NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 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.

In preparation for the upcoming EVA-5 spacewalk by Thomas Reiter and Jeff Williams, CDR Pavel Vinogradov and FE-2 Reiter completed Thomas’ first session with the Russian crew health-monitoring program’s medical assessment “Biochemical Urinalysis” (MO-9) before breakfast and exercise. Afterwards, Reiter performed the Clinical Evaluation protocol, before he recorded the data and stowed the hardware. [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 PHS (Integrated Medical Group/Periodic Health Status) evaluation as part of the “PHS/Without Blood Labs” exam. The Clinical Evaluation is the second part of the PHS assessment. The analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus Urolux developed originally for the Mir program. Afterwards, the data are entered in the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer)’s special IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program).]

In the Soyuz TMA-8/12S descent capsule (SA), docked at the FGB nadir port, CDR Vinogradov and FE-2 Reiter removed the FOREL & NEVA contour liner for Marcos Pontes and installed instead Reiter’s FOREL & NEVA from his IELK (Individual Equipment & Liner Kit, Russian: USIL), delivered on ULF1.1.

The crew conducted their first standard fit check of the Kazbek couches, the contoured shock absorbing seats in the Soyuz 12S. [This required them to remove their cabin suits and don Sokol KV-2 suit and comm caps, getting into in their seats in their underwear and assessing the degree of comfort and uniform body support provided by the seat liner. Using a ruler, they then measured the gap between the top of the head and the top edge of the structure facing the head crown. The results were reported to TsUP. Kazbek-UM couches are designed to withstand g-loads during launch and orbital insertion as well as during reentry and brake-rocket-assisted landing. Each seat has two positions: cocked (armed) and noncocked. In cocked position, they are raised to allow the shock absorbers to function during touchdown. The fit check assures that the crewmembers, whose bodies gain in length during longer-term stay in zero-G, will still be adequately protected by the seat liners for their touchdown in Kazakhstan, either emergency or regular return (12S serves as CRV (crew return vehicle} in the event of a contingency. It was discovered that Reiter’s Kazbek-UM is without a suit restraint for 12S deorbit and landing. A cargo type strap, on orbit for an emergency return, can be adapted for use in FE-2’s seat. A proper Kazbek-UM suit restraint will most likely be flown on Mission ISS-12A with 13S as a backup.]

In the US Airlock (A/L), FE-1 Williams started charging on another set of EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) batteries in the BSA (Battery Storage Assembly) and later terminated the process. [For recharging, the batteries, used during ULF1.1 and needed for EVA-5, are first discharged completely, then recharged to capacity.]

Pavel removed the Russian Laptop 2 at the Service Module Central Post (SM CP) work site 2, replacing it with a new A31p ThinkPad (“RS2”) and cloned it with new software from its HDD (hard disk drive).

Thomas Reiter set up his second NOA (Nitric Oxide Analyzer) session and then conducted the procedure, afterwards downlinking the measurements from the RSE1 laptop to the ground via the BSR-TM telemetry channel. [Purpose of the ESA payload ESANO1, consisting of the “Platon” analyzer and its power supply, is to monitor expired nitric oxide (NO) in the subject’s exhaled air to detect signs of airway inflammation and indications of venous gas emboli (bubbles) that may be caused by inhalation of pollutants on the ISS and increased risk of decompression sickness. The test sessions are being conducted once a week, with two NO measurements in the exhaled air (after rinsing out with Rodnik water) taken in each session through a bacterial filter. Today’s measurement ops were recorded in the Platon log and supported by ground specialist tagup via S-band. To prevent skewing the measurements, Thomas had to prepare himself yesterday for the session by excluding food items containing nitrites and nitrates (such as in processed meat, assorted vegetables, stewed cabbage, etc.) from his diet for 24 hours before the weekly experiment.]

Jeffrey Williams had an hour set aside to review and familiarize himself with the new EMU C&W (Caution & Warning) system.

Afterwards, Jeff and Thomas worked several timelined tasks in the A/L in preparation for next week’s (8/3, Thursday) EVA-5 spacewalk. [The tasks included installation of METOX (Metal Oxide) regenerable carbon dioxide (CO2) modules and REBAs (Rechargeable EVA Battery Assemblies) in the EMUs, REBA testing, checkout of and familiarization with the PGT (Pistol Grip Tool), and preparation of US EVA tools.]

The EVA Dry Run will be on 7/28. The crew has a dry run procedure review tomorrow (10:10am EDT), for which briefing material has been uplinked overnight.

CDR Vinogradov updated the IMS (Inventory Management System) database with data representative of his latest Progress M-56/21P unloading and stowing activities.

FE-1/SO Williams continued his work on the MELFI (Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS) equipment, today relocating the 500 ML specimen from Dewar 2 and downloading newest data. [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.]

Jeff and Thomas were thanked by payload teams on the ground for yesterday’s highly successful efforts during the PFS (Pulmonary Function System) Upgrade and PFE/OUM (Physical Fitness Evaluation/Oxygen Uptake Measurement) activities. [“We were able to receive good data to the ground. The first PFE/OUM was a long time coming, and it was a success! Thanks again and we look forward to PFE/OUM activities as they continue in the future.”]

FE-2 Reiter completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, with the regular replacements in its toilet system (ASU), plus the weekly inspection of the air/liquid condensate separator apparatus (BRPK).

Thomas also conducted the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways, including the SM-to-DC1 (20P) tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node and FGB-to-Soyuz passageways.

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.]

Pavel gathered and prepared the equipment required for the transfer of “Rodnik” water from Progress M-56/21P to the Rodnik tanks of Progress M-57/22P, docked to the DC1 “Pirs” module. [This water transfer, requiring hoses, connection and pressure adapters, electric pump and cabling, is scheduled for 8/1.]

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 TVIS (FE-1, 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 2 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).

Working off his discretionary “time available” task list, Pavel performed photographic imagery of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) Lada-8 experiment using the Nikon D1X digital camera with flash and copying all photos from the memory card to the RSK1 laptop for downlink to TsUP via the BSR-TM telemetry channel. He also performed the periodic status check. [Rasteniya researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-8 greenhouse. The regular maintenance of the experiment (each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) involves monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, topping off the water tank if ~20-25% of the total amount (4 liters) remains, and photo/video recording.]

Also off the voluntary task list, Vinogradov collected the weekly cabin air readings with the GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer system of the SM SOGS (Pressure Control & Atmospheric Monitoring System). [GANK tests for Methane (CH4), Ammonia (NH3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Formaldehyde (HCHO), Nitrogen Oxides (NO, NO2), Hydrogen Chloride (HCl), Hydrogen Fluoride (HF), and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN).].

A third item added to the Russian task list for today was the cleaning of the CCD (charge-coupled device) and lenses of the Nikon D1X digital camera.

This morning’s (12:58am) ISS reboost with Progress M-56/21P thrusters was successful, lifting mean orbital altitude by approximately 1590 m.

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, in the current LVLH attitude no longer limited by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Western Pamirs (situated at the northwestern end of the Himalayan uplift, the rugged Pamirs support a complex of long valley glaciers with distinctive moraine features. Trying for oblique contextual, mapping views unless nadir views are available), Mount Etna Plumes (DYNAMIC EVENT: An eruption of this famous volcano in eastern Sicily seems imminent. Using the long lens and trying for panning views far left to track to spot ongoing steam plumes near the summit), and Internal waves, E & W Florida coasts (although a few clouds were to be expected over the Gulf Stream east of Florida, looking for sun glint enhancement of internal wave features from just south of Jacksonville to near Nassau in the central Bahamas).

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, 7:36am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 341.9 km
• Apogee height– 347.5 km
• Perigee height — 336.3 km
• Period — 91.37 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0008365
• Solar Beta Angle — -16.2 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.76
• Mean altitude gain in last 24 hours — 1590 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 43936

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.