NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 29 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.

CDR Vinogradov and FE-2 Reiter had about five hours of work time between them for loading Progress M-56/21P with discarded equipment and trash. FE-1 Williams also contributed to the 21P stowing by prepacking and loading excessed U.S. hardware.

Afterwards, Pavel Vinogradov began a major audit of Russian hardware in the Service Module (SM) and FGB, based on an uplinked 11-page listing of 360 Condensate Water Processor (SRV-K2M) and Toilet Facilities (ASU) equipment items. [Upon completion of the audit (which Pavel suggested himself to support more efficient equipment repairs), the results will be entered in the IMS (Inventory Management System) to update its database.]

The crew conducted the periodic sampling of cabin air for subsequent analysis on the ground. [Jeff Williams started out by collecting air samples in the Lab and SM with the Dual Sorbent Tube (DST, using the Russian AK-1M/Draeger tube pump instead of the broken DST pump), and then with a GSC (grab sample container) at the center of the SM and Lab, while Vinogradov used the AK-1M adsorber to sample the air in the SM and FGB and to check for leaked-out Freon. To test for CO (carbon monoxide) in the SM, Pavel also took samples with the IPD-CO Draeger tubes sampler.]

FE-2 Reiter continued preventive maintenance in the FGB by cleaning ventilation grilles of interior panels.

In the “Pirs” Docking Compartment (DC1), the CDR removed the screen guards on a lighting fixture, mounted on two panels (#301, #302), and on a portable light unit. [The separated screens were attached on the lights with Aramide (Velcro) tape and the units were photographed for ground inspection.]

After reviewing a POIC (Payload Operations & Integration Center)-provided self-study guide on MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) seals replacement, Thomas Reiter worked on the MSG to remove & replace the seals of the two 16-inch loading ports. This was the last seal replacement needed prior to the MSG WV (Work Volume) leak test scheduled for 9/1 (Friday). [The primary Norsorex seals in the MSG WV (Work Volume) have exceeded their maximum expected life of 3 years (from manufacturing date). They are required for the facility, to maintain a second level of containment (the first level continues to be provided by the negative pressure differential control system). During today’s R&R, the Norsorex seals were replaced/upgraded with EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) seals, which have a 5-year life with a required annual inspection each year after five.]

Using the electronic Velocicalc instrument, Jeffrey Williams performed the periodic (90-day) air flow measurements for checking IMV (intermodular ventilation) between the U.S. and Russian segments. In addition, to test an IMV configuration that will required for the EVAs of Mission 12A.1 in December, Williams took air flow measurements with the Lab aft/portside IMV deactivated and only the Node IMV aft/port IMV fan running, and later with the Node aft/port IMV closed, with only the Lab IMV aft port fan operating. [Velocicalc measures relative humidity, dew point (or wet bulb) temperature, air temperature, and air velocity at specific locations and points, with and without installed air ducts. As comparison for the initial Velocicalc calibration, Russian air flow data from the BMP inlet were taken and recorded on the RS laptop, to verify the accuracy of the Lab diffuser measurements.]

The FE-1 performed the regular inspection of the Lab science window, taking digital photographs and video of the panes with the Kodak 760 DCS (digital camera system) and PD-100 camcorder. [The Lab window consists of two panes (primary & redundant), plus an interior pane as scratch protection and an external pane for debris protection. The inspection, done once every Increment, looks for contamination and damage. The major surface of concern is the exterior surface of the debris pane, but the procedure also includes any contamination (smudges, particulates, etc.) or damage (scratches, cracks, etc.) there may be on any of the other surfaces.]

Jeff continued his support of the ALTEA (Anomalous Long-Term Effects on Astronauts) payload, today reactivating the experiment in the passive dosimeter mode, to collect data on the radiation environment in the US Lab. [Meanwhile, POIC/Huntsville is troubleshooting a data transfer problem encountered yesterday during Jeff’s CNSM (Central Nervous System Monitoring) session with the EEG (Electroencephalograph) helmet. Purpose of ALTEA is to define and measure descriptors for the electrophysiological brain functioning and to follow their dynamics, correlating it with space environments. This involves CNSM measuring sessions by Williams wearing a helmet for a 32-channel EEG system, plus long-term unmanned real-time particle flux dosimetry (DOSI mode) inside the ISS using six particle detectors (originally introduced on Mir). ]

In addition, Jeff conducted the routine daily SOZh maintenance, including the ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables, and updated/edited the standard IMS “delta file”, including locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

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 TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and RED resistive exercise device (FE-1, FE-2). The CDR’s 2.5-hr workout again was on TVIS/aerobic only (Day 4).

Afterwards, Jeffrey transferred the TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) 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 discretionary “time permitting” task list, Pavel Vinogradov performed the periodic time synchronization between the Russian payload server (BSPN) and the ISS “Wiener” power laptop in support of the ongoing runs of the ESA/German commercial robotics experiment “RokvISS”.

Also added as a voluntary job on the Russian task list was the daily status check of the long-term BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) Lada-8 greenhouse experiment, which researches growth and development of plants (peas) under spaceflight conditions.

At ~8:40am EDT, FE-2 Thomas Reiter supported an LDM (Long-Duration Mission) Public Relations event with German TV networks RTL and its news affiliate n-tv in Cologne, Germany. [The audio/video connection was made by the SM’s automated onboard program sequencer (SPP) over RGS (Russian Ground Site), and the VHF/TV signal was routed from RGS through TsUP/Moscow and Ostankino TV satellite to Berlin. A parallel feed ran to Col-CC (Columbus Control Center) in Bavaria via IGS network.]

No CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets uplinked today. CEO will resume tomorrow, until STS-115 arrival.

To date, over 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, 6:04am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 343.4 km
• Apogee height– 350.8 km
• Perigee height — 336.0 km
• Period — 91.40 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0011071
• Solar Beta Angle — 16.5 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.75
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 80 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 44471

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

• TBD — STS115/12A launch<
• 08/31/06 — Pavel Vinogradov’s birthday<
• 09/14/06? — Soyuz TMA-9/13S launch (Expedition 14 + VC11) — 12A slip impact TBD<
• 09/15/06? — Progress M-56/21P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry — 12A
• slip impact TBD<
• 09/16/06? — Soyuz TMA-9/13S docking (SM aft port) — 12A slip impact TBD<
• 09/25/06? — Soyuz TMA-8/12S undocking (FGB nadir port) & land — 12A slip impact TBD<
• 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.