SpaceX (SpX)-21 Docking: Following yesterday’s successful launch, Dragon was captured today at 12:40 PM CT and docked successfully to Node 2 Zenith at 12:53 PM CT. Prior to docking the crew gathered and set up necessary tools required for the crew to monitor vehicle approach. After the vehicle docked, the crew completed Dragon International Docking Adapter (IDA) Vestibule pressurization and leak checks, opened Node 2 Overhead Forward Hatch, Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA)3 Androgynas Peripheral Assembly (APAS) hatch, and ingressed the vehicle.
Payloads
Manufacturing Device (MAND): Over the weekend, the crew performed internal computer troubleshooting steps which recovered the hardware. The Manufacturing Device enables the production of components on the ISS for both NASA and commercial objectives. Parts, entire experiments, and tools can be created on demand utilizing the MAND printer that is installed into an Express Rack locker location. MAND is capable of producing parts out of a wide variety of thermopolymers including engineered plastics.
Electro-static Levitation Furnace (ELF): The crew removed the failed samples from the current Round Robin cartridge and placed them into a debris bag. The ELF sample holder was then cleaned and the Round Robin ELF cartridge 4 was re-installed. ELF is an experimental facility designed to levitate, melt and solidify materials by containerless 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.
Biomole: The crew performed part 1 and 2 of ISS surface Sample collections and DNA extraction and amplification using the miniPCR16 hardware. The crew then stopped the run and stowed the sample tube and placed it in Cold Stowage. The Environmental Health System (EHS) Biomole Facility non-culture based samples are capable of providing microbial identification on-orbit within days of sampling. The goal of this Tech Demo is to conduct comparative analysis for possible replacement of current microbial monitoring systems.
Kubik Facility: The crew performed the setup of Kubik 5 and Kubik 6 facilities in preparation of Rotifer B2 operations. Kubik is a small controlled-temperature incubator or cooler with removable inserts designed for self-contained, automatic microgravity investigations such as those using seeds, cells, and small animals.
Fiber Optic Production (FOP): The crew performed one sample change out in the Fiber Optic Production facility. The Fiber Optic Production investigation creates optical fibers with high commercial value aboard the ISS using a blend of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium, and aluminum called ZBLAN. It operates in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). Extensive theoretical studies along with a limited number of experimental studies suggest that ZBLAN optical fibers produced in microgravity should exhibit far superior qualities to those produced on Earth. The resulting optical fiber from Fiber Optic Production is expected to help verify these studies and guide further engineering efforts to manufacture high value optical fiber in large volume aboard the ISS.
Systems
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Belt/Pulley Assembly Remove & Replace (R&R): Earlier this year, the crew reported the ARED right arm popped out of its detents during an exercise session and observed subsequent load imbalance signatures. Today the crew completed a belt/pulley R&R to restore ARED to a balanced loading configuration.
Extravehicular (EVA) Activities: The crew performed the following tasks in preparation for SpX-21 arrival. The primary goal was to restow the Crewlock, while leaving the Equipment Lock clear for EVA packing ops this week. Many of these items will be returned on SpX-21.
- Changed the leg assembly on Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) 3004 and prepared the removed leg assembly for return on SpX-21.
- Removed EMU 3008 from Node 2 and placed on the EMU Don/Doff Assembly (EDDA) after removing EMU 3009 from the EDDA and stowing in the Crewlock.
NanoRacks Airlock (NRAL) Node 3 Screen Removal: The crew removed the Inter Module Ventilation (IMV) Screen from Node 3 Overhead Aft Alcove in preparation for planned Nanoracks Airlock IMV reconfiguration and operations. This location is being converted from an inlet to an outlet and removing the screen prevents Foreign Object Debris (FOD) from collecting behind the screen.
