NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 23 May 2005

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All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 5 for Increment 11.

After wakeup (2:00am EDT), station inspection and morning hygiene, CDR Sergei Krikalev and FE/SO John Phillips performed their third session of the periodic Russian biomedical assessment PZEh-MO-7 (Calf Volume Measurement). [Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference points, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures. No Body Mass Measurements (PZEh-MO-8) today — yet).]

The crew burned two SFOG (solid-fuel oxygen generator) “candles” today to keep ppO2 (oxygen partial pressure) within prescribed Flight Rule limits. ppO2 was increased by ~1.3 and ~1.5 mmHg, respectively. [Current ISS ppO2 is 147.5 mmHg (based on CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer – Combustion Products) measurements. Starting today, the crew will decompose two candles each day. Each LiClO4 (lithium perchlorate) cartridge produces 600 liters (1.74 lb) of oxygen by thermal decomposing, enough for one person per day. Total number burned to date: 4.]

More troubleshooting on the Elektron oxygen generator is planned for next Friday (5/27).

Sergei Krikalev started the periodic regeneration cycle on absorbent bed #1 of the Russian harmful impurities removal system (BMP). Later tonight, the bake-out to space will be terminated and the vent valve closed. [Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours; it is not being conducted during crew sleep. The BMP is currently still using the same vacuum vent valve for regeneration as the Elektron when working (for venting hydrogen).]

Based on an uplinked listing, FE Phillips cleared a number of constrained items as safe for use by removing their yellow tags, such as cables, a headset kit, the EKON high-resolution telescope, a Nikon camera, etc. [Yellow tags, more formally called “uncertified dual ops tags”, are used to identify items not certified for ISS Operations (certification and/or paperwork not complete prior to launch); items which have IP (International Partner) segment-specific certification (can be used in one IP segment but should not be used in anther IP segment); items that could pose a safety hazard; and items that are broken or expired. Blank yellow tags are flown so hardware can be tagged on-orbit as necessary.]

In the Service Module (SM), the CDR deactivated the IK0501 gas analyzer (GA) of the SOGS pressure control & atmospheric monitoring system and exchanged its BF carbon dioxide (CO2) filter assembly with a new unit from FGB stowage (replaced last: 4/12/05). GA was reactivated, the spent BF stowed for disposal and the IMS (inventory management system) updated. [IK0501 is an automated system for measuring CO2, O2, and H2O in the air as well as the flow rate of the gas being analyzed.]

Krikalev also continued the installation of new sound-reducing textile mufflers in the Russian segment (RS) air ventilation system, today around five fans (VPO5, VPO6, VOPO10, VPO11, VPO12) in the SM, fastening them down with Velcro straps. [One of the installations had to be reversed when the new insulation interfered with panel closing (#307). The muffler will be modified and reinstalled at a later date.]

John Phillips prepared and performed another proficiency training session on the ADUM (Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity) experiment, using the ADUM OPE (On-board Proficiency Enhancer) in preparation for the cardiac (Scan A) ultrasound scanning session scheduled for 5/26 (Thursday) for both crewmembers. [John used the ADUM OPE compact disk on the HRF PC/laptop, focusing on cardiac, thoracic & bone scanning, plus data acquisition (probe positioning) and principles of remote guidance, ultrasound, and anatomy, leaving the HRF PC connected to the rack after conclusion of the training run.]

Later, the Science Officer reviewed his upcoming session with the FMVM (Fluid Merging Viscosity Measurement) payload for familiarization. The experiment on the coalescence of honey drops, which also was discussed today in a tagup with ground specialists, will be conducted in the MWA CS (Maintenance Work Area Containment System) in the Lab, a portable workbench with a tabletop that measures 36 by 25 inches. [Understanding the viscosity of molten materials is important for everything from designing laboratory experiments to industrial production of materials. One way to determine viscosity is to measure how long it takes two spheres of liquid to merge into a single spherical drop: on contact a neck will from between the two drops, increasing in thickness until the two drops become one single sphere. On Earth, gravity distorts liquid spheres, and drops are too heavy to be supported by strings. Drop distortion should not occur in the ISS’s microgravity environment, and the drops can be held on strings. To verify this technique as an accurate viscosity measurement method, the FMVM experiment uses fluids with known viscosities: honey, corn syrup, glycerin and silicone oil. The crewmember releases two drops from a syringe onto strings and records digital images of the drops as they coalesce to form one drop. The initial diameters of the drops will be measured.]

Continuing the current round of monthly preventive maintenance on RS air ventilation systems, Sergei worked in the FGB/Zarya module, cleaning the mesh screens of its central ventilation fans (TsV1 & TsV2).

The FE conducted the delicate assignment of vacuum-cleaning the degraded video tape recorders 1 & 2 (VTR-1, -2) in the Lab. [Specialists believe that metal oxide dust is interfering with the VTRs’ drum heads and that vacuuming the housing before and after the regular head cleaning should help eliminate the persistent dust. Each VTR was then to be loaded with a fresh tape for subsequent ground checkout.]

Continuing the work on readying the space-to-space radio (MBRL) for the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) begun by Salizhan Sharipov, Sergei conducted a checkout of AFU (antenna feeder unit) circuit connections with a “Standing Wave Coefficient” (KSV) test using the FSH3 spectrum analyzer from the GTS (Global Timing System). [The first ATV, “Jules Verne”, is expected to arrive next year.]

The MBRL data from the FSH3 spectrum analyzer were then downloaded to the TP2 laptop, which contains special software (“FSH View”), and prepared (e.g., compressed with WinZip) for later downlink to the ground via OCA comm.

John set up a digital camera at the Lab window and took photographs of P6 solar array wing (SAW) 2B at orbital sunrise, for as long as lighting conditions were adequate. Pictures of SAW 4B will be taken tomorrow. [This photo survey is nominally performed every 6 months.]

The FE also did the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system including its ASU toilet system, plus today the weekly inspection of the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator apparatus, and later he prepared the regular IMS “delta” file for export/import to the IMS databases.

Both crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the TVIS treadmill (aerobic), RED resistive exerciser (anaerobic) and VELO ergometer cycle with bungee cord load trainer (combination aerobic/anaerobic). [As was the case for Salizhan Sharipov, Sergei’s daily protocol prescribes a four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill and one hour on VELO plus load trainer (today: Day 4 of a new set).]

Afterwards, John transferred the exercise data files to the MEC (medical equipment computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data of his workout on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium.

During a 5-min “window” at 7:20pm EDT tonight, researchers on the ground will once more conduct the European/Russian laser-beam experiment SPQR (Specular Point-like Quick Reference). Another test shot is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:23pm. [SPQR, installed at SM window #3 along with its Nikon D1X camera, tests a ground-based imaging system, using special optics and image processing, to determine the feasibility of detecting external damage to a spacecraft in orbit from the ground. It uses a pyramidal corner reflector (CCR, Cube Corner Reflector) at the SM window, to reflect a laser beam emitted by a ground station back to the ground. The crew was advised not to look out the portholes during the sessions, the times of which were uplinked, and there are no CEO targets scheduled during the brief sessions. The SPQR Hazard Report indicates that the laser power at the ISS remains well below the threshold for injury.]

Under ground commanding, the onboard VS (Vacuum System) monthly maintenance was successfully performed this morning. [During the activity, the VES (Vacuum Exhaust System) and VRS (Vacuum Resource System) vent valves were opened for one hour, and then subsequently closed per the plan.]

During this morning’s preparations for troubleshooting the US CDRA (carbon dioxide removal system), which experienced a failure on 4/21, the LA3 MDM computer unexpectedly failed to “Diagnostic”, probably caused by a just-uploaded unique PPL (Pre-Positioned Load) for generating a Diagnostic Buffer Collection List (DBCL). The LA-3 MDM, which controls the CDRA, MCA (Major Constituent Analyzer), TCCS (Trace Contaminant Control System), VS (Vacuum System), CHeCS Rack AAA (Avionics Air Assembly fan and its SD (smoke detector), was subsequently power-cycled, restoring the default DBCL and regaining MDM functionality. CDRA troubleshooting has been deferred. The MCA is being recovered right now. [The anomaly is currently under review, as is the fact that the warning tone annunciating the failed LA-3 MDM was not heard by the crew in the SM.]

TsUP/Moscow is planning to perform the first step of upgrading the SM computers with the new version 7.01 software starting tomorrow.

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 11 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-11/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 11 Flight Crew Plans can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:38am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 353.0 km
• Apogee height — 356.9 km
• Perigee height — 349.1 km
• Period — 91.60 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.65 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0005784
• Solar Beta Angle — -9.3 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 106 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 37178

Some Increment 11 Main Events (not final):

• Progress M-52 (17P) undock — 6/16;
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/17 (dock 6/19);
• Reboost — ~6/22 (delta-V 1.5 m/s);
• LF-1/STS-114 launch — NET 7/13 (window opens);
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) relocate (from DC-1 to FGB) — 8/16;
• Progress M-53 (18P) undock — 8/23;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24 (dock 8/26);
• ULF1.1/STS-121 launch — NET 9/9 (window opens);
• Soyuz TMA-7 (11S) launch — 9/27 (dock 9/29);
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) return — 10/7.

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.