![\"NASA](\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2021\/06\/blog_iss065e092717.jpg\")
<\/a>Cotton plants and kidney cells were the dominant research topics aboard the International Space Station<\/a> today. NASA TV will also broadcast a preview on Monday of two upcoming Expedition 65<\/a> spacewalks.<\/p>\n The orbiting lab is hosting a variety of life forms to help researchers understand how weightlessness affects biology. Observations provide insights often advancing health and improving conditions for humans on and off the Earth.<\/p>\n During Friday morning, NASA Flight Engineer Shane Kimbrough<\/a> harvested cotton plants growing for the TICTOC<\/a> botany study. The investigation looks at gene expression and root growth in microgravity which may improve both space agriculture and cotton cultivation on Earth.<\/p>\n The Kidney Cells-02<\/a> investigation is under way this week following its delivery aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon resupply ship on Saturday. NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei<\/a> and Megan McArthur<\/a> collaborated on the biotechnology study today that is seeking treatments for conditions such as kidney disease and osteoporosis affecting both astronauts and Earthlings.<\/p>\n Commander Akihiko Hoshide<\/a> and Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet<\/a> worked on a variety of science hardware on Friday ensuring orbital research continues at full pace. Hoshide, currently on his third spaceflight, serviced medical imaging gear the crew uses regularly for eye checks. Pesquet, who is working his second station mission, stowed a small incubator<\/a> after the completion of a study exploring how drugs work in space<\/a>. The European Space Agency astronaut then swapped samples inside the Fluid Science Laboratory<\/a> for a foam study<\/a> potentially impacting consumer products, fire safety and the petroleum industry.<\/p>\n Kimbrough and Pesquet will go on two spacewalks set for June 16 and 20. The duo will spend six-and-half hours on both excursions installing a new pair of solar arrays robotically-extracted overnight from the Cargo Dragon\u2019s trunk. NASA TV<\/a> will go live on Monday at 2 p.m. EDT with station managers discussing the upcoming spacewalk activities to augment the station\u2019s power system.<\/p>\n Over in the Russian segment of the space station, cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy<\/a> and Pyotr Dubrov<\/a> worked on a variety of communications gear during the morning. After lunchtime, the duo split up to inventory cargo transferred to and from the ISS Progress 77 cargo craft<\/a> and inspect the Zvezda service module<\/a>.<\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Garcia <\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Cotton plants and kidney cells were the dominant research topics aboard the International Space Station today. NASA TV will also broadcast a preview on Monday of two upcoming Expedition 65 spacewalks. The orbiting lab is hosting a variety of life forms to help researchers understand how weightlessness affects biology. Observations provide insights often advancing health \u2026 Continue reading