ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/18/2017
ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/18/2017
Dragon SpaceX (SpX)-12 Unberth: Over the weekend, the crew packed critical items and egressed the vehicle in preparation for Dragon departure. Dragon was unberthed from the ISS via ground commanding on Saturday at approximately 5:06 PM CDT. Ground teams then maneuvered the Dragon to an overnight park position. Early Sunday morning at 03:41 AM CDT, Dragon was released, with splashdown occurring roughly five and a half hours later. Multi-Omics-Mouse: On Saturday, the crew transferred the Mouse Habitat Cage Units from the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF), to the Transportation Cage Units for return on SpaceX-12. Several studies have reported space flight effects on the human immune system, but the relationship between microbiota and immune dysfunction during flight remains unclear. In the Multi-Omics-Mouse investigation, food with and without fructooligosaccharides (FOS) will be used as prebiotics, to determine if they improve the gut environment and immune function. After the flight, researchers will analyze the gut environment (microbiota and metabolites) and immune system of the mice by multi-omics analysis. ADvanced Space Experiment Processor (ADSEP): On Saturday, the Tissue cassette that was inserted into the Space Automated Bio-product Lab (SABL) on Friday, was removed and returned on SpX-12. ADSEP is a thermally controlled facility that accommodates up to three cassette-based experiments that can be independently operated. A collection of experiment cassettes is used to accommodate experiments in cell technology, multiphase fluids, solution chemistry, separation science, microencapsulation, and crystal growth. For CellCult investigations, each cassette contains a rotating filtered bioreactor, a reservoir for fresh media, two peristaltic pumps, a waste reservoir, and up to 6 sample-collection or reagent containers connected by a manifold to the reactor. Cultures can be operated in continuous perfusion, batch fed, static, or sampling modes. The removal of samples and the addition of additives to the reactor volume can be programmed or tele-operated. Lighting Effects: Over the weekend, a 51S crewmember provided sleep log entries for the Lighting Effects investigation. The light bulbs on the ISS are being replaced with a new system designed for improved crew health and wellness. Fluorescent bulbs are being replaced with solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that have adjustable intensity and color. Investigators will determine if the new lights improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance. Results from this investigation also have implications for people on Earth who use electric lights. Space Headaches: Over the weekend and today, a 52S crewmember completed daily questionnaires for the ESA Space Headaches investigation. The Space Headaches investigation collects information that may help in the development of methods to alleviate associated symptoms and improvement in 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. Marrow: With operator assistance, a 52S crewmember collected blood samples for the Marrow investigation. The breath and ambient air sample collection was aborted due to an issue with the collection hardware. After resolving the hardware issue, the breath and ambient collection operations was rescheduled for tomorrow. The blood samples were processed in the centrifuge and placed in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The Marrow investigation looks at the effect of microgravity on bone marrow. It is believed that microgravity, like long-duration bed rest on Earth, has a negative effect on the bone marrow and the blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow. Human Research Program (HRP) Collections (Biochemical Profile, Repository): Today a 51S crewmember performed a series of urine collections in support of the Biochemical Profile and Repository experiments. The urine samples were collected and placed in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The blood samples will be collected tomorrow. The Biochemical Profile experiment tests blood and urine samples are obtained from astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. Specific proteins and chemicals in the samples are used as biomarkers, or indicators of health. Post-flight analysis yields a database of samples and test results, which scientists can use to study the effects of spaceflight on the body. Repository is a storage bank used to maintain biological specimens over extended periods of time and under well-controlled conditions. This repository supports scientific discovery that contributes to our fundamental knowledge in the area of human physiological changes and adaptation to a microgravity environment and provides unique opportunities to study longitudinal changes in human physiology spanning many missions. Sarcolab-3: Prior to conducting the operations segment of the Sarcolab-3 investigation, the crew completed setup activities for Ultrasound 2. Then, with assistance from a Russian operator, a USOS crewmember ingressed the Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System (MARES) chair in the Columbus module and adjusted pads and constraints for the Sarcolab-3 ankle protocol which is ongoing. The operator then collected ultrasound images of the subject’s leg. The data collected for Sarcolab-3 will be compared to pre and post flight measurements to assess the impact of hypothesized microgravity induced muscle loss. Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaptation to Long-term Spaceflight (Sarcolab) investigates the adaptation and deterioration of the soleus (calf muscle) where it joins the Achilles tendon, which links it to the heel and carries loads from the entire body. Muscle fiber samples are taken from crew members before and after flight, and analyzed for changes in structural and chemical properties. MRI and ultrasound tests and electrode stimulation are conducted to help assess muscle and tendon changes caused by microgravity exposure. Zero Boil-OFF Tank (ZBOT) Hardware Setup: Today the crew configured the majority of the ZBOT hardware in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Work Volume and will complete the remaining setup activities tomorrow. The final configuration will be photographed for historical documentation. Rocket fuel, spacecraft heating and cooling systems, and sensitive scientific instruments rely on very cold cryogenic fluids. Heat from the environment around cryogenic tanks can cause their pressures to rise, which requires dumping or “boiling off” fluid to release the excess pressure, or actively cooling the tanks in some way. ZBOT uses an experimental fluid to test active heat removal and forced jet […]