Новости МКС

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 Jessica Meir‏ @Astro_Jessica 5 ч. назад

Physiologically instrumented for the @JAXA_en Cerebral Autoregulation experiment. This study investigates how the regulation of blood flow to the brain changes in microgravity, with applications to future space travelers and patients back on Earth. #science #STEM

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Фото: Олег Скрипочка / Роскосмос
Перед расстыковкой короля «Союз МС-13»


Фото: Олег Скрипочка / Роскосмос
Перед расстыковкой короля «Союз МС-13»


Фото: Олег Скрипочка / Роскосмос
Перед расстыковкой короля «Союз МС-13»

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2020/02/10/iss-daily-summary-report-2102020/

ISS Daily Summary Report – 2/10/2020

Confined Combustion:

The crew performed the final sample burn, removed the Confined Combustion hardware from MSG and stowed it. The final sample was an acrylic (aka poly methyl methacrylate or plexiglass) sample installed with black baffles. This project aims to study flame spread in confined spaces—specifically the interactions between spreading flames and surrounding walls. Flame spread in confined spaces (such as buildings and vehicles) may pose a more serious fire hazard than flame spread in open spaces because of acceleration caused by radiative heat feedback from the surrounding walls and a tunnel flow acceleration effect. However, several aspects of flame spread are difficult to study in normal gravity conditions. Gravity-driven buoyancy flow complicates the fire growth process and prohibits a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics. However, in microgravity, buoyancy is eliminated, allowing scientists to better study the physics of flame spread.

[свернуть]

LSG (Life Science Glovebox):

The crew deployed the work volume so the ground teams could verify the recently-performed LSG work volume light repair was successful. The lights were verified to be working nominally and the LSG was then powered down and stowed. LSG is a sealed work area that accommodates life science and technology investigations in a "workbench" type environment. Due to its larger size design (0.42 cubic meter of enclosed work space), two crewmembers can work in the LSG simultaneously. LSG provides air filtration for contaminant removal, adjustable fan speeds, 350 watts of 28Vdc and 110Vac power (combined), video and data recording, real time downlink, adjustable overhead illumination, temperature regulation (18-27ºC) and ferrous surfaces for magnetic attachment of investigation hardware.

[свернуть]

Oxygen Generation System (OGS) Hydrogen (H2) Sensor Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) Remove & Replace (R&R):

Today, the crew performed an R&R of the OGS H2 sensor and cleaned the associated Avionics Air Assembly (AAA) inlet. The H2 sensor R&R is routine maintenance activity and is necessary due to nominal degradation of the H2 sensor materials over time. Following today's R&R, ground specialists will be conducting a checkout of the new sensor.

[свернуть]

Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Fluids Control and Pump Assembly (FCPA) Remove and Replace (R&R):

Ground teams are continuing to troubleshoot the root cause of the UPA low production rates. It is thought the cause of the UPA degraded performance is located somewhere between the FCPA and Distillation Assembly (DA); and as a result, the crew performed an FCPA R&R today. This evening, ground teams will perform a checkout of the FCPA to determine if today's maintenance activity has resolved the UPA processing issue.

[свернуть]

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2020/02/11/u-s-cargo-mission-targets-friday-launch-as-crew-maintains-lab/

U.S. Cargo Mission Targets Friday Launch as Crew Maintains Lab

Mark Garcia
Posted Feb 11, 2020 at 2:26 pm


The most recent Cygnus cargo craft to visit the station is seen moments before its departure and release fr om the Canadarm2 robotic arm on Jan. 31, 2019.

The next U.S. cargo mission is now targeting Friday for its launch to replenish the International Space Station. Meanwhile, the Expedition 62 crew is continuing the upkeep of orbital lab systems.

Mission managers are waiting for the weather to clear up at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia so they can launch the Cygnus space freighter from Northrop Grumman. Cygnus is now targeted to lift off Friday at 3:43 p.m. EST atop an Antares rocket.

