NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 10 January 2005

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. Underway: Week 12 of Increment 10.

Early in the morning before everything else, CDR/SO Leroy Chiao deployed two acoustic dosimeters, one on each crewmember, for being worn for 24 hours (with a microphone on the shirt collar). A third dosimeter was deployed in the Lab for a 24-hr. static data take (last time done: 11/2). [Tonight, after about 15 hours of measurements, dosimeter data will be recorded and the hardware power-cycled, for another data take tomorrow morning after 8.5-hr. sleep. At that point, the crew will deploy the dosimeters statically in the station for the duration of the day, record measurements tomorrow night and stow the instruments. Acoustic data must be taken twice per Increment, each time for the duration of the 16-hour crew workday.]

FE Salizhan Sharipov installed new software on the Russian “Wiener” laptop from a CD-ROM delivered on Progress 16. The software prepares the computer with an application for the upcoming Russian “Rockviss” experiment and also upgrades the resident program for the “Matryoshka” payload. [Matryoshka automatically takes measurements in the Service Module (SM) and DC-1 docking compartment for studies of on-orbit radiation and long-term dose accumulation, using six SPD dosimeters deployed throughout the Russian segment as well as in a spherical body-simulating Matryoshka-R phantom and a human torso model outside on the SM hull, mounted there during EVA-9 on 2/27/04. Note: Matryoshka is the name for the traditional Russian set of nestling dolls.]

Still working with the Wiener laptop, Sharipov later replaced the network connection file on the RS (Russian segment) SmartSwitch/Ethernet (BRI) to the OpsLAN (operations local area network) with a new file from the freshly installed Wiener load. The work was supported by tagup with ground specialists.

In more software upgrading, Salizhan first configured the Russian Laptop 2 (TP2) for upgrading the firmware of two time synchronization units (BSV-M1 & BSV-M2) on their PPS system power panels. After consulting with the ground, he prepared for the first upgrade, then completed the firmware step-up for BSV-M1.

Meanwhile, Leroy Chiao configured the SSC laptop in the U.S. Airlock for another session of EMU battery maintenance. Leroy then initiated the auto charge/discharge cycle on two EMU batteries (#2047 & #2048), using the “Analyze” function on the BCMs (Battery Charger Modules)

The Science Officer conducted another one-a-month photography session (Session 8) of BCAT-3 (Binary Colloid Alloy Test 3) science investigation. Afterwards, the equipment was dismantled again. [After setting up the SGSM (slow growth sample module) in the Lab MWA (Maintenance Work Area) at EXPRESS Rack 5 (ER5), Chiao photographed Group B samples (4, 5) and Group C (8, 9, and 10). The ground will review the images, then provide feedback to the SO.]

The FE worked on the Stage 1 installation of new cables for the SUBA (onboard equipment control system) for improved automation of the system, which he had laid out on 12/9/04. [The SUBA controls, monitors, and diagnoses SM systems status. It operates using sensor output signals and command radio link SM functional outputs, onboard computer system (BVS) units, SM control panels, and system relay outputs. Its software resides in the SM central computer (TsVM) and terminal computer (TVM).]

Using Ku-band assets, Leroy downlinked the video footage taken of the recent transfer of potable water from Progress 16 to the SM Rodnik tanks BV1 & BV2.

CDR Chiao cleaned the filter of the autonomous PCG-STES010 (Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System) payload in the Lab. [For the PCG-STES, today is the 775th day of continuous powered operation onboard the ISS, which is unprecedented for this experiment hardware. Its previous run time onboard Mir did not exceed 200 days. Nominally, PCG-STES010 powered operations are expected to continue while plans are finalized for its return on STS-114 next year.]

Both crewmembers in turn completed another mandatory 30-min. CBT drill (computer-based training with video & audio) to refresh their Crew Medical Officer (CMO) proficiency. [Objective of today’s exercise, scheduled regularly once a month, was to re-familiarize the crew with skills and techniques required in procedures related to eye treatment, medication administration, and fractures. This included foreign body removal, eyewash procedures, eye treatment with proparacaine ophthalmic solution (for anesthetization), use of the ophthalmoscope to look for corneal abrasion, medication administration both intramuscularly and subcutaneously, handling of fractures and dislocations, etc.]

Chiao transferred new IMAK (ISS medical accessory kit) contents of extra medications delivered on Progress 16 to the U.S. medical kits, i.e., the AMP (ambulatory medical pack) and the ALSP (advanced life support pack).

The CDR also prepared the daily IMS inventory “delta” file for automated updating of the IMS (inventory management system) databases and then conducted the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh life support system (with ASU toilet facility replacements).

The crew performed their daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, RED exerciser and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer. Salizhan’s daily protocol currently prescribes a 1.5-hr structured set on the TVIS (today: Day 4 of a new set) and one hour on VELO.

Leroy then transferred the daily TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC (medical equipment computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium.

Chiao also performed the regular weekly TVIS maintenance. [Weekly maintenance generally checks the condition of the SPDs (subject positioning devices) and records time & date. Monthly inspection checks the Russian tie-down harnesses currently in use for any damage.]

Update on Elektron: On 1/8 (Saturday) the crew added more KOH electrolyte to the BZh liquid unit, and it is now fully functional. The crew tested it in all modes, no cavitation was noted, and it ran stably. On 1/9, the Vozdukh CO2 scrubber was powered off to conserve power in the RS for Elektron use. Due to Vozdukh being off, the U.S. CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) was also powered on on 1/7. With Elektron returning to nominal status on 1/8, the crew returned the vehicle to nominal configuration on 1/9, with Vozdukh on and CDRA off. While it was on, CDRA ran nominally with both beds operating.

Update on P6 truss 4B1 Battery Reconditioning: The second (and last) discharge cycle completed nominally this afternoon. A final charge cycle was then started this afternoon, to be completed early tomorrow morning. The PPL (Pre-Positioned Load) files to control charging of the reconditioned battery will be developed tomorrow, with uplink on 1/14. The battery reconditioning exercise enhances battery performance by increasing capacity and also extends battery life.

No CEO targets for today.

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:

• http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
• http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov
• http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography/

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:

• http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 10 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-10/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:

• ISS reboost (delta-V: 4 m/s) — 1/15/05;
• EVA-12 — 1/26/05 (Eastern)
• Progress 16P undocking & destructive reentry — 2/27/05;
• Progress 17P launch — 2/28/05.
• EVA-13 — 3/25/05;
• Soyuz 10 S launch — 4/15/05;
• Soyuz 9S undock — 4/25/05 (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS).

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.