NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 23 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.
Before breakfast and exercise, the E13 crew completed their second session with the periodic Russian MedOps MO-10 test “Hematocrit”, which measures their blood’s red cell count. [The blood samples were drawn from a finger with a perforator lancet and then centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the M-1100 kit’s minicentrifuge. Its hematocrit value was read off the tubes with a magnifying glass. It is a well-known phenomenon of space flight that red blood cell count (normal range: 30-45%) tends to go down over time. After the exam, the data were saved in the IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer).]
Afterwards, CDR Pavel Vinogradov performed his third session with the CARDIOCOG (BTC-10) experiment, using the RSE1 laptop, ECG (electrocardiogram) electrodes and a new finger cuff for the “Portapres” hardware for measuring blood pressure. [CARDIOCOG studies changes in the human cardiovascular system in micro-G, expressed in the peripheral arteries, the vegetative regulation of arterial blood pressure and heart rate, and the interaction between the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. For the experiment, Pavel had to take systolic & diastolic blood pressure measurements and heart rate data manually, using the “Tensoplus” sphygmomanometer and the “Portapres” blood pressure equipment, storing the data on the RSE1 laptop, an IBM ThinkPad A31p that replaced the old French EGE-2. The experiment also included a 5-minute cognitive stress test with a numbers table, with the results called out for recording. Results are later downlinked via OCA and the RSE1 restored to nominal config, including removal of the special auxiliary HD (hard disk).]
Later in the day, the crew also conducted the IMG PHS (Integrated Medical Group/Periodic Health Status)/Without Blood Labs evaluation, part of the MO-9/Biochemical Urinalysis examination performed yesterday. [PHS data were obtained on all crewmembers, who assisted each other in turn as CMO (Crew Medical Officer). After the crew had also performed the Clinical Evaluation protocol, the data were logged in the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer)’s special IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program), and Williams stowed the MO-10 Hematokrit equipment kit.]
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After FE-2 Reiter set up for his fourth NOA (Nitric Oxide Analyzer) session, he and Pavel Vinogradov undertook the procedure, later downlinking the measurements from the RSE1 laptop to the ground via the BSR-TM telemetry channel. [Purpose of the ESA experiment 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 in the closed environment of the ISS cabin and increased risk of decompression sickness. The test sessions are being conducted biweekly, 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 and Pavel had to prepare themselves yesterday for the session by excluding food items containing nitrites and nitrates (such as in processed meat, assorted vegetables, stewed cabbage, etc.) from their diet for 24 hours before the weekly experiment.]
In the US Airlock, Thomas Reiter and Jeff Williams continued EVA preparations for 12A. [Today’s tasks consisted of BSA (Battery Storage Assembly) recharge initiation, installation of 10 new and improved caps on the ten METOX canisters (with the old caps prepared for return on 12A), setting up REBAs (Rechargeable EVA Battery Assemblies), and performing a checkout on three battery-powered PGTs (Pistol Grip Tools, #1003, #1006, #1007), afterwards stowing the tools and their batteries.]
The crew also had 30 minutes reserved for reviewing 12A EVA main tasks.
[Primary objectives of the critical and highly complex 12A spacewalks are:
- EVA-1 (FD4, Tanner/Piper) — Preparing P3/P4 truss and solar arrays for activation and deployment (including connecting power cables), releasing the launch restraints for the SABBs (Solar Array Blanket Boxes), installing four AJIS (Alpha Joint Interface Structure) struts, and preparing the SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint) for rotation;
- EVA-2 (FD5, Burbank/MacClean) — Preparing for SARJ activation, releasing and removing 16 covered launch locks, six (of ten) outer launch restraints and four thermal covers, and deploying the SARJ brace beams which help rigidize the structure;
- EVA-3 (FD7, Tanner/Piper) — Installing bolt retainers on P6 BGA (Beta Gimbal Assembly), releasing PVR (Photovoltaic Radiator) cinches and winch bars to deploy the PVR, clearing the rail path on P3 for MT (Mobile Transporter) relocation to Worksite 8, removing & replacing the string 1 BSP (Baseband Signal Processor) and transponder on the S1 truss, installing the Ku-band AGIT (Antenna Group Interface Tube) heat shield, installing a series of antennas to track visiting vehicle docking loads, retrieving MISSE-5 (Materials ISS Experiment 5), and removing & replacing the SASA (S-band Antenna Support Assembly.]
In the US Lab, FE-1 Williams performed corrective maintenance on the ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System), removing & replacing the LTL PPA (Low Temperature Loop Pump Package Assembly)’s failed Gas Trap Assembly (GTA) and the Fine Filter Assembly. The replaced parts are to be returned on 12A.
FE-2 Reiter conducted cleaning maintenance on the VTR1 (Video Tape Recorder 1), using vacuum cleaner and IVA connector cleaning tool.
CDR Vinogradov completed the periodic hardware health check on the ESA/RSC-Energia experiment ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS), essentially ascertaining the size of the recorded data on the ACT spectrometer’s PCMCIA memory card by temporarily removing it and inserting it into the RSE1 laptop for “reading”. The card was then changed out. [ALTCRISS uses the ACT spectrometer employed by VC8 guest cosmonaut Roberto Vittori last year in the DC1 for the Italian LAZIO (Low Altitude Zone/Ionization Observatory) experiment. Spacers (to correct the spectrometer’s tilt) and new shielding tiles (LDM-ALC-101) were installed later by the CDR. Today’s checkup on the card content was motivated by the discovery that the 8/4 data downlink was significantly smaller than expected. After reconnecting a loose grounding cable, ALTEINO was switched on again on 8/15, to catch an upcoming solar flare event.]
Thomas powered down the U.S. VOA (Volatile Organics Analyzer) in preparation for tomorrow’s scheduled maintenance on the system. [The following VOA OMIs (On-Orbit Maintenance Items) are slated for replacement: N2 (nitrogen) Dryer, O2 (oxygen) Scrubber, Recirculation Sieve Pack, and Air-In Sieve Pack.]
The CDR 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 periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various Russian Segment hatchways, including the SM-to-DC1 (22P) tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node and FGB-to-Soyuz passageways.
Updating/editing of the standard IMS (Inventory Management System) “delta file” for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur) was today assigned to the FE-2.
Pavel performed the standard weekly maintenance on the TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation & Stabilization) with SLD (Subject Loading Devices) contingency configuration, primarily inspecting the condition of the SLDs, SLD cables and SPDs (Subject Positioning Devices), plus recording time & date values.
All 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-2), TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1, FE-2), RED resistive exerciser (FE-1), 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 transfers his, Pavel’s and Thomas’ TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM data of the RED workouts, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).
Working off his discretionary “time permitting” task list, Pavel completed the daily status check of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) Lada-8 experiment as well as photographic imagery of the 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. [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.]
At ~11:205am EDT, the crew held their weekly teleconference with ISS Program Management at JSC/Houston via S-band/audio.
At ~1:40pm, Pavel, Jeff & Thomas talked with the crew of STS-115/Discovery via Ku- and S-band.
The scheduled ISS reboost by 21P Rendezvous & Docking thrusters went off as planned. [The burn took place at 12:04pm EDT, after attitude control handover to Russian MCS (Motion Control System)/thrusters at 9:14am and an attitude change from solar-pointing XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) to earth-fixed LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal). Afterwards, ISS slewed back to XPOP. Attitude control authority returned to US momentum management at 1:00pm. Preliminary data indicate nominal performance: ~9min 4sec burn duration and 2.26 m/s delta-V. Targeted mean altitude increase was ~3.95 km (2.14 n.mi). Tracking update TBD.]
With Vozdukh in the SM still off, ground-commanded CDRA (CO2 Removal Assembly) performance testing continues in the Lab. [CDRA is operating in continuous single-bed configuration (“automatic mode) on Bed #1 (check valve on Bed #2 being stuck open). Detailed performance data in this configuration over several days are desired to make sure that CDRA, by itself, can support ISS needs as well as CSCS (Contingency Shuttle Crew Support).]
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 Xianggang (Hong Kong), China (weather was mostly clear over this Asian megacity. The crew had opportunities to collect regional context imagery as they approached the metropolitan area, and as they departed from it along the orbit track. Imagery of the southwestern and northeastern urban fringes were requested), and Guangzhou, China (looking to the left of track for this Chinese megacity formerly known as Canton. The city is located on the Pearl River and has the fifth largest population in China. Overlapping mapping frames taken parallel to track will provide useful regional context for higher resolution images).
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:
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, 6:46am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 339.8 km
- Apogee height– 344.3 km
- Perigee height — 335.3 km
- Period — 91.33 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0006709
- Solar Beta Angle — 45.5 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.77
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 108 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 44377
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern and subject to change):
- 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, 3 EVAs
- 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.
