The Expedition 73 crew closed the week with parallel human research investigations and station upkeep as a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft executed a third orbital reboost this month. The activities advanced understanding of spaceflight effects on balance and orientation, explored DNA data storage as a compact information medium, and positioned the International Space Station for upcoming crew traffic.
Virtual reality tests probe space orientation
Two studies ran concurrently to examine how astronauts adapt to the lack of an up-and-down reference in microgravity. In Europe’s Columbus laboratory, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Jonny Kim used virtual reality hardware to stimulate the visual system while ground teams tracked eye movements and other responses for the CIPHER human research study. The work targets changes in the vestibular system as the brain relies more on visual cues and muscle memory to maintain balance and spatial orientation in weightlessness.
In the Russian Nauka module, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov conducted a complementary session with VR glasses and visual stimuli while physiological reactions were recorded. Results from both lines of research are expected to inform countermeasures for space motion sickness, improve crew training for longer missions, and aid readaptation to Earth gravity.
DNA as an information medium
Jonny Kim also sequenced DNA samples in the Harmony module for a biotechnology investigation evaluating DNA’s potential to store and encrypt digital data in orbit. Using DNA as a high-density storage medium could reduce the mass and volume of traditional hardware on long-duration missions. Cardman serviced scientific samples inside combustion research equipment in Japan’s Kibo laboratory.
Cargo operations and station maintenance
NASA’s Mike Fincke and JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui continued unloading science and supplies from the Cygnus XL cargo vehicle that arrived Sept. 18. Fincke earlier installed a CubeSat on the NanoRacks external platform for future deployment outside the station. Yui configured a pressure management device in Tranquility and downloaded air quality data gathered by monitors in the Destiny laboratory.
Station Commander Sergey Ryzhikov and Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritsky advanced a gastrointestinal study, performing abdominal ultrasounds to track digestion, metabolism, and nutrient delivery in microgravity. The pair then carried out life-support maintenance tasks across the Roscosmos segment.
Dragon reboost sets up traffic later this year
The Dragon reboost used the spacecraft’s Draco thrusters for about 15 minutes, raising the station’s orbit to optimize phasing for Soyuz crew swap operations later this year. Reboosts are routine adjustments that help manage atmospheric drag and align the ISS for visiting vehicle traffic.
- Dual VR studies assessed vestibular adaptation and spatial orientation in microgravity.
- DNA sequencing explored DNA-based data storage and encryption for space applications.
- Cygnus cargo unload continued, alongside CubeSat integration for external deployment.
- Gastrointestinal ultrasound research examined how digestion adjusts in orbit.
- Dragon performed its third station reboost this month to prepare for Soyuz operations.
For full mission details and ongoing updates, see NASA’s official recap: Crew Studies Space Orientation, DNA Data Storage as Dragon Reboosts Station.
