There's an interesting Russian-German experiment (PK-3+) being prepared in the Russian Section, noted in this week's Status Reports:
FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko continued preparations for operating the Russian/German TEKh-20 Plasma Crystal-3 Plus (PK-3+) experiment payload. [After unstowing and setting up the hardware yesterday in the Service Module (SM), leak checking of the electronics box and evacuation of the vacuum work chamber (ZB) in the SM Work Compartment (RO) with the turbopump, Malenchenko today conducted more hardware testing and calibration, uploaded new software from a USB stick, checked out the software installation and verified the readiness of the experiment. After starting the turbo pump right after wake-up and conducting additional leak checking on the ZB during the “day”, the FE-1 deactivated the turbopump this morning at ~4:55am EDT. The resulting log file was then downloaded to laptop for downlink via BSR-TM. The experiment is performed on plasma, i.e., fine particles charged and excited by HF (high frequency) radio power inside the evacuated work chamber. Main objective is to obtain a homogeneous plasma dust cloud at various pressures and particle quantities with or without superimposition of an LF (low frequency) harmonic electrical field. The experiment is conducted in automated mode. PK-3+ has more advanced hardware and software than the previously used Russian PKE-Nefedov payload.]
Also, FSL continues to give problems and it appears reconfiguring the LAN cable has been unsuccessful. I suppose this is a fluid situation, but no further action is expected till next week, and no new hardware will be brought up before 124/1J... I guess GeoFlow will have to wait
Columbus FSL Update: Ground teams have attempted another FSL (Fluid Science Laboratory) troubleshooting by swapping to the redundant Bus (MIL Bus B) and activating the FSL ISPR (International Standard Payload Rack). However, voltage and amperage checks during the RPDA (Remote Power Distribution Assembly) activation were off-nominal. Any further troubleshooting activities are on hold until next week, after the 1J/A joint mission. A new connector for FSL will be flown on Flight 1J (not on Soyuz 16S).
Nice addition there, I hadn't spotted that one
Today I bring another summary of this week's ISS science from today's Status Report:
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Weekly Science Update (Expedition Sixteen -- Week 23)
ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS): Radiation measurements continue to be performed in the PIRS module. Radiation measurements continue to be performed in the PIRS module.
ANITA: Completed.
BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test 3): Reserve.
CARDIOCOG-2: Completed.
CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS): Reserve.
CFE (Capillary Flow Experiment): Reserve.
CSI-2/CGBA (CGBA Science Insert #2/Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus): Two sides of first Silicate Garden complete with students analyzing data in their classrooms currently, and two Petri Dish runs complete but with no results. The Petri Dish installed during 1JA joint ops contains two small tomato plants as seen in the downlinked images with a possible third new one. This Petri Dish will remain in place until 1J when it will be returned for analysis of plant material.
CGBA-2 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 2): Complete.
CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2): In progress.
EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students): Complete.
ELITE-S2 (Elaboratore Immagini Televisive - Space 2): Planned.
EPO (Educational Payload Operations): Reserve.
ETD (Eye Tracking Device): Last session (4th) is currently planned just before Soyuz docked Ops.
EuTEF (European Technology Exposure Facility): The EuTEF platform power feeders have been successfully de-activated/re-activated in conjunction with the EVA-3 and EVA-5 on 3/18 and 3/23, respectively. On 3/24, a graceful shutdown was performed after off-nominal and incoherent telemetry readings. EuTEF is nominal since then. - DEBIE-2: the instrument showed regular link errors. Currently powered off; - DOSTEL: On-going science acquisition; - EuTEMP: Currently inactive as planned; - EVC: after a successful commissioning, we encountered some difficulty to get nominal images acquisition. Under investigation if the problem comes from EVC itself or from the Columbus High Rate Multiplexer; Currently powered off; - EXPOSE: On-going science acquisition; - FIPEX: FIPEX showed Link Errors and was further troubleshooted this week; tests are on-going and basic science measurements are collected; - MEDET: On-going science acquisition; - PLEGPAY: The first long-duration (100 hrs) experiment has been started on 3/26; Currently powered on; - TRIBOLAB: in Stand-by mode, awaiting to start science acquisition after ATV docking on 4/3; Currently powered on.
Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL): The FSL Facility is awaiting further troubleshooting after 1J/A departure.
GEOFLOW: On 3/25, the FSL VMU (Video Management Unit) Optical Fibre has been tested and is fully functional. The FSL commissioning will continue in the next coming weeks. FSL LAN and MIL bus repair activities have been postponed until after 1J/A mission. Start of GEOFLOW is pending further FSL troubleshooting/commissioning activities.
IMMUNO (Neuroendocrine & Immune Responses in Humans During & After Long Term Stay at ISS): Blood and urine samples of first session have been downloaded on STS-123 (1J/A). Second session is currently planned during Soyuz docked Ops.
InSPACE-2 (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2): In progress.
Integrated Immune: “Peggy, thank you for unstowing Garrett’s saliva kit and having it ready for him to begin his collections. Garrett, we appreciate your efforts during your early increment Integrated Immune session.”
KUBIK-FM1/ KUBIK-FM2 Centrifuge/Incubators: Completed.
LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System): Complete.
MISSE (Materials ISS Experiment): Ongoing.
MTR-2 (Russian radiation measurements): Passive dosimeters measurements in DC1 “Pirs”.
MULTIGEN-1: Completed.
MSG-SAME (Microgravity Science Glovebox): Complete.
NOA-2 (Nitric Oxide Analyzer): Planned.
NUTRITION/REPOSITORY: Planned.
PMDIS (Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space): Complete.
SAMS/MAMS (Space & Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems): Ongoing.
SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight): “Peggy, we have placed on your task list next week the next Sleep download activity. During this activity you will be changing the battery in your Actiwatch as well as downloading and initializing 1J/A FE-2 and your Actiwatches. You will also change the battery and initialize an Actiwatch for the South-Korean SFP (KARI Space Flight Participant). Thanks for your participation.”
SOLAR (Solar Monitoring Observatory): Anomaly on platform Sun pointing mode under further investigation: no science acquisition possible so far. However, calibration runs of SOLSPEC spectral lamps have been performed on 3/26 and 3/27. On 3/27, SOLAR went unexpectedly in stand-by mode, but has been fully recovered. The calibration run on 3/27 will have to be repeated.
SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite): In progress.
Swab (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft): Complete.
TRAC (Test of Reaction & Adaptation Capabilities): Planned.
ULTRASOUND: “Peggy, thank you for moving and checking out the Ultrasound – we were VERY excited to see if functioning nominally!”
WAICO #1 (Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels): The 4 ECs (Experiment Containers) from Rotor A (0-g condition) transfer from BIOLAB TCU#1 (Temperature Control Unit 1) to MERLIN (Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator II) cooler unit has been successfully performed on 3/24. The MERLIN temperature was monitored on a daily basis and was very stable. These 4 ECs have been downloaded on STS-123 (1J/A) and currently shipped to Germany. The 4 ECs of Rotor B are yet to be retrieved by the crew from the blocked Rotor B. BIOLAB anomalies encountered during WAICO-Run#1 imply major impact on science return.
CEO (Crew Earth Observation): Ongoing.
CEO photo targets (for discretionary picture taking) uplinked for today were Spider Impact Crater, W Australia (this 13-km-wide crater is old [>570 million years]. A comprehensive search of the CEO database shows no handheld images), Hyderabad, India (looking immediately left for this important city of 6.7 million. Visual cue is the dark line of the river that runs through the city. Trying to shoot the diffuse urban boundary), Somalia Coast (CEO observers are documenting longer term changes of vegetation in this semi desert. Shooting a swath following the coast. Vegetation seems to green and die off in concert with multi-year El Niños), and Kwanza Basin, Angola (a mapping swath under track was requested to document new economic development as oil wealth streams into Angola. Looking for linear features such as railroads, highways, and power lines).