Cygnus will arrive at the space station on Sunday packed with new science experiments, crew supplies and station hardware. NASA Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan will be in the cupola commanding the Canadarm2 robotic arm to reach out and capture Cygnus at 5:11 a.m. Robotics controllers will then take over and remotely command the Canadarm2 to install Cygnus to the Unity module wh ere it will stay for three months.

NASA TV will cover all the launch, capture and installation activities live. View the NASA TV schedule here.

Morgan started his day replacing components inside an oxygen generator in the Tranquility module. Afterward, he serviced the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device that enables astronauts to maintain muscle strength during long-term space missions.

Jessica Meir of NASA worked throughout the day in Europe's Columbus laboratory module. She was shifting cargo to access an area behind the Human Research Facility-2 rack. Once there, she installed cables that link to the Bartomoleo external payload facility on the outside of Columbus.

Commander Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos began Tuesday transferring water from a docked Progress 74 cargo craft to a station tank. Skripochka, who is on his third station flight, then spent the afternoon cleaning cooling loops on a pair of Russian Orlan spacesuits.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2020/02/12/station-crew-demos-wi-fi-power-sets-up-for-rodent-research/

Station Crew Demos Wi-Fi Power, Sets Up For Rodent Research

Mark Garcia
Posted Feb 12, 2020 at 2:18 pm


The three-member Expedition 62 crew, sporting their mission patch on t-shirts, will be living aboard the station until April. In the center, is Roscosmos Commander Oleg Skripochka flanked by NASA Flight Engineers Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan.

A science demonstration for students and space research to improve life kept the Expedition 62 crew busy on Wednesday. The International Space Station residents also worked on a host of orbital plumbing and housecleaning tasks.

Radio waves generate energy that can be harnessed for a variety of applications including wirelessly powering devices or possibly beaming solar energy down to Earth. NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir filmed how a flashlight powered by Wi-Fi gets brighter and darker as it moves closer or farther away from a Wi-Fi device aboard the station. The video will be sent down to students to demonstrate the technology developed by the Naval Research Laboratory.

Biology research also takes place aboard the orbiting lab and the crew will soon continue exploring how microgravity affects rodents. NASA Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan worked in Japan's Kibo lab module setting up the Life Science Glovebox that will house the rodents to be delivered on an upcoming cargo mission. Mice physiology is similar to humans so researchers observe how their bodies react to weightlessness as well as countermeasures to the long-term effects.

Meir and Morgan also split their on life support maintenance and space plumbing. Meir set up acoustic monitors to measure station sound levels before checking on safety masks and charging spacesuit batteries. Morgan printed out housecleaning to-do lists then worked on the U.S. bathroom, also known as the Waste and Hygiene Compartment.

Commander Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos serviced Russian Orlan spacesuit water loops and checked for leaks. After checking on water tanks in the Progress 74 cargo craft, he set up exercise research gear then photographed the after effects of catastrophes on Earth.

The Cygnus cargo craft from Northrop Grumman is counting down to a launch from Virginia on Friday at 3:43 p.m. EST. The U.S. space freighter, loaded with 7,300 pounds of science, supplies and hardware, will arrive Sunday for a robotic capture with the Canadarm2 at 4 a.m. NASA TV will cover all the launch, capture and installation activities live.

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Внимание! Изменение в расписании трансляций

https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/schedule.html

NASA Television Upcoming Events

Watch NASA TV

ALL TIMES EASTERN U.S. TIME​

FEBRUARY
February 16, Sunday
2:30 a.m. - Coverage of the Rendezvous and Capture of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus CRS-13 Cargo Craft at the International Space Station (Capture scheduled at 4 a.m. EST) - Johnson Space Center (All Channels)
6 a.m. - Coverage of the Installation of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus CRS-13 Cargo Craft to the International Space Station - Johnson Space Center (All Channels)

Захват Лебедя-13 -                09:00 UTC / 12:00 ДМВ
Трансляция захвата -           07:30 UTC / 10:30 ДМВ
Трансляция пристыковки - 11:00 UTC / 14:00 ДМВ

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2020/02/11/iss-daily-summary-report-2112020/

ISS Daily Summary Report – 2/11/2020

Cygnus NG-13 Launch Update:

The NG-13 mission is currently scheduled for launch from NASA Wallops Launch Facility on Friday, February 14th at 2:43 pm CT. Cygnus is scheduled for ISS arrival and capture on Sunday, February 16th at 3:40 am CT.  Following capture and berthing to the Node 1 nadir port, the crew will ingress S.S. Robert Henry Lawrence Jr and begin the transfer of time critical payloads to the ISS. The NG-13 resupply mission is part of the Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) contract.

