Новости МКС

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/10/07/health-checks-science-as-spacewalk-season-kicks-off-on-station/

Health Checks, Science as Spacewalk Season Kicks Off on Station

Mark Garcia
Posted Oct 7, 2019 at 3:36 pm


NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan conducts a spacewalk on Oct. 6, 2019, to begin the latest round of upgrading the station's large nickel-hydrogen batteries with newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.

Two NASA spacewalkers are conducting routine post-spacewalk activities today after a 7 hour, 1 minute spacewalk Sunday prior to another excursion outside the International Space Station this Friday.

Expedition 61 Flight Engineers Christina Koch and Andrew Morgan underwent a routine series of post-spacewalk health checks today with Commander Luca Parmitano assisting the astronauts.

Koch and Morgan will venture outside in their U.S. spacesuits again Friday for more battery replacement work on the P-6 truss structure. This time Morgan will lead the duo during the 6.5-hour spacewalk that will start at 7:50 a.m. EDT. NASA TV coverage begins at 6:30 a.m.

Parmitano and NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir joined the spacewalking duo during the afternoon to review the results and lessons learned from Sunday's excursion. They will be back in the Quest airlock on Friday to help Morgan and Koch in and out of their spacesuits.

Three more spacewalks are planned before the month is out to complete the power upgrade work. The dates and astronauts for the upcoming spacewalks are...

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• 16: Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir
  
• 21: Christina Koch and Jessica Meir
  
• Oct: 25: Jessica Meir and Luca Parmitano
  

On the Russian side of the station, cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Skripochka, who are scheduled to conduct their own spacewalk Oct. 31, continued the upkeep of life support systems while conducting microgravity research.

Skvortsov, who has been on the station since July, explored how enzymes in the human body are impacted by weightlessness. Skripochka researched how ultraviolet waves affect Earth's atmosphere.

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 Christina H Koch @Astro_Christina 17 ч. назад

The great @Space_Station battery swap series of spacewalks is underway! A joy & privilege working with @AstroDrewMorgan outside, @astro_luca as the lead for suits & airlock, @Astro_Jessica as robotic arm operator, & the incredible teams in Houston. 3 batteries complete, 9 to go!

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 Jessica Meir‏ @Astro_Jessica 16 ч. назад

My view from the @JAXA_en module during yesterday's spacewalk. @Astro_Christina & @AstroDrewMorgan set us off to an epic start in this 5-spacewalk series to install new batteries on @Space_Station. Honored to fly the #Canadarm2 to support the operations with this amazing team!

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 Andrew Morgan‏ @AstroDrewMorgan 8 ч. назад

I took this photo of my awesome crewmate, @Astro_Christina, on our spacewalk to replace batteries on the @Space_Station. Stay tuned for several more spacewalks this month!

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NASA Wallops‏ @NASA_Wallops 19 мин. назад

.@NorthropGrumman's CRS-12 mission to deliver cargo to the @Space_Station is now scheduled for no earlier than Nov. 2.

This NET date is reflective of the expected departure of @JAXA_en's HTV-8 cargo vehicle in October, as well as other station activities.

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https://ria.ru/20191008/1559559648.html

Старт американского грузового корабля Cygnus к МКС отложили на ноябрь
21:11 08.10.2019 (обновлено: 21:17 08.10.2019)

МОСКВА, 8 окт - РИА Новости. Запуск следующего американского грузового корабля Cygnus на Международную космическую станцию (МКС) ракетой-носителем Antares с российскими двигателями перенесен с октября на ноябрь, сообщило НАСА.

Старт намечался на 21 октября. В конце сентября источник РИА Новости в российской ракетно-космической отрасли сообщил о переносе запуска на 29 октября.

Как отмечается в Twitter космодрома Уоллопс (штат Вирджиния), принадлежащего НАСА, старт корабля Cygnus к МКС теперь планируется не ранее 2 ноября. Это связано с ожидающимся в октябре уходом со станции японского грузового корабля "Конотори-8", а также другими работами на МКС.

Ранее сообщалось, что грузовик доставит на орбиту предметы первой необходимости и материалы для научных экспериментов, в том числе специальный жилет для защиты от космической радиации AstroRad Vest. Как сообщили в НАСА, экипажу МКС предстоит испытать его, в частности рассказать, насколько он удобен в применении. Предполагается, что новинка впоследствии может быть использована в ходе миссий на Луну и Марс.

