International Space Station (Updates)

13,544 · March 30, 2016

2 hours ago, DocM said:

Much of the ISS tech is 2 decades old, and replacing it with modern parts would involve disassembly of module segments which were not intended to be disassembled - a real can of worms.

This is more work and expense than just building a new station using Bigelow habitats and nodes, which are designed to be easily replaced.

As if the space tech it had been built with were ancient and today it's all of a sudden something revolutionary different.

If BMW still produced new E39 M5 these days, I assure you, many people would wait in line for it and choose her over any other subsequent generation.

39,247 · March 30, 2016

Apples and Oranges.

ISS's high maintenance costs are a significant drain on all partners budgets, so moving to a more easily maintained platform is a no brainer. Bigelows tech is now TRL 9, so if successful this flight opens the gates.

4,811 · March 31, 2016

I'm not saying Bigelow's gear isn't the good stuff (because it is); I just dislike waste, and if as much of the current ISS gear as possible can be rehabbed or repurposed as possible that would be a good thing.

Having said that, I agree that the ISS will need more work than is cost effective within the next 10-15 years in order to stay running; for the reasons @DocM specified.

13,544 · March 31, 2016

The live feed is on.

T - 60 min

13,544 · March 31, 2016

T - 5 min

p.s. all is well, the baby has reached the orbit.

6,181 · April 1, 2016

NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 30 March 2016

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A Russian resupply ship left the International Space Station this morning and will be quickly replaced Saturday afternoon. In the meantime, the Expedition 47 crew went about its full schedule of advanced space science and orbital lab maintenance.

The Progress 61 (61P) cargo craft undocked this morning from the Zvezda service module loaded with trash. It is headed for a fiery disposal Friday, April 8th, over the Pacific Ocean. The 61P will be replaced after the Progress 63 (63P) spaceship launches Thursday at 12:23 p.m. EDT/4:23 p.m. UTC. The 63P will dock to the same Zvezda port Saturday at 2 p.m. with more than 3 tons of food, fuel and supplies. Both launch and docking activities will be covered live on NASA Television.

NASA astronauts Tim Kopra and Jeff Williams explored how working in space affects detailed, interactive tasks when using a touch-based computer tablet. Kopra then helped familiarize Williams with station systems and operations. Earlier in the day, British astronaut Tim Peake assisted Williams for ultrasound scans of his arteries for the Cardio Ox experiment.

Veteran station cosmonauts Yuri Malenchenko and Oleg Skripochka continued researching how international crew members interact with each other and ground controllers from around the world. First-time cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin explored plasma features in the Earth's ionosphere. He also joined Malenchenko for the Biocard heart study.

The next cargo craft after the 63P will be the SpaceX Dragon when it arrives on April 10. This will be the first time since February 2011 six spacecraft are attached to the space station. The Orbital ATK Cygnus is the newest spacecraft installed at the station's Unity module port after being captured Saturday.

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Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
61P undock
JEMAL depress, leak check, venting
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Thursday, 03/31: 63P launch, SPRINT VO2 ops, EMU swap, ENERGY Ops, Dragon OBT
Friday, 04/01: ENERGY ops, SPRINT VO2 ops, EVA loop scrub
Saturday, 04/02: 63P dock, ENERGY ops, crew off duty, weekly housekeeping

QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group:
Component - Status
Elektron - On
Vozdukh - Manual
[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On
[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - Override
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) - Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up

http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-30-march-2016.html

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Russian space station resupply mission lifts off

A video frame from a live webcast of Thursday’s launch of a Progress space station supply ship. Credit: Roscosmos

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A Soyuz rocket launched Thursday with a Progress cargo freighter carrying more than 5,300 pounds of fuel, water, and supplies for the International Space Station’s six-person crew.

The Progress MS-02 spacecraft blasted off at 1623:57 GMT (12:23:57 p.m. EDT) Thursday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, setting off on a two-day pursuit of the massive orbiting research complex.

The three-stage Soyuz-2.1a booster propelled the robotic logistics freighter through a low cloud deck over the historic launch base, then accelerated into low Earth orbit less than nine minutes after liftoff.

The Progress MS-02 cargo capsule deployed from the Soyuz rocket’s third stage, then unfurled navigation antennas and two power-generating solar array wings seconds later, according to NASA spokesperson Rob Navias.

The cargo capsule is heading for an automated linkup with the space station’s Zvezda service module at around 1800 GMT (2 p.m. EDT) Saturday.

The mission is the 63rd Progress cargo craft to launch toward the International Space Station, and it will be the second supply ship to arrive at the outpost in a week after an Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft delivered a load of experiments and provisions March 26.

Russian ground crews packed 5,346 pounds (2,425 kilograms) of fuel, water, air and supplies into the Progress MS-02 spaceship for the journey to the space station, according to a manifest posted online by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency.

The cargo craft’s pressurized section carries 3,126 pounds (1,418 kilograms) of equipment. That includes 762 pounds (346 kilograms) of sanitary supplies and waste containers, 729 pounds (331 kilograms) of food rations, and packages of towels, napkins, clothing, water filters, air filters, batteries, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, medical gear, maintenance tools, scientific experiments, and a nanosatellite that will be deployed by hand on a future Russian spacewalk.

The Progress supply freighter will also refuel the space station’s Zvezda propulsion and service module with 1,190 pounds (540 kilograms) of propellants. The rocket fuel would be used to help steer the space station out of the way of space junk and reboost its orbit.

Tanks inside the cargo capsule will also take 926 pounds (420 kilograms) of fresh water and 103 pounds (47 kilograms) of oxygen and air to the space station.

A previous Progress supply ship departed the space station Wednesday to clear the Zvezda module’s aft port for the arrival of the fresh cargo craft Saturday. The Progress M-29M spaceship is loaded with trash and will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere April 8 for a destructive re-entry over the South Pacific Ocean.

The Progress MS-02 vehicle will remain docked to the space station until October.

The complex is scheduled to receive its third cargo delivery in 15 days on April 10, when SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is due to arrive. SpaceX commercial supply ship is currently set to launch from Cape Canaveral on April 8 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/03/31/russian-space-station-resupply-mission-set-for-liftoff/

[ISS] Launch of Russian Progress MS-2 on Soyuz 2-1A Rocket

video is 10:53 min., launch at the beginning.

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Progress MS-02 lifts off

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A Soyuz-2-1a rocket carrying the Progress MS-02 cargo ship lifted off from Pad 6 at Site 31 in Baikonur on March 31, 2016, at 19:23:57.351 Moscow Time (12:23 p.m. EDT).

Inside, the 7,290-kilogram ship will carry supplies for the 47th long-duration expedition on the ISS.

After a nine-minute ascent to orbit, the spacecraft separated from the third stage of the launch vehicle at 19:32:46.06 Moscow Time (12:32 p.m. EDT) into an initial orbit closely matching projected parameters.

At the time when the Progress-MS reached its initial orbit, the ISS was in a 402.18 by 422.17-kilometer orbit, 361.5 degrees away from the cargo ship in the so-called phasing angle.

Rendezvous and docking

For this mission, planners reverted to the two-day, 34-orbit trip to the station instead of the currently available six-hour rendezvous profile in order to test new software and communications equipment to be later used on all future Progress and Soyuz vehicles.

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The spacecraft is scheduled to dock at the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module, SM, the part of the Russian segment of the ISS on April 2, 2016, at 21:01 Moscow Time (2:01 p.m. EDT).

The two-day rendezvous planned to enable Russian flight controllers to test new software and communications equipment for the new vehicle configuration that will be standard for future Progress and piloted Soyuz spacecraft.

Progress MS-02 is scheduled to remain docked at ISS for more than six months before departing in mid-October 2016.

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/progress-ms02.html

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/03/russia-launch-progress-ms-263p-iss/

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Food, Fuel and Supplies Shipped on Two-Day Space Delivery

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Carrying more than three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the International Space Station crew, the unpiloted ISS Progress 63 cargo craft launched at 12:23 p.m. EDT (10:23 p.m. local time in Baikonur) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

At the time of launch, the International Space Station was flying about 251 miles up over northeast Iraq.

