![\"Expedition](\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2020\/08\/blog_iss063e066984.jpg\")
<\/a>The Expedition 63<\/a> crew trio continued ongoing space research and orbital housekeeping aboard the International Space Station<\/a> today. Mission controllers are also preparing the Canadarm2 robotics arm<\/a> for departure operations with Japan\u2019s ninth resupply ship.<\/p>\n Commander Chris Cassidy<\/a> split his Thursday shift with physics research in the morning and plumbing and electronics maintenance in the afternoon. The veteran NASA astronaut first checked samples inside the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace<\/a> that levitates, melts and solidifies materials exposed to extreme temperatures. After lunch, he connected water recovery system cables then checked emergency communications gear.<\/p>\n Astrobee<\/a>, a set of cube-shaped robotic free-flyers, was turned on today inside the Japanese Kibo laboratory module<\/a>. The devices were autonomously maneuvering throughout Kibo and live-streaming video during the afternoon so engineers could monitor the operations.<\/p>\n Cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin<\/a> and Ivan Vagner<\/a> tackled their portion of research and maintenance today\u00a0 in the Russian segment of the orbiting lab. Ivanishin once again continued his space biology<\/a> and Earth<\/a> studies. Vagner worked on another Earth observation experiment<\/a> and also organized the Pirs docking compartment<\/a>.<\/p>\n Attached to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module<\/a> since May 25, Japan\u2019s H-II Transfer Vehicle-9<\/a> (HTV-9) is nearing the end of its mission. Robotics controllers will maneuver the Canadarm2 in position on Friday before grappling and removing the HTV-9 from Harmony on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Cassidy will take over afterward and command the 57.7-foot-long robotic arm to release the HTV-9 into Earth orbit the same day. Nicknamed Kounotori, or \u201cwhite stork\u201d for its delivery mission, the Japanese resupply ship will end its mission two days later for a fiery, but safe demise over the South Pacific.<\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Garcia <\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Expedition 63 crew trio continued ongoing space research and orbital housekeeping aboard the International Space Station today. Mission controllers are also preparing the Canadarm2 robotics arm for departure operations with Japan’s ninth resupply ship. Commander Chris Cassidy split his Thursday shift with physics research in the morning and plumbing and electronics maintenance in the … Continue reading