Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) Axiom 2:
SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom successfully launched on Sunday, May 21st, at 4:37 PM CST and docked to the ISS on Monday, May 22nd, at 8:25 AM CST. This was the fastest launch to dock time for a Crew Dragon. With the arrival of the four private astronauts, Peggy Whitson, John Shoffner, Ali Alqarni, and Rayyanah Barnawi, the ISS crew complement has increased to 11. The Ax-2 crew participated in a live welcome ceremony and successfully completed the ISS safety briefing, crew handover time, Polar sample transfer, and setup of sleeping arrangements.
Payloads:
ECHO: Troubleshooting operations were performed on the spare Echo Unit. The purpose of the ECHO investigation is to evaluate a tele-operated ultrasound system, equipped with motorized probes that are controlled by flight controllers on the ground. Additionally, this investigation serves to perform the commissioning of the Echo instrument, which is planned to be used for the Vascular ECHO experiment in the future.
Electro-static Levitation Furnace (ELF): ELF sample SN039 was removed for return and SN037 was installed into the ELF facility. The ELF is an experimental facility designed to levitate/melt/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. The ELF is located in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Multipurpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) in the Kibo Module.
Ring Sheared Drop (RSD): Set screws on the RSD syringe dispensing motor coupler were tightened as part of troubleshooting efforts to insure a proper connection. The RSD investigation examines the formation and flow of amyloids without the complications associated with the solid walls of a container, because in microgravity, surface tension provides containment of the liquid. Amyloids – fibrous, extracellular protein deposits found in organs and tissues – are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Results could contribute to better understanding of these diseases as well as to development of advanced materials.
Systems:
In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace (R&R): As a part of regularly scheduled maintenance, the crew removed and replaced the WHC UR and IF. During the R&R, the crew cleaned the WHC power supply, reactivated WHC, and performed a functionality test to verify the WHC was operational following the maintenance.
ISS Safety Briefing: Today, all crew reviewed plans for emergency situations and locations of emergency equipment in the manned vehicles. The newly arrived crew gained familiarization with the available safety measures on-board ISS, the potential hazards, and the equipment needed for emergency response.
Completed Task List Activities:
- CMS-T2-RR-STOW
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- C2V2 Broadcast
- Docking Dragon Monitoring Tools Setup & Teardown
- Docking Dragon Approach – Crewed
- SDMS Activation
- After Docking Configure for Docked Operations
- Initiating 3 EDV Drains to RST using UTS
- PPS BGA – Set to Autotrack Mode
- Dragon Oxygen Manifold Bleed Down
Look Ahead Plan
Tuesday, May 23 (GMT 143)
Payloads:
- STELLAR Stem Cells Plate Seeding (Ax-2)
- NanoRacks Liquid Fireworks Operations (Ax-2)
- COSMIC Closeout
- ELF S/W Cable Connect/Disconnect
- HICARI-2 Cartridge Install
- RSD Syringe Removal/Install
- SAMS Sensor ES18 Move to ER6
Systems:
- Handover with PAM Crew
- Emergency Equipment Transfer
- Emergency Roles and Responsibilities Review
- OBT ISS Emergency Hardware Familiarization
- WHC Manual Fill Initiate/Terminate
- ECLSS Recycle Tank Drain/Fill
- EBOT File Transfer Initiate/Terminate
Wednesday, May 24 (GMT 144)
Payloads:
- Bio Data Samples (Ax-2)
- Cancer in LEO (Ax-2)
- Comm Systems (Ax-2)
- DNA Nano Therapeutics (Ax-2)
- ICE Cubes Media Set Act (Ax-2)
- ISS HAM Pass (Ax-2)
- MIT SkinSuit (Ax-2)
- Space Tissue and Regen (Ax-2)
- STELLAR Stem Cells KERMIT Sample Placement (Ax-2)
- POLAR Desiccant Swap
- RSD Operations
Systems:
- Cargo Transfer to Dragon
- PAM Facilitator Time
- IFM WHC Pre-Treat Tank R&R
- EVA IV Review
- HMS Vision Test
- ECLSS PEPS Inspection
Thursday, May 25 (GMT 145)
Payloads:
- AstroPi Lens Removal
- Bio Data Samples (Ax-2)
- Cancer in LEO (Ax-2)
- ISS HAM Pass (Ax-2)
- NanoRacks Liquid Fireworks (Ax-2)
- RNA Response (Ax-2)
- STELLAR Stem Cells (Ax-2)
- Food Physiology Diet Brief
- JWRS MSPR Closeout
- NanoRacks MainFrame A install
- RSD Operations
- Standard Measures Pre-Sleep and Saliva Preparations
Systems:
- Cargo Transfer to Dragon
- HMS Ultrasound 2 Scan
- PAM Facilitator
- HMS OCT2 Exam
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- Docking Dragon Monitoring Tools Setup and Teardown
- Switching Off/On PPS 2 Outlet 3
- Echo Spare Setup for Checkout Activities
- ELF Item Gathering and Sample Holder Change
- Node 2 Overhead Hatch Open and Close
- EHS – AQM Power Off and On
- RSD Coupling Tighten and MELFI Sample Retrieve
- UTS Offload EDV Swap
- EDV Swap for Drain to RST using UTS
- USOS Window Shutter Close
- Echo Troubleshooting
- Docking Dragon Approach Monitoring
- IFM WHC UR and IF R&R
- CASA C&W Review
- Axiom 2 SSC Relocate
- Node 2 to Dragon Pressurization and Leak Check
- Node 2 to Dragon Final Pressurization and Vestibule Preparation for Ingress
- CMS T2 Monthly Inspection
- EHS GSC Sampling Operations
- PAO Event in HD – Node 2
- ISS Safety Briefing
- Handover with PAM Crew
- MERLIN (Powered) Transfer from Crew Dragon to ISS
- EXPRESS Locker Remove from Dragon
- OBT Dragon Emergency Review
- Polar Crew Dragon Uninstall, Transfer, and EXPRESS Rack Install
- Emergency Equipment Lite Configuration Setup
- Stowage of Echo Hardware
- PAM Facilitator Time
- Initiating/Terminating EDV Drain to RST using UTS