On April 6, 2023, the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft relocated to the Prichal docking module of the International Space Station (ISS), having initially undocked from the Poisk module. On board during the 37-minute repositioning operation were NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin. Credit: NASA
On September 25, the ISS’s ten inhabitants had an intensely busy Monday. Three members of Expedition 69 wrapped up their concluding tasks before their scheduled departure. Concurrently, other crew members executed various health assessments and conducted maintenance on orbital equipment.
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio started his day by replacing obstructed pumps in the BioFabrication Facility. Subsequently, he shifted his focus towards collecting biological samples for an investigation into Food Physiology, aiming to understand how enhanced diets could facilitate astronaut adaptation to space conditions. Rubio finalized his preparations for his forthcoming return to Earth later in the day.
Scheduled to undock from the Prichal module at 3:55 a.m. EDT on September 27, Rubio, Roscosmos Commander Sergey Prokopyev, and Flight Engineer Dmitri Petelin will arrive in Kazakhstan at 7:17 a.m. on the same day. Having completed a mission that lasted more than a year, Rubio now holds the record for the lengthiest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut. The trio will have spent a cumulative 371 days in space upon their return.
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, one of the ISS’s latest additions, was aboard the orbital laboratory for merely two days when the corresponding photograph was taken. He was observed familiarizing himself with research facilities inside the Columbus laboratory module. Credit: NASA
In the morning, Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency (ESA) utilized the ISS’s bicycle, CEVIS, to partake in the CARDIOBREATH study. This research aims to assess the synergistic impacts of cardiovascular and respiratory changes on blood pressure in space. Later, Mogensen trained for potential spacewalk emergencies by employing virtual reality goggles and SAFER, the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue. This device, which is attached to spacesuits, enables astronauts to safely re-enter the station if they become untethered during spacewalks.
NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli engaged in various health-related tasks. She began her day with a cognition test as part of the ongoing Standard Measures investigation. She was later joined by NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa for ultrasound examinations of arterial regions such as the neck, clavicle, shoulder, and behind the knees. This aids terrestrial medical professionals in understanding how astronauts acclimate to microgravity.
Moghbeli also initiated the dismantling of the Cold Atom Lab scientific instrument to facilitate upcoming repairs. In parallel, O’Hara was involved in microbial research, analyzing air and surface samples collected the previous week. Furukawa was occupied in the Kibo Laboratory Module, where he continued research on solid combustion.
Finally, the remaining three cosmonauts on the ISS divided their responsibilities. Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov conducted the Pilot-T experiment to hone piloting skills and later partnered with Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko to gather microbial samples from various Russian modules. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub allocated part of his day to cargo inventory activities, before transitioning to crew orientation tasks.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about International Space Station Activities
What was the primary activity of NASA astronaut Frank Rubio on September 25?
Frank Rubio began his day by replacing obstructed pumps in the BioFabrication Facility. Later, he collected biological samples for an investigation into Food Physiology, which aims to understand how an enhanced diet could aid astronauts in adapting to space. He also finalized preparations for his forthcoming return to Earth.
Who are the astronauts and cosmonauts involved in the Soyuz MS-23 mission?
The Soyuz MS-23 mission involved NASA astronaut Frank Rubio along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin.
What is the CARDIOBREATH investigation?
The CARDIOBREATH investigation is a study that focuses on the combined effects of cardiovascular and respiratory changes on blood pressure during spaceflight. ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen participated in this study.
What activities were ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen engaged in?
Andreas Mogensen, an astronaut from the European Space Agency, spent his morning using the ISS’s bicycle, CEVIS, to partake in the CARDIOBREATH study. Later, he trained for potential spacewalk emergencies using virtual reality goggles and a device called SAFER (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue).
Jasmin Moghbeli initiated her day with a cognition test as part of the ongoing Standard Measures investigation. She was later joined by NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa for ultrasound examinations of arterial regions, including the neck, clavicle, shoulder, and behind the knees.
What is the purpose of the Cold Atom Lab?
The Cold Atom Lab is a scientific instrument on the ISS. NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli began the process of dismantling it to prepare for future repairs.
What activities were performed by the remaining Russian cosmonauts on the ISS?
Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov conducted the Pilot-T experiment to improve piloting skills and later partnered with Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko to collect microbial samples from various Russian modules. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub focused on cargo inventory activities and crew orientation tasks.
What record did Frank Rubio set?
Frank Rubio set the record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut. He, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, will have spent a cumulative 371 days in space upon their return.
What time are Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin scheduled to undock and land?
They are scheduled to undock from the ISS’s Prichal module at 3:55 a.m. EDT on September 27 and are expected to land in Kazakhstan at 7:17 a.m. on the same day.
More about International Space Station Activities
- NASA Official Website
- Roscosmos Official Website
- European Space Agency (ESA) Official Website
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Official Website
- Expedition 69 Mission Overview
- BioFabrication Facility Research
- Food Physiology Investigation
- CARDIOBREATH Study Details
- Standard Measures Investigation
- Cold Atom Lab Research
- Pilot-T Experiment Information
7 comments
Really impressed by how much science is happening all at once on the ISS. These guys are real heroes.
Wow, Frank Rubio is settin records huh? Longest single spaceflight by a US astronaut, that’s no joke. Kudos to him.
371 days in space, thats wild. How do they even adapt to earth again after so long?
cant believe they’re doing ultrasounds and cognition tests in space. Sounds like a full-fledged hospital up there.
Andreas Mogensen is a fresh face on the ISS! Only two days and already participating in CardioBreath, not bad.
Whats Pilot-T experiment? Gonna Google that, sounds interesting.
This is amazing to read, but also kinda exhausting? Imagine how much work they’re putting in every single day up there. Mad respect for astronauts.