Новости МКС

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https://www.roscosmos.ru/25050/

ЦУП. ПРОВЕДЕНА ПЛАНОВАЯ КОРРЕКЦИЯ МКС
13.05.2018 01:15

В соответствии с программой полёта Международной космической станции (МКС) 13 мая 2018 года в 1:07 мкс проведена плановая коррекция орбиты МКС.

Для выполнения манёвра была включена двигательная установка транспортного грузового корабля «Прогресс МС-08», пристыкованного к Международной космической станции. Время работы двигательной установки составило 172 сек.

Целью проведения коррекции стало формирование баллистических условий для посадки транспортного пилотируемого корабля «Союз МС-07», запланированной на 3 июня 2018 года, а также выведения на орбиту транспортного пилотируемого корабля «Союз МС-09», запланированного на 6 июня 2018 года.

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https://ria.ru/science/20180513/1520440232.html

Орбиту МКС откорректировали перед июньскими операциями

01:20 13.05.2018

МОСКВА, 13 мая — РИА Новости. Орбиту Международной космической станции откорректировали перед возвращением на Землю пилотируемого корабля "Союз МС-07", а также для стартом и стыковкой с МКС корабля "Союз МС-09", сообщили РИА Новости в подмосковном Центре управления полетами (ЦУП).

Возвращение экипажа МКС 53/54 в составе россиянина Антона Шкаплерова, астронавта NASA Скотта Тингла и японца Норишиге Канаи на корабле "Союз МС-07" запланировано на 3 июня. Старт следующего корабля "Союз МС-09" намечен на 6 июня.

"Коррекция орбиты прошла штатно, высота станции увеличена на 600 метров, достигла 404,7 километра", — сказал представитель ЦУП.

Коррекция проводилась с помощью двигательной установки грузового корабля "Прогресс МС-08", пристыкованного к станции. Двигатели включились в 1.07 мск 13 мая и проработали 172 секунды.

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UNOOSA‏Подлинная учетная запись @UNOOSA 17 ч. назад

We are pleased to announce that the first satellite developed under our UN/Japan KiboCUBE programme with @JAXA_en was deployed from the @space_station on Friday. Congratulations to @uonbi and all involved! Press release: https://bit.ly/2IDp12r  Image credit: JAXA

http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/informationfor/media/2018-unis-os-494.html

For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OS/494
11 May 2018

First KiboCUBE satellite deployed from the International Space Station

VIENNA, 11 May (United Nations Information Service) - The first cube satellite (CubeSat) developed under the KiboCUBE programme of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been deployed from the International Space Station (ISS). The deployment took place on 11 May 2018 from the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) of the ISS with the Kibo robotic arm.

The CubeSat, named "1KUNS-PF", or "First Kenyan University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight", was developed by a team at the University of Nairobi after they were sel ected in 2016 by UNOOSA, in collaboration with JAXA, for the first round of the KiboCUBE programme. It is Kenya's first satellite, enabling Kenya to become a "space nation" with UNOOSA and JAXA's support. The University of Nairobi team intends to use its KiboCUBE CubeSat to test technologies it has developed for the future launch of a larger earth observation satellite. The team also hopes to apply data acquired from its CubeSat to the monitoring of agriculture and coastal areas.

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"This first KiboCUBE satellite brilliantly represents our mission at the Office for Outer Space Affairs: bringing the benefits of space to everyone, everywhere. It is fantastic to see the team from the University of Nairobi build and employ space technology, and it is an important step for Kenya in developing its own skills, experience and infrastructure to access and enjoy the benefits of space. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this important milestone today. I also extend my continued appreciation to JAXA for their ongoing support to the KiboCUBE programme and to UNOOSA" said UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo.

"This is also an exciting step for UNOOSA as it is the first time that space hardware has been deployed as part of our capacity-building activities," added Ms Di Pippo.

"Congratulations on the deployment of the first satellite of Kenya from the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo". I hope this successful first step of satellite deployment as technology demonstration will lead to the next stage of satellite missions from Kenya," said JAXA ISS Program Manager Koichi Wakata.

"The CubeSat 1 KUNS-PF of the University of Nairobi, which was deployed today, is the first KiboCUBE jointly sel ected by UNOOSA and JAXA. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to UNOOSA for their tireless effort in preparing for this joint mission, and I look forward to further extending the cooperation between the two organizations. I am proud that we are contributing to Kenya's emerging space technology through the CubeSat deployment mission utilizing the unique capability of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on the International Space Station," added Mr Wakata.

