New Cargo Craft Arrival and Crew Activities
The International Space Station (ISS) recently welcomed a new cargo craft, even as the launch of the SpaceX Crew-7 mission was postponed by 24 hours.
The Expedition 69 crew members initiated unpacking the newly arrived cargo and simultaneously undertook the maintenance of a diverse array of scientific equipment within the orbital laboratory.
Cosmonauts Manage Progress 85 Docking and Unloading
Cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin oversaw the meticulous docking process of the Roscosmos Progress 85 resupply ship with the Zvezda service module’s aft port, which occurred successfully at 11:45 p.m. EDT on Thursday.
Following rigorous checks for leaks and pressure, Prokopyev and Petelin proceeded to open the hatch of Progress 85, dedicating several hours to the intricate task of unloading nearly three tons of indispensable supplies encompassing food, fuel, and other necessities required for replenishing the ISS residents.
Postponement of SpaceX Crew-7 Launch
Simultaneously, as the Roscosmos resupply ship approached the station, the launch of the SpaceX Crew-7 mission encountered a delay of 24 hours.
This decision was communicated to the four crew members of SpaceX Crew-7, who were stationed in Florida.
The scheduled launch of the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft atop the Falcon 9 rocket has been rescheduled for 3:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday, originating from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Mission managers instigated the delay to review Dragon’s safety systems and life support mechanisms thoroughly.
Composition and Mission of SpaceX Crew-7
The composition of the SpaceX Crew-7 mission encompasses Commander Jasmin Moghbeli, Pilot Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency (ESA), and Mission Specialists Satoshi Furukawa from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Konstantin Borisov representing Roscosmos.
Upon launch, the crew will autonomously dock with the Harmony module’s space-facing port at 8:39 a.m. on Sunday. Subsequently, they will join forces with the Expedition 69 crew, embarking on a six-month microgravity research mission.
Engagements of ISS Crew Members
Concurrently, the seven members of the ISS crew continued their activities as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of their four new crewmates.
While Cosmonauts Prokopyev and Petelin concluded their work with Progress 85 and prepared for rest, the remaining five crew members concentrated on various tasks, including advanced research and medical investigations.
Advanced Research and Medical Investigations
NASA Flight Engineers Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg dedicated their efforts to the Tranquility module, focusing on preparations for the forthcoming depressurization and demating of the NanoRacks Bishop airlock.
This essential equipment is slated for transfer through the utilization of the Canadarm2 robotic arm, contributing to an experiment targeting the measurement of temperature, vibrations, and radiation in external payload sites.
Advancements in Space Research: UAE Astronaut Contributes to Material Science, NASA Engineer Explores Cardiac Therapies
UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi was pivotal in stowing hardware and reconfiguring the Microgravity Science Glovebox.
This operation followed an experiment centered around producing enhanced material structures in the unique space environment.
Additionally, Flight Engineer Frank Rubio from NASA engaged in research activities within the Kibo laboratory module, participating in the exchange of stem-cell-derived heart micro-tissues within the Life Science Glovebox.
This endeavor holds promise in uncovering novel therapies for cardiac irregularities stemming from space conditions and terrestrial heart ailments.