NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 25 July 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 had another two hours for unloading Progress M-56/21P, docked at the Service Module (SM) aft end. Cargo transfers and stowings were logged in the IMS (Inventory Management System) database via BCR (Bar Code Reader).

FE-1/SO Williams continued his work on the MELFI (Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS) equipment, today inserting the 100 ML and 500 ML samples into Dewar 2 and relocating the 100 ML sample. [MELFI provides the ISS with refrigerated storage and fast-freezing of biological and life science samples. It can hold up to 300 liters of samples ranging in temperature from 4°C to a low of -80°C.]

Williams also set up the photo equipment for filming the subsequent PFE (Physical Fitness Evaluation) activities and later took down and stowed the gear.

With Pavel Vinogradov assisting his flight engineer, Jeff then underwent his third general US MedOps PFE (periodic fitness evaluation), a monthly 1.5-hr. procedure to check up on blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) during programmed exercise on the CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation) in the Lab. Readings were taken with the BP/ECG (blood pressure/electrocardiograph) and the HRM (heart rate monitor) watch with its radio transmitter. [BP/ECG provides automated noninvasive systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements while also monitoring and displaying accurate heart rates on a continual basis at rest and during exercise.]

FE-2 Reiter prepared the HRF2 (Human Research Facility 2) for the scheduled upgrade of the PFS (Pulmonary Function System) experiment, then performed the upgrade activities.

Along with the PFS Upgrade setup, Thomas also installed the new OUM-PFE (Oxygen Uptake Measurement-PFE) equipment and performed the checkout of the PFS Upgrade hardware while acquiring OUM measurements during a PFE, with Jeff Williams acting as OUM-PFE operator. [Later in the day, the evaluation protocol was to be prepared, the gear deactivated and stored and finally the OUM-PFE laptop powered down.]

Jeff conducted the periodic CWC (Contingency Water Container) inspection and also labeled CWCs by installing green Technical Labels on those containers that were transferred from the Shuttle without the labels.

Another task for Williams today was the R&R (removal & replacement) of the Lab CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) heat exchanger with the new unit delivered on ULF1.1.

On the ASN-M Satellite Navigation Equipment behind Service Module (SM) panel 228, Pavel took photographs of the NVM-1 & -2 computer modules, to check how equipment is configured and connected to the BKS (Onboard Cable Network) and how bonding straps are attached. [The ASN-M satellite navigation system in the SM will be required for the arrival of the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) “Jules Verne” next year.]

At ~10:40am EDT, the crew held a tagup with ground specialists at MCC-Houston to discuss the upcoming US EVA-5 (on 8/3).

Later today, after connecting the UOP DCP (Utility Outlet Panel/Display & Control Panel) bypass power cable at the Lab RWS (Robotics Work Station) for the Robotics/SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) video system, Jeff Williams will set up the new DOUG software version and later perform the scheduled “walkoff”, with base change, of the SSRMS from the Lab PDGF (Power & Data Grapple Fixture) to the MBS (Mobile Base System) PDGF. [DOUG is a software program on the MSS (Mobile Service System) RWS laptops that provides a graphical birdseye-view image of the external station configuration and the SSRMS arm, showing its real-time location and configuration on a laptop during its operation.]

In the “Pirs” Docking Compartment (DC1), Pavel Vinogradov replaced the three IDZ-2 smoke detectors with new spares from FGB storage. [The DC1’s BOI SPO Fire Detection System Data Processor’s fire detection enable/disable and power up/down for the R&R was radio-commanded from the ground.]

Thomas Reiter will complete the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh environment control & life support system in the SM, including the ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables, while Pavel Vinogradov updates/edits the standard IMS “delta file”, including locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

The CDR finishes the regular processing of KAV condensate water for the Elektron oxygen generator, using US-collected water from CWC (collapsible water container) #1057 via the electric condensate pumping unit (BPK) of the Russian water processing system (SRV-K2).

As all new station crews before him, Thomas Reiter had one hour set aside on today’s schedule for ISS familiarization and adaptation, to help in adjusting to their new surroundings and activities. [This unstructured and discretionary session has become a valuable standard requirement for new station occupants for the first two weeks.]

The crew 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 new CEVIS cycle (FE-1), TVIS (FE-2, CDR), RED (FE-1, FE-2), 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, Williams transferred his, Pavel’s and Thomas’ exercise data files to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

CDR Vinogradov is to break out and set up the equipment for tomorrow’s planned “Urolux” biochemical urine test (PZE MO-9) and PHS (Periodic Health Status) assessment. [MO-9 is conducted regularly every 30 days (and also before and after EVAs) and is one of five nominal Russian medical tests adopted by NASA for US crewmembers for IMG (Integrated Medical Group) PHS evaluation as part of the “PHS/Without Blood Labs” exam. The analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus Urolux developed originally for the Mir program. The data are then entered in the Medical Equipment Computer (MEC)’s special IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program).]

Still showing on the Russian “time permitting” task list was the search for the BPU electronic processor (converter-amplifier) box of the Beta-08 ECG (electrocardiogram) units #61 and #63.

After attitude control handover to the Russian segment MCS (Motion Control System) at 10:45pm EDT tonight, the ISS will maneuver to LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal) attitude (10:52pm) and perform a reboost with Progress M-56/21P at 12:58am, for a duration of approximately 3 minutes 5 seconds with an estimated delta-V of 0.78m/s. Return of attitude control to US momentum management will then follow at ~1:30am.

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 Manicouagan Impact Crater (this should have been the best of several passes over this landmark target. This 214 million year old impact is distinguished by its large circular lake about 100 km in diameter. Most of this feature lied left of track. Using the long lens to map details of the impact structure), Coast Mountains (this was the best light pass for this target area. Although not cloud-free, decent views should have been possible of the larger glacier features of this vanishing ice field), and Red River Basin, TX (the crew should have had excellent lighting and few clouds for a mapping pass of this target, beginning east of Palo Duro Canyon and working eastward past Lake Texoma).

To date, more than 198,000 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, 5:57am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 340.3 km
• Apogee height– 347.5 km
• Perigee height — 333.1 km
• Period — 91.34 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0010717
• Solar Beta Angle — -19.4 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) — 43919

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern and subject to change):

• 08/03/06 — US EVA-5
• 08/28/07 — STS-115/12A launch (earliest)
• 08/30-09/06 — STS-115/12A docked mission w/ISS (earliest) – P3/P4 trusses
• 08/31/06 — Pavel Vinogradov’s birthday
• 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
• 10/08/06 — 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)
• 10/31/06 — Russian EVA-17
• 12/14/06 — STS-116/12A.1 launch (earliest)
• 12/16-24/06 — STS-116/12A.1 docked mission w/ISS (earliest) – P5 truss
• 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 — STS-117/13A launch (earliest) – S3/S4 trusses
• 02/24-03/03/07 — STS-117/13A docked mission w/ISS (earliest)
• 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)
• ??/??/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
• 06/11/07 — STS-118/13A.1 (earliest).

ISS Altitude History

Apogee height — Mean Altitude — Perigee height

For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ on NASA’s Human Spaceflight website. Additional satellite tracking resources can be found at http://www.spaceref.com/iss/tracking.html.