CEO photography can be studied at this “Gateway” website: http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov (as of 3/1/08, this database contained 757,605 views of the Earth from space, with 314,000 from the ISS alone).
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Worth noting is EuTEF is coming to terms finally after the problems it encountered, and is starting to actively acquire science as it was designed to, even though not all the experiments are yet functioning nominally. Also, FSL appears to be promisingly advancing, once the crew can get some time to install the LAN. SOLAR is also advancing, but less determinedly, as there are serious issues with sun-pointing yet. Finally, there's a note concerning WAICO, which although having successfully been brought down to Earth, probably won't give much science return because of BioLab's problems.
And I have a question: what exactly do they mean when they list an experiment as "reserve"?
I finally got some time to watch the Exp16-to-Exp17 press briefings, and specifically I caught some interesting science updates. I took some notes of the more interesting facts:
rvastro - 5/4/2008 11:08 PMIn reading this thread, maybe someone should send it to a certian Nobel prize winning physicist; who in so many words said that there is no "real" significant science being done on ISS.
Kel - 5/4/2008 9:50 PM Thanks for posting all of the science that is being done - are results or data of what they are finding posted anywhere? I know the Salmonella experiment from STS-115 was written up and published independently (sorry, forgot where), but I haven't heard about what they are discovering with most of the experiments.
I have found this list of the publications concerning experiments on the ISS:
I suppose to access most of these publications you need to be subscribed or buy the paper version. Some of them are results published in conferences.
Apart from this, we have another Weekly update released, as well as some info concerning the newly delivered Cell Wall / Resist Wall Japanese experiment, which apparently is not working correctly. Not sure if this has to do with the EMCS in BioLab (remember WAICO also had problems) or with the experiment itself:
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FE-2 Reisman worked on the EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System) to check out the various connections associated with the facility’s water flow system. The Japanese CW/RW (Cell Wall/Resist Wall) experiment is not working as planned, and troubleshooting will hopefully find the root cause of this problem and get the plants watered and growing. [CW/RW operates in the EMCS facility in eight special ECs (Experiment Containers) which Garrett recently (3/30) installed on the centrifuges of the facility. The EMCS rack contains two rotating centrifuges that can support a wide range of small plant & animal experiments under partial gravity conditions. On Rotor A, the new ECs for CW/RW are EC92 in position A1, EC95 at A2, EC94 at A3, EC96 at A4, on Rotor B - EC97 in position B1, EC99 at B2, EC98 at B3, and EC100 at B4. The removed ECs were stowed.]
Weekly Science Update (Expedition Sixteen -- Week 24)
ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS): Radiation measurements continue to be performed in the DC1/PIRS module. Card replacement performed on 3/31. Photos were taken by the crew of potential ALTCRISS FGB location for Inc17.
CSI-2/CGBA (CGBA Science Insert #2/Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus): In progress.
EuTEF (European Technology Exposure Facility): In progress.
GEOFLOW: Planned.
IMMUNO (Neuroendocrine & Immune Responses in Humans During & After Long Term Stay at ISS): Second session is currently planned for 4/12 through 4/15.
NUTRITION/REPOSITORY: “Garrett, thank you for your attention to detail in completing your FD15 Nutrition/Repository session within timeline constraints! We appreciate your efforts and participation.”
SAMPLE: Last crew sampling session is currently planned for 4/7.
SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight): “Peggy, thanks for downloading 1 J/A FE2 and your Actiwatches, as well as initializing the KARI SFP Actiwatch. You also completed your last targeted week of sleep logging. Your only remaining scheduled activity is downloading all three Actiwatches and doffing your and KARI SFP Actiwatches. Thanks for all your additional sleep logging. The PI greatly appreciates it.” “Garrett, you have competed your first two Sleep activities (Actiwatch Don and 1st download), and are in-process of completing your first week of sleep logging. Thanks for completing these activities. Any additional sleep logging is above and beyond, and the PI will greatly appreciate it.”
SOLAR (Solar Monitoring Observatory): Planned.
WAICO #1 (Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels): Planned.
CEO (Crew Earth Observation): Through 4/1, the ground has received a total of 17,049 ISS CEO images for review and cataloging. Late this week imagery received included sessions with camera times corresponding to the following daily target requests: Lake Eyre, Australia; Patagonian Glaciers; Somalia Coast; Florida Coastal Everglades; Central Arizona-Phoenix; and Madrean Sky Islands, North America. We will be providing feedback on these acquisitions as we work through them in the coming week. This weekend your striking, oblique view of the rugged escarpments, ravines, and peaks of the Semien Mountains of northern Ethiopia will be published on NASA/GSFC’s Earth Observatory site. Your perspective and illumination provides an excellent contextual view of this World Heritage Site.”
No CEO photo targets uplinked for today.
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To sum up, more WAICO runs are planned, and experiments in general appear to be overcoming their former problems. A new location for ALTCRISS (radiation monitoring) in Zarya is under consideration.
Another post to follow, this one is growing too big
Next topic is a summary found in the main ISS Science page (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/index.html ) is the summary of the experiments returned on the Shuttle, both performed during the mission or brought back:
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STS123 1J/A Sortie Science (Science Brought and Returned on the Shuttle) National Lab Pathfinder - Vaccine - 1A (NLP-Vaccine-1A) is a commercial payload serving as a pathfinder for the use of the International Space Station (ISS) as a National Laboratory after ISS assembly is complete. The experiment tests changes caused by spaceflight in Salmonella enterica, a disease-causing organism. The returned samples will be studied for potential use in the development of vaccines against infections on Earth and in microgravity. Microbial Drug Resistance and Virulence (MDRV) is a microbiological experiment designed to evaluate microbial drug resistance and the mechanisms of virulence (infection potential) in bacterial cultures. This study is a direct result from a previous short-duration experiment, Microbe (Effect of Spaceflight on Microbial Gene Expression and Virulence) that flew on STS-115/12A in September 2006, and demonstrated increased virulence in Salmonella bacteria (a leading cause of human gastroenteritis). As part of the Department of Defense Space Test Program, a new payload in the Shuttle's Cargo Bay, RIGEX (Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment), tested and collected data on rigidized structures. Three tubes, initially soft structures are heated then cooled, forming structurally rigid tubes. ISS Commander Peggy Whitson and Mission Specialist Takao Doi conducted a session of the JAXA-EPO (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency - Education Payload Observation) where Doi was photographed unstowing and stowing payload samples from a Cargo Transfer Bag (CTB). JAXA-EPO aims to provide educational activities that will enlighten the general public about microgravity research and human space flight. In support of future exploration missions, some of the Shuttle crew members participated in human studies research. These investigations include: Integrated Immune-SDBI (Validation of Procedures for Monitoring Crew Member Immune Function - Short Duration Biological Investigation) uses blood and saliva samples from the Shuttle crewmembers to assess the clinical risks resulting from the adverse effects of space flight on the human immune system and will validate a flight-compatible immune monitoring strategy. Midodrine-SDBI (Test of Midodrine as a Countermeasure Against Post-Flight Orthostatic Hypotension) tests the performance of medication that helps transition the human body in and out of spaceflight (prevent space motion sickness and counteract low blood pressure and dizziness upon return to Earth). Sleep-Short (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light Exposure During Spaceflight - Short) examines the effects of spaceflight on the sleep-wake cycles of the astronauts during space shuttle missions. Participating crewmembers will wear an Actiwatch monitor that will be track the amount of light exposure and sleep patterns experienced. Science Samples Returned to Earth The Shuttle crew is also bringing home key samples from 5 experiments that were operated onboard ISS. Of these experiments, 2 are sponsored by NASA, 2 are sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) and 1 sponsored by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Nutrition (Nutrition Status Assessment) is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight. SWAB (Surface, Water and Air Biocharacterization) uses advanced molecular techniques to comprehensively evaluate microbes on board the Space Station, including pathogens (organisms that may cause disease). The data tracks changes in the microbial community as spacecraft visit and new modules are added to the Space Station. SWAB (Surface, Water and Air Biocharacterization) investigation examines changes in stress and immune responses, during and after long duration missions on the ISS. Immuno is a cooperative investigation with the ESA. WAICO (Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels) uses Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress) to study circumnutation (bowing or bending of the root tips in different directions) and gravitropism (growth towards or away from gravity) in microgravity. This investigation is sponsored by ESA and was started by Eyharts when he arrived on the ISS. JAXA-3DPC (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency-3D Photon Crystals) examines photonic crystals grown in microgravity using particles in electrolytic solutions that will be fixed using light in a process referred to as photocuring.