Less than 9 minutes after launch, the resupply ship reached preliminary orbit and deployed its solar arrays and navigational antennas as planned. The Russian cargo craft will make 34 orbits of Earth during the next two days before docking to the orbiting laboratory at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2.

Beginning at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, NASA Television will provide live coverage of Progress 63’s arrival to the space station’s aft port of the Zvezda Service Module.

Watch live on NASA TV and online at: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/03/31/food-fuel-and-supplies-shipped-on-two-day-space-delivery/

6,181 · April 2, 2016

NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 31 March 2016

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Carrying more than three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the International Space Station crew, the unpiloted ISS Progress 63 cargo craft launched at 12:23 p.m. EDT (10:23 p.m. local time in Baikonur) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

At the time of launch, the International Space Station was flying about 251 miles up over northeast Iraq.

Less than 9 minutes after launch, the resupply ship reached preliminary orbit and deployed its solar arrays and navigational antennas as planned. The Russian cargo craft will make 34 orbits of Earth during the next two days before docking to the orbiting laboratory at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2.

Beginning at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, NASA Television will provide live coverage of Progress 63's arrival to the space station's aft port of the Zvezda Service Module.

Watch live on NASA TV and online at: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

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Strata-1 Payload Install: Peake installed the Strata hardware into an EXPRESS Rack in the US Lab. The Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) sensor enclosure will be moved from the JEM to the Strata payload for activation and checkout activities tomorrow. Strata-1 investigates the properties and behavior of regolith on small, airless bodies. Regolith is the impact-shattered "soil" found on asteroids, comets, the Moon, and other airless worlds, but it is different from soil here on Earth in that it contains no living material. Strata-1's goal is to provide answers about how regolith behaves and moves in microgravity, how easy or difficult it is to anchor a spacecraft in regolith, how it interacts with spacecraft and spacesuit materials, and other properties. It is important to NASA to know how to set anchors in regolith, how to safely move and process large volumes of regolith, and predict and prevent risk to spacecraft and astronauts visiting these small bodies.

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Operations: Kopra bundled and stowed EMUs 3003 and 3010 in the Crewlock, then unbundled EMU 3005 and EMU 3008 and installed EMU Don/Doff Assemblies (EDDAs) in those suits for tomorrow's loop scrub activities. He also cycled the Secondary Oxygen Package Checkout Fixture (SCOF) relief valves on 3005 and 3008. The SCOF allows pressurization of the ventilation loop of the EMU without completely assembling the full suit and should be physically cycled once per year.

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Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
SPRINT Ultrasound support
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 04/01: ENERGY ops, SPRINT VO2 ops, EVA loop scrub
Saturday, 04/02: 63P dock, ENERGY ops, crew off duty, weekly housekeeping
Sunday, 04/03: Crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group:
Component - Status
Elektron - On
Vozdukh - Manual
[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On
[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - Override
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) - Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up

http://spaceref.com/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-31-march-2016.html

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NASA ISS Space to Ground Weekly Report - 1 April 2016

nasa_iss_weekly_weekly_space_to_ground_0

NASA ISS Space to Ground Weekly Report - 1 April 2016. NASA

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NASA's Space to Ground is your weekly update on what's happening aboard the International Space Station.

http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-iss-space-to-ground-weekly-report---1-april-2016.html

Space to Ground: Rush Hour: 04/01/2016

video is 2:00 min.

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Photos: Progress supply launch viewed from space station

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Astronauts living on the International Space Station captured amazing views of a Soyuz rocket streaking into orbit from Kazakhstan with nearly 3 tons of supplies destined for the massive research complex.

Sailing more than 250 miles over Central Asia, the station crew recorded photos of the Soyuz rocket speeding above cities and barren badlands downrange from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where it blasted off at 1623:57 GMT (12:23:57 p.m. EDT).

The Progress MS-02 cargo craft separated from the Soyuz rocket’s third stage about 8 minutes, 45 seconds later. Docking with the outpost’s Zvezda service module is set for approximately 1800 GMT (2 p.m. EDT) Saturday.

Read our full story for details on what the Progress MS-02 supply ship is carrying.

The images below were tweeted by NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and European Space Agency flight engineer Tim Peake, members of the space station’s Expedition 47 crew. Other images posted here include a video of the launch provided by the Russian space agency and still photos from RSC Energia, the prime contractor for Russia’s human spaceflight program.

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/03/31/photos-progress-supply-launch-viewed-from-space-station/

Ce6MzQSWsAEQq7N.jpg-large-768x512.jpeg

“#Progress 63P flying (way) over a city in western Asia.” Credit: NASA/Tim Kopra

Ce6GSCWWIAEi6GM.jpg-large-768x512.jpeg

“Amazing to watch Progress 63P launch from #Baikonur #Kazakhstan – supplies to #ISS.” Credit: NASA/Tim Kopra

“So cool to watch #Progress ride into orbit today…right beneath us! Docking Sat night to #ISS.” Credit: NASA/ESA/Tim Peake

more images at the link...

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/03/31/photos-progress-supply-launch-viewed-from-space-station/

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Crew Ready for Pair of Space Shipments from Russia and U.S.

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The Expedition 47 crew will receive a space delivery from Russia this weekend. SpaceX is counting down to the launch of another space shipment on its Dragon space freighter scheduled for April 8 from Florida.

Onboard the International Space Station, the crew checked out U.S. spacesuits and advanced science hardware. The station residents also explored life science and human research to benefit life on Earth and crews in space.

Commander Tim Kopra scrubbed cooling loops in U.S. spacesuits and installed new gear inside the Combustion Integrated Rack research facility.

NASA astronaut Jeff Williams set up equipment for an experiment that is researching new exercise techniques for living in space. British astronaut Tim Peake swapped hard drives in a laptop computer that is recording data collected for a dark matter detection experiment.

Russia’s newest cargo craft, the Progress 63, is on its way to the station carrying over three tons of food, fuel and supplies for the crew and will dock Saturday at 2 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. UTC. The following week, another delivery from the United States will liftoff aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying more science and gear inside the Dragon cargo craft. Both missions will be covered live on NASA TV.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/01/crew-ready-for-pair-of-space-shipments-from-russia-and-u-s/

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Earth from Space: Egypt's River Nile and Delta

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The new Sentinel-3A satellite recently began providing data from orbit. This very early image recorded on 3 March 2016, takes us over the River Nile and Delta and the surrounding desert areas of northeast Africa and parts of the Middle East.

Very distinct is Egypt, a country connecting northeast Africa with the Middle East, home to millennia-old monuments still sitting along the lush Nile valley.

In the centre of the image, capital city Cairo with the Nile snaking northwards is clearly visible, along with the Red Sea just further east. Also evident are the islands of Cyprus further north in the Mediterranean Sea and parts of Crete on the very left.

http://spaceref.com/earth/earth-from-space-egypts-river-nile-and-delta.html

ESA_earth_from_space_Egypts_River_Nile_D

Earth from Space: Egypt's River Nile and Delta. ESA

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Rendezvous and docking

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The autonomous rendezvous process is scheduled to begin on April 2, at 18:39:28 Moscow Time (11:39 a.m. EDT). The final maneuvers, including flyaround of the station, station-keeping and berthing was scheduled to commence at 20:39:41 Moscow Time (1:39 p.m. EDT).

The spacecraft is scheduled to dock at the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module, SM, the part of the Russian segment of the ISS on April 2, 2016, at 21:00:53 Moscow Time (2 p.m. EDT), during 34th orbit of the cargo mission.

Progress MS-02 is scheduled to remain docked at ISS for more than six months before departing in mid-October 2016.

Cargo list...

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/progress-ms02.html

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Tribble Trial Trends Toward Trouble

video is 3:19 min.

:woot:

6,181 · April 3, 2016

Progress supply ship docks with the International Space Station

The Progress MS-02 supply craft approaches the International Space Station on Saturday. Credit: NASA TV/Spaceflight Now

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A Russian refueling and resupply freighter docked with the International Space Station on Saturday after a two-day pursuit with maneuvering propellants, food and provisions for the research lab’s crew.

