NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 19 January 2006

SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2006) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.

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

With the Elektron still deactivated until tomorrow, the Flight Engineer serviced the Russian BMP Harmful Impurities Removal System, starting the “bake-out” cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. Before sleep time today, the bake-out will be terminated.  [Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. The BMP currently still uses the same vacuum vent valve for regeneration as the Elektron (the latter for venting hydrogen). Replacement of the Elektron s external vent valve has been deferred to a later Russian EVA. An atmospheric repressurization from Progress 19 oxygen reserves was to take place today.]

FE Tokarev conducted continuity tests on two sets (#3 & #4) of antenna feeder/receiver modules (NPM) for the Russian satellite navigation system (ASN-M) in the Service Module (SM), using the MMTs-01volt/amp MultiMeter instrument.  [The ASN-M, to be employed for the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle), uses GLONASS satellites (the Russian GPS equivalent) to update the ISS state vector (SV) without using the ground (which up to now has to uplink daily SV updates) or requiring SV transfers from the USOS from time to time.]

The Science Officer continued his work on the PromISS-4 (Protein Crystal Growth Monitoring by Digital Holographic Microscope #4) experiment.  [He started activities with configuring the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility for sample processing, which involved installing the samples in the PromISS-4 Sample Wheel and taking pictures of the sample cells. Bill also readied a PromISS tape (#9) from Kit 2, and configured the MSG Video System prior to PromISS-4 activation. The activities were photo-documented for the ground.]

Continuing preparations for the Russian Orlan EVA-15, Valery Tokarev cleaned out the DC1 Docking Compartment/airlock and the SM s Transfer Compartment (PkhO).  [This included deactivating the Cryogem-03 temperature-controlled incubator and moving it to the SM. The cargo items, mostly science payloads, were temporarily transferred to the SM and FGB.]

Also for EVA-15, Valery terminated the charging cycle on the second (of three) 825í3 batteries for the Orlan-M spacesuits and started the process on the third battery pack in the ZU-S battery charger, with the POTOK air purification system running.

After yesterday s checkout/testing of the Russian Glisser-M video assembly, Tokarev today started battery charging for the Glisser, which is to be used to cover external payload operations during the spacewalk.

McArthur completed a status check on the two on-board CSA-O2 (Compound Specific Analyzer-Oxygen) units and their batteries.  [The CSA-O2 unit is a modified CSA-CP (CSA-Combustion Products) with the combustion sensors removed and only the O2 sensor installed. It was developed to support reduced pressures during EVA preparation activities, during which the CSA-CP cannot be used.]

In addition, for the upcoming spacewalk, McArthur terminated charging on the first of two BSA (Battery Stowage Assembly) battery sets in the U.S. Airlock.  [Two PGT (Pistol Grip Tool) batteries and two helmet light batteries are being recharged.]

Afterwards, the CDR tested two EVA PGTs (Pistol Grip Tools, ##1003 & 1007) for the spacewalk.

The crew conducted a one-hour EVA procedures review, and at 11:20am EST tagged up with TsUP/Moscow specialists to discuss questions and open issues.

The FE performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s environment control & life support system (SOZh) and the weekly inspection of the air/liquid condensate separator apparatus (BRPK).

Later, Valery also updated/edited the standard IMS (Inventory Management System) delta file , including locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

CDR McArthur conducted the weekly audit/inventory of the available CWCs (collapsible water containers) and their contents, to keep track of onboard water supplies.  [Updated cue cards based on Bill s water calldowns are sent up every other week.]

Tokarev performed his regular inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-8 (“Plants-2”) experiment which researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions. Later, he transferred the accumulated data files to a floppy disk for storage, and conducted photography of the payload. [The experimental seeds are planted between wicks in a root tray, with environmental control powered on. Regular daily maintenance of the experiment involves monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, and photo/video recording.]

The ground-commanded BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test) activity is continuing, taking time-lapse flash photography of BCAT sample 6 at the MWA (Maintenance Work Area) via EarthKAM camera and SSC-7 laptop. Later in the day, Bill McArthur conducted a check of the alignment and focus of the camera on the sample and position of flash. The imaging is to continue until 1/26.

Both crewmembers completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the TVIS treadmill, RED resistive exerciser and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer.  [Valery s 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).]

Afterwards, Bill 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 workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

Valery checked the operation of the Japanese experiment GCF-JAXA (Granada Crystallization Facility) in the Russian TBU incubator, maintained at 20 degC, including a temperature check on its ART (automatic temperature recorder).  [This daily monitoring/temp checking, carried on the Russian voluntary “time available” task list, will continue until 4/30.]

Also off the task list, the FE downloaded system data/log files from the Russian payload server (BSPN) to the ISS Wiener laptop and onto a FlashCard, to be dumped to the ground for analysis on TsUP Go.  [The data transfer, required for periodic analysis of server condition, was preceded by a comm check between the ISS Wiener laptop and the BSPN.]

At ~9:40am, the crew conducted an interactive educational PAO event with school children gathered at Kuss Middle School in Fall River, MA. In response to student questions uplinked beforehand, the crew prepared various items to demonstrate zero-G.  [e.g.: Bill: We know that liquids with different densities like water, cooking oil, and corn syrup form layers if mixed on Earth. Could you demonstrate how liquids with differing densities act when they are mixed in a microgravity environment? ; Valery: Can you show us how you would move a liquid from one container to another in microgravity? ]

At ~10:00am, the crew set up the Sputnik-SM Kenwood D700 amateur radio station in the SM and conducted, at 10:05am, a 10-min. ham radio session with students at Georgia Tech Institute of Technology – Aerospace Engineering Dept, Atlanta, GA.  [The Georgia Institute of Technology, established in 1885, is one of the preeminent engineering educational and research institutions in the United States. The Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering was founded in 1930 on a grant from the Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics. The current faculty advisor for the Georgia Tech Amateur Radio Club is Dr. Paul Steffes, W8ZI, who is also a collaborator in a variety of interplanetary missions, including the recent Cassini mission to Saturn.]

At ~1:30pm EST, the crew is scheduled for their weekly 15-min. teleconference with ISS Program Management at JSC/Houston via S-band/audio.

Today’s CEO (Crew Earth Observation)photo targets, in the current LVLH attitude no longer limited by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Navassa Island reef, Caribbean (weather was predicted to be clear over the central Caribbean region. The island and reefs are located between the large islands of Jamaica and Hispaniola. Detailed imagery is useful for assessing changes to the reef over time). Central-Arizona Phoenix, USA (ISS passed over the southeastern most portion of this LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) site. Overlapping mapping swaths along-track are desired for classification of land cover types, water courses, and vegetation patterns), and Johnston Island reef, Central Pacific (this nadir pass provided an opportunity for detailed imagery of this reef system. There is a small airstrip on Johnston Island proper).

Over 177,000 of CEO (Crew Earth Observation) images have been taken in the first five years of the ISS.

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 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.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 5:42am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 347.2 km
• Apogee height — 354.1 km
• Perigee height — 340.2 km
• Period — 91.48 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0010338
• Solar Beta Angle — -63.2 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.74
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 70 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 40972

Events Ahead (all dates Eastern; tentative):

• 02/02/06 — Russian EVA-15
• 03/03/06 — Progress M-54/19P undocking & reentry
• 03/30/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S launch (Exp. 13 + Marcus Pontes/Brazil)
• 04/01/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S docking (DC1)
• 04/23/06 — Progress M-55/20P undocking & reentry
• 04/24/06 — Progress M-56/21P launch
• 04/26/06 — Progress M-56/21P docking
• 06/28/06 (?) — Progress M-57/22P launch
• 06/30/06 (?) — Progress M-57/22P docking
• 09/12/06 (?) — Progress M-56/21P undocking & reentry
• 09/13/06 (?) — Soyuz TMA-9/13S launch
• 09/15/06 (?) — Soyuz TMA-9/13S docking
• 09/23/06 (?) — Soyuz TMA-8/12S undocking & reentry
• 09/28/06 (?) — Soyuz TMA-9/13S relocation (DC1 to FGB nadir port)
• 10/18/06 (?) — Progress M-58/23P launch
• 10/20/06 (?) — Progress M-58/23P docking
• 12/19/06 (?) — Progress M-57/22P undocking & reentry
• 12/20/06 (?) — Progress M-59/24P launch
• 12/22/06 (?) — Progress M-59/24P docking.

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.