International Space Station crews spent Wednesday advancing countermeasures for space-related vision risks, preparing a SpaceX Dragon for an upcoming independent reboost demonstration, and running a full-crew emergency drill, according to a new NASA update.
Thigh-Cuff Countermeasure Targets Head and Eye Pressure
Microgravity drives bodily fluids toward the head, a factor linked to eye structure changes and vision issues in astronauts. Expedition 73 focused on a potential solution: a thigh-cuff countermeasure designed to reduce headward fluid shifts. JAXA flight engineer Kimiya Yui led testing with NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, combining cuff evaluations with leg scans using the station’s Ultrasound 2 device and cardiac monitoring via chest electrodes. Ground medical teams observed in real time to assess the device’s impact and refine protocols for longer-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.
Dragon Readies Trunk-Mounted Reboost Kit
NASA flight engineers Jonny Kim and Zena Cardman continued unpacking Dragon’s newly delivered research and life-support hardware. Dragon also arrived with an external reboost kit mounted in its trunk—a self-contained propellant system that will use two Draco engines to raise the station’s altitude. This demonstration, planned for September, is intended to validate an additional method for maintaining ISS orbit amid atmospheric drag. Prior to the firing, ground controllers used Canadarm2 to visually inspect the new propellant hardware, confirming configuration and clearances.
Emergency Readiness Across the Crew
All seven residents—four astronauts and three Roscosmos cosmonauts—conducted a station-wide emergency simulation. Using tablet-based procedures, the crew rehearsed responses to scenarios such as ammonia leaks, depressurization, and onboard fire. The drill emphasized coordinated communication and cross-partner operations with mission control centers.
Science, Systems, and Earth Observation
Beyond the primary tasks, the crew executed a range of systems checks and observations:
- Commander Sergey Ryzhikov tested electronics in the Zarya module, followed by a treadmill-based fitness evaluation in Zvezda.
- Flight engineer Alexey Zubritsky staged multispectral imaging from a station window to survey areas of western Africa.
- Flight engineer Oleg Platonov downloaded overnight imagery of Central Asia, performed life-support inspections, and sampled cabin air for trace contaminants including carbon dioxide and ammonia.
Why It Matters
Validating a practical, wearable countermeasure for headward fluid shifts could help mitigate vision risks associated with long-duration spaceflight. If Dragon’s reboost capability performs as expected, it would add flexibility to ISS altitude maintenance strategies by supplementing visiting vehicle reboosts, supporting operational resilience for the station’s remaining service life.
Key Takeaways
- Expedition 73 tested a leg-worn thigh cuff aimed at reducing intracranial pressure contributors in microgravity.
- SpaceX Dragon’s trunk-mounted reboost kit will attempt an independent station reboost using Draco engines in September, following a Canadarm2 inspection.
- The full crew practiced coordinated responses to major onboard emergencies, reinforcing station safety protocols.
For more details, see the official NASA blog update.
