NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 15 March 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Saturday – 1J/A Flight Day 5 (FD5). Crew sleep cycle today: Sleep 7:00am-3:30pm; wake 3:30pm-7:00am tomorrow.

Node-2/JLP vestibule outfitting, JLP ingress & JLP rack reconfigurations successfully accomplished! The first Japan-made human-rated space facility is now in operation. Arigato Gozaimasu!
[After completing outfitting the Node-2 vestibule to the JAXA JLP (JEM Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section), including removing CBM (Common Berthing Mechanism) hardware, installing several utility jumpers & taking air samples, crewmembers, led by “high-productivity” Peggy Whitson, ingressed the module three hours early (~9:20pm EDT). This allowed the reconfiguring of three JLP racks (including relocating rack front stowage to Node-2 in preparation for the racks transfer to the JEM during Flight 1J, plus retrieving two bags from behind a rack that contain K-Bars and pivot fittings) to be completed right away, rather than tonight (FD6) as planned. FD6 timeline replanning includes troubleshooting/repair of the broken ISS Multimeter.]

Also, power was successfully applied to the SPDM PSU (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator/Power Switching Unit) at 10:10pm after the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) was connected, as planned, to Dextre’s PDGF (Power & Data Grapple Fixture). [The SSRMS will remain grappled for power except when needed to support EVAs. EVA-2 will be executed tonight per the nominal plan except the OTCM-2 (ORU Tool Changeout Mechanism 2) thermal “sock” (cover) will not be removed until later.]

Before sleeptime this morning, FE-2 Eyharts worked in Node-2 to install an Orbiter IWIS RSU (Internal Wireless Instrumentation System/Remote Sensor Unit) that will be connected to the IWIS accelerometer on the Shuttle to measure structural dynamics.

Afterwards, Leo re-equipped the CSI-02 (CGBA Science Insert #2) component of the CGBA-5 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus #5) incubator payload with a Petri dish, inserting it with new material in the CGBA along with a support plate and other parts. Two used Petri dishes were trashed. [The CGBA incubator is controlled from the ground, with automatic video downlinked to Earth.]

FE-1 Malenchenko took situational photography of a bonding strip on the VPrK ventilator on the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) airduct, to support the ground in coming up with a backup option.

Also before sleeptime, –

• Yuri performed the periodic (generally monthly) service of the ESA/RSC-Energia experiment ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS), removing its PCMCIA memory card from the AST spectrometer and replacing it with a new card; completed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the Service Module (SM); conducted the daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance, updating/editing its standard “delta file” including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur); and stowed trash & discarded equipment on Progress 28P, to be jettisoned on 4/7;
• In the JLP, Peggy successfully checked out the NPRV (Negative Pressure Relief Valve) and ELPS (Emergency Lighting & Power Supply), then monitored N2 (nitrogen transfer from the Shuttle to ISS, to be terminated tonight by the Shuttle crew (expected total ~20lbs), and
• Eyharts spent about an hour on handover activities with Reisman, who assumes Leo’s FE-2 position after Shuttle departure.

A D-shaped handle with a small MMOD (Micrometeoroid/Orbital Debris) impact, brought onboard from EVA-1, was deburred and taped for protection, to be used on EVA-2 for carrying gear.

After a final review of EVA-2 procedures for tonight, the crew turned in at ~7:00am this morning for a good “night’s” sleep.

For both crews, currently asleep, workday begins later today at 3:30pm EDT. After hatch closure this morning at ~6:40am, EV1 Rick Linnehan and EV2 Mike Foreman are on “Campout” (nachalo desaturatsiy = desaturation start) in the A/L CL (Crewlock). The two spacewalkers performed PBA (Portable Breathing Apparatus) mask prebreathe for denitrogenation, while readying their tools & equipment, then depressed the CL from 14.7 to 10.2 psi for their sleep period. [For the Campout, fresh METOX (Metal Oxide) canisters are installed in the A/L for CO2 control.]

After wakeup at 3:30pm, ending the 8.5-hr sleep period on 10.2 psi before the spacewalk, the CL hatch will be cracked (i.e., temporarily repressurized) at ~4:10pm for a hygiene break/with mask prebreathe for Foreman and Linnehan. Around 5:20pm, the hatch will be closed again for EVA preps in 10.2 psi, followed by EMU purge & prebreathe. Afterwards, Peggy and Bob Behnken will support CL depressurization, and EV1 & EV2 will egress around 8:23pm. [EVA-2 will last approximately 7.0 hrs, ending at ~3:28am (ISS crew sleep begins at 7:00am). Its major objectives are: (1) stow SPDM Arm 1 & 2 ; (2) install SPDM, (3) remove thermal covers including the “get-aheads” from EVA-1; (4) clean up the SLP (Spacelab Pallet) for its return to the PLB (Payload Bay), (5) clean up worksite & ingress.]

