Archivo de la etiqueta: iss

Crew Studies Space Orientation, DNA Data Storage as Dragon Reboosts Station

The Expedition 73 crew ended the work week exploring how living and working in space affects the sensory system and DNA. The International Space Station residents also continued researching how digestion is impacted by microgravity and unpacking a U.S. cargo craft.

A pair of experiments taking place simultaneously aboard the orbital outpost on Friday used two different sets of virtual reality goggles to examine how astronauts adjust to the lack of an up-and-down reference in microgravity. The vestibular system helps humans on Earth stand upright, keep their balance, and maintain a sense of motion. Those signals change in space as an astronaut’s brain adjusts to weightlessness and begins relying on visual tracking and muscle memory to figure out balance and spatial orientation.

NASA Flight Engineers Zena Cardman and Jonny Kim joined each other in Columbus laboratory module and explored what happens to the structure of the vestibular system, such as the inner ear, fluid, and tiny hairs, that detects gravity and movement when living off the Earth. Cardman operated computer software that sent visual stimuli to a virtual reality headset that Kim was wearing as doctors on the ground monitored his eye movements and other responses for the CIPHER human research study. The data will inform countermeasures to space dizziness, help crews train for longer missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, and prepare astronauts for the return to Earth after months or years in space.

Afterward, Kim sequenced DNA samples in the Harmony module for a biotechnology study investigating using DNA as a way to store and encrypt digital data to reduce reliance on traditional and heavier storage methods in space. Cardman worked in the Kibo laboratory module servicing scientific samples stowed inside combustion research hardware.

Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov wore virtual reality glasses for another sensory system study that took place in the Nauka science module. Platonov responded to computer-generated visual stimuli as his eye movements and other physiological reactions were monitored. Once again, results from the experiment may improve crew training techniques, help with the readaptation to Earth’s gravity, as well as advance treatments for balance disorders on Earth.

Flight Engineers Mike Fincke of NASA and Kimiya Yui of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) partnered together on Friday continuing to unload new science and supplies delivered aboard the Cygnus XL cargo craft on Sept. 18. Fincke earlier installed a CubeSat on the NanoRacks external platform that will soon be placed outside the space station. The CubeSat will be deployed into Earth orbit to test plasma propulsion. Yui configured a pressure management device in the Tranquility module then downloaded station air quality data collected from atmospheric monitors in the Destiny laboratory module.

Station Commander Sergey Ryzhikov and Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritsky, both Roscosmos cosmonauts, continued their gastrointestinal study scanning each other’s bellies with an ultrasound device after breakfast on Friday. Results from the experiment will help doctors understand how a crew member’s digestion, metabolism, and nutrient delivery adapt to weightlessness. The duo then split up to work on a variety of life support maintenance tasks throughout the station’s Roscosmos segment.

The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft fired its Draco thrusters, located in the vehicle’s trunk, for 15 minutes on Friday reboosting the International Space Station’s orbit for the third time this month. The reboost maneuvers lifted the orbital outpost’s altitude to prepare for Soyuz crew swap operations later this year.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark A. Garcia

Space Medicine Protecting Crews, Station Reboost Aborted

Eye structure, digestion, and heart health were the top research subjects for the Expedition 73 crew aboard International Space Station on Thursday.

Doctors constantly monitor the health of station crew members to understand how living and working in space for months or years at a time affects the human body. The medical data collected since the beginning of the human spaceflight program provides continuous insight into the effects of microgravity on crews helping NASA and its international partners plan safe, successful missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond

One effect of living off the Earth is the flow of fluids toward an astronaut’s head since Earth’s gravity is no longer pulling on the human body. Astronauts have reported eye and vision changes caused by this headward shift, a condition known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome, or SANS. Flight Engineers Jonny Kim of NASA and Kimiya Yui of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) explored using a specialized thigh cuff on Thursday as way to reverse those headward flows and protect crews on long term space missions. Yui wore a thigh cuff that applied pressure on his leg for the investigation that has been taking place inside the station’s Columbus laboratory module since September 2023. Kim collected Yui’s blood pressure measurements, scanned his veins with the Ultrasound 2 device, and imaged the inside of eyes using optical gear to evaluate the effectiveness of the thigh cuff.

Station Commander Sergey Ryzhikov and Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritsky, both Roscosmos cosmonauts, joined each other after their breakfast and scanned their bellies with an ultrasound device. Results from the long-running gastrointestinal study will help doctors understand how a crew member’s digestion, metabolism, and nutrient delivery adapt to weightlessness.

NASA Flight Engineer Zena Cardman wrapped up a 48-hour session wearing the sensor-packed Bio-Monitor headband and vest for the CIPHER human research investigation. She removed the biomedical gear and downloaded her health data for review by doctors on Earth. The data will also be compared to wellness metrics collected from other astronauts before, during, and after a spaceflight.

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke worked in the Tranquility module and opened up the NanoRacks Bishop airlock ahead of scientific payload operations. Bishop can be used to transfer cargo inside and outside of the space station. The airlock can even be detached from Tranquility with the Canadarm2 robotic arm for experiment operations, satellite deployments, or trash disposal.

Roscosmos Flight Engineer Oleg Platonov filled the Elektron oxygen generator in the Zvezda service module and serviced orbital plumbing gear in the Nauka science module during the first half of his shift. Afterward, Platonov collected air samples throughout the station’s Roscosmos segment to analyze the quality of the orbiting lab’s breathing environment.

On Thursday, SpaceX’s Dragon was conducting a reboost of the International Space Station using the company’s CRS-33 Trunk Draco thrusters when the burn was manually aborted approximately 3 minutes, 45 seconds into the planned 19-minute, 22-second burn. All systems aboard the space station are operating as expected, and the Expedition 73 crew is conducting its normal complement of work.

Ground controllers at SpaceX, in close coordination with NASA’s Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, commanded the abort when operators noticed a swap of the Draco thruster fuel tanks did not occur as planned. Teams stopped today’s burn to conserve propellant on the spacecraft.  

Ground teams are reviewing plans for a follow-up reboost at 2:24 p.m. EDT on Friday, Sept. 26. Dragon previously conducted space station reboost on Sept. 3, which lasted the full duration.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark A. Garcia

Cutting Edge Medical Studies Look at Crew Fitness and Vision

Fitness research and vision studies once again topped the science schedule aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday helping doctors ensure the crew remains healthy on orbit. The Expedition 73 crewmates also worked throughout the day inspecting lab module hatches, installing research cables, and testing robotic communications.

NASA Flight Engineers Jonny Kim and Zena Cardman split their shift on Tuesday exercising while wearing sensors and breathing gear providing data to help scientists understand how the human body adapts to weightlessness. The lack of gravity accelerates muscle and bone loss in a crew member that doctors seek to understand and prevent as NASA and its international partners plan longer human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Kim began his day pedaling on the Destiny laboratory module’s exercise cycle as the biomedical hardware measured his heart and breathing rate. An astronaut’s aerobic and cardiovascular health is critical to ensure readiness for strenuous physical tasks such as a spacewalk or the return to Earth’s gravity after several months, or even years, in space. Cardman worked out in the Tranquility module jogging on the treadmill then doing deadlifts, curls, bench presses, and other exercises on the advanced resistive exercise device (ARED). She was wearing the sensor-packed Bio-Monitor vest and headband measuring her health data for the exercise portion of the CIPHER suite of 14 human research studies.

Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) led an eye exam and operated medical imaging gear that NASA Flight Engineer Mike Fincke peered into as personnel on the ground monitored in real time. Doctors are studying how microgravity affects the eye structure including the lens, retina, and optic nerve to understand potential vision issues during space missions and after the return to Earth.

Earlier, Yui worked in the Kibo laboratory module on CubeSat hardware while Fincke replaced components on the ARED in Tranquility. Fincke then spent half-an-hour checking and replacing hatch seal segments in the Destiny lab. Kim and Cardman joined in the hatch work at the end of their shift inspecting hatch seals in Destiny and the Unity modules.

Station Commander Sergey Ryzhikov and Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritsky, both from Roscosmos, spent the first half of their shift inside the Nauka science module routing cables for an experiment studying semiconductor manufacturing in space. After lunchtime, the cosmonauts prepared research hardware for a biology investigation they will work on Thursday to explore how microgravity affects the digestion system.

Roscosmos Flight Engineer Oleg Platonov kicked off his shift in the Zvezda service module working on ventilation system maintenance. Platonov also collected radiation measurements from sensors throughout the station’s Roscosmos segment. He also tested remote control communications between the European robotic arm and mission controllers in Moscow.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark A. Garcia

Exercise Research and Computer Upgrades Keep Crew Busy on Tuesday

The Expedition 73 crew members explored how exercise in space affects the body, conducted an eye exam, and continued upgrading computer networking gear aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday. The orbital residents also transferred emergency gear into the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft, maintained life support equipment, and continued unpacking a Progress resupply ship.

