ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/03/2022

Payloads:

BioMole: BioMole Surface Sampling and DNA Extraction was performed. The Environmental Health System (EHS) Biomole Facility non-culture based samples are capable of providing microbial identification on-orbit within days of sampling.  The goal of this Tech Demo is to conduct comparative analysis for possible replacement of current microbial monitoring systems.

Cytoskeleton: The Med Reservoirs were retrieved from cold stowage and inserted into the Biolab Glovebox for thawing over night at ambient temperature. 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.

ESA-Education Payload Operations (ESA-EPO): A video was recorded that will be used to educate children about Earth observations from the ISS and the importance of protecting Earth’s environment and how students can help by joining Climate Detectives, an ESA school project for students. The activities related to ESA-EPO Generic Videos are intended to encourage and strengthen the teaching of science curriculum and stimulate the curiosity of students to motivate them towards further study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. 

Plant Habitat-05: Photographs were taken of designated Experiment Plates in preparation for Harvest.  Unlocking the Cotton Genome to Precision Genetics (Plant Habitat-05) cultivates several cotton genotypes that differ in their ability to regenerate into whole plants from undifferentiated masses of cells known as a calli. Cotton is highly resistant to the process of plant regeneration, which makes it difficult to create reproductive and stable plants that have specific or enhanced traits such as drought resistance. The investigation could provide a better understanding of this behavior and a pathway to avert this problem.

Spacesuit Evaporation Rejection Flight Experiment (SERFE):  Approximately 150ml of water was extracted from the SERFE hardware for post-flight analysis on the ground. SERFE demonstrates a new technology to remove heat from spacesuits and maintain appropriate temperatures for crew members and equipment during space walks. The technology uses evaporation of water for cooling. The investigation determines whether microgravity affects performance and evaluates the technology’s effect on contamination and corrosion of spacesuit material.

SoundSee: The crew installed the SoundSee hardware onto an Astrobee free flyer and performed audio data collections for acoustic mapping and machine health monitoring experiments. Investigation of Deep Audio Analytics on the ISS (SoundSee Mission) tests monitoring of the acoustic environment using an audio sensor on Astrobee, a mobile robotic platform aboard the space station. Microphones collect acoustic information, and the Astrobee determines the sensor’s position. The system can detect anomalies in the sound of components inside a machine, providing autonomous monitoring of the health of infrastructure such as life support and exercise equipment.

Superalloy Casting Module (Turbine SCM): The Turbine SCM hardware was installed into the Basic ExPRESS Rack-9B and the crew connected power, data and MTL connections. The hardware was then activated.  The Turbine SCM is a small module that allows manufacturing of single-piece turbine blisk (blade/disk combination) in microgravity for commercial use on Earth. If successful, single-piece turbine blisks manufactured on ISS are expected to have lower part mass, less residual stress, and higher fatigue strength than those produced on Earth.

Systems:

Safety Video Survey: The crew took video of the interior volume of station which will allow ground teams to assess the current vehicle configuration and to identify any areas of concern related to ventilation blockage, flammability hazards, emergency egress paths, access to fire ports, and safety equipment, etc. The Safety Video Survey is performed approximately every 6 months.

Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Brine Filter Changeout: As part of regular maintenance, the crew completed a Brine Filter Changeout to R&R the UPA Brine Filter today. Brine filters are replaced every 60 days. This was followed by a drain and fill of the installed Recycle Tank via the UPA Fill Drain Valve.

Crew Dragon On-Board Training (OBT): The crew completed a Crew Dragon emergency departure, depress, and fire response contingencies OBT. The crew routinely completes emergency OBTs in order to maintain their proficiency in the event of an ISS or crewed vehicle contingency.

Urine Transfer System (UTS) Backup EDV Inspection: Based on ground transfers and UPA processing, ground teams believe there is air entering the UTS system and requested the crew to inspect the backup EDV to determine the health of the EDV and likelihood of it causing air ingestion into the system.

