Blogs

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 52 astronauts furthered investigative data for NASA’s Human Research Program, collecting in-flight data and blood and urine samples over the weekend. Today, the crew will take additional samples for the Biochem Profile, Repository and Cardio Ox investigations. An ultrasound was also used for the Cardio Ox study, which seeks …

Japanese Experiment Module Airlock (JEMAL) Operations:  Today the crew brought the JEMAL Slide Table into the JEM from the Airlock and replaced the Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) on the Slide Table with the Handhold Experiment Platform (HXP) Adapter.  The HXP Adapter will support the Exposed Experiment Handhold Attachment Mechanism 1 (ExHAM 1) operations …

By Kevin Matyi The motion of the moon is what causes eclipses, but the dramatic change in sunlight is what makes them so impressive to observers. But what exactly is happening when the moon passes in front of the sun? The moon is blocking the sun’s light from reaching Earth, but there is more to …

Window Observational Research Facility (WORF): The crew installed the WORF Improved Payload Ethernet Hub Gateway (iPEHG) and WORF Shutter Actuator System (SAS) in the WORF Rack. This hardware will allow ground commanded control of the US Lab Window Shutter in support of payload operations and the new iPEHG design corrects performance limitations experienced by the …

Expedition 52 worked throughout Thursday installing new science gear to improve the research capabilities of the International Space Station. A cargo craft is also being loaded with trash and obsolete gear for disposal next week. New network connections were installed on the main window of the Destiny lab module today. Flight Engineer Jack Fischer installed …

The Core Stage Forward Skirt Umbilical (CSFSU) recently was installed on the tower of the mobile launcher at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, to prepare for the first launch of the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft atop. The mobile launcher tower will be equipped with a number of lines, …

Sprint Volume of Oxygen Utilized (VO2) Maximum:  The crew set up and performed a Sprint VO2 Max exercise protocol. The subject completed their Flight Day 75 session with assistance from the other USOS crewmember.  The Sprint investigation evaluates the use of high intensity, low volume exercise training to minimize loss of muscle, bone, and cardiovascular …

A pair of astronauts explored new space exercise techniques today to stay healthy and fit on long duration missions. The crew also observed protein crystals and high temperatures to understand microgravity’s effects on humans and physical processes. Expedition 52 Flight Engineer Jack Fischer strapped himself in to the space station’s exercise bike this morning with …

Node 3 Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) Water Separator (WS) Change Out:  Today, the crew replaced the Node 3 CCAA WS. The unit had experienced several water carryover events since May 3, 2017. To assist in preventing these events, ground teams adjusted the Node 3 Low Temperature Loop to reduce condensation rates.  The failing unit …

The orbiting Expedition 52 trio continued exploring magnetized cell structures today and worked on advanced repair tasks. Also, a new crew is in Moscow getting ready for its launch in less than three weeks. Astronaut Peggy Whitson was back at work Tuesday running the Mag 3D cell culturing experiment all day. She peered at magnetic …