Expedition 68 Thread

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/ISS_Research/status/1615412269281869824

Space Station Seed Studies Cultivate Student Scientists
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/benefits/space-station-seed-studies-cultivate-student-scientists

[ddspaceman]

Crew Works on Spacewalk Preparations and Science Hardware


Mark Garcia Posted on January 17, 2023

Spacewalk preparations are continuing aboard the International Space Station as the Expedition 68 crew ensures the operations of research hardware in microgravity.

Flight Engineers Nicole Mann of NASA and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are scheduled for their first spacewalk together at the end of the week. The astronauts spent a couple of hours on Tuesday morning reviewing procedures they will use to install power upgrades hardware that will ready the orbiting lab for its next roll-out solar array on a future spacewalk.

The duo will set their Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), or spacesuits, to battery power at 8:15 a.m. EST on Friday signifying the beginning of their spacewalk. Mann and Wakata are expected to work outside in the vacuum of space for about six-and-a-half hours on the starboard side of the space station’s truss structure.

Mann wrapped up her day removing a small satellite deployer from inside the Kibo laboratory module’s airlock. Wakata began his day demonstrating simple space physics experiments for children on Earth before finally calibrating components inside the Combustion Integrated Rack.

NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio spent Tuesday morning tending to research samples and servicing a variety of science gear. Rubio started the day in the Destiny laboratory module nourishing samples and cleaning hardware for a study exploring ways to heal bone conditions on and off the Earth. Rubio then spent the afternoon inside the Columbus laboratory module connecting communications and networking hardware.

NASA astronaut Josh Cassada watered tomato plants growing for the Veg-05 space botany study. Cassada ended his day gathering hardware and setting up Kibo’s Life Science Glovebox for upcoming operations for the bone condition study.

Prokopyev and Petelin spent Tuesday working inside a pair Progress resupply ships on both cargo transfers and air and water tank maintenance. Roscosmos Flight Engineer Anna Kikina worked inside the Zarya module replacing electronics hardware.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2023/01/17/crew-works-on-spacewalk-preparations-and-science-hardware/

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/Space_Station/status/1615489471620984833

[ddspaceman]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/13/2023


Bill Keeter Posted on January 13, 2023

Payloads:

Actiwatch Plus (AWP): The crew connected the AWP devices to a Human Research Facility (HRF) Rack 1 Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub to charge them and transfer data for subsequent downlink. The Actiwatch is a waterproof, non-intrusive, sleep-wake activity monitor worn on the wrist of a crewmember. It contains a miniature uniaxial accelerometer that produces a signal as the subject moves. The data is stored in non-volatile memory within the Actiwatch until they are downloaded for analysis.

HRF Veggie: Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaires were completed by the crew. The Pick-and-Eat Salad-Crop Productivity, Nutritional Value, and Acceptability to Supplement the ISS Food System investigation is a phased research project that includes Veg-04A, Veg-04B, Veg-05, and HRF Veg including HRF Veggie POMS questionnaires. This work addresses the need for a system to produce healthy, fresh food on future long-duration exploration missions to supplement the standard pre-packaged astronaut diet. HRF Veg uses psychological surveys and crew evaluations of the flavor and appeal of plants grown for other investigations on the ISS to focus on the overall behavioral health benefits to crew members of having various plants and fresh food in space.

SpaceDuino: The SpaceDuino hardware was removed and prepared for return to the ground. Science activities for this experiment have been previously completed. SpaceDuino studies the technical capabilities and economic benefit of off-the-shelf hardware and open-source software in microgravity. Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other single board computers have increased in computational power, reliability, and availability while decreasing in cost. Paired with features such as low-voltage sensors and wireless communication, these systems can provide low-cost data acquisition and control, increasing opportunities for microgravity-based research and allowing for more efficient use of resources.