[свернуть]

Bartolomeo preparation:

Today, the crew installed the Bartolomeo break out harness installation behind the Human Research Facility (HRF) 2 rack in the Columbus Module COL1A4 location. In order to access the harness installation area behind the rack, the crew cleared stowage from the HRF2 rack front, de-mated the rack service umbilicals, and rotated the rack down. Once the Bartolomeo breakout harness was installed the crew restored the HRF2 rack to its nominal configuration.

Designed to meet user requirements from the commercial and institutional sector, Bartolomeo will be a new external payload hosting facility on the ram side of Columbus that is mechanically attached to the ram-facing primary and secondary trunnions.  Bartolomeo offers 12 active payload sites and one passive site, and can accommodate payloads from 5 to 450 kg in mass. The first investigation to use Bartolomeo is expected to be the Multi-Needle Langmuir Probe, an instrument from the University of Oslo and the Norwegian company Eidsvoll Electronics to measure ionospheric plasma densities.

[свернуть]

Oxygen Generator System (OGS) Activated Carbon/Ion Exchange (ACTEX) Filter Remove and Replace (R&R):

Today, the crew performed an activity to draw samples from the OGS Recirculation Loop and R&R of the ACTEX cartridge that provides continuous scrubbing of the OGS Recirculation Loop.

[свернуть]

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2020/02/12/iss-daily-summary-report-2122020/

ISS Daily Summary Report – 2/12/2020

Light Emitting Rectifying Antenna (LEctenna):

The crew assembled the rectifier and LED components and set up the LEctenna experiment hardware. LEctenna demonstrates wireless power transmission via microwave signals using a rectifying antenna, which converts electromagnetic waves into direct electric current. For the investigation, a LEctenna device converts microwaves into electricity and powers an LED bulb. Similar technology could be used to transmit energy from a space-based solar panel array in the form of microwaves harvested on the ground by a rectifying antenna.

[свернуть]

Microgravity Crystals (MGC) Hardware Trash:

In order to free up space, the crew gathered items that are no longer needed for the already-completed MGC experiment, and staged them for trash. These included yellow pipet tips, the MGC contingency kit, reagent box and label kit. The investigation crystallized a membrane protein that is integral to tumor growth and cancer survival. Although crystallization of this protein has yielded unsatisfactory results on Earth, this investigation leverages extensive protein crystallization work on the space station, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful crystal growth. Results may support development of cancer treatments that target the protein more effectively and with fewer side effects.

[свернуть]

Mouse Mission-5 Preparation:

As a continuation of the preparation for the upcoming JAXA Mouse Mission-5, the crew set up the glovebox on the front of the Kobairo rack. Stress caused by partial G may alter gene expression in cells of the body. The investigation analyzes any such alterations and their possible effects on development of germ cells, which carry genetic information and expression to subsequent generations.

[свернуть]

Nanoracks Module 72A Transfer:

In order to recover from communication issues first experienced July 2019, the crew relocated Module 72A from the failed Frame 1 to Frame 1A. Module-72A has a Raspberry Pi Zero board and several sensors. This is an educational payload that allows students to code their own software experiments and have them collect data on the ISS.

[свернуть]

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Cable Replace:

The crew replaced a failed GFCI cable in order to recover functionality and allow a software update for the RFID system. This cable was found to be failed in December of 2019 when the software update was previously attempted. The RFID team has reported that during their 3 years of ops, they have run the data obtained from ISS through complex event processing on the ground and made continuous refinement. RFID Logistics aims to utilize RFID enabled tags on hardware throughout the ISS to assist in the tracking of the hardware as it is moved around the ISS.

