Microgravity Expanded Stem Cells (MESC) Microscope Operations: Over the weekend the crew completed the MESC experiment, performing two days of back-to-back operations. The crew viewed the BioCells on the microscope, then sampled and preserved the BioCells which were inserted into the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) for cold stowage. The crew then deconfigured the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) from the MESC experiment and reconfigured the Life Science Ancillary Hardware (LSAH) for Rodent Research activities. The goal of the MESC investigation is to determine the efficiency of using a microgravity environment to accelerate expansion (replication) of stem cells for use in terrestrial clinical trials for treatment of disease.

Fluid Shifts Baseline Imaging: With assistance of an onboard operator and ground remote guidance, the 48S subject performed the second portion of the Return-45 day (R-45) Fluid Shifts experiment. Ultrasound imaging was taken of arterial and venous measures of the head and neck, cardiac, ophthalmic and portal vein, and tissue thickness of lower and upper body. Additional measurements using the Cerebral and Cochlear Fluid Pressure (CCFP), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), ESA’s Cardiolab (CDL) Holter Arterial Blood Pressure Device, and Intraocular Pressure (IOP) using the tonometer were taken as well. Later this week measurements will be taken in the Russian Segment using these devices in conjunction with the Chibis (Lower Body Negative Pressure) device. Fluid Shifts is a joint NASA-Russian experiment that investigates the causes for severe and lasting physical changes to astronaut’s eyes. Because the headward fluid shift is a hypothesized contributor to these changes, reversing this fluid shift with a lower body negative pressure device is investigated as a possible intervention. Results from this study may help to develop preventative measures against lasting changes in vision and eye damage.

NanoRack Cubesat Deployer (NRCSD) #10 Deploy: Four Lemur and 1 TechEdSat Cubesats were successfully deployed from NRCSD today, completing the first of three planned deployments for NRCSD Mission #10. The LEMUR-2 satellites are 3U CubeSats equipped with payloads to provide two primary data products: AIS Data (Maritime Domain Awareness) and GPS-RO Data (Weather). The TechEdSat is also a 3U sized cubesat whose investigation studies a new system called the Exo-Brake which uses a spacecraft’s own atmospheric drag to change its velocity and adjust its approach. This investigation tests the controls, avionics and methods that may be used on future spacecraft using the Exo-Brake system including small payloads returning to Earth or landing on Mars.

Lighting Effects Meter Reading: The crew set up and configured the Light Meter hardware and took readings in the Node 1 and US Lab. The Lab still uses the legacy General Luminaire Assembly (GLA) while the lights in Node 1 have been upgraded to the Solid State Lighting Assemblies (SSLAs). The Lighting Effects experiment aims to better quantify and qualify how lighting can effect habitability of spacecraft. The light bulbs on the ISS are being replaced with a new system designed for improved crew health and wellness. The investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance. Results from this investigation also have major implications for people on Earth who use electric lights.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuration: The crew began configuring tools to support the EVAs being planned for later this month.

Urine Processor Assembly (UPA): UPA was operated twice today unsuccessfully. Both runs were terminated due to high conductivity. The recommendation is to perform an Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly (ARFTA) drain and fill and start a new concentration cycle. Plans are being finalized to disconnect Quick Disconnect (QD) 32 and install a CWC-I (Contingency Water Container- Iodine) to capture the purge distillate. This should return conductivity to a nominal level and prevent further high conductivity incidents. The source of the contamination in the purge distillate causing high and erratic conductivity is either the Distillation Assembly (DA) or Fluids Control and Pump Assembly (FPCA). An FCPA inspection of its liquid barrier is scheduled for March 14. This inspection will either clear or indict the FCPA as the source of the Pre-Treated Urine (PTU) in the purge distillate. A spare FCPA is on board and a spare DA is manifested on OA-7.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Saturday, Robotics Ground Controllers maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) to rotate the Enhanced Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) Temporary Platform (EOTP) and stow the SPDM on Mobile Base System (MBS) Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) 2. They then walked the SSRMS off the Node 2 PDGF onto Mobile Base System (MBS) PDGF 1 and translated the Mobile Transporter (MT) from Worksite 6 (WS6) to WS2. As they were ahead of schedule, the SSRMS was then maneuvered to unstow the SPDM and position it for the start of the removal of the Robotics Refuelling Mission (RRM) payload from EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4). Sunday, the RRM was removed from the ELC with SPDM Arm 2. As they were ahead of schedule, Robotics Ground Controllers proceeded to install the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) Nadir Viewing Platform (NVP) onto ELC 4 with SPDM Arm 1. MSS performance was nominal for all operations.

