Blogs

OsteoOmics Investigation:  In preparation for OsteoOmic investigation activities planned this week, the crew configured OsteoOmics hardware and the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), reviewed procedures, conferred with ground experts and completed an OsteoOmics practice session.  Samples were retrieved from Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) and General Laboratory Active Cryogenic ISS Experiment Refrigerator (GLACIER) for …

NanoRacks External Platform (NREP) Installation:  The JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) transferred and installed the NREP to the JEM External Facility (JEM-EF).  The Slide Table was returned to the JEM Airlock (JEMAL) and the crew pressurized and vented the Airlock in preparation for future JEMAL activities.  NREP represents the first external commercial …

Today's blog is from Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado—principal investigator for NASA's New Horizons mission. Three weeks ago we put our New Horizons spacecraft into hibernation mode, the first time we'd done that since late 2014, before the Pluto flyby. By coincidence, that same day – April 7—was also the …

Fluid Shifts Baseline Imaging:  The 49S and 50S crewmembers continued this week’s Fluid Shifts baseline imagery activities. With one crew member performing as an operator, ultrasound imaging was taken of arterial and venous measures at various body locations. Additional data from the Cerebral and Cochlear Fluid Pressure (CCFP), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a Distortion Product …

The International Space Station raised its orbit today to get ready for a June crew departure. The first of two orbital reboosts comes just a week after two new crew members arrived to begin their mission with Expedition 51. Flight Engineers Oleg Novitskiy and Thomas Pesquet will return to Earth June 2 ending the Expedition …

NanoRacks External Platform (NREP) Operations:  The crew depressurized and vented the Japanese Experiment Module(JEM) Airlock (JEMAL) in preparation for the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) transfer of the NREP to the JEM External Facility (JEM-EF) this Friday.   Fluid Shifts Baseline Imaging: The 49S crew continued this week’s Fluid Shifts baseline imagery activities.  With one crew …

NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer live-streamed a broadcast from space today using 4K ultra-high-definition technology for the first time. The duo called down to the National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas to demonstrate the advanced technology and promote space science and filmmaking. Expedition 51 worked throughout Wednesday on a variety of microgravity …

NanoRacks External Platform (NREP) Operations: The crew pressurized the Japanese Experiment Module Airlock (JEMAL), performed a leak check and extended the JEMAL Slide Table (ST) into the JEM Pressurized Module (JPM).  They then removed the Gumstix/Solar Cell payload and attached the NanoRacks-CID and Honeywell-Morehead-DM payloads to the NREP. The ST was then retracted with attached …

Orbital 7 (OA-7) Capture/Berthing: Friday night, Robotics Ground Controllers maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to inspect the Node 1 Nadir Active Common Berthing Mechanism (ABCM). They then maneuvered the SSRMS to the Cygnus high hover position and powered up the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) in “Hot Backup” mode in preparation for Saturday morning’s …

Expedition 51 Commander Peggy Whitson broke the U.S. record today for most cumulative time living in space, surpassing astronaut Jeff Williams’ record of 534 days set during his four spaceflights. She passed Williams’ mark at 1:27 a.m. EDT. President Donald Trump called the International Space Station Monday morning and congratulated Whitson on her record-breaking career. …