[свернуть]

Installation of Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) Filter Cartridges into Emergency Masks:

Today, the crew performed an activity to configure four emergency masks with NH3 filter cartridges. The four masks with pre-installed NH3 cartridges were stowed in each of the two emergency mask stowage bags. This activity was performed to improve the overall ISS emergency response posture; specifically for an unexpected release of NH3 into the ISS pressurized volume. The crew also updated their emergency procedures to reflect the updated NH3 mask configuration inside the emergency mask stowage bags.

[свернуть]

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2020/02/13/astronauts-relaxing-ahead-of-u-s-cargo-mission-2/

Astronauts Relaxing Ahead of U.S. Cargo Mission

Mark Garcia
Posted Feb 13, 2020 at 1:23 pm


Noctilucent clouds, or night shining clouds, the highest clouds in the Earth's atmosphere, are pictured from the International Space Station orbiting 269 miles above the South Pacific.

Two NASA astronauts are relaxing for the next couple of days as a U.S. space delivery nears its launch to the International Space Station. The Expedition 62 Commander is staying busy with the research and the upkeep of Russian orbital lab systems.

Flight Engineers Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan are taking it easy Thursday and Friday as they look ahead to the arrival of the Cygnus cargo craft from Northrop Grumman. Cygnus launches Friday at 3:43 p.m. EST and will reach the station less than two days later. Morgan will command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to reach out and grapple Cygnus on Sunday at about 4 a.m. Meir will assist and monitor the space freighter's approach and rendezvous.

Mission controllers will take over and remotely guide the Cygnus in the grips of Canadarm2 and install it to the Unity module. The two NASA astronauts will open Cygnus' hatch Sunday afternoon and begin unloading about 7,500 pounds of new science, crew supplies and station hardware. NASA TV will cover all the launch, capture and installation activities live.

Roscosmos Commander Oleg Skripochka started his day jogging on a treadmill for an exercise study. Afterward, the veteran cosmonaut worked on orbital plumbing tasks and housecleaning tasks in the station's Russian segment.

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https://tass.ru/kosmos/7759017

14 ФЕВ, 01:04
На МКС пройдет эксперимент по мониторингу опасных явлений
Он запланирован на 2021-2023 год

МОСКВА, 14 февраля. /ТАСС/. Аппаратура для наблюдения за опасными природными явлениями и техногенными объектами в инфракрасном тепловом диапазоне будет установлена на борту российского сегмента Международной космической станции. Об этом сообщил ТАСС директор департамента реализации проектов Объединенной ракетно-космической корпорации (ОРКК) Андрей Диваев.

Установка аппаратуры пройдет в рамках эксперимента "Мониторинг-ДТР". "Научная аппаратура и измерительные средства дистанционного зондирования в этом эксперименте устанавливаются на российском сегменте МКС", - сообщил Диваев.

Согласно данным, опубликованным Координационным научно-техническим советом (КНТС) по программам научно-прикладных исследований, сканирующее устройство будет превосходить подобный прибор на борту космического аппарата "Метеор-М" № 1 и 2. В частности, оно обладает лучшим пространственным разрешением.

Проведение эксперимента запланировано на 2021-2023 год.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2020/02/13/nasa-tv-coverage-set-for-feb-14-crs-13-launch-to-space-station/

NASA TV Coverage Set for Feb. 14 CRS-13 Launch to Space Station

Isabelle Yan
Posted Feb 13, 2020 at 6:12 pm

Northrop Grumman's next NASA-contracted commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station is targeted for launch at 3:43 p.m. EST, Friday, Feb. 14. Live coverage of the launch will begin at 3:15 p.m. on NASA TV and the agency's website.

The company's 13th commercial resupply services mission will launch its Antares rocket, carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. On Feb. 9, Northrop Grumman scrubbed its Antares launch after off-nominal readings from a ground support sensor. The Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft remain healthy.