Кроме того, Cygnus доставит на станцию экспериментальный духовой шкаф Zero-G Oven, предназначенный для приготовления пищи в условиях гравитации. Он также может применяться в последующем в ходе длительных космических миссий. Еще один эксперимент, который называется The Made in Space Recycler, по информации НАСА, касается переработки в космосе пластика для использования в качестве материала для орбитальных 3D-принтеров.

Предстоящий полет станет, по данным НАСА, первой миссией Cygnus в рамках второго контракта на доставку грузов на МКС. В отличие от предыдущих миссий Cygnus, предстоящий рейс впервые доставит на орбиту "скоропортящиеся грузы", которые должны пройти загрузку в корабль не раньше, чем за 24 часа до старта.

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В 2013-2019 годах к МКС были отправлены 12 грузовых кораблей Cygnus, из которых один в 2014 году не долетел до станции из-за аварии ракеты-носителя Antares. На первой ступени ракеты используются два двигателя РД-181 разработки российского НПО "Энергомаш".

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Luca Parmitano‏ @astro_luca 12 ч. назад

As an IV, I'm responsible for the EV crew suits donning, doffing and checkouts - it's a long  laborious day, but we're happy to send our friends outside!
#MissionBeyond #EVA56




6 ч. назад

During the (few) quiet times, I took advantage of the windows in the @JAXA_en Kibo module to photograph @AstroDrewMorgan and @Astro_Christina - with 400mm and 800mm lenses.
#MissionBeyond #EVA56

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NASA Astronauts Spacewalk Outside the International Space Station on Oct. 6, 2019

 NASA

Прямой эфир: 6 окт. 2019 г.

On Sunday, Oct. 6, NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan and Christina Koch ventured outside the International Space Station for a 7 hour, 1 minute-long spacewalk. The duo exited the station's Quest airlock in their U.S. spacesuits and began installation of new lithium-ion batteries on the Port-6 truss structure. This was the first in a series of five planned spacewalks to complete the battery installation.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/z0Ut8daLD6I (8:42:06)

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Living and Working: Valuable Spaceflight Data Collaboration Tool

 NASA

8 окт. 2019 г.

The International Space Station is the largest human-made structure in low Earth orbit (LEO) and serves as a space environment research laboratory where astronauts perform experiments in several unique fields including physics, astronomy, and biology. NASA's Genelab collects valuable spaceflight experiment data for researchers and scientists to learn fr om this unique environment. GeneLab is an interactive, open-access resource wh ere scientists can upload, download, store, search, share, transfer, and analyze omics data from spaceflight and corresponding analogue experiments. The biological studies conducted on the International Space Station generate critical data that scientists use to determine how terrestrial biology changes as a result of spaceflight.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/NrFd-17QMzY (2:15)

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Expedition 61 Commander Luca Parmitano Speaks with European Universities - October 8, 2019

 NASA Video

8 окт. 2019 г.

SPACE STATION COMMANDER DISCUSSES LIFE IN SPACE WITH EUROPEAN STUDENTS

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 61 Commander Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed the progress of his mission and research on the orbital outpost during an in-flight educational event Oct. 8 with aerospace students from various European universities. Parmitano assumed command of the station last week, becoming the third European commander of the complex as he continues his long-duration mission.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IZjG2oBlHDE (27:15)

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/10/08/crew-fills-tuesday-with-spacewalk-preps-science-and-cargo-ops/

Crew Fills Tuesday With Spacewalk Preps, Science and Cargo Ops

Mark Garcia
Posted Oct 8, 2019 at 3:32 pm


Expedition 61 Commander Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) assists NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan (left) and Christina Koch (right) in their U.S. spacesuits.

Tuesday was packed with more spacewalk preparations along with ongoing microgravity research aboard the International Space Station. The six-member Expedition 61 crew also conducted emergency response training and cargo transfers from a Japanese cargo craft.

NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan and Christina Koch are going out on their second spacewalk together Friday at 7:50 a.m. EDT. The duo today reviewed spacewalk procedures and set up the tools they will use to continue upgrading the station's large nickel-hydrogen batteries with newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.