The Progress MS-02 supply ship, flying with upgrades to its command and control and navigation systems, sailed to an automated linkup with the space station’s Zvezda service module at 1758 GMT (1:58 p.m. EDT) Saturday as the vehicles flew more than 250 miles over Astana, Kazakhstan.

Five minutes later, hooks and latches engaged to create a firm connection between the Zvezda module’s aft docking port and the Progress spacecraft.

Veteran Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko planned to open hatches leading to the newly-arrived Progress spacecraft later Saturday to begin unpacking 3,126 pounds (1,418 kilograms) of dry cargo stowed inside the ship’s pressurized compartment.

That includes 762 pounds (346 kilograms) of sanitary supplies and waste containers, 729 pounds (331 kilograms) of food rations, and packages of towels, napkins, clothing, water filters, air filters, batteries, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, medical gear, maintenance tools, scientific experiments, and a nanosatellite that will be deployed by hand on a future Russian spacewalk.

The Progress MS-02 logistics carrier also delivered 1,940 pounds (880 kilograms) of rocket fuel, some of which the cargo craft will use to steer the space station away from space junk and maintain its orbit. About 1,190 pounds (540 kilograms) of the maneuvering propellant will be pumped inside tanks aboard the Zvezda module.

Tanks inside the cargo capsule also took 926 pounds (420 kilograms) of fresh water and 103 pounds (47 kilograms) of oxygen and air to the space station.

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/02/progress-supply-ship-docks-with-the-international-space-station/

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russian_cargo_ship_docks_successfully_with_space_station_999.html

ISS Progress 63P/Progress MS-02 docking highlights

video is 1:59 min.

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Russian Cargo Ship Arrives, SpaceX Dragon Due Next Sunday

Saturday’s arrival of the Progress 63 spacecraft marks five spacecraft parked at the Interntional Space Station. Credit: NASA TV

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The Progress 63 cargo spacecraft docked successfully to the rear port of the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station at 1:58 p.m. EDT. The Kurs automated docking system enabled a smooth rendezvous as the cargo resupply craft and the International Space Station flew about 250 miles above Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Progress 63 arrived with more than three tons of food, fuel and supplies for the space station crew, after its launch Thursday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The docking of the Progress 63 vehicle marked the second cargo ship in as many weeks to arrive at the station. Up next is the scheduled launch of the SpaceX Dragon cargo resupply vehicle on April 8 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The Dragon’s arrival at the complex on April 10 will be the third resupply vehicle for the station in three weeks, resulting in some 12 tons of cargo for the station’s residents from Progress, Dragon and the Orbital ATK Cygnus ship, which arrived at the station on March 26.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/02/russian-cargo-ship-arrives-spacex-dragon-due-next-sunday/

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Genes in Space Student Experiment Headed to International Space Station

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Anna-Sophia Boguraev's (17) winning Genes in Space student experiment is scheduled for launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 8th from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida aboard NASA's Cargo Resupply Services flight (CRS-8). Her experiment will assess if changes in DNA can be detected aboard the ISS.

The goal of the experiment is to establish whether genetic changes to DNA and the weakened immune system observed in astronauts are linked. Finding the cause for the weakened immune systems of crews is an important step in safeguarding health for long duration missions, such as the three year mission to Mars. This will be one of the first experiments ever to use advanced DNA detection technologies in orbit.

By seeking to test gene regulation in orbit, Boguraev's experiment may open the door to assessing astronaut health directly during space flight, including genetic changes that could lead to cancer, neurological disorders, and developmental abnormalities. Results of this experiment could aid in the detection of immune system alterations that lead to increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease, allergies and other diseases in space.

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The Genes in Space contest is a national STEM competition that challenges students in grades seven through 12 to propose DNA experiments to solve a space exploration problem using the unique environment of the ISS.

The annual competition is a partnership between Boeing, Math for America (MA), miniPCR, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB), and its sponsor FedEx.

The miniPCR DNA analysis technology used in this experiment, will remain onboard ISS as part of the Boeing Science Enrichment & Engagement Kit for future research projects. The machine's portability, given its small mass and footprint, makes it ideally suited for space travel and for enabling DNA analysis aboard the ISS.

http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=48327

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Unexpected Moonset Seen From Earth Orbit

Moonset Seen From ISS ESA

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Tim Peake: I was looking for Antarctica - hard to spot from our orbit. Settled for a moonset instead.

Credits: ESA/NASA

http://spaceref.com/onorbit/unexpected-moonset-seen-from-earth-orbit.html

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Groom Lake
Nevada, USA

MARCH 31, 2016
IMAGE © 2016 PLANET LABS INC

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The wide salt flat of Groom Lake (more famously known as Area 51) serves as a perfect natural runway for aircraft of any size.

https://www.planet.com/gallery/

4,811 · April 4, 2016

:huh:

:shiftyninja:

Eehhhh?!

So they just went and "outed" themselves, huh. Just like that? Twenty years ago that image would have gotten whomever was responsible taking it, along with whomever distributed it, time in Federal Prison along with a hefty fine.

Now, with that out of the way ... discuss. It's a Conspiracy Forum <-- is right this way. :yes:

6,181 · April 5, 2016

NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 1 April 2016

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Onboard the International Space Station, the crew checked out U.S. spacesuits and advanced science hardware. The station residents also explored life science and human research to benefit life on Earth and crews in space.

Commander Tim Kopra scrubbed cooling loops in U.S. spacesuits and installed new gear inside the Combustion Integrated Rack research facility. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams set up equipment for an experiment that is researching new exercise techniques for living in space. British astronaut Tim Peake swapped hard drives in a laptop computer that is recording data collected for a dark matter detection experiment.

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Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) Alignment Guide Installation: Kopra installed three Alignment Guides on CIR to lock down PaRIS hardware. CIR provides sustained, systematic microgravity combustion research and it houses hardware capable of performing combustion experiments for research of combustion in microgravity.

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) 3005, 3008 Loop Scrub: Kopra completed ionic and particulate filtration (scrubbing) and biocidal maintenance (iodination) of EMU and Airlock cooling water loops. This procedure accomplished an EMU checkout, post-scrub cooling loop samples and Display Control Module (DCM) flow checks. Following the loop scrub, Kopra took a 250 mL sample of the EMU cooling loop water to determine the effectiveness of the Ion filter in scrubbing the EMU and Airlock cooling water. Ten mL of this water sample will be sent to the ground for chemical analysis.

Common Communications for Visiting Vehicles (C2V2) Health and Status Checkout: The ground performed a checkout of the recently installed C2V2 units. Both units were powered on with Unit A configured to primary and Unit B configured as backup. All data was nominal.

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Ground Activities
All activities are on schedule unless otherwise noted.
C2V2 initial activation
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Saturday, 04/02: 63P dock, ENERGY ops, crew off duty, weekly housekeeping
Sunday, 04/03: Crew off duty
Monday, 04/04: MARES, Emergency OBT, Thermal exchange data transfer/stow

QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group:
Component - Status
Elektron - On
Vozdukh - Manual
[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On
[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - Override
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)- Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up

http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-1-april-2016.html

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Muscle and Heart Research as Dragon Targets Sunday Arrival

Japan’s Kibo lab module and the Earth’s limb frames the Milky Way. Credit: @Astro_Tim

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The six station residents researched advanced space science today inside the orbital laboratory. The crew is also training for the automated arrival and robotic installment of the SpaceX Dragon.

The crew members are exploring how living in space affects the human muscular system and heart function. The crew also preparing a high quality protein crystal experiment that may enable advanced drug treatments for a variety of diseases on Earth.

The SpaceX Dragon is the next cargo craft set deliver more science and crew supplies. It will launch Friday afternoon for a rendezvous and capture Sunday morning at the space station. The new Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) will also be shipped to the Expedition 47 crew aboard the SpaceX. BEAM will be installed to the Tranquility module about a week after its arrival at the station for two years of habitability tests.

