NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 22 February 2005

SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2005) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

Before breakfast and exercise, FE Salizhan Sharipov completed his sixth session with the periodic Russian MedOps test “Gematokrit” (MO-10), measuring red cell count of the blood. [The blood samples were drawn from a finger with a perforator lancet, then centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the M-1100 kit’s minicentrifuge, and its hematocrit value was read off the tubes with a magnifying glass. It is a well-known phenomenon of space flight that red blood cell count (normal range: 30-45%) tends to go down over time. After the exam, the data were saved in the IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer), and Sharipov stowed the equipment.]

Completing his current biomed assessment, the FE also undertook another MBI-1 “SPRUT-K” test, part of Russian medical research on the distribution and behavior of human body fluids in zero gravity. Supported by Russian laptop 3, the data were recorded on “Profilaktika” memory cards, along with this morning’s hematocrit data and the body mass values taken on 2/15. [Experiment requisites are the Sprut (“squid”) securing harness, skin electrodes (cuffs), and the payload computer for control and data storage. The Penguin suit or Braslet-M cuffs, if worn, have to be taken off first. Electrode measurements are recorded at complete rest and relaxed body position. Assistance from the CDR was not required.]

CDR/SO Dr. Chiao set up video and experiment hardware for the DAFT (Dust and Aerosol Measurement Feasibility Test) investigation, then initiated an air sampling run for measuring dust concentration in the cabin atmosphere in front of ER4 (EXPRESS rack 4). Afterwards he downloaded DAFT “P-Trak” and “DustTrack” data to the ER laptop and disassembled the hardware for stowage. [DAFT’s P-Trak and DustTrak are diagnostic devices assisting researchers in the development of SAME, the Smoke Aerosol Measurement Experiment. Its parent hardware has an opportunity to fly on ISS mission 13A.1 if the DAFT-1 and DAFT-2 tests are successful.]

Both crewmembers again spent several hours stowing disposable hardware and trash in Progress-351 (16P), docked at the Service Module (SM) aft port. Leroy dealt mostly with U.S. items, supported by a teleconference with the ground specialist to discuss the strategy for the activities. This morning, they reported about 85% accomplished and expected to be finished by tonight. [Of highest priority are the largest items, such as CTBs (crew transfer bags) and food containers. Both crewmembers are using the IMS (Inventory Management System) for tracking and detailed lists uplinked from MCC-H and TsUP for reference.]

After the disposal stowage ops, the FE prepared the regular IMS delta file for the daily automated export/import to the three IMS databases on the ground.

Using specific EDV-U urine containers, Sharipov transferred liquid waste from the SM holding tank and any already filled EDVs to the empty Rodnik water tanks in the Progress. [Each of the two spherical Rodnik tanks (BV1 & BV2) consists of a hard shell with a soft membrane (bladder) composed of elastic fluoroplastic. The bladder is used to expel water from the tank by compressed air pumped into the tank volume surrounding the membrane.]

Sharipov performed the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh environment control & life support system, which included today the regular weekly inspection of the air/liquid condensate separation and pumping unit (BRPK).

After its restoration with a wick cleaning on 2/17, the Russian air conditioner SKV-1 continues to work nominally. TsUP is working on a plan to limit its function in the future to intervals of less than one month. SKV-2 is also operable.

The crew performed their regular daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS, RED exerciser, CEVIS cycle and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer. [Salizhan’s daily protocol currently prescribes a four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the TVIS set on the treadmill and one hour on VELO (today: Day 1 of a new set).]

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.

At ~11:00am, the station was maneuvered from earth-fixed LVLH to sun-pointing XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) attitude. [During the maneuver, the flight control team videotaped the tip of the 2B (starboard) solar array wing to collect photogrammetric data for mitigation of a potential threat of having a loose shoulder bolt at a Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) housing (see also 2/21 Status report for details).]

Oxygen partial pressure (ppO2) in the cabin atmosphere is currently maintained (at ~163 mmHg/Torr) with refreshes from Progress O2 storage. After another repress today ~6 lbs of O2 remain in 16P. The next repress is scheduled for 2/24 (Thursday), with an additional opportunity on 2/25 to empty the Progress tank.

Over the weekend, all propellants from Progress refueling storage (120 kg) and section 1 of its KDU combined propulsion system (37 kg) were transferred to ISS/FGB tanks. Tonight, props remaining in KDU section 2 will also be pumped over, leaving only enough propellants in the cargo ship for undocking and reentry burns.

On 2/20, SM battery #5 failed and was replaced with a new 800A unit from spares. [The battery, which has operated past its service life (774 days, 15% past median), was transferred to Progress for disposal. Four more 800A spares are on board, for use in the FGB and SM.]

The reconditioning of U.S. battery set 4B3 was successfully completed on 2/20 (Sunday). The ISS is now back in nominal power configuration. The PPL (pre-positioned load) software files to control charging of the reconditioned battery will be uplinked tomorrow (2/23). This is the third of six battery sets that have been completed. The next will be SET 2B2, with planned start of the week-long reconditioning process on 3/9 (Wednesday), with no crew activity required. [Battery set 4B2 was completed in November 2004 and 4B1 in January this year.]

A new list of Saturday Science options for the Science Officer was uplinked for his selection later tonight. [The options for 2/26 are FMVM (Fluid Merging Viscosity Measurement) experiment ops, SAMS (Space Acceleration Measurement System) drawer screen cleaning, and MFMG (Miscible Fluids in Micro Gravity) thermal testing.]

Preparations are underway at MCC-Houston and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) for the important SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) ground control commissioning scheduled for 2/24 and 2/25. [Objective: to exercise the new ground control capability of the telemanipulator arm, enabled by the MSS 3.1 software uplinked last month, and demonstrate the ability of ground controllers to execute remotely unloaded free space maneuvers while managing all the communications and video constraints required for safe operation. On 2/24, the ground will maneuver the SSRMS to a position halfway toward the MBS PDGF 3 (Mobile Service System/Power & Data Grapple Fixture #3), commanding one joint at a time. On 2/25, the arm will be placed at the PDGF 3 pre-grapple position. For safety, Leroy Chiao will monitor all operations at the Lab RWS (Robotics Work Station), ready to safe the system via the DCP (Display & Control Panel) at any time.]

No CEO (crew earth observation) targets 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:

• Progress M-51 (16P) undocking & destructive reentry — 2/27/05
• (11:08am EST);
• Progress M-52 (17P) launch — 2/28/05 (2:09pm EST);
• Progress M-52 (17P) docking — 3/2 (3:15pm EST);
• EVA-13 — 3/25/05;
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) launch — 4/15/05 with Expedition 11 (CDR Sergei Krikalev, FE/SO John Phillips);
• Soyuz TMA-5 (9S) undock — 4/25/05 with Exp. 10 crew (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS);
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/10/05;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24/05;
• Soyuz TMA-7 (11S) launch — 9/27/05.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 11:48am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 358.4 km
• Apogee height — 361.5 km
• Perigee height — 355.3 km
• Period — 91.71 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.65 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0004595
• Solar Beta Angle — 9.6 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.70
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 142 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 35752

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.