Commander Luca Parmitano serviced U.S. spacesuit components and practiced Canadarm2 robotics maneuvers to support Friday's excursion. NASA TV coverage begins its live coverage of October's second spacewalk at 6:30 a.m.

Morgan had a few moments set aside Tuesday to swap batteries inside Astrobee, the free-flying robotic assistant being tested aboard the orbiting lab. Afterward, he joined NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir inside Japan's HTV-8 resupply ship to continue unpacking crew supplies and station hardware.

Koch switched to space gardening after spacewalk reviews and watered plants in the Columbus laboratory module. She and Meir finally wrapped up the workday with some light maintenance work in the station's environmental health system.

All six crewmembers, including cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Skripochka, reviewed emergency roles and responsibilities after lunch today. The crew familiarized itself with safety gear, communication protocols, escape paths and evacuation procedures.

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https://ria.ru/20191009/1559562379.html

США побьют рекорд России по числу выходов в открытый космос за полет
03:14 09.10.2019 (обновлено: 04:20 09.10.2019)

МОСКВА, 9 окт - РИА Новости. Американскому астронавту Эндрю Моргану, находящемуся на Международной космической станции (МКС), предстоит выполнить девять выходов в открытый космос за один полет, сообщило НАСА.

Таким образом, Морган побьет рекорд российских космонавтов по количеству выходов за полет. В 1991-1992 годах Сергей Крикалёв совершил семь выходов с борта российской орбитальной станции "Мир". В 1997-1998 годах Анатолий Соловьёв повторил этот рекорд также на "Мире".

Во время своего первого космического полёта Морган уже совершил два выхода с борта МКС - 21 августа и 6 октября. Ему запланированы ещё два выхода (11 и 16 октября) с целью замены аккумуляторных батарей снаружи станции.

Кроме того, в ноябре-декабре Морган должен осуществить ещё пять выходов для ремонта спектрометра AMS-02.

В настоящее время на борту МКС совершают полет россияне Александр Скворцов и Олег Скрипочка, американцы Кристина Кук, Эндрю Морган и Джессика Меир, а также итальянец Лука Пармитано.

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https://ria.ru/20191009/1559565922.html

Новый телескоп на МКС зафиксировал первые мощные вспышки в атмосфере Земли
09:37 09.10.2019 (обновлено: 09:57 09.10.2019)

МОСКВА, 9 окт - РИА Новости. Созданный Россией с международным участием ультрафиолетовый телескоп "УФ атмосфера" для исследования кратковременных вспышек в земной атмосфере начал работу на Международной космической станции (МКС), с него получены первые научные данные, сообщили РИА Новости в пресс-службе НИИ ядерной физики (НИИЯФ) МГУ.

Телескоп был доставлен на МКС в августе на беспилотном корабле "Союз МС-14".

"Седьмого октября российский космонавт Олег Скрипочка установил научную аппаратуру космического эксперимента "УФ атмосфера" (Mini-EUSO)... на иллюминатор служебного модуля "Звезда" на МКС. В 21.40 мск начался первый сеанс работы эксперимента... После 30 секунд работы зарегистрированы первые мощные вспышки в ультрафиолете в атмосфере Земли в поле зрения прибора", - сказал представитель пресс-службы.

Он отметил, что за 13 часов работы прибора накоплено более 13 гигабайт данных, часть из них уже получена Центром управления полетом МКС и передана научным сотрудникам НИИЯФ МГУ и коллаборации JEM-EUSO для обработки и анализа работы прибора.

Телескоп "УФ атмосфера" создан сотрудниками НИИЯФ МГУ, студентами физического факультета МГУ и их итальянскими коллегами из Университета "Тор Вергата" в рамках международной коллаборации JEM-EUSO.

В феврале директор НИИЯФ МГУ Михаил Панасюк сообщил РИА Новости, что оптику и линзы для телескопа "УФ атмосфера" изготовили в Италии и Японии, электронику - в России, телескоп был собран в НИИЯФ МГУ. По его словам, телескоп будет изучать "засоряющие" атмосферу Земли транзиентные явления (кратковременные вспышки), которые мешают ученым из космоса регистрировать галактические космические лучи.

