Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaptation to Long-term Spaceflight (Sarcolab)-3: Yesterday, the crew configured the Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System (MARES) in the Columbus module. Today they completed the second of three in-flight sessions of joint-NASA-ESA-Russia Sarcolab experiment. The subject ingressed MARES, followed by the operator performing ultrasound measurements of the right calf muscle with remote guidance and direction assistance from ground specialists. Subject then donned Percutaneus Electrical Muscle Stimulator (PEMS) for electrical stimulation at rest and during voluntary muscle contraction, and Electromyography (EMG) electrodes to measure calf muscle and tendon response at the ankle (calf muscle insertion). The MARES equipment and software is used to measure calf strength during spaceflight. The inflight data will then be compared to preflight and postflight measurements to measure the impact of a hypothesized microgravity induced muscle loss. The goal of the Sarcolab investigation is to advance the understanding of muscle function and atrophy in space. Results will contribute to further improvement of countermeasures for long duration spaceflight.

Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) Image Processing and Storage Unit (IPSU) Remove and Replace (R&R): The crew removed the degraded IPSU from the FIR and replaced it with a spare unit. Next week, the ACE-T-1 module delivered on HTV-6 will be installed and will run for 6 weeks. SpaceX-10 will deliver the Light Microscopy Module (LMM) Biophysics experiment which requires full IPSU capabilities, however, based on scheduling constraints, the IPSU was replaced prior to the ACE-T-1 exchange. The Effect of Macromolecular Transport of Microgravity Protein Crystallization (LMM Biophysics-1) studies why Proteins crystallized in microgravity are often higher quality than those grown on Earth, examining the movement of single protein molecules in microgravity. Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature control-1 (ACE-T-1) studies tiny suspended particles which were designed by scientists to connect themselves in a specific way to form organized structures within water. Materials having complex structures and unique properties potentially can be made with more knowledge of how these particles are joined together and the conditions which control their behaviors. FIR is a complementary fluid physics research facility designed to host investigations in areas such as colloids, gels, bubbles, wetting and capillary action, and phase changes, including boiling and cooling.

Combustion Integration Rack (CIR) Operations: The crew performed planned maintenance and troubleshooting on the CIR. In preparation for installation of the Cool Flames Investigation (CFI), the crew replaced a failed Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) IPSU and removed the CIR Low Light Level – Ultraviolet (LLL-UV) Imaging Package which was replaced with a CIR Intensived Camera Package. Results from the inspection were provided to ground teams for further troubleshooting procedure development. CFI provides new insight into the phenomenon where some types of fuels initially burn very hot, then appear to go out but they continue burning at a much lower temperature with no visible flames (cool flames). Understanding cool flame combustion assists scientists in developing new engines and fuels that are more efficient and less harmful to the environment.

Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) Cartridge Exchange: The crew attempted to perform the first of two days of cartridge exchange operations in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) ELF located in Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR)-2. During the activity a bolt required for operations floated away. The bolt was recovered, however, due to scheduling constraints, remaining activities will require being rescheduled. ELF is an experimental facility designed to levitate/melt/solidify materials by containerless processing techniques using the Electrostatic Levitation method. With this facility, thermophysical properties of high temperature melts can be measured and solidification from deeply undercooled melts can be achieved.

48S Emergency Egress On-Board Training (OBT): The 48S crew completed this OBT to practice exiting the ISS in case of an emergency. The training is scheduled for 12-14 weeks aboard the ISS and every 2.5 months thereafter.

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Overnight, ground teams removed the failed Camera Light and Pan Assembly (CLPA) from the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Tip Elbow (Boom B) and installed it onto the Mobile Transporter Relay Assembly (MTRA) wedge interface located on the Mobile Base System (MBS). A spare CLPA was flown on H-II Transfer Vehicle 6 (HTV-6) and installation on the SSRMS is scheduled as a get ahead task during the second Lithium Ion Battery replacement EVA in January. Following CLPA removal, the SSRMS and SPDM were configured in a park configuration.

H-2 Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Cargo Operations: The crew has completed ~29 hours of cargo transfer. There are ~13 hours of transfer remaining to be completed.

Today’s Planned Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

ESA PAO Recorded Message St.Exupery Writing Contest

Crew Evaluation of New Food Items

Video Footage of Greetings

Preparation of Reports for Roscosmos Web Site and Social Media

URAGAN. Observation and photography

EKON-M. Observations and photography

Reminder HRF Generic Urine Collection End

Reminder ESA Nutritional Assessment

Measuring Hematocrit Number.

Hematocrit Hardware Stowage

Virus Definition File Update on Auxiliary Computer System (ВКС) Laptops

Personal CO2 Monitor iPad Application Restart

Fine Motor Skills Experiment Test – Subject

Fluids Integrated Rack Hardware Gather

XF305 Camcorder Setup

Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF) Cartridge exchange [Aborted]

Human Research Facility Ultrasound 2 set up and power on

COSMOCARD. Closeout Ops

MARES Ankle Shaving Preparation

MARES Ultrasound Session Assistance

Recharging Soyuz 733 Samsung PC Battery (if charge level drops below 80%)

MARES Ultrasound session

Recharging Soyuz 732 Samsung PC Battery (if charge level drops below 80%)

Inspection of FGB space behind panels for contamination

Ultrasound 2 Guided Data Export

MARES subject electrodes equipment and start of Crew Guided Procedure

MARES subject electrodes equipment assistance

Photography of SM Windows No.01, No.12

Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification

Fluids Integrated Rack Session Review

Fluids Integrated Rack Rack Doors Open

Replacement of СО2 Filter Unit (БФ) ИК0501

Fluids Integrated Rack Hardware Replacement

MRM2 comm config to support the P/L Ops

Kulonovskiy Kristall Experiment Run

HRF Generic Urine Collection Male – Subject

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations

MSPR Group Combustion Module (GCM) Component Deactivation

Fluids Integrated Rack Rack Doors Close

HRF Generic Urine Collection Stow

Private Medical Conference (PMC)

Kulonovskiy Kristall Experiment Run

KULONOVSKYI KRISTALL. Copying data to removable hard drive

Combustion Integrated Rack Rack Doors Open

Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle

Combustion Integrated Rack Optics Bench Translation Out

Health Maintenance System (HMS) – ESA Nutritional Assessment

MARES and Laptop Power OFF

Human Research Facility Ultrasound 2 power off and stowage

Terminate Soyuz 733 Samsung PC Battery Recharge (if necessary)

ЕДВ [КОВ] Separation for Elektron or ЕДВ-СВ

Terminate Soyuz 732 Samsung PC Battery Recharge (as necessary)

ISS Emergency OBT Drill (Soyuz 732 Descent)

Combustion Integrated Rack Optics Bench Configuration 1

IMS Update

HTV Cargo Operations Conference

CIR Rail Inspect

Combustion Integrated Rack Package Installation

Photo/TV Camcorder Setup Verification

CONTENT. Experiment Ops

Combustion Integrated Rack Rack Doors Close

Treadmill 2 (T2) Exercise Video Equipment Stow

Packed Bed Reactor Experiment Operations Overview

Personal CO2 Monitor Power Cycle

Completed Task List Items

EHS Dosimeter crew startup

EHS SLM startup ops

TEPC MDLT relocate

P/TV camcorder/D4 deploy

Hidden figures downlink

IWIS RSU reorient

Sprint VO2 kit ops

VEG03 pillow water

ZSR door install parts 1,2

Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

FIR hardware replace

CIR bench ops

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Wednesday, 12/21: ELF Config, PBRE Module Exchange, IMV Cleaning, OBT CheCS Drill

Thursday, 12/22: EVA Tool Config, PBRE Module Exchange, J-SSOC Removal, EVA C&W OBT, Sarcolab

Friday, 12/23: EVA loop scrub, VEG03, Galley rack data cable install, Fluid Shifts

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group: