Ants In Space Experiment: After setting up cameras to record the experiment, Flight Engineer (FE)-5 Mastracchio and FE-3 Hopkins set up 2 of the 8 ant forage habitats and then open doors to release ants into the forage areas. This experiment uses the Pavement Ant (Tetramorium Caespitum), which is common throughout most of the United …
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations for Cygnus Capture: Today the Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the MSS and performed a Node-2 Nadir Active Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) survey with the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS). They then maneuvered the SSRMS to the Cygnus High Hover position in preparation for capture and powered the MSS …
Orbital 1 Status: Following yesterday’s successful launch, the Cygnus spacecraft completed Delta Velocity (DV) burns 1 – 4 successfully. The Cygnus Control Room is not working any major issues at this time. Capture is planned for Sunday, January 12th at approximately 5:02am CST. Cygnus will deliver 2,780 pounds of science experiments, hardware, and crew provisions …
Today’s Planned Tasks Orbital Launch: Orb-1 launched successfully from Pad 0A at Wallops Flight Facility at 12:07 pm CST today. This was the first flight of the Castor 30B upper stage. Ascent and separation events were all nominal. The Cygnus solar arrays were successfully deployed shortly after spacecraft separation. All Cygnus systems are nominal at …
USOS Crew Off Duty: The USOS Crew was scheduled for an off duty day today and again tomorrow in preparation for upcoming Cygnus operations this weekend. Orbital 1 Status: The first X-Class solar flare of 2014 occurred yesterday, January 7th. As a result, Orbital Sciences has decided to delay their Antares launch to no earlier …
Body Measures Investigation: FE-6 Hopkins, with operator assistance from FE-6 Wakata, set up cameras and cabin video, performed body marker instrumentation, and collected calibration and body pose images and circumference measurements. This is Hopkins’ flight day 105 session. The goal of this study is to gather data to better understand the magnitude and variability of …
ISS Safety Video Survey: Flight Engineer (FE)-5 Mastracchio captured video of the ISS interior volume, with which the ground team will assess the current vehicle configuration and identify any areas of concern related to ventilation blockage, flammability hazards, emergency egress paths, access to fire ports, and safety equipment, etc. The Safety Video Survey is performed …
Cygnus Launch Status: Due to weather concerns, Orbital has decided to delay the Cygnus launch from Tuesday to no earlier than Wednesday, January 8th. However, Orbital estimates less than 50% chance of being Go on the 8th. The main concern is due to forecasted cold temperatures. The limiting component is the frangible joints on the …
Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) Survey: Ground specialists performed a survey of the AMS payload using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) video cameras. This imagery will be used as a tool to note any degradation and help diagnose future AMS payload operations anomalies. The previous AMS survey was performed one year ago. Ocular Health …
Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) Hardware Replacement: FE-3 Hopkins used the Maintenance Work Area (MWA) for restraining the Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus (MDCA) Chamber Insert Assembly (CIA) while he installed fuel reservoirs, replaced two igniter tips and exchanged manifold bottles to prepare for future operations. ISS InterModule Ventilation (IMV) Airflow Measurement: In support of monitoring the …