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В настоящее время на МКС совершают полет россияне Александр Скворцов и Олег Скрипочка, американцы Кристина Кук, Эндрю Морган и Джессика Мейр, а также итальянец Лука Пармитано.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/10/09/crew-relaxes-day-before-spacewalk-preps-and-cancer-dna-research/

Crew Relaxes Day Before Spacewalk Preps and Cancer, DNA Research

Mark Garcia
Posted Oct 9, 2019 at 1:02 pm


NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan (left) and Christina Koch (right) are suited up in U.S. spacesuits on Oct. 6, 2019. In the center, NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir and Commander Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) assist the spacewalking duo.

Four of the six Expedition 61 crewmembers are relaxing today before ramping up final preparations for Friday's spacewalk. The two cosmonauts maintained their normal schedule of Russian science and maintenance activities.

NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan and Christina Koch have cleared their schedule for a well-deserved rest day and are taking it easy aboard the International Space Station. Commander Luca Parmitano and fellow NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir also had the day off. All four astronauts will get back to work Thursday with final preparations for their second spacewalk this month.

Morgan and Koch will not only ready their U.S. spacesuits for Friday's spacewalk, they will also research cancer therapies and microbial DNA sequencing. Parmitano will assist the duo with the spacesuit preparations and help Meir with an aerobic fitness evaluation.

The two cosmonauts stayed busy today in the Russian segment of the orbiting lab. Flight Engineers Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Skripochka split their time between microgravity research and station maintenance. Skvortsov explored how leg veins adapt to weightlessness before checking on station air conditioning and smoke detectors. Skripochka explored pain sensitivity in space and shared a moment with ham radio operators on the ground for an educational opportunity.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2019/10/06/iss-daily-summary-report-10062019/

ISS Daily Summary Report - 10/06/2019

US P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #1:

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Today, FE-3 and FE-9 performed a 7 hr 1 min space walk out to the P6 truss. This was the first of five planned ExtraVehicular Activities (EVAs) that will upgrade the existing the P6 2B power channel nickel hydrogen (NiH2) batteries with new Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. Integrated Electronics Assembly (IEA) Power Channel 2B NiH2 batteries 1-3 were released from the IEA; NiH2 batteries 1 & 2 were placed on External Pallet #8 (EP8) and NiH2 battery 3 was mounted to Adapter Plate A on the IEA. Two new Li-ion batteries were removed from EP8 and installed in the power channel 2B slot 1 & 3 locations.

Payloads

Light Ion Detector - ALTEA preparations:

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Today, the crew installed Seat Track Anchors that will mount and secure a critical piece of electrical hardware for the Light Ion Detector for ALTEA system (LIDAL) experiment to a seat track. The Light Ion Detector for ALTEA (Anomalous Long Term Effects on Astronauts) is a new payload arriving on NG-12.

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https://ria.ru/20191010/1559629668.html

Европейский модуль МКС модернизируют для работы после 2024 года
15:24 10.10.2019

МОСКВА, 10 окт - РИА Новости. Европейское космическое агентство (ЕКА) собирается модернизировать свой лабораторный модуль Columbus в составе Международной космической станции, чтобы проводить в нем эксперименты после 2024 года, следует из опубликованного на сайте ЕКА сообщения.

"Международная космическая станция открыта для бизнеса, и ЕКА призывает промышленность расширить возможности европейской лаборатории Columbus (один из модулей МКС - ред.), чтобы поддерживать научные и технологические исследования в космосе после 2024 года", - говорится в сообщении.

Как отмечают представители ЕКА, такую возможность было решено предоставить, так как "ожидается, что время работы станции будет продлено до 2030 года".

Уточняется, что с момента отправки модуля на станцию в 2008 году до сегодняшнего дня с помощью Columbus было проведено 185 научных и технологических экспериментов, многие из которых контролировались дистанционно - из центра управления в Оберпфаффенхофене.

В настоящее время страны-партнеры по проекту МКС договорились об эксплуатации станции до 2024 года. Продление ее полета до 2028 или 2030 года находится в стадии переговоров.

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https://ria.ru/20191010/1559640344.html

Выход российского экипажа МКС в открытый космос перенесли на январь
17:41 10.10.2019

МОСКВА, 10 окт - РИА Новости. Выход в открытый космос российских космонавтов Александра Скворцова и Олега Скрипочки с борта Международной космической станции (МКС), планировавшийся на конец октября, откладывается на январь 2020 года, сообщили космонавтам специалисты из подмосковного Центра управления полетами.

Трансляцию переговоров космонавтов с Землей ведет НАСА.

В сентябре представитель пресс-службы "Роскосмоса" сообщил РИА Новости, что выход перенесен с 20 ноября на 31 октября.

"Сорок седьмой (47-й выход по российской программе - ред.) уходит на январь", - сказал Скворцову специалист Ракетно-космической корпорации "Энергия" по выходам Сергей Киреевичев.

 :

Ранее сообщалось, что во время выхода космонавты поменяют сменную панель системы терморегулирования модуля "Заря", снимут научное оборудование и установят новое на модулях "Звезда" и "Поиск". Они также демонтируют находящийся длительное время снаружи станции элемент корабля "Союз", что послужит основой для решения о продлении ресурса корабля больше 210 суток.

Первый в 2019 году выход российских космонавтов с борта МКС был выполнен 29 мая.

В настоящее время на борту МКС совершают полет россияне Александр Скворцов и Олег Скрипочка, американцы Кристина Кук, Эндрю Морган и Джессика Меир, а также итальянец Лука Пармитано.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2019/10/07/iss-daily-summary-report-10072019/

ISS Daily Summary Report - 10/07/2019

US P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Operations:

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Today, the ground teams and the USOS crew participated in an EVA Debrief conference to discuss any technical issues fr om the previously completed P6 Battery EVA#1 (US EVA#56) on Sunday October 6, which was the first of five planned P6 Solar Array battery upgrade EVAs. The crew also participated in Post-EVA health checks as well as downlinking images of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) gloves for ground analysis. In addition, the crew also completed EVA procedure reviews in preparation for the next planned P6 battery EVA. The second P6 battery EVA (US EVA#57) is scheduled on Friday, October 11.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations:

 :

In support of the P6 Battery EVA#1, the Robotic Ground Controllers powered up the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), and maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) holding the External Pallet 8 (EP8) into position for the start of the Integrated Equipment Assembly (IEA) 2B batteries EVA #1 and removed power from the EP8. The Extra Vehicular (EV) crew egressed the airlock and moved to the IEA 2B worksite wh ere they performed the following swaps with Intra Vehicular (IV) crew maneuvering the SSRMS+EP8 to the required positions:

[/li]
• Battery 1 (IEA) to EP X
  
• Battery A (EP) to IEA Slot 1
  
• Adapter Plate (AP) A to IEA slot 2
  
• Battery 2 (IEA) to EP A
  
• Battery 3 (IEA) to AP A located on IEA Slot 2 (get ahead task)
  
• Battery B (EP) to IEA slot 3 (get ahead task)
  

The EV crew performed some additional get ahead tasks (releasing torque on some batteries H1 bolts for upcoming EVAs) and then cleaned up the worksite and ingressed. Following that, the IV crew maneuvered the SSRMS+EP8 to a back away position. SSRMS Ground Controllers maneuvered it to the overnight park position and powered down.

Payloads:

Actiwatch Plus:

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The crew charged and swapped four Actiwatch plus units. The Actiwatch is a waterproof, nonintrusive, sleep-wake activity monitor worn on the wrist of a crewmember. The device contains a miniature uniaxial accelerometer that produces a signal as the subject moves. The data are stored in nonvolatile memory within the Actiwatch until they are downloaded for analysis.

Food Acceptability:

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The crew completed a Food Acceptability Survey. This investigation seeks to determine the impact of repetitive consumption of food currently available from the spaceflight food system. Results will be used in developing strategies to improve food system composition to support crew health and performance on long duration missions.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2019/10/08/iss-daily-summary-report-10082019/

ISS Daily Summary Report - 10/08/2019

P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #2 (USOS EVA#57) Preparations:

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Today, the ISS crew was involved with several different preparation activities for the upcoming EVA on Friday, October 11. The crew completed the EVA tool configuration activity.  In addition, the crew completed recharging the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) feedwater tanks with iodinated water from a Contingency Water Container (CWC). Further preparations included completing EVA related Robotics Onboard Training (OBT) and procedure reviews.

