NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 21 August 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. Underway: Week 20 of Increment 13.

After conducting a hardware check of the instrument, CDR Vinogradov set up the Russian “Shumometer” sound level meter in the Service Module (SM), then took acoustic readings to check on cabin sound levels after the recent installation of noise dampers and vibration isolators on the SKV1 air conditioner (VTK1 fan), SKV2 air conditioner (VT2) and VR and VPF1 & 2 ventilators. Afterwards, FE-1 Williams transferred the SLM data the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for subsequent downlink to the ground. [The procedure called for leaving SKV2 running, shutting down various other fans and avoiding any noncontinuous noises such as from communications and exercise sessions, music, conversations, and short-duration valve actuations of the Vozdukh CO2 scrubber.]

FE-2 Reiter conducted his third session of the regular monthly Eye Tracking Device (ETD) experiment, which studies the coordination of eye and head movements in zero-G, i.e. the adaptation of the human vestibular (balance) system, and takes place in the Docking Compartment (DC1)’s central sphere. [After a calibration with the calibrating unit, the experiment investigates horizontal eye and head movement coordination, measures Listing’s plane, and determines the orientation of the vestibulo-ocular coordinate system, using five target marks on a visual target board on the EV-2 hatch on the horizontal plane. For the experiment, Thomas first had to check the setup of the left and right video cameras, then established his most comfortable and stable body position relative to the visual target (60 cm for the first part of the experiment, 100 to 150 cm in parts two & three). Each step required another prior calibration run, using visual target cues or the calibration unit.]

After executing an uplinked repair procedure on the DAFT (Dust & Aerosol Measurement Feasibility Test) Fill Assembly with the broken HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter (leaving the latter unreplaced), Science Officer Williams set up the video equipment and conducted today’s scheduled test run. P-Trak data were then transferred from the DAFT hardware to the EXPRESS Rack laptop, after which the gear was stowed. [DAFT attempts to test the effectiveness of an ultra-fine particle counter device called P-Trak, a commercial hand-held air quality monitor that counts ultra-fine dust particles, in a low gravity environment. A risk mitigation activity as a precursor to the next generation of spacecraft fire detection hardware, DAFT will provide the first systematic measurements of the sizes of particles in the ISS cabin air over time and prove the usefulness of the P-Trak counter. For the current testing sessions Jeff created a “known” aerosol in a valved Mylar bag from gaseous nitrogen (GN2) and Arizona Road Dust (ARD) as a test sample.]

Working on the ASN-M satellite navigation system in the SM, the CDR disconnected the system’s NVM-1 computer module from the BKS Onboard Cable Network and removed it from its location behind panel 228 for pre-packing, to be returned on 12A. [The ASN-M satellite navigation system will be required for the arrival of the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) “Jules Verne” next year.]

Vinogradov also conducted a bladder leak test on the Russian Orlan-M spacesuit #25 in the DC1, supported by tagup with ground specialists.

Continuing his 12A EVA preparations in the US Airlock (A/L), Thomas Reiter initiated the ionic and particulate filtration or “scrubbing” process of the EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) and A/L cooling loops, for elimination of any biomass residues. About 2.5 hours later, the procedure was terminated.

Vinogradov switched power sources on the Russian RSE-MED A31P laptop by taking it off its PBS 10/3 outlet and connecting it to the PPS-26 power control panel of the SM’s onboard equipment control system (SUBA) behind panel 127. [SUBA is used to control, monitor, and diagnose SM onboard systems status by using sensor output signals and functional outputs from the SM command radio link, onboard computer system (BVS) units, SM control panels and onboard system relay outputs. Its several PPS consoles are used to switch electric power and to provide current protection for the power supply circuits of separate instruments, units, and devices.]

Pavel also performed functional testing on the KMV test sensor of the Russian BKDO Plume Impingement & Deposit Monitor unit retrieved by him and Williams from the outside during their Orlan EVA-16 on 6/1.