Today’s Planned Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

HRF Generic Urine Collection

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations

HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection

Fluid Shifts Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power On

HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration

ENERGY Diet Log of Breakfast

Fluid Shifts OCT Baseline Setup

Atmosphere Purification Filter Assembly АФОТ-2M, initial testing and setup in Soyuz 733.

Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Water Recovery System (WRS) Sample Analysis

Fluid Shifts CDL Holter Arterial BP Hardware Don – Subject

HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Spin Conclude

Fluid Shifts Ultrasound Baseline Scan

DAN Experiment Ops.

Fluid Shifts Ultrasound Baseline Scan – Operator

BEAM Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Flow Measurement Survey

HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Conclude Stow

Fluid Shifts CCFP Baseline Test

Water Recovery System Water Tank Drain Termination

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring

Exercise Data Downlink via OCA

Fluid Shifts OCT Baseline Exam

MRM1 Fan Screen Cleaning (Group B)

Fluid Shifts DPOAE Baseline Test

Fluid Shifts Tonometry Baseline Setup

Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record

Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill [Aborted]

Fluid Shifts Tonometry Baseline Exam

Fluid Shifts CDL Holter Arterial BP Hardware Doff – Subject

Fluid Shifts Tonometry Baseline Stow

Fluid Shifts CCFP Baseline Stow

Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Termination

Lighting Effects Light Meter Readings Alternate 1

Daily Electro-cardiogram registration (start)

Replace pre-treat tank [Е-К] and a hose in [АСУ] system, АСУ activation after replacement

ENERGY Diet Log of Lunch

Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config Columbus Setup

24-hour Blood Pressure Recording (start)

PAO Preparation

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) in Columbus

Delta file prep

Micrgravity Expanded Stem Cells MSG Teardown

NanoRacks CubeSat Deployment Photos

Fluid Shifts OCT Baseline Stow

ТГК 66P transfer operations

APEX-04 Petri Plate Photo

Metal Oxide (METOX) Regeneration Initiation

Microgravity Science Glovebox Power Down [Aborted]

Body Measures Equipment Gather

Photo TV LAB Camcorder Audio Troubleshooting

Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test

СОЖ maintenance

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval Insertion Operations

Review Emergency OBT Simulator Functionality

NanoRacks Cubesat Video Setup

Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire

Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) /Group Combustion Module (GCM) Component Activation

CB/ISS CREW CONFERENCE

Meteor Shutter Close

Completed Task List Items

Carbon Dioxide Monitor (CDM) Data Download

Relocate CTB from Columbus to PMM

ESA Active Dosimeter Area Monitoring

Columbus System CD/DVD swap

FGB EDV Relocate

Dragon Cargo Transfer Operations

Carbon Dioxide Monitor (CDM) Set-up

Photo TV D4 Camera Sensor Cleaning

Transfer 66P Unpack

Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

NRCSD #10 Deploy

MESC Teardown support

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Tuesday, 03/07: Body Measures, PMA3 Relocate Preps, Auxin Transport, OBT EMER sim, OCT Eye Exam

Wednesday, 03/08: Eye Ultrasound, N3 Port CPA Install, NanoRack Module 9, APEX-4

Thursday, 03/09: CubeSate Deployer Removal, HXP Adapter Install, Fluid Shifts, EVA Tool Config, PMA3 Relocate Preps

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group: