NASA’s Expedition 74 crew wrapped up the week with cardiac and respiratory studies and conducting space exercise research to keep astronauts healthy off the Earth.
NASA Flight Engineers Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway partnered together in the Columbus laboratory module at the beginning of their shift on Friday and processed their blood samples for analysis. Afterward, Meir operated the Ultrasound 3 device and scanned the neck, shoulder, and leg veins of Hathaway. Doctors are monitoring the astronaut’s blood markers to protect blood flow and prevent space-caused blood clots to promote healthy crews and ensure mission success.
ESA (European Space Agency) Flight Engineer Sophie Adenot worked out on the advanced resistive exercise device, that mimics free weights on Earth, while four specialized cameras installed in the Tranquility module observed her musculoskeletal system in motion. Doctors are exploring the forces an astronaut’s muscles and bones experience when exercising in weightlessness to maintain fitness and health during a long-term spaceflight.
NASA Flight Engineer Chris Williams also joined Hathaway for an afternoon vein scan session once again using the new Ultrasound 3 device delivered on September aboard the Cygnus XL spacecraft.
Roscosmos Flight Engineer Andrey Fedyaev worked on a pair of human research experiments, the first one exploring how microgravity affects the respiratory system. He wore an acoustic sensor around his neck that recorded his rapid exhalation for the long-running Forced Expiration breathing study. Next, he wore electrodes on his chest and measured his blood pressure using arm, wrist, and thumb cuffs. Doctors will use the cardiac data to assess microgravity’s effect on blood flow regulation, clot prevention, and inflammation responses.
