December 23, 2024

Cutting-Edge Science Advances on Space Station as Crew Prepares for Departure

He and fellow spacewalker Nicole Mann (out of frame) of NASA set up an adjustment kit on the International Space Stations starboard truss structure that will allow the future installation of the orbiting labs next roll-out solar variety. Credit: NASA
NASA and SpaceX continue to assess the weather for the return of NASAs SpaceX Crew-5 objective from the International Space Station. The Crew-5 Dragon spacecraft remains healthy docked to the station and is set up for nominal return operations when weather conditions are favorable.

Exploration 68 Flight Engineers Josh Cassada and Nicole Mann, both from NASA, are visualized during life assistance upkeep aboard the International Space Stations Destiny lab module. Credit: NASA
On the International Space Station (ISS), the four new Expedition 68 crew members are getting used to life in space while four other crewmates are preparing to go home this month. In addition, todays research study included changing fuel bottles in the Combustion Integrated Rack and gathering samples for the Food Physiology and Host Pathogen experiment.
Flight engineers Frank Rubio of NASA and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos eliminated the rack and changed it with a new high-percentage oxygen bottle. The Combustion Integration Rack is utilized to perform combustion investigations in microgravity, and results could improve understanding of early fire development habits and aid identify the best fire suppression strategies, improving crew security in future space centers.
Rubio likewise got involved in the Food Physiology experiment. A range of samples are collected and after that placed in cold stowage to record the result of dietary enhancements on human physiology and the ability of those enhancements to boost adaptation to spaceflight.

Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is pictured in his Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or spacesuit, throughout his second spacewalk on February 2, 2023. He and fellow spacewalker Nicole Mann (out of frame) of NASA installed a modification kit on the International Space Stations starboard truss structure that will enable the future installation of the orbiting laboratorys next roll-out solar range. Credit: NASA
Samples were also gathered for the Host Pathogen experiment. This research study determines the spaceflight-induced changes in the human microbiome that causes a reduction in immune function and a boost in microbial virulence. Blood and saliva samples from crew members are collected previously, throughout, and after spaceflight, to evaluate the clinical threats of contagious microbes and to establish countermeasures that restore immune function in astronauts.
The brand-new Endeavour team is continuing to get used to life in orbit, while the Endurance Crew is getting ready for its return to earth by cleansing, finishing stowage and inventory jobs, and preparing individual items for return.
NASA and SpaceX continue to assess the weather condition for the return of NASAs SpaceX Crew-5 objective from the International Space Station. Teams conducted a weather briefing overnight and decided to waive off the preliminary undocking chance for early Thursday, March 9, due to high winds at the splashdown websites. Teams currently target undocking for no earlier than Thursday night, pending weather condition. The Crew-5 Dragon spacecraft remains healthy docked to the station and is set up for nominal return operations as soon as weather are favorable.
The spaceport station is orbiting a little higher today after the docked ISS Progress 83 cargo craft fired its engines for 5 minutes and 17 seconds this afternoon. The new orbital elevation readies the empty Soyuz MS-22 crew ship for its upcoming departure following a coolant leakage that was identified in December of in 2015.