Microbiology and human research were the main scientific focus aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday to protect health on and off the Earth. The Expedition 74 crew members also worked on advanced research hardware and sent down a congratulatory message to the Artemis III crew, who were named during an announcement from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Expedition 74 began the week bioprinting human cartilage tissue and harvesting alfalfa plants aboard the International Space Station to advance health and promote self-sustainable space crews. The orbital residents also retrieved materials exposed to the external space environment and conducted their own ultrasound vein scans to continuously learn how living in space affects physics and biology.
The Zvezda service module’s transfer tunnel, known as the PrK, on the International Space Station has experienced cracks since 2019 that have resulted in small atmosphere leaks and prompted ongoing monitoring and repair efforts by Roscosmos. NASA and Roscosmos have worked together to identify the root cause while Roscosmos has been applying leak mitigation measures, including temporary and permanent sealants.
3D bioprinting and stem cell research were the main research topics aboard the International Space Station on Thursday. The Expedition 74 crew members also photographed growing plants and lab windows for inspection while continuing to pack a U.S. cargo spacecraft.
Wednesday’s science schedule aboard the International Space Station encompassed human research, microbial analysis, and 3D bioprinting to advance health on and off the Earth. The Expedition 74 crew members also worked on spacesuit maintenance and cargo spacecraft duties throughout the day rounding out their shift.
Microbiology, biotechnology, and physics were the dominant research themes aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday as the Expedition 74 crew explored how microgravity affects bacteria, cartilage growth, and metallic structure. Scientific hardware maintenance rounded out the schedule for the orbital residents to ensure continuous experimental operations.
The Expedition 74 crew kicked off June with a busy schedule of microgravity research harvesting stem cells, installing physics hardware, and watering plants aboard the International Space Station. Spacesuit work and life support maintenance rounded out the day for the orbital residents.
The Expedition 74 crew members primarily focused their science work on blood-clotting and immune function in microgravity to advance human health on Friday. Meanwhile, spacesuit maintenance continues aboard the International Space Station following a spacewalk on Wednesday.
Space physics, eye checks, and workout gear maintenance filled Thursday’s schedule for the Expedition 74 crew members aboard the International Space Station on Thursday. Three cosmonauts are also cleaning up and relaxing following a spacewalk on Wednesday.
Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev concluded their spacewalk outside the International Space Station at 4:24 p.m. EDT after five-and-a-half hours.