The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is lowered into a horizontal position to refresh and reload the final cargo into the Cygnus resupply spacecraft, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at launch Pad-0A of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Loaded with approximately 7,500 pounds of research, crew supplies, and hardware, the Cygnus spacecraft, dubbed the SS Robert H. Lawrence, will arrive at the space station Sunday, Feb. 16 at about 4 a.m. EST. NASA Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan will grapple Cygnus and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir will be acting as a backup. After capture, the spacecraft will be installed on the Unity module's Earth-facing port.

NASA TV coverage of the spacecraft's arrival will begin at 2:30 a.m., and installation coverage will begin at 6 a.m.

The prelaunch news conference and What's on Board briefing took place on Feb. 8 and can be viewed online:

[/li]
• Northrop Grumman's CRS-13 Mission: Prelaunch News Conference
  
• Northrop Grumman's CRS-13 Mission: What's on Board
  
  
• 
  

Research and technology onboard will include:

[/li]
• Mobile SpaceLab, a tissue and cell culturing facility that can perform experiments without crew assistance for up to a month
  
• OsteoOmics, an investigation of the molecular mechanisms behind bone loss in microgravity
  
• Phage Evolution, which studies the effects of microgravity and radiation exposure on viruses that target human bacteria without harming human cells or the body's beneficial bacteria population
  
• Spacecraft Fire Experiment-IV (Saffire-IV), which will examine the development and growth of fire in different materials and environmental conditions
  
• Mochii, which provides an initial demonstration of a new miniature scanning electron microscope (SEM) with spectroscopy
  

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https://tass.ru/kosmos/7759659

14 ФЕВ, 07:08
На МКС пройдут эксперименты для российских вузов
В Объединенной ракетно-космической корпорации сообщили, что , в частности, планируется мониторинг лесных экосистем для МГТУ им. Баумана в рамках эксперимента "Дубрава"

МОСКВА, 14 февраля. /ТАСС/. Проведение экспериментов для российских высших учебных заведений запланировано на борту Международной космической станции (МКС). Об этом сообщил ТАСС директор департамента реализации проектов Объединенной ракетно-космической корпорации (ОРКК) Андрей Диваев.

В частности, планируется мониторинг лесных экосистем для МГТУ им. Баумана в рамках эксперимента "Дубрава".

Также с российского сегмента МКС будет организована "открытая передача по радиолюбительскому каналу связи <...> изображений фотоматериалов, посвященных жизни и деятельности первого космонавта Юрия Алексеевича Гагарина". Этот эксперимент будет проводиться для Московского авиационного института.

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Space to Ground: Trailblazer: 02/14/2020

NASA Johnson

14 февр. 2020 г.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/o-iHIGLsDY4?feature=oembed (2:59)

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https://www.roscosmos.ru/28021/

Шестьдесят вторая долговременная экспедиция на Международную космическую станцию

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2020/02/14/northrop-grummans-13th-cargo-launch-rescheduled-for-feb-15-at-321-p-m-est/

Northrop Grumman's 13th Cargo Launch Rescheduled for Feb. 15 at 3:21 p.m. EST

Isabelle Yan
Posted Feb 14, 2020 at 2:33 pm

Northrop Grumman and NASA have rescheduled today's Antares launch attempt for the CRS-13 Cygnus resupply mission due to  strong upper level winds. The Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft remain healthy.

The next launch attempt will be Saturday, Feb. 15 at 3:21 p.m. EST. The weather forecast calls for 95% favorable weather conditions. NASA TV coverage of the launch will begin at 2:45 p.m. EST.


A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying a Cygnus resupply spacecraft is seen at sunrise on Pad-0A, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

A launch Saturday would result in a capture of Cygnus on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at approximately 4:05 a.m. Rendezvous and capture coverage begins at 2:30 a.m. Installation coverage will begin at 6:00 a.m.

