Blogs

NASA and United Launch Alliance are now targeting Wednesday, July 22, for launch of the Mars 2020 mission due to a processing delay encountered during encapsulation activities of the spacecraft. Additional time was needed to resolve a contamination concern in the ground support lines in NASA's Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF). The spacecraft and vehicle …

Payloads RED-EYE: The crew took photos of the REDEYE-3 satellite deployment. The RED-EYE program develops and demonstrates technologies which increase the utility of low-cost microsatellites using the Kaber Micro Satellite Deployer attached to the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM).  The RED-EYE program develops and demonstrates technologies which increase the utility of low-cost microsatellites using the …

The Expedition 63 crew is reviewing tasks and trying on spacesuits today ahead of two spacewalks set to begin Friday. Another microsatellite is set to be deployed from the International Space Station today. Two NASA astronauts spent all day Tuesday preparing for the first of two spacewalks that will start on Friday at 7:35 a.m. …

Two NASA astronauts are getting ready for Friday’s spacewalk to continue upgrading power systems on the International Space Station. The other three Expedition 63 crewmembers today explored a variety of microgravity phenomena to improve health and industry on Earth and in space. Commander Chris Cassidy and Flight Engineer Bob Behnken spent Monday afternoon reviewing the …

Payloads Materials Science Laboratory- Sample Cartridge Assembly-Gravitational Effects on Distortion in Sintering (MSL SCA-GEDS)-German: The crew performed the activities needed to exchange the processed science sample cartridge assembly (SCA) with a new SCA for run C3. Liquid phase sintering is an important means to fabricate net-shape composite materials for applications over a range of industries. …

On June 22, NASA's ICON team released scientific data collected during the spacecraft's first eight months in orbit to the public. The data release features observations from ICON's four instruments — MIGHTI, FUV, EUV, and IVM — which have been observing the ins and outs of the ionosphere, the sea of charged particles high in …

Payloads Capillary Driven Microfluidics (CDM): The crew performed a plate changeout. Capillary-Driven Microfluidics in Space (Capillary Driven Microfluidics) examines the drawing of fluids into a tiny narrow tube in microgravity. Results may improve current mathematical models and understanding of microfluidic systems and improve fluid control in various devices. Diagnostic devices require separation of blood cells …

The International Space Station is getting ready to deploy another satellite while the Expedition 63 crew winds down the work week on logistics and space science. Commander Chris Cassidy and Flight Engineer Bob Behnken set up hardware today in Japan’s Kibo laboratory module that will deploy another Red-Eye satellite. The third and final Red-Eye microsatellite …

Two NASA astronauts are getting their spacesuits ready for a pair of spacewalks set to begin next week. The rest of the Expedition 63 crew juggled a variety of space science and life support work aboard the International Space Station today. NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken spent Thursday filtering cooling loops and refilling …

Payloads Electrolysis Measurement (EM): In support of the ongoing EM experiment, the crew performed a series of sample exchanges.  Electrolytic Gas Evolution Under Microgravity (Electrolysis Measurement) examines the influence of gravity on electrolytic gas evolution, a complex electrochemical process with multiple applications on Earth and in space. For example, electrolysis generates bubbles that can be …