Completed Task List Activities:
- ARED spreadsheet record
- WHC KTO replace
- T2 AR connect
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- Dragon dock ops
- ARED pully R&R support
- Payloads support
Look Ahead Plan
Tuesday, 12/8 (GMT 343)
Payloads:
- Vascular Echo Blood Pressure 13H run (CSA)
- Rotifer B2 EC install into Kubik 5 and 6 (ESA)
- Space Organogenesis sample rotation start (JAXA)
- JAXA low temp PCG prep (JAXA)
- MVP-2 historical photo and Cell-06 install (NASA)
- NanoRacks Module 9 Ops1 (NASA)
- ICE Cube #6 install (ESA)
- Rodent Research Habitat installs (NASA)
- Cardinal Heart relocate and sample insert and SABL CO2 cntrl install (NASA)
- STaARS BS-4 installation (NASA)
- PAUL hardware locker install
Systems:
- Dragon transfer ops
- Dragon OBT
Wednesday, 12/9 (GMT 344)
Payloads:
- Space Organogenesis Medium changes and Microscope ops (JAXA)
- Rodent Transfers (NASA)
- EHS BioMole ops Part 3 (NASA)
- Cardinal Heart medium exchange and MELFI insert (NASA)
- Vascular Echo Blood Pressure 13H conclusion (CSA)
- ISS HAM Pass (NASA)
Systems:
- Dragon transfer ops
Thursday, 12/10 (GMT 345)
Payloads:
- NanoRacks Module 9 Ops 2 (NASA)
- Fiber Optics Sample exchange (NASA)
- Medium Temp PCG sample prep (JAXA)
- AstroRad Vest Fam (NASA)
- ISS Experience Astronaut log (NASA)
- Food Acceptability survey (NASA)
- APM data transfer and Node 2 to Lab install (NASA)
- MonoClonal Antibodies PCG card fills (NASA)
- ACME CIR Bottle exchange (Joint)
Systems:
- Dragon transfer ops
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- Hermes Foam Gather
- Cargo Dragon Station Support Computer Relocate
- ISS Experience Payload Review
- Kubik Onboard Training
- Hermes Facility Installation
- Review of Big Picture Words for Rotifer B2
- Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
- Astrobee Stowage Clear
- Kubik 5 setup on COL1D2 for Rotifer B2
- Treadmill 2 (T2) Exercise Video Equipment Setup
- Astrobee On
- Kubik 6 setup on COL1D3 for Rotifer B2
- Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Belt/Pulley Assembly R&R
- PMM Cleanup
- Treadmill 2 (T2) Exercise Video Equipment Stow
- Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Belt/Pulley Assembly R&R
- Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Airlock Restow
- Polar Dragon Uninstall, Transfer, And EXPRESS Rack Install Overview
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test
- Dragon Rendezvous Operations Conference
- Docking Dragon Monitoring Tools Setup
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire
- Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Belt/Pulley Assembly R&R
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test
- Docking Dragon Monitoring Tools Setup
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire
- Environmental Health System (EHS) Biomole Maintenance Work Area Prep
- Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Airlock Restow
- NanoRacks Airlock (NRAL) Screen Gather
- BioMole MELFI Retrieve
- Fiber Optic Production Initial Sample Installation [Aborted]
- BioMole Part 1: Surface Sampling and DNA Extraction
- Urine receptacle (МП) check
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire
- NanoRacks Airlock (NRAL) Node 3 Screen Removal
- BioMole MELFI Retrieve
- Synchronization of NIKON camera with station time
- BioMole Part 2: DNA Cleanup and Amplification
- EMU Helmet unpack and repack for return [Deferred]
- ISS HAM Columbus Pass Kenwood
- NanoRacks Airlock (NRAL) Screen Restow
- Cold Stowage Double Coldbag Unpack Review
- Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
- EVA EMU 3008 Removal
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire
- EVA ERCA Return
- Photo TV High Definition (HD) Dragon Video Setup
- Polar Dragon Uninstall, Transfer, And EXPRESS Rack Install Overview
- USOS Window Shutter Close
- Private Medical Conference (PMC)
- Docking Dragon Monitoring Tools Setup
- Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Swap
- ТГК 76P transfer operations
- EVA EMU 3004 Removal
- Dragon Zenith Approach Monitoring
- Cold Stowage Double Coldbag Unpack Review
- Delta file prep
- Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Long Life Battery (LLB) Terminate
- Nanoracks Module-9 OBT
- Astrobee Stowage Clear
- Evening Preparation Work
- Node 2 to Dragon Pressurization and Leak Check
- Dragon Monitoring Tools Teardown
- Cargo Dragon Station Support Computer Return
- Node 2 to Dragon Final Pressurization and Vestibule prep for Ingress
- ВКС Laptops Antivirus software checkout
- Reminder to Clear IMV Inlet