Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixtures (CSLM)-4: Virts set up and began processing on the first of six CSLM-4 runs. Over the next week, six CSLM sample processing units (SPUs) will be processed in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) and prepared for return on SpaceX-5. For each run, the crew will configure valves and connections to …
Specialists Discuss Spacesuit Work, Crew Investigates ATV Odor
Ground controllers have completed troubleshooting work after last week’s false alarm indicating an ammonia leak. Heat exchangers and thermal control systems on the U.S. side of the International Space Station have been recovered and reintegrated and are operating in excellent shape. Commander Barry Wilmore was scrubbing cooling loops on a U.S. spacesuit when he heard …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 01/19/15
External Thermal Control System (ETCS) Loop B Recovery Status: Over the weekend, ground teams finished repressurizing and recovering ETCS Loop B and the systems which were deactivated as a result of Wednesday’s safeing response. The Loop B Interface Heat Exchangers (IFHX) have been reintegrated, which allows internal heat rejection on Loop B. Cardio Ox: Crew …
SMAP Spacecraft in Place Atop Delta II Rocket
NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive spacecraft has been attached to the top of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket that will deliver it to orbit. Preparations for the Jan. 29 launch are on schedule at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Payload carriers containing small satellites called CubeSats are being attached to the rocket’s …
2014 Temperatures From A Regional Perspective
NASA and NOAA announced today that 2014 brought the warmest global temperatures in the modern instrumental record. But what did the year look like on a more regional scale? According to the Met Office, the United Kingdom experienced it warmest year since 1659. Despite the record-breaking temperatures, however, no month was extremely warm. Instead, each month (with the exception of […]
ISS Daily Summary Report – 01/16/15
External Thermal Control System (ETCS) Loop B Recovery Status: Ground teams continue working towards incrementally re-pressurizing ETCS Loop B. Last night’s re-pressurization resulted in a 1% decrease in Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA) tank quantity. Ground teams are targeting a total of 7% decrease (0.63 c.f. NH3) before a Loop B restart is attempted. The Loop …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 01/15/15
External Thermal Control System (ETCS) Loop B Recovery Status: Ground teams are methodically working towards repressurizing and recovering ETCS Loop B and the systems which were deactivated as a result of yesterday’s safeing response. The Loop B Interface Heat Exchangers (IFHX) are still bypassed and isolated, preventing internal heat rejection on Loop B. Due to …
Crew Back at Work Studying Immune System in Space
The International Space Station residents were back at work Thursday after an ammonia leak indication sent the crew over to the Russian segment. Flight controllers determined there was no leak and NASA managers allowed the crew to resume normal activities and open the U.S. segment back up. This week, the orbital residents kicked off several …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 01/14/15
Ammonia Leak False Alarm: This morning at 3:58am CST, ISS telemetry indicated a possible leak of ammonia within Node 2 in the US Segment. The crew performed emergency procedures and subsequently evacuated the US Segment and isolated themselves to the Russian Segment. The External Thermal Control System (ETCS) Loop B, Node 2 Low Temperature Loop …
Astronauts Back in Station’s U.S. Segment
The crew opened the hatch to the U.S. segment and returned inside at 2:05 p.m. Central time. Wearing protective masks, Virts and Cristoforetti sampled the cabin atmosphere and reported no indications of any ammonia.