Tag: boeing

Short Day for Crew Before Roscosmos Cargo Craft Arrives

The Progress 88 resupply ship approaches the space station on June 1, 2024, packed with about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 71 crew.
The Progress 88 resupply ship approaches the space station on June 1, 2024, packed with about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 71 crew.

The crews representing Expedition 71 and NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test had a light duty day aboard the International Space Station at the end of the week. In the meantime, a Roscosmos cargo craft is due to deliver nearly three tons of cargo early Saturday morning.

NASA Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson started her day installing 3D-mapping gear on the Astrobee robotic free-flying assistant in the Kibo laboratory module. The cube-shaped, toaster-sized Astrobee will use the imaging device’s lasers and lenses to autonomously navigate and maneuver on the station and conduct docking operations. Afterward, she powered up the KERMIT state-of-the-art microscope in the Destiny laboratory module and imaged stem cell samples for a cancer treatment investigation.

NASA Flight Engineers Mike Barratt and Jeanette Epps worked on orbital plumbing and life support maintenance in the Tranquility and Unity modules. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, Starliner Commander and Pilot respectively, worked on science gear maintenance inside Destiny and continued to unpack cargo from Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter.

NASA Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick reviewed emergency procedures in the unlikely event it would be necessary to evacuate the orbital outpost and undock in the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. Next, he joined Dyson, Barratt, and Epps for a half-hour space-to-ground conference with specialists and discussed methods to counteract the effects of living in space for months at a time.

The space station’s three cosmonauts went to bed early on Friday to get ready for the overnight arrival of the Progress 89 resupply ship. Commander Oleg Kononenko and Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub called down to flight controllers and discussed their readiness for the cargo mission’s arrival. The duo will be on duty monitoring Progress’ arrival as it approaches the aft port on the space station’s Zvezda service module for an automated docking at 1:56 a.m. EDT on Saturday. Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin spent his morning cleaning ventilation systems and water tanks before completing his short shift inspecting electrical components inside the Nauka science module.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Space Delivery Launches to Station; Crew Studies Stem Cells, Works Life Support

An aurora radiates brightly above the Indian Ocean as the International Space Station soared 270 miles above the Earth's surface.
An aurora radiates brightly above the Indian Ocean as the International Space Station soared 270 miles above the Earth’s surface.

A Roscosmos cargo craft is orbiting Earth today packed with nearly three tons of cargo to resupply the International Space Station. Meanwhile, the orbital residents stayed focused on more cargo work, space biology, and lab maintenance on Thursday.

The Roscosmos Progress 89 space freighter launched at 11:20 p.m. EDT on Wednesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan beginning a two-day space delivery to the orbital outpost. Cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub will be on duty monitoring Progress when it completes its automated approach and docking 1:56 a.m. on Saturday. Progress will remain docked to the aft port of the Zvezda service module for six months of cargo operations.

NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps teamed up Thursday morning continuing to unload science and supplies packed inside Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter replenishing the Expedition 71 and Boeing Crew Flight Test crews. Cygnus has been berthed to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port since Aug. 6 when it was captured and installed with the Canadarm2 robotic arm.

NASA Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson continued her weeklong stem cell studies treating samples inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox. She was helping doctors develop improved cell therapies for Earth and advance cellular manufacturing in space.

Life support work commanded a large portion of the day on Thursday as NASA astronauts Mike Barratt, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams serviced a variety of advanced atmospheric and water hardware. Barratt and Wilmore took turns working on the carbon dioxide removal assembly checking it for leaks and configuring it for reinstallation. Williams installed experimental water recovery hardware in the Microgravity Science Glovebox to explore how microgravity affects water purification, fuel cells, and heating and cooling systems to benefit both Earth and space applications.

