NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 6 October 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.   Day 4 of joint Exp.11/Exp.12 operations.  Week 24 of Increment 11.  Day 175 days in space (173 aboard ISS) for Expedition 11, with 4 days to go.  Also: Day 2512 since first ISS launch (FGB/Zarya), and 1800 days of permanent crew occupancy aboard ISS.

After wake-up at a shifted 3:30am EDT, both crews again worked a busy schedule of ISS11-to-ISS12 handovers, which proceeded briskly as planned.   [Most scheduled activities were done jointly to serve as handover demos for the “new” crewmembers (“functional” as opposed to “dedicated” handovers).]

CDR Krikalev started the day by using the ART (automatic temperature recorder) to check temperature on the BIO-12 “Regeneration” experiment, begun 10/3, which studies how zero gravity impacts structural and functional recovery of damaged organs and tissues in Planaria (water flatworms).

SFP (Spaceflight Participant) Gregory Olsen continued his VC-9 program work schedule, first completing his second sampling session of the ESA-sponsored experiment SAM (Sample).   [SAM evaluates microbial species which might benefit from growth conditions within ISS life support systems, and investigates into the mechanism of microbial adaptation (mutation) to microgravity.]

Olsen also filled out the daily log/questionnaires for his experiments MOP (Motion Perception/Vestibular Adaptation to Gravity Changes), and LBP (MYSCUL, low back pain muscle investigation).  The data from his VC-9 experiments were again transferred from FlashCard memory to the RSE1 laptop.

In a special demo/commercial called SCN (Space Cup Noodles) for Japanese industry, the “taxi” visitor heated two packs of noodles in the water heater, then ate the ball-shaped noodles before the backdrop of the Service Module (SM) starboard crew cabin window.  The carefully scripted scenes were filmed by CDR Krikalev with the Japanese Sony HVR-Z1J high-definition camcorder, after a rehearsal of the script.

In the DC-1 docking compartment, Krikalev and FE-12 Tokarev conducted a new VC-9 experiment called NOA (Nitric Oxide Analyzer).   [Purpose of the ESA payload, consisting of the “Platon” analyzer and its power supply, is to monitor expired nitric oxide (NO) to detect signs of airway inflammation and indications of venous gas emboli (bubbles) that may be caused by inhalation of pollutants on the ISS and increased risk of decompression sickness.  The experiment sessions will be conducted once a week, with two NO measurements in the exhaled air taken in each session through a bacterial filter.  Today’s first measurement ops were recorded in the Platon log and photographed by Sergei with the Nikon D1X camera with flash.]

CDR Krikalev unstowed the Matryoshka-R “Phantom” hardware and disassembled it for transfer to Soyuz TMA-6 and return to Earth.  The activity was recorded with the Nikon D1X.   [Sergei had dismantled and stowed the gear on 9/14.  Before that, the payload had automatically taken 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 (RS) 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 and returned on EVA-14.]

John Phillips and Billy McArthur worked on the HRF-2 (Human Research Facility 2) in the Lab, activating the rack and configuring its GDS (gas delivery system) from its launch configuration to its deployed operational configuration.

John and Bill also spent two hours doing the periodic thorough inspection of the ELPS (emergency lighting power sources) in the U.S. segment.  [There are three ELPS units in the Node, two in the Lab, and one ELPS in the Airlock.]

Sergei and Valery conducted the periodic (currently daily) checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various Russian segment (RS) hatchways, including the SM-to-Soyuz tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node passageway.   [This checkup is especially important when the ventilation/circulation system has to cope with a large crew on board.]

The two Cosmonauts also collected the weekly air data with the new GANK-4M (Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer) system of the SM pressure control & atmospheric monitoring system (SOGS).

Assisted by Krikalev, SFP Olsen again had an hour reserved to shoot agreed-upon photo documentation and video footage of ISS onboard crew activities.

For the standard documentation at Increment start, CDR-12 McArthur performed POSSUM (Payload On-orbit Still Shots for Utilization and Maintenance) digital photography of the lower portion of EXPRESS Rack 4 (ER4) in the Lab.   [POSSUM is a regular payload photo activity that obtains electronic still shots of any subrack and locker payload that is moved or reconfigured.]

At ~11:07am EDT, the SFP used the Sputnik-SM Kenwood D700 amateur radio station in the SM to conduct a 10-min. ham radio session with students at Ft. Hamilton High School in Brooklyn, NY, a Greg Olsen school contact, using a ground station in Australia as Telebridge.   [Fort Hamilton HS is a large urban public school of 5000 students in a suburban setting of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, reflecting the ethnic diversity of New York City.  It has strong academic programs geared towards college preparation, with advanced placement and honors classes in all disciplines.]

At ~6:00am, the crew conducted a live TV conference with the Russian Federation Prime Minister, Mikhail Efimovich Fradkov.   [The Prime Minister, who had held high Government positions during the 90’s and served as Chairman of the Board and General Director of an insurance company from 1998-1999, again became a Government official in 1999 and was appointed to his present position in March 2004.  The teleconference was rescheduled by Fradkov such that a temporary ISS attitude change to XPOP required by the earlier time was not necessary after all.  During the morning IMMT (ISS Mission Management Team) meeting, Moscow extended thanks to NASA/Houston flight controllers for their extensive support in planning for this event.]

At 2:30pm, the two Expedition crews engaged in a live TV exchange with two US media, today with the Houston Chronicle (Mark Carreau) and SPACE.COM (Tariq Malik).

In a third PAO event scheduled tonight at 4:30pm EDT, FE/SO John Phillips will address the Ulysses Anniversary Meeting at NASA JPL’s Von Karman Auditorium in Pasadena, CA.   [Launched in 1990 on Shuttle mission STS-41 to study the Sun’s polar regions, the mission in 2005 is in its 15th year, and all spacecraft systems and scientific instruments remain in excellent health as it sails through the Solar System on an elliptic orbit around the Sun.]

Using oxygen (O2) from Progress 19 storage, the cabin air was refreshed yesterday (7 mmHg) and today (15 mmHg).  ppO2 (oxygen partial pressure) remains comfortably within limits.  According to RSC-Energia, the Elektron O2 generator will be turned back on later today after the “bake-out” regeneration of the two BMP contaminants filtration beds during the past two days.   [The two H2 sensors of the Elektron’s gas analyzer (GA) unit in the O2 output line need to be “masked” prior to Elektron activation.  These software masks were uplinked earlier today. This was also done for previous Elektron activations in 2005 with Liquid Unit 5 (BZh-5).  According to Moscow, the GA must read at least 0.31% H2 in the O2 vent line approximately ten minutes after activation in order for the algorithm to consider the GA ready for operation, or else the BZh will shut down.  These sensor readings will now be “masked” with a value of 0.4% for approximately 1.5 h after Elektron activation and will then be removed on specialist Go.]

After extensive work by computer specialists, the problems of synching Greg Olsen’s SoyuzTaxi2 Outlook email seemed to have been overcome on the ground.  Confirmation of a likewise happy outcome on board was pending this morning.

Soyuz return cargo manifesting is still underway between U.S. and Russian cargo specialists.

On 10S undock/deorbit day, 10/10, the E11 crew will have to stay awake for 16 hours 8 minutes from wake-up to landing, which exceeds the applicable Flight Rule (“Crew Awake Constraints”) limit.  An exception was formalized and concurred in by the IMMT after careful flight surgeon review and approval.

Still carried by Krikalev’s Russian “time available” task list for today was processing of condensate from a U.S. CWC (collapsible water container), to be used in the Elektron.

Phillips filled out the regular weekly FFQ (food frequency questionnaire), his 19th, which keeps a log of his nutritional intake over time on special MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) software.   [On the MEC, John is using his personalized file that reflects the food flown for his Increment.  The FFQ records amounts consumed during the past week of such food items as beverages, cereals, grains, eggs, breads, snacks, sweets, fruit, beans, soup, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, chicken, sauces & spreads, and vitamins.  IBMP (Institute of Biomedical Problems)-recommended average daily caloric value of the crew’s food intake is 2200-2300 cal.  If larger quantities of juices and fruits are taken into account, the value can go to 2400-2500 cal.]

John Phillips and Bill McArthur performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, including the ASU toilet system and also prepared the regular daily IMS (Inventory Management System) “delta”/update file for automated export/import to the three IMS databases (MCC-H, TsUP, Baikonur).

Both E11 crewmembers completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the TVIS, 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 2 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 the RED workouts, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

No CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets uplinked 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/

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, 7:00am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 348.1 km
• Apogee height — 349.4 km
• Perigee height — 346.9 km
• Period — 91.50 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0001814
• Solar Beta Angle — -34.1deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.74
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 118 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 39319

Expedition 11 Flight Timelines:

• Soyuz 10S (Expedition 11+1; Sergei Krikalev, John Phillips, Gregory Olsen):
• Undocking from FGB — 10/10 (Mon., Columbus Day), 5:40pm EDT (undock command);
• Sep Burn #1 (manual) —  5:46pm;
• Deorbiting Burn —  8:21pm (4 min 23 sec; delta-V 115.2 m/s);
• Landing before dawn — 10/10 (Mon.)  9:08pm EDT;  7:08am (10/11) local Kustanai/Kazakhstan;
• Sunrise at Kustanai landing site — 7:47am local.  [Note: Kazakhstan remains on Standard Time; thus: local time = GMT+5].

Other Upcoming Events (all times EDT):

• 10/18/05 — ISS Reboost
• 11/18/05 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S relocation (from DC-1 to FGB nadir port)
• 12/20/05 – Progress M-54/19P undocking & reentry
• 12/21/05 – Progress M-55/20P launch
• 12/23/05 — Progress M-55/20P docking
• 01/09/06 — 100 days for Expedition 12.

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.