A Russian Progress 63 (63P) cargo craft completed a two-day delivery mission to the International Space Station Saturday afternoon. The crew opened the hatches to the 63P shortly afterward and began unloading nearly three tons of food, fuel and supplies.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/04/muscle-and-heart-research-as-dragon-targets-sunday-arrival/

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Launch Week Begins for Next Station Resupply Mission

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It’s launch week at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, where final preparations are in progress for the planned April 8 liftoff of a SpaceX Dragon capsule aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The Dragon will carry scientific research and hardware to the International Space Station, as well as supplies for the orbiting laboratory’s Expedition 47 and 48 crews.

Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 is targeted for 4:43 p.m. EDT on Friday. A backup opportunity is available Saturday at 4:20 p.m.

The SpaceX CRS-8 mission is the company’s eighth flight under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services Contract.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/2016/04/04/launch-week-begins-for-next-station-resupply-mission/

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Colorful Indonesian Islands Seen From Orbit

Indonesian Islands NASA

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NASA astronaut Tim Kopra tweeted this image with the comment: "#twins -- small #islands in #Indonesia @Space_Station #Explore"

iss047e003935 (03/08/2016)

http://spaceref.com/earth/colorful-indonesian-islands-seen-from-orbit.html

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Istanbul
Turkey
7 days ago

Istanbul Planet.com

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In this RapidEye image, ships travel past Istanbul’s sunny historic quarter and into the Bosphorus Strait.

https://www.planet.com/gallery/istanbul/

6,181 · April 6, 2016

NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 4 April 2016

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The six station residents researched advanced space science today inside the orbital laboratory. The crew is also training for the automated arrival and robotic installment of the SpaceX Dragon.

The crew members are exploring how living in space affects the human muscular system and heart function. The crew also preparing a high quality protein crystal experiment that may enable advanced drug treatments for a variety of diseases on Earth.

The SpaceX Dragon is the next cargo craft set deliver more science and crew supplies. It will launch Friday afternoon for a rendezvous and capture Sunday morning at the space station. The new Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) will also be shipped to the Expedition 47 crew aboard the SpaceX. BEAM will be installed to the Tranquility module about a week after its arrival at the station for two years of habitability tests.

A Russian Progress 63 (63P) cargo craft completed a two-day delivery mission to the International Space Station Saturday afternoon. The crew opened the hatches to the 63P shortly afterward and began unloading nearly three tons of food, fuel and supplies.

Quote

Urine Processing Assembly Pre-Treat: Engineering teams are investigating a discrepancy discovered last Friday in the numerical setting for the Pretreat Bad Quality Light (PTBQL) in the new electronics box procured specifically for alternate pretreat. The control unit is set to a higher value than required, which the PTBQL would illuminate even at proper pre-treat dosage levels. The Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) pre-treat tank Remove & Replace (R&R) scheduled for Wednesday is being deferred until the issue can be addressed.

Node 3 Major Constituents Analyzer (MCA) anomaly: The Node 3 MCA experienced an unplanned shutdown today. Ground teams failed to restart the system and placed the MCA in idle mode. Secondary CO2 sensors are being used for now, and the forward plan is in work.

Quote

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
JEMRMS EFU Adapter install
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Tuesday, 04/05: Transfer Dragon pre-pack, Rodent Research familiarization, MARES
Wednesday, 04/06: MDCA hardware replace, Pre-treat tank R&R
Thursday, 04/07: Rodent Research hardware setup, METEOR setup/install

QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group:
Component - Status
Elektron - On
Vozdukh - Manual
[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On
[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - Override
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - Idle
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) - Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up

http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-4-april-2016.html

Time-Lapse View of Earth's Limb from the ISS

video is 0:39 min.

Space Station Live: BEAMing up to ISS

video is 1:08 min.

---------------------------

Dragon Will Deliver Rodents for Muscle Study

The SpaceX Dragon, on its CRS-5 mission, was captured January 12, 2015, during Expedition 42.

Quote

The SpaceX Dragon CRS-8 mission will deliver 6,900 pounds/3,130 kilograms of science, crew supplies and hardware to the International Space Station. Payloads aboard Dragon will include rodents for a medical study and an expandable module that will be installed after Dragon completes its two-day trip to the station.

Dragon is scheduled for launch Friday at 4:43 p.m. EDT/8:43 p.m. UTC. It is scheduled to be captured with the Canadarm2 robotic arm Sunday at 7 a.m. and will be installed to the Harmony module about two-and-a-half hours later.

The Expedition 47 crew is getting the Rodent Research hardware ready in the orbital lab so scientists can learn how to offset bone and muscle diseases on Earth. Researchers will be exploring how living in space affects bones and muscles by observing mice soon after Dragon arrives.

The largest payload in Dragon is the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM). The BEAM will be attached to the Tranquility module a week after its arrival for a series of habitability tests over two years.

Astronaut Tim Peake continued more muscle research today using specialized exercise gear and attached electrodes to his right leg and ankle.

Commander Tim Kopra is collected hardware for a combustion experiment that is studying more efficient ways to burn fuel on Earth and in space. Flight Engineer Jeff Williams is training for the new Meteor imaging experiment delivered aboard the Orbital ATK resupply ship.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/05/dragon-will-deliver-rodents-for-muscle-study/

--------------------------

View From Orbit: Ash Stains from Chikurachki Volcano

Chikurachki Volcano NASA

Quote

In March 2016, ash poured from a stratovolcano in the Kuril Islands.

After about year of inactivity, Chikurachki erupted explosively on March 29, 2016, sending ash to heights of about 3 to 4 kilometers (2 miles). Noting that ash explosions up to 10 kilometers could occur at any time, volcano monitoring agencies posted a code orange aviation alert.

Chikurachki rises 1,816 meters (5,956 feet) above the western Pacific Ocean on Paramushir Island, just south of the Kamchatka peninsula. It is made up of alternating layers of hardened lava, ash, and rocks, and it is one of the more restless volcanoes in the tectonically active area.

The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 captured a natural-color image of the eruption on April 1, 2016. Ash has stained the white snow cover on the island brown.

You can see the shifting ash plumes in images acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites on March 30 and March 31.

NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Caption by Adam Voiland and Michael Carlowicz.

http://spaceref.com/earth/view-from-orbit-ash-stains-from-chikurachki-volcano.html

---------------------

ALMA
Chile
10 days ago

ALMA Complex Chile Planet.com

Quote

The 66 antennas of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) combine to form an interferometer. Using ALMA, scientists research topics in radio astronomy such as as planet formation and galaxy formation in the early universe.

https://www.planet.com/gallery/alma/

6,181 · April 7, 2016

NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 5 April 2016

nasa_iss_on_orbit_status_report_040516_9

The SpaceX Dragon, on its CRS-5 mission, was captured January 12, 2015, during Expedition 42. Credit: NASA.

Quote

The SpaceX Dragon CRS-8 mission will deliver 6,900 pounds/3,130 kilograms of science, crew supplies and hardware to the International Space Station. Payloads aboard Dragon will include rodents for a medical study and an expandable module that will be installed after Dragon completes its two-day trip to the station.

Dragon is scheduled for launch Friday at 4:43 p.m. EDT/8:43 p.m. UTC. It is scheduled to be captured with the Canadarm2 robotic arm Sunday at 7 a.m. and will be installed to the Harmony module about two-and-a-half hours later.

The Expedition 47 crew is getting the Rodent Research hardware ready in the orbital lab so scientists can learn how to offset bone and muscle diseases on Earth. Researchers will be exploring how living in space affects bones and muscles by observing mice soon after Dragon arrives.

The largest payload in Dragon is the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM). The BEAM will be attached to the Tranquility module a week after its arrival for a series of habitability tests over two years.

Astronaut Tim Peake continued more muscle research today using specialized exercise gear and attached electrodes to his right leg and ankle. Commander Tim Kopra is collected hardware for a combustion experiment that is studying more efficient ways to burn fuel on Earth and in space. Flight Engineer Jeff Williams is training for the new Meteor imaging experiment delivered aboard the Orbital ATK resupply ship.

