SlingShot: To prepare for the Slingshot deployer installation, the crew reviewed the big picture words, then installed the slingshot heater and controller inside the Cygnus vehicle. The team is still discussing a plan for the cables which could not be connected last week. SEOPS’ SlingShot is a small satellite deployment system that fits inside the …
Cygnus Readied for Departure, Crew Trains for Medical Emergency
A U.S. cargo craft is one week away from completing its mission at the International Space Station. Meanwhile, the three-member Expedition 63 crew focused its attention today on emergency training and orbital maintenance. On Monday May 11, the Cygnus space freighter from Northrop Grumman will complete its mission attached to the station’s Unity module. Cygnus …
Antarctic Iceberg Breaks and Makes a New Berg
The colossal iceberg from Antarctica’s Larsen-C Ice Shelf finally fractured in April 2020, generating a new 51-square-nm iceberg.
ISS Daily Summary Report – 5/01/2020
Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR): The crew replaced Nitrogen/Oxygen manifold bottles in support of the continuing s-Flames investigation. The CIR includes an optics bench, combustion chamber, fuel and oxidizer control, and five different cameras for performing combustion experiments in microgravity. Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD)#13: The crew removed the J-SSOD#13 hardware from the JEM Airlock …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 4/30/2020
Space Fibers: The test run on GMT 118 terminated early when the fiber broke from the spool. The 2nd test on GMT 119 appeared to have a broken fiber on the spool that had occurred sometime prior to the run. Though both runs were not fully completed, science was still acquired with regards to fiber …
Expedition 63 Explores Free-Flying Robots and Heart Research
Free-flying robots and heart research filled the science schedule aboard the International Space Station today. The Expedition 63 crew also managed cargo activities in a pair of resupply ships and cleaned biology research gear. Astrobee is a robotics investigation that explores the ability of a trio of cube-shaped, free-flying robots to assist crews aboard the …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 4/29/2020
Astrobee: The crew performed the activities needed to charge 8 of the Astrobee batteries. A new buzz comes to the International Space Station (ISS): Astrobee. Three free-flying, cube-shaped robots. The 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 …
Spacesuit Work and Heart Research Fill Crew Day
The three-member Expedition 63 crew aboard the International Space Station focused its attention on spacesuits and cardiac research today. The orbital residents also serviced science hardware and life support gear. Commander Chris Cassidy worked on a pair of U.S. spacesuits in the Quest airlock today cleaning cooling loops, replacing components and checking for leaks. NASA …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 4/28/2020
Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) #13: The crew performed photographic documentation of the J-SSOD#13 deployment. The JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) provides a novel, safe, and small satellite launching capability to the International Space Station (ISS). The J-SSOD is a unique satellite launcher, handled by the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), …
Polar Bear Visits Polarstern
The curious bear served as a gentle reminder to stay alert while on the ice.