ISS On-Orbit Status Report

Cygnus Launch Status:  Yesterday’s planned launch of the OA-5 mission was postponed for 24 hours due to an issue with a ground support equipment.  OA-5 launch is set for today, 17-October at 6:40 PM CDT.  This launch attempt will result in OA loitering until after 48S docking, scheduled for Friday 21-October.  OA-5 approach and berthing …

63 Progress (63P) Undock: 63P undocked successfully from the Service Module (SM) aft port this morning at 4:37 AM CDT. Deorbit burn was completed at 7:50 AM CDT followed by atmospheric entry and destruction.  Vascular Echo Resting Ultrasound: FE-5 performed Vascular Echo resting ultrasound and blood pressure measurements this morning.  With assistance from ground remote …

Cardio Ox Ultrasound Operations: With remote guidance from the Cardio Ox ground teams, FE-5 assisted FE-6 in conducting an ultrasound scan after configuring the Voice-Activated Communication (VOX), attaching the Electrocardiograms (ECG) Electrodes, and marking the arteries; followed by blood pressure measurements using the Cardiolab Holter Arterial Blood Pressure Unit. The goal of the Cardio Ox …

Fluid Shifts Before, During and After Prolonged Space Flight and Their Association with Intracranial Pressure and Visual Impairment (Fluid Shifts): Following yesterday’s Dilution Measurements, today, FE-5 performed Day 2 of his final Fluid Shifts collection.  With assistance from FE-6, the crew performed various collections and measurements including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions …

Human Research Facility (HRF) Ultrasound Status: Over the weekend ground teams and the crew were able to successfully troubleshoot the data files on the HRF Ultrasound and to upgrade the backup unit.  The data files for the CDR were downlinked and evaluated by specialists, and a repeat of the Fluid Shifts Baseline Imaging is not …

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES)-Slosh: FE-6 configured the SPHERES-Slosh experiment setup using two SPHEREs satellites and the slosh assembly. With ground team support, the crew executed off of the predetermined test matrix.  The SPHERES-Slosh investigation examines the way liquids move inside containers in a microgravity environment. The phenomena and mechanics associated with …

Fluid Shifts Before, During and After Prolonged Space Flight and Their Association with Intracranial Pressure and Visual Impairment (Fluid Shifts): Following yesterday’s Dilution Measurements, today, the ISS CDR performed Day 2 of his Final Fluid Shifts collection.  With assistance from FE-6, the crew performed various collections and measurements including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Distortion Product …

ENERGY (Astronaut’s Energy Requirement for Long-Term Space Flight): Today, FE-5 completed Day 7 of the 11 day ENERGY experiment. In addition to today’s water and urine samples, the 11 day ENERGY experiment requires FE-5 to continue logging his dietary intake and wear the armband that monitors his activities. The Energy investigation measures an Astronaut’s Energy …

ENERGY (Astronaut’s Energy Requirement for Long-Term Space Flight): Today, FE-5 completed Day 6 of the 11 day ENERGY experiment. As part of today’s activities, he continued logging his dietary intake and wearing the armband that monitors his activities.  The Energy investigation measures an Astronaut’s Energy Requirements for Long-Term Space Flight, a crucial factor needed for …

Sally Ride Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle Schools (EarthKam) Set Up: ISS CDR set up the Sally Ride EarthKam equipment in the Node 2 window which begins a week-long imaging session. The objective of Sally Ride EarthKam is to integrate Earth images with inquiry-based learning to enhance curricula in support of national and state education …