Tuesday Tech & Fitness: Crew’s Busy Day with PC Upgrades and Exercise Research

Expedition 73 Crew Embarks on Health and Technology Research

The crew members of the Expedition 73 embarked on a myriad of tasks aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on a Tuesday. Their activities ranged from investigating the effects of exercise in space on the human body, conducting eye exams, upgrading computer networking equipment, to transferring emergency equipment into the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft. They also performed routine tasks like maintaining life support systems and unpacking the recently arrived Progress resupply ship.

The Role of Exercise in Space

With the lack of gravity in space leading to accelerated muscle and bone loss, astronauts are required to exercise for two hours each day while aboard the ISS. This daily exercise regimen is carefully monitored by researchers who use the data collected to design efficient workout plans for long duration space missions, ensuring the health of the crew members.

Zena Cardman and the CIPHER Research Studies

NASA Flight Engineer Zena Cardman contributed to the exercise portion of the CIPHER suite of human research studies. She used the advanced resistive exercise device and the station’s exercise cycle to provide valuable information about her heart health. To facilitate the study, she wore a sensor-packed Bio-Monitor headband and vest for a 48-hour health data collection session. This data will allow doctors to study how her cardiovascular health is adjusting to the microgravity environment, comparing it to data collected from other astronauts.

Eye Health in Space

NASA Flight Engineer Mike Fincke led an important eye exam session aboard the ISS, using specialized medical imaging equipment. Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) was the subject of the exam, with doctors on Earth monitoring the procedure in real time. These eye exams are crucial in studying how microgravity impacts the structure of the eye, including the lens, retina, and optic nerve. This data helps in understanding potential vision issues astronauts may experience during space missions and after their return to Earth.

Enhancing Data Transmission on the ISS

Kimiya Yui was also involved in the replacement of computer networking hardware within the Kibo laboratory module. The upgrades to the ethernet hub will enhance data transmission speeds and efficiency across the ISS.

Preparing for Emergencies in Space

Flight Engineers Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, along with NASA Flight Engineer Jonny Kim, configured the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for standard emergency procedures. This included outfitting the spacecraft with emergency documents, pressure indicators, and seat components, ensuring that the crew is prepared in the unlikely event of needing to evacuate the ISS.

To stay updated on the ISS’s activities, follow the space station blog, @space_station on X, or the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts. You can also stay in touch with the latest from NASA by subscribing here.