Трансляции:
пуска -             15.02.2020 19:45 UTC / 22:45 ДМВ
захвата -         18.02.2020 07:30 UTC / 10:30 ДМВ
пристыковки - 18.02.2020 11:00 UTC / 14:00 ДМВ

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Jessica Meir‏ @Astro_Jessica 7 ч. назад

Help keep us company on @Space_Station by joining the @AstroDrewMorgan #Wear62Friday campaign! And then there were 3. #Expedition62




Andrew Morgan @AstroDrewMorgan 7 ч. назад

It's #Wear62Friday brought to you from the Service Module of the Russian segment of the @Space_Station! This weekend we will continue to prepare for #Cygnus NG-13's arrival next week.

[ОАЯ]

"Усовершенствованный модем ARGO обеспечит более быструю связь между МКС и Землей, путешествуя по европейской системе ретрансляции данных (EDRS). Его инновационный дизайн «позволяет реконфигурировать модем в полете и обеспечивает более высокую гибкость для различных требований связи», - говорится в сообщении компании . «Модем был интегрирован в терминал передачи данных Ka-диапазона MDA Corporation, который будет установлен на модуле ESA Columbus на МКС в апреле»."

https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/sports/95225/belgian-tennis-legend-kim-clijsters-makes-comeback/

(На всякий случай поместил здесь - в автопереводе говорится, что ракета летит к МКС...)

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Объвление

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https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-science-cargo-heads-to-space-station-on-northrop-grumman-mission-0

Feb. 16, 2020
RELEASE 20-014

NASA Science, Cargo Heads to Space Station on Northrop Grumman Mission


A Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply spacecraft launched on an Antares 230+ rocket from the Virginia Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's Pad 0A at Wallops at 3:21 p.m. EST Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.
Credits: NASA

A Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station with more than 8,000 pounds of science investigations and cargo after launching at 3:21 p.m. EST Saturday from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The spacecraft launched on an Antares 230+ rocket from the Virginia Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's Pad 0A at Wallops and is scheduled to arrive at the space station at about 4:05 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18. Coverage of the spacecraft's approach and arrival will begin at 2:30 a.m. on NASA Television and the agency's website.

Expedition 62 astronaut Andrew Morgan of NASA will use the space station's robotic arm to capture Cygnus, and NASA's Jessica Meir will monitor telemetry during rendezvous, capture, and installation on the Unity module's Earth-facing port. The spacecraft is scheduled to stay at the space station until May.

This delivery, Northrop Grumman's 13th cargo flight to the space station, the second under its Commercial Resupply Services 2 contract with NASA and designated NG-13, will support dozens of new and existing investigations.

Included in the scientific investigations Cygnus is delivering to the space station are:

Better Tissue and Cell Culturing in Space

Mobile SpaceLab, a tissue and cell-culturing facility, offers investigators a quick-turnaround platform to perform sophisticated microgravity biology experiments. Such experiments are critical for determining how microgravity affects human physiology and identifying ways to mitigate negative effects.

A Close-up View

The Mochii investigation provides an initial demonstration of a new miniature scanning electron microscope with spectroscopy. Mochii will demonstrate real-time, on-site imaging and measurements of micro- and nanostructures aboard the space station. This capability could accelerate answers to many scientific inquiries and mission decisions and serve the public as a powerful and unique microgravity research platform.

Examining Bone Loss in Microgravity

Astronauts experience bone loss in orbit, stemming from the lack of gravity acting on their bones. OsteoOmics investigates the molecular mechanisms that dictate this bone loss by examining osteoblasts, cells in the body that form bone, and osteoclasts, which dissolve bone. A better understanding of these mechanisms could lead to more effective prevention of astronaut bone loss during space missions.

Fighting Bacteria with Phages

Phage Evolution examines the effects of microgravity and radiation exposure on phage, viruses that destroy bacteria without harming human cells, and bacterial host interactions, including phage specificity for a bacterial host and host resistance to specific phages. A better understanding of the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on bacteriophages and hosts could result in significant developments for phage technology, ultimately helping protect the health of astronauts on future missions.

