Aerosol Samplers: Today the crew deployed Active Aerosol Samplers (AASs) in Nodes 1 and 3. The battery-powered AASs actively pull in air and collect particles using the principal of thermophoresis. This is accomplished by flowing the sampled air through a large thermal gradient in a narrow channel. During this process, particles are driven to the cold side of the channel, where an electron microscope (EM) grid is held in place by a tiny magnet. When returned to Earth, these grids are placed directly into an EM for analysis.
Micro-12: Today the crew terminated specific Micro-12 Group Activation Packs (GAPs) by adding a microbial fixative to preserve the organism for subsequent ground-based characterization. Micro-12 examines the effects of spaceflight on the physiology of an exoelectrogenic microorganism, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Exoelectrogenic microbes can pass electrons through their cell membranes, and so can be used in microbial fuel cells to make electricity from waste organic material. This investigation is expected to provide insight into how microgravity affects biological electron transport systems, and microbial fuel cell use in future space missions.
Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) Zero Robotics: Today the crew will set up the SPHERES Zero Robotics hardware and will complete a test session. The SPHERES Zero Robotics investigation provides an opportunity for high school students to design research for the ISS. As part of a competition, students write algorithms for the SPHERES satellites to accomplish tasks relevant to future space missions. The algorithms are tested by the SPHERES team and the best designs are selected for the competition to operate the SPHERES satellites on board the ISS.
Rodent Research-7 (RR-7): Today the crew restocked and cleaned the rodent habitats. They will also stowed fecal pellets and food bar/Habitat swabs in a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The RR-7 investigation examines how the space environment affects the community of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of mice (also known as the microbiota). It also looks at microgravity’s effects on multiple physiological systems known to be affected by the microbiota, including the gastrointestinal, immune, metabolic, circadian, and sleep systems. These studies should help explain mechanisms underlying interactions between these systems and the role of the microbiota in these interactions.
Story Time From Space: A crewmember participated in the Story Time from Space project by reading from “American Girl: Luciana – Braving the Deep” while being videotaped and photographed. The recording will be downlinked and used for educational purposes. Story Time From Space combines science literacy outreach with simple demonstrations recorded onboard the ISS. Crewmembers read science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related children’s books on orbit, and complete simple science concept experiments. Video and data collected during the demonstrations are downlinked to the ground and posted in a video library with accompanying educational materials.
AngieX Cancer Therapy: The crew performed therapy operations for the AngieX Cancer Therapy investigation today. The AngieX investigation examines whether endothelial cells cultured in microgravity represent a valid in vitro model to test effects of vascular-targeted agents on normal blood vessels. AngieX has developed a treatment that targets both tumor cells and vasculature, but needs a better model on which to test it. This study may facilitate development of a cost-effective method that does not require animal testing and which may help develop safer and more effective vascular-targeted drugs.
Chemical Gardens: Today the crew removed one Chemical Gardens 2 ampoule kit from a Cargo Transfer Bag, broke the seal between the two ampoules in each sample bag and mixed the contents of both. In the Chemical Gardens experiment, selected metal salts are added to an aqueous solution of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), resulting in the formation of inorganic structures that resemble plant growth in a time span ranging from minutes to hours. On Earth, gravity-induced flow due to buoyancy differences between the reactants complicates our understanding of the physics behind these “chemical gardens”. Conducting this experiment in the microgravity environment onboard the ISS removes the gravity effects, ensures diffusion-controlled growth, and allows researchers a better assessment of initiation and evolution of chemical gardens.
Dragon Cargo Operations: Today the crew continued working on the fourth SpaceX-15 Cargo Message as they continued to pack and load items slated for return on SpX-15. The crew also started the installation of the fences and cribbing arms necessary to secure the degraded Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Latching End Effector (LEE) hardware inside Dragon for return. Specialists estimate approximately 4.5 hours of cargo operations remain to finish loading the Dragon vehicle prior to the planned departure date of 3 August.
Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Crew Command Panel (CCP) Checkout: In preparation for SpX-15 Dragon vehicle departure, currently planned for August 3rd, the crew will check out the CUCU and Dragon Crew Command Panel (CCP). The CUCU system provides a command and telemetry communications link between the ISS and Dragon vehicle during free flight operations while in close proximity of the ISS.