Quote

Rodent Research-3 (RR-3) EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station EXPRESS Rack and Habitat Familiarization: Kopra and Skripochka reviewed training material for the EXPRESS Rack and Habitats in preparation for upcoming RR-3 operations. RR-3 is a Joint USOS Experiment (JUE) performed with both USOS and Russian crew members. RR-3 studies molecular and physical changes in the musculoskeletal system that happens in space. Results expand scientists' understanding of muscle atrophy and bone loss in space while testing an antibody that has been known to prevent muscle wasting in mice on Earth.

Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus (MDCA) Hardware Gather, Session Review, and Maintenance Work Area (MWA) Preparation: Kopra gathered hardware and reviewed details for configuring the MDCA and CIA (Chamber Insert Assembly) for the Flame Extinguishment - 2 (FLEX-2) test points. The FLEX-2 experiment is the second experiment to fly on the ISS which uses small droplets of fuel to study the special spherical characteristics of burning fuel droplets in space. The experiment studies how quickly fuel burns, the conditions required for soot to form, and how mixtures of fuels evaporate before burning. Understanding these processes could lead to the production of a safer spacecraft as well as increased fuel efficiency for engines using liquid fuel on Earth.

Meteor Onboard Training and Review: Williams completed required onboard training for the Meteor installation. He verified that the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) settings are correct for payload application and created the Software Image load of the Meteor payload software onto the T61p hard drive. The laptop and hard drive will be dedicated for Meteor use in the Window Observation Research Facility (WORF). The Meteor investigation takes high-resolution video and images of the atmosphere and uses a software program to search for bright spots which can later be analyzed on the ground.

NanoRacks Platform-1 Remove and Replace (R&R): Williams successfully removed & replaced the NanoRacks Platform-1 locker that has had data connectivity issues since SpX-4 unberth. The ground teams reported successful initial communications and will continue communications testing for 48 hours. The NanoRack Platform is a multipurpose research facility that supports NanoRacks Modules in the CubeSat form factor by providing power and data transfer capabilities to operate investigations in microgravity. NanoRacks Platform-1 is one of three Platforms and is used for modules not needing power.

Quote

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
JEMAL ops support
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 04/06: MDCA hardware replace, METEOR software image load, OBT ISS emergency sim
Thursday, 04/07: Rodent Research hardware setup, METEOR setup/install
Friday, 04/08: SpX-8 launch, crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group:
Component - Status
Elektron - On
Vozdukh - Manual
[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - On
[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - Override
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - Manual
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) - Norm
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up

http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-5-april-2016.html

-------------------------

Crew Explores Space Muscles Before Dragon Arrives Sunday

Quote

The Expedition 47 crew conducted an emergency drill today in coordination with flight controllers. The station residents also continued human research and prepared to welcome a sixth spacecraft to the International Space Station.

The crew periodically simulates emergencies at the space station to stay familiar with escape routes, safety hardware and communication protocols. Afterward, the astronauts and ground teams review the results to continuously improve space safety procedures.

Muscle research has been taking place this week on the orbital lab with astronauts using a specialized exercise device. The Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES) helps scientists understand the effects of living in space on the human body.

Another life science study today looked at how working in space affects a cosmonaut’s breathing rate. The crew also explored the stresses the space station experiences during events such as spacecraft dockings and engine firings.

SpaceX is getting ready for the launch of its Dragon resupply ship Friday at 4:43 p.m. EDT/8:43 p.m. UTC. The crew is packing gear and training for Dragon’s Sunday arrival and robotic capture. NASA Television will cover the launch and rendezvous activities live.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/06/crew-explores-space-muscles-before-dragon-arrives-sunday/

-------------------------

Image of the Day

aurora-unusual-canada-jeff-williams.jpg?

Aurora over Canada NASA

Quote

Wednesday, April 6, 2016: NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, aboard the International Space Station, tweeted a photo of an aurora over Canada on April 5, 2016. He wrote, “Unusual aurora over Canada.” Williams, a member of the Expedition 47/48 crew, launched to the station on March 18. Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun interact with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.

http://www.space.com/34-image-day.html

------------------------

An Inflatable Space Room: The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module in Pictures

Slide show with 17 images...

http://www.space.com/32485-beam-bigelow-expandable-activity-module-pictures.html

----------------------

Bigelow Aerospace's BEAM Facility Headed for Space Station on Friday

Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) will be berthed to the Tranquility Node of the International Space Station for a two-year demonstration. It will be the first private space habitat of its kind. Credit: Bigelow Aerospace

Quote

For the third time this year—following hard on the heels of January’s Jason-3 launch out of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and last month’s flight of the SES-9 communications satellite to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.—SpaceX aims to deliver another Falcon 9 booster aloft at 4:43 p.m. EDT Friday, 8 April. Carrying the CRS-8 Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station (ISS), this mission will be conducted under the language of the $1.6 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract, signed between SpaceX and NASA back in December 2008. Due to the nature of Dragon’s destination, SpaceX will aim for an “instantaneous” launch window, with no scope to accommodate changing weather conditions or technical issues on the ground. In the event of a scrub on Friday, the countdown clock will recycle toward a backup T-0 at 4:20 p.m. EDT Saturday.

Indepth article....

http://www.americaspace.com/?p=92752#more-92752

7,776 · April 7, 2016

it seems like taking photos in space, that pictures are a lot more clearer. probably due to no atmosphere to cause lighting issues.

Question: how is the oxygen issue dealt with in this space station? Do they have to bring refills during changes in astronauts? or is there a device that creates oxygen for life support?

6,181 · April 7, 2016

1 minute ago, chrisj1968 said:

it seems like taking photos in space, that pictures are a lot more clearer. probably due to no atmosphere to cause lighting issues.

Yes, and they have some great equipment up there which includes 4K capability.

7,776 · April 7, 2016

Just now, Draggendrop said:

Yes, and they have some great equipment up there which includes 4K capability.

if that 4K drops in my yard, I hope they can't locate me. that sucker would be put to good use too. just kidding, but awesome pics.

6,493 · April 7, 2016

1 hour ago, chrisj1968 said:

it seems like taking photos in space, that pictures are a lot more clearer. probably due to no atmosphere to cause lighting issues.

Question: how is the oxygen issue dealt with in this space station? Do they have to bring refills during changes in astronauts? or is there a device that creates oxygen for life support?

It's actually done via electrolysis. A current is passed through water which in turn produces hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is vented into space.

6,181 · April 8, 2016

Oooooops, missed the second question @chrisj1968 when you edited your above post but am glad John answered it for you. If you are curious of the full processes and equipment setup, please check out the post I made here on the ECLSS.

ECLSS post in the ISS thread

sample...

Quote

In this post, coverage of the ISS's ECLSS will begin. The ECLSS is the Environmental Control and Life Support System. This is one of the most complex systems on the ISS and is a work in progress.
Subsystems are:
1) atmosphere
2) fire detection and suppression
3) oxygen levels
4) waste management
5) water supply
6) recycling of particular consumables

We will start with the atmosphere, which is kept the same as Earth at sea level, 101.3 kpa (14.7 psi), due to a pure oxygen environment being too dangerous. A good start would be the oxygen supply and tie it into generation and recycling of liquid and gaseous products. Oxygen on board the ISS is achieved by several main systems and back up supplies for emergencies.
For oxygen, we have...
1) Oxygen Generator System (OGS)
2) ESA OGS as part of it's closed loop ACLS, Advanced Closed Loop System
3) Several Russian Elektron oxygen generators...similar to the OGS systems
4) Compressed air cylinders for top ups (100 day supply, 3 people)
5) SFOG units, solid fuel oxygen generators in canisters, one supplies 1 crew member for 1 day (84 canister supply)

more at the link...

https://blogs.nasa.gov/kennedy/2016/04/08/veg-03-plant-pillows-readied-at-kennedy-space-center-for-trip-to-space-station/

-----------------------

Nearly 7,000 Pounds of Cargo Heading to Station

Quote

Sealed aboard the Dragon spacecraft are nearly 7,000 pounds of science research, crew supplies and hardware heading to the International Space Station in support of the Expedition 47 and 48 crew members.