Completed Task List Activities:

  • None

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

  • Atmosphere Revitalization System (ARS) Four Bed CO2 Scrubber Deactivation
  • ECLSS UPA Brine Filter R&R Support
  • ARS Node 3 Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Activation
  • Automated Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Selection (ATS) Pre-positioned Load (PPL) Loading

Look Ahead Plan

Tuesday, January 4 (GMT 4)
Payloads:

  • Airborne Particulate Monitor data transfer (NASA)
  • Cytoskeleton sample insert (ESA)
  • ELF Bypass cable connect (JAXA)
  • ESA-EPO Uberflieger (ESA)
  • Express Rack 8 J77 cable install (NASA)
  • ISS HAM Pass (NASA)
  • Repository urine and blood collect (NASA)
  • Retina subject session (ESA)
  • Phospho-Aging inserts (JAXA)
  • RR-18 resupply (NASA)
  • SAMS Screen clean (NASA)

Systems:

  • On-orbit Hearing Assessment (OOHA)
  • Health Maintenance System (HMS) Venous Thromboembolism Scan
  • On Board Training (OBT) ROBoT T&C Self Study
  • HMS Optical Coherence Tomography 2 (OCT2) Exam

Wednesday, January 5 (GMT 5)
Payloads:

  • Anita-2 Hardware install (ESA)
  • Biomole Sequencing part 3 (NASA)
  • FBCE checkout (NASA)
  • Food Acceptability (NASA)
  • Mochii Hardware Audit (NASA)
  • MPEP Capture Mechanism install (NASA)
  • Plant Hab-05 Harvest (NASA)
  • Repository Urine collect and blood setup (NASA)
  • CIR Manifold 4 bottle change (NASA) 

Systems:

  • EICL Hard Drive Replace
  • HMS Venous Thromboembolism Scan
  • Environmental Health System (EHS) – Surface Sampler Kit (SSK) and Microbial Air Sampler (MAS) Analysis 

Thursday, January 6 (GMT 6)
Payloads:

  • Acoustic Monitor Measurement (ESA)
  • AstroPi Mk2 Deployment (ESA)
  • MVP-Plant-01 Removal (NASA)
  • Plant Hab-05 Harvest (NASA)
  • RR-18 Restock and access unit clean (NASA)
  • Repository Blood and urine collect (NASA)
  • Food Physiology Brief (NASA)

Systems:

  • OBT ROBoT T&C Self Study
  • Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Initiation
  • JEM Stowage Consolidation

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

  • Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Brine Filter Changeout
  • Turbine-Superalloy Casting Module (T-SCM) Installation
  • BioMole MELFI Retrieve
  • Environmental Health System BioMole Part 1
  • EXPRESS Rack9B Payload MTL Flow Rate Adjust
  • Turbine-Superalloy Casting Module (T-SCM) Activation
  • Environmental Health System BioMole Part 2
  • Long-duration Crew Compensation
  • Space Automated Bioproduct Lab, Hard Drive Swap
  • EasyMotion Power Box charge
  • SoundSee Data Collection 3 Ops
  • Columbus cabin cargo and photo audit
  • KTO Trash Audit
  • Backup EDV inspection
  • Plant Habitat-05 Experiment Plate Photos
  • Vacuum System Lab Port 4 Swap
  • Polar Desiccant Swap
  • SERFE Water Sampling for Post Flight Analysis
  • SERFE CWC-I Remove and Replace
  • SpX-CREW DRAGON Free-Flight Fire Response Refresher
  • SpX-CREW DRAGON Free-Flight Depress Response Refresher
  • ISS SAFETY VIDEO
  • SpX-CREW DRAGON Emergency Departure Refresher
  • Retrieve Med Reservoir from cold stowage
  • Med Reservoir insertion into Biolab Glovebox for thawing
  • BioMole MELFI Insert
  • EasyMotion Suit stow
  • Phospho-Aging Generic MELFI Sample Retrieval And Insertion Operations
  • PMM1P1 Audit
  • HRF Generic MELFI Sample Retrieval and Insertion Operations
  • Russian Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Transfer
  • Crew Alternate Sleep Accommodation (CASA) Keep-Out Zone (KOZ) & Door Stop Check