ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/10/2022

Payloads:

Advanced Plant Experiment-07 (APEX-07): A harvest was performed for the plants that have been growing in petri plate experiment containers in the Veggie Facilities. This harvest follows approximately 12 days of plant growth for the Arabidopsis thaliana. APEX-07 examines how changes in gravity and other environmental factors associated with spaceflight affect plants at the level of gene expression.  Previous research shows that microgravity conditions during spaceflight affects which genes turn on or off, which proteins are present and in what amounts, and the modifications made to those proteins. All of these processes are controlled by Ribonucleic acid (RNA), and this investigation analyzes the role of RNA regulation on gene expression during spaceflight in both roots and shoots of plants.

Behavioral Core Measures (BCM): The crew completed a Robotic On-Board Trainer (ROBoT) research session. The Standardized Behavioral Measures for Detecting Behavioral Health Risks during Exploration Missions (Behavioral Core Measures) experiment initially examined a suite of measurements to reliably assess the risk of adverse cognitive or behavioral conditions and psychiatric disorders during long-duration spaceflight, and evaluated the feasibility of those tests within the operational and time constraints of spaceflight for two crewmembers. Subsequent subjects perform a subset of the original activities to measure the performance capabilities of deconditioned crew members to complete either individual or crew telerobotic operations within the first 24 hours after landing. This information could help characterize what tasks a crewmember who has spent months in weightlessness can reasonably be expected to perform after landing on the surface of Mars.

Cytoskeleton: Following the transfer of the experiment culture chambers to the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG), the crew performed the third and final round of the LSG experiment operations. In vitro cultures of mammalian cells react specifically to microgravity, but there is no solid scientific evidence available about how and why. The Involvement of Rho family GTPases in gravity perception and reaction (Cytoskeleton) investigation attempts to acquire new information about the events that are happening inside a mammalian cell, with the working hypothesis that the microgravity environment affects the function of RhoGTPases and the cellular signaling that they control. RhoGTPases are signaling molecules residing under the Rho family of proteins, known to be involved as “molecular switches”, in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis (programmed cell death), gene expression (flow of genetic information from gene to protein), and cytoskeletal organization.

Microbial Tracking-3 (MT-3): Samples were gathered for the first of five consecutive days in support of the MT-3 experiment. Sample locations included various one square meter areas of Node 3, Node 2, Node 1, PMM, and the US Lab. The Quantifying Selection for Pathogenicity and Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria and Fungi on the ISS – a Microbial Tracking Study (Microbial Tracking-3 or MT-3) investigation continues a series focused on ongoing monitoring of pathogenicity (ability to cause disease) and antibiotic resistance in potentially disease-causing bacteria and fungi present on the ISS. The investigation aims to identify, analyze, and characterize pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance, and genomics to augment the NASA GeneLab with the statistical confidence to characterize microbes associated with closed habitation and predict those that may pose a threat to crew health.

Mochii: Following unsuccessful activation and troubleshooting of a previous set of Mochii hardware in 2020, new hardware was flown up on SpX-24 and set up in the JEM for a series of checkouts. Mochii is a miniature scanning electron microscope (SEM) with spectroscopy which will be used to conduct real-time, on-site imaging and compositional measurements of particles on the ISS. Such particles can cause vehicle and equipment malfunctions and threaten crew health, but currently, samples must be returned to Earth for analysis, leaving crew and vehicle at risk. Mochii also provides a powerful new analysis platform to support novel microgravity science and engineering.

Wireless Compose: The crew installed experiment base station and anchor motes in their designated locations in the Columbus module. The anchor motes serve as fixed points for calculating positions of mobile tracking devices. The main scientific goal of the Wireless Communication Network (Wireless Compose-2) investigation is to provide a flexible and adaptable wireless network infrastructure to conduct and execute low-power, low-weight, and wireless experiments on the ISS. For this demonstration, Wireless Compose-2 operates several experiments, including an experiment to examine the impact of the space environment on the cardiovascular system. Additionally, Wireless Compose-2 demonstrates newly developed Impulse Radio Ultra-Wide-Bband (IR-UWB) hardware to enable precise localization applications and to analyze the energy harvesting potential on the ISS.

Systems:

Atmosphere-Space Interaction Monitor (ASIM) Robotics Operations: Robotics ground teams commanded robotics operations to successfully remove the ASIM payload from the SpaceX-24 Dragon trunk and install it at the Starboard Deck Nadir Columbus platform. There were some issues mating the Flight Releaseable Attachment Mechanism (FRAM) at the install site due to alignment offsets, but teams were able to work through them.  Upon successful install, power was applied, activating the heaters and ending the thermal clock on the operations

Inflight Maintenance Hatch Seal Inspection: Today, the ISS crew completed a cleaning and inspection of the USOS Hatch Seals, Hatch Plate Sealing Surfaces, and Crank Handle Mechanisms for foreign Object Debris (FOD) or damage in Node 3, Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM), JEM Pressurized Module (JPM) and the JEM Experiment Logistics Module – Pressurized (JLP).

