Expedition 53

In March 2017, after agreements with RSA, NASA announced that Joseph Acaba will be assigned to Expedition 53 and 54 crews, which previously included only Mark Vande Hei and Alexander Misurkin. Shannon Walker trained as a backup for Acaba.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-upcoming-international-space-station-crew-assignments|title=NASA Announces Upcoming International Space Station Crew Assignments |date=March 28, 2017|publisher=NASA, press release 17-017}}

Soyuz MS-05 launched on July 28, 2017, transporting Randy Bresnik, Sergey Ryazansky and Paolo Nespoli, who would make up the Expedition 52/53 crew.{{cite web|title=New Crew Blasts Off to Station {{!}} Space Station|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/07/28/new-crew-blasts-off-to-station/|access-date=20 October 2017|website=blogs.nasa.gov|publisher=NASA}} MS-05 docked with the Rassvet module six hours later.{{cite web|title=New Crew Docks to Station {{!}} Space Station|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/07/28/new-crew-docks-to-station/|access-date=20 October 2017|website=blogs.nasa.gov|publisher=NASA}}

Soyuz MS-06 launched on September 13, transporting Alexander Misurkin, Mark T. Vande Hei and Joe Acaba.{{cite web|title=Crew Makes It To Space, Next Stop Station {{!}} Space Station|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/09/12/crew-makes-it-to-space-next-stop-station/|website=blogs.nasa.gov|publisher=NASA|access-date=20 October 2017}} MS-06 docked with the (Poisk (MRM-2) module six hours later.

On September 17, the SpaceX CRS-12 Dragon cargo spacecraft was released by Bresnick and Nespoli using the Canadarm2, clearing the Harmony module's docking port.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=17 September 2017|title=Dragon Released Carrying Science and Gear Back to Earth|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/09/17/dragon-released-carrying-science-and-gear-back-to-earth/}} It touched down in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Long Beach, California.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=17 September 2017|title=Dragon Splashes Down in Pacific With NASA Science Experiments|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/09/17/dragon-splashes-down-in-pacific-with-nasa-science-experiments/}} It landed with the Lung Tissue Experiment, which grew lung tissue using stem cells in microgravity,{{Cite web|last=Nichols|first=Joan|title=The Effect of Microgravity on Stem Cell Mediated Recellularization|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7536|website=nasa.gov}} the CASIS PCG7 study, which grew larger versions of the protein LRRK2 to help study Parkinson's disease,{{Cite web|last=Baptista|first=Marco|title=Crystallization of LRRK2 Under Microgravity Conditions|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=2029|website=nasa.gov}} and mice from the Rodent Research-9 study, that looked at cartilage loss in hip and knee joints.{{Cite web|last=Tavares|first=Frank|date=14 August 2017|title=Rodents Help NASA Take the Next Step to Mars|url=https://www.nasa.gov/ames/feature/rodents-help-nasa-take-the-next-step-to-mars|website=nasa.gov}}

