Space life

The SpaceX Dragon resupply ship approaches the station above the Indian Ocean near Madagascar on March 16, 2023. Heart research and robotics were the top objectives for the Expedition 69 crew aboard the International Space Station on Friday. Cargo work and lab maintenance also kept the orbital residents busy despite a light-duty day for some of the crew members. One of the orbiting lab’s newest experiments is looking at how microgravity affects cardiac cells and the drugs that may protect astronaut health. Flight Engineers Frank Rubio of NASA and Sultan Alneyadi of UAE (United Arab Emirates) took turns on Friday servicing heart cell and tissue samples for the Cardinal Health 2.0 study recently delivered aboard the newest SpaceX Dragon cargo mission. Results could help identify and prevent the cardiovascular risks of living in space as well as treat heart ailments on Earth. The duo also continued unpacking some of the 6,200 pounds cargo the Dragon resupply ship delivered to th

UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi poses with a free-flying AstroBee robotic helper inside the space station’s Kibo laboratory module. The Expedition 69 crew members continue unpacking the SpaceX Dragon resupply ship in the midst of human research and pharmaceutical studies aboard the International Space Station . NASA and its commercial crew partners have also announced upcoming missions to the station. Flight Engineers Frank Rubio of NASA and Sultan Alneyadi of UAE (United Arab Emirates) took turns working inside the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft on Thursday. The duo has been offloading some of the 6,200 pounds new research gear and crew supplies packed inside the Cargo Dragon. The U.S. commercial space freighter will remain docked to the Harmony module ’s forward port until mid-April when it will return to Earth filled with completed science experiments and other cargo for retrieval and analysis. Rubio started his day pedaling on the station’s exercise bike wh

The official insignia of the Expedition 69 mission aboard the International Space Station. The Expedition 69 mission is officially under way following the undocking of the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft on Tuesday. The seven-member International Space Station crew split its day on Wednesday as the four astronauts conducted space research while the three cosmonauts had the day off. The uncrewed Soyuz MS-22 space ship completed a six-month stay at the orbiting lab when it undocked from the Rassvet module at 5:57 a.m. EDT on Tuesday . The undocking marked the moment Expedition 69 began and Expedition 68 ended with Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev continuing his command aboard the space station. The passengerless MS-22 parachuted to a safe landing in Kazakhstan less than two hours later. Meanwhile, science and health checks filled the day for the astronauts belonging to the Expedition 69 crew. Flight Engineers Frank Rubio of NASA and Sultan Alneyadi of UAE (United Arab Emirates) wor

March 28, 2023: International Space Station Configuration. Five spacecraft are parked at the space station including the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour and Cargo Dragon vehicles, the Northrop Grumman Cygnus space freighter, and Russia’s Soyuz MS-23 crew ship and Progress 83 resupply ship. The uncrewed Roscosmos Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft made an automated, parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan at 7:46 a.m. EDT (5:46 p.m. Kazakhstan time) on Tuesday after undocking from the International Space Station at 5:57 a.m. Remaining aboard the station is the seven-person crew of Expedition 69 with Station Commander Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos, NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, and Frank Rubio, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Andrey Fedyaev and Dmitri Petelin. Learn more about station activities by following the  space station blog ,  @space_station  and  @ISS_Research  on Twitter, as well as the  ISS Facebook  and  ISS Instagram  ac

The Soyuz MS-22 begins to depart the station following its undocking from the Rassvet module. Credit: NASA TV The uncrewed Roscosmos Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station at 5:57 a.m. EDT, heading for an automated, parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan at 7:45 a.m. (5:45 p.m. Kazakhstan time). Expedition 69 officially began aboard the station at the time of undocking. Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev is the station commander for the crew consisting of NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, and Frank Rubio, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Andrey Fedyaev and Dmitri Petelin. Learn more about station activities by following the  space station blog ,  @space_station  and  @ISS_Research  on Twitter, as well as the  ISS Facebook  and  ISS Instagram  accounts. Get weekly video highlights at:  https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/videupdate/ Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe h

