Six humans from three countries will ring in the new year 16 times tonight from an average altitude of about 260 miles above the Earth’s surface. Before the Expedition 61 crew goes to bed tonight and relaxes on New Year’s Day, they are researching critical space science to benefit humans on and off Earth. Fire …
Bone Densitometer (BD): The crew completed on-board Training for upcoming operations. Approximately the size of a consumer microwave oven, the Bone Densitometer uses X-rays to measure the bone mineral density (and the lean and fat tissue) of mice living aboard the ISS. As a result, researchers hope to develop medical technology that will combat bone …
A U.S. cargo craft is getting ready to depart the International Space Station early next week loaded with research results and degraded hardware for analysis on Earth. Meanwhile, the Expedition 61 crew explored a variety of space phenomena including how flames spread in weightlessness. The SpaceX Dragon resupply ship is being configured for its departure …
Confined Combustion: The crew continued the test sessions using fabric and acrylic samples. The crew was very active in the investigation and performed the ignitions, gave visual observations of the flames, and adjusted the fan speed and other parameters as-needed. Confined Combustion examines the behavior of flame as it spreads in differently-shaped confined spaces in …
The Expedition 61 crew is learning how to live and work in space and researching ways to adapt to long-term human spaceflight. Meanwhile, the International Space Station is orbiting higher today to support Russian spacecraft activities planned for 2020. Rodents are being studied aboard the orbiting lab today since their physiology is similar to humans …
On Dec. 26, Parker Solar Probe successfully completed its second flyby of Venus.
Advanced Nanostep: The crew inserted the Advanced Nano Step Return Bag into MERLIN. Advanced Nano Step, more formally known as Effects of Impurities on Perfection of Protein Crystals, Partition Functions, and Growth Mechanisms, monitors and records how the incorporation of specific impurity molecules affect the development and quality of protein crystals. The crystals grown on …
It is back to work for the six-member Expedition 61 crew from the U.S., Russia and Italy after celebrating Christmas aboard the International Space Station. The space residents checked out BEAM and a commercial resupply ship and researched a variety of space phenomena. NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan opened up the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) …
CIR/ACME (Combustion Integration Rack/Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments): In support of the continuing s-Flame investigation, the crew exchanged the ACME Bypass Controller and the ACME Fuel Controller. These controllers allow different flow regimes to be used for the experiment. The purpose of s-Flame is to advance our ability to predict the structure and dynamics, including …
CBEF-L (Cell Biology Experiment Facility – Left) configuration change: The crew worked on steps to change the CBEF-L configuration from ‘G’ (sample tray and centrifuge) to ‘F’ (large centrifuge), but were not able to accomplish all the tasks within the time allocated. The ground is working on plan revisions to accommodate the tasks. CBEF-L is …
