Prolonged exposure to microgravity can impair vision, posing a potential risk to astronauts on long-duration missions to the Moon or Mars. NASA's CIPHER study, a comprehensive effort composed of 14 integrated human research experiments, is focused on understanding and mitigating the physical and psychological challenges of deep space travel. One aspect of CIPHER centers on how brain and eye structures shift during long stays aboard the International Space Station.

On Monday, NASA Flight Engineer Anne McClain conducted vision assessments on fellow NASA astronaut Jonny Kim. The tests included retinal light response measurements using specialized eye drops and electrodes, followed by high-resolution imaging of Kim's retina, optic nerve, and cornea. The findings will help researchers develop better protective strategies for future deep-space crews.

McClain also collaborated with NASA Flight Engineer Nichole Ayers and JAXA Flight Engineer Takuya Onishi to inspect and service key components of U.S. spacesuits. McClain and Onishi checked the suit control panels that monitor system status during extravehicular activity. Onishi then teamed with Ayers to organize spacewalk tools in the Quest airlock, the main staging area for American spacewalks.

Meanwhile, Kim rehearsed procedures for monitoring the upcoming SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle as it approaches for docking. His review included various approach scenarios to ensure mission success when the spacecraft delivers fresh supplies and science payloads later this month.

With their mission nearing completion, NASA's Don Pettit, Roscosmos Commander Alexey Ovchinin, and Flight Engineer Ivan Vagner are preparing to leave the station. The trio is scheduled to depart aboard Soyuz MS-26 at 5:57 p.m. EDT on April 19, with a landing expected in Kazakhstan at 9:20 p.m. EDT (6:20 a.m. local time on May 20). In anticipation of their return, Ovchinin and Vagner evaluated lower body negative pressure suits, which are designed to ease the body's re-adaptation to Earth gravity. Pettit spent part of the day packing his gear and servicing scientific equipment.

Cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, newly arrived along with Kim, focused on cardiovascular adaptation research. Using sensors on their heads, fingers, and toes, the duo measured blood distribution in microgravity. Flight Engineer Kirill Peskov assisted Ovchinin and Vagner with their suit evaluations and later sanitized surfaces in the Nauka module.

Related Links
Expedition 72 at NASA
Space Medicine Technology and Systems