IMPORTANT NOTES
All information added or updated since this page first went up on April 30, 2014 is in GREEN TEXT below.
Information still to be determined (if any) is in RED TEXT below.
Dates and times that are subject to change at NASA’s discretion are in PURPLE TEXT below.
Last update of this page: October 20, 2014, 2:11 pm ET
Quick Jump:
1. Introduction and Nomenclature for the Log
2. Pre-Launch Activities
3. Launch and Berthing
4. Flight Experiment Log, On-Orbit Operations: Mission 5 Charlie Brown Payload
5. Undocking and Landing
6. Return of Experiments to Student Teams
1. Introduction and Nomenclature for the Log
This page provides student flight experiment teams a log of all activities associated with the 16 flight experiments comprising the SSEP Mission 5 Charlie Brown payload (15 Mission 5 experiments and 1 Mission 2 re-flight experiment) from the time the mini-laboratories are received in Houston before the flight of Orb-2 to the point when the mini-labs are shipped back to the flight teams after return to Earth. While this page will feature general progress reports on the status of the SSEP M5 payload, its main purpose is to provide updates to the student flight experiment teams as quickly as possible regarding the handling of their mini-laboratories in orbit, so that they can effectively conduct their ground truth experiments. The teams are advised to bookmark this page and check it for updates during the mission.
As per the SSEP Mission 5 to ISS: Flight Phase Operations page:
Updates to Student Teams on the Progress of Their Experiment
Astronauts will work with the SSEP payload at times of the day that best fit their overall work schedule. Even though crew interactions with the experiments are to take place on pre-specified Crew Interaction Days, the time of interaction can therefore vary from one Crew Interaction Day to the next. While the SSEP program team may know the astronauts’ planned work schedule a few days in advance, we’ll not know exactly when the payload is handled until the task is complete. After the astronauts have completed handling of the SSEP payload, NanoRacks will forward a report on the activity to the SSEP program team at NCESSE, and we will then post the details – including the time at which the payload was handled – on this SSEP Mission 5 to ISS: Experiment Log page (the page you are reading now) to make the information available to all student teams as quickly as possible. The report will be posted as soon as it is received, but it may take up to 24 hours for the information from the International Space Station to make its way to the Log. That means, for example, that the details for an activity conducted by the astronauts on the afternoon of a specified Crew Interaction Day will be posted on the Experiment Log no later than the afternoon of the following day (and likely far sooner than that).
Conducting Your Ground Truth Experiments
Ground truth experiments – the control versions of the experiment conducted on Earth while the microgravity experiment is being conducted in orbit – are an essential part of analyzing the results of the flight experiment. Once the flight experiment returns to Earth, simultaneous harvesting and analysis of both the flight experiment and the ground truth experiments allows the research team to assess the role of gravity in the physical, chemical, or biological system under study. It is hard to imagine how the role of gravity can be determined without ground truth experiments conducted at the same time as the flight experiment.
However, given that it may take up to a day to receive a report on exactly what time of day a specific activity was conducted with an experiment aboard the ISS, the student team may want to shift activities with their ground truth experiments by 1 day (24 hours). That will allow teams to ensure that the timing of activities they carry out on their ground truth experiments accurately reflects the timing of activities with their experiment aboard the station. This is especially important for experiments that are sensitive to exact timing. For example, if a microbiological experiment is likely to produce different results depending on whether it is active for 40 or 50 hours, the teams will want to match the exact timing of the experiment aboard the station with their ground truth experiment.
Nomenclature: The purpose of this log is to provide the student flight experiment teams information on the handling of their experiment, as well as providing updates on the progress of the Mission. For this log, the individual experiments are assigned a flight Designation such as “NRP-10009-4, S/N 1012” together with the Community and Experiment names (see Section 4 below).
Originally Projected Launch Date: May 1, 2014
SSEP Mission 5 to ISS Charlie Brown payload
Ferry Vehicle: Orbital Sciences 2 (Orb-2; Antares rocket, Cygnus spacecraft)
Launch Site: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), Virginia
March 21, 2014: Orb-2 launch slips to NET May 6, 2014; Orb-2 launch must follow launch of SpaceX-3; payload contamination found on SpaceX-3 slips launch.
April 7, 2014: NCESSE reports that recent delays in the launch of the Atlas mission and SpaceX-3, due to a fire at a critical radar station and SpaceX-3 payload contamination, will likely and significantly impact launch of Orb-2. While NCESSE is required to continue driving SSEP flight operations against a May 6 launch, NCESSE expects that the launch will slip to June.
