Station crew showcases AI Assistant and 12K ultra-high-resolution camera

Station crew showcases AI Assistant and 12K ultra-high-resolution camera
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 20, 2024

On Thursday, the Expedition 71 crew aboard the International Space Station demonstrated several advanced technologies, including an artificial intelligence assistant and a cutting-edge ultra-high-resolution camera. Along with these tech advancements, the crew conducted medical scans, prepped a spacecraft for departure, and worked on life support maintenance.

NASA Flight Engineers Mike Barratt and Jeanette Epps tested the free-flying CIMON AI assistant Thursday morning, monitoring its scientific capabilities while using voice prompts. "CIMON is being investigated for its potential to relieve a crew's workload providing more time for relaxation on long-term space missions."

In another technological demonstration, NASA Flight Engineers Tracy C. Dyson and Butch Wilmore set up the Sphere Camera-2 and filmed crew activities in the Tranquility module. "Footage is collected in 12K, or ultra-high resolution, that can provide highly detailed spacecraft inspection imagery or lunar and planetary surface imagery for analysis during missions."

Dyson, along with fellow astronauts Don Pettit and Suni Williams, also replaced air filters in the waste and hygiene compartment. Pettit later filmed commercial activities in the Kibo module for Japanese audiences, and with NASA Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick, performed ultrasound scans of veins in the neck, shoulders, and legs, guided by doctors from Earth.

Dominick spent part of his day preparing for the return of the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft, scheduled to bring him, Barratt, Epps, and cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin back to Earth in early October. Later, Dominick joined Wilmore and Williams for a conference with Mission Control in Houston, while Wilmore performed additional maintenance tasks, including fuel bottle exchanges and cargo organization.

Meanwhile, Grebenkin tested a Russian-designed lower body negative pressure suit, designed to help alleviate the effects of space-induced head and eye pressure. He was assisted by cosmonaut Ivan Vagner, who spent the rest of the day familiarizing himself with station systems and performing life support maintenance.

With her mission nearing its end, Dyson, along with Commander Oleg Kononenko and Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub, is preparing for a return to Earth on Sept. 23. Kononenko packed scientific equipment and cargo aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft, which the trio will use for their journey home. Chub began transitioning his responsibilities to fellow cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin.