Group Combustion Module (GCM): The crew completed closeout operations in the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack 1 (MSPR1) for the GCM investigation that was completed this week. The Group Combustion investigation tests combustion changes of fuel sprays as flames spread across a cloud of droplets. In the MSPR fuels are arranged randomly on thin-fiber lattice points …
Expedition 52 continued exploring today how microgravity impacts humans and technology to improve future spaceflight and benefit life on Earth. The trio also conducted an array of maintenance activities including space plumbing. NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson took a look today at how living in space affects her ability to work on interactive tasks. The Fine …
Rodent Research-5 (RR-5) Systemic Therapy of NELL-1 for Osteoporosis: The crew completed injections of half of the RR-5 mice remaining on the ISS in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) and performed bone densitometer scans of each of those mice. Because spaceflight has significant and rapid effects on the musculoskeletal system it is important to investigate …
A pair of Expedition 52 astronauts from NASA aboard the International Space Station today explored how microgravity causes bone loss in space. The commander from Roscosmos also worked on life support maintenance tasks throughout Wednesday. NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer studied a new drug therapy to determine its potential to prevent bone loss. …
SpaceX (SpX)-11 Departure/Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: On Monday, Robotics Ground Controllers maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to position Dragon for release. At 1:41am CDT the ISS Crew released Dragon and backed the SSRMS away. Following Dragon departure, Controllers maneuvered the SSRMS to a park position and provided video support of the Node …
Expedition 52 astronauts Jack Fischer and Peggy Whitson of NASA released the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft from the International Space Station’s robotic arm at 2:41 a.m. EDT. Dragon’s thrusters will be fired to move the spacecraft a safe distance from the station before SpaceX flight controllers in Hawthorne, California, command its deorbit burn. The capsule will …
Due to a forecast of unacceptable sea states in the Pacific Ocean in the prime opportunity splashdown zone, SpaceX and NASA have elected to delay the return of the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft to Monday, July 3. The splashdown zone for Monday has an acceptable weather forecast and is closer to port in Long Beach, California. …
SpaceX (SpX)-11 Unberth Status: Teams met this afternoon to discuss the plan to unberth Dragon on Sunday, July 2. Weather at the splashdown area has been a concern for the past few days but reports are that the weather is improving. Teams decided to go forward with the plan to release on Sunday at 10:38AM …
Extremophiles: In preparation for Session C of the Extremophiles investigation the crew wiped designated surfaces in Node 1, Node 3 and the Cupola with sterile wet wipes and placed them into a Biolab Thermal Control Unit. Archaea and extremophilic bacteria have not been considered as significant contributors to the microbiome on the ISS. The Extremophiles …
A pair of NASA astronauts are almost finished packing the SpaceX Dragon resupply ship and are training for its Sunday morning departure. The three-member Expedition 52 crew also explored life science researching microgravity’s effect on microbes and plants. Flight Engineers Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer will be inside the Cupola Sunday to robotically release Dragon …