Systems:

USOS Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation Activities: In preparation for the upcoming 1A ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) Prep EVA scheduled for January 20th, the crew completed Robotics On-Board Trainer (ROBoT) self-study, On-Board Training (OBT) for the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Enhanced Caution and Warning System (ECWS), completed EVA Procedure Review, Portable Onboard Computers (POC) Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) Software Review, and Virtual Reality Training (VRT) for EVA Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER). The main goal of this EVA is to route cables on two mod kits and install the 1A Mod Kit on the 1A Solar Array Wing (SAW) Mast Canister to prepare these SAWs for future IROSA installations.

In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace (R&R): Today, the crew conducted routine maintenance to R&R the WHC UR and IF. As part of 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. The UR On-orbit Replacement Unit (ORU) consists of a replaceable Russian-supplied funnel, urine hose, and a receptacle switch for turning the WHC on/off and the associated wiring.

Health Maintenance System (HMS) Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test: The crew performed a monthly WinSCAT test. The test is a screen tool developed by NASA to monitor astronauts and their neuro-cognitive status while in space and alert NASA flight surgeons to any accuracy or reaction time changes in an astronaut’s performance. WinSCAT tests working memory, computational skills, attention, visual tracking, and spatial processing.

Completed Task List Activities:

    N/A

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

    SDMS Data Dump
    BCDU Firmware Load [Active]
    PRO MSRR Deactivation Commanding
    LSR Valve Check
    EVA Procedure Conference

[ddspaceman]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/16/2023


Bill Keeter Posted on January 16, 2023

Payloads:

Human Research Facility (HRF) Veggie: Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaires were completed by the crew. The Pick-and-Eat Salad-Crop Productivity, Nutritional Value, and Acceptability to Supplement the ISS Food System (Veggie) investigation is a phased research project that includes Veg-04A, Veg-04B, Veg-05, and HRF Veg including HRF Veggie POMS questionnaires. This work addresses the need for a system to produce healthy, fresh food on future long-duration exploration missions to supplement the standard pre-packaged astronaut diet. HRF Veggie uses psychological surveys and crew evaluations of the flavor and appeal of plants grown for other investigations on the ISS to focus on the overall behavioral health benefits to crew members of having various plants and fresh food in space.

JAXA Try Zero-G for Asia: The crew reviewed the procedures and prepared the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) area for the experiment. JAXA hosts several Educational Payload Operation (EPO) investigations designed to attract public attention for Japanese manned spaceflight activities. The Try Zero-G for Asia is an EPO investigation consisting of several activities in KIBO, the Japanese experiment module on the ISS. Crew members conduct several small experiments submitted by students in countries in the Asia-Pacific region to demonstrate the effects of microgravity.

Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation-Asymmetric Sawtooth and Cavity-Enhanced Nucleation-Driven Transport (PFMI-ASCENT): A damaged thermocouple was repaired on a science ampoule, and the ampoule was installed into PFMI-ASCENT for a subsequent science run. PFMI-ASCENT demonstrates a passive cooling system for electronic devices in microgravity using a microstructured surface. When fluids boil over flat heated surfaces in microgravity, vapor bubbles grow larger in size, causing poor heat transfer that can lead to damage of devices. Adding microscopic ratchets on the surface may passively enable mobility of vapor bubbles and prevent this damage.

Veg-05: The young plants growing in the two Veggie facilities were inspected, watered if necessary, and photographed. The experiment is growing Red Robin dwarf tomatoes for a little over 3 months and will perform multiple harvests of the fruits produced. The Veg-05 investigation is the next step in efforts to address the need for a continuous fresh-food production system in space.

Systems:

USOS Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation Activities: In preparation for the upcoming 1A ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) Prep EVA scheduled for January 20th, the crew assembled the IROSA Mod Kit Lower Left Strut and Lower Right Strut, as well as the Center Mast Canister Pad onto the Right Upper Strut. In addition, the crew familiarized themselves with the ISS Power Augmentation (IPA) Mod Kit components and mechanisms, prepared the Mod Kit bag, and completed an EVA Procedure Conference. The main goal of this EVA is to route cables on two mod kits and install the 1A Mod Kit on the 1A Solar Array Wing (SAW) Mast Canister to prepare these SAWs for future IROSA installations.

Columbus Local Area Network (LAN) Switch (CLSW2) Installation: Today, the crew removed CLSW2 MkI and installed CLSW2 MkII in ongoing efforts to modernize the Columbus Data Management System (DMS). Following this, the crew installed the CLSW2 MkII Patch Panels in the Starboard Endcone Area and established redundant connections between the Configuration Management Unit (CMAU) and the European IP Communication Laptop (EICL V4) to Patch Panel 2.2. This supports systems, subsystems, and payloads for communication in the Columbus module.

Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain, Remove and Replace (R&R): Today, the crew set up the recycle tank to drain via the Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Fill Drain Valve into the Brine EDV using the Urine Transfer System (UTS). Following the setup, the ground performed the tank drain using the UTS. Once the ground specialists completed the transfer, the crew verified the recycle tank was empty, terminated the drain, and swapped the EDV in the offload EDV spot of the UTS. The crew then removed the empty recycle tank and installed a new one.

Completed Task List Activities:

    WHC KTO Replace

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

    RFID Reader Inhibit
    PFMI Ampoule 3 Repair
    ECLSS Recycle Tank Drain Support
    PRO CIR Activation Commanding

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1615726018806910977

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1615737449136676864

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/ISS_Research/status/1615751463522955271

[ddspaceman]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/17/2023


Bill Keeter Posted on January 17, 2023

Payloads:

Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR): Preparations were made to support a Fuel Oxidizer Management Assembly (FOMA) calibration. The FOMA calibration is performed periodically and helps to verify accurate readings from the various measurement systems in the CIR. The CIR facility includes an optics bench, combustion chamber, fuel, and oxidizer control, and five different cameras for performing combustion investigations in microgravity. Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) is a hardware insert for the CIR that enables a wide range of solid-material combustion and fire suppression studies.

JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer-24 (J-SSOD-24): Following the successful deployment of the satellites on January 6th, the J-SSOD launcher hardware was removed from the JEM airlock slide table and stowed. J-SSOD provides a novel and safe small satellite launching capability for the ISS. The J-SSOD is a unique satellite launcher, handled by the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), which provides containment and deployment mechanisms for several individual small satellites.

JAXA Try Zero-G for Asia: The crew performed several experiments for the student community observing from the ground. JAXA hosts several Educational Payload Operation (EPO) investigations designed to attract public attention for Japanese manned spaceflight activities. The Try Zero-G for Asia is an EPO investigation consisting of several activities in KIBO, the Japanese experiment module on the ISS. Crew members conduct several small experiments submitted by students in countries in the Asia-Pacific region to demonstrate the effects of microgravity.

Veg-05: The plants growing in the two Veggie facilities were inspected, watered if necessary, and photographed. The experiment is growing Red Robin dwarf tomatoes for a little over 3 months and will perform multiple harvests of the fruits produced. The Pick-and-Eat Salad-Crop Productivity, Nutritional Value, and Acceptability to Supplement the ISS Food System (Veg-05) investigation is the next step in efforts to address the need for a continuous fresh-food production system in space.

Systems:

USOS Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation Activities: In preparation for the upcoming 1A ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) Prep EVA scheduled for January 20th, the crew completed EVA procedure review and Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cuff Checklist Incorporation. The main goal of this EVA is to route cables on two mod kits and install the 1A Mod Kit on the 1A Solar Array Wing (SAW) Mast Canister to prepare these SAWs for future IROSA installations.

Columbus Local Area Network (LAN) Switch (CLSW2) Installation: Today, the crew finalized Patch Panels 2.1 and 2.2 connections in the Starboard Endcone Area, then swapped and connected the AstroPI IR LAN Cable to Patch Panel 2.2 in ongoing efforts to modernize the Columbus Data Management System (DMS). The crew then disconnected the ICE Cubes Facility (ICF) LAN from the Columbus Payloads LAN Switch (CPLSW) and ICF and swapped to a longer cable. This supports systems, subsystems, and payloads for communication in the Columbus module.

Crew Dragon Seat Liner Installation Preparation: Today, the crew gathered tools in preparation for the transfer of a seat liner from 68S Soyuz to Crew-5 Dragon. The seat liner transfer is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18th to provide additional occupant protection in Dragon following the 68S thermal loop leak anomaly. The seat liner will be transferred back to the Russian Segment after a replacement Soyuz is launched and this temporary configuration is no longer required. Each Soyuz crewmember has a custom molded seat liner that protects the crew during launch, reentry, and landing.

Completed Task List Activities:

    N/A

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

    JEM Airlock Pressurization
    IONET Preventative Maintenance
    CHeCS Commanding/Data Downlink
    CCS MT DBCL Dump
    SPDM Unstow [Active]

[ddspaceman]

NASA Astronauts Complete Seat Liner Move


Mark Garcia Posted on January 18, 2023

On Jan. 17, NASA Flight Engineer Josh Cassada, with assistance from NASA Flight Engineer Nicole Mann, worked inside the SpaceX Dragon Endurance crew ship collecting tools and readying the spacecraft for a seat liner move. The seat liner move, completed today, Jan. 18, ensures NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio will be able to return to Earth in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation from the International Space Station. Rubio originally launched to the station with cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin aboard the Soyuz MS-22 crew ship on Sept. 21, 2022. The change allows for increased crew protection by reducing the heat load inside the MS-22 spacecraft for Prokopyev and Petelin in case of an emergency return to Earth.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2023/01/18/nasa-astronauts-complete-seat-liner-move/

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/Space_Station/status/1615774600738254848

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/arstechnica/status/1615890095533441025

[ddspaceman]

GT: 📢 Kibo Utilization Symposium 2023
This year, when Japan announced its participation in the extension of the ISS operation, Kibo, which will produce many results, will be required to prepare for the post-ISS visit, and the use of "Kibo" will advance to a new stage.
This time, we will be holding a symposium with an online pre-special program and hybrid!

https://twitter.com/JAXA_Kiboriyo/status/1607232361162313730

[ddspaceman]

GT: I'm Okazaki, and I'm in charge of SPySE (Small Payload Support Equipment). SPySE was developed as an experiment support device that can simultaneously conduct multiple small experiments to improve the usability of the medium-sized exposure experiment adapter i-SEEP (IVA-replaceable Small Exposed Experiment Platform).

The small experimental equipment that can be implemented with SPySE has a configuration that can be installed as much as possible in the available area as a Cubesat 1U to 3U size class, and is a specification that provides a power supply / communication environment with the general USB standard.

https://twitter.com/JAXA_Kiboriyo/status/1615890576590934016

[ddspaceman]

Crew Ready for Spacewalk and Conducts Biology, Physics Research


Mark Garcia Posted on January 19, 2023

The first spacewalk of 2023 will begin on Friday to continue upgrading the International Space Station’s power generation system. The Expedition 68 crew members finalized preparations today for the excursion while continuing advanced space research and orbital lab maintenance.

Astronauts Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Nicole Mann of NASA are due to spend about six-and-a-half hours working outside the station during a spacewalk on Friday. The two flight engineers will turn the batteries on inside their Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), or spacesuits, at 8:15 a.m. EST signifying the start of a six-and-a-half hour spacewalk. The duo will work on the far end of the station’s starboard truss structure in their EMUs and install a modification kit enabling the future installation of a roll-out solar array. NASA TV, on the agency’s app and website, will begin its live spacewalk coverage at 7 a.m.

Wakata and Mann were joined on Thursday by NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio for final spacewalk preparations. The two spacewalkers along with Rubio staged tools and hardware inside the Quest airlock during the morning. The trio then spent the afternoon reviewing spacewalk steps and procedures before readying the two spacesuits for operations.

NASA Flight Engineer Josh Cassada focused on science activities throughout Thursday conducting biology and physics research. Cassada began his day in the Kibo laboratory module setting up the Life Science Glovebox to observe biological samples and explore new ways to heal bone conditions on and off the Earth. In the afternoon, he moved over to the Destiny laboratory module exchanging samples inside the Materials Science Research Rack for a study exploring semiconductor crystal growth in space.

