NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 19 November 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Flight Day 6 (FD6) of STS-126/ULF-2. ISS crew work cycle today: Wake 8:55am EST; sleep 12:25am (until 8:55am tomorrow morning, i.e. steady for now). Tomorrow: 10th Year Anniversary of ISS!

Mission ULF-2’s EVA-1 was completed last night successfully by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper & Stephen Bowen in 6h 52min, accomplishing all its objectives plus one get-ahead. [During the spacewalk, Piper (EV1) & Bowen (EV2) –

• Transferred the empty NTA (Nitrogen Tank Assembly) from ESP-3 (External Stowage Platform 3) to Shuttle PLB (Payload Bay) & installed it under the LMC (Lightweight MPESS Carrier),
• Transferred the FHRC (Flex Hose Rotary Coupler) from PLB/LMC & installed it on ESP-3 as a prepositioned spare (remaining on ESP-3 until needed),
• Removed five covers of the Japanese EFBM (Exposed Facility Berthing Mechanism) for EFBM checkout on FD8,
• Removed Stbd SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint) TBAs (Trundle Bearing Assemblies) #10 & #6 and replaced them with new TBAs,
• Removed & brought inside TBA #11, and
• Performed partial cleaning and lubrication of the Stbd SARJ Race Ring (the remaining clean & lube tasks for the Stbd SARJ are planned for EVA-2 and EVA-3.
  

In addition, the spacewalkers completed the following EVA get-ahead tasks:

• Removing the SARJ Launch Restraint 4A,
• Closing of the Node-2 Zenith CBM (Common Berthing Mechanism) hatch cover, and
• Retrieving a large trash bag from Port Tool Box.
  

Official start time of the spacewalk was 1:09pm EST, and it ended at 8:01pm. Total EVA duration (PET = Phase Elapsed Time) was 6h 52min. It was the 115th spacewalk for ISS assembly & maintenance and the 87th from the station (63 from Quest, 24 from Pirs, plus 28 from Shuttle) totaling 537h 18min, the first EVA for Expedition 18 and the 15th so far this year (including two Russian Orlan EVAs). After today’s EVA, a total of 151 spacewalkers (115 NASA astronauts, 25 Russians, and 11 astronauts representing Japan-1, Canada-4, France-1, Germany-2 and Sweden-3) have logged a total of 725h 40min outside the station on building, outfitting & servicing. It was the 135th spacewalk involving U.S. astronauts.]

After the spacewalkers’ return on board (8:01pm EST), post-EVA activities by MS3 Stefanyshyn-Piper, MS2 Bowen, FE-2 Chamitoff, CDR Fincke & CDR Ferguson in the A/L and preparations for EVA-2 tomorrow consisted of —

• Taking photographs of the EMU gloves for downlink and inspection,
• Transferring the SAFER (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue) units for subsequent checkout and swapout with a second set,
• Recharging the EMU/spacesuits with water from PWR (Payload Water Reservoir),
• Reconnecting the LTAs (Lower Torso Assemblies) to the EMUs
• Initiating METOX (Metal Oxide) canister regeneration,
• Capping the UIA (Umbilical Interface Assembly,
• Initiating battery charging in the A/L BSA (Battery Stowage Assembly),
• Turning the DCS & D2XS cameras around, and
• Returning the VCA1 (Video Camera Assembly 1) with its drag-thru cable from Node-2 back to the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) for re-installation at its regular endcone/aft side location.
  

During the EVA, an untethered 30-lbs Crewlock Bag was inadvertently released from a larger ORU (Orbit Replaceable Unit) bag and floated away as the crew was cleaning up grease from a leaking lubrication gun. The lost bag contains two SARJ lubrication guns, a scraper, a scraper debris container, a large trash bag, six wipes, wireties and several tethers. The two spacewalkers shared the other set of SARJ cleaning/lubrication equipment for the remainder of the EVA. Teams are currently assessing any potential impacts to the next EVAs due to loss of the tools. [Sufficient tools/spares are believed to be available to complete EVAs -2, -3, and -4. EVA-2 can be done with the current tool complement and will include a test to see whether the wet wipes can be used for the initial lube application. The possible use of the Shuttle NOAX (non-oxide adhesive experimental) caulk gun, intended for TPS repair, instead of the lost grease gun is being assessed, including the risk of not having the NOAX caulk gun available for an emergency and whether the caulk gun could be cleaned on orbit. Port SARJ cleaning will be reprioritized ahead of Stbd SARJ cleaning, but there will be no change to the EVA plans unless it is determined that there is insufficient grease to complete them.]

Preparatory to today’s scheduled waste water dump from the Shuttle, FE-2-18 Magnus verified closure of the protective window shutters in the Kibo JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module). Later today, CDR Ferguson will maneuver the ISS/Shuttle stack into the proper attitude at ~5:06pm EST, and at ~5:30pm the venting (in retrograde direction) will commence, lasting about 50 min. –XVV attitude (Shuttle bottom facing opposite to flight direction for TPS protection) will then be restored with Shuttle thrusters (ORB mode) at ~7:42pm and taken over by CMG Momentum Management. [The kick-back effect of the water dump will impact the parameters to be chosen for the ISS reboost, scheduled for FD8 (11/21).]

Fincke, Pettit, Chamitoff & Magnus transferred the last three racks from the MPLM (Multi-Purpose Logistics Module) as well as the three ORUs required for the subsequent WRS (Water Recovery System) configuration activities. As of this morning, Middeck transfers are 30% complete, MPLM transfers 23% and overall 24%. 105 transfer hours remain in the timeline. [With yesterday’s successful transfers of five racks, i.e., WRS-1, WRS-2, ER6 (Express Rack 6/Galley), the CIR (Combustion Rack) and the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment/Toilet), MPLM transfers remain ahead of timeline. This allowed accelerating the installation of the Port & Stbd Crew Quarters in the Lab to today as well as hooking up jumpers, configuring the WRS by Mod Kit-3 installations, including the RHS (Reactor Health Sensor) and CR (Catalytic Reactor) ORUs, and transferring one RSR (Resupply Stowage Rack) from the Node-2 to “Leonardo” for return to Earth.]

FE-1 Lonchakov will work on the RS (Russian Segment) radiation payload suite “Matryoshka-R” (RBO-3-3)/SDTO (Station Development Test Objective) 50448, downloading data and removing dosimeters for return on the Shuttle. [Yuri will be conducting the periodic time synchronization between the RSS1 laptop and BSPN payload server, after testing functionality by checking data comm between the two computers and synching RSS1 to station time with the RSC-E PingMaster application and ShellForKE payload file transfer program. Data will then be downloaded to RSS1 on a PCMCIA flash card. The FE-1 will remove 32 LULIN-5 dosimeters from the PHANTOM (leaving three in place) and prepack them with 16 containers in the PHANTOM kit for return to Earth on the Shuttle. Matryoshka’s AST Spectrometer will be deactivated tomorrow.]

Sandy Magnus has about one hour to herself for general orientation (station familiarization & acclimatization) as is customary for fresh crewmembers for the first two weeks after starting station residence, if she/he chooses to take it.

Continuing the current round of monthly preventive maintenance of RS ventilation systems, Yuri Lonchakov cleaned the four “Group B” fan screens (VT1, VTK1, VV1RO & VV2RO) in the SM (Service Module).

