The International Space Station devoted its latest research cycle to human health and space-hardened electronics as Expedition 73 advanced studies on bone biology and radiation effects. In parallel, Northrop Grumman’s NG-23 Cygnus cargo mission is targeting a Sept. 15 liftoff on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying more than 10,000 pounds of experiments, hardware, and supplies for the orbiting laboratory.
Bone biology and crew health operations
NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Jonny Kim processed bone stem cell samples throughout the day inside the Kibo laboratory’s Life Science Glovebox, supporting research into microgravity-driven bone loss. The samples are being preserved in station freezers for return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle, enabling detailed analysis of cellular changes that inform countermeasures for long-duration missions and potential treatments for bone disease on Earth.
Cardman also completed an in-orbit ocular health assessment using standard medical imaging operated by Kim, with ground teams conducting real-time remote evaluation to track spaceflight-related changes to the eyes.
Technology demonstrations and cargo work
NASA Flight Engineer Mike Fincke continued unpacking Dragon-delivered hardware, including stowage components for an EXPRESS rack that supports multi-discipline microgravity investigations. He refreshed Canadarm2 proficiency in a simulation environment and processed biological samples for storage.
JAXA Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui assisted with cargo transfers, then deconfigured fiber manufacturing hardware in the Destiny laboratory’s Microgravity Science Glovebox. Yui began installing new payload equipment in an EXPRESS rack to study how space radiation impacts advanced transistor technology, data that underpin the design of more resilient electronics for deep-space missions and harsh terrestrial environments.
Roscosmos systems and radiation environment monitoring
Station Commander Sergey Ryzhikov inventoried components that support the Zvezda module’s treadmill. Alongside Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritsky, he tested communications systems aboard the Progress 91 cargo vehicle ahead of its upcoming departure. Zubritsky also replaced protective shielding on instruments that monitor the station’s internal and external neutron radiation environment. Flight Engineer Oleg Platonov documented ongoing radiation experiment operations and performed life-support maintenance inside the Nauka science module.
NG-23 Cygnus targets Sept. 15 launch on Falcon 9
NASA, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX are targeting a 5:49 p.m. EDT launch on Sept. 15 for the next commercial resupply mission. Key details:
- Launch vehicle: Falcon 9
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
- Spacecraft: Northrop Grumman Cygnus (NG-23)
- Planned cargo: >10,000 lb of science investigations, spacesuit hardware, crew provisions, and station equipment
- Destination: International Space Station, supporting Expedition 73 operations
The mission continues a cadence of commercial resupply flights that sustain ISS research throughput and critical systems while enabling rapid turnarounds of time-sensitive samples, including the current bone biology set returning on Dragon.
For additional mission context and today’s activity summary, see NASA’s update: ISS Runs Bone and Radiation Tech Studies as NG-23 Cygnus Targets Sept. 15 Launch on Falcon 9.