Kononenko and Chub are relaxing today before their Friday schedule to get ready for Progress’ arrival early Saturday. However, Kononenko wrapped up a 24-hour heart and blood pressure monitoring session then handed over sensors to Chub so he could begin his health data collection session. Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin started his morning transferring water out of the Progress 88 cargo craft into station water tanks. He then spent the rest of his shift servicing air conditioning systems and filling an oxygen generator.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Crew Studies Space Effects on Humans, Plants; Managers Provide Starliner Update

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, Boeing Crew Flight Test Commander and Pilot respectively, conduct a variety of research and maintenance activities aboard the space station.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, Boeing Crew Flight Test Commander and Pilot respectively, conduct a variety of research and maintenance activities aboard the space station.

Vein scans and space botany topped Wednesday’s science schedule aboard the International Space Station. Earth observations and health assessments rounded out the day’s investigations as NASA managers on the ground provided an update on Boeing’s Crew Flight Test.

NASA Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson, who is celebrating her birthday today, spent the day on space biology participating in vein scans then cleaning up after a stem cell study. She first joined Flight Engineer Jeanette Epps who scanned Dyson’s neck, shoulder, and leg veins with the Ultrasound 2 device in the Columbus laboratory module. Doctors on the ground monitored in real-time to understand how the human body adapts to weightlessness. At the end of the day, Dyson cleaned up the Life Science Glovebox in the Kibo laboratory module after the previous day’s stem cell research to advance cellular manufacturing and improve human health.

Epps began her day handing over hardware to the cosmonauts for usage in the orbital outpost’s Roscosmos segment. Following her vein scan work, Epps moved to Kibo and watered plants growing inside the Plant Experiment Unit that is part of the Cell Biology Experiment Facility. She was caring for thale cress plants and supporting the Plant UV-B space botany study to understand how plant life responds to high ultraviolet radiation and the microgravity environment.

NASA Flight Engineers Matthew Dominick and Mike Barratt focused primarily on unpacking some of the 8,200 pounds of cargo that was stowed inside the Cygnus space freighter. Afterward, Dominick removed simulated lunar cement packs from a thermos can that he had mixed and incubated two days before. The concrete samples will spend several more weeks settling at ambient temperature before returning to Earth for analysis. Before the cargo work, Barratt called down to doctors on Earth for a medical conference.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, Commander and Pilot for Boeing’s Crew Flight Test, tested the use of an ultrasound device with software guidance instead of remote guidance from doctors on the ground. The duo conducted bladder and kidney ultrasound scans to demonstrate autonomous medical procedures in space and inform future crewed missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

NASA managers updated the media and answered questions today about the Boeing Crew Flight Test. The agency and Boeing are still evaluating the Starliner spacecraft docked to the Harmony module’s forward port and will decide soon when Wilmore and Williams will return to Earth.

The three Roscosmos cosmonauts had their day full with a variety of science expanding knowledge obtainable only in the microgravity environment. Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin once again set up a digital camera and collected hyper-spectroscopy imagery of natural and man-made disasters on Earth. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub jogged on a treadmill as sensors recorded his heart and lung activity for a space fitness evaluation. Station Commander Oleg Kononenko attached electrodes to himself for a 24-hour session monitoring his heart rate and blood pressure. Flight surgeons are constantly evaluating the health of crews to ensure successful missions and ease the adjustment when crews return to Earth’s gravity.

Nearly three tons of science, supplies, and fuel are packed inside the Progress 89 cargo craft that is counting down to a liftoff at 11:20 p.m. EDT today from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Progress 89 will take a day a two-day trip to the space station before its automated docking planned for 1:56 a.m. on Saturday.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Stem Cells, Fluid Physics on Station as Next Cargo Mission Nears Launch

The Moon illuminates a cloud-covered Pacific Ocean as stars glitter in the background above the Earth's airglow.
The Moon illuminates a cloud-covered Pacific Ocean as stars glitter in the background above the Earth’s airglow.

Tuesday was a light duty day aboard the International Space Station for some of the crewmates as the rest of the orbital residents explored biotechnology and fluid physics while maintaining life support systems. Back on Earth, a new cargo craft stands ready to resupply the orbital outpost following the departure of another resupply spacecraft late Monday.

