ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/13/2020

Confined Combustion: The crew continued the experiment, including an ignition of a SIBAL sample with no baffles installed, and two ignitions with the silver baffles installed (3 total ignitions completed today).  The baffles are used to change the airflow path and alter the radiated heat environment around the flame.  This project aims to study flame spread in confined spaces—specifically the interactions between spreading flames and surrounding walls. Flame spread in confined spaces (such as buildings and vehicles) may pose a more serious fire hazard than flame spread in open spaces because of acceleration caused by radiative heat feedback from the surrounding walls and a tunnel flow acceleration effect. However, several aspects of flame spread are difficult to study in normal gravity conditions. Gravity-driven buoyancy flow complicates the fire growth process and prohibits a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics. However, in microgravity, buoyancy is eliminated, allowing scientists to better study the physics of flame spread. 

Food Acceptability survey: The crew completed a Food Acceptability Survey using the Data Collection Tool on an available SSC (Station Support Computer). This investigation seeks to determine the impact of repetitive consumption of food currently available from the spaceflight food system.  Results will be used in developing strategies to improve food system composition to support crew health and performance on long duration missions. 

ISS HAM pass: The crew participated in an ISS HAM pass with Sayama Mizutomi Community Center, Sayama, Japan.  Some of the questions included what the most beautiful place on Earth is from the crew’s perspective, if meteor showers can be seen from space, and what the most crucial thing is for astronauts.  ISS Ham Radio provides opportunities to engage and educate students, teachers, parents and other members of the community in science, technology, engineering and math by providing a means to communicate between astronauts and the ground HAM radio units. 

Systems: 

X2R18 Software Transition: Over the weekend and today, the ISS crew and ground team completed the final steps for the on-orbit X2R18A software transition.  The Motion Control System (MCS) is currently on Control Moment Gyros (CMG) Momentum Management Control, however, one issue that is being tracked involves an ISS attitude difference observed between US and RS data. Ground teams are currently investigating this Guidance, Navigation and control (GNC) attitude divergence anomaly. Meanwhile, MCS remains configured to use Russian attitude data and there is no impact to ISS attitude control in the current configuration.

P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations:  Today, the ISS crew continued preparing for the upcoming P6 channel 4B battery upgrade EVAs by performing an equipment lock prep activity for Extravehicular Activity Mobility Unit (EMU) 3004 and 3008.  Additionally, the crew completed an On-Board Training (OBT) on the EVA robotics as well as performed an on-orbit fit check of the EMU suit, making some minor adjustments to the sizing.  Furthermore, procedure reviews and a procedure conference were also completed by the ISS crew and ground support teams.  The first of two P6 4B channel battery EVAs is planned for January 15, 2020.

Completed Task List Activities:

  • ESA PAO BBC MyWorld
  • ESA PAO MERAVIGLIE
  • MHU5-IF Unit Ins

Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

  • Payload Operations Support
  • X2R18 database transition
  • Columbus Cycle 15 transition   

Monday, 1/13 (GMT 013)
Payloads:

  • Confined Combustion
  • Cell Science hardware closeout
  • Food acceptability
  • ISS HAM pass
  • Standard Measures/Repository
  • MELFI sample transfer
  • USND2 stow

Systems:

  • EVA Procedure Review
  • EVA Procedure Conf
  • EVA Robot OBT
  • EVA EMU OFV EV
  • EVA Equipment Lock Prep
  • REGEN Drain, Fill and Processing
  • ARED Quarterly Inspection and Cylinder Evac

Tuesday, 1/14 (GMT 014)
Payloads:

  • Confined Combustion Ops
  • Mouse Mission-5 prep
  • Standard Measures/Repository Blood Collect

Systems:

  • EVA Tool Config
  • EVA Procedure and Conference
  • DOUG ROBO setup
  • EVA Tool Audit
  • EVA MedOps Activities
  • MedOps TOCA Analysis
  • IFM Hatch Seal Inspection
  • TOCA WWB Change-out
  • Columbus PWS Activation and TM/TC Check 

Wednesday, 1/15 (GMT 015)
Payloads:

  • Standard Measures

Systems:

  • P6 4B Battery EVA#1 (Prep and EVA)
  • SSRMS EVA Support
  • PEPS Inspection

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

  • HRF Generic Saliva Collection 10 Minutes
  • ARED Photo/TV Reminder
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Reminder for On-Orbit Fitcheck Verification (OFV)
  • Reminder Probiotics Intake
  • Preparation of reports for Roscosmos website and social media
  • STSENARII. Natural disaster and impact observation and photography
  • ECON-M. Observations and photo (Task list)
  • 59S Samsung tablet PC charging (if current charge <80%)
  • 61S Samsung tablet PC charging (if current charge <80%)
  • HRF Generic MELFI Sample Retrieval And Insertion Operations
  • Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain
  • SPLANH. Resulting data downlink. Specialist conference
  • On MCC Go БМП Ф1 absorption cartridge cycling (start)
  • CELL SCIENCE HARDWARE CONSOLIDATE
  • Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Pt 2
  • CARDIOVECTOR. Science ops run. Specialist conference
  • MELFI Sample Transfer
  • 61S GoPro HERO3 camera batteries charging – initialize
  • TERMINATOR. Terminator-Nadir and Terminator-Limb kits relocation and assembly, stow Specialist conference
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Review
  • Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill
  • FGB ЦВ1 fan grid cleaning
  • On-board Training (OBT) EVA Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session
  • TERMINATOR. Assembly photography
  • On MCC Go Monthly MDM ShSS ventilation grid cleaning. Specialist conference
  • Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 2 Stow Alternate
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Station Support Computer (SSC) Relocate
  • HRF Rack 1 Supply Kit Resupply
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Equipment Lock Preparation Part 1
  • ISS HAM Service Module Pass
  • Charging EVA Camera D4 Battery
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) On-orbit Fitcheck Verification (OFV) Extravehicular (EV) and (IV)
  • Food Acceptability Survey
  • Confined Combustion Test Operations
  • 2 EDV fill with 74P (DC1) RODNIK BV1 water
  • 61S GoPro HERO3 camera batteries charging – terminate
  • Maintenance and repair equipment stock taking
  • Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Setup
  • ELEKTRON EDV (KOV) or EDV-SV fill (separation)
  • Nikon camera time sync
  • Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3
  • HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Hardware Setup
  • Photo T/V (P/TV) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Exercise Video Stow
  • СОЖ Maintenance
  • IMS update
  • Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Procedure Conference
  • CB/ISS CREW CONFERENCE
  • Standard Measures Pre-sleep Questionnaire
  • Reminder HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection