NASA Space Station Status Report 5 July, 2022

Space physics and human research dominated the science agenda aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday. The Expedition 67 crew also reconfigured a U.S. airlock and tested a new 3-D printer.

The lack of gravity in space affects a wide variety of physics unlocking new phenomena that researchers study to improve life for humans on and off the Earth. One such study uses artificial intelligence to adapt complex glass manufacturing processes in microgravity possibly benefitting numerous Earth- and space-based industries. NASA Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren set up hardware for the Intelligent Glass Optics experiment for operations inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox on Tuesday afternoon. Observations from the investigation may advance professions such as communications, aerospace, medicine, and astronomy.

Lindgren also joined his fellow flight engineers Jessica Watkins of NASA and Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency) reconfiguring the NanoRacks Bishop airlock on Tuesday. The trio of astronauts worked throughout the day reinstalling hardware and stowing cargo inside Bishop following its trash disposal and robotic maneuvers over the weekend. Ground controllers commanded the Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach the airlock from the Tranquility module to jettison a trash container on Saturday. The Canadarm2 then moved Bishop back to Tranquility where it was reattached shortly afterward.

Watkins started her day partnering with NASA Flight Engineer Bob Hines for an investigation that explores how weightlessness affects dexterous manipulation. The duo took turns seated in a unique apparatus inside the Columbus laboratory module to help scientists understand how astronauts grip and manipulate objects in space. Insights may inform the design of intelligent spacecraft interfaces and provide a deeper understanding of the human nervous system.

The two flight engineers from Roscosmos, Denis Matveev and Sergey Korsakov, collected microbe samples from modules in the station’s Russian segment for analysis on Tuesday. Matveev also documented his meals and drinks for a study exploring space-caused bone loss. Station Commander Oleg Artemyev installed and tested a new 3-D printer inside the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module.

On-Orbit Status Report

NRAL Trash Deploy: On Saturday, the Flight Control Team performed the first trash deploy utilizing the Nanoracks Airlock (NRAL). The deploy demonstrated the trash deployment capability by executing the jettison of a disposable bag containing approximately 26.5 CTBE (78.1 kg) of dry common trash. The Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) grappled NRAL and demated NRAL from the Node 3 Port. Ground teams maneuvered the NRAL to the deploy position and applied power via the SSRMS to jettison the trash bag. The ground teams successfully jettisoned the NRAL trash bag at 7:05 PM CT and the NRAL was maneuvered back to the Node 3 Port for berthing.

Payloads:

Grip: The crew reviewed the big picture words, set up the experiment hardware, and performed the first day of the experiment session. The Grip experiment studies the long-duration spaceflight effects on the abilities of human subjects to regulate grip force and upper limbs trajectories when manipulating objects during different kind of movements: oscillatory movements, rapid discrete movements and tapping gestures.

Universal Intelligent Glass Optics (UNIGLO): The UNIGLO fiber optic hardware was installed in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) in preparation for science operations later this week. UNIGLO tests the effects of microgravity on a glass optics module capable of processing various types of complex glasses. The module uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help adapt materials processing techniques to the microgravity environment and a sensor based on laser-Doppler interferometry to measure the effects of microgravity on processing complex glasses for a variety of applications in space and on Earth.

Systems:

Nanoracks Airlock (NRAL) Activities: Several NRAL activities were completed following the successful NRAL Trash Deploy over the weekend. The crew performed Pressure Management Device (PMD) and Vacuum Access Jumper (VAJ) equipment teardown following PMD ground commanding, including the Node 3 Port NRAL re-pressurization and leak check. The Node 3 Port vestibule was configured and required hardware was installed, and the Nanoracks Waste Disposal hardware was then removed from inside NRAL. The NRAL Power Distribution Unit (PDU) was removed and replaced (R&Red), and the Node 3 port Endcone and NRAL stowage items were replaced.

Treadmill 2 (T2) Monthly Inspection: As part of regular maintenance to ensure the T2 exercise device is in good operational condition, the crew inspected all four Snubber Arms for any sign of free play as well as make any necessary adjustments to reduce the free play. The crew also performed additional inspections on all tape and witness markings on T2 Thumbwheels, Snubber Jam Nuts, ad Snubber Cup Housing, inspected the Snubber pin position within the Snubber Cups, and Sorbothane residue on Snubber Pins.

ISS Safety Video: A video survey of the ISS was performed for ground analysis. The crew obtained video of the interior volume that allows the ground team 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. The Safety Video Survey is performed approximately every six months.

Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Initiation and Termination: Today, the crew initiated a manual fill of the WHC E??-?? (Water Container) using a Post-Flight Analysis Bag to capture any pressure relief to protect the dose pump. The ???-CB is intended for short-term storage and manual water transportation between facilities. After successfully filling the E??-??, the crew returned the WHC to nominal use. The crew also swapped the EDV in the offload EDV spot of the Urine Transfer System (UTS).

Completed Task List Activities:

EarthKAM Node 2 Shutdown, Disconnect and StowSSC 11 Hard Drive SwapToday’s Ground Activities:All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

NRAL Depressurization Teardown SupportNRAL Ops and CheckoutMT TranslationEHDC CheckoutLook Ahead Plan

Wednesday, July 6 (GMT 187)Payloads:

APMAstrobee/SGVSEarthKAM Session ConcludeGalley FRIDGE Power-CycleGripUNIGLOXROOTSSystems:

IFM Node 1 Port VBA RepairRegen Hydrogen Sensor Tech Demo Drift CheckISS USOS Food AuditEVA In-Flight Refill Unit FlushEMU Full Water Tank Dump and FillAC Dry Vacuum Cleaner Hose InspectionThursday, July 7 (GMT 188)Payloads:

GripUNIGLOSystems:

THC IMV Flow Measurement SurveyRegenerative ECLSS Recycle Tank DrainMOOT v10.1 Upper Spare EEPROM RefreshLab Cable ManagementIFM Airlock MTL Flow CorrectionFriday, July 8 (GMT 189)Payloads:

Acoustic DiagnosticsBiolab Laptop RemovalHRF Supply ResupplySpaceBorne Computer-2 Cartridge SwapUNIGLOSystems:

EVA Snorkel AuditCrew Handover RecordingsEVA Airlock RestowEVA HECA StowSAFER CheckoutISS USOS Food AuditToday’s Planned Activities:All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Urine Transfer System Offload EDV SwapSystems Operations Data File (SODF) UpdateHealth Maintenance System (HMS) ISS EveryWear (EVW) Nutrition TrackingCOLUMBUS Bay 1, 2, 3 clean-upPMD Equipment TeardownCrew deploys Zbook LaptopGRIP Big Picture Words readingISS USOS Food AuditIntelligent Glass Optics Hardware Gather/InstallNanoracks Airlock (NRAL) Vestibule ConfigCountermeasures System (CMS) Treadmill 2 System (T2) Monthly InspectionGRIP science performance in seated positionCrew starts transfer of files of the session to Perspectives ZbookNanoracks Airlock (NRAL) Trask Deploy DeconfigureCrew retrieves data from Perspectives Zbook and plugs Hard Drive to SSCNanoracks Airlock (NRAL) Power Distribution Unit (PDU) R&RISS SAFETY VIDEOHealth Maintenance System (HMS) – ESA Nutritional AssessmentPublic Affairs Office (PAO) Event in JEMWaste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Initiate/TerminateNode 3 Port Endcone and NRAL Stowage ReplaceJEM Stowage Consolidation

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