NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 5 March 2005

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All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Saturday, first weekend rest day for the crew. Today Expedition 10 completes 143 days in space (141 aboard ISS), with 51 days to go.

Still on gradually normalizing sleep cycle, crew wakeup today was at 3:00am EST, now just two hours delayed from the usual time. Begin of sleep time tonight moved up two hours to 4:30pm. Tomorrow, sleep/wake cycle will return to its normal times.

CDR/SO Leroy Chiao and FE Salizhan Sharipov completed the regular weekly 3-hour task of thorough station cleaning, wearing protective garment. [“Uborka”, done every Saturday, includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, wet cleaning of the Service Module (SM) dining table and other surfaces with “Fungistat” disinfectant and cleaning fan screens to avoid temperature rises.]

Chiao collected the periodic reading of the cabin air’s current CO2 partial pressure in the SM and Lab, using the U.S. CDMK (carbon dioxide monitoring kit), for calldown (along with the battery status) for use in trending analyses.

Leroy also completed the regular weekly maintenance reboot on the operational PCS (portable computer system) laptops and the bi-monthly restart of the OCA comm router laptop.

For his “Saturday Science” program, the Science Officer today conducted another monthly photography session (#10) of the BCAT-3 (Binary Colloid Alloy Test 3) science investigation. Afterwards, the equipment was again dismantled. [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, comparing them with earth-based crystallization samples run in parallel.]

Leroy was also thanked by the DAFT (Dust and Aerosol Measurement Feasibility Test) team for his experiment session yesterday. [“It was splendid getting to watch!”]

Sharipov performed the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh environment control & life support system, including toilet facilities servicing.

At ~10:00am EST, Chiao and Sharipov engaged in their weekly planning conference (WPC) with the ground, discussing next week’s “Look-Ahead Plan” (prepared jointly by MCC-H and TsUP/Moscow timeline planners), via S-band/audio, reviewing upcoming activities and any concerns about future on-orbit events.

Working off the Russian discretionary task list, the FE completed the regular transfer of “Matryoshka” payload data from the BSPN payload server via the ISS Wiener laptop to a PCMCIA flash card for subsequent downlink on OCA comm, controlling the process with a program called ShellForKE on the Wiener. [Matryoshka automatically takes radiation measurements in the 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.]

As a second task-listed job, Salizhan conducted his fifth session with the biomedical MBI-9 “Pulse” experiment, preceded by setting up the equipment. [Execution of the medical cardiological assessment is controlled from the Russian payload laptop, using a set respiration rate (without forced or deep breaths) and synchronizing respiration with computer-commanded “inhale” commands. First, arterial blood pressure is measured with the “Tensoplus” sphygmomanometer, followed by the “Pulse” test to record the ECG (electrocardiogram) and a report to TsUP in the next comm pass.]

On Chiao’s “job jar” task list, the ground added three new assignments: setting up the new printer, delivered on 17P, in the SM, using a portable A31p laptop; preparing a newly delivered CD-ROM for the EXPRESS Rack 1 laptop (ELC1), and replacing the ELC1’s battery, both for installing new SNFM (Serial Network Flow Monitor) software. [The activities are related and are to be performed concurrently to avoid duplicating disassembly/reassembly steps.]

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 treadmill and one hour on VELO (today: Day 4 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 1:13pm EST, ISS attitude control was handed over to the Russian motion control system in the SM for the standard in-stack dynamic tests of the US-21 matching unit installed in Progress 17 yesterday (3/4) and its thrusters. [The test firings of Progress thruster manifolds 1 and 2 were to commence at ~1:41pm and run through ~3:18pm, comprising four firings (two per manifold) of 20 sec duration each, all timed for RGS (Russian ground site) passes. Control authority will be returned to U.S. CMGs (control moment gyros) at ~3:35pm to resume momentum management in XPOP. Progress thruster yaw and pitch control was incorporated into the SM’s propulsion control algorithm.]

The C&C MDM (Control & Command computer) reconfiguration is now complete, ready for the reconditioning of the P6 2B battery sets ahead. [New MDM configuration is: C&C1–Primary, C&C2–Backup, C&C3–Standby.]

An erroneous smoke alarm in the SM caused temporary confusion yesterday when other events, such as a tone silencing command and a brief LOS (loss of comm signal) interfered with crew/ground comm. The incident is being studied to prevent future recurrence.