Astronauts exercise daily for two hours aboard the orbital outpost to counteract accelerated muscle and bone loss caused by the lack of gravity. Researchers monitor crew members during their workouts to keep crews healthy and design effective workout plans for long duration space missions.

NASA Flight Engineer Zena Cardman participated in the exercise portion of the CIPHER suite of 14 human research studies working out on the advanced resistive exercise device and pedaling on the station’s exercise cycle for insights into her heart health. After her workout, she wore a sensor-packed Bio-Monitor headband and vest from the Canadian Space Agency beginning a 48-hour session measuring her health data. Doctors will be observing how her cardiovascular health is adjusting to microgravity and comparing it to physical data collected from other astronauts before, during, and after a spaceflight.

NASA Flight Engineer Mike Fincke led an eye exam and operated medical imaging gear that Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) peered into as personnel on the ground monitored in real time. Doctors are studying how microgravity affects the eye structure including the lens, retina, and optic nerve to understand potential vision issues during space missions and after the return to Earth.

Earlier, Yui was back inside the Kibo laboratory module on his second of replacing computer networking hardware. The ethernet hub upgrades will transmit data quicker and more efficiently throughout the orbital outpost.

Fincke and Cardman also joined NASA Flight Engineer Jonny Kim inside the SpaceX Dragon configuring the spacecraft for standard emergency preparations. The trio outfitted the vehicle with emergency documents, pressure indicators, and seat components in the unlikely event a crew would need to evacuate the orbital outpost.

Station Commander Sergey Ryzhikov spent his shift installing a vacuum pressure gauge in the Nauka science module and servicing environmental control and life support systems in the station’s Roscosmos segment. Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritsky was back inside the Progress 93 resupply ship unpacking some of the nearly three tons of food, fuel, and supplies it delivered on Sept. 13. Afterward, Zubritsky jogged on the Zvezda service module’s treadmill while wearing chest electrodes that measured his cardiac activity for a physical fitness test. Flight Engineer Oleg Platonov began his shift in Zvezda analyzing and testing the module’s power supply system before turning his attention to ongoing Earth observations photographing natural and man-made conditions on the seas, rivers, and mountainous areas.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark A. Garcia

Crew Studies Cardiac Health and Unpacks Cygnus, Progress Spacecraft

Expedition 73 kicked off the week with ultrasound scans for cardiac research and unloading new science experiments delivered last week aboard the Cygnus XL cargo craft. Spacesuit work and computer networking maintenance rounded out the day aboard the International Space Station.

NASA Flight Engineers Mike Fincke and Jonny Kim joined each other on Monday in the Columbus laboratory module to continue learning how living and working in space affects cardiovascular health. Fincke led the biomedical investigation scanning Kim’s chest with the Ultrasound 2 device to identify signs of space-caused plaque buildup or accelerated aging-like symptoms in the arteries. Kim also wore sensors that measured his cardiac activity during the scans for the CIPHER human research investigation. Doctors collect the health data from astronauts before, during, and after a spaceflight and compare it to data collected from other astronauts to gain clearer insights into crew health.

Earlier in the day, the duo partnered with NASA Flight Engineer Zena Cardman unpacking some of the 11,000 pounds of new science and supplies delivered last week aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL resupply ship. A pair of portable science freezers containing research samples were removed from Cygnus and installed in an EXPRESS science rack ahead of upcoming experiment work. Cardman also installed new cloud computing hardware in the Destiny laboratory module then relocated air monitors from Destiny to the Tranquility module.

Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) spent his shift inside the Kibo laboratory module installing new computer networking gear. The ethernet hub upgrades will transmit data quicker and more efficiently throughout the orbital outpost.

Station Commander Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos worked on an Orlan spacesuit in the Poisk module ahead of spacewalks planned for later this year. The three-time lab resident installed a variety of components inside the suit including a battery pack and a backup oxygen tank then conducted leak and pressure checks.

Flight Engineers Alexey Zubritsky and Oleg Platonov worked together throughout Monday unloading some of the nearly three tons of food, fuel, and supplies delivered aboard the Progress 93 cargo craft on Sept. 13. The duo also split up with Zubritsky working on the Roscosmos ventilation system and Platonov photographing landmarks in the Caspian Sea and the Amazon Delta.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark A. Garcia