Hardware Transfer Vehicle (HTV) On Board Training (OBT) ROBoT: Today the crew will perform self-study OBT using Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) in preparation for HTV approach and rendezvous. They will practice HTV approach and retreat monitoring as well as HTV capture using simulated Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) operations.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Yesterday, the Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) and translated the Mobile Transporter (MT) from Worksite 4 (WS4) to WS6. The Ground Control team is currently walking off the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) off the Node2 Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) onto Mobile Base System (MBS) PDGF4. Finally, the Robotics Ground Controllers will maneuver the SSRMS as required to survey the Latching End Effector A (LEE-A) Snare Cables using the P1 Lower Outboard (LOOB) External High Definition Camera (EHDC) and then perform LEE-A diagnostics.
Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- KOSMOKARD. Prepare
- Aerosol Samplers Battery Charge 2
- MELFI Media Kit Retrieve
- mobiPV Software Installation Preparation
- Tropical Cyclone Untended Operations
- Story Time Book Luciana Read
- Gather tools used during EVA.
- DC1 ПСС unnominal work clearing up – preparation
- Clears JPM Bay 5 for LEE
- Micro-12 Sample Activation and Termination
- Story Time Historical Photo Documentation
- Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) Procedure Review
- Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) 3 Ampoule Mix Ops
- SPHERES Conference
- AngieX Cancer Therapy Ops Session
- SPHERES Test Setup
- Polar Transfer To Dragon Overview Review
- Cargo Transfer to Dragon
- SPHERES Test Run
- Preparation Orlan replaceable elements
- Transfer LEE into Dragon
- Glacier 1 & 2 Desiccant Swap
- Aerosol Active Samplers Hardware Deployment 2
- Rodent Research Node 2 Camcorder Video Setup
- SPHERES Test Shutdown
- Rodent Research 7 Habitat Restock
- Aerosol Active Samplers Hardware Photography
- INTER-MAI-75. HAM Radio Hardware Activation
- On Board Training (OBT) ROBoT T&C Self Study
- Tropical Cyclone Hardware Closeout
- Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config COL Setup – Node 2 Camcorder towards COL
- DOUG review
- Chemical Gardens Procedure Review
- Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Node 2 Camcorder towards COL
- Polar Sample Transfer 1 From Cold Stowage
- EML High Speed Camera Lens Switch
- ЦП Laptop monthly maintenance
- Rodent Research MELFI Insert
- Rodent Research 7 Habitat Restock
- CONTENT. Experiment Ops
- Radio Frequency Identification Logistics CTB Deploy [aborted]
- Sample water collecting on JEM MTL line [aborted]
- Chemical Gardens MWA Preparation
- Chemical Gardens Mix Ops
- LEE Return FSE Assembly Procedure Review
- Rodent Research MELFI Insert
- Transfer LEE into Dragon
- Rodent Research Access Unit Clean
- Health Maintenance System (HMS) Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test [aborted]
- Dragon Cargo Operations Conference
- Photo T/V Dragon SD Video Setup
- Dragon Latching End Effector (LEE) Fencing Installation
- Chemical Gardens Mix Ops
- At Home In Space Culture Photo
- Fluid Shifts Dilution Measures Reference Material Review
- СОЖ maintenance
- Fluid Shifts Dilution Measures Setup
- Photo/TV CUCU SD Video Setup
- COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Crew Command Panel (CCP) Checkout
- COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Crew Command Panel (CCP) Stow
- MELFI Containment Bag Consolidation
- INTER-MAI-75. Closeout
- Photo/TV CUCU SD Video Deactivation
Completed Task List Activities:
- None
Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
- Lab MCA Zero Cal
- MICS Flush Ops
- CUCU Checkout
- SSRMS Walkoff
- Dragon TDRS Checkout
Three-Day Look Ahead:
- Wednesday, 08/01: Dragon Cargo, Micro-12, Aerosol Sampler, Tangolab, Polar Transfer, PCG-11, STBD Solar Array imagery, Nanoracks Mod 9; EVA Tether Inspection, ACME Controller R&R, Fluid Shifts, Dragon Depart OBT, Lighting Effects, BEST
- Thursday, 08/02: CIR Optics, BEAM ingress, LEE FSE Assy, Dragon LEE install, Chemical Garden, Dragon Polar Xfer and Coldbag Packing.
- Friday, 08/03: CBM Vestible Ops, Dragon Unberth/Release, BCAT, ACE-M2 Sample, Habitat H2O Fill, EVA tool Gather, mobiPV, Chemical Garden
QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
| Component | Status |
| Elektron | On |
| Vozdukh | Manual |
| [СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) | Off |
| [СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) | Off |
| Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab | Operate |
| Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 | Standby |
| Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab | Operate |
| Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 | Idle |
| Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) | Process |
| Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) | Standby |
| Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab | Full Up |
| Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 | Off |