ISS Daily Summary Report – 10/31/2017

Microbial Tracking-2:  The crew collected body and saliva samples in support of the Microbial Tracking-2 investigation today. The Microbial Tracking series-2 continues the monitoring of the types of microbes that are present on the International Space Station (ISS). It seeks to catalog and characterize potential disease-causing microorganisms aboard the ISS. The crew samples from pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight times in addition to environmental samples from ISS surface and air locations will be collected to analyze any associations between the microbial content of the samples, as well as potential health effects.

ISS Non-invasive Sample Investigation and results Transmission to ground with the Utmost easiness (In Situ):  The crew collected a saliva sample and processed it in the bioanalyzer for the In Situ investigation.  Crewmembers are continuously monitored for health changes, and as part of these measurements, they have to take saliva samples that are stored and returned to Earth later. The IN SITU bioanalysis is a portable device that can check crewmembers’ saliva on board, enabling direct real-time analysis. The device’s first uses are to monitor stress levels and appetites among crewmembers. Humans living in space experience dramatic changes to their health, from weakened bone and muscle to reduced appetites and increased stress levels. The device uses disposable cartridges that check for the presence of the stress hormone cortisol.  A miniature analytical device that can detect certain biomarkers using non-invasively collected samples would benefit health care workers on Earth, from emergency medical technicians on call, to small rural clinics in developing countries.

Astronaut Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight (Energy): Today the subject conducted day 8 of the 11 day Energy experiment run by logging their food and drink consumptions throughout the day. The Energy investigation is conducted over an 11 day period (day 0 through day 10) and measures an Astronaut’s Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight, a crucial factor needed for sending the correct amount of the right types of food with space crews. Nine astronauts will be examined during exercise and rest cycles three months before launch, three months after arriving at space station and adapting to the space environment, and after return to Earth. Physicians will measure metabolic rates, urine content, and bone density to determine energy needs. 

Lighting Effects:  A 52S crewmember began a two week long Sleep Shift session by tracking his daily sleep patterns and wakefulness. The Lighting Effects investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance.

Fluids Science Laboratory (FSL): The crew configured the FSL by releasing the Facility Core Element (FCE) to allow it to free float within the FSL rack. This configuration is required to support upcoming microgravity sensitive experiments. The Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) is a multiuser facility designed by the European Space Agency (ESA) for conducting fluid physics research in microgravity. It can be operated as a fully automatic or semiautomatic facility and can be controlled onboard by the International Space Station (ISS) crew or from the ground in telescience mode. 

Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) Operations:  To prepare for upcoming ELF experiments, the crew exchanged the ELF sample holder and cleaned the cartridge. The ELF is an experimental facility designed to levitate, melt and solidify materials by container less processing techniques using the electrostatic levitation method. With this facility, thermophysical properties of high temperature melts can be measured and solidification from deeply undercooled melts can be achieved.

Story Time from Space: A crewmember participated in the Story Time from Space investigation by reading “Max Goes to the Space Station” on camera. The video recordings will be downlinked and used for educational purposes. Story Time from Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded aboard the ISS. Crew members read five science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related children’s books in orbit, and complete simple science concept experiments. Crew members videotape themselves reading the books and completing demonstrations. Video and data collected during the demonstrations are downlinked to the ground and posted in a video library with accompanying educational materials.

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEM A/L) Depressurization:  The JEM A/L has been depressurized in order to complete the transfer of the Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) spare, which was installed in the JEM A/L yesterday.  The MBSU will be transferred to External Stowage Platform (ESP) 2 on November 4th. 

Mobile Transporter (MT) translation:  Tonight, ground teams will translate the MT from worksite 3 in preparation for MBSU operations later this week. 

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Stowage Consolidation for SpX-13:  Today, the crew performed stowage consolidation in order to make space for cargo arriving on Spx-13. 

Node 1 Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Jumper Installation:  The crew installed a jumper to the Node 1 Aft Port IMV Valve in order to correct reversed pin-outs due to Node 1 Galley modifications. Checkout of the IMV Valve was successful. 

Portable Emergency Provisions (PEPS) Inspection: The crew performed this regularly scheduled maintenance to inspect Portable Fire Extinguishers (PFEs), Portable Breathing Apparatus (PBAs) and Extension Hose Tee Kits (EHTKs).