Before breakfast, as suggested on her discretionary “job jar” task list, Peggy Whitson will complete another “overnight” run with the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment’s laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for downlink. [To monitor the crewmember’s sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Peggy wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew’s discretionary “job jar” task list.]

A second new “job jar” item for Peggy is to fill out the regular FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer). [By means of these FFQs, U.S. astronauts keep a personalized log of their nutritional intake over time on special MEC software. Recorded are the amounts consumed during the past week of such food items as beverages, cereals, grains, eggs, breads, snacks, sweets, fruit, beans, soup, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, chicken, sauces & spreads, and vitamins.]

Before crew egress at ~8:23pm, FE-2-16 Garrett Reisman will set up the SSRMS for the spacewalk, releasing the SPDM and maneuvering the robotarm to the APFR (Articulated Portable Foot Restraint) install position. During EVA-2, Garrett will support Rick and Mike with the SSRMS and afterwards regrapple the SPDM to continue providing power to its SPU.

ISS Crew Sleep Shift Planning: To synchronize the ISS crew’s timeline with STS-123/1J/A docking and subsequent docked activities, Peggy’s, Yuri’s and Leo’s wake/sleep cycle is undergoing a number of shifts which started on 3/11. For the next six days, the wake/sleep shift schedule is as follows (all times EDT):

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 8:13am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 340.5 km
Apogee height — 341.3 km
Perigee height — 339.7 km
Period — 91.34 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0001173
Solar Beta Angle — 25.4 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.76
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 92 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 53374

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):

• 3/15 (FD6) – EVA-2 to continue SPDM assembly (~8:23pm)
• 3/17 (FD8) – EVA-3 to transfer ORUs, cleanup SLP, install MISSE-6, etc. (~7:23pm)
• 3/20 (FD11) – EVA-4 to demonstrate T-RAD, do get-aheads (~6:28pm)
• 3/22 (FD13) – EVA-5 to stow OBSS, TBDs (~5:23pm)
• 3/24 (FD15) – STS-123/Endeavour undocking (~7:55pm)
• 3/26 (FD17) – STS-123/Endeavour deorbit (~7:33pm); landing (KSC) — ~8:35pm;

03/14/08 — ATV1 “Jules Verne” CAM (Collision Avoidance Maneuver) Demo, -5m/s, 4:00am-5:30am EDT;
03/19/08 — ATV1 “Jules Verne” parking point (loiter) arrival 8:00am EDT ~1200 mi. in front of ISS;
03/27/08 – ATV1 end of loiter; leave parking point – ~2:00am;
03/29/08 — ATV1 Demo Day 1
03/31/08 — ATV1 Demo Day 2
04/03/08 — ATV1 Demo Day 3 (docking) ~10:39am EDT
04/07/08 — Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch – ~7:16am
04/10/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1) – ~8:43am
04/19/08 — Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking/landing (FGB nadir port)
05/10/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
05/14/08 — Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 — Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
05/25/08 — STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM “Kibo”, racks, RMS
05/27/08 — STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
06/05/08 — STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
08/07/08 — ATV1 undocking
08/12/08 — Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 — Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
08/28/08 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4)
09/09/08 — Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
09/10/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
09/12/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
10/01/08 — NASA 50 Years
10/11/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/12/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/14/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
10/16/08 — STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
10/18/08 — STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 docking
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (FGB nadir)
11/03/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S relocation (from SM aft to FGB nadir)
11/20/08 — ISS 10 Years
11/26/08 — Progress M-67/32P launch
11/28/08 — Progress M-67/32P docking (SM aft port)
12/04/08 — STS-119/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
12/06/08 — STS-119/Discovery/15A docking
12/15/08 — STS-119/Discovery/15A undocking
1QTR CY09 — STS-127/2J/A launch – JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
2QTR CY09 — STS-128/17A – MPLM, last crew rotation
05/??/09 — Six-person crew on ISS (following Soyuz 18S-2 docking)
3QTR CY09 — STS-129/ULF3 – ELC1, ELC2
4QTR CY09 — STS-130/19A – MPLM
1QTR CY10 – STS-131/ULF4
2QTR CY10 — STS-132/20A – Node-3 + Cupola
3QTR CY10 – STS-133/ULF5.