![\"NASA](\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2019\/10\/blog_iss061e006798.jpg\")
<\/a>Science experiments continue aboard the International Space Station<\/a> as two NASA astronauts prepare for their first spacewalk together, which is set to take place Friday. The Expedition 61<\/a> crew researched a variety of space phenomena today and reviewed procedures for tomorrow\u2019s excursion.<\/p>\n Flight Engineers Christina Koch<\/a> and Jessica Meir<\/a> will venture out into the vacuum of space on Friday to replace a failed power controller, also known as a battery charge-discharge unit (BCDU). The BCDU regulates the charge to the batteries that collect and distribute solar power to the orbiting lab\u2019s systems. They will set their spacesuits to battery power around 7:50 a.m. EDT and exit the Quest airlock for the 5.5-hour repair job on the Port 6 truss structure<\/a>. NASA TV begins its live coverage at 6:30 a.m.<\/p>\n Commander Luca Parmitano<\/a> of the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan<\/a> will assist the spacewalkers. Parmitano will control the Canadarm2 robotics arm<\/a> and Morgan will provide airlock and spacesuit support. All four astronauts gathered together today for a final procedures review.<\/p>\n In the midst of the spacewalk preparations, the crew continued ongoing microgravity science. The astronauts had time set aside today for researching cancer therapies, DNA sequencing, planetary robotics and space agriculture.<\/p>\n Morgan set up protein crystals critical to tumor growth and survival<\/a> in a microscope for observation and photography. Koch continued exploring the viability of sequencing microbial DNA<\/a> in microgravity.<\/p>\n Parmitano is readying hardware that will enable an astronaut on the station to control a robot on the Earth\u2019s surface. Future astronauts could use the robotic technology to explore a planetary surface<\/a> such as the Moon or Mars while orbiting in a spacecraft.<\/p>\n The crew is also in the second week of growing a crop of Mizuna mustard greens. Meir watered the Mizuna plants today for the ongoing space agriculture study<\/a> to learn how to provide fresh food to space crews.<\/p>\n Cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov<\/a> and Oleg Skripochka<\/a> had their own slate of human research to conduct today. The duo studied cardiac output changes<\/a> and blood flow regulation<\/a> including the effects of space on enzymes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Garcia <\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Science experiments continue aboard the International Space Station<\/a> as two NASA astronauts prepare for their first spacewalk together, which is set to take place Friday. The Expedition 61<\/a> crew researched a variety of space phenomena today and reviewed procedures for tomorrow\u2019s excursion.<\/p>\n Flight Engineers Christina Koch<\/a> and Jessica Meir<\/a> will venture out into the vacuum of space on Friday to replace a failed power controller, also known as a battery charge-discharge unit (BCDU). The BCDU regulates the charge to the batteries that collect and distribute solar power to the orbiting lab\u2019s systems. They will set their spacesuits to battery power around 7:50 a.m. EDT and exit the Quest airlock for the 5.5-hour repair job on the Port 6 truss structure<\/a>. NASA TV \u2026 Continue reading Spacewalk Preps Today amid Cancer, Robotics and Agriculture Research<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a>NASA astronaut Christina Koch (right) poses for a portrait with fellow Expedition 61 Flight Engineer Jessica Meir of NASA who is inside a U.S. spacesuit for a fit check. <\/p>\n