Today’s Planned Activities
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

  • Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry – Subject
  • SPLANKH. SPLANHOGRAPH Setup, Initiate EGEG Recording
  • SPLANKH. Photography of the Experiment Session
  • Verification of anti-virus scan results on Auxiliary Computer System (ВКС) laptops
  • ENERGY Diet Log of Breakfast
  • JEM Stowage Consolidation for SpX-13
  • INSITU MELFI Sample Retrieve
  • Replacement of КОБ2 panel 4СПН2 Н2 Pump
  • Installation of SAMS on FSL
  • JEM Airlock Depressurization
  • Manufacturing Device Print Removal, Clean and Stow
  • Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) Argon gas QD connection
  • IN SITU Camera Setup
  • Regul-OS feeder line checkout prep (Radiogram review, Locate and Configure Equipment)
  • Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) sample Cartridge Retrieval
  • IN SITU Saliva Collect Operations
  • Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) sample Cartridge Cleaning
  • ENERGY Water Sample
  • Filling (separation) of ЕДВ [КОВ] for Elektron or ЕДВ-СВ
  • Energy Urine Sample Collection
  • Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
  • СОЖ Maintenance
  • IN SITU Saliva Collect Finish
  • SPLANKH. Terminate EGEG Recording. Closeout Ops
  • Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) Sample Holder Exchange
  • FSL Facility Core Element release in preparation of scientific operations
  • HD Video and Hand-Held Mic setup in Node 1
  • In-flight Maintenance (IFM) Node 1 Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Jumper (W3060) Installation
  • Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) sample Cartridge Installation
  • Node 2 Forward  Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Big Picture Words Review
  • JEM Airlock Vent
  • FSL Facility Core Element locking at the end of scientific operations
  • JEM Common Gas Support Equipment Gas Supply Start
  • Mass Measurement Device Hardware Checkout
  • Deinstallation of SAMS on FSL
  • JEM Airlock Vent Confirmation
  • Node 1 Camcorder and Wireless Microphone Set deactivation.
  • Microbial Tracking-2 Body Sample Collection
  • Mass Measurement Device Hardware Stow
  • Removal of EC and SWLA umbilicals in preparation of MVIS COMMISSIONING
  • Microbial Tracking-2 Sample MELFI Insert
  • JLP Hardware Consolidate
  • Preventive Maintenance of FS1 Laptop (Cleaning and rebooting)
  • Inspection of Nikon camera digital image sensors
  • ENERGY Diet Log of Lunch
  • Monthly BRI Cleaning
  • Payload Desiccant Consolidation
  • Payload Hardware CTB Cleanup 2
  • Photography of ТП228 mockup temperature sensors on the external surface of MRM2
  • Story Time Book Max Goes to the Space Station Translation Read
  • Marrow CTB Consolidate
  • NAPOR-mini RSA. Cleaning Onboard Memory Storage БЗУ-М vents
  • MDCA Hardware Consolidate
  • Preventive Maintenance of SM Ventilation Subsystem. Group В1
  • Flushing Gas-Liquid Mixture (ГЖС)
  • FCF CTB Space Verify
  • IPEHG Installation Review
  • PEHG Hardware Install
  • HRF Urine Collection Kit Consolidation
  • Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Portable Emergency Provisions (PEPS) Inspection
  • Earth Imagery from ISS Crew Preference Target Operations
  • ISS HAM Service Module Pass
  • Polar Hardware Remove from Express Rack
  • Node 2 Forward Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Gather
  • Plan Habitat Stow
  • TIMER. Battery Charge
  • ENERGY Diet Log of Dinner 

Completed Task List Activities

  • Trash Bag Discard
  • VEG-03 Plant Pillow Water

Ground Activities
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

  • Nitrogen Distribution Assembly Leak Check
  • JEM A/L Depress Monitoring
  • MT Translation
  • Standard commanding and support of crew activities

Three-Day Look Ahead:

  • Wednesday, 11/01: N2 Fwd IMV Reconfig, P/RV SAW Mast Survey, EIISS Target Ops, ER8 iPEHG Install
  • Thursday, 11/02: A/L PHA QD, Energy, COL WOOV8 Inspect, Miniature Exercise Device ARED, Lab Rack Swap, Hatch Seal Inspect, Storytime
  • Friday, 11/03: N3-PMM Leak Check, EXT MDM Build, Cygnus Rendezvous OBT, Food Consolidation 

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component

Status

Elektron

On

Vozdukh

Manual

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

On          

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

Off

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

Full Up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3

Off