On-Orbit Sampling: The crew deployed two Formaldehyde Monitoring Kits (FMKs) in designated sample locations for post-flight analysis of on-orbit formaldehyde levels. The crew also used a Grab Sample Container (GSC) to collect instantaneous air samples for post-flight analysis. Sampling is performed every 45 days.

Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test: The crew performed their monthly WinSCAT test. The test is a screening tool developed by NASA to monitor astronauts and their neuro-cognitive status while in space and alert NASA flight surgeons to any accuracy or reaction time changes in an astronaut’s performance. WinSCAT tests working memory, computational skills, attention, visual tracking and spatial processing.

Environmental Health System (EHS) Operations: The ISS crew performed periodic EHS water sampling by collecting water samples from the Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) for in-flight and post-flight analysis. In-flight samples were used to perform a Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) analysis that measures the amount of organic constituents in the potable water.  The crew also tested the water samples for the presence of Coliform bacteria utilizing a Coliform test bag. These tests are used to determine if the drinking water is still safe for crew consumption. 

Completed Task List Activities:

  • EPO message recording

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

  • Secondary Power System (SPS) FET Control Hybrid (FCH) Troubleshooting [Aborted]
  • Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (SPDM) Flight Releasable Attachment Mechanism (FRAM) Operations
  • Atmosphere Revitalization System (ARS) Node 3 Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Deactivation [Active]
  • ARS Four Bed CO2 Scrubber Activation [Active]

Look Ahead Plan

Tuesday, January 11 (GMT 11)
Payloads:

  • BCM ROBoT Test
  • EasyMotion suit stow
  • Food Acceptability
  • HISUI MDR HDD exchange
  • MERLIN drawer swap
  • Mochii Sample Exchange
  • MSL procedure review
  • MT-3 sample collect
  • MVP-Plant-01 Removal
  • Plant Habitat-05 Harvest 2
  • Rhodium Probiotic sample removal and transfer
  • Ring Sheared Drop Motor removal
  • Standard Measures Post Sleep question
  • TangoLab MERLIN Cube Photo
  • Vascular Aging 

Systems:

  • Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Quarterly Maintenance
  • In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Pre-Treat Tank Remove & Replace (R&R)
  • Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) 3013 Troubleshooting
  • Dragon Cargo ops

Wednesday, January 12 (GMT 12)
Payloads:

  • BCM ROBoT Test
  • EasyMotion/T2
  • ExHAM (HXP) item perp
  • NUTRISS Measurement
  • MSRR/MSL-SCA Exchange B3#-17
  • MT-3 Sample collect
  • Plant Habitat-05 MELFI insert
  • Ring Sheared Drop motor remove
  • TangoLab Merlin cube photo
  • Veggie Monitoring

Systems:

  • Environmental Health System (EHS) Water Sample Analysis 44+/-4 hrs post processing.
  • EHS Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Kit Sample Collection
  • EHS Surface Sample Kit (SSK) Collection/Incubation
  • EHS Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) Fuse R&R

Thursday, January 13 (GMT 13)
Payloads:

  • APEX-07 Clean and dry
  • AstroPi Swap and lens adjustment
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Food Physiology Diet Brief
  • HRF PC software load prep
  • Mochii Sample load and sample exchange
  • MT-3 Sample Collect
  • Nanoracks MFA module-96 install
  • Rhodium Probiotics Chamber to Cold Stowage

Systems:

  • Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) Fluid System Servicer (FSS) setup and refill of the Lab Low Temperature Loop (LTL) Pump Package Assembly (PPA) accumulator.
  • Microbial Tracking-3 Environmental Sample Collection
  • Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain
  • EVA Lower Torso Assembly (LTA) Repair

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

  • Microbial Tracking-3 Environmental Sample Collection
  • Wireless Compose Motes Installation
  • Environmental Health System (EHS) Radiation Environment Monitor 2 (REM2) SSC12 Connect
  • Polar Multiple Desiccant Swap
  • Space Automated Bioproduct Lab, Hard Drive Swap
  • Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – SDX switches reconfigured to DISCHARGE
  • Environmental Health System (EHS) Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) Sample Collect
  • VEGGIE On-Board Training for APEX
  • APEX-07 Petri Plate Harvest
  • Artemis HERA (Hybrid Electronic Radiation Assessor) on Space Station (A-HoSS) Adlink Mini PC Reboot
  • Columbus Payload Power Switching Box (PPSB) – SDN switches reconfigured to ON
  • Environmental Health System (EHS) Coliform Water Processing
  • Cytoskeleton Operations
  • Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) Sample Analysis
  • CTB Consolidation
  • Hatch Seal Inspection
  • Behavioral Core Measures ROBoT-r Research Testing
  • Payloads Network Attached Storage (NAS) Vent Cleaning
  • Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test
  • Mochii Activation and First Sample Load
  • Vacuum System Lab Port 4 Swap Part 2
  • Environmental Health System (EHS) – Formaldehyde Monitoring Kit (FMK) Deployment Operations
  • Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record