ISS Daily Summary Report – 6/26/2023

Payloads:

Kibo Robot Programming Challenge-4 (Robo Pro Challenge): In preparation for the upcoming Robo Pro Challenge tech rehearsal, the perching arm was attached to the Astrobee free flyer. Technical Rehearsals are used to test and verify various elements of the real Robo-Pro challenge. In the actual competition, the student teams will develop code to direct Astrobee to locate and seal a virtual ammonia leak in the ISS cabin. The Robo-Pro Challenge, also known as Kibo-RPC, allows students to create programs to control Astrobee, a free-flying robot aboard the ISS. This opportunity provides hands-on experience with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in space and inspires the next generation of explorers.

Materials Science Research Rack/Materials Science Laboratory (MSRR/MSL): The crew gained access to the MSL furnace area and exchanged Sample Cartridge Assemblies (SCAs). The processed Copper Indium Sulfide Defect Crystal Growth-C1 (CISDG-C1) SCA was removed, and the calibration cartridge was installed. CISDG synthesizes copper indium sulfide (CuInS2) semiconductor crystals in microgravity. These crystals could be used to manufacture more efficient and economical photovoltaic or solar cell devices. Manufacturing such solar cells requires controlling chemical defects in the crystals, and the lack of gravity-driven convection in microgravity could enable this control.

NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer-16 (NRCSD-26): In preparation for the NRCSD-26 launcher installation later this week, the Multipurpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) was installed to the JEM Airlock slide table. The MPEP serves as an adapter for the NRCSD installation. NRCSD-26 will deploy six satellites in the near future (SC-ODIN, MoonLighter, RADSAT-SK, Ukpik-1, ESSENCE, and IRIS). Some of the objectives for the NRCSD-26 satellites include Earth imagery, student projects, materials research, and geological sample exposure to space weather. The NRCSD system is an external deployer that is installed in the JEM airlock and robotically placed in the deploy configuration using the JEM robotic arm.

Plant Habitat-03b: Preparation activities were performed in support of the upcoming Plant Habitat-03b experiment. Plant Habitat-03b will continue the previous Plant Habitat-03a experiment by growing a second generation of plants exposed to microgravity. Plants exposed to environmental stress, including spaceflight, undergo epigenetic changes that involve adding extra information to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) rather than changing existing information. Epigenetic Adaptation to the Spaceflight Environment – Accumulated Genomic Change Induced by Generations in Space (Plant Habitat-03) assesses whether epigenetic adaptations in one generation of plants grown in space can transfer to the next generation. This could help identify genetic elements that increase the adaptability of plants to spaceflight: a first step toward developing cultivars better suited to provide food as well as air and water purification in life support systems on future space missions.

Systems:

Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Initiation and Termination: Today, the crew initiated a manual fill of the WHC EДВ-СВ (Water Container) using a Post-Flight Analysis Bag to capture any pressure relief to protect the dose pump. The fill was then terminated and the Post-Flight Analysis Bag was analyzed after the pressure relief burp. The ЕДВ-CB is intended for short-term storage and manual water transportation between facilities. After successfully filling the EДВ-СВ, the crew returned the WHC to nominal use.

SpX-28 Departure Preparations: Several activities were completed in preparation for SpX-28 undock and return later this week. The crew continued transferring cargo items into bags and the Dragon vehicle, and completed a powered payload review. The crew also changed out the Cargo Dragon LiOH cartridge and performed a Dragon Zenith Docking System hatch seal inspection and cleaning.

Node 2 Zenith Photo Survey: In preparation for the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA-2) relocation to support the Axiom Commercial Segment, the crew performed a photo survey. This survey included the Node 2 Overhead Hatch and associated hardware, and is one of several planned surveys in support of the PMA-2 relocation.

Environmental Health System (EHS) Surface Sampler Kit (SSK) and Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Analysis: Today, the crew visually analyzed media slides and Petri dishes after incubation and sorted for return. These samples will give medical personnel a gauge of microbial growth in the air and on surfaces of ISS. The EHS monitors the atmosphere for gaseous contaminants from nonmetallic materials off-gassing, combustion products, propellants, microbial contaminants from crew members and Station activities, water quality, acoustics, and radiation levels.

Completed Task List Activities:

  • None

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

  • MSS Walkoff to Lab PDGF
  • EHDC Checkout
  • MT Translation

Look Ahead Plan

Tuesday, June 27 (GMT 178)
Payloads:

  • Actiwatch setup
  • Astrobee prep
  • Kibo Robo Pro Challege-4 Tech Rehearsal 1
  • MSG audit
  • MVP-2 Hard drive Replace and Photos
  • Plant Habitat-03b
  • Story Time From Space-9 (Ticket to Space and Totality)
  • Veggie hardware stow

Systems:

  • Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
  • HMS WinSCAT
  • THC CCAA Swap
  • SpX-Crew Dragon Deorbit Entry and Landing Contingencies Refresher
  • 4BCO2 Samples
  • Mid-Center Bag Pack

Wednesday, June 28 (GMT 179)
Payloads:

  • Astrobee Perch Arm Removal
  • DOSIS Main Box remove
  • EML Gas Valve Set
  • NRCSD-26 Install to slide table
  • Snowcone
  • Story Time in Space-9 (Totality Demo A, B)
  • Zero-Robotics Unit Test

Systems:

  • JEM Mesh Cover Return Grille Cleaning
  • Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
  • Airlock Closeout Panel A/L1D2 S-Clip Installation

Thursday, June 29 (GMT 180)
Payloads:

  • Astrobee stowage return
  • DCB pack for return
  • EML Gas Valve Set
  • LSG Glove Audit
  • JAXA MT PCG TIB Assembly (prep for return)
  • PK-4 HD Connect
  • Plant Habitat-03B Water test

Systems:

  • AC Dry Vacuum Cleaner Consumables and Pictures
  • Double Coldbag Transfer to Dragon
  • Dragon Departure Ops
  • Node 2 HEPA and Charcoal Filters and Smoke Detector Inspection and Cleaning
  • ISS Video Tour
  • EVA Tool Stow
  • IFM Tool Backfill
  • JEM Stowage Consolidation
  • Food Consolidation

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

  • MPEP Retrieval from JLP1 Bay 2 Corridor
  • Material Science Laboratory Procedure Review
  • JEM Airlock ST Extension to/Retraction from JPM Side
  • Space Acceleration Measurement System ES 18 Sensor Move to Express Rack 6 Seat Track
  • Passive Capture Mechanism Installation to JEM Airlock Slide Table
  • Material Science Laboratory Calibration Cartridge Exchange
  • JEM AL Slide Table MLI Check
  • MPEP Installation to JEM Airlock Slide Table
  • WHC Manual Fill Initiate/Terminate
  • Transfer Crew Dragon Cargo Operations
  • IFM LA2B_D RPCM Restow
  • Cargo Dragon Departure Powered Payload Review
  • Plant Habitat Facility Prep Procedure Review
  • Polar Express Rack Uninstall, Transfer, And Dragon Install
  • Plant Habitat MWA Preparation
  • Node 2 Zenith Photo Survey
  • Cargo Dragon LiOH Swap
  • Snowcone Inverter Off
  • Plant Habitat Facility Prep A and Prep B for PH-03B
  • Dragon Zenith Docking System Hatch Seal Inspection & Cleaning
  • EHS SSK and MAS Analysis T + 5
  • Astrobee Perching Arm Installation