Payloads Materials Science Laboratory- Sample Cartridge Assembly-Gravitational Effects on Distortion in Sintering (MSL SCA-GEDS-German): The crew performed the activities needed to exchange the processed GEDS science sample cartridge assembly (SCA) with a new SCA. Liquid phase sintering is an important means to fabricate net-shape composite materials for applications over a range of industries. The science …
Payloads Cryo Chiller: Following the checkout of the unit earlier this week, the Cryo Chiller was warmed up, the crew removed the sample cartridge insert, and inserted a desiccant pack. Cryo Chiller is a single Expedite the Processing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) locker replacement unit which provides rapid freezing capability in support of …
The International Space Station is getting ready for a new Japanese cargo mission and the first Commercial Crew before the end of the month. Expedition 63 Commander Chris Cassidy joined Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner Friday afternoon to train for the arrival of a Japanese cargo craft after it launches on May 20 at 1:30 p.m. …
Payloads Food Physiology Diet Brief: The crew participated in a diet briefing with the ground team to discuss details of the experiment. The Integrated Impact of Diet on Human Immune Response, the Gut Microbiota, and Nutritional Status During Adaptation to Spaceflight (Food Physiology) experiment is designed to characterize the key effects of an enhanced spaceflight …
The Expedition 63 crew focused its attention today on maintaining International Space Station systems and keeping the orbiting lab in tip-top shape. More eye checks were also on the schedule as doctors seek to protect crew vision in microgravity. Commander Chris Cassidy of NASA started his morning organizing science hardware inside the Columbus laboratory module …
Flying robots and ultrasound eye scans were the top science activities aboard the International Space Station today. The Expedition 63 crew also serviced a variety of lab hardware and tested a wearable health monitor. Free-flying robotic assistants called AstroBees were checked out as Commander Chris Cassidy once again tested their ability to autonomously navigate the …
Payloads Astrobee mapping: The crew assisted with the collection of calibration, localization and mobility data inside the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module). This was performed to supplement data collected during the previous localization/mobility ops and will be used in support of the upcoming Kibo Robot Programming Challenge. The Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Robo-Pro Challenge), also known …
Payloads AstroPi: Following the successful conclusion of the ESA European AstroPi challenge, the AstroPi IR (infrared) unit was transferred from Node 2 back to the Columbus module. In the European AstroPi Challenge, students and young people are offered the amazing opportunity to conduct scientific investigations in space by writing computer programs that run on Astro …
A Japanese cargo ship is poised to resupply the Expedition 63 crew just as a U.S. space freighter has completed its stay at the International Space Station. The three station residents are also getting ready to welcome two Commercial Crew members in just over two weeks. Japan’s ninth H-II Transfer Vehicle cargo mission (HTV-9) is …
To ensure the agency keeps its commitment for safe operations via a continuous U.S. presence aboard the International Space Station until commercial crew capabilities are routinely available, NASA has completed negotiations with the State Space Corporation Roscosmos to purchase one additional Soyuz seat for a launch this fall. The agency received no responses from U.S. suppliers to …
