Today’s post is from Veronica Bray, a planetary scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Tucson. She specializes in comparing the surfaces of planetary bodies across the solar system. I love looking at New Horizons’ images of Pluto! But I spend most of my time looking elsewhere. Why? Because comparing Pluto with other planetary …
Columbus A1 Express Rack 3 (ER3) Combustion Event: This morning at approximately 2:14AM CST, a Potential Fire Alarm associated with Columbus A1 Express Rack 3 (ER3) came into alarm. The crew sampled the fire port associated with the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) since the crew had been working at that location minutes earlier. Fire …
The six-member Expedition 45 crew continued exploring more life science Thursday. Commander Scott Kelly, who is comparing his space-borne body with his ground-based twin brother and ex-astronaut Mark Kelly, collected and stored blood and urine samples for the ongoing Twins study. Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren explored using a joystick that transmits sensitive vibrations to control …
NanoRacks Platform-3 Biorack Installation: Yui installed BioRack Experiment Controllers into NanoRacks Platform-3 today. NanoRacks Platforms provide a multipurpose research facility on board the ISS that supports NanoRacks Modules installed in EXPRESS (EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station) racks by providing power and data transfer capabilities for investigations in microgravity. FLame Extinguishment Experiment …
The Expedition 45 crew is continuing more biomedical and psychological research today. Ground controllers are also remotely operating the Canadarm2 robotic arm for a video scan of Russian solar arrays. Flight Engineers Kjell Lindgren and Kimiya Yui were back at work Wednesday with more Ocular Health science conducting eye scans and cardiac exams. Lindgren also …
Cell Mechanosensing-3: Yui set up the Multipurpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Experiment Laptop Terminal (ELT) in preparation for Cell Mechanosensing-3 operations that will be performed after the arrival of investigation samples on the SpaceX-8 in January, 2016. He exchanged the laptop hard drive and installed cables between the MSPR Small Experiment Area and the laptop. …
The Expedition 45 crew kicked off Tuesday with a wide variety of science exploring how living in space affects humans. The orbital laboratory residents also worked on U.S. and Russian spacewalking gear. Astronauts Scott Kelly, Kjell Lindgren and Kimiya Yui participated throughout the day on Ocular Health studies. The trio subjected themselves to eye exams …
Direct Current Switching Unit (DCSU) 1 Remote Bus Isolator (RBI) 1 Trip Status: Friday evening and into the weekend, Flight Controllers worked to successfully restore power to the systems normally powered by the 1B channel. In review of telemetry, the ground team revealed indications that the Sequential Shunt Unit (SSU) 1B may not be able …
The six-member Expedition 45 crew paused for a minute of silence today in tribute to the victims of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris. Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren bowed his head in the middle of experiment work while Commander Scott Kelly said the crew “was shocked and saddened” by the events. Engineers continued to troubleshoot station …
Direct Current Switching Unit (DCSU) 1B Remote Bus Isolator (RBI) 1 Trip – At ~11:55am CST DCSU 1B RBI 1 experienced a trip on Friday taking all power from the 1B Power Channel. Numerous systems were affected including core avionics. Command and Control (C&C) and Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC) Multiplexer/Demultiplexers (MDMs) automatically transitioned to …
