ISS Daily Summary Report – 7/09/2018

Progress (70P) Launch/Dock: 70P launched from the Baiknour Cosmodrome today at 4:51pm CDT. Following a 2-orbit rendezvous profile, the vehicle will dock to ISS at 8:39pm CDT. 

SpX-15 External Cargo Status: Friday evening ground specialists used the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to remove the empty Latching End Effector (LEE) Flight Support Equipment (FSE) from External Stowage Platform (ESP)-2 and extracted the Launch on Need (LON) LEE from the Dragon trunk and installed it at ESP-2. Yesterday, ground specialists used the SSRMS to stow the empty LEE FSE into the Dragon trunk. They then stowed the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) to the Mobile Base System (MBS) Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF)-1. 

Dragon Cargo Operations: Today the crew spent 4:55 unpacking and stowing cargo from the Dragon vehicle.  Specialists estimate 12:15 minutes remain to complete the first Dragon Cargo Message; cargo operations will continue throughout the remainder of the week.

AngieX Cancer Therapy:  Today the crew performed microscope operations for AngieX Cancer Therapy samples that arrived on the SpaceX-15. They then completed an operations session.  The AngieX Cancer Therapy investigation examines whether endothelial cells cultured in microgravity represent a valid in vitromodel to test effects of vascular-targeted agents on normal blood vessels. AngieX has developed a treatment that targets both tumor cells and vasculature, but needs a better model on which to test it. This study may facilitate development of a cost-effective method that does not require animal testing and which may help develop safer and more effective vascular-targeted drugs. 

Plant Habitat-1:  Today the crew performed readings with a Fluorpen and photographed the inside of the Growth Chamber. The planned 4-week harvest of theArabidopsis plants has been cancelled to allow for additional growth of the plants prior to the final harvest. The Plant Habitat-1 investigation compares differences in genetics, metabolism, photosynthesis, and gravity sensing between plants grown in space and on Earth.   

Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS):  The crew transferred a MICS ampoule kit to the ISS Portable Glovebag, broke two ampoules in each sample bag and mixed the contents in the ampoules with a spatula. They then returned each sample bag to the kit bag, which was stowed for return. A total of eight MICS sessions are planned. The MICS investigation supports the evaluation of microstructure and material properties of benchmark cement samples.  Different responses to thermal and mechanical loading are expected and will be characterized in detail.  Positive attributes found in the hardening process due to the microgravity environment aboard the ISS will be reported with the intent of improving Earth-based cement and concrete processing. 

Atomization:  The crew replaced sample syringes for the Atomization investigation today. The Atomization experiment investigates the disintegration processes of a low-speed water jet for various jet issue conditions in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) to validate the new atomization concept by observing the process using a high-speed camera. The knowledge gained can be applied to improve various engines utilizing spray combustion.

Aerosol Samplers: Today the crew had planned to install Active Aerosol Sampler (AAS) cartridges in Nodes 1 and 2 but there was an issue with the user interface that prevented their installation.  Ground teams are investigating. The battery-powered AASs actively pull in air and collect particles using the principal of thermophoresis. This is accomplished by flowing the sampled air through a large thermal gradient in a narrow channel.  During this process, particles are driven to the cold side of the channel, where an electron microscope (EM) grid is held in place by a tiny magnet. When returned to Earth, these grids are easily removed and placed directly in an EM for analysis.

Human Research Program (Biochemical Profile and Repository):  A 55S crewmember collected Flight Day (FD) 30 blood and urine samples for the Biochem Profile and Repository investigations.

  • The Biochemical Profile investigation 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 used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time and under well-controlled conditions. The repository supports scientific discovery that contributes to our fundamental knowledge in the area of human physiological changes and adaptation to a microgravity environment and provides unique opportunities to study longitudinal changes in human physiology spanning many missions.

Vision Testing:  Two crewmembers performed eye exams using the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Laptop and completed a vision questionnaire.  One crewmember, assisted by the Crew Medical Officer, conducted a tonometry exam.  Periodic eye exams are critical for monitoring crew health.

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

  • HRF Generic Urine Collection
  • HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations
  • HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection
  • Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry
  • HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Configuration
  • Activation of the European IP Communication Laptop
  • Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
  • HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Spin Conclude
  • XF305 Camcorder Setup
  • Atomization syringe replacement 2
  • HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion
  • Voice check in S/G1 from Baikonur.
  • [БВН] grid cleaning in Soyuz 739
  • HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Conclude And Stow
  • Cargo Transfer from Dragon
  • BIOPLENKA. Cryogem-03 Installation
  • Vacuum cleaning of ВД1 and ВД2 air ducts in MRM2
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test
  • Flushing Progress 438 (SM Aft) Rodnik Water Tank (БВ) 1 Water Connector [В2]
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire
  • [БВН] grid cleaning in Soyuz 738
  • HRF Generic Urine Collection Stow
  • MRM1 Fan Screen Cleaning (group B)
  • FAZOPEREKHOD. Experiment Setup and Start Ops.
  • Environmental Health System (EHS) – Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Analysis T+7
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire
  • MELFI Fixative Bag Retrieve
  • СОЖ Maintenance
  • MELFI Trypsin Kit Retrieve
  • Aerosol Samplers Charger Connection
  • Aerosol Samplers Battery Charge
  • Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Full Fill
  • Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
  • Biomolecule Sequencer Software Update
  • Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config JEM Setup
  • FGB (ГА) Vacuum Cleaning
  • Checking БД-2 treadmill carriage position.
  • HMS Tonometry Test Setup
  • Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
  • HMS Tonometry Test
  • Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
  • Cargo Transfer from Dragon
  • Plant Habitat-01 Harvest #1 Hardware Gather
  • Plant Habitat-01 Harvest #1 Procedure Review
  • FAZOPEREKHOD. Closeout Ops.
  • AngieX Cancer Therapy Microscope Operations
  • JEM Dragon15 Stowage Reconfiguration
  • Plant Habitat-01 Door Removal
  • Made in Space Fiber Optics Troubleshooting [Aborted]
  • Aerosol Active Samplers Hardware Deployment
  • Aerosol Active Samplers Hardware Photography
  • Plant Habitat-01 Plant Harvest
  • MELFI Sample Return Bag Insertion
  • AngieX Cancer Therapy Ops Session
  • Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) Preparation
  • Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS)  2 Ampoule Mix Ops
  • Micro-11 Glacier Sample Removal 1
  • Columbus cabin restore after Myotones experiment
  • Crew inspects ACE-M2 Samples
  • Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
  • MELFI Fixative Return Bag Insertion
  • Japan Aerospace eXploration Agency Generic Frozen Blood Collection Setup
  • MELFI BioCell Habitat Insertion
  • Dragon Cargo Operations Conference
  • ISS HAM Radio Power Down in Columbus
  • ISS HAM Radio Power Down in Service Module
  • USOS Window Shutter Close

Completed Task List Activities:

  • KTO R&R [Completed GMT 188]
  • Record Kraftwerk script [Completed GMT 189]

Ground Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

  • AngieX support
  • MICS support
  • Plant Habitat support

Three-Day Look Ahead:

  • Tuesday, 07/10: Blood Collection, MCR11, N3 IMV Fan Cleaning, BEAM IMV Measurement, Aerosol Sampler, Space Algae, Glacier/MELFI transfer, Dragon transfer, SSL Locker install, CMO OBT, LMM, MD Print, AngieX Cancer Therapy
  • Wednesday, 07/11: Atomization, AML, Vision testing, RR7, Aerosol Sampler, Water sampling, Space Algae, Dragon transfer, MCR11
  • Thursday, 07/12: Dragon stowage, MCR11, LMM, Med Consumables Tracking, Thermolab, MICS, FSL VMU, Cubesat OBT, AngieX Cancer Therapy, JEMAL depress, Aerosol Sampler, Neuromapping, T2 Quarterly

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 Standby
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Idle
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