NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 2 May 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. 

CDR Vinogradov used the Russian MO-21 “Ecosfera” air sampler & incubation equipment for another check on the station’s sanitary-hygiene status, conducting the standard 45-min. microbial analysis (T+7 days) on the air samples collected on 4/25 and incubated since then in the MO-21 equipment.  [MO-21 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.]

FE/SO Williams performed “Week 4” sampling of potable water for chemical and microbial analysis from the SVO-ZV tap and the SRV-K warm tap, the latter after preliminary heating of the water and flushing.  [From each port, Jeff collected two 150 mL microbial samples for on-board processing and two 750 mL chemical archival (post-flight) samples for return to Earth, using Russian collection procedures. The flush water, collected in a water bag, was then reclaimed for technical use. For the in-flight chemistry/microbiology analysis, Jeff used MCDs (microbial capture devices) from the U.S. WMK (water microbiology kit) for treatment/processing within 6 hours of the collection (done at ~10:00am EDT). Sample analysis included subsequent processing of water samples in the MWAK (microbial water analysis kit) for inflight coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli) detection, at ~1:30pm. Results of the on-board processing will be available after a two-day incubation period, in case of the MWAK after 4-6 days of incubation.]

Vinogradov continued the current round of the monthly preventive maintenance of Russian segment (RS) air ventilation systems (SOTR) by finishing the cleaning of Group B & C ventilation fans in the Service Module (SM), including a checkout of the ventilators and a thorough cleaning of fan screens and flexible air ducts.

The crew spent >2 hours on equipment/trash prepacking for Progress-355/20P and commensurate updating of the IMS (Inventory Management System).

The FE performed the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh environment control & life support system in the SM, which today included the regular weekly inspection of the air/liquid condensate separation and pumping unit (BRPK).  [The BRPK is part of the condensate water processor (SRVK) that processes the condensate coming from the currently active air conditioner (SKV) for the Elektron.]

The CDR 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).

Pavel also worked on the Russian “Pille-MKS” reader, setting it up and installing a “standby” sensor, followed by taking test readings with it with 1.5 hrs. interval.  [Readings of the Pille radiation dosimetry experiment, which has ten sensors placed at various locations in the Russian segment (port cabin window, starboard cabin window, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.), are recorded monthly.]

Jeff conducted 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).

At ~12:00pm EDT, the crew conducted a science/research conference with ISS Program Scientist Don Thomas. Points of discussion pertained to most efficient execution of Increment 13 science operations, including time allotted for experiment locating and setup, time allotted for payload activities, Saturday Science, and big picture overviews of pre- and post-ULF1.1 research activities on board.  [The Program Scientist was joined by Increment 13 Payload Manager George Norris, Inc 13 Lead Scientist Kenol Jules, Research Representative Julie Robinson, Inc 13 Payload Planning Manager Jim Watson, Inc 13 Lead Payload Ops Director Lamar Stacy, Lead Inc Scientist Rep Justin Tarpley, and Inc 13 Lead PAYCOM Lisa Mavrotheris.]

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 3 of the first set).]

Afterwards, Jeff transferred the exercise data files to the MEC 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).

Pavel still had the roll-over task to search for “missing” Russian equipment items on his discretionary “time available” task list (which now includes locating a DVD disk required for an upcoming task on the A31p laptop RS1).

The crew was thanked for their “great job” of EMU water maintenance yesterday, performed thoroughly and efficiently while “staying on the timeline”.  [“We look forward to more EMU activities in prep for the arrival of ULF1.1.”]

Today, MCC-H started the second part of the periodic P6 solar array battery capacity tests, focusing now on battery set 2B1. The test, preceded by some necessary on-board power reconfiguring, began at ~10:28am with the initial discharge of the BCDU (Battery Charge/Discharge Unit) for set 2B1. After a 24-hr. hold, the battery recharge will begin. The reconditioning takes approximately one week to complete, and will be followed by a capacity test.  Tests of each of the six battery sets are scheduled to occur through early June.  [The 2B and 4B solar arrays were set to Autotrack to support the battery capacity test. NiH (nickel hydrogen) batteries can develop and display memory loss resulting in a temporary loss of capacity that can periodically be erased by fully discharging and charging cells (reconditioning). The battery state of charge (SOC) reported in telemetry does not include the effect of this reduced capacity. Reconditioning was performed on all P6 Battery sets starting in Oct. 2004 through Dec. 2005. In the current round, reconditioning of the first set, 2B2, was successfully finished on 4/12. These tests are necessary to improve battery health and to determine the amount of amp hour capacity retained since the reconditioning was performed.]

Starting yesterday and running through 5/4, TsUP/Moscow has several amateur radio sessions scheduled for Pavel Vladimirovich (call name R3K/0) with radio amateurs in Anadyr/Siberia (known to “insiders” for its blue-eyed Siberian Huskies).

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, which is available for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in ram), were Ganges River Delta (this fair-weather pass in good light was over the western edge of this target area. Trying for oblique mapping views for context of this large, complex delta, looking right of track), and Talemzane Impact Crater (this feature is less than 2km in diameter. However it is fairly distinct and circular. Looking for context views just to the left of track).

To date, more than 186,000 of CEO images have been taken in the first five years of the ISS, almost one third of the total number of images taken from orbit by astronauts.

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, 7:03am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 342.2 km
• Apogee height — 348.0 km
• Perigee height — 336.4 km
• Period — 91.38 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0008676
• Solar Beta Angle — 28.9 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.76
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 80 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 42595

Significant Events Ahead (all dates subject to change):

• 05/04/06 — ISS reboost (7:28am EDT; Progress 21 thrusters, delta-V 1.5 m/s.)
• 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.