NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 25 November 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.
FE Tokarev set up the new single-cable TV connection from the Service Module (SM) through the FGB module and then supported the checkout testing of the new configuration which allows Russian segment (RS) TV downlinks via Ku-band assets in the U.S. segment (USOS). [The single cable connection converts the Russian SECAM (PAL) video signal into an American NTSC video signal for downlink via U.S. Ku-band, using an SSC (Station Support Computer) A31p laptop in the FGB. The configuration connects the SSC with the FGB¹s SECAM video outlet panel on one side and the NTSC video cable through a U.S. AVIU (Advanced Video Interface Unit) to the Node¹s ICP (Interface Control Panel) on the other side, and thus to the Lab Ku- band assets. Due to the complexity of the procedure, a video routing test will be set up prior to each docking, undocking, or Russian EVA. The setup was disassembled after the test, but the cables remain in place.]
Tokarev performed a periodic audit/inventory of stowed items behind the storage panels of the FGB, focusing on bags with undergarments, sleeping bag inserts, socks, eye masks, etc.
CDR/SO McArthur deployed two passive FMK (formaldehyde monitoring kit) sampling assemblies in the Lab (below CEVIS) and SM (most forward handrail), to catch any atmospheric formaldehyde on a collector substrate for subsequent analysis.
The crew conducted the periodic routine air sampling in the cabin. [McArthur took air samples in the Lab and SM with the Dual Sorbent Tube (DST), using the Russian AK-1M/Draeger tube pump instead of the broken DST pump, and then with a GSC (grab sample container) at the center of the SM. Tokarev used the AK-1M adsorber to sample the air in the SM and FGB and also for checking for leaked-out Freon. Additionally, to check for CO (carbon monoxide), he took samples in the SM with the IPD-CO Draeger tubes sampler.]
Bill also collected the periodic reading of the cabin air’s current CO2 concentrations in the SM and Lab, using the U.S. CDMK (Carbon Dioxide Monitoring Kit, #1015), for calldown, along with its battery status, taken after pump start-up, for use in trending analyses.
Valery took the weekly cabin air data with the new GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer system of the SM Pressure Control & Atmospheric Monitoring system (SOGS).
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Shuttle |
The crewmembers conducted a familiarization checkout with the CMRS (Crew Medical Restraint System) and its attachment system, unstowed from the CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) rack. [The board-like CMRS allows strapping down a patient on the board with a harness for medical attention by the CMO (crew medical officer) who is also provided with restraints around the device. CMRS can be secured to the ISS structure (a rack) within two minutes to provide a patient restraint surface for performing emergency medical procedures, such as during ACLS (advanced cardiac life support). It can also be used to transport a patient between the station and the Orbiter middeck. It isolates the crew and equipment electrically during defibrillations and pacing electrical discharges, accommodates the patient in the supine zero-G positions, provides cervical spine stabilization and, for a three-person crew, can also restrain two CMOs (crew medical officers) during their delivery of medical care.]
Valery Tokarev took two photos of the FGB nadir port’s passive docking assembly (SSVP StA), used for the Soyuz TMA-7 relocation/linkup, and of the DC-1 docking compartment’s docking cone, a standard practice after Russian dockings. These images will be used to refine current understanding of docking conditions. [The objective is to take photo imagery of the scratch or scuff mark left by the head of the docking probe on the internal surface of the drogue (docking cone) ring, now rotated out of the passageway. As other cosmonauts before him, Tokarev used the Kodak 760 digital still camera to take two pictures each with the hatch closed down and downlinked them later via OCA.]
After powering up the EXPRESS Rack #1 laptop computer (ER1 ELC) on 11/23 and checking it out, the Science Officer today updated the HRF1 (Human Research Facility 1) rack with the latest RIC (Rack Interface Controller) computer software (Release 4A). [The necessary application and files were on the ELC, which will be used for all of the ER RIC software updates, scheduled for Week 9. Until then, the HRF1 ELC¹s hard drive was swapped out.]