SpaceX CRS-8 is the company’s eighth mission to deliver cargo to the orbiting laboratory under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/2016/04/08/nearly-7000-pounds-of-cargo-heading-to-station/

---------------------------

SpaceX adds abort function for Dragon cargo flights

12923141_10157269256585131_2324484831796

The Dragon spaceship set for liftoff Friday is pictured during launch preparations. Credit: SpaceX

Quote

Taking a lesson from a launch failure last June, SpaceX wrote coded commands for future Dragon cargo capsules to deploy their parachutes for an emergency landing in the event of future rocket explosions, starting with Friday’s resupply flight to the International Space Station.

File photo of a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule parachuting into the Pacific Ocean in May 2015. Credit: SpaceX

Quote

“NASA thought that was a great capability to have,” said Kirk Shireman, NASA’s program manager for the International Space Station. “Certainly, in a similar situation, where we believe Dragon would survive.”

The Dragon mission scheduled for liftoff Friday at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) will dispatch 6,913 pounds (3,136 kilograms) of supplies and experiments to the space station. Nearly 3,800 pounds of that load is packed inside the capsule’s returnable pressurized section.

Shireman said the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency responsible for licensing commercial resupply flights to the space station, had to approve the contingency abort procedure. In legal terms, the emergency capability requires a new landing license issued by the FAA, he said.

The regulatory agency licensed the abort plan for all but the very last phase of the Falcon 9 rocket’s ascent into orbit, when the Dragon is near orbital velocity and its landing point could be thousands of miles downrange from Cape Canaveral.

The emergency landing capability is now available for the bulk of the 10-minute launch sequence, except for approximately 20 seconds at the end of the second stage burn, Koenigsmann said.

SpaceX is developing a human-rated “Crew Dragon” spaceship for launches starting next year. Those capsules will have propulsive abort rockets to quickly, and assuredly, send astronauts away from a failing rocket.

Boats deployed in the Atlantic Ocean along the Falcon 9’s flight path northeast of Cape Canaveral for a planned landing of the rocket’s first stage booster could be redirected to retrieve the Dragon spaceship in the event of a launch failure, according to Koenigsmann.

But those boats are not equipped with the same gear as the vessels SpaceX uses to pluck Dragons from the Pacific Ocean at the conclusion of successful missions.

“All the logistics about going to get it needs to be worked out, but it’s a great capability,” Shireman said of the abort plan. “NASA is very happy to have that contingency capability in place.”

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/07/spacex-adds-abort-function-for-dragon-cargo-flights/

----------------------

Dragon Launches and Will Reach Station Sunday

The Falcon 9 Rocket launches with the Dragon cargo craft on time from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Credit: NASA TV

Quote

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 4:43 p.m. EDT, and Dragon has begun its journey to the International Space Station. Dragon separated from its second stage and achieved its preliminary orbit. Dragon’s solar arrays have deployed and will provide 5 kilowatts of power to the spacecraft as it begins a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the International Space Station.

A post-launch news conference will air on NASA TV at 6 p.m. EDT.

The spacecraft will arrive at the station Sunday, April 10, at which time ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tim Peake and NASA astronaut Jeff Williams will use the station’s robotic arm to capture the Dragon spacecraft. Ground commands will be sent from Houston to the station’s arm to install Dragon on the bottom side of the Harmony module for its stay at the space station. Live coverage of the rendezvous and capture will begin at 5:30 a.m. on NASA TV, with installation set to begin at 9:30 a.m.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/08/dragon-launches-and-will-reach-station-sunday/

6,181 · April 10, 2016

This Week at NASA: SpaceX Dragon Launches to the ISS and More

This Week at NASA: SpaceX Dragon Launches to the ISS and More. NASA

Quote

A SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on April 8, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to resupply the International Space Station. Among the almost 7,000 pounds of science research, crew supplies and hardware being delivered is the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, or BEAM.

This technology demonstration will study the radiation protection, thermal performance and operations of expandable habitats for possible use on future deep space missions - including the journey to Mars. This is SpaceX's eighth contracted mission to the station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract. Also, NASA Seeds Planted in White House Garden, Grunsfeld Retiring on April 30, Orion Water Impact Testing, SLS "Confidence" Fuel Tank Completed, Environmentally Responsible Aviation and more.

http://spaceref.com/missions-and-programs/nasa/this-week-at-nasa-spacex-dragon-launches-to-the-iss-and-more.html

SpaceX Dragon Launches to the ISS on This Week @NASA – April 8, 2016

video is 4:22 min.

--------------------------------

Mt. Everest Seen From The International Space Station

Mt. Everest NASA/ESA

Quote

@TimPeake: Harder to spot from space than you might think: Earth's tallest mountain: Everest! Credits: ESA/NASA

http://spaceref.com/onorbit/mt-everest-seen-from-the-international-space-station.html

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Orbital View of Currents and Waves Off Of The Baja Coast

Waves Off Of The Baja Coast NASA

Quote

Tim Kopra @Astro_Tim "Currents and waves off the Baja coast. @Space_Station #Mexico #Explore" iss047e002034 (03/04/2016)

http://spaceref.com/earth/orbital-view-of-currents-and-waves-off-of-the-baja-coast-1.html

-------------------------

WATCH LIVE SUNDAY @ 5:30 am ET: SpaceX Dragon Arrives at Space Station

Quote

At 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 GMT) on Sunday, April 8, NASA will webcast live views of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft arriving at the International Space Station. The Dragon will be captured by robotic arm and astronauts are expected to begin attaching it to the space station at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT). Watch the action live in the window below, courtesy of NASA TV.

http://www.space.com/17933-nasa-television-webcasts-live-space-tv.html

or

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

----------------------------

Space-Bound Veggies Will Also Sprout in White House Garden

veggie-white-house-gioia.jpg?interpolati

First Lady Michelle Obama planted seeds in the White House garden taken from a batch that is headed to the International Space Station for an experiment in growing produce in space. From left, Brad Carpenter, NASA chief scientist, Space Life and Physical Sciences; NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman; NASA astronaut Cady Coleman; and Gioia Massa, science team lead. Photo taken at the White House garden on Tuesday, April 5, 2016.
Credit: A new crop of green-vegetable seeds headed to the International Space Station will also take root in Michelle Obama's White House kitchen garden.

Quote

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A new batch of green-vegetable seeds is set to launch to the International Space Station today (April 8) as part of an experiment to grow produce in space. Meanwhile, seeds from the same lot are taking root in Michelle Obama's White House kitchen garden.

The seeds are part of Veg-03, the third crop of plants to be grown in the station's Vegetable Production System (Veggie). This go-round, scientists are attempting to grow a variety of Chinese cabbage called Tokyo Bekana. The seeds are scheduled to launch toward the station today aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle.

http://www.space.com/32516-space-veggies-in-white-house-garden.html

-----------------------

And just because.....

:woot:

6,181 · April 10, 2016

Few days late but...

NASA ISS Space to Ground Weekly Report - 8 April 2016

nasa_iss_weekly_weekly_space_to_ground_0

NASA ISS Space to Ground Weekly Report - 8 April 2016 NASA

Space to Ground: A New View of the Front Porch: 04/08/2016

video is 2:01 min.

---------------------------

Live coverage: Space station robot arm captures Dragon supply ship

NASA

Quote

10:13

For the first time in history, two U.S. commercial cargo craft are berthed at the International Space Station. This image from a camera mounted on the station's truss shows the newly-arrived SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at left, Orbital ATK's Cygnus cargo carrier in the center, and a Russian Soyuz crew capsule at right.

In total, six spacecraft are in port at the space station, including the two U.S. commercial supply ships, two Soyuz crew transport craft, and two Russian Progress freighters.

That ties a record for the most number of visiting vehicles at the space station at one time, a mark first set in 2011 when the space shuttle Discovery, Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle, Japan's H-2 Transfer Vehicle and three Russian spaecraft were docked at the outpost.

10:01 Berthing complete
All 16 bolts in the common berthing mechanism have driven to create a firm connection between Dragon and the Harmony module. The commercial spacecraft is now part of the International Space Station.

Second stage capture was confirmed at 9:57 a.m. EDT (1357 GMT) as the space station flew 250 miles over southern Algeria.

