Rodent Research-7 (RR-7): Yesterday the crew transferred the mice from the Transporter Units that arrived on the SpaceX-15 Dragon vehicle to the two Habitat units in which they will reside on ISS. They checked the water flow in each side of the Habitats and installed the rodent huts and food bars. The crew also stowed fecal pellets and food bar/Habitat swabs in a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). The RR-7 investigation examines how the space environment affects the community of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of mice (also known as the microbiota). It also looks at microgravity’s effects on multiple physiological systems known to be affected by the microbiota, including the gastrointestinal, immune, metabolic, circadian, and sleep systems. These studies should help explain mechanisms underlying interactions between these systems and the role of the microbiota in these interactions.

Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems (STaARS) BioScience-8: This morning the crew installed the BioScience-8 Experiment Containers in the STaARS facility and powered on the facility. Later the crew removed those Containers and inserted them into a MELFI. The high sensitivity of immune cells to gravitational changes makes them ideal models for understanding the role Earth’s gravity plays in normal mammalian cell function. Parallel studies of cells in microgravity and on the ground help identify the primary cellular and molecular mechanisms, including regulation of gene expression, behind effects of altered gravity.

NanoRacks Module-9: The crew deactivated or shook designated mixture tubes for the NanoRacks Module-9 investigation today. The experiments contained in these tubes support a variety of experiments sponsored by the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE). The student-designed experiments address real challenges of living and working in space. The program is also a key initiative for US science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers to work on the space program. Findings from student experiments may contribute to future experiments that benefit the space program. The tubes handled today support the following investigations:

The Effects of Microgravity on Polyethylene Glycol Methacrylate (PGMA) based Self-Assembly and Impacts on Drug Delivery Systems

Effects of Microgravity on Soybean Germination

Would Lactuca sativa variety capitata Seeds Germinate in Microgravity?

Growing Solanum tuberosum in Microgravity

The Effect of Microgravity on the Germination of Apium graveolens

The Effect of Microgravity on Wheat Germination

Rust in Microgravity

The Effect of Microgravity on the Growth of Golden Lake Artemia

The Brine Shrimp

The Effect of Microgravity on Spider Plant Seed Germination

Can Yarrow germinate in microgravity?

Long Diffusion and Kidney Stones, No More!

International Commercial Experiment (ICE) Cubes Facility (ICF): Today the crew installed two Cubes in the ICE Cubes Facility. New batches of Experiment Cubes are regularly uploaded to the ISS. The ICF provides a simplified, low-cost access service to the ISS for commercial entities. It supports investigations contained in individual experiment Cubes.

Angiex Cancer Therapy: Today the crew performed microscope operations for AngieX Cancer Therapy samples that arrived on the SpaceX-15 Dragon vehicle. The Payload Developer provided assistance via live high definition video. They then completed an operations session. The Angiex Cancer Therapy investigation examines whether endothelial cells cultured in microgravity represent a valid in vitro model to test effects of vascular-targeted agents on normal blood vessels. Angiex has developed a treatment that targets both tumor cells and vasculature, but needs a better model on which to test it. This study may facilitate development of a cost-effective method that does not require animal testing and which may help develop safer and more effective vascular-targeted drugs.

MagVector 3D: The crew exchanged a MagVector 3D sample today. A total of 12 different samples will be processed on the ISS (1 per day). ESA’s MagVector investigation supports a study of how Earth’s magnetic field interacts with an electrical conductor. Using extremely sensitive magnetic sensors placed around and above a conductor, researchers can gain insight into ways that the magnetic field influences how conductors work. This research is expected to help improve future ISS experiments and electrical experiments, and could also offer insights into how magnetic fields influence electrical conductors in general.

Probiotics: Today a crewmember collected saliva samples and stowed them in a MELFI. He also completed a questionnaire. Some species of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella grow stronger and more virulent in the microgravity environment of space. At the same time, the human immune system is weaker in space, leading to increased health risks. The objective of the Probiotics investigation is to study the impact of continuous consumption of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) on immune function and intestinal microbiota in astronauts in a closed microgravity environment. The results of this investigation may be used to support improvements in crew members’ intestinal microbiota and their immune function on long-duration space missions.

Team Task Switching (TTS): A crewmember completed a TTS survey today. When crew members are often required to switch their attention between tasks, performance on each of the tasks can be affected. The objective of the TTS investigation is to gain knowledge about whether or not crew members have difficulty in switching tasks and determine the impacts of these switches, in order to both reduce any negative consequences and improve individual and team motivation and effectiveness.

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Loop Scrub and Conductivity Test: Earlier today, the crew initiated a 90-day maintenance loop scrub and iodination for EMUs 3004 and 3008. After a one-hour timer expired, the crew took samples of the EMU Cooling Loop water. The crew iodinated the Ion Filter for stowage and initiated EMU iodination for EMU 3004 and 3008. Two hours after initiating the EMU iodination the crew terminated it and deconfigured the EMU hardware. This is the first use of the newly installed Umbilical Interface Assembly (UIA).