Nespli and Ryazanskiy were the subjects of a bone marrow experiment{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=18 September 2017|title=Three Spacewalks Scheduled, Crew Researches Life Science|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/09/18/three-spacewalks-scheduled-crew-researches-life-science/}} that looked at the negative effects of microgravity on bone marrow and blood cells produced in bone marrow.{{Cite web|last=Trudel|first=Guy|title=The MARROW study (Bone Marrow Adipose Reaction: Red Or White?)|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1673|website=nasa.gov}} Bresnik was the subject of a study on physiological changes due to microgravity, he is one of 33 astronauts that had signed on to participate in NASA's Biological Specimen Repository.{{Cite web|last=McMonigal|first=Kathleen|title=National Aeronautics and Space Administration Biological Specimen Repository|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=954|website=nasa.gov}} Vande Hei worked on a camera for the Meteor experiment,{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=19 September 2017|title=Astronomy Gear Work and Muscle Scans on Tuesday's Schedule|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/09/19/astronomy-gear-work-and-muscle-scans-on-tuesdays-schedule/}} which took high-resolution video and images of the Earth's atmosphere for space-based observations of meteor chemical composition.{{Cite web|last=Fortenberry|first=Michael|title=Meteor Composition Determination|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1174|website=nasa.gov}} Acaba installed a Fast Neutron Spectrometer that had a better suited technique for measurements in mixed radiation fields.{{Cite web|last=Christl|first=Mark|title=Fast Neutron Spectrometer|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1841|website=nasa.gov}} Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Bresnik took measurements of themselves for Sarcolab-3, to investigate the deterioration of the calf muscle where it joins the Achilles tendon.{{Cite web|last=Cerretelli|first=P.|title=Myotendinous and Neuromuscular Adaptation to Long-term Spaceflight|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=725|website=nasa.gov}} Bresnik and Nespoli also tested out a Miniature Exercise Device-2 (MED-2){{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=25 September 2017|title=Astronauts Research Adapting to Space and Plan for Spacewalks|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/09/25/astronauts-research-adapting-to-space-and-plan-for-spacewalks/}} that used small robotic actuators to provide motion and resistance for crew workouts in a smaller package than previous exercise devices.{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Cherice|title=Miniature Exercise Device|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=841|website=nasa.gov}} Acaba setup hardware for the Veggie-3 experiment{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=26 September 2017|title=Station Readied for Crops, Crew Runs Biomedical Studies|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/09/26/station-readied-for-crops-crew-runs-biomedical-studies/}} that grew Extra Dwarf Pak Choi, Amara Mustard and Red Romaine Lettuce to set the ground work to feed future long-duration missions to space.{{Cite web|last=Massa|first=Gioia|title=Veg-03 I/J/K/L|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1159|website=nasa.gov}} Ryazanskiy and Acaba installed radiation sensors on the U.S. portion of ISS{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=27 September 2017|title=Crew Looks for Neutron Radiation While Prepping for Spacewalks|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/09/27/crew-looks-for-neutron-radiation-while-prepping-for-spacewalks/}} to characterize the radiation environment aboard the station.{{Cite web|last=Tomi|first=Leena Maija|title=Radi-N2 Neutron Field Study|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=874|website=nasa.gov}}

On October 5, Bresnik and Vande Hei completed a 6 hour and 55 minute spacewalk. They replaced of the two Latching End Effectors (LEE) on Canadarm2. They also were able to get ahead by removing insulation from a DC switching unit and preparing a flex hose rotary couple. This was Vande Hei's first spacewalk and Bresnik's third of their careers.

For their second spacewalk in less than a week, Bresnik and Vande Hei completed a 6 hour and 26 minute spacewalk on October 10.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=10 October 2017|title=Astronauts Back Inside Station After Second Spacewalk|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/10/10/astronauts-back-inside-station-after-second-spacewalk/}} They lubricated the LEE they installed on October 5, replaced a faulty camera system, replaced a smudged lens cover and removed two handrails outside the Tranquility module. This would be Vande Hei's second space walk and final one of this mission.

After a scrubbed launch attempt on October 12,{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=12 October 2017|title=Launch of Russian Cargo Mission Scrubbed|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/10/12/launch-of-russian-cargo-mission-scrubbed/}} the Progress MS-07 resupply ship launched from Baiknour Cosmodrome on October 14{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=14 October 2017|title=Cargo Mission Launches Carrying Food, Fuel and Supplies to Station|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/10/14/cargo-mission-launches-carrying-food-fuel-and-supplies-to-station/}} and docked with the station on October 16 about 252 miles over eastern China.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=16 October 2017|title=Russian Spacecraft Delivers Station Supplies|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/10/16/russian-spacecraft-delivers-station-supplies/}} The Progress had three tons of food, fuel and supplies for the station.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=11 October 2017|title=Spacewalk Review Ahead of Thursday's Cargo Delivery|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/10/11/spacewalk-review-ahead-of-thursdays-cargo-delivery/}}

File:2017.10.20 EVA.jpg

On October 20, Bresnik and Acaba exited the station for their 3rd spacewalk of the mission.{{Cite news|last=Whiting|first=Melanie|date=20 October 2017|title=Expedition 53 Spacewalk Successfully Comes to an End|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/10/20/expedition-53-spacewalk-successfully-comes-to-an-end/}} They installed a new camera system on the end of Canadarm2's LEE, an HD camera on the starboard truss of the ISS and replaced a fuse on the Dextre robotic arm. Bresnik also installed a new radiator grapple bar, prepped one of two spare pumps and started work on the second. This was Bresnik's 5th career spacewalk, bringing his total EVA hours to 32, and Acaba's third spacewalk, bringing his total hours to 19.

In addition to their duties as researchers and maintenance technicians, astronauts Vande Hei and Acaba shared their science and technology studies with students from Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland, Ohio.{{Cite news|last=Williams|first=Catherine|date=1 November 2017|title=Station Crew Continues Prep for Eighth Orbital ATK Launch|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/01/station-crew-continues-prep-for-eighth-orbital-atk-launch/}} The crew also documented life aboard the station for the CSA's study called "At Home in Space", testing a hypothesis that despite their different backgrounds, due to the isolation and confined environment of the ISS, astronauts share a common space culture.{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Phyllis|title=Culture, Values, and Environmental Adaptation in Space|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1727|website=nasa.gov}} Vande Hei also setup gear to analyze the air in the space station for dust{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=8 November 2017|title=Cygnus Training, Respiratory Health and Performance Studies Today|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/08/cygnus-training-respiratory-health-and-performance-studies-today/}} to highlight any health impacts and maintain crewmember well being.{{Cite web|last=Karlsson|first=Lars|title=AIRWAY MONITORING|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1067|website=nasa.gov}} Nespli participated in a Fine Motor Skills study and how those motor skills are affected by a microgravity environment.{{Cite web|last=Holden|first=Kritina|title=Effects of Long-Duration Microgravity on Fine Motor Skills: 1 year ISS Investigation|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=1545|website=nasa.gov}} To monitor microgravity vision impairment,{{Cite web|last=Otto|first=Christian|title=Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=197|website=nasa.gov}} Misurkin, Ryazanskiy, Nespoli and Vande Hei examined each other's eyes.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=21 November 2017|title=BEAM Work and Vision Checks for Crew Today|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/21/beam-work-and-vision-checks-for-crew-today/}}

After a scrubbed launch attempt on November 11,{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=11 November 2017|title=Cygnus Launch Scrubbed and Rescheduled for Sunday|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/11/cygnus-launch-scrubbed-and-rescheduled-for-sunday/}} the Cygnus resupply ship, named after Gene Cernan, launched atop an Orbital ATK Antares rocket on November 12{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=12 November 2017|title=Lift Off of the Antares Rocket with Cygnus|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/12/lift-off-of-the-antares-rocket-with-cygnus/}} from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=9 November 2017|title=Crew Tests New Workouts and Lights as Rocket Preps for Launch|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/09/crew-tests-new-workouts-and-lights-as-rocket-preps-for-launch/}} The spacecraft docked with the ISS on November 14 with 7,400 pounds of research and supplies.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=14 November 2017|title=Cygnus Installed on Station With New Science Experiments|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/14/cygnus-installed-on-station-with-new-science-experiments/}} The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (or BEAM) was outfitted in late November for future stowage operations by removing excess gear including inflations tanks and sensors.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=20 November 2017|title=BEAM Prepped for Cargo, CubeSats Deployed and Leg Muscles Scanned|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/20/beam-prepped-for-cargo-cubesats-deployed-and-leg-muscles-scanned/}} The old gear from BEAM and trash was placed into the Cygnus resupply ship for disposal. The spacecraft was detached from the station on December 5 by Vande Hei, Acaba and ground controllers.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=6 December 2017|title=Astronauts Command Robotic Arm to Release Cygnus Cargo Craft|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/12/06/astronauts-command-robotic-arm-to-release-cygnus-cargo-craft/}}

File:2017.12.12 Exp. 52-53 in Soyuz MS-05.jpg

On December 13, with an official change of command ceremony, Expedition 53 Commander Randy Bresnik handed the station over to Expedition 54 Commander Alexander Misurkin.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=13 December 2017|title=Crew Set to Say Goodbye and Close Soyuz Spacecraft Hatch|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/12/13/crew-set-to-say-goodbye-and-close-soyuz-spacecraft-hatch/}} They undocked from the station on December 14, ending Expedition 53 and starting Expedition 54.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=14 December 2017|title=Expedition 53 Leaves Station, Begins Ride Home|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/12/14/expedition-53-leaves-station-begins-ride-home/}} They touched down later that day southeast of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan.{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Mark|date=14 December 2017|title=Touchdown! Veteran Space Travelers Back on Earth|work=blogs.nasa.gov|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/12/14/touchdown-veteran-space-travelers-back-on-earth/}} At the end of the mission, Bresnik had logged 150 days in space over two missions, Ryazanskiy had 306 days over two missions and Nespoli logged 313 days over three missions.

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Resupply missions that visited the International Space Station during Expedition 53:

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{{Portal |Spaceflight}}

{{commons category|ISS Expedition 53}}

{{ISS expeditions}}

Category:Expeditions to the International Space Station

Category:2017 in spaceflight