NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 25 April 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.

Progress M-356 (21P) is continuing its rendezvous flight to the ISS. Docking is scheduled for 1:40pm EDT tomorrow.   [The third rendezvous maneuver, DV3, took place today at ~1:09pm, over RGS (Russian ground stations) on Daily Orbit 2 (DO2).  The onboard Klest TV camera and transmitter have been turned on for testing.  Today’s tasks also include checkout of the Progress’ TORU system by sending commands from the TORU panel at TsUP-Moscow to the onboard system.  Tomorrow the active Progress KURS-A system will be activated for a self-test.  Two minutes later the passive KURS-P on the Service Module (SM) will also be turned on.  After KURS-A and KURS-P confer and “compare notes” at 9 km, Klest TV camera & headlight are switched on at 8 km.  Three successive braking burns (1:10:25pm, 1:15:34pm, and 1:18:08pm) lead into flyaround mode (400 m, ~1:20pm) and final approach (~1:31pm).  After its two-day “chase”, 21P will dock at the SM aft end at ~1:40pm.  Local sunset: 1:49pm.  21P’s 2.5 tons of cargo include supplies for the ISS crew (food, batteries, office supplies, and clothes), water, oxygen, air, new spares, etc.]

The crew worked in the Russian segment to prepare it for Progress docking, starting with a space-to-ground conference with specialists to discuss docking specifics including an on-board “refresher” test of the manual backup teleoperator approach/docking system (TORU). 

Afterwards, CDR Vinogradov and FE/SO Williams set up the communications links for covering the docking, then activated the SSC (Station Support Computer) A31p laptop in the FGB and checked out the functionality of the Russian video system in the SM with the Ku-band equipment in the US segment.  Later the function of the video downlink was tested and the laptop deactivated, leaving cable connections in place.   [The A31p used for the routing the video signal from the SM through the FGB via coaxial cable to the SSC Operations LAN (local area network) and from there into the Ku-band system for subsequent conversion from the Russian SECAM format to the American NTSC format on the ground.]

Vinogradov completed the second-day activity with the Russian MO-21 experiment, inspecting and assessing bacteria colonies grown on “Medium #1” Petri dishes since 4/25.  Another sample assessment, on “Medium #2”, is scheduled for 5/2.   [The equipment, which includes an air sampler set, a charger, power supply unit, and incubation tray for Petri dishes, determines microbial contamination of the ISS atmosphere, specifically the total bacterial and fungal microflora counts and microflora composition according to morphologic criteria of microorganism colonies.]

Both crewmembers in turn took their first periodic on-orbit hearing assessment (O-OHA) test, a NASA environmental health systems examination to assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures, using a special MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) application.   [The O-OHA audiography test involves minimum audibility measurements for each ear over a wide range of frequencies (0.25-10 kHz) and sound pressure levels, with the crewmembers using individual-specific Prophonics earphones, Bose ANC headsets and the SLM (sound level meter).  To conduct the testing, the experimenter is supported by special EarQ software on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer), featuring an up/down-arrow-operated slider for each test frequency that the crewmember moves to the lowest sound pressure level at which the tone can still be heard.  The baseline test is required not later than about Flight Day 14 for each new Expedition and is then generally performed once per month.]

The CDR performed the periodic (about twice a month) replenishing of the Elektron’s water supply for electrolysis, his second, filling the KOV thermal loops’ EDV container with water from an EDV containing water from the BKO multifiltration/purification column unit.   [The 40-minute procedure is specially designed to prevent air bubbles larger than ~10 mm from getting into the BZh-8 Liquid Unit where they could cause Elektron shutdown.  In the procedure, the BKO water is carefully transferred with a pump (BP), located behind SM panel 420, from the EDV-1 through the air/liquid separator unit (GZhS) into the empty EDV-2 while the crewmember checks for any air bubbles accumulating in the GZhS (and, if visible, estimates their number, with no more than two 1 cm diameter bubbles permitted in EDV-2).  Elektron water is also supplied from U.S. condensate in a CWC (collapsible water container) that is checked for its contents of air bubbles and is rejected if the estimated total air bubble volume is more than 30 cubic centimeters (1 cm air bubble is about 0.5 ccm).]

Pavel also terminated the regular processing of condensate water (KAV) for the Elektron oxygen generator started yesterday, using the electric condensate pumping unit (BPK) of the Russian water processing system (SRV-K2) behind SM wall panels and US-collected water in CWC (collapsible water container) #1027.   [CWC #1027 had been found to be leaking; this had not been observed during last week’s CWC audit.  As such, the flight rules allowed this CWC to be processed.]

Later, the CDR performed routine IFM (in-flight maintenance) on the SRVK-2M condensate water processor, removing its multifiltration unit (BK), which has reached its service life limit.  The old BK was replaced with a new unit and stowed for deorbiting in Progress 20.   [BK contains five purification columns to rid the condensate of dissolved mineral and organic impurities and has a service lifetime of ~450 liters throughput. The water needs to be purified for proper electrolysis in the Elektron O2 generator.]

With the Elektron oxygen (O2) generator still off and O2 being supplied from Progress 20 tankage as required, Pavel serviced the Russian Harmful Impurities Removal System (BMP), 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, and Elektron will be turned on again tomorrow.   [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 (at a different location) has been deferred to the next Russian EVA (#16).]

Jeff Williams completed the daily atmospheric status check for ppO2 (Partial Pressure Oxygen) and ppCO2 (pp Carbon Dioxide), using the CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products), CSA-O2 (CSA-Oxygen Sensor) and CDMK (CO2 Monitoring Kit).

The CDR performed the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh environment control & life support system in the SM, including ASU toilet system facilities.  He also updated/edited the standard IMS (Inventory Management System) “delta file” for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

Both crewmembers worked out in their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the TVIS treadmill (FE, CDR), RED resistive exerciser (FE) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR).   [Pavel Vinogradov’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 4 of the first set).]

Afterwards, Jeff 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).

Vinogradov also had an hour set aside to conduct a search for “missing” cables of the Russian TVS television system, supported by ground specialist tagup to discuss possible “hiding” places.

The station continues to fly in earth-fixed LVLH -YVV attitude (local vertical local horizontal/minus y-axis in velocity vector) until tomorrow’s 21P docking and a maneuver to sun-pointing XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane).

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 Gosses Bluff Impact Crater, Australia (ISS had a nadir pass over this 22 kilometer wide impact crater.  The central peak of the impact structure, formed approximately 145 million years ago, is clearly visible from orbit and well-defined relative to the adjacent linear mountain ranges), and Internal waves, South China Sea (weather was predicted to be clear over the South China Sea for internal wave photography.  Internal wave features were most visible closer to the coastline).

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:

• http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/station/CEO.html
• 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 13 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-13/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 13 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, 7:23am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 342.7 km
• Apogee height — 348.8 km
• Perigee height — 336.7 km
• Period — 91.39 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0008962
• Solar Beta Angle — 58.0 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.76
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 75 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 42485

Significant Events Ahead (all dates subject to change):

• 04/26/06 — Progress M-56/21P docking (1:40pm EDT; SM aft port)
• 05/20/06 — Progress M-56/21P loading complete; hatches closed
• 06/01-08/06 — Russian EVA-16 (planning window)
• 06/17/06 — Progress M-55/20P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 06/18/06 — Progress M-57/22P launch
• 06/20/06 — Progress M-57/22P docking (DC1)
• 07/01/06 — NET STS-121/ULF1.1 launch
• 07/03-11/06 – NET STS-121/ULF1.1 docked mission w/ISS
• 07/??/06 — US EVA-5
• 08/28/07 — NET STS-115/12A launch
• 08/30-09/06 — NET STS-115/12A docked mission w/ISS
• 09/13/06 — Progress M-56/21P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
• 09/14/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S launch (Expedition 14 + VC11)
• 09/16/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S docking (SM aft port)
• 09/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S undocking (FGB nadir port) & reentry
• 09/??/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
• 10/18/06 — Progress M-58/23P launch
• 10/20/06 — Progress M-58/23P docking (SM aft port)
• 11/??/06 — Russian EVA-17
• 12/14/06 — NET STS-116/12A.1 launch
• 12/16-23/06 — NET STS-116/12A.1 docked mission w/ISS
• 12/19/06 — Progress M-57/22P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 12/20/06 — Progress M-59/24P launch
• 12/22/06 — Progress M-59/24P docking (DC1)
• 01/22/07 — US EVA-6
• 01/26/07 — US EVA-7
• 01/31/07 — US EVA-8
• 02/06/07 — Progress M-59/24P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 02/07/07 — Progress M-60/25P launch
• 02/09/07 — Progress M-60/25P docking (DC1)
• 02/22/07 — NET STS-117/13A launch
• 02/24-03/03/07 — NET STS-117/13A docked mission w/ISS
• 03/08/07 — Progress M-58/23P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
• 03/09/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S launch (Expedition 15 + VC12)
• 03/11/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S docking (SM aft port)
• 03/19/07 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S undocking (FGB nadir port)
• 03/22/07 — NET STS-117/13A launch
• ??/??/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
• 06/11/07 — NET STS-118/13A.1.

    (NET = no earlier than)

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.