HTV8 Cargo Operations and Transfers:

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Today, the crew completed additional HTV8 cargo transfers from the HTV8 vehicle to the ISS.

ISS Emergency Hardware Familiarization Onboard Training (OBT):

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The crew completed the Emergency Hardware OBT which is designed to familiarize the crew with the locations of equipment and the positions of valves used in emergencies as well as practice communication from the Russian Segment (RS) modules in case of emergency.

Payloads:  

Astrobee:

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The crew performed Astrobee battery charging for eight batteries. Astrobee is a series of three free-flying, cube-shaped robots. The robots are designed to help scientists and engineers develop and test technologies for use in microgravity to assist astronauts with routine chores, and give ground controllers additional eyes and ears on the ISS. The autonomous robots, powered by fans and vision-based navigation, perform crew-monitoring, sampling, logistics management, and accommodate up to three investigations.

Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor:

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The crew performed a cabin air sample in support of the Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitoring study. The Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor investigation demonstrates the capabilities of a small, reliable, portable gas chromatograph mass spectrometer instrument aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to conduct major and minor elements of air measurement. The instrument transmits data back to the ground research team every two seconds, providing a continuous analysis to the ground research team.

Cerebral Autoregulation:

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The crew setup the cables and hardware for the upcoming Cerebral Autoregulation Data measurement. As the body's most important organ, the brain needs a strong and reliable blood supply, so the brain is capable of self-regulating blood flow even when the heart and blood vessels cannot maintain an ideal blood pressure. The Cerebral Autoregulation investigation tests whether this self-regulation improves in the microgravity environment of space.

Veg-04B:

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The crew added water to the small plant pillows and took photos of each pillow. The Pick-and-Eat Salad-Crop Productivity, Nutritional Value, and Acceptability to Supplement the ISS Food System (Veg-0404A, Veg-04B, and Veg-05) investigation is a phased research project to address the need for a continuous fresh-food production system in space. A healthy, nutritious diet is essential for long-duration exploration missions, which means that the typical pre-packaged astronaut diet needs to be supplemented by fresh foods during flight; the Veggie Vegetable Production System (Veggie) has begun testing aboard the space station to help meet this need, and validation tests have demonstrated that leafy greens can be grown in spaceflight. The research of Veg-04B focuses on the impact of light quality and fertilizer on leafy crop growth for a 56-day grow-out, microbial food safety, nutritional value, taste acceptability by the crew, and the overall behavioral health benefits of having plants and fresh food in space.

[tnt22]

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/10/10/space-biology-human-research-day-before-spacewalk/

Space Biology, Human Research Day Before Spacewalk

Catherine Williams
Posted Oct 10, 2019 at 1:33 pm


NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan (left) and Christina Koch (right) are suited up in U.S. spacesuits inside the Quest airlock for the first of five planned spacewalks that took place on Oct. 6, 2019. Image Credit: NASA

Two astronauts will suit up Friday morning for the second spacewalk in a series of five this month to upgrade International Space Station power systems. In the meantime, the duo and the rest of the Expedition 61 crew are staying on top of ongoing microgravity research today aboard the orbiting lab.

NASA Flight Engineers Andrew Morgan and Christina Koch split their time today between researching space biology and preparing for tomorrow's spacewalk. Morgan observed and photographed protein crystals in a microscope to support cancer research. Koch explored sequencing the DNA of microbes living on the station.

The duo also worked inside the Quest airlock to ready their spacesuits, tools and tethers before they exit into the vacuum of space Friday at 7:50 a.m. EDT. They will continue swapping out the station's large nickel-hydrogen batteries with newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries. NASA TV begins its live coverage at 6:30 a.m.

Commander Luca Parmitano and Flight Engineer Jessica Meir set up an exercise cycle for an aerobic fitness test today. Meir strapped herself on the bike while attached to a variety of sensors for an hour-and-a-half exercise session. Flight surgeons use these evaluations to determine an astronaut's physiological health before, during and after a flight. She also studied how blood flow to the brain adjusts in microgravity.

Cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Skripochka continued testing a unique negative pressure suit for its ability to reverse the space-caused upward flow of fluids such as blood in astronaut's bodies. The veteran station pair also worked on a variety of Russian life support and communications systems.