Space-based production of human tissues and preventing space-caused head and eye pressure were the main research topics at the end of the week for the Expedition 73 crew. The International Space Station is also gearing up for a pair cargo missions this month supplying the orbital residents with food, fuel, science experiments, and more.
NASA, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX are accelerating the next commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station to maximize launch opportunities following an assessment of mission readiness. NASA now is targeting no earlier than 6:11 p.m. EDT, Sunday, Sept. 14, for the launch of a Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Exercise research and space physics took precedence aboard the International Space Station while a pair of Expedition 73 crew members enjoyed an off-duty day. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew also focused on maintaining science hardware and inventorying lab gear.
Expedition 73 continued observing bone stem cells on Wednesday to learn how to protect the skeletal system in microgravity and ensure crew health on long duration space missions. The International Space Station residents also installed advanced computer hardware and practiced an emergency drill as a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft boosted the orbital outpost’s altitude.
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, SpaceX’s Dragon completed an initial burn to test the spacecraft’s new capability to help maintain the altitude of the International Space Station.
Bones and transistors were the main research topics aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday to explore how microgravity affects the human body and advanced technology. Also, the next cargo mission packed with new science, supplies, and hardware for the Expedition 73 crew is targeted to lift off in mid-September.
Bone and brain research wrapped up the week aboard the International Space Station on Friday helping doctors keep astronauts healthy when living in weightlessness. The Expedition 73 crew also checked out spacesuit gear, conducted ultrasound eye scans, and photographed Earth landmarks.
The Expedition 73 crew explored microgravity’s effect on bone and plant cells and studied futuristic space workouts aboard the International Space Station on Thursday to keep astronauts fit and promote space agriculture.
Preventing space-caused head and eye pressure impacts using specialized medical hardware was the top research theme aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday. The Expedition 73 residents also continued unpacking a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft and practiced an emergency drill aboard the orbital outpost.
Expedition 73 opened the hatch to the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft shortly after its arrival on Monday and has begun unloading advanced science experiments to continue benefitting humans living on and off the Earth. The International Space Station residents also prepared for next month’s Dragon reboost and kept up lab maintenance and Earth observations.
