NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 24 November 2004
SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2004) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.
The docked hot-fire test of the Soyuz 9S motion control system, involving all thrusters, took place this morning as scheduled (6:30am EST) without any deviation from plan. As shown by telemetry, U.S. MAMS/IWIS acceleration data, and evaluation of video, all Soyuz thrusters worked nominally, except #18. Thruster 18 (which behaved erratic on 10/16) failed to operate correctly as had been suspected, with root cause still not identifiable from available data. All we can conclude from the brief (1 sec.) hot-fire test is: (a) the appearance of DPO18’s plume was strikingly different, and (b) U.S. acceleration data showed combined loads from thrusters 17 & 18 to be markedly lower than from 27 & 28.
FE Sharipov performed the third and last part of the current MBI-8 Profilaktika (“countermeasures”) fitness assessment series, first with the usual blood tests (to determine lactate and creatine kinase levels in the blood with the AccuSport equipment), then by a physical exercise session on the TVIS treadmill, supported by tagup with a ground specialist. CDR/SO Chiao was available as CMO (crew medical officer) to assist as required. [The TVIS test is identical to the MO-3 test performed on the treadmill in idling (non-motorized) mode with free choice of speeds within certain specified ranges (idle/walk/slow run/moderate run/fast run/walk/recovery). In addition to the nominal test procedure, MBI-8/Part 3 calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer during the test, the blood lactate measurements, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels (using the Borg Perceived Exertion Scale, viz., 10 steps from very light over hard and very hard to maximum) during the test. At the end of the creatine kinase tests, the results were logged, copied from Cardiocassette-2000 recording to OCA for downlink, and reported to the ground via tagup. The activity was also photo-documented with the Nikon D1 digital camera.]
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Sharipov worked on the Russian SRV-K2M condensate water processor, removing the BKO multifiltration unit, which has reached its service life limit, and replacing it with a new unit. The old BKO was stowed for deorbiting in Progress 15P. [The BKO, which contains five purification columns to remove dissolved mineral and organic impurities from the condensate, has a service lifetime of at least 450 liters throughput. Downstream from it, the condensate water is treated in the BKV water conditioning unit with salts for taste and silver ions for preservation, before it flows to the KPV potable water container.]
Assisted by the CDR as needed, the FE then removed electronic equipment from the 15P cargo ship, in order to prepare it for the eventuality that it may have to be undocked by TsUP via remote control in the unlikely event of an aborted Soyuz redocking on Monday. [After Central Computer control was transferred from 15P thrusters to the Service Module (SM) yaw, pitch and roll thrusters, the Elektron, the US-21 matching unit and SKV-2 dehumidifier were deactivated, followed by disconnecting the cables of the BITS 2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system and turning off its VD-SU monitoring mode. The crew then unbolted and removed the Progress US-21 matching unit in its container box. BITS was later reactivated, as were Elektron and SKV-2. The US-21, with its associated commutator gear, provides the electronic interface between the SM and the Progress for SM computer control of the Progress thrusters. When a Progress is undocked and jettisoned, the valuable electronics are retained in storage, to be recycled on a future vehicle.]
As next step in preparing 15P for a possible unscheduled separation, the crew installed the SSVP docking mechanism in the hatchway between the 15P and the SM aft end. [The SSVP is the “classic” probe-and-cone type, consisting of an active docking assembly (ASA) with a probe (SSh), which fits into the cone (SK) on the passive docking assembly (PSA). The ASA is mounted on the Progress’ cargo module (GrO), while the PSA sits on the docking ports of the SM, FGB and DC-1.]
Finally, Sharipov and Chiao also dismantled and removed the Progress LKT local temperature sensor commutator (TA251M1B) of the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system and its TA765B ROM (read-only memory) unit, to be reinstalled after successful conclusion of the 9S relocation.
Chiao continued to support the EVA battery maintenance/reconditioning taking place in the Airlock. Leroy reinitiated the discharge process on the second PGT (pistol grip tool) battery (#1015) in the PGT itself, which took between 3-5 hours. Afterwards he stowed all three PGT batteries, with third battery still remaining to be discharged in the near future. Late in the day, Chiao will terminate the discharge of the EMU (2047, 2048) and REBA (1003, 1005) batteries in their BCs (battery chargers), controlled by a special automated DOS program on an SSC laptop (which will then be reconfigured for normal station use). [The need to restart the discharge on PGT battery #2 was due to an overtemperature indication on the PGT yesterday. The unit was allowed to cool, but resumption of the discharge was postponed to today because of crew sleep consideration. As a consequence, the activity on battery 3 had to be postponed for rescheduling.]
As Part 4 of the currently ongoing RS (Russian segment) wall panel inspection, first in the FGB, then in the SM, FE Sharipov today used the Nikon D1 electronic still camera to take flash photography of holes in specific interior panels of the crew cabin and ASU toilet stall, along with a ruler to allow later size and location estimation.
Continuing his efforts of equipment & stowage consolidation, CDR Chiao worked in the PMA-1 (pressurized mating adapter 1) between Node and FGB to audit any actual bags remaining in the module and trashing no-longer-needed items. [PMA-1 has a volume of 203 cubic feet, three times larger than Alan Shepard’s Mercury sardine can (60 cu.ft). And by the way: the entire habitable volume of ISS, from a pure volume standpoint, could currently contain 223 Alan Shepards.]
Leroy also attended to the daily routine maintenance of the SOZh environmental control & life support systems in the SM, including the weekly inspection of the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator apparatus, and later prepared the daily “delta” file for updating the IMS (inventory management system) databases.
Chiao completed his daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on RED (resistive exercise device) and TVIS, while this morning s TVIS exercise for the MBI-8/Part 3 protocol took care of Salizhan s daily workout.
Afterwards, Chiao performed the daily transfer of TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC (medical equipment computer).
The CDR set up the SM’s amateur radio equipment and at 1:15pm EST engaged in a ham radio exchange with students at the Westhampton Beach Elementary School, Westhampton Beach, New York USA. [Westhampton Beach Elementary School is a neighborhood school on the south shore of Long Island s scenic East End, attended by 430 children ranging from Kindergarten to fifth grade. The fifth grade students study astronomy as part of their science curriculum and are delighted to take part in the ARISS (Amateur Radio on International Space Station) program.]
Update on Soyuz 9S relocation: Plans for the relocation of 9S from DC1 to FGB on Monday morning (4:32am) remain unchanged, since there are no perceived impacts from today s test. TsUP/Moscow, with concurrence of the MMT (Mission Management Team) this morning (11/24), will conduct a brief (5 sec.) firing of thrusters 17 & 18 during the transposition flight at a distance of ~30m from the ISS. Afterwards, DPO17 and DPO18 will be deactivated, never to be used again. The redocking will be conducted with the proven DPOs 27 & 28. With DPO17, that leaves three braking thrusters available, of which any one could support the docking by itself. In preparation for the relocation, the crew will have a very short Sunday due to a 7.5-hr. shift of sleep cycle from 4:30pm EST to 9:00am, followed by wakeup at 5:45pm. After U.S. segment (USOS) hatch closing at ~7:15pm, Leroy and Salizhan will spent ~4.5 hrs preparing the RS for unmanned operation (e.g., shutting down systems that cannot be ground-controlled), then egress into the Soyuz at midnight, with DC1 hatch closing at ~12:15am (Monday morning) and undocking at 4:32am, DPO17/18 thruster test at ~4:54am and docking at the FGB nadir port at 5:00am, five minutes before local sunset. In case of an off-nominal situation with delayed docking, for any minor problems the crew could dock a little late, having covered docking in darkness in their training. For a major problem, it is expected that the Soyuz would coast in free flight for 24 hours rather than stationkeep for one orbit (90 minutes), which would use up significantly more Soyuz propellants than coming back next day. Since the crew s workday duration for this activity will approach 20 hrs, a Flight Rule B13-103) that limits maximum crew awake time to 18 hrs will have to be formally waived.
Moscow is evaluating the need for and timing of another reboost of the station. A decision will be made by the MMT next Friday, 11/26.
The MCA (major constituents analyzer) is back in operation after a period of higher-than-expected partial pressure readings (see 11/17 Status report). A troubleshooting plan was developed and implemented yesterday, which returned the unit apparently to nominal operations with valid readings.
Today’s CEO photo targets, no longer limited in the current LVLH attitude, were Delhi, India (this nadir pass provided an opportunity for mapping of the Delhi metropolitan area. High-resolution photography of the urban-rural fringe will be useful to track the spread of informal settlements and associated ecological change), and Sobat fans, SE Sudan (detailed mapping of the southern megafans was possible during this overpass. High-resolution photography of contorted drainages originating from the Ethiopian Highlands to the east is useful for identifying individual fan boundaries).
CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:
To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 10 crew visit:
- http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-9/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.
Expedition 10 Flight Crew Plans can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/
Previous NASA ISS On-orbit Status Reports can be found here. Previous NASA Space Station Status Reports can be found here. Previous NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Reports can be found here. A collection of all of these reports and other materials relating to Return to Flight for the Space Shuttle fleet can be found here.
Upcoming Key Events:
- Soyuz relocation DC1-FGB — 11/29 (4:32am);
- Progress 15P undocking & destructive reentry — 12/22;
- Progress 16P launch — 12/23;
- Progress 16B docking — 12/25 (GMT);
- EVA-12 — January 05 (1/27?).
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ISS Location NOW |
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:58am EST [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 357.4 km
- Apogee height — 360.4 km
- Perigee height — 354.4 km
- Period — 91.69 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0004459
- Solar Beta Angle — -22.2 deg (magnitude increasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.70
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 135 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 34349
ISS Altitude History
Apogee height — Mean Altitude — Perigee height
For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html. In addition, information on International Space Station sighting opportunities can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ on NASA’s Human Spaceflight website. The current location of the International Space Station can be found at http://science.nasa.gov/temp/StationLoc.html at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Additional satellite tracking resources can be found at http://www.spaceref.com/iss/tracking.html.
