ISS Daily Summary Report – 12/12/2023

Payloads:

Cerebral Ageing: Sampling and media exchanges were performed on the experiment BioCells. The Impact of Spaceflight on Human Brain Ageing Using Cerebral Organoids (Cerebral Ageing) investigation studies the effect of spaceflight and the durability in space of cerebral organoids. Cerebral organoids are 3D human-derived structures that closely resemble a developing human brain at the molecular and cellular level. Also included for analysis in this investigation are markers of cell stress, metabolism, and ageing in healthy control samples, and cerebral organoids with mutations that lead to accelerated ageing. With this investigation, the research team seeks to establish and validate a pipeline that can be used for experiments with human cells in future long-duration spaceflight.

ElectroMagnetic Levitator (EML): The crew opened the helium valve and closed both argon valves. This allows samples to be processed under different environments. EML is a multi-user facility that provides containerless melting and solidification of electrically conductive, spherical samples, under ultra-high vacuum and/or high purity gas environments. Heating and positioning of the sample are achieved by electromagnetic fields generated by a coil system. The EML supports research in the field of meta-stable states and phases as well as in the field of measurement of highly accurate thermophysical properties of liquid metallic alloys in the stable and undercooled state.

Fiber Optic Production-2 (FOP-2): The crew gained access to the MSG work volume and performed an exchange of the sample preform and spool. The preform is a rod of raw ZBLAN material from which the fiber is drawn. FOP-2 builds on previous work to manufacture commercial optical fibers in microgravity using a blend of elements called ZBLAN. Earlier theoretical and experimental studies suggest ZBLAN optical fibers produced in microgravity exhibit qualities superior to those of fibers produced on Earth. Results from FOP-2 could help further verify these studies and guide manufacture of high value optical fiber aboard the space station for commercial use.

JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer-27 (J-SSOD-27): The crew gathered the appropriate hardware and completed the installation of the J-SSOD-27 hardware to the JEM airlock slide table. J-SSOD-27 contains the Clark sat-1 and Beak satellites, which are planned to be launched early next week. J-SSOD provides a novel, safe, and small satellite launching capability to the ISS. The J-SSOD is a unique satellite launcher, handled by the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), which provides containment and deployment mechanisms for several individual small satellites.

Mochii: The crew performed a Mochii power cycle and routine fan vent cleaning for the Mochii electron microscope system. Mochii is a miniature Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with spectroscopy capability to conduct real-time, on-site imaging and compositional measurements of particles on the ISS.

NanoRacks Module-9 (NR Mod-9): The crew gained access to the NR Mod-9 experiment containers, opened a subset of the mixture tube clamps, and shook the tubes. Experiments in the tubes manipulated today include a wide range of biological samples. NR Mod-9 is a module containing a complement of Mixture Tubes. These Mixture Tubes each contain a separate experiment that can be activated and deactivated while in zero-G. Tubes are a low-cost, high-return science opportunity for students to send experiments to ISS and encompass a wide range of science/disciplines. Mixture Tubes are very popular with middle and high school science programs and have also been used by private company research, technical schools, and individual research.

Omics Archive (OA): The crew collected samples in support of the OA investigation. The Twins Study was a first step in mapping the integrated multi-omic profile of astronaut biospecimens to understand the health consequences of spaceflight. The OA investigation builds upon the success of that study, establishing a longitudinal archive of astronaut biospecimens and a comprehensive multi-omic dataset for use in the study of molecular, metabolic, and microbial changes associated with long-duration spaceflight. These tools facilitate research to characterize and mitigate the crew health and performance risks of such changes.

Space Tissue Equivalent Dosimeter (SpaceTED): The crew removed the memory card and transferred the data, cleaned the air inlet screen, and then returned the SpaceTED unit to nominal operating mode. Exposure to space radiation can introduce hazards to crew member health and the function of equipment in space. Building on a previous space station study, SpaceTED aims to develop a device to collect data on crew radiation exposure and characterize the space radiation environment. This low-cost, portable device may be able to better assess radiation risks and help protect crew members and systems on long-term missions.

