The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft autonomously fired its thrusters to meticulously align for docking with the International Space Station’s Harmony module’s forward port. This maneuver was part of the process to join the station. Image Source: NASA
On Tuesday, November 14, the Expedition 70 crew, along with ground-based robotics teams, engaged in offloading supplies from a U.S. cargo ship. The ISS inhabitants have begun new scientific experiments to explore the impact of microgravity on human physiology.
Unloading and Investigative Tasks
Today, astronauts and ground teams are collaborating to remove approximately 6,500 pounds of scientific materials, supplies, and equipment from the SpaceX Dragon. Commander Andreas Mogensen, an ESA astronaut, was active inside the commercial supply ship on Tuesday, dismantling crew bags secured inside the Dragon. Mogensen then transferred smaller items through the hatch into the station to stock up supplies for the crew. He also contributed to two space botany experiments aimed at supporting long-distance space travel.
The first light of the sun illuminates Earth’s atmosphere in this image captured from the ISS, orbiting 260 miles above central United States. To the far left, Chicago’s city lights border Lake Michigan, while to the far right, lights from Dallas/Fort Worth metro area are visible through clouds. Image Source: NASA
Robotics and Equipment Setup
Mission controllers in the U.S. and Japan orchestrated robotic operations to move and install heavier scientific equipment from Dragon’s unpressurized section. U.S. engineers remotely maneuvered the Canadarm2 robotic arm to remove the new ILLUMA-T laser communication experiment from Dragon. JAXA robotics teams assisted in transferring ILLUMA-T to the Japanese robotic arm for installation on the Kibo laboratory module.
Studies on Aging and Cellular Research
NASA Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara dedicated Tuesday to a new study focused on aging. She prepared human cell samples for incubation and storage in a scientific freezer. These samples, cultivated in space, will be compared with Earth-based samples to study stress, metabolism, and other factors in cells that might accelerate aging in space and on Earth.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara worked on updating the Plant Habitat facility for upcoming experiments on the genetic and immune responses of tomatoes in microgravity. Image Source: NASA
Joint Experiments
Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Satoshi Furukawa conducted experiments on cell samples in the Kibo lab as part of the Cell Gravisensing-2 study. They removed samples from an incubator, examined them under a microscope, and then stored them in a freezer for future analysis. This research aims to understand cellular responses to zero gravity, advancing space biology and Earth-based medical treatments.
Technological and Maintenance Work
NASA’s Moghbeli installed computer equipment in the Combustion Integrated Rack for safe study of fuel and flame behaviors in zero gravity. JAXA’s Furukawa prepared a laptop and cabling to support the ILLUMA-T laser technology research.
In this photograph, the Soyuz MS-24 crew ship is prominently featured against the backdrop of an orbital sunrise 259 miles above the Iran-Pakistan border. City lights below outline the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Image Source: NASA
Roscosmos’ Research and Maintenance Activities
The station’s three cosmonauts, representing Roscosmos, dedicated Tuesday to a series of research and maintenance tasks. Veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko inspected the Zvezda service module with guidance from ground experts. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub documented the condition of Roscosmos modules, wore a sensor-laden cap for advanced piloting practice, and Flight Engineer Konstantin managed orbital plumbing, updated tablet software, and photographed terrestrial landmarks for research purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SpaceX Dragon ISS
What triggered the scientific and robotics excitement aboard the ISS recently?
The arrival of the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft at the International Space Station spurred a frenzy of scientific and robotics activities. This included unloading supplies, conducting new experiments on microgravity’s effects on humans, and installing scientific hardware.
How did the SpaceX Dragon approach the ISS for docking?
The SpaceX Dragon autonomously fired its thrusters to meticulously align for docking with the ISS’s Harmony module’s forward port, enabling a smooth and precise docking process.
What were the main tasks of the Expedition 70 crew following the arrival of SpaceX Dragon?
The Expedition 70 crew, along with ground-based robotics teams, were involved in unloading approximately 6,500 pounds of supplies and equipment from the Dragon. They also activated new scientific experiments to study the impact of microgravity on human physiology.
What experiments did Commander Andreas Mogensen work on aboard the ISS?
Commander Andreas Mogensen, an ESA astronaut, worked on disassembling crew bags inside the Dragon and transferring cargo into the ISS. He also supported space botany experiments to aid long-distance space travel.
How are robotics being used on the ISS in relation to the SpaceX Dragon’s cargo?
U.S. and Japanese mission controllers coordinated robotic operations to move and install heavy scientific equipment from Dragon’s unpressurized section, including the new ILLUMA-T laser communication experiment.
What kind of aging and cellular research is being conducted on the ISS?
NASA Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara led a study on aging, preparing human cell samples for comparison with Earth-based samples to understand accelerated aging processes in space. Additionally, astronauts conducted the Cell Gravisensing-2 study to learn how cells respond to zero gravity.
What technological and maintenance tasks were carried out by the ISS crew?
Tasks included installing computer equipment for fuel and flame behavior studies in weightlessness, setting up support systems for laser technology research, and conducting various maintenance and research activities by the station’s cosmonauts.
More about SpaceX Dragon ISS
- SpaceX Dragon’s Latest Mission
- ISS Expedition 70 Crew Activities
- Microgravity Research on the ISS
- Robotics in Space Exploration
- Aging Studies in Space
- International Collaboration in Space Research
- ISS Cosmonauts’ Research and Maintenance Tasks
- SpaceX and NASA Partnership
5 comments
great to see such international collaboration up there in space, especially with JAXA and ESA contributing. but hey, did they misspell ‘Forth’ in Dallas/Forth Worth? should be ‘Fort,’ right?
wow, the Dragon’s arrival sounds like a big deal for the ISS crew! so much sciency stuff going on, must be super exciting for them. can’t wait to see what they learn from all those experiments.
I’m always amazed by how complex these space missions are, especially with the robotics and hardware installation stuff. it’s like sci-fi becoming reality, but I think they could have explained the ILLUMA-T experiment a bit more.
always been a fan of the Canadarm2, such a cool piece of tech. the way they use it for these intricate tasks blows my mind, and it’s so crucial for the ISS operations. kudos to the engineers behind it!
the aging studies part is really fascinating. It’s incredible how space can help us understand aging on Earth. wonder how those cells will react in microgravity, kudos to NASA for this research!