The Soyuz MS-22 crew ship is pictured docked to the Rassvet module. In the background, the Prichal docking module is attached to the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module. NASA is providing live coverage on NASA TV, the agency’s  website , and the  NASA app  of the undocking and departure of the uncrewed Roscosmos Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft from the International Space Station. The spacecraft is scheduled to undock at 5:57 a.m. EDT, heading for an automated, parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan at 7:45 a.m. (5:45 p.m. Kazakhstan time). There will be no televised coverage of the deorbit burn or Soyuz landing. The station blog  will be updated after the events occur. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin launched aboard the Soyuz MS-22 in September 2022. Following an external coolant leak detected on the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft in December, the replacement Soyuz MS-23 was launched to the station on Thursday, Feb. 23 to return Rubio, P

The Soyuz MS-22 crew ship is pictured docked to the Rassvet module. In the background, the Prichal docking module is attached to the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module. An uncrewed Soyuz crew ship will depart the International Space Station on Tuesday morning. In the meantime, the seven-member Expedition 68 crew focused on new science experiments and hardware recently delivered aboard the SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle. Three space station residents who arrived at the orbiting lab on Sept. 21 last year aboard the Soyuz MS-22 crew ship will continue their stay in space after their spacecraft departs without them at 5:57 a.m. EDT on Tuesday . The passengerless vehicle will parachute to a landing in Kazakhstan less than two hours later completing a six-month mission docked to the Rassvet module . NASA will provide live coverage only of undocking activities beginning at 5:30 a.m. on   NASA TV ,  the agency’s app and website.. Station Commander Sergey Prokopyev with Roscosmos Flight

NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio checks tomato plants growing inside the International Space Station for the XROOTS space botany study on Oct. 14, 2022. Credit: Koichi Wakata/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency The  Expedition 68  crew members conducted space health experiments and prepared for the final plant harvest aboard the International Space Station while inspiring the next generation of explorers in a virtual robotics competition. NASA Flight Engineer  Woody Hoburg  spent most of his day installing tissue cassettes for the BFF-Meniscus-2 , an investigation to print and culture a meniscus using the BioFabrication facility aboard the space station. Crew members who experience musculoskeletal injuries on future deep space missions may benefit from the capability to bioprint tissue to promote recovery. The research could lead to the ability to print complex tissues and organs that may be used to treat patients on Earth. NASA Flight Engineer  Frank

The big island of Hawaii and its two snow-capped volcanos, (from left) the active Mauna Loa and the dormant Mauna Kea, are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean on March 6, 2023. Since the earliest days of the  International Space Station expeditions, student groups in schools, camps, museums, and planetariums have had the opportunity to talk with astronauts aboard the orbital laboratory about career choices and science activities. On Thursday, NASA Flight Engineer  Woody Hoburg conducted an ISS Ham Radio (ARISS) session with Lana’i High and Elementary School, in Lana’i City, Hawaii.  Hoburg also bioprinted cells for the BFF-Meniscus-2, an investigation to print and culture a meniscus using the BioFabrication facility aboard the space station. NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio replaced experiment samples in the Combustion Integrated Rack located in the U.S. Destiny module for the Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction – Growth

The southern coast of Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea near Syria is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 264 miles above on Feb. 14, 2023. The  Expedition 68  crew members conducted experiments and maintained equipment aboard the International Space Station while activities for cargo transfers continued. NASA Flight Engineer  Frank Rubio  performed microscopy and video recordings on eight BioCell tissue chambers for the Cardinal Heart 2.0  in the  Life Sciences Glovebox . This investigation uses heart organoids to test whether clinically approved drugs reduce microgravity-induced changes in heart cell function. Rubio also removed the  Advanced Resistive Exercise Device’s (ARED) cylinder flywheel and inspected the treadmill as part of monthly maintenance. The ARED exercises all major muscle groups while focusing on the primary resistive exercise: squats, deadlifts, and heel raises. Crew members exercise daily on ARED to maintain preflight muscle and bone str

The northwestern coastal regions of Brittany and Normandy in France meet on the English Channel in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 264 miles above on Feb. 12, 2023. The  Expedition 68  crew members are busy investigating astrobiology and continuing to transfer the 6,200 pounds of research hardware and supplies between the  International Space Station  and the uncrewed SpaceX CRS-27, which arrived to the space station on March 16. NASA flight engineer  Frank Rubio  conducted the  Cardinal Heart 2.0  media change and sample collection operations in the  Life Sciences Glovebox , a sealed work area in the space station where crew members perform developmental biology experiments. The investigation will test whether clinically approved drugs reduce microgravity-induced changes. Microgravity exposure can cause changes in heart cell function and gene expression that may lead to long-term damage or muscle atrophy. NASA flight engineer  Woody Hoburg  took