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And some interesting images of Garret and Yuri "weighing" themselves in Zvezda (not strictly science, but it's an eye-catching procedure!)
Finally, a big thanks to all who have contributed so far, either with new science additions or with comments, to this thread. For the shy ones who may be reading it, think about jumping in with whatever you find interesting or any question, we'll surely learn something while trying to find the answer!
For the shy ones who may be reading it, think about jumping in with whatever you find interesting or any question, we'll surely learn something while trying to find the answer!
And, as today's BIG update, the science overview (both follow-ons, as has been posted before, and continuing experiments) for the Increment 17 timeframe, both Russian and American. I don't know where the Japanese and European are, if you find them please link to them here!
All this info is inside the Expedition 17 Press Kit , which can be downloaded clicking on the linked words. I'll just list the experiments and comment the ones which I find more interesting... feel free to add anything relevant!
eeergo - 8/4/2008 11:21 AMMimetik-K: Something concerning antibodies... strange translation!
New and interesting updates about scientific experiments aboard ISS: according to yesterday's report, Cell Wall/Resist Wall (talked about in previous posts) is not performing entirely as expected, although it's not clear if this is due to the hardware in BioLab or to the experiment itself:
Garrett continued his support of the Japanese CW/RW (Cell Wall/Resist Wall) experiment in the MSG EMCS (Microgravity Science Glovebox/European Modular Cultivation System), swapping the ECs (Experiment Containers) on rotor A in order to save as much science as possible for CW/RW - which has been having problems with the hydration. [CW/RW operates in the EMCS facility in eight special ECs (Experiment Containers) which Garrett recently (3/30) installed on the centrifuges of the facility. The EMCS rack contains two rotating centrifuges, Rotor A & Rotor B, that can support a wide range of small plant & animal experiments under partial gravity conditions.]
Also, there's some info about So-Yeon Yi's experiments:
So-Yeon Yi’s busy schedule today included work on - KAP02/Identification of fruit fly genes responsive to gravity and responsible for aging (monitoring, video recording, later stowing), KAP04/SFP medical monitoring (taking four measurements of ocular pressure during the day);KAP06/Study of the possibility of using traditional Korean food in onboard food rations (testing during crew Breakfast & Dinner),KAP07/Growth of Zeolite crystals, super crystals, and crystal layers in microgravity (equipment transfer, assembly, setup in SM, activating oven with samples A,B,C, several temperature checks),KAP08/Synthesis of metal-organic porous materials in microgravity (hardware transfer, assembly and setup, installation of first sample, oven activation, and temperature check), KAP09/High-resolution telescope (ELT) and study of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) for next generation telescopes (mounting equipment at SM window 9, activation, video recording, filling out questionnaire, deactivation, gear removal from window), KAP13/Measurements using the South-Korean developed SMMS (Small Mass Measurement System, later termination & cleanup), KAP15/Recording scenes of daily life & activities of the SFP, using Samsung Gx-10 and Samsung NV11 cameras.
