Biotechnology research exploring DNA-inspired nanomaterials and researching how fire behaves in microgravity to expand on station fire safety topped the science schedule for the Expedition 73 crew aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday. The crew also scheduled in time for more station maintenance.
A Bio-Monitor garment and headband were donned by NASA astronaut Anne McClain as part of an experiment that monitors astronauts’ psychological responses before, during, and after a mission to the International Space Station to assess the effect of space travel on heart health.
McClain and NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers experimented with the Life Sciences Glovebox and the DNA Nano Therapeutics Mission 2 which produces a special type of molecule formed by DNA-inspired nanomaterials. Together these flight engineers were mixing mRNA and/or protein solutions as part of the nanomaterials mixing operations. This investigation could help identify the best formulations and methods for cost-effective in-space production. These nanomaterials also could be used to create new ways of targeting therapy delivery that improve patient outcomes with fewer side effects.
Ayers continued her work with the Life Sciences Glove Box and worked to plug-in the spectrophotometer to perform light wave measurements as part of the DNA Nano Therapeutics Mission 2 Spectrophotometer setup. Throughout her day she also checked and charged the batteries in the Astrobees, which are cube-shaped robots designed to help scientists and engineers develop and test technologies for use in microgravity and to assist astronauts with routine chores, and give ground controllers additional eyes and ears on the space station.
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim worked on installing the Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) experiment mist hardware used to extinguish flames. He also worked with the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) which enables investigators to perform combustion research to understand the fundamentals of the combustion process, understand fire safety, and methods for suppression of fires in space.
Station commander Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) performed work in the Japanese Experiment Module with fire safety as well as some station maintenance. Onishi worked with the Solid Combustion Experiment Module (SCEM) exchanging gas bottles in the Multi-Purpose Small Payload Rack to perform leak checks as well as exchanged samples. Onishi also worked on orbital plumbing installing recycle tanks and configuring drain valves.
Maintenance was at the forefront of the station’s three cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritskiy, and Kirill Peskov’s day while working in the Russian segment. Zubritskiy removed Russian cargo, completed replacing and repairing thermal sensors as well and verifying a flow sensor installation position. Peskov completed an ethernet cables audit as well as worked on the intermodular ventilation system that connects the Russian module to the U.S. module.