Crew Active Dosimeter (CAD) Tech Demonstration: The crew deployed five CAD tech demo ensembles and two CAD Universal Serial Bus (USB) Bluetooth dongles. This new hardware was developed to replace the currently used Crew Passive Dosimeters (CPDs) measuring crew radiation exposure. The tech demo will compare the measurements of CADs to other radiation detectors (CPDs and Rad Detector); confirm that no operational impairment arises for crew while wearing CADs; and verify a hands-free, autonomous data transfer architecture from device to ground. Three ensembles were deployed to US crew, one ensemble was attached to the Rad Detector with Kapton tape, and one ensemble will be left in the launch ziplock bag and stowed in the Crew Health Care System (CHeCS) Resupply Stowage Rack (RSR). The USB dongles were plugged into two Station Support Computers (SSCs) (one in Node 1 and one in Node 2), to allow for Bluetooth data transfer to the OpsLAN with no crew interaction. These items were delivered and will return on the SpaceX-15 Dragon vehicle.

Emergency Health Maintenance System (HMS) Contingency Drill Training: Today the 55S crew performed onboard training to review procedures, hardware and communication methods necessary to manage a medical emergency onboard ISS. Emergency medical equipment was deployed and the crew practiced CPR positioning to ensure familiarity with procedure execution should a medical emergency occur.

Dragon Cargo Operations: The crew completed several hours of Dragon unpack. Ground specialists estimate the crew will need another 20 hours to complete the unpacking.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: This afternoon ground specialists will use the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) to extract the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRSS) payload from the Dragon Trunk. Once complete, they will maneuver and transfer the payload to the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) for installation into Exposed Facility Unit (EFU)#10.

Today’s Planned Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.



Lighting Effects Sleep Log Entry Subject

Probiotics Saliva Operations

Probiotics Salive Sample MELFI Insertion

Probiotics Question

Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems BioScience-8 Experiment Container Installation

PHASE TRANSITION. Experiment Setup and Performance.

Health Maintenance System (HMS) Respiratory Support Pack (RSP) Pen and Ink and Stowage Update

CHeCS Emergency Health Maintenance System Contingency Drill Training

Soyuz #738 IRIDIUM Charge

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Swap

ExtraVehicular Activity Umbilical Interface Assembly Biocide Filter Assembly Remove and Replace

Dragon Locker Removal

MagVector File Transfer

Soyuz #739 IRIDIUM Charge – Start the Charge

Relocation of ESA items from Node2 to Columbus

Comm Config from MRM1

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Scrub Initiation

Stowage Locker Prep for Return

SEPARATION. Recover the Functionality of RS Urine Water Regeneration System [СРВ-У].

Rodent Research Node 2 Camcorder Video Setup

Soyuz #739 IRIDIUM Charge – Stop the Charge, Teardown

Rodent Research Transporter Stow

UDOD. Experiment Ops with DYKHANIYE-1 and SPRUT-2 Sets

XF305 Camcorder Setup

Wanted Poster for Bulb Blower

UDOD. Photography during the Experiment

PHASE TRANSITION. Closeout Operations.

Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Wipe Post Mouse Stress Defense

SEPARATION. Recover the Functionality of RS Urine Water Regeneration System [СРВ-У].

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Post Scrub Cooling Loop Water (H2O) Sample

Probiotics Item Gathering

Team Task Switching Experiment Survey Subject

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Iodination

Space Technology and Advanced Research Systems BioScience-8 Experiment Container Removal

Team Task Switching Experiment Survey Subject [Cancelled]

Restore Nominal Comm Config

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Conductivity Test

BioScience-8 MELFI Experiment Container Insertion

Cardiovascular System Evaluation during Graded Exercises on the Cycle Ergometer (VELO).

Wireless Compose Big Picture Words Reading

Wireless Compose Tagmotes Don

EVA Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Scrub Deconfiguration

AngieX Cancer Therapy Microscope Operations

Biolab Glovebox Health Check

Recycle Tank Drain Initiation

Install Updated Software on RSS1 to Downlink BRI Log Files

Clean the Ventilation Screens on the FGB Interior Panels (panels 116, 316, 231, 431)

СОЖ maintenance

Wireless Compose Tagmotes Doff

Environmental Health System (EHS) Crew Active Dosimeter Demo

Wireless Compose SD Card Data Copy

MPCC Cable Installation

Recycle Tank Drain Termination

CALCIUM. Experiment Session #10

Cargo Transfer to Dragon

Columbus Video Camera Assembly 2 Adjustment

EPM Rack Power Switch off

AngieX Cancer Therapy Ops Session

Installation of Cubes #2 and #3 in the ICE Cubes Facility

EPM Rack Power Switch on

Columbus cleanup for Myotones

Stow Syringes used in H2O Conductivity Test

Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) Test

Myotones Kit Gathering

Cold Stowage Double Coldbag Icebrick Stow

Dragon Locker Removal

MELFI Sample Return Bag Insertion

On-Board Training (OBT) Dragon Emergency Review

NanoRacks Module 9 Ops Session 2

Robotics Proficiency [Cancelled]

MOTOKARD. GoPro battery charge

Micro-11 Glacier Sample Removal 1

Dragon Cargo Operations Conference

Completed Task List Activities:

None

Ground Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.



MSS Operations – ECOSTRESS Extract and Install

N3 CDRA Blower Test

Lab CDRA command to standby

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Friday, 07/06: Myotones Ops, MICRO-11 Sample Inoculation, Passive Aerosol Samplers Deploy, Active Tissue Equivalent Dosimeter Installation, Bone Densitometer Imaging unit R&R

Saturday, 07/07: Weekly Housekeeping, Crew Off-Duty, RR7, HRF

Sunday, 07/08: Crew Off-Duty, HRF, STaRS

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group: