Archivo de la etiqueta: spacestation

Crew Studies Biotech on Tuesday to Advance Health and Space Economy

Biotechnology research seeking to advance human health and the space economy packed the science schedule aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday. The Expedition 74 crew members also explored space physics, updated robotics software, and conducted an emergency drill.

Blood stem cells and DNA-inspired nanomaterials were the dominant research themes aboard the orbital outpost as the lab residents helped doctors on the ground explore new methods to treat space-caused ailments and Earthbound illnesses. The new experiments were delivered aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft on April 13 then installed and activated inside the space station shortly afterward.

Flight engineers Sophie Adenot of ESA (European Space Agency) and Jack Hathaway of NASA partnered together on Tuesday processing blood stem cell samples to learn how to manufacture greater numbers of clinical grade stem cells in space. Results may lead to enhanced stem cell attributes potentially leading to improved blood disease and cancer therapies and expanding space commerce opportunities. Hathaway also powered up the KERMIT fluorescent microscope in the Destiny laboratory module so scientists on the ground could remotely view how microgravity affects the blood stem cells.

Afterward, the duo joined NASA flight engineers Jessica Meir and Chris Williams and set up the DNA Nano Therapeutics-3 experiment inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox. The biotechnology study explores mimicking DNA-assembly to manufacture nano-therapies in microgravity potentially  improving patient treatments on Earth and benefitting the space economy.

Meir later configured and powered on the Canadian Space Agency’s Bio-Analyzer then tested the research device that analyzes the molecular and cellular properties of a variety of biological samples. Next, she injected gas into experiment hardware installed inside Destiny’s Microgravity Science Glovebox for a physics study exploring long-term storage methods of cryogenic fluids for spacecraft fuel and life support systems.

Williams began his shift with station commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev, both Roscosmos cosmonauts, practicing an emergency departure drill inside the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft. The trio trained for the evacuation procedure on a descent simulator as Roscosmos mission controllers on the ground monitored in real time.

Afterward, Kud-Sverchkov jogged on the Zvezda service module’s treadmill while attached to sensors measuring his cardiac activity for a regularly scheduled fitness test. Mikaev filled out a questionnaire helping researchers understand how international crews work together potentially leading to improved training techniques.

Roscosmos flight engineer Andrey Fedyaev worked inside the Nauka science module installing new software on a laptop computer for improved control of the European robotic arm. The two-time space station resident also worked throughout Tuesday maintaining plumbing and ventilation systems throughout the orbiting lab’s Roscosmos segment.

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

Roscosmos Progress 93 Cargo Spacecraft Departs Station

The unpiloted Roscosmos Progress 93 spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station at 6:08 p.m. EDT Monday, backing away for a deorbit maneuver and a planned destructive re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to dispose of trash loaded by the crew.

The spacecraft launched in September 2025 on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the space station’s crew. After a two-day journey, it arrived at the orbiting laboratory and automatically docked to the aft port of the station’s Zvezda service module.

Learn more about station activities by following @NASASpaceOps and @space_station on X, as well as the International Space Station’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.   

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Mark A. Garcia

Space Health Research Fills Day Before Cargo Craft Departs

The trash-packed Progress 93 cargo spacecraft from Roscosmos will depart the International Space Station later today completing a seven-month mission docked to the Zvezda service module’s aft port. Progress 93 will conduct an automated deorbit maneuver several hours later and reenter the Earth’s atmosphere above the South Pacific Ocean for a fiery, but safe disposal. The Roscosmos resupply ship arrived at the orbital outpost on September 13, 2025, delivering about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies two days after it launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, the seven-member Expedition 74 crew kicked off the work week with a full schedule of space research investigating blood stem cells, plant-microbe interactions, and more to benefit human health on and off the Earth. The orbital residents also serviced a variety of lab hardware to ensure ongoing science operations while maintaining space station life support systems.

NASA flight engineer Jack Hathaway had a busy day on Monday loading a microscope with blood stem cell samples and installing Earth observation and biology research equipment on an external platform. Hathway spent the first half of his shift swapping sample hardware containing blood stem cells inside the KERMIT fluorescent microscope. Scientists on the ground are using KERMIT’s remote imaging capabilities to view the samples with an eye toward enabling stem cell production in space and developing blood disease and cancer therapies.

Next, Hathaway installed three science payloads on the NanoRacks External Platform for placement outside the Kibo laboratory module in the vacuum of space. Two payloads will test Earth observation technologies including ultra-high resolution hyperspectral imagery and a device that measures radio signals passing through Earth’s ionosphere. A third investigation will observe how round worms adapt to weightlessness to identify space-sensitive proteins and evaluate therapies to protect mobility and neuromuscular health during a spaceflight.

NASA flight engineers Chris Williams and Jessica Meir each worked on a different botany investigation for two separate purposes on Monday. Williams checked on alfalfa plants growing inside the Columbus laboratory module’s Veggie facility and videotaped the operation of the botany research gear. The Veg-06 study is exploring beneficial plant-microbe interactions and whether organic carbon and nitrogen can be recycled to support plant growth for food production in space. Meir videotaped packs of Japanese rice samples that will be returned to Earth for cultivation promoting space education and space commercialization.

Flight engineer Sophie Adenot of ESA (European Space Agency) installed the AstroPi imaging computer inside the Destiny laboratory module’s Earth observation window for a pair of student challenges. The first challenge will see students using sensor data and Earth imagery collected from AstroPi to accurately calculate the space station’s orbital speed. During the second challenge students will write code creating pixel art imagery on AstroPi’s LED matrix to be shared back on Earth.

