International Space Station Expedition 73: Science, Maintenance, and Stunning Aurora Views Continue Amid Delayed Crew Arrival

The Expedition 73 crew on board the International Space Station has been diligently working on various science experiments and maintenance tasks, despite the delay in the arrival of a visiting crew. Who are the members of this crew, and what have they been up to? The crew consists of commander Takuya Onishi of JAXA, Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, and Jonny Kim of NASA, and Kirill Peskov, Sergey Ryzhikov, and Alexey Zubritsky of Roscosmos, all flight engineers. What have they been doing, and where are they doing it? The crew has been conducting experiments and performing maintenance tasks on the space station, which is currently orbiting the Earth at an altitude of approximately 250 miles. When did these activities take place, and why are they important? These activities have been ongoing throughout the week, with the crew working tirelessly to advance our understanding of space and its effects on the human body. How are they achieving this, and what are the expected outcomes? The crew is using a range of equipment and techniques, including RFID-enabled logistics management, respiratory studies, and Earth observations, to collect data and conduct experiments that will help us better understand the effects of space travel on the human body and the environment.

Orbital Observation and Science Experiments

One of the most striking aspects of the crew’s work has been their observations of the Earth’s auroras. NASA astronaut Anne McClain captured a “very pink-hued” aurora, which sparked a fascinating discussion on the science behind these natural wonders. The color of an aurora depends on several factors, including the molecule hitting the Earth’s atmosphere, the nature of the impact itself, and the density of the atmosphere at the point of collision. Key highlights of the crew’s science experiments include:
* REALM: A demonstration of RFID-enabled autonomous logistics management, which uses a free-flying robot named Astrobee to track tagged equipment and cargo.
* Bio-Monitor: A test of a Canadian-built vest that enables data collection about the physiological status of the wearer, including heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
* Ring Sheared Drop: An experiment testing surface tension as a way to contain liquids and observe proteins without the liquid making contact with the containers’ solid walls.

Supporting Science Experiments and Maintenance Tasks

In addition to these experiments, the crew has been working on a range of other science experiments and maintenance tasks, including:
* Respiratory studies using acoustic sensors to monitor the crew members’ breathing and exhalation sounds.
* Window inspections to examine and photo-document the condition of the space station’s windows.
* Crank and handle cleaning to remove dirt and dust from the space station’s hatches and handles.
* Meetings with NASA’s astronaut office and lead flight director to discuss upcoming activities and plans for the space station.

Astronaut Activity and Interviews

The crew has also been engaging in a range of other activities, including interviews and public outreach. On Tuesday, June 17, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers took part in a podcast interview for the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, where she described seeing the Earth for the first time in space. Ayers said, “It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen… And then seeing Earth from the Cupola and the lab window here, you don’t see country or state lines on Earth. It is not like each state has a different solid color. There is just geography and just terrain, so you get to learn the world all over again in terms of colors and textures and geography and water.” Ayers also reflected on the fragility of the Earth, saying, “It has really made me want to take better care of this Earth, and when I get home, I want to do things just a little bit better and take that extra step.”

Waylaid Visitors and Delayed Arrival

Despite the crew’s busy schedule, they are still waiting for the arrival of a visiting crew, which has been delayed due to a leak repair on the Russian side of the space station. The Ax-4 crew, led by commander Peggy Whitson, a retired NASA astronaut, is expected to launch “in the coming days.” The crew includes ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

By the Numbers

As of Friday, June 20, there are:
* 7 people aboard the International Space Station
* 2 docked crew spacecraft: SpaceX’s Dragon “Endurance” and Roscosmos’ Soyuz MS-27
* 2 docked cargo spacecraft: Roscosmos’ Progress MS-29 and Progress MS-30
* 24 years, 7 months, and 19 days of continuous crewing of the space station

In conclusion, the Expedition 73 crew has been working tirelessly to advance our understanding of space and its effects on the human body, while also conducting maintenance tasks and engaging in public outreach. Despite the delayed arrival of a visiting crew, the crew remains focused on their mission and is making significant contributions to the field of space research.

Keywords: International Space Station, Expedition 73, space research, science experiments, maintenance tasks, astronaut activity, auroras, RFID-enabled logistics management, respiratory studies, Earth observations.

Hashtags: #InternationalSpaceStation #Expedition73 #SpaceResearch #ScienceExperiments #MaintenanceTasks #AstronautActivity #Auroras #RFID #RespiratoryStudies #EarthObservations



Source link