Systems:

SpX-29 Cargo Transfer Operations: The crew continued transferring completed science and supplies to the SpX-29 cargo vehicle in preparation for its return to Earth. SpX-29 will remain docked to the ISS until December.

Russian EDV Inspection: Today, the crew performed a visual inspection of a Russian EDV to determine if its contents can be processed through the Urine Processing Assembly (UPA). Imagery of the Russian EDV was downlinked for ground teams to analyze.

Crew Tablet Updates: Today, the crew configured a tablet on-orbit to allow ground teams to perform an operating system update overnight. These updates ensure that the crew is able to successfully perform their on-orbit tasks efficiently.

Completed Task List Activities:

• None

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

• PPS High Beta Operations
• JEMAL Systems Support
• Soyuz EHDC Survey

Look Ahead Plan

Wednesday, December 13 (GMT 347)
Payloads:

• AC2 Touch
• Astrobee Stowage Replace
• BioLab Relocation Testing
• CLINGERS Checkout
• Fiber Optic Production-2 Sample Exchange
• Fluidics HDD Disconnect
• HRF Collections (SM, HP, OA)
• ICE Cubes Kirara 5 Removal
• PAUL 1/2 Transfers
• Plant Habitat Facility Water Fill and Test
• Polar Transfers

Systems:

• SpX-29 Cargo Transfer Operations
• Acoustic Monitor Modified Noise Survey and Data Transfer
• EDV Deiodinated Water Fill and Transfer
• WHC Manual EDV Fill

Thursday, December 14 (GMT 348)
Payloads:

• Astro Bit String Gather
• CIPHER (HP, SM)
• Dragon Locker Installation
• Fiber Optic Production-2 Sample Exchange
• ISS Ham Pass
• MT PCG 10 Pack for Return
• Omics Archive
• Polar Transfers
• VR Mental Care Battery Charge

Systems:

• SpX-29 Undock
• Hatch Seal Inspection
• IFM Node1 Hatch Seal Clean
• UTS Offload EDV Swap
• IMV Flow Measurement Survey

Friday, December 15 (GMT 349)
Payloads:

• AC2 Touch
• Astrobee off
• Fiber Optic Production-2
• HRF Collections (HP, OA)
• LSG Decontamination System Removal
• Plant Habitat Facility Water Test Evaluation
• PLDR Deactivation
• POSSUM Photos
• VR Mental Care

Systems:

• NG-19 Cargo Transfer Operations
• xPWD Needle Troubleshooting
• WHC Air Filter R&R
• RWS DCP Checkout

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

• Sample Reclamation Operations
• MO-8. Body Mass Measurement
• Circadian Light Morning Data Collection
• Mochii Microscope Power Cycle
• JEMAL ST Extension/Retraction and J-SSOD Multi (2 Deployer) onto MPEP Installation
• Space Tissue Dosimeter SD Card Downlink
• Dragon Cargo Transfer
• Russian Urine EDV Inspection
• Nanoracks Module-9 Ops Session 5
• Cerebral Ageing MELFI Sample Retrieve S
• Fluidics HDD Stow and Connection to CMAU
• LSG Primary Crew Restraint Unfold and Fold, and Work Volume Stow
• Cerebral Ageing Sample Media S
• Cerebral Ageing MELFI Insertion for Fixed Sample SY
• Tablet Connect
• OBT Cargo Dragon Depart Review
• Polar Dragon Transfer Operations
• Russian Cygnus Trash Stow
• Fiber Optic Production 2.0 Sample Exchange
• Sperm Stem Cells MELFI Bio Dosimeter Removal
• Astrobee Operations
• Mochii Fan Vent Cleaning
• Standard Measures Pre-Sleep Questionnaire
• HRF Generic Sample Collection and MELFI Sample Retrieval and Insertion