This view of Mount Shasta in California was photographed from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above on Feb. 12, 2023. Following the arrival of the uncrewed SpaceX CRS-27 resupply vehicle last week, the  Expedition 68  crew continues transferring the 6,200 pounds of research hardware and supplies between the  International Space Station  and the cargo vehicle. NASA Flight Engineer  Frank Rubio  spent his day participating in a cell biology experiment and replacing the  Advanced Resistive Exercise Device cable arm rope to ensure proper tension in the cable-pulley system. Rope routing is critical for crew members to exercise in space, allowing crew members to experience load or resistance to help maintain muscle strength and mass during long periods in space. NASA flight engineers  Woody Hoburg  and  Stephen Bowen  and Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi from UAE (United Arab Emirates) inserted ice bricks into the station’s Minus Eighty Degree Laboratory for ISS

The waxing gibbous Moon is pictured above Earth’s horizon from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above eastern China near the Yellow Sea coast on Feb. 2, 2023. The Expedition 68 crew members wrapped up their week aboard the International Space Station by removing payloads for a resupply mission, installing equipment for microgravity research, and performing eye exams for a routine checkup. NASA Flight Engineers Frank Rubio and Woody Hoburg and Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi from UAE (United Arab Emirates) made progress transferring supplies from the SpaceX cargo Dragon. Flight Engineer Stephen Bowen from NASA gathered hardware delivered by the spacecraft for the Heart-Tissue 2 study. The investigation will test whether clinically approved drugs reduce microgravity-induced changes in heart cells and tissues. Outside of Dragon cargo operations, Rubio migrated double-cold bags for transporting samples from the station’s Microgravity Experiment Research Lo

The last rays of an orbital sunset fade below Earth’s horizon in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 269 miles above the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of southern Argentina on Feb. 17, 2023. The Expedition 68 crew focused on cargo operations, science experiments, and maintenance tasks after the  SpaceX Dragon docked to the International Space Station at 7:31 a.m. EDT. Dragon successfully docked to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module, delivering more than 6,200 pounds of research, hardware, and supplies. Afterward, NASA Flight Engineers Frank Rubio , Stephen Bowen , Woody Hoburg , and Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi from UAE (United Arab Emirates) spent time unloading cargo from the spacecraft. Alneyadi and Rubio were specifically tasked with unpacking double-cold bags for transporting samples into the station’s Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer , or MELFI. NASA astronauts were occupied with research studies and lab upkeep wor

The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft, loaded with over 7,700 pounds of science, supplies, and cargo, approaches the space station for a docking on Nov. 27, 2022. A SpaceX Dragon is on track to arrive at the International Space Station today, Thursday, March 16, with an expected docking of the cargo spacecraft about 7:28 a.m. EDT. Live coverage is underway on NASA Television, the NASA app , and the agency’s website . When it arrives to the space station, Dragon will dock to the station’s Harmony module. Dragon successfully launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 8:30 p.m. EDT, March 14, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying more than 6,200 pounds of research, hardware, and supplies to the International Space Station. Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog , @space_station and @ISS_Research on Twitter, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts. Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.js

A SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is seen approaching the International Space Station on Nov. 27, 2022. The  SpaceX Dragon  is on track to deliver cargo to the International Space Station after lifting off on March 14, marking the company’s 27th commercial resupply mission. Meanwhile, the Expedition 68 crew kept busy completing lab work, ultrasounds, and plumbing duties. NASA Flight Engineer Stephen Bowen spent time moving equipment to the cupola to help monitor Dragon’s docking. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock autonomously at 7:52 a.m. EDT Thursday, March 16, to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. NASA Flight Engineer Woody Hoburg will monitor the automated docking. Bowen and Hoburg also drew blood samples for the Immunity Assay study. Bowen spun blood tubes in a centrifuge and stowed them in a freezer for later analysis. The results of the study are expected to provide a better understanding of how the immune system changes in space. NASA Flight Engineer

SpaceX’s 27th commercial resupply mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center at 8:30 p.m. EDT, carrying over 6,200 lbs. of science, supplies, and food for the international crew. A SpaceX Dragon launched on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket at 8:30 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying more than 6,200 pounds of research, hardware, and supplies to the International Space Station. About 12 minutes after launch, Dragon separated from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage, opened its nosecone, and began a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the space station. Dragon is on track to arrive at the International Space Station Thursday, March 16, with an expected docking about 7:52 a.m. EDT. Live coverage on NASA Television, the NASA app , and the agency’s website will begin at 6:15 a.m. Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog , @space_station and @ISS_Research on Twitter, as well as the

A view of red dwarf tomato plants growing in the Veggie plant growth facility aboard the International Space Station as part of the Pick-and-Eat Salad-Crop Productivity, Nutritional Value, and Acceptability to Supplement the ISS Food System (Veg-05) investigation from Feb. 5, 2023. The  Expedition 68 crew members spent their day carrying out biological research, harvesting vegetables, and prepping for a commercial resupply mission delivering more than 6,000 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station . The  SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is set to launch at 8:30 p.m. EDT this evening from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft is providing the crew with new science investigations , food, fuel, and supplies. Dragon is slated to dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module Thursday morning. NASA Flight Engineer Woody Hoburg is scheduled to monitor Dragon’s automated docking. In the meantime, he completed a session using the Roboti

Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi from UAE (United Arab Emirates) harvests tomatoes grown aboard the International Space Station and stows samples in a bag for later analysis as part of the Veg-05 space botany investigation on Mar. 7, 2023. The Expedition 68  crew is adjusting to life aboard the International Space Station after four Crew-5 members safely returned to Earth last Saturday. The remaining crew members kickstarted the week by continuing to carry out a mix of science experiments and operational tasks. NASA Flight Engineer  Stephen Bowen  spent the morning collecting and storing blood and saliva samples for the Immunity Assay investigation. The study aims to monitor how the immune system responds to the stresses of human spaceflight with the aid of a functional immunity test. Until recently, the test could only be performed before and after flight. Conducting the test inflight will help provide researchers with a clearer idea about how the immune system ch

The SpaceX Dragon Endurance crew ship, carrying four Crew-5 members, approaches the International Space Station with the Earth’s horizon in the background in this photo from Oct. 6, 2022. Credit: NASA/Kjell Lindgren Watch the agency’s  live coverage  as NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft are about one hour away from splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida at approximately 9:02 p.m. EST. Weather conditions remain within the splashdown weather criteria and are “Go” at the primary targeted site off the coast of Tampa, Florida. The deorbit burn is scheduled to begin at 8:11 p.m. EST. Learn more about station activities by following the space station blog , @space_station and @ISS_Research on Twitter, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts. Get weekly video highlights at: https://roundupreads.js

The SpaceX Dragon Endurance undocked from the space station at 2:20 a.m. EST, beginning Crew-5’s journey back to Earth. Credits: NASA TV. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina  inside undocked from the forward-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module at  2:20 a.m. EST  to complete a nearly  six-month science mission .          NASA coverage of Crew-5’s return will continue with audio only, and full coverage will resume at the start of the splashdown broadcast. Real-time audio between Crew-5 and flight controllers at  NASA’s Mission Audio stream will remain available and includes conversations with astronauts aboard the space station and a live video feed from the orbiting laboratory.   NASA TV coverage will resume at 8 p.m. Saturday until  Endurance  splashes down at approximately 9:02 p.m. EST near Tampa off the

The SpaceX Dragon Endurance, which will carry Crew-5 back to Earth, is seen docked to the space station prior to its departure. Credits: NASA TV. At 12:29 a.m. EST , the hatch closed between the Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance , and the International Space Station  in preparation for undocking and return to Earth of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission with  NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina.   NASA Television will air live coverage   beginning at 1:45 a.m., for undocking scheduled at 2:05 a.m. Following conclusion of undocking coverage, NASA coverage of Crew-5’s return will continue with audio only, and full coverage will resume at the start of the splashdown broadcast at 8 p.m. this evening. Real-time audio between Crew-5 and flight controllers at  NASA’s Mission Audio stream will remain available and includes conversations with astronauts aboard the space station an