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Rescheduling of Extravehicular Activity Amid Ongoing Cardiac Research and Robotic Initiatives on International Space Station
Expedition 70 Commander Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency (ESA), along with Flight Engineers Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA, and Satoshi Furukawa from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), posed for a group photograph in the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module. The team displayed crew active dosimeters, devices that measure radiation exposure in a microgravity setting. Image Credit: NASA
On Tuesday, October 17, the four astronauts of Expedition 70 had a relatively relaxed day, focusing on biological studies and robotic experiments in the afternoon. Concurrently, the space station’s three cosmonauts were preparing for an upcoming extravehicular activity and engaging in their own research and robotic projects.
CIPHER Investigation and Cygnus Resupply Activities
NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli collaborated on cardiovascular research under the framework of the CIPHER study. Utilizing the Ultrasound 2 apparatus and aided by physicians on Earth, Moghbeli conducted scans of O’Hara’s chest to assess cardiovascular risks in a zero-gravity environment. CIPHER encompasses 14 different investigations aimed at understanding both psychological and physiological challenges that astronauts might face during extended space missions. Both astronauts also allocated time to unload cargo and manage waste within Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus resupply spacecraft.
Loral O’Hara, NASA astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer, prepared an exercise cycle for a workout session in the Destiny laboratory module aboard the International Space Station. Image Credit: NASA
Further details on CIPHER, officially known as the Complement of Integrated Protocols for Human Exploration Research, can be accessed to learn how the research is helping to explore the impacts of space travel on human physiology.
Earthshine Project and Advances in Robotics
ESA’s Commander Andreas Mogensen configured a digital camera in the space station’s cupola to conduct the Earthshine experiment, capturing images of the Moon reflecting sunlight from Earth. JAXA’s Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa evaluated a spherical robotic camera capable of remote or autonomous operations inside the Kibo laboratory module.
Andreas Mogensen, ESA astronaut and Expedition 70 Commander, conducted preliminary tests on his spacesuit components in the International Space Station’s Quest airlock, gearing up for a forthcoming extravehicular activity. Image Credit: NASA
Originally, O’Hara and Mogensen were slated to perform an extravehicular activity this month, focused on sample collection and the examination of potential microbial life on the exterior of the space station. Nevertheless, this activity has been postponed until at least December following an assessment of data related to a now-resolved backup radiator leak.
Scheduled Extravehicular Activities and Roscosmos Operations
While waiting, two other extravehicular activities remain on the calendar for October. A pair of Roscosmos cosmonauts are preparing for an extravehicular activity set for October 25. The undertaking will begin at 2:30 p.m. EDT and will last approximately six hours and 45 minutes, focused on external maintenance tasks. Flight Engineers Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub spent the day ensuring the functionality of their Orlan spacesuits’ life support and communication systems.
Kononenko further adjusted the Poisk airlock in preparation for next week’s extravehicular activities. Chub initiated and concluded his day investigating the effects of weightlessness on cardiac health and exploring improved communication methods between international crews and mission controllers.
Konstantin Borisov, Roscosmos Flight Engineer, aided Chub in the cardiac research during the morning session and subsequently dedicated the remainder of his day to operational tests involving the European robotic arm attached to the Nauka science module.
Forthcoming NASA Operations
The next NASA extravehicular activity is scheduled for October 30, with astronauts Moghbeli and O’Hara commencing their first joint outing at 8:05 a.m. The mission, expected to last roughly six and a half hours, will involve the removal and replacement of electronic equipment and solar array components on the station’s exterior.
NASA and SpaceX have moved the launch date for the 29th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station to no earlier than 10:01 p.m. EST on Sunday, November 5. The adjustment was necessary to accommodate pad readiness timelines following NASA’s Psyche launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, which took place on October 13 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about International Space Station Activities
What was the main focus of the astronauts from Expedition 70 on October 17?
On October 17, the astronauts of Expedition 70 had a relatively light-duty day. They concentrated on biological studies and robotic experiments in the afternoon.
Who are the key astronauts mentioned in the Expedition 70?
The key astronauts mentioned are Andreas Mogensen from ESA, Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli from NASA, and Satoshi Furukawa from JAXA.
What is the CIPHER study?
The CIPHER study is an investigation that encompasses 14 different research projects aimed at understanding the psychological and physiological challenges astronauts may encounter during long-term space missions.
What was the purpose of the postponed spacewalk involving O’Hara and Mogensen?
The postponed spacewalk originally aimed to collect samples and investigate the possibility of microbial life existing on the exterior of the International Space Station. It has been deferred until at least December due to a review of data related to a backup radiator leak.
What is the Earthshine experiment?
The Earthshine experiment involves capturing images of the Moon to observe how sunlight is reflected off the Earth. It was conducted by ESA’s Commander Andreas Mogensen using a digital camera in the space station’s cupola.
What are the plans for the Roscosmos cosmonauts?
Two cosmonauts from Roscosmos are preparing for a spacewalk scheduled for October 25. The activity will last about six hours and 45 minutes and will focus on external maintenance tasks.
When is the next NASA spacewalk scheduled and what will it entail?
The next NASA spacewalk is scheduled for October 30. Astronauts Moghbeli and O’Hara will spend about six and a half hours removing electronic equipment and replacing solar array hardware on the station’s exterior.
Why was the launch date for NASA and SpaceX’s 29th commercial resupply mission moved?
The launch date was adjusted to no earlier than November 5 to allow for pad readiness timelines following NASA’s Psyche launch on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, which took place on October 13.
More about International Space Station Activities
- NASA’s Official Website
- European Space Agency (ESA) Official Site
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Official Site
- Roscosmos Official Website
- Information on Expedition 70
- Details on CIPHER Study
- Cygnus Resupply Missions
- NASA’s Spacewalk Information
- Earthshine Experiment Overview
- SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services
8 comments
Can’t wait for Nov 5 SpaceX launch! These resupply missions are just as thrilling as the bigger launches.
replacing solar array hardware, huh? Hope they’re upping the efficiency. Every bit counts.
Good to see they’re studying cardiac health in space. Microgravity must put some strain on the heart. Very important research.
Those spherical robot cameras? Man, I’d love to know how those work. The future is now, people.
its amazing how international the ISS is, ESA, JAXA, NASA, and Roscosmos all working together. thats unity!
wonder what kind of microbes could live outside the ISS? Kinda spooky but interesting.
Postponed spacewalks, rescheduled launches… seems like everything’s up in the air. pun intended lol.
Wow, astronauts are so cool. Always up there doing stuff most of us cant even imagine. Science rocks!