Thomas Reiter unstowed a handheld microphone delivered on ULF1.1 and moved it to the A/L for use during the 12A mission, per request of the STS-115 crew based on a lesson learned from ULF1.1.

Also in preparation for 12A, Jeff Williams gathered onboard BPSMUs (Battery Powered Speaker & Microphone Units) and their cabling to consolidate them in one half-CTB (Cargo Transfer Bag), to be more efficiently accessible during docked ops.

The FE-2 conducted the monthly PEP (portable emergency provisions) safety inspection. [The IMS-supported inspection involves verification that PFEs (portable fire extinguishers), PBAs (portable breathing apparatus), QDMAs (quick-don mask assemblies) and EHTKs (extension hose/tee kits) are free of damage to ensure their functionality, and to track shelf life/life cycles on the hardware. In the U.S. segment (USOS), there are a total of 5 PFEs and 7 PBAs, plus 7 QDMAs and 4 EHTKs.]

Reiter retrieved the videocassette of his recent (8/8) student demo experiment OEE (Oil Emulsion Experiment) and downlinked the audio/video recordings via Ku- and S-band.

The FE-1 checked out the stowed IBM 760XD laptops of the ePCS (early Portable Computer System), replacing their expired Li-Ion batteries and powering them on to ensure their working condition, in case they are needed as contingency spares.

Both Flight Engineers had about an hour each for unpacking cargo delivered on STS-121/ULF1.1.

Pavel Vinogradov broke out and set up the equipment for tomorrow’s planned “Urolux” biochemical urine test (PZE MO-9). [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).]

Jeff retrieved the recently (8/7) found filled Fine Filter & Gas Trap from a spare ITCS PPA (Internal Thermal Control System/Pump Package Assembly) for return to Earth. [Thermal teams require the gas trap in order to stock the next spare ground PPA, and anticipate return of the found unit on the 12A mission.]

Pavel conducted the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) system in the SM, including the ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables.

The CDR 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).

The TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation & Stabilization) is performing nominally.

The three crewmembers completed 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 resistive exerciser (FE-1), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR, FE-2). [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, Thomas transferred the TVIS and RED 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).

Working off his “time permitting” discretionary task list, Vinogradov conducted the daily status check of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) Lada-8 experiment. [Rasteniya researches growth and development of plants (peas) 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 task list, Pavel was to conduct a search for the O2 channel primary data converter (transducer, GL5187) of the Russian IK0501 gas analyzer.

Under ground command, several software PPLs (Pre-Positioned Loads) were successfully loaded into the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) of the C&C MDM (Command & Control Multiplexer/Demultiplexer, computer), which were uplinked earlier into DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). These changes protect against problems that could occur during an unplanned power down of the MDMs.

No CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets uplinked today.

To date, close to 250,000 of CEO images have been taken in the first six years of the ISS, about 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, 7:37am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 340.1 km
• Apogee height– 344.7 km
• Perigee height — 335.5 km
• Period — 91.34 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0006818
• Solar Beta Angle — 53.9 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.76
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 164 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 44346

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

• 08/23/06 — ISS reboost (21P)
• 08/27/06 — STS-115/12A launch (4:29:55pm EDT)
• 08/29-09/04 — STS-115/12A docked mission w/ISS (earliest) – P3/P4 trusses
• 08/31/06 — Pavel Vinogradov’s birthday
• 09/07/06 – STS-115/12A landing at KSC (~12:02pm EDT)
• 09/14/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S launch (Expedition 14 + VC11)
• 09/15/06 — Progress M-56/21P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
• 09/16/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S docking (SM aft port)
• 09/25/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S undocking (FGB nadir port) & land
• 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)
• 11/22/06 — Russian EVA-17
• 12/14/06 — STS-116/12A.1 launch
• 12/16-23/06 — STS-116/12A.1 docked mission w/ISS – 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 – 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

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.