Yuri will also retrieve a kit with return pouches for the long-term BIO-5 RASTENIYA-1 ("Plants-1") micro-gravity plant growth payload from the Soyuz spacecraft and pack previous used KM LADA Greenhouse Root Modules for return on the Shuttle. [RASTENIYA-1 researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the LADA-14 greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems, Russian: IMBP). The payload hardware includes a module (MIS/Module for the Investigation of Substrates), the MIS control unit (BU), a nitrogen purge unit (BPA) and other accessories. During its operation, the experiment requires regular daily maintenance of the experiment involving monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, and photo/video recording. LADA consists of a wall-mounted growth chamber that provides long-term, ready access for crewmember interaction. It provides light and root zone control but relies on the cabin environmental control systems for humidity, gas composition, and temperature control. Cabin air is pulled into the leaf chamber, flows over the plants and vents through the light bank to provide both plant gas exchange and light bank cooling.]

For FE-2-18 Magnus’ upcoming first session with the biomed experiment “Integrated Immune”, later today she will break out and set up the equipment needed to support saliva collection. [Along with NUTRITION (Nutritional Status Assessment), Integrated Immune (Validating Procedures for Monitoring Crew member Immune Function) samples & analyzes participant’s blood, urine, and saliva before, during and after flight for changes related to functions like bone metabolism, oxidative damage and immune function to develop and validate an immune monitoring strategy consistent with operational flight requirements and constraints. The strategy uses both long and short duration crewmembers as study subjects. The saliva is collected in two forms, dry and liquid. The dry samples are collected at intervals during the collection day using a specialized book that contains filter paper. The liquid saliva collections require that the crewmember soak a piece of cotton inside their mouth and place it in a salivette bag; there are four of the liquid collections during docked operations. The on-orbit blood samples are collected right before undocking and returned on the Shuttle so that analysis can occur with 48 hours of the sampling. This allows assays that quantify the function of different types of white blood cells and other active components of the immune system. Samples are secured in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). Also included are entries in a fluid/medications intact log, and a stress-test questionnaire to be filled out by the subject at begin and end. Urine is collected during a 24-hour period, conventionally divided into two twelve-hour phases: morning-evening and evening-morning.]

In the SM, Lonchakov will conduct the routine maintenance of the SOZh/ECLSS system, including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables. [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists of replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers, replacement of an EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine container, and processing U.S. condensate water as it becomes available in a filled CWC from the Lab humidifier.]

Yuri is also timelined for 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).

In addition, the FE-1 will complete the periodic (currently daily) checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways, including the passageways PrK (SM Transfer Compartment)–PrK–RO (SM Working Compartment), PkhO (SM Transfer Tunnel)–RO, PkhO–DC1, PkhO–FGB PGO, FGB PGO–FGB GA, FGB GA–Node-1. [This checkup is especially important when the ventilation/circulation system has to cope with a larger crew on board, currently ten persons, and one of the two Russian SKV air conditioners off (SKV-1).]

At ~1:10pm EST, Yuri supported two Russian PAO TV downlinks, one a message of congratulations for the 70th Anniversary of the Special Machine Building School at N.E. Bauman Moscow State Technical University (MGTU) in Moscow, the other an interview with Mixim Kiselev, host of the Otrazheniye (Reflection) Show on TV which, on 11/22, will dedicate an episode to the development of world cosmonautics.

At ~3:51pm, yesterday’s spacewalkers, Steve & Heide, will share three live PAO TV interviews, one with Associated Press (Marcia Dunn), the second with KMSP-TV, Minneapolis (Jeff Passolt) the third with WCVB-TV, Boston (Ed Harding).

The ISS crew completed their physical workout 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), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-2), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

At ~8:51pm, the joint crew will conduct an in-depth one-hour review of procedures for tomorrow’s EVA-2 spacewalk, with egress scheduled to start tomorrow afternoon at ~1:55pm EST.

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper (EV1) and Shane Kimbrough (EV3) will begin their “campout” in the “Quest” Airlock (A/L) with hatch closure and depressurization of the CL (Crewlock) from 14.7 to 10.2 psi tonight at ~11:20pm, followed by mask prebreathe until ~12:25m. Sleep time for the ISS crew begins at 12:25am, for the Shuttle crew half an hour later.

Following the usual hygiene break/with mask prebreathe for Kimbrough & Piper at ~9:30am-10:40am tomorrow morning after spending the night on 10.2 psi, the A/L hatch will be closed again for EVA preps in 10.2 psi, followed by EMU purge and prebreathe in the EMUs. Afterwards, with CL depressurization and EV1/EV3 egress, EVA-2 nominally begins at ~1:45pm EST.

ISS Reboost: A reboost of the ISS is planned for FD8 (11/21) at 12:10pm, with an estimated delta-V of 0.91 m/s (3 fps).

Conjunctions: Two TCAs (Times of Closest Approach) are currently being assessed for another conjunction with the Cosmos satellite, Object 2421, both on the same day as the reboost (which will be re-assessed accordingly). As of now, however, the conjunctions are outside the maneuver box, and no action appears necessary.

STS-126 Mission Highlights:

• Focused Orbiter inspection today was not required. The Shuttle TPS (Thermal Protection System)/heatshield has been completely cleared for deorbit and entry.
• Generic face-to-face handover time between Chamitoff & Magnus will be ~12 hrs max; Gregory will remain on the ISS until the day before undocking and will be scheduled as an ISS crewmember.
• Endeavour is being powered by the SSPTS (Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System) from post-docking to just before undocking. During the mated mission when ISS solar arrays are feathered for attitude maneuvers and EVA operations, SSPTS may be powered off to maintain station power margin.
• 30 hrs are required for transfer ops to/from the Shuttle middeck and 105 hours for MPLM. With all the timelined activities and rack transfers scheduled, ULF2 will be a highly choreographed transfer mission. The Shuttle crew has been thoroughly trained on the details of the choreography. In addition, each day a transfer message will be uplinked, listing specific items that need to be transferred that day due to operations requiring the items.
  

No CEO photo targets uplinked for today.

CEO photography can be studied at this “Gateway” website:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov <http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/> (as of 9/1/08, this database contained 770,668 views of the Earth from space, with 324,812 from the ISS alone).

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:23am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 351.4 km
Apogee height — 354.1 km
Perigee height — 348.6 km
Period — 91.57 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0004128
Solar Beta Angle — 28.0 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.73
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 56 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 57297

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
11/20/08 — ISS 10 Years
11/26/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch (nom.)
11/27/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF-2 undocking; 10:40am – Under Review
11/29/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF-2 landing; ~2:10pm – Under Review
11/30/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking (nom.) – DC1 Nadir
12/07/08 — Progress M-65/30P reentry (after 3 weeks autonomous flight for geophysical experiments)
12/18/08 — Russian EVA-21
02/09/09 — Progress M-66/31P undocking & deorbit
02/10/09 — Progress M-67/32P launch
02/12/09 — Progress M-67/32P docking
02/12/09 — STS-119/Endeavour/15A launch – S6 truss segment
02/14/09 — STS-119/Endeavour/15A docking
02/24/09 — STS-119/Endeavour/15A undocking
02/26/09 — STS-119/Endeavour/15A landing (nominal)
03/25/09 — Soyuz TMA-14/18S launch
03/27/09 — Soyuz TMA-14/18S docking (DC1)
04/05/09 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S undocking
04/07/09 — Progress M-67/32P undocking & deorbit
05/15/09 — STS-127/Endeavour/2J/A launch – JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
05/27/09 — Soyuz TMA-15/19S launch
Six-person crew on ISS
07/30/09 — STS-128/Atlantis/17A – MPLM (P), last crew rotation
10/15/09 — STS-129/Endeavour/ULF3 – ELC1, ELC2
12/10/09 — STS-130/Endeavour/20A – Node-3 + Cupola
02/11/10 — STS-131/Atlantis/19A – MPLM(P)
04/08/10 — STS-132/Endeavour/ULF4 – ICC-VLD, MRM1 (contingency)
05/31/10 — STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 – ELC3, ELC4 (contingency).