Station commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev, both Roscosmos cosmonauts, joined each other at the beginning of their shift and trained to use simulation software that prepares a crew for returning to Earth aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. Kud-Sverchkov then moved on to ventilation system maintenance inside Zvezda while Mikaev studied artificial intelligence tools to boost crew efficiency.

Roscosmos flight engineer Andrey Fedyaev strapped an acoustic sensor to his neck that recorded his breathing for a space respiration study early in his shift. Next, Fedyaev worked on a laptop computer that supports the European robotic arm then ensured flow valves inside the Nauka science module were safely configured and properly operating.

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

Plants and Worms Informing Future Missions; Crew Preps for Computer Upgrades

Advanced botany and biology research to sustain crews on future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond wrapped up the week aboard the International Space Station. The Expedition 74 crew also continued unpacking a U.S. cargo craft while keeping up the maintenance of the orbital outpost.

NASA flight engineer Chris Williams kicked off his shift gathering hardware and samples for the Veg-06 space botany study investigating how plants and microbes interact in microgravity. Next, Williams mixed nutrients for the alfalfa and microbe samples being housed inside the Columbus laboratory module’s Veggie facility. Results may advance the development of ways to grow plants for food on future space missions.

ESA (European Space Agency) flight engineer Sophie Adenot worked inside the Harmony module setting up research and video gear to begin exploring how microgravity affects an astronaut’s gut health. She recorded roundworms observing how their bodies and their gut microbes change in microgravity. Results may lead to the development of probiotics, or “living medicines,” to protect health in spaceflight and treat diseases and disorders on Earth.

Afterward, Adenot and Williams joined NASA flight engineer Jessica Meir and continued unpacking new scientific gear, crew supplies, and more from inside Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft. Meir started her shift in the Kibo laboratory module filming content for JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) to promote space awareness and commercialization of low Earth orbit.

NASA flight engineer Jack Hathaway focused primarily on lab maintenance throughout Friday. Hathaway first replaced filters on the urine processing assembly located in the Tranquility module’s waste and hygiene compartment, or bathroom. Following that, he inspected berthing hardware that the Cygnus XL and JAXA’s HTV-X1 spacecraft are attached to during their missions at the orbital outpost. Finally, he installed protective rings around ventilation valves in the Unity and Tranquility modules then photographed his work for analysis.

Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev were once again inside the Zvezda service module conducting maintenance and inspections throughout Friday. Flight engineer Andrey Fedyaev inspected the ventilation system connecting the Roscosmos segment of the station with the U.S. segment then measured the airflow between the two segments.

At the end of the day all seven Expedition 74 crewmates joined each other and reviewed upcoming computer upgrades planned for the weekend. The orbital residents will first replace network servers then activate their new, more powerful laptop computers. Support teams on the ground will assist the crew with the software updates, network configurations, and other technical transitions.

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

Station Orbits Higher as Crew Runs New Science Experiments

The International Space Station is orbiting higher today after the Progress 93 resupply ship, docked to the Zvezda service module, fired its engines for just over five minutes Wednesday night. The orbital reboost places the space station at the correct altitude for the upcoming Progress 95 cargo mission scheduled to resupply the Expedition 74 crew at the end of April.

Meanwhile, brand new science experiments are underway and advanced lab hardware is being installed on the orbital outpost following the arrival of the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft on Monday. The crew has been unpacking several tons of scientific gear, research samples, crew supplies, and more since the hatches were opened on Cygnus on Tuesday.

NASA flight engineers Jack Hathaway, Jessica Meir, and Chris Williams took turns on Thursday learning how to manage cardiovascular health and infectious diseases in space. Hathaway started first setting up a portable glovebag in the Harmony module and configuring the Multi-use Variable-g Platform (MVP) that can generate artificial gravity for a wide range of biology and physics investigations. Meir and Williams then installed sample hardware housing bacteria and heart tissue samples inside the MVP. Researchers will observe how bacteria affects heart tissue in the microgravity environment to learn how to treat heart and infectious diseases.

Later in his shift, Hathway installed light hardware inside the Columbus laboratory module’s Veggie facility and collected light measurements for the upcoming Veg-06 study to learn how to grow plants for food on future space missions. Meir swapped blood stem cell samples inside the Destiny laboratory module’s fluorescent microscope providing researchers with insights into cancerous diseases and blood disorders. Finally, Williams installed the new European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device, or E4D, inside Columbus. The E4D is being evaluated for its ability to support crew workouts on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

At the beginning of her shift on Thursday, flight engineer Sophie Adenot from ESA (European Space Agency) assisted her crewmates with the scientific work and the E4D installations. She later finalized the installation of a new quantum physics module inside the Destiny laboratory module’s EXPRESS rack. The new module expands the Cold Atom Lab’s (CAL) quantum science capabilities for improved insights into general relativity and aid the search for dark matter.

Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev began their day conducting maintenance and inspections inside the Zvezda service module. The duo later split up as Kud-Sverchkov studied ways to use artificial intelligence tools to improve crew operations while Mikaev continued inspections inside Zvezda. Cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev spent his shift on lab maintenance disinfecting water tanks, checking the battery levels of tablet computers, and replacing orbital plumbing gear.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_stationon X, as well as the ISS Facebookand ISS Instagram accounts.

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Mark A. Garcia