Another new hardware component brought up by 17P is the replacement heat exchanger (HX) for the Joint Airlock’s SPCU (Service & Performance Checkout Unit), which transfers heat from the EMU/spacesuit water loops to the ITCS LTL (internal thermal control system low temperature loop). The R&R is scheduled after EVA-13 and to be spread over several days (3/10, 3/11, 3/14, 3/15, 3/16). [Ground testing has shown that the currently installed HX, single-brazed internally with a Nickel (BNi-3) process, could rupture due to BNi-3 corrosion in as early as four years after the Airlock’s launch in July 2001, possibly even earlier. A rupture would be a catastrophic hazard because it could lead to an over-pressurization of the EMU cooling loop, with coolant fluid entering the suit, when the SCU (service &cooling umbilical) is connected to an EMU (the ITCS lines are at ~85 psi while EMU lines are at ~25 psi max.). The new double-brazed HX launched on 17P will have a considerably longer on-orbit life.]

Weekly Science Update (Expedition Ten — 18th):

GASMAP: Nothing new.

Human Research Facility/Workstation (HRF WS): Continuing.

Advanced Ultrasound (ADUM): An ADUM Scan Z is on the crew schedule for next week.

Hand Posture Analyzer (HPA: Nothing new.

In-Space Soldering Investigation (ISSI): Operations are complete.

Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI): Nothing new.

Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS): SAMS remains in nominal operations. SAMS supported the Progress 17P docking with data and plots to Flight Control.

Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System (MAMS): MAMS remains in nominal operations. MAMS supported the Progress 17P docking with data and plots to Flight Control.

Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System (PCG-STES): PCG-STES is performing nominally.

Protein Crystal Growth Monitoring by Digital Holographic Microscope (PromISS): Nothing new.

Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions (InSPACE): Nothing new.

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3 (BCAT-3): Session 10 was conducted today as “Saturday Science” activity.

Renal Stone (RS): Nothing new.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SHERES): Nothing new.

Foot/Ground Reaction Forces during Space Flight (FOOT): Nothing new.

Materials ISS Experiment (MISSE): In progress. Deployed outside on the U.S. Airlock. Nominal and collecting data.

Cellular Biotechnology Support Systems-Fluid Dynamics Investigation (CBOSS-FDI): Nothing new.

Dust and Aerosol Measurement Feasibility Test (DAFT): The DAFT team sent up its thanks to Dr. Chiao for yesterday’s DAFT session and gathering data with the P-Trak and DustTrak. “Also, thanks for the video, it is great to see and a helpful data point.”

Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (BSTC): Nothing new.

Yeast Group Activation Packs (Yeast GAP): Nothing new.

Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM): Nothing new.

Earth Science Toward Exploration Research (ESTER): Nothing new.

Serial Network Flow Monitor (SNFM): Nothing new.

Fluid Merging Viscosity Measurement (FMVM): Looking forward to future operations with honey samples.

Space Experiment Module (SEM): Nothing new.

Viscous Liquid Foam–Bulk Metallic Glass (Foam): Nothing new.

Effects of Prolonged Space Flight on Human Skeletal Muscle (BIOPSY): Nothing new.

Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2): Planned.

Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA): Nothing new.

Miscible Fluids in Microgravity (MFMG): Nothing new.

Educational Payload Operations (EPO): Nothing new.

Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE): Nothing new.

Crew Earth Observations (CEO): Through 3/1 the ground has received a total of 11,615 of ISS/CEO images. Targets have been scarce due to the recent orbit tracks, but opportunities should be much improved in the coming weeks. The crew’s recent “nifty” image of the Amazon River revealed striking geomorphic change on one of the numerous islands there. The image is highlighted and discussed in this week’s Earth Observatory posting by NASA/GSFC (weblink see below).

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, no longer limited in the current LVLH attitude, were Patagonian Glaciers, S. America (weather was predicted to be clear over the southern tip of South America. This provided an opportunity to obtain regional-scale imagery of the southernmost ranges of the Andes. Looking to the left of track for panoramic views of the north-south trending mountains. Images of the entire range are useful for establishing regional context for higher-resolution imagery), and Internal Waves, New Zealand (this overpass took ISS over North and South Islands. Looking to the northeast of North Island for the sunglint point. Interesting wave patterns may have been visible along the northern coastline of North Island).

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:

• EVA-13 — 3/25 (Readiness Review @ JSC: 3/11);
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) launch — 4/15 with Expedition 11 (CDR Sergei Krikalev, FE/SO John Phillips) and VC7 cosmonaut Roberto Vittori;
• Soyuz TMA-5 (9S) undocking — 4/25 with Exp. 10 crew (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS) and VC7 cosmonaut Roberto Vittori;
• LF1 (STS-114) — NET 5/12;
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/10;
• ULF1.1 (STS-121) — NET 7/10;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24;
• Soyuz TMA-7 (11S) launch — 9/27.

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.