"The University of Nairobi has completed the development of 1KUNS-PF satellite and it was successfully deployed from the JAXA Kibo Module of ISS. This achievement is an important milestone for the University of Nairobi and Kenya, and it is our vision that it will create new opportunities for the University of Nairobi and Kenya to participate in space science. We are grateful for the support provided by international partners and the Government of Kenya during this mission, and we hope that this will continue in the future so that we can build the capacity for Kenyans to benefit and build more satellites," said Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi Professor Peter Mbithi.

The KiboCUBE programme was launched in 2015 as a capacity-building initiative by UNOOSA and JAXA to offer educational and research institutions from developing countries the opportunity to deploy CubeSats from the Kibo module of the ISS. After the selection of the team fr om the University of Nairobi for the first round, a team fr om the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala was selected for the second round, and they are currently developing their satellite. Applications for the third round of KiboCUBE closed on 31 March 2018 and the selection process is currently underway.

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https://www.roscosmos.ru/25051/

РОСКОСМОС. КОСМОНАВТУ УДАЛОСЬ СФОТОГРАФИРОВАТЬ ИЗВЕРЖЕНИЕ ВУЛКАНА НА ОСТРОВЕ ГАВАЙИ
14.05.2018 09:54

На прошлой неделе один из самых активных в мире вулканов решил напомнить о себе. Вулкан Килауэа превратил райские Гавайи в зону стихийного бедствия - тысячи людей эвакуированы, уничтожены десятки домов.

Участнику экспедиции МКС-55, космонавту РОСКОСМОСА Олегу АРТЕМЬЕВУ удалось сделать фотоснимки Большого острова Гавайи и вулкана с борта Международной космической станции и поделиться фотографиями с пользователями социальных сетей.

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Олег АРТЕМЬЕВ: «Наш позывной «Гавайи», поэтому мы всем экипажем постоянно дружно фотографируем эти острова.

Недавно узнали, что в связи с извержением вулкана Килауэа на востоке острова Гавайи идет эвакуация. На этих фотографиях видно, как самолет подлетает к Гавайям.

На общем виде сразу заметно, где извержение. Берем камеру с самым большим фокусом 1600мм. На Гавайях два вулкана хорошо видны даже из космоса. Мауна-Лоа - это огромный очень красивый вулкан с характерными разводами. К востоку от него находится маленький, но активный Килауэа.

Берем камеру с самым большим фокусом 1600мм, не упускаем возможность сфотографировать окрестности Мауна-Лоа.

Ну а это виновник происходящего — вулкан Килауэа, в переводе с гавайского — «изрыгающий, выплёскивающийся или сильно растекающийся»...

Из трех действующих вулканов на Гавайях Килауэа - самый молодой и самый буйный. Этот вулкан не засыпает в течение нескольких тысяч лет и считается одним из самых опасных на планете».

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Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589 5 ч. назад

ISS reboost burn by Progress MS-08 at 2208 UTC May 12; about 52 kg of propellant used, about 0.3 m/s velocity increase https://www.roscosmos.ru/25050/ 

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2018/05/11/iss-daily-summary-report-5112018/

ISS Daily Summary Report – 5/11/2018

Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Deployer 8 (J-SSOD#8):

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Last night and this morning, Robotics Controllers in Tsukuba, Japan maneuvered the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) to the Small Satellite Deploy Position and deployed the Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Demonstration (JSSOD)-8 satellites. The crew supported the activity as observes, taking photographs of the various small satellites as they were deployed from both JSSOD-8 launchers.

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Space Headaches:

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Two 53S crewmembers completed a weekly questionnaire for the ESA Space Headaches investigation today. This investigation collects information that may help in the development of methods to alleviate associated symptoms and improve the well-being and performance of crewmembers in space. Headaches during space flight can negatively affect mental and physical capacities of crewmembers that can influence performance during a space mission.

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Live Public Affairs (PAO) Event:

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This evening, Drew Feustel will receive an honorary Doctorate degree from the University of Purdue. Feustel, along with Purdue Alumnus Scott Tingle, will also participate in Purdue's commencement ceremony, sharing words with the recent graduates.

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Integrated Communications Unit (ICU) R4 Transition:

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This morning the crew installed a Gigabit Ethernet cable from ICU-1 to the JSL router and transferred the R4 software to the ICU-1 Kernal 1. Later this evening, ground teams will load new firmware/coefficient files and begin a transition from Antenna Group (AG)-2, and ICU-2, to AG-1 and ICU-1. This is the desired configuration for the SGTRC (Space to Ground Transmitter Receiver Controller) R&R scheduled during next week's US EVA. The intent of ICU R4 is to increase the return link bandwidth from 300 Mbps to 600 Mbps.

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Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations:

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In preparation for next week's US EVA 50 Pump and Flow Control Subassembly (PFCS) Relocate, the crew utilized Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) Software to review crew translation paths and Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) movement during the EVA. Once complete with this simulation, the crew continued reviewing the EVA Systems Briefing Package before conducting a second EVA Procedures Conference with ground specialists. A checkout of the Rechargeable EVA Battery Assembly (REBA), used to power the glove heaters on the Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), concluded the list of today's EVA prep activities.

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Eye Exams:

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Today the entire US crew continued with a second day of routine eye exams using both Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Ultrasound hardware. Eye exams are performed regularly onboard in order to monitor crewmembers eye health. Eyesight is one of the many aspects of the human body that is affected by long-duration stays in a microgravity environment.

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Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations:

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Last night, the Robotics Ground Control team powered up the MSS and maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to stow the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), with the "Leaky" Pump/Flow Control Subassembly (PFCS), on the LAB Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF). The SSRMS then released the SPDM and maneuvered to the start position in support for the EVA scheduled next week. MSS performance was nominal.

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Начало дневника см здесь (#409 и #411)

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/05/14/captains-log-first-days-on-the-station/

Captain's Log – First Days on the Station

Mark Garcia
Posted May 14, 2018 at 10:50 am


NASA astronaut Scott Tingle captures the view of a sunrise fr om the International Space Station.

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• Crew:  Captain Scott "Maker" Tingle, USN
• ISS Location:  Low Earth Orbit
• Earth Date: 25 December 2017
• Earth Time (GMT):  21:00
  

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At 22:00, after initial "safing" and unpacking of Soyuz, we finally retired to our quarters. It was very hard to sleep, and I think the busy days leading us to the International Space Station (ISS) were beginning to take their toll. We were scheduled for a full day of work to include familiarization of safety equipment as well as beginning to prepare several science experiments for action. The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft arrived to ISS a couple days before we did, and its cargo included several experiments that needed to be conducted promptly upon arrival. I was doing a great job of floating fr om one module to another. Since I was a little behind schedule due to having to learn wh ere everything is, I decided I could speed up my floating to be more expeditious. Well, we know how that usually goes and this time was no exception. I gathered a "bag of knots" (aviator slang for "going really fast") and began a healthy transition from Node 2 into the Columbus module – wh ere I predictably hit the top of my head. Ouch. The following three days (Tuesday-Saturday) were challenging as we worked to integrate all of our new knowledge and increase our efficiencies. The senior crew was very helpful and understanding. I was very grateful of how they managed our arrival and how they slowly passed down the information we needed to get started. Everything was different from life on Earth. Everything. We quickly figured out that we needed to think differently as we began to adapt to life in space. Drinking water, preparing food, eating food, using the toilet, working, physical training, etc., all different. I had a good handle on the differences and what to expect before I got there. But I didn't expect that when operations got very busy that my reflexes would respond naturally as they did on Earth. The light bulb came on. I was going to have to move slower and think about everything before I took action. This is why space fliers new to this environment appear to be less efficient than most managers and/or operations planners would like. Adaptation to life in space takes time, and you can't rush it.


Astronaut Scott Tingle watches the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft arrive from inside the seven-windowed Cupola moments before capturing it with the Canadarm2 robotic arm.

On day three, I finally had the opportunity to look out the Cupola (window facing Earth). My Lord, what a beautiful sight. I could see the sun rising in front of us, darkness below and behind us, and a bright blue ring highlighting the curvature of the Earth as the sun began to rise. Absolutely amazing!

We wrapped up our busy week and celebrated Saturday night by enjoying some rehydrated meats and instant juices! Christmas Eve, we had a few tasks that kept us busy, and the same on Christmas Day. Fortunately, we were able to have video conferences with our families over the holiday, and it was really nice to talk with them. We also had a very short celebration for Christmas after work was done. Our wonderful Behavioral Health Professionals at NASA had sent us Christmas stockings in the SpaceX cargo delivery. I added the small gifts that I brought for the crew – superhero socks! Mark got Hulk socks, Nemo (Norishige Kanai) got Spiderman socks, Joe got Deadpool socks, Anton got Superman socks, and Sasha and I got Batman socks. NOW, we are ready to conquer space!

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https://www.roscosmos.ru/25054/

РКК «ЭНЕРГИЯ». СОВЕТ ГЛАВНЫХ КОНСТРУКТОРОВ
14.05.2018 18:50

14 мая 2018 года в РКК «Энергия» (входит в Госкорпорацию «РОСКОСМОС») состоялось заседание Совета главных конструкторов по Российскому сегменту (РС) Международной космической станции (МКС).

Совет главных конструкторов рассмотрел вопросы готовности к запуску транспортного пилотируемого корабля «Союз МС-09» ракетой-носителем «Союз-ФГ». Кроме того, на совете обсуждалась готовность МКС, стартового и измерительного комплексов, средств и персонала Главной оперативной группы управления (ГОГУ) и ЦУП, средств поиска и спасания, средств медицинского обеспечения космонавтов, экипажей длительных экспедиций к предстоящим работам.

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Первый заместитель генерального конструктора - главный конструктор пилотируемых космических комплексов РКК «Энергия» Сергей РОМАНОВ доложил об этапах реализации программы транспортно-технического обеспечения МКС, ходе подготовки к запуску транспортного пилотируемого корабля «Союз МС-09», о готовности систем корабля «Союз МС-07» к завершению полёта.

Первый заместитель генерального конструктора по лётной эксплуатации, испытаниям ракетно-космических комплексов и систем РКК «Энергия Владимир СОЛОВЬЕВ доложил о результатах полета и состоянии систем МКС, об итогах научных экспериментов и дальнейших планах работы.

Говоря об объёме научно-прикладных экспериментов, он сообщил, что всего в период экспедиции МКС-56 запланировано к реализации 55 экспериментов по программе НПИ (включая совместные с NASA и ЕSА эксперименты), из них 49 космических экспериментов – c участием экипажа.

Планируемое количество сеансов по космическим экспериментам (включая автоматические) - 331 сеанс, в том числе по направлениям: «Исследование Земли и Космоса» – 33,8%; «Человек в космосе» – 29,6%; «Технологии освоения космического пространства» – 28,4%. На эксперименты различной тематики (прочие) отведено 8,2% от общего числа запланированных.

Он сообщил также, что на 15 августа запланирован выход в открытый космос российских космонавтов Олега АРТЕМЬЕВА и СЕРГЕЯ ПРОКОПЬЕВА.

Владимир СОЛОВЬЕВ подчеркнул, что ресурсов Российского сегмента МКС достаточно для выполнения программы МКС-56, а наземный комплекс, персонал управления полетом готовы к посадке корабля «Союз МС-07» и запуску корабля «Союз МС-09».

С сообщениями о готовности всех систем корабля «Союз МС-09» и Российского сегмента Международной космической станции выступили главные конструкторы, ответственные представители РКК «Энергия» и организаций-соисполнителей.

Получено заключение о готовности средств и персонала ЦУП-М к работам по проведению запуска корабля «Союз МС-09»; доложено о готовности средств поиска и спасания. Представитель ИМБП РАН доложил о состоянии здоровья экипажей, работающих на борту МКС и проходящих подготовку к полёту. Представитель Центра подготовки космонавтов подтвердил, что экипажи готовы к выполнению предстоящей программы работ на МКС.

По итогам заседания Советом главных конструкторов одобрены предложения РКК «Энергия»:

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• по возвращению 3 июня 2018 года на пилотируемом корабле «Союз МС-07» экипажа МКС - 54/55 в составе Антона ШКАПЛЕРОВА, Скотта ТИНГЛА, Норишиге КАНАИ;
• по подготовке к запуску 6 июня 2018 года и доставке на МКС экипажа основной экспедиции МКС-56/57 в составе трёх человек: Сергея ПРОКОПЬЕВА, Александра ГЕРСТА, Серины АУНЬЁН-ЧЕНСЕЛЛОР;
• о допуске РС МКС к выполнению программы очередного этапа эксплуатации МКС.
  