Studying stem cells in microgravity eliminates the challenges of growing and reproducing cells in Earth’s gravity environment. However, the space-borne results of stem cell research may have far-reaching Earth-bound benefits including advanced cellular manufacturing processes and improved human health.

NASA Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson explored how to grow stem cells in space today servicing samples inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox. Afterward, she peered at the stem cell specimens with the state-of-the-art Kermit microscope that can be operated by a station crew member or remotely by scientists on the ground. NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps spent a few moments during their light duty day assisting Dyson with the glovebox work and the microscope set up.

NASA’s Commander for the Boeing Crew Flight Test Butch Wilmore worked throughout the day checking water systems and replacing components on thermal control hardware. He first collected drinking water samples, processed those samples, then analyzed them using the total organic compound analyzer. Next, Wilmore worked inside the Tranquility module replacing gear that cools equipment and rejects heat.

NASA astronauts Mike Barratt and Suni Williams also had a light schedule on Tuesday with the duo periodically swapping out orbital plumbing gear and training to use advanced life support systems.

A Roscosmos Progress 89 cargo spacecraft is due to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:20 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. It will take a day a two-day trip to the orbital outpost where cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub will be monitoring its automated approach and docking planned for 1:56 a.m. on Saturday. The Progress 89 will dock to the Zvezda service module’s rear port that was vacated at 10 p.m. on Monday after the Progress 87 space freighter undocked and completed its six-month resupply mission.

Kononenko started Tuesday transferring water from the docked Progress 88 cargo craft into station water tanks. He then joined Chub for a videotaped session answering questions submitted by media outlets from their home country. Chub earlier spent his day exploring how magnetic and electrical fields affect fluids in microgravity. Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin began his day downloading data that captures how international crews and mission controllers interact with each other. Afterward, Grebenkin pointed a digital camera toward Earth and took photographs using hyper-spectroscopy to study the effects of natural and man-made disasters.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Crew Explores Satellites and Lunar Cement Mixing for Space Construction

NASA astronaut Mike Barratt collects and organizes medical supplies aboard the Harmony module.
NASA astronaut Mike Barratt collects and organizes medical supplies aboard the Harmony module.

Science looked to construction at the beginning of the week aboard the International Space Station as the lab residents explored a variety of space assembly techniques. A new cargo craft also is due to arrive later this week replenishing the orbital crewmates with food, fuel, and supplies for the next several months.

NASA and its international partners are studying ways to make it economical to construct satellites in space, as well as build crew habitats on the Moon. Building the materials on Earth and launching them aboard rockets is costly in terms of mass and fuel. One option engineers are considering includes autonomous satellites that can navigate to other satellites for refueling, spacecraft repair, and orbital manufacturing. Another possibility, is using the microgravity environment to mix lunar soil with other materials to make cement and build habitable structures on the Moon.

NASA Flight Engineer Jeanette Epps activated a pair of Astrobee robotic free-flying assistants inside the Kibo laboratory module Monday morning. She then attached a connecting interface system, called CLINGERS with an embedded navigation sensor, to the cube-shaped, toaster-sized devices. For a few hours, Epps, with assistance from ground controllers, monitored the Astrobees as they demonstrated autonomous docking maneuvers with the CLINGERS device that may benefit construction in space.

NASA Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick explored how microgravity affects the production of cement materials that could be used to build infrastructure on the lunar surface. He mixed two bags containing simulated lunar soil and other materials with a liquid solution, he placed another bag with hot water in between them, then he inserted them inside a thermos can for overnight incubation. After several more weeks of settling at ambient temperature, the concrete samples will be returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo craft for analysis.

NASA astronauts Mike Barratt and Suni Williams began their shift together inside the Tranquility module replacing components on the advanced resistive exercise device. Barratt went on and performed biological sample operations in the Human Research Facility. Next, he tested specialized goggles that track an astronaut’s eye movement to help monitor how crews adapt to living in weightlessness.

After her workout machine job, Williams inspected and cleaned a carbon dioxide removal device in the Destiny laboratory module. She then took turns with fellow NASA astronaut and Crew Flight Test member Butch Wilmore for a standard hearing test. The duo also participated in a conference with Boeing flight controllers before wrapping up the day configuring computer tablets inside the Unity module.

NASA Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson had a light duty day aboard the orbital outpost spending a few moments packing computer gear for return to Earth and installing air quality monitors in the Zarya module.

Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub trained for the arrival of the Progress 89 cargo craft due to dock to the rear port of the Zvezda service module at 1:56 a.m. EDT on  Saturday. The duo practiced using the telerobotically operated rendezvous unit, or TORU. The TORU would be used to remotely control the Roscosmos spaceship in the unlikely event it would be unable to complete its automated docking. The Progress 87 cargo craft will undock and vacate the rear Zvezda port at 10 p.m. on Monday for a destructive, but safe reentry above the Pacific Ocean completing a six-month resupply mission.

Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin spent the first part of his day cleaning water tanks and performing other orbital plumbing work. After lunchtime, he explored ways international crews and flight controllers can improve communication then conducted photographic inspections inside Zvezda.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Crew Ends Week With Robotics, Cancer Study, and More Aboard Station

Still in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm, the Northrop Grumman Cygnus space freighter is pictured attached to the Unity module's Earth-facing port above the Pacific Ocean.
Still in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm, the Northrop Grumman Cygnus space freighter is pictured attached to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port above the Pacific Ocean.

The nine orbital residents living and working aboard the International Space Station wrapped up the work week with a science-filled day exploring space biology, physics, and robotics. Cargo transfers and lab inspections rounded out the day for the Expedition 71 and Boeing Crew Flight Test crews.

NASA Flight Engineer Jeanette Epps had a busy day on Friday supporting a pair of different experiments before leading an eye examination at the end of the day. She started her day in the Kibo laboratory module configuring a free-flying camera robot from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and the Astrobee robotic assistant for an upcoming educational challenge. Students on Earth compete to write software that is uploaded to the orbital outpost and controls and maneuvers the devices to encourage and promote the next generation of scientists, engineers, and leaders. Next, she installed research hardware into Kibo’s Cell Biology Experiment Facility to incubate and illuminate seeds for the Plant UV-B botany study. Finally, she peered into the eyes of Starliner Commander Butch Wilmore of NASA using standard medical imaging hardware to check the health of his retina, cornea, and lens.

Wilmore began his day continuing to unload new science and supplies packed inside the Cygnus space freighter that arrived early Tuesday. Afterward, he partnered with fellow crewmate and Starliner Pilot Suni Williams of NASA on standard safety inspections and photographed emergency hardware for further analysis on the ground. Earlier, Williams worked inside the Tranquility module filling water tanks, conducting leak checks, and installing new orbital plumbing gear in the station’s restroom, also known as the waste and hygiene compartment.

The orbital lab’s three other NASA astronauts, Tracy C. Dyson, Matthew Dominick, and Mike Barratt, serviced a variety advanced research hardware to ensure ongoing critical space research. Dyson set up the KERMIT state-of-the-art microscope in the Destiny laboratory module and imaged stem cell samples for a cancer treatment investigation. Dominick replaced components inside the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace that supports safe observations of microgravity’s effect on materials exposed to high temperatures. Barratt removed an outmoded sample processing device from Kibo, packed it for return to Earth, then replaced it with an updated sample processor recently delivered aboard Cygnus.

Roscosmos Flight Engineers Nikolai Chub and Alexander Grebenkin continued a second day of digestion studies after their breakfast on Friday. Chub used an ultrasound device and scanned Grebenkin’s stomach following his first meal of the day to learn how the human digestion system adapts to long-term weightlessness. The duo then split up with Chub cleaning ventilations systems in the Zvezda service module and Grebenkin exploring futuristic planetary mission piloting techniques. Station Commander Oleg Kononenko spent his morning replacing life support hardware before wrapping up his day photographing the condition of lab windows inside Zvezda.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Science Fills Day Aboard Station as Cygnus Unpacking Continues

An orbital sunrise colorfully illuminates the Earth's atmosphere and highlights the boundary between night and day, also known as the terminator, in this photograph from the space station.
An orbital sunrise colorfully illuminates the Earth’s atmosphere and highlights the boundary between night and day, also known as the terminator, in this photograph from the space station.

It was a packed day aboard the International Space Station as the astronauts and cosmonauts conducted a wide array of space research and serviced a range of science hardware. The orbital residents also continued to unload a U.S. cargo craft, maintained a variety of life support gear, and participated in eye checks.

Stem cells were being analyzed today inside the Life Science Glovebox to explore their potential for disease treatments and commercial purposes both in space and on Earth. Expedition 71 Flight Engineers Tracy C. Dyson and Jeanette Epps from NASA worked together in the Kibo laboratory module harvesting stem cells and peering at the samples in a microscope. Dyson earlier installed new hardware in the Destiny laboratory module that can host a variety of science experiments and space manufacturing studies. Epps also watered plants growing for the Plant UV-B botany study then scanned the cornea, retina, and lens of NASA astronaut and Starliner Pilot Suni Williams using standard medical imaging hardware.

Williams spent the majority of her day with Starliner Commander Butch Wilmore of NASA, both from the Boeing Crew Flight Test, checking out life support components inside Destiny and the Harmony and Tranquility modules. The duo took turns working on thermal control gear and orbital plumbing hardware throughout the orbital outpost’s U.S. segment.

Wilmore also partnered with NASA Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick unpacking some of the 8,200 pound of science and supplies packed inside the Cygnus space freighter that arrived at the space station on Aug. 6. Dominick also removed batteries from the CIMON artificial intelligence assistant then stowed double coldbags that contained research samples delivered aboard Cygnus.

NASA Flight Engineer Mike Barratt concentrated his activities inside Kibo attaching new science experiments on the NanoRacks External Platform that will be placed outside the space station in the vacuum of space. The external studies will explore ultra-high-resolution spectral imagery downloads to Earth (OPTICA), electromagnetic interference and radiation tolerance (ASTRID), and the performance of electronics components in the radiation environment (ENCORE).

The three cosmonauts representing Roscosmos also had a busy day with a schedule full of research and maintenance. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub studied a variety of topics on Thursday including Earth observations, how space affects the digestive system, and future planetary mission piloting techniques. Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin worked in the Nauka science and Zvezda service modules transferring water and filling an oxygen generator. Finally, station Commander Oleg Kononenko focused primarily on computer maintenance task duties throughout the orbital lab’s Roscosmos segment.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Cygnus Arrives at Station, Astronauts Unpack New Science

The Cygnus space freighter is pictured in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm shortly after its capture delivering 8,200 pounds of science and supplies to the orbital outpost. Credit: NASA TV
The Cygnus space freighter is pictured in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm shortly after its capture delivering 8,200 pounds of science and supplies to the orbital outpost. Credit: NASA TV

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo craft has arrived at its new home for the next six months and the International Space Station residents have begun unloading some of its 8,200 pounds of science and supplies.

NASA Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick captured Cygnus with the Canadarm2 robotic arm at 3:11 a.m. EDT on Tuesday following its automated approach and rendezvous. The maneuver marked the 50th free-flying capture for Canadarm2. Just over two hours later mission controllers on Earth remotely commanded the Canadarm2 and installed Cygnus to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port where it will stay until January. Cygnus began its trip to the orbital outpost with a launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida at 11:02 a.m. EDT on Sunday.

Dominick later joined NASA Flight Engineer Jeanette Epps and conducted cable connections and leak checks before opening Cygnus’ hatch and entering the space freighter for the first time. Next, the rest of the NASA astronauts including Tracy C. Dyson, Mike Barratt, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore started offloading research samples stowed in Cygnus and preserved in portable science freezers and double coldbags. Those samples were then placed inside station science freezers in preparation for upcoming research. The orbital residents will soon be exploring liquid and gas flows, centripetal force, DNA repair mechanisms, cellular expansion, and more.

During a break in the cargo activities Dominick set up photography gear in the cupola and took pictures of the Moon to measure sunshine reflected from the Earth. Dyson worked in the Destiny laboratory module and connected a microscope to an advanced research incubator to support space biology investigations.

The orbital lab’s three cosmonauts representing Roscosmos stayed focused on their science and maintenance schedule throughout Tuesday. Commander Oleg Kononenko began his morning setting up carbon dioxide monitors and installing Earth observation hardware. During the afternoon, the five-time station visitor studied futuristic planetary piloting techniques on a computer. Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin attached sensors to himself measuring his heart activity during an hour-and-a-half long relaxation session. Next, he jogged on a treadmill for a fitness test before ending his day with computer maintenance in the Nauka science module. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub worked throughout the day servicing hardware batteries and exercise gear.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Station Awaits Cygnus Cargo Delivery During Science, Hardware Duties

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft launches atop a SpaceX 9 Falcon rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft launches atop a SpaceX 9 Falcon rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.

A U.S. cargo craft packed with 8,200 pounds of science and supplies is orbiting Earth today heading toward the International Space Station for a Tuesday morning cargo delivery. Meanwhile, the orbital residents started the work week with their normal complement of microgravity research and standard lab maintenance tasks.

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter lifted off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 11:02 a.m. EDT on Sunday from Florida. The cargo craft is loaded with a range of new experiments to investigate liquid and gas flows, centripetal force, DNA repair mechanisms, cellular expansion, and more. The weightless environment of the orbital outpost allows investigators to explore phenomena and gain insights not possible in Earth’s gravity conditions.

NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps will be on duty Tuesday morning as Cygnus nears the space station during its automated approach and rendezvous. Dominick will be at the controls of the robotics workstation ready to command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to reach out and grapple Cygnus. Epps will be at Dominick’s side backing him up as the spacecraft completes its slow and methodical space delivery. The two Cygnus teammates had a light-duty day on Monday and went to bed early to get a fresh start and prepare for the spacecraft’s early arrival. After Cygnus is captured, robotics controllers on the ground will take over and remotely command the Canadarm2 and guide Cygnus to a berthing on the Unity module’s Earth-facing port.

The Cygnus spacecraft has completed two delta velocity burns, and it remains on track for a capture by the space station’s robotic arm slated for 3:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The Cygnus spacecraft is in a safe trajectory, and all other systems are operating normally.

Shortly after launch on Sunday, the spacecraft performed as designed by cancelling a scheduled engine burn due to a slightly low initial pressure reading flagged by the Cygnus onboard detection system. Engineers at Northrop Grumman’s mission control center in Dulles, Virginia evaluated the pressure reading, confirmed it was acceptable and re-worked the burn plan to arrive at the space station on the originally planned schedule.

NASA will provide live coverage of the spacecraft’s arrival beginning at 1:30 a.m. Aug. 6 on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, X, Facebook, and the agency’s website. Additional updates will be posted as needed.

The rest of the Expedition 71 and NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test crews spent Monday on an array of physics and biology studies, as well as hardware cleanup and life support duties.

NASA Flight Engineers Tracy C. Dyson and Mike Barratt participated in eye checks on Monday for the CIPHER suite of 14 human research experiments. Dyson peered into the eyes of Barratt using standard medical imaging hardware found on Earth with real-time assistance from flight surgeons on the ground. Doctors are exploring how living in space affects eye structure and function. Dyson also stowed spacesuit components in the Quest airlock. Barratt reorganized the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to make room for the new Cygnus cargo then replaced fuel bottles inside the Combustion Integrated Rack.

