iss crew members aboard the International Space Station spent Tuesday and Wednesday drilling robotics capture scenarios, running medical tests, and managing cargo and life-support maintenance, with Artemis II launch preparations continuing. The work unfolded on orbit as Expedition 74 balanced human research, microbiology sampling, and spacesuit tasks across multiple station modules. NASA also set expectations for an upcoming cargo mission, with Cygnus XL targeted to launch no earlier than Wednesday, April 8 at 8: 49 a. m. EDT.
Iss robotics training centers on simulated Cygnus XL capture
On Wednesday, NASA flight engineers Chris Williams and Jack Hathaway trained together in the cupola to practice capturing Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft using the Canadarm2 robotic arm. The pair first worked through the robotics workstation’s display and control panel, then moved into simulations designed to rehearse capture operations in a range of approach scenarios as Cygnus XL nears the orbital outpost.
NASA flight engineers Jessica Meir and Sophie Adenot of ESA (European Space Agency) also trained on Canadarm2 to refresh robotics skills. Mission rules require the crew to practice simulated spacecraft capture scenarios every 60 days to maintain familiarity with the robotics workstation.
Cygnus XL, once launched, is set to deliver advanced microgravity research gear intended to study quantum computing technology, test stem cell therapies, and promote astronaut health, among other objectives described by NASA.
Medical tests, microbiology sampling, and station maintenance fill the schedule
Across Tuesday’s timeline, medical tests and microbiology were at the top of the research schedule. Williams began by drawing a blood sample from Meir for processing in a centrifuge and preservation in a science freezer for later analysis. He later collected, processed, and stowed his urine samples for the CIPHER study, which measures and compares astronaut health before, during, and after a spaceflight.
On Wednesday, Williams again supported the human research workload by drawing a blood sample and taking a cognition test as part of the CIPHER suite of 14 human research investigations. Hathaway used a sound meter to record noise levels in living and working areas, work aimed at ensuring a safe, comfortable hearing environment. Later, Hathaway checked operation of the Exploration Potable Water Dispenser, a technology demonstration focused on advancing water sanitization methods, reducing microbial growth, and dispensing hot water into crew food and drink bags. Adenot also checked the operation of the Exploration Potable Water Dispenser during Tuesday’s activities.
In parallel, Roscosmos station commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Roscosmos flight engineer Sergei Mikaev collected microbe samples on Tuesday in the Nauka, Zvezda, and Zarya modules. NASA described the sampling as part of efforts to understand the station’s microbial environment and to learn how to protect crew health and space station hardware.
Medical monitoring extended to imaging: on Wednesday, Williams, Hathaway, Meir, and Adenot joined in the Columbus laboratory module for a short session of artery scans using the Ultrasound 3 device, with doctors on the ground monitoring scans in real time.
Cargo consolidation, spacesuit work, and Roscosmos segment operations
Routine station work continued alongside research. On Tuesday, Williams, Meir, and Hathaway reorganized cargo inside the Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module, clearing air vents for proper airflow, trashing obsolete hardware, inventorying items, and photographing problem areas for inspection. Adenot worked cargo consolidation in the Columbus laboratory module, then inspected and cleaned the Tranquility module’s ventilation system.
Spacesuit tasks also stayed active. On Tuesday, Hathaway and Meir filled a liquid cooling and ventilation garment with water, attached shoulder pads, and installed a spacesuit on a support stand inside the Quest airlock for future maintenance. On Wednesday, Adenot checked a spacesuit in the Quest airlock, replacing arm and leg components and testing the suit’s power cable connections.
On the Roscosmos side Wednesday, flight engineers Sergei Mikaev and Andrey Fedyaev continued unpacking cargo delivered by the Progress 94 resupply ship, which docked to the Poisk module on March 24, with NASA describing the delivery as nearly three tons. Mikaev also closed out an automated Earth photography session capturing imagery of mountains and volcanos across North America and Asia during the crew’s sleep shift. Fedyaev measured blood pressure for an ongoing cardiovascular study and also handled orbital plumbing duties Tuesday, checking water stowage tanks, inspecting hoses and connectors, and purging residual fluids and gases inside water recycling hardware to support safe operation.
Kud-Sverchkov gathered obsolete cargo for disposal and packed it into the Progress 93 cargo craft, which NASA said is due to depart later this month. He also documented the location of personal items and lab hardware and inspected video recording equipment throughout the station’s Roscosmos segment.
What’s next: launch windows, cargo arrivals, and continued health monitoring
NASA stated the seven-member Expedition 74 crew will be asleep when a launch window opens at 6: 24 p. m. EDT today for the Artemis II mission slated to launch. On orbit, preparations and training are also aligned with the next cargo flow: Cygnus XL remains targeted to launch no earlier than Wednesday, April 8 at 8: 49 a. m. EDT, bringing additional research capabilities that could shape the next stretch of science work aboard the iss.