So-Yeon Yi’s busy schedule today included work on -
The Russian science program appears to be getting experiments that require more crew input:
Major science activities in the Russian segment (RS) by Kononenko, with Volkov taking photo/video imagery, today focused on the biotechnological experiments BIOEMULSION and PLAZMIDA. [BIOEMULSION (BTKh-14): setting up incubator in Bioreactor, activation of mixing mode for culturing. PLAZMIDA (BIO-8): Removing Recomb-K hardware from KRIOGEM-3 at +37degC, activating mobilization and setting up in KRIOGEM-3M thermostat at +4degC, supported by ground specialist tagup. ] Kononenko transferred a new kit for the “Matryoshka-R” (RBO-3-2) radiation payload suite from Soyuz TMA-12 to the ISS for installation in the RS. [The complex Matryoshka payload suite is designed for sophisticated radiation studies. Three detectors now in use are positioned in spherical “Phantom” containers in the DC1, four in the stbd crew cabin, under the work table, and behind a panel (#327).]
Major science activities in the Russian segment (RS) by Kononenko, with Volkov taking photo/video imagery, today focused on the biotechnological experiments BIOEMULSION and PLAZMIDA. [BIOEMULSION (BTKh-14): setting up incubator in Bioreactor, activation of mixing mode for culturing. PLAZMIDA (BIO-8): Removing Recomb-K hardware from KRIOGEM-3 at +37degC, activating mobilization and setting up in KRIOGEM-3M thermostat at +4degC, supported by ground specialist tagup. ]
Kononenko transferred a new kit for the “Matryoshka-R” (RBO-3-2) radiation payload suite from Soyuz TMA-12 to the ISS for installation in the RS. [The complex Matryoshka payload suite is designed for sophisticated radiation studies. Three detectors now in use are positioned in spherical “Phantom” containers in the DC1, four in the stbd crew cabin, under the work table, and behind a panel (#327).]
And, in the next post I will copy and comment the Weekly Science Update (very interesting this week!) because this present post is growing too long!
Weekly Science Update (Expedition Sixteen -- Week 25)
ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS): Completed. Instrument was relocated to FGB for Inc17 measurements (as Russian experiment) and ALTCRISS was re-activated on 4/8.
CW/CR (Cell Wall/Resist Wall) in EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System) : The CW/RW Experiment Containers located in EMCS EC position A1, A2, B1 and B2 could not be hydrated due to EMCS Water Supply Subsystem problems. Troubleshooting is ongoing.
ETD (Eye Tracking Device): Last session (4th) was successfully performed on 4/6.
EuTEF (European Technology Exposure Facility): EuTEF platform is nominal. DEBIE-2: Link error still under investigation; DOSTEL: On-going science acquisition; EuTEMP: Currently inactive as planned; EVC: so far further troubleshooting could not be performed due to too low EVC temperature; EXPOSE: On-going science acquisition; FIPEX: 6-day measurements period with sensors RAM1, RAM4 and ZENITH8 started on 4/8. On 4/10, the sensors turned off suddenly. Under further investigation; MEDET: On-going science acquisition; PLEGPAY: on 4/10, experiment 1 run was nominally performed; TRIBOLAB: on 4/10 the instrument was commanded in Thermal Stabilisation mode in preparation of the first experiment run. On 4/11, the first TRIBOLAB Pin On Disk (POD1) has been started and will run until Soyuz undock.
Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL): The FSL Facility awaits further troubleshooting after 1J/A departure.
GEOFLOW: Deferred. Start of GEOFLOW is pending further FSL troubleshooting/commissioning activities but is not expected in Inc16 anymore.
IMMUNO (Neuroendocrine & Immune Responses in Humans During & After Long Term Stay at ISS): Second session has currently started, to run from 4/12 through 4/15.
NUTRITION/REPOSITORY: “Peggy, the Nutrition/Repository PI teams want to say thank you for your fantastic support throughout all five sessions and for the addition of the extra tube during this last activity!”
SAMPLE: Last crew sampling session for Inc16 FE-1 Malenchenko was successfully performed on 4/7. Samples were inserted in MELFI Dewar 4.
SOLAR (Solar Monitoring Observatory): On 4/4, SOLAR was commanded to SIMUL-PM (Pointing Mode (SIMUL-PM) using Station Ancillary data to find the Sun to allow science data acquisition. Sun tracking precision has been estimated to be sufficient to perform science measurements. Problems with ancillary data were observed on 4/9. The anomaly is under investigation. SOVIM: Science data acquisition on-going nominally since 4/4; SOLSPEC: To allow for sun tracking precision assessment, sun observations were performed on 4/5 after start of SIMUL-PM mode. Commissioning of instrument has been successfully completed on 4/8 and 4/9. SOLSPEC measurements are planned on 4/14-15 in order to cross-compare with Sun instrument on NASA Sounding Rocket launched on 4/14 (12:58pm EDT); SOLACES: Commissioning completion planned for 4/11. SOLACES measurements are planned on 4/13-14 in order to cross-compare with Sun instrument on NASA Sounding Rocket on 4/17 (12:58pm).
CEO (Crew Earth Observation): Through 4/8 the ground has received a total of 17,604 ISS CEO images for review and cataloging. Late this week imagery received included sessions with camera times corresponding to the following daily target requests: Teide Volcano, Canary Islands; Volcan Colima, Mexico; Afar Rift Zone, Ethiopia; Calcutta India; and East Haruj Megafans, Libya. The ground specialists will provide feedback on these acquisitions as they work through them in the coming week. “Feedback on last week’s acquisitions includes: Lake Eyre, Australia – excellent coverage, best in many months, suggests moist conditions are returning; Somalia Coast – excellent mapping pass – dry conditions persist as expected – all requirement for this target have been met; Central Arizona-Phoenix – well-focused imagery of much of this target was acquired, but more nadir-looking views will be requested in the future; and the Madrean Sky Islands, northern Mexico – we will continue to work with you to help recognize and acquire imagery of these features. Your recent image of the bizarre landscape of the western Saudi Arabian lava field know as the Harrat Khaybar will be published on NASA/GSFC’s Earth Observatory site this weekend. Your photo highlights the spectacular landforms, diverse mineralogy, and climate of this volcanic region. Good eye! Thanks for your good imagery response to our target requests. Any additional feedback you find time to provide on this activity would be most welcome!”
CEO photo targets uplinked for today were Eastern Tien Shan Mts., China (regional contextual images of the eastern half of the range were requested. These will assist in gaining more detailed views of permanent ice caps on this range that are being studied for the effects of climate change), South Tibesti Megafans (an extensive network of dry, non-functioning stream channels occupies a large area south of the Tibesti Mts [probably dating from the last wet period in the Sahara Desert ~10, 000 years ago]. These channel networks appear to be good analogs for river-like lines on Mars. Overlapping images right of track on the nearer of two megafans were requested), Sky Islands, northern Mexico/SW USA (the crew was to shoot a mapping swath right of track. “Sky Islands” are the higher elevations of mountains in Mexico’s Sierra Madre ranges and the US Southwest which are cool and moist enough for dense forests to flourish. The forested peaks appear as green “islands” in the deserts, mainly of northern Mexico, but also in the US Southwest. The sky islands boast some of the richest biodiversity anywhere in North America. To start this round of change documentation the ground requested broad views looking right of track), and Sevilleta Wildlife Area, New Mexico (the Sevilleta LTER [Long Term Ecological Research] Project is located about 80 kilometers south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The crew was to shoot a mapping swath just right of track, immediately after the Sky Islands target. The Refuge is of great interest because it falls at the geographic intersection of several major biotic zones: Chihuahuan Desert grassland and shrubland to the south, Great Plains grassland to the north, Piñon-Juniper woodland on the neighboring mountains, Colorado Plateau shrub-steppe to the west, and riverbank vegetation along the middle Rio Grande Valley).
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Basically, they note the problem with CW/RW, there are still some glitches affecting the experiments in EuTEF, but some others are coming online, like Tribolab (Spanish experiment I learned the other day!) GEOFLOW continues to wait until some time can be allocated to FSL troubleshooting (I hope they get time before 1J...)
Apparently, SOLAR's experiment also comprises a ground segment, with sounding rocket launches, I suppose to monitor magnetospheric and space weather activity. Still some glitches with its systems, but the solar tracking precision is considered "sufficient to perform science measurements" Lots of photos for CEO also have been taken this week.