Boeing Starliner Pilot Suni Williams from NASA assisted Barratt inside the PMM before working throughout the day on orbital plumbing tasks. Starliner Commander Butch Wilmore, also from NASA, installed a light meter in the Veggie space botany facility, obtained light measurements, then adjusted the light settings inside the plant research device. The duo called down to Boeing flight controllers at the end of the day and discussed mission updates.

The three Roscosmos cosmonauts had their day full as the trio tested a pressure suit and serviced life support gear. Station Commander Oleg Kononenko and Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin evaluated the lower body negative pressure suit and its ability to reverse the space-caused upward flow of body fluids in space crew members. The specialized suit may also help crews adapt faster to the return to Earth’s gravity. The duo then split up and serviced life support and ventilation systems in the Nauka science module. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub also worked in Nauka photographing plumbing components before replacing air flow sensors and inspecting video hardware throughout the orbital outpost’s Roscosmos segment.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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Crew Awaits Cygnus’ Arrival and Works on Spacesuits and Eye Checks

Northrop Grumman's Cygnus space freighter is pictured in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm after its capture on Feb. 21, 2024.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter is pictured in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm after its capture on Feb. 21, 2024.

Preparations are underway aboard the International Space Station to capture and install a U.S. cargo craft due to arrive next week. Spacesuit checks and health studies were also on the program at the end of the week for the two crews living and working aboard the orbital outpost.

Mission managers have given the go for the launch of Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo craft set for 11:29 a.m. EDT on Saturday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Cygnus will orbit Earth for a day-and-a-half before arriving at the orbital outpost early Monday.

Expedition 71 Engineers Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps will be on duty Monday monitoring Cygnus’ approach and rendezvous. Dominick will command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to reach out and grapple Cygnus at approximately 3:55 a.m. on Monday. Dominick will be inside the cupola with Epps backing him up Monday morning and keeping an eye on Cygnus as it advances toward the orbital outpost.

The duo spent Friday morning continuing to train on a computer and simulated the robotics activities necessary to capture Cygnus next week. At the end of the day, the NASA pair joined fellow astronauts Tracy C. Dyson, Mike Barratt, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams for a Cygnus cargo operations conference with mission controllers on the ground.

Earlier, Dyson, Wilmore, and Williams took turns throughout the day servicing a U.S. spacesuit in the Quest airlock. Dyson started the job first cleaning the spacesuit’s cooling loops. Afterward, Wilmore and Williams took over finishing up the loop cleaning job then finally deconfiguring and stowing the suit components inside Quest.

Dyson later examined the eyes of NASA Flight Engineer Mike Barratt using standard medical imaging hardware found in an optometrist’s office on Earth. Doctors on Earth guided Dyson as she peered in Barratt’s cornea, retina, and lens to understand microgravity’s effect on crew vision. Before the eye checks began, Barratt spent his day servicing a variety of research hardware including the Life Science Glovebox in the Kibo laboratory module and the CIMON mobile crew helper powered by artificial intelligence.

Wilmore and Williams, Boeing’s Crew Flight Test Commander and Pilot respectively, focused primarily on lab maintenance before they began their spacesuit work Friday afternoon. Wilmore spent some time inside the Tranquility module cleaning up cables and stowing electronics components. Williams worked during her morning inside the Columbus laboratory module installing networking gear including a video and data processing unit and a high-rate modem.

Working in the station’s Roscosmos segment, Commander Oleg Kononenko set up Earth observation hardware to study luminous clouds in Earth’s upper atmosphere. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub started day servicing on oxygen generator, then studied the effects of magnetic and electrical fields on fluid physics, before uninstalling navigation hardware from the Progress 88 resupply ship. Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin spent his day working on orbital plumbing and cleaning ventilation systems while also fitting in an Earth photography session in the middle of the day.

Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog, @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

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