10/27/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/28/2021 08:50
Payloads:
Cold Atom Lab (CAL): Using a Grab Sample Container (GSC), the crew collected a sample of the cabin air around the lower quad area of LAB1P2. These samples will later be returned to the ground for analysis so the CAL team can track ISS atmosphere constituents. CAL produces clouds of atoms that are chilled to about one ten billionth of a degree above absolute zero - much colder than the average temperature of deep space. At these low temperatures, atoms have almost no motion, allowing scientists to study fundamental behaviors and quantum characteristics that are difficult or impossible to probe at higher temperatures. In microgravity, researchers may be able to achieve even colder temperatures than what is possible on the ground and observe these cold atom clouds for longer periods of time.
Fluids Integrated Rack/Light Microscopy Module (FIR/LMM): The crew continued the activities to remove the LMM sub-facility from FIR and install the new Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE). By the end of the day, we expect to have the LMM removed from the FIR in preparation for next week's FBCE installation. FBCE seeks to validate a model for flow boiling critical heat flux (CHF) and develop an integrated two-phase flow boiling and condensation facility for the International Space Station. Data from microgravity and the ground are compared to determine the influence of various forces and processes needed for gravity-independent flow boiling and condensation. Results could support development of boilers and heat exchangers that work in both microgravity and partial gravity.
Muscle Tone in Space (Myotones): The crew collected blood samples in support of the Myotones investigation. Myotones investigation observes the biochemical properties of muscles (e.g. muscle tone, stiffness, elasticity) during long-term exposure spaceflight environment. Results from this investigation can provide a better understanding of the principles of human resting muscle tone. This could lead to the development of new strategies for alternative treatments for rehabilitation on Earth, as well as for future space missions.
Plasma Kristall-4 (PK-4): The crew continued the PK-4 science campaign 13 by assisting with particle trapping, exchanging the data disk, and changing out the neon gas source for an argon gas source. Although comm issues interfered with the first run of the day, the second run was completed nominally. PK-4 is a scientific collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), performing research in the field of Complex Plasmas: low temperature gaseous mixtures composed of ionized gas, neutral gas, and micron-sized particles. The main feature of the PK-4 facility (in comparison with its predecessors onboard the ISS, such as PK-3 and PK-3+) is a new concept of its discharge chamber. Application of a combined discharge that consists of a direct current discharge, inductive HF discharge and capacitive HF discharge allows varying the topology of studied plasma-dust formations in a wide range.
Space Automated Bioproduct Lab-4 (SABL-4): The crew performed an activation and checkout of SABL S/N 4 located in EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments for Space Station Racks (EXPRESS) Rack 8. SABL supports a wide variety of investigations in the life, physical and material sciences with a focus on supporting research of biological systems and processes. It has over 23 liters of temperature-controlled volume with LED lighting for scientific hardware and investigations. It can be fitted to provide 5% CO2 (or any required concentration of CO2) for cell cultures or other types of investigations and has two USB 2.0 ports and two Ethernet LAN connections. It also has switchable 28vdc and 5vdc power supplies for investigation use.
Toilet: The crew verified adequate pretreat dosing from the Dose Pump, then filled out a questionnaire. The Toilet System is an Exploration Tech Demo that has evolved into a permanent USOS system. The Toilet has the same basic design as the Orion Universal Waste Management System (UWMS). The Toilet System will be the primary WMS for USOS for up to 90-crew-days and interfaces with the Urine Transfer System (UTS) to allow concurrent WHC/Toilet operations.
Touching Surfaces: The crew performed a periodic touching of the Touch Arrays which are deployed in five different locations in the US segment of ISS. Previous space research conducted during short-term flight experiments and long-term environmental monitoring on board orbiting space stations (such as MIR or the International Space Station) suggests that the relationship between humans and microbes is altered in the crewed habitat in space. This interdisciplinary project Touching Surfaces aims to investigate novel, laser-structured antimicrobial surfaces onboard the ISS. The realistic testing of the tailor-made nanostructured antimicrobial surface in space allows for the determination of the most suitable design for antimicrobial surfaces for terrestrial applications such as public transportation and clinical settings, as well as future human space mission and habitation design.
Systems:
Dragon Return Prep: Today, the Crew-2 Dragon crew performed activities in preparation for the Crew-2 undock and return, including Dragon Prepack. The Dragon2 Crew-2 is scheduled to undock and return on November 4th.
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Contingency Command and Telemetry (CCT): Today, the crew performed a checkout of EMU Telemetry and Radio Frequency (RF) on EMU 3015. This activity was completed to verify EMU data and comm capabilities in case an S-band String 1 failure occurs, requiring use of Ku-band CCT during the SASA R&R EVA. Additionally, a full EMU data and RF comm checkout for EMU 3004 was performed due to off nominal signatures during previous recent checkouts.
Completed Task List Activities:
Today's Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Look Ahead Plan
Thursday, October 28 (GMT 301)
Payloads:
Systems:
Friday, October 29 (GMT 302)
Payloads:
Systems:
Saturday, October 30 (GMT 303)
Payloads:
Systems:
Today's Planned Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.