 
В заключение генеральный конструктор РКК «Энергия» Евгений МИКРИН поблагодарил за участие в заседании представителей Госкорпорации «РОСКОСМОС», зарубежных космических агентств, предприятий ракетно-космической отрасли и ряда других организаций, участвующих в программе МКС.

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Anton Shkaplerov‏ @Anton_Astrey 7 ч. назад

Здравствуй, вечный город #Рим! Cамое маленькое государство в мире #Ватикан также можно разглядеть на этом снимке, как и "визитную карточку" Италии - #Колизей.

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Oleg Artemyev‏Подлинная учетная запись @OlegMKS 6 ч. назад

С апреля начали работать над экспериментом "Сепарация". Очень интересная и обьемная работа, получили из урины первую чистую воду на российском сегменте МКС. Подробнее об эксперименте рассказываю здесь - https://goo.gl/PeMLgf 

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Anton Shkaplerov‏ @Anton_Astrey 20 мин. назад

Стараюсь не упускать возможность для фотосъемки величественных вулканов Камчатского полуострова. Не устаю любоваться нашей огромной, многоликой страной!

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/05/14/busy-astronauts-ramp-up-for-spacewalk-and-cygnus-cargo-mission/

Busy Astronauts Ramp Up for Spacewalk and Cygnus Cargo Mission

Mark Garcia
Posted May 14, 2018 at 1:52 pm


The four astronauts who comprise the six-member Expedition 55 crew pose for a portrait inside the International Space Station. They are (clockwise from bottom right) NASA astronauts Ricky Arnold, Scott Tingle and Drew Feustel and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Norishige Kanai.

Veteran astronauts Ricky Arnold and Drew Feustel will embark on the 210th spacewalk Wednesday at the International Space Station to swap out thermal control gear. The experienced spacewalkers have a combined 10 spacewalks between them with Feustel having conducted seven and Arnold with a total of three.

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Flight Engineer Scott Tingle assisted the duo today getting spacewalk tools ready and recharging the U.S. spacesuits inside the U.S. Quest airlock. Tingle and Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai will assist the spacewalkers in and out of the airlock Wednesday and guide the duo during their tasks.

Orbital ATK will launch their Cygnus space freighter on Sunday at 5:04 a.m. EDT to resupply the Expedition 55 crew just four days after Feustel and Arnold complete their fourth spacewalk together. After a four-day trip in space, Cygnus will deliver crew supplies, station hardware and experiments exploring a variety of subjects including life science and space physics.

Arnold and Tingle practiced the robotics maneuvers today on a computer they will use to capture Cygnus after its approach and rendezvous with the station on May 24 at 5:20 a.m. NASA TV will broadcast the Cygnus launch and capture activities live at the orbital laboratory.

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http://tass.ru/kosmos/5199361

Выход космонавтов Артемьева и Прокопьева в открытый космос отложили на неделю

Космос | 14 мая, 20:45UTC+3

Работы за пределами МКС они проведут 15 августа, а не 8-го, как планировалось ранее


Олег Артемьев
© Михаил Джапаридзе/ТАСС

МОСКВА, 14 мая. /ТАСС/. Российские космонавты Олег Артемьев и Сергей Прокопьев выйдут в открытый космос с Международной космической станции 15 августа, на неделю позже чем планировалось ранее. Об этом в понедельник сообщается на сайте РКК "Энергия" со ссылкой на первого заместителя генерального конструктора по летной эксплуатации Владимира Соловьева.

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"15 августа запланирован выход в открытый космос российских космонавтов Олега Артемьева и Сергея Прокопьева", - говорится в сообщении.

Соловьев, докладывая об итогах научных экспериментов на заседании главных конструкторов корпорации, также подчеркнул, что ресурсов российского сегмента МКС достаточно для выполнения программы МКС-56, а наземный комплекс и персонал управления полетом готовы к посадке корабля "Союз МС-07" и запуску корабля "Союз МС-09".

Ранее сообщалось, что космонавты выйдут в открытый космос по российской программе 8 августа. Артемьев находится на МКС с марта. Планируется, что Прокопьев прибудет на Международную космическую станцию в июне.

Космонавтам предстоит установить на внешней поверхности станции аппаратуру для эксперимента по мониторингу диких птиц ICARUS. Артемьев уточнил, что выйдет в открытый космос в новом скафандре "Орлан-МКС". Кроме того, российские космонавты снимут со станции и отбросят в сторону Земли старое оборудование, а также запустят студенческие наноспутники.

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Investigation Seeks to Create Self-Assembling Materials

NASA Johnson

Опубликовано: 14 мая 2018 г.

As we travel farther into space, clever solutions to problems like engine part malfunctions and other possible mishaps will be a vital part of the planning process. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is an emerging technology that may be used to custom-create mission-critical parts. An integral piece of this process is understanding how particle shape, size distribution and packing behavior affect the manufacturing process. The Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature-7 investigation (ACE-T-7) aboard the International Space Station explores the feasibility of creating self-assembling microscopic particles for use in the manufacturing of materials during spaceflight.

Read more about ACE-T-7 here: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/investig...

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/05/15/captains-log-week-3-on-station/

Captain's Log – Week 3 on Station

Mark Garcia
Posted May 15, 2018 at 10:17 am


Flight Engineers Scott Tingle and Joe Acaba monitor the departure of the SpaceX Dragon Commercial Resupply Services-13 (CRS-13) spacecraft through windows in the Cupola module.

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• Crew:  Captain Scott "Maker" Tingle, USN
• ISS Location:  Low Earth Orbit
• Earth Date: 7 January 2018
• Earth Time (GMT):  17:29
  

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Week three. The time is flying by. The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is 80% loaded. This has been a big effort for the crew as well as our specialists on the ground. Tracking a large matrix of storage locations, special requirements and loading locations is a nightmare, but our team on the ground made it look easy. Our crew is becoming more versatile and now flexes between operations and science tasking with what is seemingly just a flick of a switch. I had the opportunity to set up our Microgravity Science Glovebox for the Trans-Alloy experiment. Unfortunately, the team had to abort the science run due to high temperatures in the glovebox. Tomorrow morning, we will remove the science hardware, remove the cooling plugs, and set it all back up again. Reworks like this don't bother me, and I am happy to do what is needed to reach success. We are on, and sometimes beyond, the frontline of science where lines between science, engineering and operations become very blurry and complex. We have to be flexible! The International Space Station (ISS) has now entered its 20th year of operations. What an engineering marvel. As with any aging program, we have accumulated an expanse of experience operating in space. As an engineering community, we are much smarter about operating in space than we were 30 years ago when we designed ISS. I will be very encouraged to see our community apply lessons learned as we create new systems to require less training, less maintenance and less logistics.


NASA astronaut Scott Tingle captures a photo of the Bahamas.

I've managed to take a few moments over the last week to take some pictures of Earth. Sunrises are the most beautiful part of the day. Out of total darkness, a thin blue ring begins to form that highlights the Earth's circumference. At this moment, you can really see how thin our atmosphere is. Within a few minutes, the sun rises on station and highlights the docked vehicles while Earth just below is still in night's shadow. A few minutes later, ISS is over brightly-lighted ground and water, providing a fresh view of the features below. The promise of a new day is real!


NASA astronaut Scott Tingle works with the Microgravity Science Glovebox aboard the International Space Station.

The crew managed to have a movie night last night, which provided some good fun and camaraderie. This was a welcome break from the busy routine we endure. Unfortunately, today, I woke to hear that astronaut and moonwalker John Young had passed away. And I also learned that a good friend from the Navy had passed away after a challenging battle with cancer. When he learned he had cancer two years ago, he decided to ignite the afterburners and live every day like there was no tomorrow...he was just as successful in his final days as he was in his previous 50 years. To two remarkable American heroes, thank you for all you have sacrificed and thank you for a lifetime of inspiration. Fair winds and following seas.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2018/05/14/iss-daily-summary-report-5142018/

ISS Daily Summary Report – 5/14/2018

ISS Reboost:

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On Saturday, May 12th, at 05:07:00 pm CDT the ISS performed a nominal 2 minute and 52 second reboost using the 69P thrusters. The purpose of the reboost was to set up proper phasing for the 53S landing in June and the 70P 2-orbit rendezvous in July.

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Exposed Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism (ExHAM) #2:

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The crew brought the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEMAL) Slide Table into the JEM this morning and replaced the J-SSOD deployers with the Handhold Experiment Platform (HXP) Adapter on the Multipurpose Experiment Platform (MPEP). They then returned the slide table to the Airlock and depressed and vented the Airlock. Later today the crew will extend the slide table to the exterior of the ISS. Tonight ground robotics controllers will use the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) Small Fine Arm (SFA) to transfer the HXP from the JEM External Facility to the Slide Table. On Wednesday the Slide Table will be brought back into the JEM and ExHAM samples will be exchanged before the HXP is returned to the JEM External Facility.

