ISS Daily Summary Report – 12/15/2020

Payloads

Cardinal Heart: Following the delay of the microscopy activities from Monday, today the crew performed both the microscopic observation of the cells as well as the cell culture media exchange. Effect of Microgravity on Drug Responses Using Engineered Heart Tissues (Cardinal Heart) studies the effects of change in gravitational force on cardiovascular cells at the cellular and tissue level using engineered heart tissues (EHTs). Microgravity significantly affects heart tissues that perform work and exert an opposite force to gravity and is known to cause molecular and structural abnormalities in cells and tissues that can lead to disease. The investigation could provide new understanding of similar heart issues on Earth and help identify new treatments.

CIR/ACME (Combustion Integrated Rack/Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments)/BRE-2: The crew performed a manifold bottle exchange to allow the continuation of the BRE-part 2 series of experiment burns. The fuel currently installed in the rack is ethylene (CH2=CH2). This was performed in support of the continuing BRE part 2 (Burning Rate Emulator) investigation, which is one of the ACME suite of five gas combustion experiments. The BRE experiment runs are focused on spacecraft fire prevention. More specifically, BRE’s objective is to improve our fundamental understanding of materials flammability and to assess the relevance of existing flammability test methods for low and partial-gravity environments.

Fiber Optic Production: The crew exchanged a processed sample cartridge with a new one. They noted some difficulty wrapping the processed fiber around the spool, but were able to complete the activity. The Fiber Optic Production investigation creates optical fibers with high commercial value aboard the ISS using a blend of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium, and aluminum called ZBLAN. It operates in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). Extensive theoretical studies along with a limited number of experimental studies suggest that ZBLAN optical fibers produced in microgravity should exhibit far superior qualities to those produced on Earth. The resulting optical fiber from Fiber Optic Production is expected to help verify these studies and guide further engineering efforts to manufacture high value optical fiber in large volume aboard the ISS.

ISS HAM pass: The crew participated in an ISS HAM pass with Oregon Charter Academy, Mill City, OR. Oregon Charter Academy is a public virtual charter school that hosts over 4800 students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade from all across the state of Oregon. Questions ranged from changes in Circadian Rhythm in space to the number and operation of satellites and many others. ISS Ham Radio provides opportunities to engage and educate students, teachers, parents and other members of the community in science, technology, engineering and math by providing a means to communicate between astronauts and the ground HAM radio units.

Vascular Aging: The crew participated in a continuing science session which included the use of the Bio-Monitor device to record several days of physiological data, and the collection of blood samples to assess glucose tolerance. Emerging data point towards linkages among cardiovascular health risk, carotid artery aging, bone metabolism and blood biomarkers, insulin resistance, and radiation. Data indicate that aging-like changes are accelerated in many International Space Station (ISS) crew members, particularly with respect to their arteries. As part of the Space Environment Causes Acceleration of Vascular Aging: Roles of Hypogravity, Nutrition, and Radiation (Vascular Aging) investigation, ultrasounds of the arteries, blood samples, oral glucose tolerance, and wearable sensors from ISS crew members are analyzed.

Systems

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Loop Scrub: The crew performed ionic and particulate filtration (scrubbing) and biocidal maintenance (iodination) for EMUs 3008 and 3015 and Airlock cooling water loops. Conductivity readings and a water sample were taken from the cooling loops following the 70 minute scrub. A post-launch checkout was also completed for EMU 3015 which arrived on SpX-21.

Completed Task List Activities:

• T2AR troubleshooting
• MVP2 Cell 06 replace
• CHeart chamber microscopy
• LSG hardware review
• M14A BCell sample
• CEVIS time sync
• Medops 2 laptop label

Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

• EVA loop scrub support
• Toilet ops support
• Payloads support

Look Ahead Plan

Wednesday, 12/16 (GMT 351)
Payloads:

• Bio-Monitor, Cardinal Heart, Food Acceptability, Fiber Optic Production sample exchange, Myotones, Rodent research, Space Organogenesis, Standard Measures, UWMS

Systems:

• EVA SCU pack
• Dragon conference

Thursday, 12/17 (GMT 352)
Payloads:

• Astrobee, Bio-Monitor remove, Cardinal Heart, Food Acceptability, ISS Experience, Monoclonal Antibodies, MSRR/MSL SCA exchange, Myotones, Nanoracks Platform 2, Repository, Rodent Research, Standard Measures, UWMS, Vascular Aging

Systems:

• OBT Sidekick
• EVA SCU activation/checkout

Friday, 12/18 (GMT 353)
Payloads:

• FIR/LMM/ACE module config, Bio Monitor stow, Fiber Optic Production, Food Acceptability, Food Physiology, ISS Experience hardware stow, J-HDTC remove and SOISS install, JEM Microbe, Micro-14A, Standard Measures

Systems:

• EVA Airlock restow

Today’s Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

• HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Configuration
• In Flight Maintenance Array Ultrasonic Leak Detector Battery Initiate
• Vascular Aging Glucometer Reading And Drink Consumption
• Vascular Aging Historical Documentation Photography
• Combustion Integrated Rack Bottle Gather
• HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Spin Conclude
• HRF Generic MELFI Sample Insertion
• Combustion Integrated Rack Upper Rack Doors Open
• Vascular Aging Glucometer Reading
• Combustion Integrated Rack Manifold #2 Bottle Replacement
• Standard Measures Cognition Testing
• Vascular Aging Glucometer Reading
• HRF Generic Urine Collection Stow
• Combustion Integrated Rack Manifold #4 Bottle Replacement
• Standard Measures Fecal Collection
• HRF Generic MELFI Sample Insertion Operations
• Vascular Aging Glucometer Reading
• Standard Measures Fecal Collection Stow
• Combustion Integrated Rack Upper Rack Doors Close
• Standard Measures Body Sampling Stow
• CSA Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Operator
• Vascular Aging HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Subject
• Life on the Station Photo/Video
• Cardinal Heart Tissue Chamber Microscopy
• Cardinal Heart Tissue Chamber Media Change
• Vascular Aging Glucometer Reading And Data Transfer
• Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Scrub Initiation
• CSA Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Configuration
• CSA Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Spin Conclude
• CSA Generic MELFI Sample Insertion
• HRF Generic HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection Conclude And Stow
• Medical Operations (MO) RODF replacement on file server FS1
• Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis
• Fiber Optic Production Sample Exchange [Aborted]
• Actiwatch Plus HRF Rack 1 Setup
• Fiber Optic Production 1.5 Desiccant Installation
• In Flight Maintenance Array Ultrasonic Leak Detector Restow
• UTS Compressor Port 4 Air Cap Removal
• Kazbek Fit Check
• Toilet Fitting Troubleshooting
• Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Iodination
• Toilet Water Hose Installation
• EDV Fill Using Toilet Deiodinated Water
• Photo/TV Toilet Install Timelapse [Deferred]
• Cardinal Heart Tissue Chamber Media Change and Fixation
• Toilet Air Filter Installation
• [СТТС] Configuration for MRM1
• Progress 444 (DC1) Cargo Transfers and IMS Ops
• EDV Swap
• Toilet Pre-Treat Tank Installation [Deferred]
• Comm reconfig for nominal ops
• Toilet System Outfitting
• IMS Delta File Prep
• Photo/TV Timelapse deactivation
• Bio-Monitor Wearables Change Out
• Private Medical Conference (PMC)
• EDV Fill Activity Teardown
• EVA Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Scrub Deconfiguration
• Bio-Monitor Data Unit Battery Replacement And Synchronization Using Bio-Monitor App
• Environmental Health System (EHS) Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record
• HRF Generic Urine Collection Setup
• Fiber Optic Production Sample Exchange [Aborted]
• In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygeine Compartment (WHC) Urine Receptacle (UR) and Insert Filter (IF) Remove and Replace
• Cardinal Heart MELFI Sample Insertion Operations Session 2
• LSG Primary Crew Restraint Fold
• Fiber Optic Production 1.5 Desiccant Installation
• Array Ultrasonic Leak Detector Crew Conference
• Actiwatch Plus HRF Rack 1 Stow
• ISS HAM Columbus Pass Kenwood
• LSG Work Volume Stow
• Bio-Monitor Wearables StowMaking a documentary about life onboard the ISS
• Micro-14A BioCell Sample and Preservation
• Toilet Connect to ISS with Waste & Hygiene Compartment Water to UMS Flush [Deferred]
• Micro-14A MELFI Sample Insertion
• Exercise Data Downlink via OCA
• ISS Experience Z-Cam Setup on the MWA
• Photo/TV Timelapse deactivation
• Standard Measures Fecal Collection Setup
• HRF Generic Saliva Collection Setup
• Cardinal Heart Glacier Sample Removal
• Hematocrit equipment preparation
• Astrobee Stowage Clear
• HRF Generic Urine Collection Male
• HRF Generic MELFI Sample Retrieval And Insertion Operations