NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 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.

Yest kasaniye!  Progress M-56 (21P) has docked flawlessly at the Service Module (SM) aft end port at 1:41pm EDT. Hatch opening is expected to take place at about 4:55-5:25pm.  [The entire process of fully automated rendezvous, closure, final approach and capture, followed by closing of soft hooks and “hard” latches, went without issues. The uncrewed cargo ship approached from starboard forward and above for the period from 1 km into the beginning of flyaround to brief station keeping at 160 m at 1:31pm, several degrees below the Earth horizon. Final approach began at ~1:32pm from directly aft of the SM aft port, moving in parallel to the SM +x-axis. Successful “kasaniye” (contact) was achieved at 1:41pm. “Sborka” (closing of Progress and SM hooks & latches) followed automatically shortly thereafter. For the docking, station attitude control was handed over to Russian MCS (motion control system) and thrusters at 10:15am, and ISS maneuvered to docking attitude at 11:41pm. During the docking, thrusters were disabled for a period of free drift; they then maneuvered the station to XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane), followed by return of attitude control authority to the U.S. CMGs (control moment gyros) later today at ~2:50pm. Loads induced on the ISS structure by the docking were measured with the U.S. SDMS (Structural Dynamic Measurement System) on the S-Zero truss. The SDMS data will be downlinked later tonight. ]

The 21P resupply drone delivered ~2.5 tons of cargo for the ISS crew (launch picture see below).  [Consisting of ~305 different items, the logistics load includes food, propellants, water, oxygen, air, batteries, office supplies, clothing (e.g., 2 Pinguin suits, trunks, socks, underwear, etc.), service equipment & spares (e.g., Elektron repair kit, tools, etc.), medical & sanitary supplies, over 100 pages of crew procedures. etc.]

After the docking, the CDR shut off the TORU and began reconfiguring STTS communications, with FE Williams also tearing down the TV Ku-band connection via the FGB A31p laptop through the US segment (USOS).

Crew wakeup today was slipped by 4.5 hours to 6:30am EDT, followed by breakfast at ~7:10am. Sleep period begins tonight at 10:00pm, lasting until ~6:30am tomorrow morning.

Before monitoring the approach & docking from the TORU station in the SM, CDR Vinogradov and FE/SO Williams completed final preparations for the Progress arrival, starting with deactivation of the Ericsson amateur radio station in the FGB to prevent any interference with Progress/KURS radio traffic (MISSE was temporarily turned off by the DOD remotely), and activation of the SSC (Station Support Computer) A31p laptop in the FGB, set up to handle the video transmission from the Russian segment (RS) via the Ku-band equipment in the USOS.  [The A31p used for the routing from the SM is located in the FGB since available cables are not long enough to extend to the Node. The video signal is fed from there 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.]

At ~11:45pm, Flight Controllers finalized the ground configuration of the 21P docking video linkage, to transmit the US External Camera view via VITS (Video Teleconferencing System) to the nominal MCC/Houston-to-TsUP/Moscow connection path involving the ESA Gateway and the IGS (Integrated Ground System). At 12:00pm, TsUP commanded ISS systems to Prox Ops mode.

Before hatch opening, Vinogradov performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s environment control & life support system (SOZh), including its toilet system (ASU), as well as the weekly inspection of the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator apparatus. From his discretionary job jar task list, he 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).

Later, the crew will conduct the standard period of leak checking of the docking vestibule and fuel/oxidizer transfer line interface between Progress and SM. During leak checking and initial clamp installation, thrusters will again be inhibited (for 2h 25min starting at 3:20pm).

After hatch opening, Pavel will first install the QD (quick disconnect) screw clamps (BZV) of the docking & internal transfer mechanism (SSVP) to rigidize the coupling.  Next, he performs the standard air sampling inside the Progress with the Russian AK-1M air sampler, then deactivates the cargo ship.

Jeff Williams went on a seek-and-gather foray for the hardware of the US material science experiment PFMI (Pore Formation & Mobility Investigation), scheduled to be set up on Friday (4/28) for several crew activities in the next few weeks.  [PFMI was launched in 2002 on STS-111/UF-2 and last operated by CDR Mike Foale on Increment 8 (before him by FE Ed Lu on Increment 7). Working with succinonitrile crystals, it was originally developed to operate atop of g-LIMIT (Glovebox Integrated Microgravity Isolation Technology), an isolation platform that has now flown yet. Instead, PFMI is operated by using multiple g-LIMIT bypass cables which should still be connected and taped to the gear.]

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 CEVIS cycle ergometer (FE) TVIS treadmill (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 1 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).

On his discretionary time available task list, Pavel had the roll-over task to search for missing Russian equipment items.

Also on the CDR s task list for today was to monitor the Russian ISS Wiener laptop hard disk for its performance, as a follow-up check to his work on the laptop on 4/21.  [On 4/21, Pavel modified the Russian payload server (BSPN) for the ROKVISS experiment with new software from the Wiener laptop, then downlinked the finished BSPN log file for s/w installation verification. See Status report 4/21.]

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 Elektron remains off, and proper ppO2 level in the station is being maintained with oxygen refreshes from Progress 20 tankage.

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, still for the LVLH attitude which is not limited by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Muglad Basin fans, South-West Sudan (panoramic images of the western Muglad basin will provide useful context for higher resolution nadir imagery. The basin is characterized by intricate, vegetation lined drainage patterns present across the basin floor. Overlapping mapping frames acquired along track will be most useful. Cloudy conditions were not favorable for photography of the eastern and southeastern Muglad basin), and Patagonian Glaciers, South America (weather was predicted to be mostly clear over the southernmost Patagonian ranges; the small mountain glaciers among the peaks should have been clearly visible. High resolution nadir imagery of mountain glaciers and icefields at the southern extent of the mountains [both western and eastern faces] was requested to document change in ice extent over time).

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, 9:19am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 342.7 km
• Apogee height — 348.6 km
• Perigee height — 336.7 km
• Period — 91.39 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0008864
• Solar Beta Angle — 54.6 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.76
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 65 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 42502

Significant Events Ahead (all dates subject to change):

• 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.