Robotics, laboratory maintenance and microbiology were the top priorities aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, September 13. The Expedition 69 crew also has time to conduct earth science operations and biomedical work. Astrobee, a free-flying robot assistant the size of a toaster and cube-shaped, was launched in the "Hope" experimental module today. Algorithms written by students are uploaded to the orbiting outpost and used to control robotic assistants, encourage problem solving and promote space education.
The second full moon in August 2023 is both a blue moon and a supermoon, shining brightly above Earth as the International Space Station orbits 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean. Source: NASA
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa monitored the robot's activities and recorded his impressions for ground review.
European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen captured this image from the International Space Station while soaring 262 miles above Australia's northeastern coast. Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft, which has been docked with the space station since August 4, 2023, is on the right side of the image, showing off its prominent cymbal-shaped solar array. Image source: NASA
Three flight engineers working in the Columbus experimental module across from Hope finalized the reorganization of the research facility from the European Space Agency (ESA). NASA flight engineer Frank Rubio kicked off the effort by moving research and cargo racks into slots aboard Columbus. In the morning, ESA flight engineer Andreas Mogensen also joined him in his work and helped him move the shelves back and forth.
NASA flight engineer Jasmin Moghbeli finished her work in the afternoon, returning the Columbus laboratory to working order and putting away the hardware. The Columbus lab is working to house new athletic equipment that will keep astronauts healthy and in shape during long-duration space missions.
Expedition 69 flight engineers (from left) Jasmine Mogbeli and Frank Rubio of NASA and Satoshi Furukawa of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have lunch inside the Unity module of the International Space Station. Source: NASA
Mogensen also studied how to capture the Earth's reflective properties, also known as its albedo, by photographing the moon during specific lunar phases. The findings could provide new insights into Earth's climate using satellite instruments. Mogbeli had her blood sample drawn for a glucose test at the end of the day as part of the Vascular Aging Study, which is monitoring astronauts' arteries for symptoms similar to accelerated aging.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov once again performed a microbiology mission on Wednesday, collecting and storing microbial samples from the surfaces of the "Zvezda" service module and the "Nauka" science module. Flight engineer Dmitri Petelin conducted research on fermentation to improve the preservation and preparation of space food. Commander Sergey Prokopyev continues preparations to load the hardware into the Soyuz MS-23 crew spacecraft that will return him, Petrin and Rubio to Earth in late September.