Node 3 (N3) Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Valve Remove & Replace (R&R): Virts R&Rd the N3 CDRA Air Selector Valve (ASV) 106. The R&R was scheduled due to telemetry indication that showed this valve was taking longer than normal to reach its commanded position, which is consistent with a valve operating under high torque …
The three Expedition 43 crew members were back at work Tuesday on ongoing advanced microgravity science benefiting life on Earth and future crew members on long-term space missions. The International Space Station team is also getting ready to greet a new set of crew members and a private space freighter. Commander Terry Virts participated in …
Space-X 6 Preparations: Virts and Cristoforetti reviewed capture procedure, proficiency training on the SpX mission profile, rendezvous procedures and crew interfaces for monitoring and commanding the vehicle. The lesson walked through the steps in the rendezvous procedures and provides representative Robotic Workstation (RWS) and PCS screenshots for each step as well as provided an overview …
The orbiting Expedition 43 trio focused on science work Monday as another crew counts down to its launch Friday afternoon to the International Space Station. Commander Terry Virts and Flight Engineers Samantha Cristoforetti and Anton Shkaplerov have been in space for 120 days. Virts and Cristoforetti participated in their 120 day medical tests. The commander …
Gene, Immune and Cellular Responses to Single and Combined Space Flight Conditions-B (TripleLux-B): Today Cristoforetti initiated the first of two TripleLux-B runs. The second run will be scheduled for next week. She placed the thawed Experiment Container (EC) Handling Mechanism (HM) in the BioLab (BLB) rotor and activated the rotor. TripleLux compares the mechanisms of …
Commander Terry Virts was the maintenance man Friday as he inspected windows and checked for dust buildup in vents inside the Destiny lab module. Virts also conducted more plumbing work, replacing a recycle tank in the Water Recovery System. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti was in Europe’s Columbus lab module continuing her week-long science activities in …
Gene, Immune and Cellular Responses to Single and Combined Space Flight Conditions-B (TripleLux-B): Following Monday’s successful recovery of the Columbus Biolab (BLB) facility, Cristoforetti continued with TripleLux-B activities today. She inserted the Experiment Container (EC) Handling Mechanism (HM) into the BLB Glovebox and installed the TripleLux and Viability Test ECs into the left rotor for …
The International Space Station raised its orbit on Wednesday evening, placing it in the correct orientation for the docking of a new Soyuz spacecraft and crew next week. Inside the station the multinational Expedition 43 crew stayed focused on long-term microgravity studies and the upkeep of their orbital laboratory. The ISS Progress 58 spacecraft, docked …
Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System (MARES) Functional Checkout: Cristoforetti successfully completed Part 2 of the MARES checkout. She measured, validated, and calibrated different motor profiles of the MARES facility. The MARES hardware consists of an adjustable chair and human restraint system, a pantograph (an articulated arm supporting the chair, used to properly position the …
The Expedition 43 crew members worked on science hardware Wednesday. Back on Earth, Russian flight controllers are planning to fire the thrusters of a docked cargo craft to raise the International Space Station’s orbit. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti completed the activation and testing of the new Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES). She also …
