Circadian Rhythms: Today a 53S crewmember instrumented himself with Thermolab Double Sensors and mount the Thermolab Unit to their belt, and began 36 hours of monitoring for the Circadian Rhythm investigation. Circadian Rhythms investigates the role of synchronized circadian rhythms, or the “biological clock,” and how it changes during long-duration spaceflight. Researchers hypothesize that a non-24-hour cycle of light and dark affects crew members’ circadian clocks. The investigation also addresses the effects of reduced physical activity, microgravity and an artificially controlled environment. Changes in body composition and body temperature, which also occur in microgravity, can affect crew members’ circadian rhythms as well. Understanding how these phenomena affect the biological clock will improve performance and health for future crew members.

Arthrospira-B (Batch Culture) Assembly: The crew removed four Arthrospira-B experiment containers from the Biolab Incubator to exchange the reservoirs inside the Biolab. Following the exchange of the reservoirs, the ECs were reinstalled back onto Biolab Incubator. The Arthrospira-B experiment is an important step in making improvements in the area of closed regenerative life support systems in space which will help in making future human exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit become a reality. The cyanobacterium Arthrospira sp. strain PCC8005 is a candidate for use in spacecraft biological life support systems, for CO2 and nitrate removal, and oxygen and biomass production. However, to ensure the reliability of such a biological life support system it is necessary to characterize the response of Arthrospira sp. PCC8005 to in situ spaceflight conditions.

Synthetic Bone BioCell Operations: Today, the crew performed microscopy operations for Synthetic Bone and then took a sample from each well on the Synthetic Bone Multiwell BioCell and exchanged the fluids with media in each well. The samples were placed in a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). Synthetic Bone uses BioCells from three habitats to test the functionality and effectiveness of new material that can assist in recovery from bone injuries or dental work during long-term space travel. Determining how well Tetranite integrates with bone cell cultures can also inform general strategies for addressing bone loss in space. Synthetic Bone examines the cellular response to a new type of bone adhesive in the microgravity environment of space. This experiment uses facilities aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to grow bone cells in the presence of a commercially available bone adhesive, and a new product called Tetranite. Sets of bone cell cultures grow with the different adhesives for 20 days and are then fixed, frozen, and returned to Earth for detailed analysis in a fully equipped biological laboratory.

MagVector: Today the crew began the 7-day MagVector #16 experiment run. The European Space Agency (ESA) MagVector investigation studies 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 not only helps improve future International Space Station experiments and electrical experiments, but it could offer insights into how magnetic fields influence electrical conductors in general, the backbone of our technology.

Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutron (RaDI-N) Retrieval: A USOS crewmember retrieved all 8 of the Space Bubble Detectors that were deployed last week for the RaDI-N experiment, and handed them to a Russian crewmember to be processed in the Bubble Reader. This Canadian Space Agency (CSA) RaDI-N investigation measures neutron radiation levels while onboard the ISS. Bubble detectors are used as neutron monitors designed to only detect neutrons and ignore all other radiation.

Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) Inter-Module Ventilation (IMV) Cleaning & Inspection: The crew removed the closeout panels at Node 3 to inspect a plastic sleeve coupling the IMV valve to the Node 3 ducting. Results from the inspection are being analyzed, and will be used to determine if any degradation of the coupling has occurred. BEAM is an experimental expandable module attached to the ISS. Expandable modules weigh less and take up less room on a rocket than a traditional module, while providing additional space on-orbit for living and working. Crews traveling to the moon, Mars, asteroids, or other destinations may be able to use them as habitable structures.

Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) Rotation and Closeout: Today the crew modified the CPAs on Node2 Nadir, the port where the Dragon capsule is currently berthed. The CPA mod kits were launched on OA-8, but the kits can only be installed on ports where a vehicle is currently attached. Node1 Nadir was completed during the OA-8 mission, and Node2 Nadir was being completed today. This modification will allow the CPAs to be rotated into the vestibule rather than requiring that the crew remove them completely after a vehicle arrives. This will save both crew time and stowage space during a berthed mission. The CPAs must be installed for proper CBM operation during berthing activities, but they obstruct the pathway into the vehicle once the hatch is opened, so they need to be moved out of the corridor prior to cargo operations.