April 14, 2014: Space X-3 launch scrubbed, next SpaceX-3 launch window April 18, 2014; nothing official to announce regarding the impact on Orb-2 launch schedule.
April 21, 2014, 12:51 pm ET: all 16 SSEP flight experiment mini-laboratories were reported received by NanoRacks in Houston for payload integration.
April 22, 2014, 7:47 am ET: NCESSE reports that although there is nothing official from NASA/NanoRacks at this time, the successful launch and berthing of SpaceX-3 with ISS is reported by Spaceflight Now to delay the launch of Orb-2 to NET June 10, 2014.
April 22, 2104, 9:10 pm ET: NCESSE reports that NASA has officially moved Orb-2 launch to NET June 9, 2014.
April 25, 2014, 10:04 am ET: NanoRacks reports handover deadline for refreshed/reloaded flight experiments – Friday, May 23, 2014.
May 8, 2014, 10:25 am ET: NCESSE reports that the NASA Consolidated Launch Schedule has been updated to indicate Orb-2 launch on NET June 10, 2014 at 2:07 a.m. ET. NCESSE advises that this date is still exceedingly fluid and teams should anticipate further delays.
May 30, 2014: NCESSE reports that the NASA Consolidated Launch Schedule has been updated to indicate Orb-2 launch on NET June 16, 2014. However, they cautioned that NanoRacks was reporting NET June 21, 2014 would be announced to de-conflict with RS EVA 38.
June 9, 2014: Orbital Sciences reported NET July 1, 2014 for Orb-2 launch.
June 12, 2014: NanoRacks reports handover deadline for refreshed/reloaded flight experiments – June 20, 2014.
June 20, 2014: NanoRacks reports NET July 5, 2014 for Orb-2 launch, but indicates the anticipated report from NASA/Orbital regarding the investigation into the engine failure is not expected until Monday late afternoon.
June 23, 2014 at 1:55 pm ET: Contacts at Wallops Flight Facility reported the following regarding the Orb-2 launch schedule and investigation into the cause of the AJ26 engine test failure-
From Orbital: Mission Update – June 23, 2014:
Orbital has updated its launch schedule for the Orb-2 mission to a date no earlier than July 10, 2014.Orb-2 is the second of eight cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS) under the company’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA. The new launch schedule reflects progress in the investigation into the cause of an AJ26 engine test failure and identification of specific actions to clear the Orb-2 mission for flight.
The Antares team will inspect the AJ26 engines installed on the Orb-2 rocket this week, and a decision to proceed toward launch will be based on the results of the inspections. All other elements of the Orb-2 mission are prepared to move forward, including the Cygnus spacecraft, which is fueled and, except for late-load cargo, is packed with its manifest of ISS cargo.
June 23, 2014: NanoRacks reports handover deadline for refreshed/reloaded experiments slipped to – July 1, 2014.
July 3, 2014: Orbital Sciences and the NASA Consolidated Launch Schedule updated to reflect a formal launch slip to July 11, 2014 at 1:40 pm ET.
July 9, 2014, 3:26 pm: Severe thunderstorms at WFF on Tuesday July 8 delayed roll-out of the Antares Rocket. Orb-2 now launching on July 12 at 1:14 pm ET.
Orbital’s statement: http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/Orb-2/default.aspx
NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/orbital.html#.U72UN_ldUUg
July 11, 2014, 9:05 am: NCESSE reports that due to continued bad weather, launch is rescheduled to July 13, 12:52 pm ET.
July 13, 2014, 12:52 pm ET: Orb-2 launches from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), Pad 0-A, Wallops Island, Virginia.
July 16, 2014, 6:39 am ET: expected berthing of Orb-2/Cygnus vehicle at the International Space Station.
July 16, 2014, 6:36 am: Cygnus is captured.
July 16, 2014, 8:53 am ET: 2 hours after grapple, 2nd stage capture is complete. Cygnus is hard mated to the Harmony Module of the ISS.
4. Flight Experiment Log, On-Orbit Operations: Mission 5 Charlie Brown Payload
Interactions Scheduled Prior to Flight (subject to change) CLICK ON TABLE TO ZOOM
Record of Reported On-Orbit Interactions
NRP-10009-1, S/N 1012: US National (Space Frontier Foundation’s Teachers in Space), Affected Efficacy of Sprayed Enamel Coating as a Corrosion Inhibitor within a Microgravity Environment
(U-5) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 9:50 AM ET, 10/16/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 4:08 PM ET, 10/16/14
(U-2) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 11:17 AM ET, 10/19/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 12:40 PM ET, 10/19/14
NRP-10009-2, S/N 1012: Flagstaff, Arizona, How does DNA of onion root cell split in microgravity?
(U-14) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
(U-2) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 11:17 AM ET, 10/19/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 12:40 PM ET, 10/19/14
NRP-10009-3, S/N 1012: Santa Rosa, California, Triops as a Protein Source in Microgravity
(U-14) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
(U-5) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 9:50 AM ET, 10/16/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 4:08 PM ET, 10/16/14
NRP-10009-4, S/N 1012: Washington, District of Columbia, Growth of Radish Plant in Microgravity
(U-14) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
(U-2) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 11:17 AM ET, 10/19/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 12:40 PM ET, 10/19/14
NRP-10009-5, S/N 1012: Hillsborough County, Florida, Will microgravity affect the growth/germination of lettuce seeds?
(U-14) Action: Activated (and reclamped); When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
(U-5) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 9:50 AM ET, 10/16/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 4:08 PM ET, 10/16/14
NRP-10009-6, S/N 1012: Guilford County, North Carolina (re-fligh), Mold Reproduction Rate in Microgravity
(A+2) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 9:20 AM ET, 07/20/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 1:59 PM ET, 07/20/14
(U-14) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
NRP-10009-7, S/N 1012: Howard County, Maryland, Core-Shell Micro/Nanodisks: Microencapsulation in Two Dimensions under Microgravity
(U-14) Action: Activated (clamp A opened, shaken, clamp B opened, waited and then both reclamped); When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
NRP-10009-8, S/N 1012: Fitchburg, Massachusetts, The Production of Antibiotics from Bacillus subtilis in Microgravity
(U-5) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 9:50 AM ET, 10/16/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 4:08 PM ET, 10/16/14
(U-2) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 11:17 AM ET, 10/19/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 12:40 PM ET, 10/19/14
NRP-10009-1, S/N 1013: North Attleborough, Massachusetts, If you cut a Dugesia Planarian worm would it grow back in microgravity?
(U-14) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
NRP-10009-2, S/N 1013: Kansas City, Missouri, Oxidation in Space
(A=0) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 12:50-1:20 PM ET, 07/17/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 5:49 PM ET, 07/17/14
NRP-10009-3, S/N 1013: Brookhaven, Mississippi, Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production in Microgravity
(U-5) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 9:50 AM ET, 10/16/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 4:08 PM ET, 10/16/14
(U-2) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 11:17 AM ET, 10/19/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 12:40 PM ET, 10/19/14
NRP-10009-4, S/N 1013: Pennsauken, New Jersey, Penicillium Growth rate in Microgravity
(A=0) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 12:50-1:20 PM ET, 07/17/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 5:49 PM ET, 07/17/14
NRP-10009-5, S/N 1013: New York City, New York, What is the effect of microgravity on mold growth on white bread?
(U-14) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
NRP-10009-6, S/N 1013: Rockland County, New York, Lettuce Growth
(U-14) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 2:20 PM and 2:50 PM ET, 10/08/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 6:28 PM ET, 10/08/14
(U-2) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 11:17 AM ET, 10/19/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 12:40 PM ET, 10/19/14
NRP-10009-7, S/N 1013: Guilford County, North Carolina, Artificial Ear?
(A=0) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 12:50-1:20 PM ET, 07/17/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 5:49 PM ET, 07/17/14
NRP-10009-8, S/N 1013: Jefferson County, Kentucky, Will microgravity conditions increase the rate of yeast fermentation in honey?
(A=0) Action: Activated; When Action Occurred on ISS: between 12:50-1:20 PM ET, 07/17/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 5:49 PM ET, 07/17/14
(U-2) Action: Deactivated; When Action Occurred on ISS: 11:17 AM ET, 10/19/14; Time NanoRacks Notified NCESSE: 12:40 PM ET, 10/19/14
October 25, 2014, 9:57 am ET: SpaceX-4 was released from station
October 25, 2014, 3:38 PM ET: Parachute-guided splashdown just west of Baja California
6. Return of Experiments to Student Teams
The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) is a program of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) in the U.S., and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education internationally. It is enabled through a strategic partnership with NanoRacks LLC, working with NASA under a Space Act Agreement as part of the utilization of the International Space Station as a National Laboratory. SSEP is the first pre-college STEM education program that is both a U.S. national initiative and implemented as an on-orbit commercial space venture.
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), and Subaru of America, Inc., are National Partners on the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program.