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Veggie Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System (PONDS):

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On May 9th the crew reported what appeared to be mold growing on some of the plants. Today the crew aborted the Veggie PONDS run, photographed the plants and harvested some of them for return to the ground for evaluation. After removing the plants, the crew cleaned the Veggie PONDS hardware and set it up for drying. Organisms grow differently in space, from single-celled bacteria to plants and humans. Future long-duration space missions will require crew members to grow their own food. Understanding how plants respond to microgravity and demonstrating reliable vegetable production on orbit are important steps toward that goal. Veggie PONDS uses a newly developed passive nutrient delivery system and the Veggie plant growth facility aboard the ISS to cultivate lettuce and mizuna greens which are to be harvested on-orbit, and consumed, with samples returned to Earth for analysis.

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Vascular Echo:

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Earlier today a 53S subject collected blood samples for the Vascular Echo investigation. Using the CardioLab Portable Doppler (PDOP), the crewmember donned the femoral probe and performed a 1-minute exercise followed by a resting period during which data was collected. Vascular Echo examines changes in blood vessels and the heart while the crew members are in space, and then follow their recovery on return to Earth. The results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health, and quality of life for everyone.

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Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR):

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The crew replaced CIR manifold bottles today to support the ongoing microgravity combustion research operations in the CIR. They also replaced a seal as part of routine CIR maintenance. The Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (ACME) experiments being performed in the CIR include five independent studies of gaseous flames. The primary goals of ACME are to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant production in routine fuel combustion activities on Earth. Its secondary goal is to improve spacecraft fire prevention through innovative research focused on materials flammability.

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Cygnus OA-9 Capture On-board Training (OBT):

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Today the crew reviewed the OA-9 mission profile, rendezvous crew procedures, and interfaces necessary for monitoring and commanding to the Cygnus vehicle. Once completed, they participated in a conference with ground specialists to discuss the overall capture training plan and reviewed the Backaway and Capture Cue Cards. OA-9 is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on 24-May.

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Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle Remove and Replace (R&R):

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Today the crew Removed and Replaced (R&R) the WHC Urine Receptacle and Insert Filter. After the R&R, the crew performed a functionality test with nominal results.

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Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparations:

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In preparation for Wednesday's US EVA 50 Pump and Flow Control Subassembly (PFCS) Relocate, the crew completed additional EVA tool configuration and performed an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) 3003 and 3006 water recharge and ullage dump.

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Public Affairs (PAO) Event:

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Today the crew participated in an educational event with the Tulsa Air and Space Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Participants in the Live Downlink were Oklahoma students in 5-12th grades that competed in an essay contest. Student essays described what they would ask an astronaut and how that question relates to their own life on earth.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/05/15/cygnus-checks-and-final-preps-before-wednesdays-spacewalk/

Cygnus Checks and Final Preps Before Wednesday's Spacewalk

Mark Garcia
Posted May 15, 2018 at 1:02 pm


The Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic coasts of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil are pictured from the International Space Station

Two NASA astronauts are finalizing their preparations ahead of Wednesday morning's spacewalk to swap thermal control gear outside the International Space Station. The Expedition 55 crew also worked on biomedical operations, radiation checks and Cygnus communications gear.

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Flight Engineers Ricky Arnold and Drew Feustel checked their tools and reviewed their procedures one last time today before tomorrow's spacewalk. The pair will work for about 6.5 hours swapping a pair of thermal control devices, known as Pump Flow Control Subassemblies, which control the circulation of ammonia keeping external station systems cool.

The veteran spacewalkers will set their spacesuit batteries to internal power Wednesday at about 8:10 a.m. EDT signaling the official start of the 210thspacewalk in space station history. NASA TV will begin its live broadcast of the activities beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Science and maintenance are always ongoing aboard the orbital lab even despite the spacewalk and cargo mission readiness activities. Feustel and Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai collected their biological samples this morning and stowed them in a science freezer for later analysis. Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev explored cardiac bioelectric activity at rest. Commander Anton Shkaplerov collected radiation measurements from dosimeters he retrieved from the orbital lab's U.S. segment.

Orbital ATK is getting its Cygnus space freighter ready for launch Sunday at 5:04 a.m. to deliver science, supplies and hardware to the Expedition 55 crew. Astronaut Scott Tingle checked out command and communications gear that will be used when Cygnus arrives four days later on Thursday for capture at 5:20 a.m.

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http://spacenews.com/advisory-committee-asks-nasa-to-develop-plans-for-reduced-iss-crew/

Advisory committee asks NASA to develop plans for reduced ISS crew
by Jeff Foust — May 15, 2018


NASA's ISS Advisory Committee is asking the agency to look at options for running the station with a reduced U.S. crew should commercial crew programs experience further delays. Credit: NASA

WASHINGTON — A NASA advisory committee, concerned about delays in the development of commercial crew systems, wants the agency to look at options where the International Space Station is operated with a reduced crew.

At a May 14 meeting of the ISS Advisory Committee, its chairman, Thomas Stafford, said that NASA should consider training Russian cosmonauts on key systems in what's known as the U.S. Operating Segment (USOS) portion of the ISS, which includes elements from the U.S., Europe, Japan and Canada, in the event extended commercial crew development delays reduce the size of the station's crew.

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"For years, we have observed delays after delays in the development, flight test and qualification milestones in commercial crew, and therefore we believe the current schedule is optimistic," Stafford said of schedules that call for flight tests of commercial crew vehicles in the latter half of 2018.

His committee recommended that NASA and the other ISS partners should plan for ways to operate the station with a reduced crew if commercial crew vehicles aren't ready to enter service by the fall of 2019.

"Given these schedule risks, we recommend the partnership pursue plans to protect for a minimum crew capability to ensure ISS viability during the flight development phase," he said. "NASA's biggest priority is maintaining the U.S. presence on the ISS in case the commercial crew launch dates slip."

One option he mentioned at the meeting is "providing training to Russian crewmembers on the USOS critical systems." That training, he said, would be provided to cosmonauts scheduled to fly to the station on Soyuz missions in September 2019 and March 2020.

Stafford said his committee requested a presentation from NASA on such planning at its next meeting. NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner confirmed May 15 that NASA has been asked to discuss planning for a reduced U.S. crew presence on the ISS at the committee's next meeting.

The most recent public schedules for the commercial crew program include uncrewed test flights of Boeing and SpaceX spacecraft in August. Boeing is scheduled to perform a crewed test flight in November, followed by SpaceX in December.

However, there is widespread skepticism that the companies will be able to maintain that schedule, with an expectation that the crewed test flights will be delayed until some time in 2019. The U.S. Government Accountability Office warned in January that SpaceX may not be certified by NASA to carry ISS crewmembers until December 2019, with Boeing's certification potentially as late as February 2020.

That has led to contingency planning by NASA given that its current, and final, agreement with Roscosmos to carry astronauts on Soyuz missions ends in the fall of 2019. NASA announced earlier this year it was considering converting the crewed test flights into ISS crew rotation missions, with the vehicle staying at the ISS for up to several months rather than a few weeks.

NASA announced April 5 a modification of Boeing's commercial crew contract to study potential changes along those lines, including adding a third crewmember. "This contract modification provides NASA with additional schedule margin if needed," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for human exploration and operations, in a statement about the contract modification. That statement noted that current schedules offer about six months of margin for starting regular ISS crew rotation flights on Boeing's CST-100 Starliner or SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

Stafford's report at the committee meeting discussed other ISS technical and utilization issues but did not mention the proposal in NASA's 2019 budget request to end federal funding of the ISS by 2025 as part of its low Earth orbit commercialization initiative. Stafford's comments at the meeting were based on a joint meeting his committee had with its Russian counterpart in Houston in late January, prior to the release of the budget request in February, and neither he nor other committee members discussed that proposal.

While Stafford raised a number of minor issues with the station, such as a gradual degradation of the station's solar arrays, he said nothing would prevent the station from operating for at least another decade. "NASA analysis has determined there is no technical need to end ISS before 2028," he said.

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Expedition 55 Inflight Event - Purdue University, May 11, 2018

NASA Video

Опубликовано: 15 мая 2018 г.

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Expedition 55 Inflight Interview - Tulsa Air & Space Museum, May 14, 2018

NASA Video

Опубликовано: 15 мая 2018 г.

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