Orbiting Higher: ISS Reboost Amid Fusion of Space Health and Earth Science

The Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft is pictured docked to the Rassvet module as the International Space Station orbited 268 miles above the Indian Ocean just north of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, an overseas territory of France. Credit: NASA

The Expedition 70 crew continued its space health and Earth science studies while servicing a variety of research hardware on Thursday, October 19. The International Space Station (ISS) is orbiting higher today as its residents inspected emergency gear and reviewed tasks for an upcoming spacewalk.

DNA Analysis and Health Monitoring

DNA analysis was back on the schedule as NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli used a portable DNA sequencer to identify bacteria extracted from station water samples. The technology study will help keep crews and spacecraft safe with less dependence on Earth as NASA plans missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. She also wore the Bio-Monitor vest and headband for a 48-hour session testing the wearables’ ability to monitor an astronaut’s health comfortably while minimally interfering with their daily activities.

The Canadarm2 robotic arm is pictured extending from the International Space Station while orbiting 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean near the Aleutian Islands. Credit: NASA

Observing Earth and Managing Cargo

Commander Andreas Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) worked inside the cupola again testing the ability of an advanced camera to observe Earth’s thunderstorms and their electrical activity at 100,000 frames per second. Results may improve atmospheric knowledge and promote future space applications. The two-time station visitor from Denmark also transferred cargo and trash in and out of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo craft attached to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port.

Routine Checks and Maintenance

NASA Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara photographed emergency hardware for inspection, then checked her blood pressure, and uninstalled components on a spacesuit. Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) replaced filters inside the Life Science Glovebox and then swapped sample cassettes inside the Materials Science Laboratory.

NASA astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara is pictured trimming her hair aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

Cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai have been busy the last several days preparing for a spacewalk scheduled for 2:10 p.m. EDT on October 25. The duo reviewed an updated spacewalking task list that includes installing science hardware, deploying a nanosatellite, and inspecting a backup radiator on the Nauka science module that leaked coolant.

Both cosmonauts also took turns practicing futuristic piloting techniques on a computer while wearing a cap filled with sensors that measured their responses. Researchers will use the data to understand how future crews may respond to flying spacecraft and controlling robots on planetary missions.

Flight Engineer Konstantin Borisov joined the pair from Roscosmos for the spacewalk review before lunchtime. He also transferred water stored inside the Progress 85 (85P) cargo craft into tanks aboard the station and then checked electronics systems in the Zvezda service module.

Orbital Adjustments

The space laboratory is orbiting slightly higher today after the 85P fired its thruster engines for over 18 minutes late Wednesday night. The orbital reboost raises the ISS to the correct altitude for the rendezvous and docking of Roscosmos’ next cargo craft, the Progress 86, slated for early December.