Robotic Operations: Last night, robotics ground controllers completed the SpaceX-13 mission’s final external robotic payload operations by installing RapidScat and its nadir adapter in the trunk. The RapidScat payload had been removed from its mounting location outside of the Columbus module on Monday. After the SpaceX-13 Dragon capsule departs the ISS, its trunk, with RapidScat in it, will separate from the return capsule and continue toward its destructive re-entry to the atmosphere.

Today’s Planned Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.



Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain

Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Drain Part 2

Synthetic Bone Microscope Operations

FS1 Maintenance (cleanup and reboot)

MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE Dosimeter Collection and Reading

Transparent Alloys Hardware Locate

Monthly BRI cleaning

BEAM Intermodule Ventilation Cleaning & Inspection

Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill

Transparent Alloys Payload Procedure Review1

Health Maintenance System (HMS) Periodic Health Status (PHS) Evaluation Setup

Radi-N Detector Retrieval/Readout

Health Maintenance System (HMS) Periodic Health Status (PHS) Evaluation – Subject

Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutrons Hardware Handover

Synthetic Bone Biocells Fixation

MATRYOSHKA-R. Receiving BUBBLE dosimeters from USOS

Health Maintenance System (HMS) Periodic Health Status (PHS) Evaluation – Crew Medical Officer (CMO)

Periodic Health Status Data Entry and Stow

Preparing For Upcoming MagVector Science Run

ISS Crew Orientation

СУ-95 setup area photography for troubleshooting

Arthrospira EC Reservoir Exchange

EDV (KOV) or EDV-SV fill (separation) for ELEKTRON

Photo TV Standard Definition Node 2 Video Setup

Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) Installation/Rotate Up

Nikon still camera time sync with on-board time

СОЖ maintenance

MELFI Sample Return Bag Insertion

Handover of Increment 54 Crew

ИП-1 sensor settings check

Space Automated Bioproduct Lab, CO2 Meter Location Swap

NAPOR-mini РСА. БЗУ-М vent cleaning

Biolab Incubator Cold Spot Sponge/Seal Exchange

IMS Ops

Metal Oxide (METOX) Regeneration Termination

Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Termination

Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Initiation

ISS HAM Service Module Pass

Node 2 Nadir Controller Panel Assembly (CPA) Removal/Rotation

Crew Medical Officer (CMO) On Board Training (OBT)

SM ventilation systems maintenance. Group С

Prep for ПТАБ-1М blocks swap

Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Recycle Tank Fill Part 3

In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Air Filter and Wring Collector Remove and Replace

SSC3 (SМ) laptop replacement with ZBook

Microscope Hardware Teardown

VZAIMODEYSTVIYE-2. Experiment ops

MELFI BioCell Habitat Insertion

MELFI Fixative Return Bag Insertion

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Long Life Battery (LLB) Initiate

Space Automated Bioproduct Lab, CO2 Meter Teardown and Stow

Space Automated Bioproduct Lab, Hard Drive Swap

Replacement of SSC18 (FGB) with Zbook

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) – Lab

Circadian Rhythms Instrumentation w. Armband

Completed Task List Activities

CMS Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Upper Cable Stop R&R

US EVA Tether Inspection

SODF book and cue card deploys

Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.



ZBook transitions.

Nominal commanding.

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Thursday, 01/04: Cell Science Validation, Transparent Alloys, Dragon Cargo Operations, At Home in Space Questionnaire

Friday, 01/05: ACME, Microbial Tracking, Dragon Cargo Operations, JEM Camera Setup for Amyloid

Saturday, 01/06: HRF fluid collections, Petri Plate, Crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group: