SpaceX-25 (SpX-25) Mission Preparation: Today, a subset of the USOS crew are limited duty in order to prepare for the upcoming SpX-25 mission, which will dock on Saturday and requires bulk cargo unloading on Sunday. SpX-25 is planned to launch tonight at 7:44 pm CT (GMT 196) and will resupply the station with consumables, system hardware, and science payloads.
Payloads:
Kibo Robot Programming Challenge: The JEM module was cleared of stowage and the Astrobee flyers performed remote mapping operations using JAXA software as part of a dry run for the Challenge event. The Kibo-Robot Programming Challenge 3 (Robo-Pro Challenge 3) is an educational program in which students solve various problems by using free-flying robots (NASA’s Astrobee and JAXA’s Internal Ball Camera) aboard ISS. JAXA hosts this program in cooperation with NASA under the framework of the Japan-United States Open Platform Partnership Program (JP-US OP3). Robo-Pro Challenge 3 aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and world leaders by providing opportunities to learn cutting-edge methodologies in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects.
Biofilms: The Biofilms Big Picture Words were reviewed in preparation for upcoming operations. In the Kubik experiment Biofilms, three bacteria species (A. radioresistens, Staphylococcus sp. and C. metallidurans) will be grown on metal surfaces in a liquid environment at three different gravity levels. The scientific objective is to investigate which metal (stainless steel, copper and brass), and which metal surface treatment (polished and two different laser structured), offers the best anti-bacterial properties on ground, in-orbit, and on Mars.
Kubik: Kubik 5 and Kubik 6 were unstowed and set up in the Columbus module and connected to the Multi-Purpose Computer and Communication (MPCC) hardware. 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.
Systems:
RS Extravehicular Activity (EVA) ESA Preparations: Crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti continued preparation activities for the upcoming RS EVA ESA, beginning with a physical fitness evaluation on the Cycle Ergometer. A Fresnel lens was installed in the Orlan suit as well as US add-on hardware and Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Extravehicular Battery Assemblies (LREBAs). The Russian EVA is planned for Thursday, July 21.
Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Pump Separator Remove and Replace (R&R): Due to check separator errors and Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) output issues, the WHC Pump Separator was R&Red. The WHC is a Russian-built system that has been modified to fit within a standard USOS rack. The Pump Separator uses centrifugal force to separate the air and liquid mixture that is drawn into the separator downstream from the Urine Receptacle. The Check Separator light is announced if a separator is flooded, dry, or times out.
Completed Task List Activities:
- WHC Pump Separator R&R
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- PPS High Beta Operations
- CUP PCS Reboot
- C&T S-Band String 2 Activation
Look Ahead Plan
Friday, July 15 (GMT 196)
Payloads:
- Cold Atom Lab Check (NASA)
- FLARE (SCEM) Insert 2 Exchange (JAXA)
- J-FROST-2 Setting (JAXA)
- RR-22 Habitat Installs (NASA)
- TangoLab CubeLab Sat Checkout (NASA)
- XROOTS Nutrient Mix and Fill, Fluid Recovery, Plant Check (NASA)
Systems:
- SpX-25 Launch
- RS EVA ESA Prep
- Hygiene Cover Panel Audit
- Hatch Seal Inspection
- Dragon Cargo Operations Review and SpX-25 Vehicle Ops CBT
Saturday, July 16 (GMT 197)
Payloads:
- TangoLab-2 Cardcube Remove (NASA)
Systems:
- SpX-25 Arrival Ops
Sunday, July 17 (GMT 198)
Payloads:
- Biofilms Experiment Container Install (ESA)
- NanoRacks Module X2 Install (NASA)
- PAUL2 Hardware Xfer and PAUL1 Install (NASA)
- TangoLab-3 Cardcube Swap (NASA)
Systems:
- SpX-25 Unpacking Ops
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- Biofilms Big Picture Words reading
- Astrobee Stowage Clear/Replace
- Kubik 5 setup on COL1D1
- Kubik 6 setup on COL1D2
- Dragon Cargo Operations Review
- Physical fitness evaluation on the cycle ergometer. Tagup with specialists
- Urine Transfer System Offload EDV Swap
- ESA Weekly crew conference
- Fresnel lens install in Orlan
- Installation of US add-on hardware on Orlan-MKS suits #5 and #4. Tagup with specialists
- Installation of LREBA on Orlan-MKS #5, #4. Tagup with specialists
- Water Transfer from USOS to ROS