Countdown is progressing smoothly for today’s scheduled launch of the sixth SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. The rocket is scheduled to lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying about two tons of supplies and science investigations in the cargo Dragon spacecraft. …
SpaceX is ready to launch its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon space freighter today at 4:33 p.m. EDT loaded with more than two tons of science gear and crew supplies. Orbiting overhead in the International Space Station the six Expedition 43 crew members observed Cosmonautics Day. NASA TV will cover the launch of the sixth …
Ocular Health: Virts and Cristoforetti completed their Return-30 day (R-30) Ocular Health activities today. They each performed ocular ultrasounds and Virts performed a cardiac ultrasound. This week’s Ocular Health sessions were shared payload and medical requirements. Ocular Health protocol calls for a systematic gathering of physiological data to characterize the risk of microgravity-induced visual impairment/intracranial …
Rodent Research (RR) preparations: In advance of the delivery of RR-2 science on SpaceX-6 (SpX-6), Virts configured the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Life Science Ancillary Hardware (LSAH). He installed life science filters, covers, and the tools, supplies and equipment needed for sample collections. The LSAH installation activity took longer than expected and the last hour …
More life science work took place Thursday aboard the International Space Station as scientists study the effects of living in space during a long term space mission. Back on Earth, SpaceX is counting down to a Monday launch of its Dragon space freighter. More eye checks took place Thursday as the crew in the U.S. …
Integrated Resistance and Aerobic Training Study (Sprint) Ultrasound: Kelly, with Cristoforetti’s assistance, donned reference marks on his thigh and calf and performed an ultrasound scan with remote guidance from the ground team. The Sprint investigation evaluates the use of high intensity, low volume exercise training to minimize loss of muscle, bone, and cardiovascular function in …
The six-member Expedition 43 crew spent Wednesday conducting more medical science and later training for a simulated emergency practicing their response skills. Astronauts Terry Virts and Samantha Cristoforetti participated in another round of eye checks for the ongoing Ocular Health study. One-Year crew member Scott Kelly scanned his legs using an Ultrasound for the Sprint …
Human Research Program (HRP) Collections: Kelly continues with sample collection this week for HRP experiments. Today’s collections are in support of Microbiome and Twins Study experiments. The Microbiome experiment investigates the impact of space travel on both the human immune system and an individual’s microbiome (the collection of microbes that live in and on the …
Advanced microgravity science is moving full speed ahead now that the International Space Station is fully staffed with the six-member Expedition 43 crew. New science gear is also headed to the station as SpaceX readies its Dragon cargo craft for their sixth Commercial Resupply Services mission (SpaceX CRS-6). Commander Terry Virts studied how blood pressure …
Blood Pressure Regulation (BP Reg) Experiment: Virts set up a video camera and configured hardware in preparation for leg cuff and re-breathing protocol tomorrow. This Canadian Space Agency (CSA) investigation tests the effectiveness of in-flight manipulation of arterial blood pressure (BP) as an indicator of post-flight response to a brief stand test, since space flight …
