Payloads: Confocal Space Microscopy: The temperature logger was removed from Confocal Space Microscopy and the measurements were reported to the ground. The Confocal Space Microscope is a JAXA facility that provides fluorescent images of biological samples aboard the ISS. Confocal microscopy uses spatial filtering techniques to eliminate out-of-focus light or glare in specimens with thicknesses …
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Adjusts Course to Get Closer to Earth
On July 26, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft fired its engines for about 63 seconds to slightly thrust itself onto a course closer to Earth. Preliminary tracking data indicates OSIRIS-REx changed its velocity, which includes speed and direction, by 1.3 miles, or 2 kilometers, per hour. It’s a tiny but critical shift; without course adjustments like this …
NASA, SpaceX Adjust Crew-7 Launch Date
NASA and its commercial and international partners now are targeting launch at 6:56 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station. The new date – a shift of two days – allows for launch pad reconfiguration following a SpaceX Falcon Heavy mission from Launch Complex 39A at the …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 7/25/2023
Payloads: Electromagnetic Levitator (EML): The EML high speed camera was set to Standard (STD) measurement mode. The EML is a facility composed of four inserts installed into the European Drawer Rack (EDR) for the electromagnetic levitation of samples. The experiment samples are installed in a dedicated sample chamber that is attached to EML and can …
Safety Training, Space Botany, Robotics Practice and Spacesuit Maintenance Today
The seven-member Expedition 69 crew is keeping busy Tuesday with a round of training, prepping for an upcoming cargo delivery and tending to plants aboard the International Space Station. NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio, joined by Commander Sergey Prokopyev and Flight Engineer Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos began the day with a round of safety training. …
July Puzzler
Your challenge is to tell us the location of the satellite image and why it is interesting.
ISS Daily Summary Report – 7/24/2023
Payloads: Astrobee: The perching arm was removed from the Astrobee flyer. Astrobee is made up of three free-flying, cube-shaped robots. These 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 space station. …
Space Biology, Human Health Research and Robotics Work to Kick off Week
The Expedition 69 crew aboard the International Space Station is keeping busy on Monday with Genes in Space operations, human health research, robotics work, and station maintenance. NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio started his day removing hard drives for future return. Following last week’s session, Rubio once again booted up the Surface Avatar laptop computer …
NASA’s Starling Commissioning Begins, Team Works to Bolster Comms
Each of NASA’s four Starling spacecraft stabilized themselves, deployed solar panels, and made initial contact shortly after their July 17 launch. Starling operators report nominal health for all the CubeSats. The spacecraft are undergoing a series of preparation and testing activities, called commissioning, ahead of their mission to demonstrate autonomous communications, positioning, maneuvering, and decision-making …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 7/21/2023
Payloads: Astrobee: The Astrobee flyers were prepped and JEM stowage was cleared in preparation for remote video operations. Astrobee is made up of three free-flying, cube-shaped robots. These 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 …