(Do Not) Light My Fire

The Spacecraft Fire Experiment-IV (Saffire-IV) investigation examines fire development and growth in different materials and environmental conditions, fire detection and monitoring, and post-fire cleanup capabilities. Saffire-IV contributes to fire safety efforts in similar environments on Earth, from submarines to mines, and helps improve general understanding and modeling of fire phenomena.

These are just a few of the hundreds of investigations currently being conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory in the areas of biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science. Advances in these areas will help to keep astronauts healthy during long-duration space travel and demonstrate technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars through NASA's Artemis program.

This is the second time two Cygnus spacecraft will be in flight at the same time, as the NG-12 vehicle remains in orbit after departing from the station on Jan. 31. The Cygnus spacecraft will remain at the space station until May before it disposes of several thousand pounds of trash through its fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

The Cygnus NG-13 spacecraft for this space station resupply mission is named in honor of U.S. Air Force Maj. Robert Lawrence, the first African American astronaut selected by any program, specifically chosen for the Air Force's Manned Orbital Laboratory Program in June 1967. Lawrence died in an F-104 Starfighter aircraft accident at Edwards Air Force Base, California six months later at the age of 32.

-end-

Last Updated: Feb. 16, 2020
Editor: Katherine Brown

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https://www.militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=527285&lang=RU

Американский космический корабль Cygnus везет экипажу МКС твердые сыры, шоколад и свежие фрукты
16.02.2020 1:05:38

Вашингтон. 16 февраля. ИНТЕРФАКС - Американская ракета-носитель Antares с грузовым космическим кораблем Cygnus, стартовавшая в субботу к Международной космической станции (МКС), везет ее экипажу различные лакомства, сообщило Национальное управление США по аэронавтике и исследованию космического пространства (NASA).

"Космический корабль, в частности, доставит на МКС шоколад и конфеты, несколько сортов твердых сыров и свежие фрукты", - сообщил менеджер NASA Вен Фенг, отвечающий за снабжение станции.

По его словам, "твердый сыры - это, в том числе, чеддер и (испанский овечий сыр) манчего"". Кроме того, в связи с Днем Святого Валентина, корабль также привезет экипажу станции шоколад Lindt.

Запуск корабля был осуществлен в субботу в 15:21 по времени Восточного поборежья США (23:21 мск) с космодрома NASA Уоллопс, который размещается на одноименном острове у атлантического побережья американского штата Вирджиния.

Стыковка корабля Cygnus с МКС запланирована на 18 февраля в 04:05 по времени Восточного побережья США (12:05 мск). Она будет осуществляться путем захвата "грузовика" дистанционной рукой-манипулятором Canadarm-2 МКС, которым будет управлять американский астронавт Эндрю Морган, и последующим присоединением его по командам с Центра управления полетами NASA в Хьюстоне (штат Техас) к американскому сегменту станции - модулю Unity.

Cygnus должен доставить на МКС около 3,6 тонн груза, в том числе продовольствие, а также оборудование и материалы для проведения десятков научных исследований.

Запуск осуществлен в рамках коммерческого контракта NASA с корпорацией Northrop Grumman, которой принадлежит ракета-носитель и автоматический грузовой космический корабль, по снабжению МКС.

Американский "грузовик" пробудет в составе МКС три месяца - до 11 мая. После расстыковки с МКС Cygnus выведет на орбиту малые спутники, а на его борту планируется устроить пожар для изучения условий распространения огня в невесомости. 25 мая по командам с ЦУПа NASA в Хьюстоне Cygnus будет сведен с орбиты и сгорит в плотных слоях атмосферы. Корабль заберет с собой со станции мусор и отходы общим весом около 2,5 тонн.

Это уже 13-й полет космического "грузовика" корпорации Northrop Grumman к МКС. Был также еще один неудачный запуск в 2014 году, когда корабль не долетел до станции вследствие аварии ракеты-носителя Antares. Первый успешный запуск корабля Cygnus состоялся 18 сентября 2013 года.

В настоящее время на МКС продолжают работу россиянин Олег Скрипочка и американские астронавты Эндрю Морган и Джессика Меир.

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