrub Part 1
  • SPHERES. Camera setup in the Work Area
  • EUCPAD Removal and Relocation of Dosimeter Module
  • Dust Filter Cartridge Replacement in SM
  • Progress 433 (DC1) Transfers and IMS Ops / Progress 433 Transfer Ops + r/g 2834, 2835, 2929, 2961
  • EMU Cooling Loop Maintenance, Deconfiguration
  • JEMAL Slide Table Retraction
  • Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA), Inspection of Sublimator Flange
  • Biological Research in Canisters Natural Products (BRICNP). Canister Transfer
  • NREP. Photography
  • Biological Research in Canisters Natural Products (BRICNP). Photo Documentation
  • EVA Tool Config
  • Food Frequency Questionnaire
  • FLUID SHIFTS. Urine Collection Container, disposal and installation
  • SPHERES. Camera adjustment and Zero Robotics dry run test
  • EMU Water Refill
  • IMS Delta File Prep
  • EMU-LVCG Water Charge
  • SM Ventilation Subsystem Preventive Maintenance. Group В1
  • Start EMU cooling loop scrub
  • MERLIN Troubleshooting
  • СОЖ Maintenance
  • EVA Hardware Transfer to Airlock
  • Space Headaches (SHD) Weekly Questionnaire
  • Psychological Evaluation Program (WinSCAT)
  • SPHERES. Hardware power off, battery replacement, and stowage
  • Laptop and ELC4 ER4 racks reconfiguration 

Completed Task List Items

  • None 

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

  • Heart Cells ops
  • Fluid Shifts ops
  • EMU prep support
  • JEMAL/NREP ops
  • Nominal ground commanding. 

Three-Day Look Ahead:

  • Saturday, 08/06: Crew off duty, housekeeping, Fluid Shifts, Mouse cage maintenance
  • Sunday, 08/07: Crew off duty
  • Monday, 08/07: Fluid Shifts, Tonometry exams, EVA DOUG/procedure review, Mouse cage maintenance

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

                              Component

Status

Elektron

On

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)

Standby

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab

Off

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3

Full Up