NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 15 June 2005

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

Before breakfast, FE/SO Phillips performed the 24-hr. data registration of the acoustic dosimeters (two body-worn and one static) deployed yesterday. Readings will again be taken tonight before sleep time, after which Leroy will deactivate and stow the dosimeters at ~ 3:00pm EDT.  [Before turning the dosimeters back on again, their batteries were changed out. The dosimeters were then statically deployed for approximately 12 hrs in specified locations.]

Later in the day, Phillips collected air samples at the centers of the Lab and the Service Module (SM) with the Dual Sorbent Tube (DST), instead of the old SSAS (Solid Sorbent Air Sampler), while Krikalev used the Russian AK-1M sampler in the SM & FGB for air sampling and for Freon, followed by a check for CO (carbon monoxide) in the SM with the IPD-CO Draeger tubes sampler. (Last time done: 5/17)  [Comparison of pre- and post-arrival samples can provide an understanding of gases brought on board by the visiting vehicles, such as the Progress 18 cargo ship on Saturday.] 

Sergei Krikalev worked in the SM to replace the condensate water processor s air/liquid condensate separator unit (BRPK) in the # 1 line with a new one, stowing the old unit for disposal.  [There are two redundant BRPK condensate separation lines in the Russian SRV-K condensate water processor, each BRPK with an expected service life of ~300 L. After the liquid condensate is removed from the air/liquid mixture, the condensate flows through the BKO purification column unit which removes harmful mineral and organic contaminants. Depending on its quality, it then goes either to a potable water container (KPV), or to a technical water container (KTV) for further use or regeneration. The separated air from the BRPK enters a liquid carryover indicator (IPZh) and is released into the cabin atmosphere.]

Later, the CDR performed a second major in-flight maintenance job in the SM: the successful change-out of one of the module s eight 800A batteries. A new accumulator, from FGB stowage, replaced the failed battery #6,- a 1.5-hr task. Its charge/discharge electronics (ZRU) was deactivated by TsUP/Moscow via command radio link (KRL) and later reactivated. The old battery was prepared for projected return on the Shuttle.

FE Phillips installed a loose bolt into a new IUA (interface umbilical assembly) from stowage and then taped three mounting bolts for EVA to prevent their inadvertent release.  [The EVA bolt was found free-floating in the dome on 6/1 during the crew s Z1 Vestibule stowage activities. Subsequent research showed that it had been inadvertently removed from the TUS IUA (trailing umbilical system IUA) of the Mobile Transporter (MT) on the S-Zero truss during Mission 8A assembly (EVA-2 on 4/13/02). The IUA will replace the old one during a future spacewalk.]

John also continued his search for the MPEV (Manual Pressure Equalization Valve) spare in the Node that he had been unable to locate on 6/10 (incorrectly reported here as found).  [This is in preparation for the planned PMA-3 (Pressurized Mating Adapter 3) ingress on 6/21, during which the MPEV will replace the PPRV (Positive Pressure Relief Valve) currently in place on PMA-3. The MPEV valve will provide simpler operations and allows for much faster PMA-3 depressurization.]

Sergei collected the monthly sensor readings of the Pille-MKS radiation dosimetry experiment, with its ten sensors placed at various locations in the Russian segment (port cabin window, starboard cabin window, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.). (Last time done: 5/13).

The CDR also spent time in the Node looking for a suitable electrical cable to connect the payload Laptop 3 (LT3) to a Russian power outlet (RBS 10/3) for the Plasma-ISS experiment. If not found, Sergei was to use another one of the same type.  [The Plasma-ISS experiment (see Status Report 6/10) is planned for late June and early August.]

The crew cleared the water wall on the Node s portside, relocating all items stowed there to temporary locations in the US Airlock and Lab. Timelined for three hours total, this task is broken in two parts, with Part 2 scheduled for 6/20.  [Clearing the port wall of the Node of all stowage is necessary to allow access to PMA-3 on 6/21.]

Krikalev completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s environment control & life support system (SOZh), including serving the toilet systems (ASU), while Phillips was tasked to prepare the regular IMS (Inventory Management System) delta file for automated export/import to the IMS databases.

At his discretion for today, Sergei had two tasks on his “time permitting” work list. The first was another session with the “Uragan” (hurricane) earth-imaging program, focusing the Nikon D1X No. 3 digital camera with 800-mm lens on targets called out on an uplinked list.  [Today’s targets included Moldavia, Crimea, and the Caucasus.]

As second “job jar” item, the CDR conducted the regular daily inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 experiment, including filling its water canister as required. Today, he also completed the regular periodic download of data & imagery collected of the experiment to the computer for subsequent downlink to the ground.  [Rasteniya researches growth and development of plants (currently horse radish) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-7 greenhouse. The regular maintenance of the experiment (each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) involves monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, topping off the water tank if ~20-25% of the total amount (4 liters) remain, and photo/video recording. By Thursdays, data from the Lada greenhouse control unit are recorded on floppy disk for weekly downlink via REGUL.]