The CDR/SO also supported the ongoing BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) experiment at the Lab MWA (Maintenance Work Area), by conducting additional photography, with a different lens, of samples 1 through 6. [The behavior of these supercritical fluids is important because they combine the properties of liquids and gases. A better understanding of their reaction in the weightless environment of space could help in the development of new drugs, cleaner power, and interplanetary transportation.]
The FE performed a data dump of a log file of the Sigma application on the BSR-TM telemetry channel, to support ground specialist analysis of EGE2 computer issues. [The Russian ³Sigma² orbital/ballistic navigation application on the two EGE laptops is used for ground track computing, required by some experiments.]
After donning protective gear, Tokarev serviced the ASU toilet facility by replacing the pretreat container (E-K) plus hose with a new assembly and discarding the old one. [E-K contains five liters of pre-treat solution,- a mix of H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), CrO3 (chromium oxide, for oxidation and purple color), and H2O (water). The pre-treat liquid is mixed with water in a dispenser (DKiV) and used for toilet flushing.]
Bill McArthur did the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s Environment Control & Life Support system (SOZh).
At ~3:05am EST, the FE conducted the weekly IMS (Inventory Management System) tagup with specialists at TsUP/Moscow, discussing open issues concerning identification of equipment and storage locations for the IMS databases via S-band. [Today¹s topics concerned identification and verification of the whereabouts of items like an ECON kit, PILOT experiment disk, Laptop 3 (LT3) power supply, etc. The crew was also asked for their time estimate to complete Progress-354/19P cargo transfers including associated IMS updating.]
McArthur performed the bi-monthly reboot of the OCA comm router SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop.
Both crewmembers completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the CEVIS cycle ergometer, TVIS treadmill, RED resistive exerciser and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer. [Valery¹s daily protocol prescribes a strict four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill in unmotorized mode and one hour on VELO plus load trainer (today: Day 2 of the first set).]
Later today, Bill will transfer the 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 of the workouts on CEVIS and RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).
At ~2:00pm EST, the crew had their third standard weekly teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office (Kent Rominger), via S-band S/G (space-to-ground).
Also, at ~2:25pm, Bill and Valery will conduct their fifth regular (nominally weekly) teleconference with the Lead Flight Director at MCC-H and TsUP/Moscow via S-band/audio, with a phone patch between Houston and Moscow.
Starting at ~00:45am this morning, the ground conducted a two-hour standard checkout of BCC (backup control center) swing and activation procedures that would be necessary in the event of a transfer of flight control from Houston to the HSG (Houston Support Group) station at TsUP/Moscow. The test concluded by transferring a test PPCP (pre-planned command package) to TsUP/Moscow, which subsequently uplinked the command file to the station during a RGS (Russian Ground Site) comm pass. The crew was not involved. [The checkout served its purpose well: When the PPCP was accepted on board OK, NASA-HSG (Houston Support Group) did not receive the expected acknowledgment of the successful uplink of the PPCP. This anomaly is under investigation.]
No CEO (Crew Earth Observations) targets uplinked for today.
To date, over 177,000 of CEO images have been taken in the first five years of the ISS.
CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
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:
To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 12 crew visit:
- http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-12/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.
Expedition 12 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.
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ISS Location NOW |
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:58am EST [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 351.8 km
- Apogee height — 357.5 km
- Perigee height — 346.1 km
- Period — 91.57 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0008474
- Solar Beta Angle — -71.8 deg (magnitude increasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 75 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 40107
Upcoming Events (all dates Eastern):
- 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
- 02/02/06 — Russian EVA-15
- 03/22/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S launch
- 03/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S docking
- 04/01/06 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S undocking & return.
Upcoming Events (all dates Eastern):
- 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
- 02/06/06 — Russian EVA-15
- 03/22/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S launch
- 03/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S docking
- 04/01/06 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S undocking & return.
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.
