ISS Daily Summary Report – 8/14/2019

Bio-Monitor: The crew replaced the Data Unit on the Bio-monitor garment. Although the ISS is equipped with health and life sciences research tools, the existing instrumentation for continuous and simultaneous recording of several physiological parameters is lacking. To address this issue, the Bio-Monitor Commissioning activity tests the Bio-Monitor facility; a wearable garment capable of monitoring relevant physiological parameters for up to 48 hours in a non-invasive and non-interfering way. The physiological parameters which can be monitored consist of heart rate, respiration rate, Electrocardiogram, skin temperature, peripheral blood oxygen saturation, etc.

Bioculture System Facility: The crew removed and packed the BioCulture facility in preparation for return on SpX-18. The Bioculture System is a biological science incubator for use on the ISS with the capability of transporting active and stored investigations to ISS. This incubator supports a wide diversity of tissue, cell, and microbiological cultures and experiment methods to meet any spaceflight research investigation goals and objectives.  The facility enables variable duration and long-duration cellular and microbiological investigations on ISS to meet the scientific needs of academic and biotechnology interests.

Micro-15: The crew completed Session C of the Media Change operations. The goal of this investigation is to better understand the effects of gravity on the differentiation of mammalian cells using 3-D cultures of induced pluripotent stem cells. Past flight experiments and ground-based simulations have demonstrated that microgravity influences gene expression, cell proliferation, and differentiation in stem cells but the mechanism behind these observations is not clearly understood. This study investigates how exposure to microgravity fundamentally alters cell regulation and how these changes can affect the timing, progression, and outcomes of cell differentiation. 

Emergency Simulation On-Board Training (OBT): Using a simulator, today all 6 crew members participated training for emergency scenarios that included a Node 1 depressurization event and a Columbus rack fire. The training consisted of the following:

  • Practiced ISS emergency response with crew and ground roles based on information provided by simulator displays.
  • Physically translated through ISS to the appropriate response locations to visualize the use of station equipment and interfaces.
  • Practiced procedure execution and associated decision making based on cues provided by the simulator.
  • Practiced communication and coordination with Mission Control Center (MCC)-Houston and MCC-Moscow as required for a given emergency scenario.

Following the drill, the crew discussed results internally prior to a conference with ground teams to evaluate the event.

International Docking Adapter (IDA)3 Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations: In preparation for the EVA planned for August 21, the crew continued configuring tools that will be required for the EVA. The crew also reviewed procedures including detailed timeline, cuff checklist, sharp edge briefing and cautions and warnings.

Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) 6-Month Maintenance: The crew completed this regularly scheduled maintenance to inspect heel raise pip pins, racking mechanism and arm base slider track.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Yesterday, the Robotics Ground Controllers powered up MSS for Robotic Refueling Mission 3 (RRM3) operations. Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) Arm 2 unstowed Multi-Function Tool 2 (MFT2) from the RRM3 Tool Pedestal. After backaway, the Ground Controllers completed the MFT2 Camera mechanisms and tool drive freespace checkouts. SPDM Arm 2 then opened the Cryogen Coupler Adapter (CCA) port dust door and unlocked the CCA launch lock. SPDM Arm 2 then used MFT2 to pick up the CCA and unstow it. CCA was moved to the CCA-Port and connected. CCA hose did not go back to expected configuration. MFT2 then released CCA and moved clear. SSRMS and Arm 2 were reconfigured and stowed MFT2.  The results of this series of tests will be used to demonstrate potential satellite refueling techniques for future use.

Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Status: Today, ground teams received telemetry indicating loss of communication with UPA. The Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) was then configured to collect urine via internal tank (EDB). After ensuring that the communications bus was working properly, ground teams reactivated UPA successfully. WHC was subsequently configured back to UPA.

Completed Task List Activities:

  • HMS Food Intake Tracker Troubleshooting

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

  • OBT Emergency SIM
  • RRM3 ops
  • Payloads ops support

Look Ahead:

Thursday, 8/15 (GMT 227)
Payloads:

  • Standard Measures post sleep questionnaire and saliva collect(NASA)
  • Food Acceptability (NASA)
  • Bio-Monitor (CSA)
  • Goodyear Tire (NASA)
  • ISS HAM (NASA)
  • The ISS Experience JEM intro recording (NASA)
  • Micro-15 D1 exchange session ops (NASA)
  • LSG glove swap (NASA)
  • Probiotics hardware Gather(JAXA)
  • Rodent Research-17 restock (NASA)

Systems:

  • EMU loop scrub
  • EVA procedure review

Friday, 8/16 (GMT 228)
Payloads:

  • BioMonitor Wearable hardware remove (CSA)
  • Probiotics Saliva collect (JAXA)
  • Team Task Switching Survey (NASA)
  • ISS Experience hardware Stow (NASA)
  • Food Acceptability (NASA)
  • Goodyear Sample Activation (NASA)
  • Micro-15 Drug Injection Ops A (NASA)
  • HRF Repository-Blood Collection (NASA)

Systems:

  • EVA procedures conference
  • EMU fit verification

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

  • ARED 6-month maintenance
  • ARED video verify
  • RSS2 Software Update for Terminal Computer [ТВМ1-Н]
  • BIOCARD. Assistance during experiment ops and photography.  Downlink photos via ОСА
  • Portable Emergency Provisions (PEPS) Inspection
  • Potable Water Dispenser Aux Port Sample
  • Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification
  • БРП-М water sampling to drink bags
  • СВО-ЗВ water sampling to Russian drink bags
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review
  • Training for Emergency Response On-board ISS
  • Alternate Glacier Desiccant Swap
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT Setup
  • Atmosphere Purification Unit (БОА) Teardown
  • MERLIN-2 Power Reset
  • NeuroMapping Experiment Neurocognitive Test
  • Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – JEM
  • NanoRacks Module-82 Photography
  • Photo T/V (P/TV) ARED Exercise Video Stow
  • On-board Training (OBT) ISS Emergency Drill Conference
  • USOS Window Shutter Close
  • Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Cylinder Flywheel Evacuation
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) – OCT Exam – Operator
  • FOTOBIOREACTOR. Visual inspection with photography
  • Monitoring closure of shutters on SM windows 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) OCT Stow
  • Standard Measures Pre-sleep Questionnaire