ISS Operations Update – October 22, 2015
Experiments:
NeuroMapping Experiment Ops [Spaceflight Effects on Neurocognitive Performance: Extent, Longevity, and Neural Bases (NeuroMapping) examined whether long-duration exposure to microgravity causes changes in the brain, including brain structure and function, motor control, and multi-tasking, as well as measuring how long it takes for the brain and body to recover from those possible changes. The experiment uses MI and FMRI scans before and after spaceflight and computer-based Mental Rotation Tests while on ISS.]
Microbiome Sample Collection & Surveys [The study will investigate the impact of long duration space flight on both, the human immune system and an individual’s microbiome. The microbiome is the totality of microbes that live in and on the human body at any given time and influence human physiology. Some consider the microbiome to be a “newly discovered organ” due to its importance for human physiology. In fact, there are about 10 times more microbial cells than human cells in and on the human body, but the microbiome only accounts for about 200 grams.]
Sleep ISS-12 [The ISS-12 experiment monitors the ambient light exposure and crew member activity and collects data on the subjective evaluation of sleep and alertness. Ambient light and activity are monitored via a wrist-worn actiwatch that delivers actiwatch spectrums that are put through bio-mathematical models of sleep and light to predict circadian phase. Sleep logs will be kept by crew members as a subjective assessment of sleep quality and duration. It is hoped that this investigation can deliver requirements for lighting, sleep-shifting protocols and workloads for future space exploration missions.]
Cognition [Cognition, also known as Individualized Real-Time Neurocognitive Assessment Toolkit for Space Flight Fatigue uses a battery of tests to measure how spaceflight-related physical changes (microgravity, lack of sleep quality, diet) can affect the cognitive performance of humans during long-duration space flights. The experiment consists of ten brief computer-based tests that cover a range of cognitive functions and deliver immediate feedback on current and past results. A good neurocognitive function for effective performance during space missions makes an investigation of sleep and fatigue in space an absolute necessity. The testing operation consists of a sleep questionnaire and subjective evaluations at the beginning followed by the ten tests that focus on: sensor-motor ability, visual object learning and memory, attention and working memory, abstraction, spatial orientation, emotion recognition, abstract reasoning, complex scanning & visual tracking, risk decision making, and vigilant attention and psychomotor speed.]
Biochemical Urine Test
Otklik Experiment Hardware Check [Otklik uses several piezoelectric sensors to track the impacts of small particles and debris on the exterior of the International Space Station to monitor the abundance of debris events and a series of other characteristics. These measurements provide valuable data for the construction of future spacecraft]
Tropical Cyclone – Hardware Closeout [This experiment uses a pseudo-stereoscopic method to determine the altitude of cloud tops near the eye of the storm. Data will be used to demonstrate that this particular method can be used, when combined with other remote sensing instruments, to determine the intensity of a tropical storm.]
Food Frequency Questionnaire
Maintenance/Systems:
Nominal Inspections/Servicing Tasks (Morning Inspection, Caution & Warning Panel Check, Sozh System Maintenance) (Russian Crew)
NanoRack Cubesat Deployer – Door Securing to prevent inadvertent CubeSat deployment inside ISS. The two Flock CubeSats that could not be deployed will remain inside the deployer for return to Earth and inspections.
Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF): Troubleshooting of video downlinks from the experiment facility.
Other Activities:
EVA: Extravehicular Mobility Unit size checks for Kelly (#3003) and Lindgren (#3010). Recharge of EMU Feedwater Tank and communication & telemetry checks with Mission Control.
Robotics: The Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator was powered up overnight for the stowage of the Robotics Refueling Mission (RRM) Multi-Function Tool. SPDM was used for a survey of the external RapidScat Payload before being stowed for a walkoff of Canadarm 2 for next week’s EVA.
Soyuz TMA-18M – Kazbek Seat Checks
HAM Radio Session
PAO Event
Progress M-29M Cargo Operations