The orbiting lab’s three cosmonauts kept up their schedule of ongoing microgravity research and lab upkeep on Thursday. Commander Sergey Prokopyev packed the ISS Progress 81 resupply ship with trash and discarded gear before more conducting more tests on a 3-D printer monitoring the device for excessive noise. Flight Engineer Dmitri Petelin spent all day Thursday servicing life support hardware and electronics gear. Flight Engineer Anna Kikina began her day with a hearing assessment then checked radiation detectors before finally studying future spacecraft and robotic piloting techniques on a computer.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2023/01/19/crew-ready-for-spacewalk-and-conducts-biology-physics-research/

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/Space_Station/status/1616149269370798080

(Jan. 13, 2023) --- Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) wears virtual reality goggles and practices for the unlikely emergency scenario of becoming untethered from the International Space Station during a spacewalk. The virtual training familiarizes astronauts with operating the jet pack attached to their Extravehicular Mobility Units, or spacesuits, to safely return to the orbiting lab in the event they become detached during a spacewalk. The jet pack is also known by its longer name Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue, or SAFER.

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/ISS_Research/status/1616181891681628160

[ddspaceman]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/18/2023


Bill Keeter Posted on January 18, 2023

Payloads:

Device for the study of Critical Liquids and Crystallization (DECLIC): The crew removed the Directional Solidification Insert (DSI) from the DECLIC facility and installed the Analyse des Liquides Critiques dans l’Espace (ALICE)-Like Insert (ALI). ALI studies sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) near its critical point. The DECLIC facility experienced thermal control issues late last year which will need to be worked through before science activities can begin. DECLIC is a multi-user facility developed by the agency Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (French Space Agency, CNES) flown in collaboration with NASA. It is designed to support experiments in the fields of fluid physics and materials science.

Veg-05: The plants growing in the two Veggie facilities were inspected, watered as necessary, and photographed. The experiment is growing Red Robin dwarf tomatoes for a little over 3 months and will perform multiple harvests of the fruits produced. The Pick-and-Eat Salad-Crop Productivity, Nutritional Value, and Acceptability to Supplement the ISS Food System (Veg-05) investigation is the next step in efforts to address the need for a continuous fresh-food production system in space.

Systems:

Crew Dragon Seat Liner Installation: Today, the crew completed the transfer of a seat liner from 68S Soyuz to Crew-5 Dragon to provide additional occupant protection in Dragon following the 68S thermal loop leak anomaly. The crew then performed a fit check of the newly installed seat liner and reviewed updated roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency. After a replacement Soyuz is launched (69S) and this temporary configuration is no longer required, the seat liner will be transferred back to the Russian Segment and installed in 69S. Each Soyuz crewmember has a custom molded seat liner that protects the crew during launch, reentry, and landing.

On-orbit Hearing Assessment (OOHA) with KUDUwave Software Setup and Test: The crew performed a hearing test using an OOHA Headset and KUDUwave software. The assessment measures hearing function while crewmembers are exposed to noise and microgravity during long-duration spaceflight.

USOS Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation Activities: In preparation for the upcoming 1A ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) Prep EVA scheduled for January 20th, the crew configured the EVA Manovacuometer. This was configured inside the Crewlock to monitor pressure readings during depressurizations related to the EVA. The main goal of this EVA is to route cables on two mod kits and install the 1A Mod Kit on the 1A Solar Array Wing (SAW) Mast Canister to prepare these SAWs for future IROSA installations.

Completed Task List Activities:

    N/A

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

    Update Cisco APG Voice Gateway Device IOS
    PRO CHeCS Commanding
    Crew Dragon Awake Mode [Active]
    PPS SARJ Lock
    SDMS Activation
    Crew Dragon Systems Checkout

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/NASAUniverse/status/1616161833345339393

[ddspaceman]

https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1616200356748267521