![\"The](\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2024\/08\/blog_iss071e547275.jpg\")
<\/a>Dragon spacecraft configurations topped Wednesday\u2019s task list aboard the International Space Station<\/a> as the orbital residents prepare for crew swap activities in September and October. Human research duties and lab maintenance tasks rounded out the day for the nine crewmates living and working on the orbital outpost.<\/p>\n Six astronauts worked throughout the day configuring the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour<\/a> spacecraft\u2019s emergency systems and updating the vehicle\u2019s emergency procedures. The NASA astronauts split up the daylong tasks as Matthew Dominick<\/a>, Mike Barratt<\/a>, and Butch Wilmore<\/a> worked inside the spacecraft configuring its emergency systems and computer tablets as it nears an October return to Earth with four SpaceX Crew-8<\/a> members.<\/p>\n NASA astronauts Tracy C. Dyson<\/a>, Jeanette Epps<\/a>, and Suni Williams<\/a> focused on updating emergency procedures including responses to unlikely events such as a depressurization, fire, or ammonia leak aboard Dragon. The trio also documented individual roles and responsibilities for the astronauts in the event of a contingency aboard Dragon after it departs the orbital outpost.<\/p>\n The astronauts still had time for light science tasks and lab upkeep while ensuring Dragon is prepared for its upcoming departure. Epps watered two types of grasses<\/a> growing inside the Columbus laboratory module<\/a>\u2019s Veggie<\/a> space botany facility. The grasses are being studied to observe space-caused changes to photosynthesis and plant metabolism and possibly inform bioregenerative life support systems on future spacecraft. Epps also drained resupply tanks and serviced orbital plumbing systems in the Tranquility module<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the afternoon, Dominick examined Dyson\u2019s eyes using standard medical imaging hardware in the Harmony module<\/a>. Cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub also participated in the regularly scheduled eye exams. Doctors on the ground remotely monitored both sessions to understand how living in weightlessness affects a crew member\u2019s cornea, lens, and retina.<\/p>\n Kononenko and Chub kicked off their day with a cardiac study as Kononenko assisted Chub who attached sensors to himself that measured his heart rate while relaxing. The duo would then split up and work on a variety of electronics and life support systems in the station\u2019s Roscosmos segment. Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin worked on orbital plumbing duties in the Nauka science module<\/a> during the morning before spending the afternoon collecting station air samples for analysis.<\/p>\n Learn more about station activities by following the\u00a0space station blog<\/a>,\u00a0@space_station<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0@ISS_Research<\/a>\u00a0on X, as well as the\u00a0ISS Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0ISS Instagram<\/a>\u00a0accounts.<\/p>\n Get weekly video highlights at:\u00a0https:\/\/roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov\/videoupdate\/<\/a><\/p>\n Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here:\u00a0www.nasa.gov\/subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Garcia <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dragon spacecraft configurations topped Wednesday\u2019s task list aboard the International Space Station as the orbital residents prepare for crew swap activities in September and October. Human research duties and lab maintenance tasks rounded out the day for the nine crewmates living and working on the orbital outpost. Six astronauts worked throughout the day configuring the \u2026 Continue reading
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