I’m Róisín Commane, a researcher at Harvard University working with Steve Wofsy (ATom PI) and Bruce Daube (chief engineer) to measure CO2, CH4, N2O and CO concentrations during ATom. As the project evolves, I’m hoping to provide some insight into both the science we are doing and what it means to work on an aircraft […]
Astronauts Exploring Head, Eye Pressure and Genetic Alterations
The crew aboard the International Space Station continued exploring the numerous ways living in space affects the human body and other organisms. The station residents also participated in an emergency simulation exercise. Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka this week are exploring fluid shifts from an astronaut’s lower body to the upper body …
Look Up! Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Aug. 11-12
Make plans now to stay up late or set the alarm early next week to see a cosmic display of “shooting stars” light up the night sky. Known for it’s fast and bright meteors, the annual Perseid meteor shower is anticipated to be one of the best potential meteor viewing opportunities this year. The Perseids …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 08/02/2016
Fluid Shifts Imaging with Chibis in the Service Module (SM): With assistance from the ground team two crewmembers began the second week of the Fluid Shifts experiment run by configuring the Ultrasound 2 hardware prior to performing ultrasound scans on in the SM while using the Chibis. Poor video quality of the Ultrasound scan for …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 08/01/2016
Airway Monitoring Ambient and Reduced Pressure Operations: The crew completed part of today’s session of the European Space Agency (ESA) Airway Monitoring experiment in the US Airlock. The protocol was successfully performed at ambient pressure. The crew was scheduled to repeat the protocol at a low pressure (10.2 psi) during which oxygen concentration in the …
Crew Kicks off August on Variety of Advanced Space Research
The six-member Expedition 48 crew participated in a series of experiments today exploring how living in space affects the human body. Also, a set of bowling ball-sized experimental satellites was set up for a student contest. Scientists are sampling crew respiration today to understand the health impacts of living in the International Space Station’s closed …
There and Back Again: ATom Goes to the Equator
Last Friday, July 29, was the first real science flight of the mission. Driving down to the base at 4am, Mumford and Sons’ ‘Cave’ blasting through the stereo, I definitely felt excited (and a little sleepy). On-board we powered up the instruments and ran through our pre-flight checklist. We’d made some changes the previous day […]
ISS Daily Summary Report – 07/29/2016
Body Measures Operations: Two crewmembers, one as the subject and the other providing operator assistance, completed a Body Measures data collection session that began last week. They set up cameras and video, then collected the Neutral Body Posture video and stow the equipment. NASA is collecting in-flight anthropometric data (body measurements) to assess the impact …
ISS Daily Summary Report – 07/28/16
Mouse Epigenetics Cage Unit Maintenance: The Mouse Cage Units containing the mice were transferred to the glove box from the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) while the crew conducted standard cleaning and maintenance on the Mouse Habitat Cage Units. The Mouse Epigenetics investigation studies altered gene expression patterns in the organs of male mice that …
Human Research and Suit Preps before Mid-August Spacewalk
The Expedition 48 crew continued researching how living in space affects the eyes and the brain today. Two NASA astronauts also are getting ready for a mid-August spacewalk to install a new docking port. Commander Jeff Williams and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin participated in the Fluid Shifts experiment today. They used an ultrasound scan and a …