ISS On-Orbit Status Report

Veg-04B: The crew performed a routine plant check.  This includes the assessment of individual plant pillows, the addition of water as necessary, and photography of the Mizuna plants.  With earlier versions of the Veggie experiments, the root mat is typically filled when the experiment is initiated.  The research of Veg-04B focuses on the impact of …

Analog-1: As part of the preparation for the Analong-1 investigation, which arrives later, the crew performed a software load on the appropriate computer.  Space is such a harsh place for humans and machines that future exploration of the Solar System may involve sending robotic explorers to “test the waters” on uncharted planets before sending humans.  …

US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Battery Charging Discharging Unit (BCDU) 2B2 Replacement Preparations: Over the past weekend when activating the new Li-Ion 2B2 battery BCDU, the converter close command failed; ground teams have determined that performing an EVA to replace the failed BCDU with a new spare will restore full functionality to the Channel 2B.  Today, …

US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Battery Charging Discharging Unit (BCDU) 2B2 Replacement Preparations: During periods of insolation, the BCDU extracts power from the primary power bus, conditions this power and charges the batteries. During periods of eclipse, the BCDU extracts power from the battery bus, conditions this power and supplies it to the primary power bus …

P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #2 (US EVA #57):  Today, the ISS crew completed EVA #2 with the crew lock egress occurring around 6:38 am CT.  Today’s EVA focused on completing the P6 Solar Array Channel 2B Li-Ion battery upgrades.  This included installing the third and final Li-Ion battery to the Channel 2B IEA.  The …

P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #2 (US EVA#57) Preparations: Today, the ISS crew completed multiple road-to activities in preparation for the P6 Battery EVA that is planned for Friday, October 11.  The P6 Battery EVA#2 will focus on upgrading the Solar Array Channel 2B with a third and final Li-Ion battery.  Today’s preparations included the …

P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #2 (USOS EVA#57) Preparations: Today, the ISS crew was involved with several different preparation activities for the upcoming EVA on Friday, October 11.  The crew completed the EVA tool configuration activity.  In addition, the crew completed recharging the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) feedwater tanks with iodinated water from a Contingency …

US P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Operations:  Today, the ground teams and the USOS crew participated in an EVA Debrief conference to discuss any technical issues from the previously completed P6 Battery EVA#1 (US EVA#56) on Sunday October 6, which was the first of five planned P6 Solar Array battery upgrade EVAs.  The crew also …

US P6 Battery Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #1:  Today, FE-3 and FE-9 performed a 7 hr 1 min space walk out to the P6 truss. This was the first of five planned ExtraVehicular Activities (EVAs) that will upgrade the existing the P6 2B power channel nickel hydrogen (NiH2) batteries with new Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries.  Integrated Electronics …

Change of Command Ceremony and 58S Undock/Landing: Today, the ISS Crew participated in a Change of Command Ceremony during which Expedition 60 Commander Aleksey Ovchinin handed over command of the ISS to Expedition 61 Commander Luca Parmitano.  Aleksey Ovchinin, Nick Hague, and Hazzaa Al Mansoori will return to Earth tomorrow morning on 58S with undocking …