The Science Officer prepared the Lab camcorder & video equipment to play back the second of two honey ops tapes from his recent (5/25) FMVM (Fluid Merging Viscosity Measurement) experiment for unattended downlink during Ku-band coverage.  [Yesterday s downlink of the first tape captured excellent video data for three of the D-1 honey coalescences that will provide a good data set for the D-1 honey liquid. Great job! ]

John worked on the RED (resistive exercise device), replacing its pulley cables (which is done after every 53,515 cycles). Afterwards, the FE performed the load calibration of the RED Flexpack canisters, which is required after cable replacements.  [The calibration of the Schwinn RED cans re-establishes the relationship of specific load settings with a specific number of pulls per setting, followed by recording of the load values measured with a calibration tool and steel handles from the on-orbit calibration kit.]

Both crewmembers worked out in their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the TVIS treadmill, RED resistive machine and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer.  [Sergei s daily protocol prescribes a strict four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill and one hour on VELO plus load trainer (today: Day 3 of a new set).]

Afterwards, the FE transferred the exercise data files to the MEC for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

Progress 17 Undocking: At ~2:25pm EDT, ISS attitude control was handed over to the Russian MCS (motion control system) in preparation for the undocking of Progress 17. The station will briefly go into free drift at 4:12pm, and 17P will separate physically from the SM aft dock at 4:16pm, moving away (behind ISS) with a spring force-imparted delta-V of 0.12 m/s, followed by a separation burn on 4:19pm (0.70 m/s). The three-minute deorbit maneuver will be performed just after local sunrise at 7:15pm (delta-V 84 m/s), carrying the Progress back toward the ISS and then below for atmospheric entry at ~7:51pm.  [Loads induced on the ISS structure by the undocking will be measured with the US SDMS (Structural Dynamic Measurement System on the S-Zero truss. PPLs (pre-positioned load) files for the automated procedure were uplinked this morning, to control data taking from at least two minutes before to three minutes after the undocking. Just after undocking, Sergei will perform photography from SM window 26 of the now-visible Progress docking assembly/interface to verify that no rubber seals are missing and to assess seal integrity.]

Progress 18 Launch: Last night at 10:00pm EDT (5:00am Moscow/DMT this morning), the transporter with the Soyuz-U launch vehicle and the Progress M-53 spacecraft left the Assembly and Testing Facility in Baikonur/Kazakhstan and arrived at Launch Pad 1 for the final pre-launch processing. The Soyuz-U/Progress M-53 system was erected on the launcher, and first launch day activities are underway (see picture at bottom). Launch is scheduled for tomorrow at 7:09pm EDT (5:09am on 6/17 at Baikonur).

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, in the current LVLH attitude no longer limited by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Nairobi, Kenya (this nadir pass provided a good opportunity for mapping of this urban center. Overlapping frames acquired along the orbit track [NW to SE] across the city center can be mosaiced and classified for land cover. Some scattered clouds may have been present), Mt. Kilimanjaro, Kenya (this nadir pass was an excellent opportunity to photograph the receding summit glaciers of Kilimanjaro. Some scattered clouds may have been present), Konza Prairie, Kansas (this LTER site [Long Term Environmental Research, see 5/14 Status report] monitors remnants of the grasslands that once covered the central USA. ISS passed over the NE corner of the LTER site; overlapping mapping frames along track will provide useful context for more detailed imagery), Internal waves, E & W Florida coasts (weather was predicted to be clear for internal wave photography. Looking to the left of track along the northern Florida Atlantic coastline for the sunglint point), Central-Arizona Phoenix (ISS passed over the NE corner of this desert LTER site, where investigation of human impacts on the desert environment is the major focus. Overlapping nadir frames along the orbit track provide useful context for more detailed imagery), and Jornada Basin, New Mexico (this nadir pass over the SW corner of this LTER site provided an opportunity for overlapping nadir mapping. This LTER site focuses on the study of desertification, and documentation of vegetation extent and change is important).

 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/

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.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 8:48am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 350.7 km
• Apogee height — 353.4 km
• Perigee height — 347.9 km
• Period — 91.55 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.000409
• Solar Beta Angle — 9.1 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.73
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 90
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 37542

Some Increment 11 Main Events (not final):

• Progress M-52 (17P) undock — 6/15 (4:13pm EDT);
• Progress M-52 (17P) atmospheric entry — 6/15 (7.51pm EDT);
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/16 (7:09pm EDT, Baikonur: 6/17, 5:09am)
• Progress M-53 (18P) dock — 6/18 (8:44pm EDT);
• PMA-3 depress — 6/22 (4:50am EDT);
• Reboost — 6/29 (4:21pm, delta-V 2.3 m/s);
• LF-1/STS-114 launch — NET 7/13 (18-day window opens);
• LF-1/STS-114 dock — NET 7/15 (adding 110,713 kg to ISS mass);
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) relocate (from DC-1 to FGB) — ~8/17;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24 (dock 8/26);
• ULF1.1/STS-121 launch — NET 9/9 (launch window opens);
• 12A/STS-115 launch — NET 2/16/06;
• 12A.1/STS-116 launch — NET 4/23/06;
• 13A/STS-117 launch — NET 7/13/06

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.