65 Progress (65P) Launch: 65P launched from the Baikonur, Kazakhstan Cosmodrome today at 8:51 am CST. Telemetry indicated that the 3rd stage separation occurred a little more than 2 minutes early. Telemetry over Russian Ground Sites (RGS) was lost earlier than expected. Communication with the vehicle was never reacquired with the vehicle. The 65P vehicle and all cargo is considered lost. A Russian State Commission will convene to investigate the anomaly. Robotic External Leak Locator (RELL) Operations: Today, RELL checkout and demonstration continues with scans of the Port 1 Truss (P1) Truss Radiator Beam Valve Modules (RBVMs), and the P1 Ammonia (NH3). RELL is an instrumentation package that is maneuvered externally by the SSRMS/SPDM to detect local pressure variations to help in locating a leak. For this demonstration, a predetermined scan/survey procedure will be executed that characterized the ISS environment and scans various ISS elements containing ammonia lines and systems. Planned operations later this week will also attempt to identify the source of the “white flakes” that have been noticed on downlink video. Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites Tether Demonstration (SPHERES Tether Demo): The crew conducted a conference with the ground team then setup and checkout the SPHERES, the work area in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), and the EXpedite PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Laptop Computer (ELC) prior to testing. The crew loaded the test specific software to the satellites and executed the first of two test sessions with ground support teams. The goal of the SPHERES Tether Demo is to study the dynamics of a tethered capture object and a “space tug” chase vehicle, improving computer programs and modeling needed for removing space debris as well as capturing scientific samples from other planets. Sarcolab-3 Deconfigure and Stow: After the successful completion of the Flight Day (FD) 5-10 sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, the crew deconfigured and stowed the Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System (MARES). Today, the crew verified and downlinked the data and stowed the remaining ancillary Sarcolab-3 hardware. The next session will be in the FD 30-60 window. Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaptation to Long-term Spaceflight (Sarcolab) investigates the adaptation and deterioration of the soleus, or calf muscle, where it joins the Achilles tendon, which links it to the heel and carries loads from the entire body. Muscle fiber samples are taken from crew members before and after flight, and analyzed for changes in structural and chemical properties. MRI and ultrasound tests and electrode stimulation are conducted to help assess muscle and tendon changes caused by microgravity exposure. Aerosol Sampler: The crew closed the drawers on the passive samplers located in the various USOS modules. The Aerosol Sampling Experiment (Aerosol Sampler) collects airborne particles in the ISS cabin air, and is returned to Earth so scientists can study the particles with powerful microscopes. For this experiment, particles collected on the cabin air samples are analyzed using a variety of microscopic techniques including: light microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, computer controlled scanning electron microscopy; and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Packed Bed Reactor Experiment (PBRE) Setup: The crew configured the PBRE hardware components and connected the hoses and cables within the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). This module is scheduled to run for approximately three weeks in the MSG. PBRE studies the behavior of gases and liquids when they flow simultaneously through a column filled with fixed porous media. The porous media or “packing” can be made of different shapes and materials and are used widely in chemical engineering as a means to enhance the contact between two immiscible fluid phases (e.g., liquid-gas, water-oil, etc.). Packed columns can serve as reactors, scrubbers, strippers, etc. in systems where efficient interphase contact is desired, both on Earth and in space. Today’s Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. ISS Crew and ГОГУ (RSA Flight Control Team) weekly conference HTV HARDWARE COMMAND PANEL (HCP) and HCP Power/Data Cables Setup Inventory Management System (IMS) conference Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain MARES payload and laptop start up Download of BRI log from RSS1 ALGOMETRIYA. Pressure and Thermal Algometry preparation for and measurement session MELFI Overview OBT Dose Tracker Data Entry Subject HTV PROX Switch ON Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Part 2 MARES Guided Data Export SPLANKH. Terminate EGEG Recording. Closeout Ops. Tagup with specialists Removal and Relocation of Payload Complement (КЦН) hardware to MRM2 (ТБУ-В No.02 and No.04). Tagup with specialists as necessary SPLANKH. Photography of the Experiment Session Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill Aerosol Passive Samplers Drawer 1 Closure Flushing Progress 433 (DC1) Rodnik H2O Tank 1 and Tank 2 H2O connectors В1, B2 MRM2 comm config to support the P/L Ops KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL. Hardware Setup and Configuration. Tagup with specialists SPHERES Payload OBT Removal and Relocation of Payload Complement (КЦН) hardware from MRM1 to FGB (3 rack modules with fasteners and narrow bridge-frame with fasteners). Tagup with specialists as necessary USOS IVA Hatch Window Cover Audit Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill SPHERES Crew Conference MARES knee configuration deinstallation KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL. Experiment Ops. Tagup with specialists SPHERES Test Session Setup Active camera temperature monitoring and ТБУ-В No.4 deactivation MRM2 Comm Reconfig for Nominal Ops Crew time for ISS adaptation and orientation KULONOVSKIY KRISTALL. Copy and Downlink Data via RSPI Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) WSTA Fill HTV HARDWARE COMMAND PANEL(HCP) SELFCHECK (Side B) ESA Weekly crew conference ALGOMETRIYA. Pressure Algometry Measurement Ops MARES files transfer verification and shutdown Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3 Removal and Relocation of Payload Complement (КЦН) hardware from MRM1 to FGB (2 rack modules with fasteners and narrow bridge-frame with fasteners). Tagup with specialists as necessary HTV HARDWARE COMMAND PANEL(HCP) SELFCHECK (Side A) Packed Bed Reactor Experiment Hardware Setup SPHERES Payload OBT SPHERES Tether Demo Test Run EPM Laptop relocation for files downlink preparation Crew time for ISS […]