ISS Daily Summary Report – 5/15/2017

SkinSuit:  Over the weekend a crewmember performed two days of Skinsuit activities. With assistance from an operator, measurements of the subject were taken after donning the suit in the morning and before doffing it in the afternoon. The Skinsuit is a tailor-made overall with a bi-directional weave specially designed to counteract the lack of gravity by squeezing the body from the shoulders to the feet, with a force similar to that felt on Earth. The subjects perform an evaluation of the efficacy of the Skinsuit in reducing or preventing lower back pain and preventing spine elongation.  They measure the gravitational load provided by Skinsuit and evaluate operational considerations, in particular hygiene, microbiology, comfort, thermoregulation, donning and doffing, impingement and range of motion.  Results from this investigation will be used to prepare for long duration missions. 

Human Research Program (HRP): A 50S crewmember collected Flight Day (FD) 30 blood and urine samples over the weekend and today for Biochem Profile and Repository investigations.

  • The Biochem Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples obtained from astronauts before, during and after spaceflight.  Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body.
  • Repository is a storage bank that is used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time under controlled conditions. This archive of biosamples will be used as a resource for future spaceflight related research. 

NanoRack Cubesat Deployer (NRCSD) #11: The crew installed two Quad deployers on the attachment mechanism of the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) Airlock (JEMAL) Slide Table. The table was then retracted and JEMAL depressurized and vented in preparation for planned Cubesat deployment over the next two days.

NanoRacks Module-55:  The crew swapped a sample inside the NanoRacks Module 55 which is mounted on the front of NanoRacks Platform-1 in the JEM. This investigation is part of research into why bacteria are more virulent and grow more rapidly in space.  NanoRacks Module 55, also known as NanoRacks – National Design Challenge – Centaurus High School – The Effects of Simulated Gravity on Bacterial Lag Phase in a Microgravity Environment (NanoRacks-NDC-CHS-Bacterial Lag Phase), studies the bacterial lag phase, a delay period before the start of exponential growth, which is much shorter in microgravity than it is on Earth. The experiment uses a centrifuge to simulate gravity, comparing microgravity and simulated-gravity Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultures to determine whether microgravity itself causes changes in bacterial growth.  

Genes in Space 3: The crew completed a session of the Genes in Space 3 experiment today.They retrieved a sample from a General Laboratory Active Cryogenic ISS Experiment Refrigerator (GLACIER) and inserted it into the miniature Polymerase Chain Reaction (miniPCR) system for processing.  Later they removed the sample and put it into a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI).  Genes in Space-3 seeks to establish a robust, user-friendly deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sample preparation process to enable biological monitoring aboard the ISS. The project joins two previously spaceflight tested molecular biology tools, miniPCR and the MinION, along with some additional enzymes to demonstrate DNA amplification, sample preparation for DNA sequencing, and sequencing of actual samples from the ISS. The Genes in Space-3 experiments demonstrate ways in which portable, real-time DNA sequencing can be used to assay microbial ecology, diagnose infectious diseases and monitor crew health aboard the ISS. 

OsteoOmics: The crew fixated BioCells in Biocell Habitat 1 and inserted the sample into the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI).  Crewmembers experience bone loss in orbit stemming from the lack of gravity acting on their bones. OsteoOmics investigates the molecular mechanisms that dictate this bone loss by examining osteoblasts, which form bone, and osteoclasts, which dissolve bone.  Improved understanding of these mechanisms could lead to more effective countermeasures to prevent bone loss during space missions and in a wide range of disorders on Earth. This may lead to better preventative care or therapeutic treatments for people suffering bone loss as a result of bone diseases like osteopenia and osteoporosis, or for patients on prolonged bed rest.

Fluid Shifts: A 49S crew member performed the first of two days of their Flight Day 180 Fluid Shifts operations in the Russian Segment. The subject donned the Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP/Chibis) device while the operator, with ground support in Moscow, assisted in the medical monitoring.  Additionally, while the subject was in the LBNP and experiencing the negative pressure (pulling the fluid feetward), the Crew Medical Officer performed Cerebral and Cochlear Fluid Pressure (CCFP) and Ultrasound measurements. Fluid Shifts is a joint NASA-Russian experiment that investigates the causes of severe and lasting physical changes to astronauts’ eyes. Because the headward fluid shift is a hypothesized contributor to these changes, reversing this fluid shift with a lower body negative pressure device is investigated as a possible intervention. Results from this study may help to develop preventative measures against lasting changes in vision and eye damage.

Post Extravehicular Activity: Following Friday’s EVA #42, on Saturday the crew completed post-EVA activities including EMU water maintenance dump and fill, camera disassembly, Airlock deconfiguration and a debrief with ground teams. 

Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA) 3 Leak Checks: The crew will pressurize and verify integrity of PMA3 by performing gross and fine leak checks. PMA3 was relocated from Node 3 Port to Node 2 Zenith in March to configure Node 2 Zenith as a future visiting vehicle docking port. 

Node 2 Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) Vibration Noise: On Thursday, May 11th, 2017, the crew reported a vibration noise in the Crew Quarters (CQ) that appeared to be coming from the Node 2 CCAA. Initial data and telemetry review does not indicate any obvious anomalous signatures. The crew positioned foam between the CQ and the CCAA but it was still noticeable and the vibrations could be felt through the floor in the CQ. Teams are reviewing the data will discuss the forward plan.

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

  • Reminder HRF Generic Urine Collection
  • Personal Data Prep for Return
  • Echo data retrieval
  • IMS Delta file prep
  • URAGAN. Observation and photography
  • ECON-M. Observation and Photography
  • Reminder HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection
  • HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations
  • HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection
  • KONSTANTA-2. Retrieve cartridge from ТБУ-В and placing it on panel for one hour for heating
  • HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration
  • Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Removal
  • FLUID SHIFTS
  • Genes in Space MWA Preparation
  • Meteor Shutter Open
  • Genes in Space MELFI Retrieve
  • HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Spin Conclude
  • KONSTANTA-2. Study #6 prep and run
  • Genes in Space with Biomolecule Sequencer Hardware Gather
  • HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion
  • HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Conclude Stow
  • Genes in Space Proof on Concept Initialization
  • NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer Procedure Review
  • ВКС laptops antivirus update
  • NOD2O2 Stowage Removal
  • JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Extension to JPM Side
  • NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer Installation on the MPEP
  • Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
  • JEM Airlock Slide Table (ST) Retraction from JPM Side
  • JEM Airlock Depressurization
  • HRF Generic Urine Collection Stow
  • Genes in Space miniPCR End
  • Genes in Space/Biomolecule Sequencer Sample Remove and Hardware Stow
  • Genes in Space MELFI Insert
  • PMA 3 pressurization, gross leak check and fine leak check init.
  • Removing jumper КВ БРП-М №1411001 from spare БРП-М №1411004
  • OsteoOmics Fixation Operations
  • JEM Airlock Vent
  • ISS HAM Columbus Pass
  • OsteoOmics MELFI Insertion 1
  • Crew Autonomous Scheduling Test – Self Scheduling Session #4
  • Crew Autonomous Scheduling Test – Questionnaire
  • Switching СТТС comm assets to backup string
  • Evening Preparation Work
  • Waste & Hygeine Compartment (WHC) Water Container (ЕДВ) Remove and Replace
  • Comm checking VHF2d on SM backup comm strings
  • Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Install
  • OsteoOmics Saline Kit Relocate

Completed Task List Items

  • BIOLAB Rotor Belt T/S Big Picture Words Reading [Completed Saturday]
  • ESA PAO Recorded Message SOCIAL LIFE Part2  [Completed Saturday]
  • EXPRESS Rack 8 Closeout Panel Installation Part2  [Completed Saturday]
  • Microscope Hardware Setup Part2  [Completed Saturday]
  • Optional Microscopy Session for OsteoOmics Part2 [Completed Saturday]
  • European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) Pressure Relief Valve Check Part2 [Completed Saturday]
  • Crew Departure Preparations Part2  [Completed Sunday]
  • Execution of EPO Task List Script – Haircut [Completed Sunday]
  • ESA PAO Recorded Message Cleaning [Completed Sunday]
  • ESA PAO Message Jules Verne [Completed Sunday]
  • ESA PAO Recorded Message SOCIAL LIFE Part1 [Completed Sunday]
  • US EVA 42 Tool Stow Matrix to return EVA tools to proper stowage location [Completed Sunday]
  • Remove General Luminaire Assembly A/L1OA1 replace with Light [Completed Sunday]
  • Magnetic 3D Cultures Thaw Systems SABL S/N 1 Insertion [Completed Sunday]
  • PMM Endcone Reconfiguration [Completed Sunday]
  • Veggie 03 Pillow Watering and Photo [Completed Sunday]
  • ESA PAO Recorded Message SOCIAL LIFE Part2 [Completed Sunday]
  • European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) Pressure Relief Valve Check [Completed Sunday]

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

  • JEMAL Support 

Three-Day Look Ahead:

  • Tuesday, 05/16: ELF removal from MSPR2, Genes In Space, NRCSD CubeSat deploy, OsteoOmics,
  • Wednesday, 05/17: PMA ingress/leak check, NeST SSD unit R&R, OsteoOmics, VEG-03 MELFI insert
  • Thursday, 05/18: Biolab rotor belt troubleshooting, OsteoOmics

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

Operate

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3

Off

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab

Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3

Operate

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)

Standby

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)

Stop

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab

Full up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3

Off