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/08/spacex-crs-8-mission-status-center/

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/SpaceX_cargo_arrives_at_crowded_space_station_999.html

---------------------------------

SpaceX Dragon CRS-8 Arrives at Space Station

video is 7:13 min.

-------------------------------------

Let the Unloading Begin Aboard the ISS

video is 3:41 min.

--------------------------------

-----------------------

Dragon Capture Makes Six Spacecraft at Station

The SpaceX Dragon approaches the International Space Station moments before its robotic capture. Credit: NASA TV

Quote

While the International Space Station was traveling over the Pacific Ocean west of Hawaii, astronaut Tim Peake of ESA (European Space Agency), with the assistance of NASA’s Jeff Williams, successfully captured the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with the station’s robotic Canadarm2 at 7:23 a.m. EDT.

NASA TV coverage will resume at 9:45 a.m. for Dragon installation.

Dragon’s arrival marks the first time two commercial cargo vehicles have been docked simultaneously at the space station. Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft arrived to the station just over two weeks ago. With the arrival of Dragon, the space station ties the record for most vehicles on station at one time – six.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/10/dragon-capture-makes-six-spacecraft-at-station/

-------------------------

SpaceX Dragon Mated to Harmony

snaps-about-spacex-crs-8-installation-on

The SpaceX Dragon is seen shortly after it was mated to the Harmony module. The Cygnus cargo craft with its circular solar arrays and the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft (bottom right) are also seen in this view. Credit: NASA TV

Quote

The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft was bolted into place on the Harmony module of the International Space Station at 9:57 a.m. EDT as the station flew 250 miles over southern Algeria.

The spacecraft is delivering about 7,000 pounds of science and research investigations, including the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, known as BEAM.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/10/spacex-dragon-mated-to-harmony/

----------------------

Indepth analysis articles....

Dragon Spacecraft makes triumphant Return to ISS after flawless Rendezvous

http://spaceflight101.com/dragon-spx-8-capture/

ISS welcomes CRS-8 Dragon after flawless launch

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/04/iss-crs-8-dragon-arrival-flawless-launch/

SpaceX Dragon Arrives at Space Station, Delivers Inflatable Room Prototype

http://www.space.com/32528-spacex-dragon-delivers-inflatable-room-space-station.html

13,544 · April 10, 2016

Sexy :blush:

6,181 · April 13, 2016

ISS Daily Summary Report – 04/11/16

Quote

SpaceX (SpX)-8 Launch, Capture and Berth: SpX-8 launched successfully at 3:43 PM CDT Friday. Capture and berthing to the Node 2 nadir port occurred on Sunday at 6:24 AM CDT, and berthing occurred approximately 3 hours later. This morning, the USOS crew ingressed the Dragon and began transferring Cargo Transfer Bags (CTBs), unpacking Double Cold Bags (DCBs) and transferring, installing and powering the Polars. They also re-stowed the Vestibule Outfitting Kit (VOK) and CBM Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) hardware.

Cell Mechanosensing 3 (CMS-3): Williams gathered and prepared samples to start incubation for the CMS-3 experiment using the Measurement Experiment Solution Exchanger. He then set up up the Fluorescence Microscope in the Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) to allow for ground commanded sample observation. CMS-3 is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) investigation that identifies gravity sensors in skeletal muscle cells to develop countermeasures to muscle atrophy. Scientists believe that the lack of mechanical stress from gravity causes tension fluctuations in the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle cells which changes the expression of key proteins and genes and allows muscles to atrophy.

NanoRack Platforms-1 & 2 Module Install: Peake installed NanoRack Modules 28 (SyNRGE³) and 33 (Algal Growth and Remediation) experiments on NanoRack Platform 1. NanoRack Modules 20 and 22 were previously installed on NanoRack Platform 2. The NanoRack Platform is a multipurpose research facility that supports NanoRacks Modules by providing power and data transfer capabilities to operate investigations in microgravity.

NanoRacks Module 9: Peake started the first of two NanoRack Module 9 experiment sessions planned for this week. He reviewed on board training (OBT) materials for activation and deactivation of the mixture tubes, then after retrieving the hardware, Peake activated, deactivated, and shook the mixture tubes. Module-9 is a collection of student research projects utilizing the NanoRacks mix sticks. Student teams from across the United States design their own experiments using flight approved fluids and materials.

Rodent Research 3 (RR-3) Transfer Review: Kopra and Peake reviewed RR-3 Animal Transfer reference material and discussed operations with the payload developer in preparation for tomorrow’s transfer of the animals from the transporter to the habitat. RR-3 studies molecular and physical changes in the musculoskeletal system that happen in space. Results expand scientists’ understanding of muscle atrophy and bone loss in space, while testing an antibody that has been known to prevent muscle wasting in mice on Earth.

Quote

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Ops: Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the MSS and the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and released the SpX-8 Dragon Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture (FRGF). The SSRMS was then walked off the Node 2 Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) onto the Lab PDGF and maneuvered into position to survey the Dragon Trunk and the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) using the SSRMS Tip Latching End Effector (LEE) camera. Later, the SSRMS will be maneuvered to a translate configuration and the Mobile Transporter (MT) will be translated from Worksite #4 (WS4) to WS6.

Quote

Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Dragon ingress
SSRMS walkoff N2 to Lab
Dragon Trunk, BEAM survey
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Tuesday, 04/12: Rodent Research transfer, NanoRacks Module 51 start, CMS3 ops

Wednesday, 04/13: Ocular Health, NanoRacks Module 9 ops, N3 aft CBCS install/checkout

Thursday, 04/14: Lab KU power supply install, universal battery charger install/checkout, bone densitometer calibration, CMS3 ops

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component   Status
Elektron   On
Vozdukh   Manual
[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”)   On
[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”)   Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab   Override
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3   Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab   Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3   Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)   Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)   Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab   Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3   Warmup

https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2016/04/11/iss-daily-summary-report-041116/

------------------------

Reading Gagarin's Autobiography In Orbit

Tim Peake Reads "Road to the Stars" ESA

Quote

On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit Earth in his Vostok spacecraft that launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, now in Kazakhstan.

ESA astronaut Tim Peake was launched into space from the very same launchpad as Yuri Gagarin and now, 55 years later, he tweeted this picture of himself on the International Space Station reading Yuri's autobiography Road to the Stars.

The book is a special copy, signed by Gagarin himself, and it flew to space in 1991 with British astronaut Helen Sharman to the Russian space station Mir. The book is now signed by the current crew on the International Space Station, as well as the crew on Mir during Helen's mission.

12 April has become a worldwide day of celebration of human spaceflight. Cosmonauts on the International Space Station are given a day off on this day. Today Yuri Malenchenko, Oleg Skripochka, Alexei Ovchinin are given a break from their busy schedules in space aside from their obligatory daily exercise.

http://spaceref.com/onorbit/reading-gagarins-autobiography-in-orbit.html

-----------------------------

NASA to Attach, Test First Expandable Habitat on International Space Station

Quote

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The first human-rated expandable structure that may help inform the design of deep space habitats is set to be installed to the International Space Station Saturday, April 16. NASA Television coverage of the installation will begin at 5:30 a.m. EDT.

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) will be attached to the station's Tranquility module over a period of about four hours. Controllers in mission control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston will remove BEAM from the unpressurized trunk of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, using the robotic Canadarm2, and move it into position next to Tranquility's aft assembly port. NASA astronauts aboard the station will secure BEAM using common berthing mechanism controls. Robotic operations begin at 2:15 a.m. and are expected to be complete by 6:15 a.m.

BEAM launched aboard Dragon on April 8 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. At the end of May, the module will be expanded to nearly five times its compressed size of 7 feet in diameter by 8 feet in length to roughly 10 feet in diameter and 13 feet in length.

Astronauts will first enter the habitat about a week after expansion and, during a two-year test mission, will return to the module for a few hours several times a year to retrieve sensor data and assess conditions.

Expandable habitats are designed to take up less room on a rocket, but provide greater volume for living and working in space once expanded. This first test of an expandable module will allow investigators to gauge how well the habitat performs overall and, specifically, how well it protects against solar radiation, space debris and the temperature extremes of space. Once the test period is over, BEAM will be released from the space station, and will burn up during its descent through Earth's atmosphere.

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/prnewswire-space-news.html?rkey=20160412DC69932&filter=1639

-------------------------

CftV4cpVIAEW5Fg.jpg-orig.jpg

CRS-8 NASA

Photos: Dragon Spacecraft arrives at ISS

http://spaceflight101.com/iss/photos-dragon-spacecraft-arrives-at-iss/

-----------------------

Expedition 47

Quote

Increment   47
Crew   6
CDR   Tim Kopra
FE1   Yuri Malenchenko
FE2   Tim Peake
FE3   Alexey Ovchinin
FE4   Oleg Skripochka
FE5   Jeff Williams
Start   March 2016
End   June 2016
Launch Vehicles   Soyuz TMA-19M
    Soyuz TMA-20M
Visiting Vehicles   Progress M-29M
    Progress MS
    Progress MS-2
    Cygnus OA-6
    Dragon SpX-8
    Cygnus OA-5
EVAs (Planned)   Up to 2

Individual crew biographies at the link...

http://spaceflight101.com/iss-expedition-47/

Quote

DateEvent

March 30. 2016Progress M-29M Undocking from Zvezda

March 31, 2016Progress MS-2 Launch atop Soyuz

April 2, 2016Progress MS-02 Docking to Zvezda

April 8, 2016Dragon SpX-8 Launch atop Falcon 9

April 10, 2016Dragon SpX-8 Capture & Berthing to Harmony

April Satellite Deployment (STMSAT-1)

April /MayU.S. EVA-36 & 37 (TBD)

May 1, 2016Dragon SpX-8 Departure & Landing

May 20, 2016Cygnus OA-6 Unberthing, Release

May 31, 2016Cygnus OA-5 Launch atop Antares 230

MayFlock-2e-Prime CubeSat Deployment

May/JuneBEAM Module Installation

June 5, 2016Soyuz TMA-19M Undocking & Landing (Malenchenko, Kopra, Peake)

June 21, 2016Soyuz MS Launch & Docking (Ivanishin, Onishi, Rubins)

June 24, 2016 (TBD)Cygnus OA-5 Launch atop Antares 230

June 24, 2016 (TBD)Dragon SpX-9 Launch atop Falcon 9

June 26, 2016 (TBD)Dragon SpX-9 Rendezvous, Capture & Berthing

June 27, 2016 (TBD)Cygnus OA-5 Rendezvous, Capture & Berthing to Unity

2016Relocation of Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 from Node 3P to Node 2Z

http://spaceflight101.com/iss/iss-calendar/

6,181 · April 14, 2016

NASA International Space Station On-Orbit Status 12 April 2016

nasa_iss_on_orbit_status_report_041216_9

Station Crew Observes Cosmonautics Day 2016. NASA

Quote

Today: SPHEROIDS Temperature and Power Check: The ESA SPHEROIDS experiment completed its two day experiment run.

Yesterday, Peake retrieved the SPHEROIDS hardware from SpaceX-8 (SpX-8) and installed the containers into the Kubik. Today he will completed a temperature and power check. The experiment investigates the effects of microgravity on endothelial cell function with respect to blood vessel formation, cellular proliferation, and programmed cell death. Results could help in the development of potential countermeasures to prevent cardiovascular deconditioning in astronauts and improve knowledge of endothelial functions on Earth.

Rodent Research-3 (RR-3) Transfer: Kopra and Peake set up the rodent habitats, moved the transporters from SpX-8 to the US Lab, and transferred the animals to the habitats. RR-3 is a Joint USOS Russian Experiment performed with both USOS and Russian crew members. RR-3 studies molecular and physical changes to the musculoskeletal system that happen in space. Results will expand scientists' understanding of muscle atrophy and bone loss in space while testing an antibody that has been known to prevent muscle wasting in mice on Earth.

Orbital-ATK 6 (OA-6) Cargo Operations Status: The crew completed cargo operations off the task list today, for a total of 18:35 of OA-6 cargo ops.

SpaceX-8 Cargo Operations Status: The crew completed cargo operations off the task list today, for a total of 3:50 total unpack operations since ingress yesterday.

Quote

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.
RR transfer
SPDM unstow from MBS PDGF2 for FGB Port SAW survey
Nominal ground commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 04/13: Ocular Health, NanoRacks Module 9 ops, N3 aft CBCS install/checkout, EPO-Biorock, SPRINT Ultrasound
Thursday, 04/14: Ocular Health, Lab KU power supply install, universal battery charger install/checkout, bone densitometer calibration, CMS3 ops, SPRINT Ultrasound
Friday, 04/15: Ocular Health, CMS3 ops, SODF deploy, Smartcycler install, WHC urine receptacle R&R

QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group:
Component - Status
Elektron - On
Vozdukh - Manual
[СКВ] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - Off
[СКВ] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - On
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - Override
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - Idle
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) - Standby
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - Off
Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Full Up

http://spaceref.com/international-space-station/nasa-international-space-station-on-orbit-status-12-april-2016.html

--------------------------

New Science Begins as Station Boosts Orbit

Expedition 47 crew members (from left) Tim Kopra, Jeff Williams Tim Peake eat dinner inside the Unity module aboard the International Space Station.

Quote

The Expedition 47 crew has begun working new science delivered aboard the new Dragon and Cygnus commercial cargo ships. The crew is also getting ready for the extraction and installation of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module scheduled for Saturday.

One of the experiments delivered aboard Dragon is already being set up for operation. The Rodent Research-3 experiment is exploring an antibody used on Earth to see if it prevents muscle atrophy and bone loss in space. The crew is also working the Gecko Gripper study, launched aboard Cygnus, which is researching advanced adhesive technology.

Commander Tim Kopra and British astronaut Tim Peake conducted vision tests and blood pressure checks today for the Ocular Health study. Scientists are researching vision changes reported during long-term space missions and how long before vision returns to normal when an astronaut returns to Earth.

The International Space Station began a series of orbital boosts today to get ready for a June crew swap. Kopra and Peake along with fellow Expedition 46-47 crew member Yuri Malenchenko will return home in early June. They will be replaced about two weeks later when Expedition 48-49 crew members Anatoly Ivanishin, Kate Rubins and Takuya Onishi launch.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2016/04/13/new-science-begins-as-station-boosts-orbit/

--------------------------

Putin says space critical for Russia-US Cooperation despite differences

File image

Quote

The space industry is an important field for cooperation between Russia and the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

Putin held a video conference with the ISS as Russia is celebrating Cosmonautics Day on Tuesday to commemorate the first manned space flight on April 12, 1961, when a booster rocket took into orbit the Vostok spacecraft with the first cosmonaut on board - Soviet citizen Yuri Gagarin.

"Despite any difficulties we face on the ground, people in space work side by side, hand in hand, they help each other and carry out tasks of utmost importance not just for our countries, but for the whole of humanity. And this is a very important area of our cooperation with the United States, as well as with other countries," Putin said

On April 7, 2011, upon Russia's initiative, the UN General Assembly proclaimed April 12 the International Day of Human Space Flight on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the first space flight by Gagarin. The resolution was co-authored by over 60 UN member states.

Since 2001, many countries around the world have been holding Yuri's Night sponsored by the Space Generation Advisory Council, an official adviser of the UN program on using space equipment. It focuses on two events: the first manned space flight (April 12, 1961, Soviet Union) and the first manned flight under the Space Shuttle program (April 12, 1981, United States).

According to Putin, the Vostochny space launch center in Russia's Far East is designated to operate in the interests of Russia's economy and develop cooperation with foreign partners.

"We expect to carry out commercial launches and manned launches, including in the interests of our partners, as soon as the new Vostochny cosmodrome is available," the Russian president said.

The Vostochny space port which has been under construction since 2012 was conceived as an alternative to Baikonur, which is on lease to Russia until 2050. The first launch from Vostochny is planned for April 27, according to the Russian state corporation Roscosmos.

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