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    NASA Astronauts Unlock Secrets of Life in Space Before Big Spacewalks

    By NASA1 Comment3 Mins Read
    SpaceX Dragon Cargo Spacecraft Undocks From International Space Station
    This frame from a time-lapse video captured by NASA astronaut Don Pettit shows the thrusters firing on the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft after it undocked and backed away from the International Space Station’s forward port on the Harmony module. The orbital outpost was soaring 259 miles above the Pacific Ocean west of the Hawaiian island chain at the time of this photograph. Credit: NASA

    Most of the Expedition 72 crew enjoyed a day off on Tuesday, while two NASA astronauts focused on cutting-edge human research and biotechnology studies. This work comes as the crew prepares for two spacewalks later this month, aimed at maintaining scientific instruments and upgrading station systems.

    Advanced Research in Microgravity

    Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Nick Hague remained busy aboard the International Space Station (ISS), investigating how the unique environment of microgravity impacts human health and exploring innovative ways to sustain life in space by producing food and oxygen.

    Tuxtla Gutiérrez From Space
    Tuxtla Gutiérrez, in the Mexican state of Chiapas and one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above. Credit: NASA

    Life Science Experiments in Orbit

    Pettit concentrated on human biology, collecting samples of saliva, blood, and urine. These were carefully processed and stored in science freezers for later analysis to study how prolonged exposure to weightlessness affects the human body. Meanwhile, Hague worked on micro-algae experiments, exposing the samples to varying light levels to better understand their production of oxygen and nutrients in space. The findings could enhance crew health and improve life support technologies for future missions beyond Earth.

    Preparations for Spacewalks

    At the end of his shift, Hague refilled tanks and liquid cooling ventilation garments with water preparing a pair of spacesuits for a pair of upcoming spacewalks. He and Commander Suni Williams of NASA are scheduled to begin the first spacewalk at 7 a.m. EST on Thursday, January 16. The pair will exit the orbital outpost’s Quest airlock and spend about six-and-a-half hours replacing a rate gyro assembly, servicing the NICER X-ray telescope, and preparing the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer for future upgrades.

    Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer – 2 (AMS-2) Mounted on the S3 Truss Segment
    View of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer – 2 (AMS-2) mounted on the S3 Truss segment. The EXPRESS (Expedite the Processing of Experiments to Space Station) Logistics Carrier 2 (ELC2) is also visible behind the AMS-2. Photo taken during STS-134 and Expedition 27 joint operations. Credit: NASA

    Spacewalks and Observations

    Mission managers will discuss that spacewalk and a second one planned for January 23 on NASA+ beginning at 2 p.m. EST on Friday. NASA+ will also broadcast both spacewalks beginning at 5:30 a.m. with the January 23 excursion also starting at 7 a.m.

    Meanwhile, Williams and NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore had the day off on Tuesday following a busy day on Monday. Cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and Aleksandr Gorbunov also relaxed Tuesday as they observed the Eastern Orthodox Christmas holiday.

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    1 Comment

    1. Boba on

      How elevated they must be feeling doing all that lofty work, am I right? Enlightened and larger than life and whatnot. All until the nature calls and they have to unzip the pants and crap into a crapsucker again.

      Wouldn’t trade my place on Earth for theirs up there.

      Reply
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