NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 1 December 2008
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 6 of Increment 18. The ISS crewmembers CDR Michael Fincke, FE-1 Yuri Lonchakov and FE-2 Sandra Magnus are back on their regular wake/sleep cycle (1:00am – 4:30pm EST).
STS-126/Endeavour returned to Earth last night after 15d 20h 29m in space, i.e., the longest Shuttle mission to ISS so far, touching down at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on the first opportunity at 4:25pm EST, after 250 orbits & 6.6 million miles. Gregory Chamitoff’s total time in space is 183d 22m (178d 23h 50m on board ISS). [It was the 124th flight of a Space Shuttle, the 27th Shuttle mission to visit the station, the 22nd for Endeavour and the 52nd Shuttle landing at Edwards.]
As part of the crew’s regular morning inspection tour, FE-1 Lonchakov conducted the routine checkup of DC1 (Docking Compartment) circuit breakers and fuses. [The monthly checkup in the “Pirs” module looks at AZS circuit breakers on the BVP Amp Switch Panel (they should all be On) and the LEDs (light-emitting diodes) of 14 fuses in fuse panels BPP-30 & BPP-36.]
The crew performed the regular weekly three-hour task of thorough station cleaning. ["Uborka", usually done on Saturdays, includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, damp cleaning of the SM (Service Module) dining table, other frequently touched surfaces and surfaces where trash is collected, as well as the FE’s sleep station with a standard cleaning solution; also, fan screens and grilles are cleaned to avoid temperature rises. Special cleaning is also done every 90 days on the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) bacteria filters in the Lab.]
As part of the house cleaning, Yuri conducted regular maintenance inspection & cleaning on fan screens in the FGB (TsV2), DC-1 (V3) and SM (VPkhO, VPrK, FS5, FS6 & FS9).
First activity this morning for FE-2 Magnus was to start on her Flight Day 15 (FD15) session with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository. This was an all-day session, the first for Sandy, of collecting urine samples several times for 24 hrs, to continue through first void tomorrow morning. [After performing phlebotomy with the help of CDR Fincke, i.e., drawing blood samples (from an arm vein), the samples were first allowed to coagulate in the Repository for 20-30 minutes, then spun in the HRF RC (Human Research Facility/Refrigerated Centrifuge) and finally placed in MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). No thruster activity was allowed during the blood drawing. The RC was later powered off after a temperature reset to limit wear on the compressor, and cleaned. The NUTRITION project is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight. It includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes, expanding the previous Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L) testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by supercold MELFI dewars), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.]
In preparation for an upcoming software update, Fincke relocated the TOCA (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer) USB drive to the SSC-7 laptop.
Both Magnus and Fincke took on VolSci (Voluntary Science) activities today:
The FE-2, who had chosen CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS) for her VolSci option, started out by changing out the UltraBay drive of the HRF2 (Human Research Facility 2) PC2 laptop. Sandy then began her first 24-hr. on-orbit session with the CCISS experiment (with Mike acting as operator and photographer) by donning the HM2 (Holter Monitor 2) and the CBPD (Continuous Blood Pressure Device), performing the Baro Study, and starting the 24-hr passive heart rate data collection. Data are recorded on a PCMCIA memory card, with the HRF (Human Research Facility) rack laptop for control. Equipment doffing and stowage is scheduled tomorrow after the 24-hr period, followed by data downlink on Wednesday. [CCISS studies the effects of long-duration spaceflight on crewmembers’ heart functions and their blood vessels that supply the brain (= “cerebrovascular”). Learning more about the changes in cardiovascular & cerebrovascular systems in zero-G could lead to specific countermeasures that might better protect future space travelers. For the Baro study of CCIS, heart rate and blood pressure are being recorded for resting and timed breathing for 5 min, with no caffeine or food (water is acceptable) allowed two hours before the start of the Baro Study and no exercise prior to the Baro Study.]
For his own VolSci selection, a Phase 2 sampling session with the LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System), CDR Fincke reviewed an OBT (Onboard Training) brief, then completed sampling/swabbing at two different sites in the COL (Columbus Orbital Module), using the Glucan LAL Cartridges which specifically detect the fungal cell wall molecule “glucan”. [LOCAD uses small, thumb-sized “microfluidic” cartridges that are read by the experiment reader. The cartridges contain dried extract of horseshoe crab blood cells (LAL/Limulus amebocyte lysate) and colorless dye. LAL tests are used for the detection and quantification of bacterial endotoxins: in the presence of the bacteria, the dried extract reacts strongly to turn the dye a green color. Therefore, the more green dye, the more microorganisms there are in the original sample. Glucans are complex carbohydrate (sugar, D-glucose) macromolecules. The handheld device tests this new analysis technology by sampling for the presence of gram negative bacteria in the sample in about 15 minutes, showing the results on a display screen. Background: Lab-on-a-Chip technology has an ever-expanding range of applications in the biotech industry. Chips are available (or in development) which can also detect yeast, mold, and gram positive bacteria, identify environmental contaminants, and perform quick health diagnostics in medical clinics. The technology has been used to swab the MERs (Mars Exploration Rovers) for planetary protection. With expanded testing on ISS, began by Sunita Williams in March/April last year, this compact technology has broad potential applications in space exploration–from monitoring environmental conditions to monitoring crew health. The current study should prepare for long-duration exploration by demonstrating a system that enables the crew to perform biochemical analysis in space without having to return samples to Earth.]
In the newly arrived Progress M-01M/31P, docked at the DC1 nadir port, Lonchakov installed the LKT local temperature sensor switch (TA251M1B) of the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system and its ROM/read-only memory unit (PZU TA765B), both kept in storage from an earlier vehicle.
Afterwards, Yuri performed the routine task of taking two photos of the internal part of the DC1 nadir port’s SSVP-StM docking cone, used for yesterday’s Progress TORU linkup. The pictures, which are necessary to refine the current understanding of docking conditions (particularly after the rare manual TORU docking), were then transferred to OCA for subsequent downlinking. [The objective is to take photo imagery of the scratch or scuff mark left by the head of the active docking probe on the internal surface of the passive drogue (docking cone) ring, now rotated out of the passageway. As other crewmembers before him, the FE-1 used the Nikon D1X digital still camera to take two pictures each with the hatch closed down.]
In the RS (Russian Segment), Lonchakov used CWC (Contingency Water Container) #1069 for the periodic (about twice a month) replenishing of the Elektron oxygen generator’s water supply for electrolysis, filling the KOV thermal loops’ EDV container. Once filled, the EDV was connected to the BPK transfer pump for processing. [The 40-minute procedure is specially designed to prevent air bubbles larger than ~10 mm from getting into the BZh Liquid Unit where they could cause Elektron shutdown.]
The FE-1 also set up and activated the SSTV (Slow Scan TV) equipment for conducting the MAI-75 experiment, essentially a ham radio set-up with Kenwood VS-N1 (Visual Communicator) gear for downlinking photographic images. The experiment is run in automatic mode until the hardware is deactivated. [The payload is named after the renowned Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) whose reputation is based on the large number of famous aviators and rocket scientists that received their academic education here. Among the alumni are Academicians and Corresponding Members of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Over 100 General and Chief Designers earned their degree at MAI, with famous rocket scientists like Makeyev, Mishin, Nadiradze and Yangel. MAI also fostered 20 Pilot-Cosmonauts, almost 100 famous test pilots, Heroes of the Soviet Union and Russia. The amateur radio (ham) equipment aboard the ISS for downlinking SSTV imagery is an MAI product.]
In JAXA’s Kibo JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module), Sandy Magnus supported the new ICE CRYSTAL experiment, ground-commanded from the SSIPC (Space Station Integration & Promotion Center) at Tsukuba/Japan, by activating the MMA (Microgravity Measurement Apparatus) and its laptop (MLT), first powering up the MMA’s NCU/RSU (Network Control Unit/Remote Sensor Unit) set from the Ryutai rack’s UDC (Utility DC-to-DC Converter), then turning on both NCU/RSU and MLT. [Sandy set up the SCOF (Solution Crystallization Observation Facility) for the ICE CRYSTAL (The Study on Microgravity Effect for Pattern Formation of Dendritic Crystal by a Method of in-situ Observation) payload on 11/27, the first of the JAXA Increment 18 experiments. It evaluates the factors that lead to pattern formation in ice crystals in microgravity. Tsukuba/SSIPC successfully completed optical adjustments of the payload by end of last week. During Increment 18, 105 runs (parameters) are planned, usually during crew sleep time to avoid microgravity disturbance. All activities except UDS/MMA on/off can be performed remotely by the ground.]
The FE-1 collected the periodic readings of potentially harmful atmospheric contaminants in the SM, using the CMS (Countermeasure System), a component of the SKDS GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer suite, today using preprogrammed microchips to measure for o-Xylol (1,2-Dimethylbenzol, C8H10) and Methyl-Mercaptan (Methanethiol, CH4S).
Yuri also completed the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM. [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]
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, FE-1), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).
At ~3:00am EST, CDR Fincke powered up the SM’s amateur radio equipment (Kenwood VHF transceiver with manual frequency selection, headset, & power supply) and conducted, at 3:05am, a ham radio session with St Anthony’s College, Shillong, India. [St. Anthony’s College is the Alma Mater of Mr. Rupesh Saikia, Mike Fincke’s father-in-law. Founded in 1934 by Fathers of the Don Bosco Society, St.Anthony’s is one of the oldest colleges in the North East India. The college is situated in Shillong, a picturesque hill station in India, considered as the ‘Scotland of the East’. Since its humble beginning 74 years ago, the college has grown manifold in size and ranking. Today, it has 28 departments with 120 teaching staff, 60 support staff and over 2100 students, and is considered as a premier institute of education in the whole country of India. Students from the various states of the country as well as some foreign countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Zambia etc. are studying here. Questions to Mike were uplinked beforehand. “Do you see any man-made objects like the Great Wall of China or the Pyramids etc from the ISS on earth?”; “How does the human body adjust the balance in outer space?”; “Do you notice any affect of pollution or climate change destroying the beauty of the earth?”; “What type of food do you eat and drink there?”; “What is it you miss most of the earth as you are out in the space?”; “What do you do when one of you get sick?”; “Do you make oxygen there? How do you breathe?”; “What happens when you are in space and the shuttle starts to malfunction?”; “How does it feel to come back into the earth’s atmosphere?”; Can You say something in Assamese?”; “We came to know that you know several languages like Japanese, Russian etc. Do you want to learn some words of Khasi language, the language of our state?”]
At ~2:30pm, the crewmembers are scheduled to convene for their standard bi-weekly teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office (Steve Lindsey), via S-band S/G-2 audio & phone patch.
Working off the Russian discretionary “time permitting” task list, Lonchakov performed the regular status check on the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-1 ("Plants-1") experiment. [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), a 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.]
Remaining on Sandy’s voluntary “job jar” task list is to route a cable between the Node-2 and the HCP (Hardware Command Panel) in the JPM (but not yet mated since it is a hatch drag-thru line). [The HCP is part of the PROX system, mostly located in the ICS (Inter-orbit Communication System) Rack, consisting also of a PROX antenna, a PROX-GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna, and PROX comm equipment for the HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle). When the HTV approaches the ISS, the external PROX antenna, which contains GPS receivers, will initiate communications with the HTV. The ISS orbital location and speed are immediately relayed to the HTV through the PROX. At the same time, data from the HTV are relayed to the ISS. In addition, the antenna relays commands sent from the ground to the HTV.]
Progress M-01M/31P Docking Update: Yesterday’s manual docking of 31P by Yuri Lonchakov with the TORU came about because of a computer malfunction. During the spacecraft’s final approach, at a range of 20-30m at ~7:22am EST, the Progress computer aborted the final approach and initiated a backout to Stationkeeping, also switching from Kurs-A Set 1 to Set 2. This left TsUP-Moscow with two options for completing the docking: (1) Re-initiating final approach in automated mode with the Kurs-A Set 2, or (2) directing the crew to take manual control via TORU. TsUP opted for the latter. The crew switched to TORU immediately and completed the docking manually at 7:28am. TsUP is investigating this anomaly and has not yet determined the root cause.
No CEO photo targets uplinked for today.
CEO photography can be studied at this “Gateway” website:
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, 3:13am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 354.1 km
Apogee height — 358.4 km
Perigee height — 349.8 km
Period — 91.62 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0006389
Solar Beta Angle — -19.3 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours – 133 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) – 57483.
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
12/07/08 — Progress M-65/30P reentry (after 3 weeks autonomous flight for geophysical experiments)
12/17/08 — Progress M-01M/31P thruster firing (test with Soyuz docked at SM aft);
12/18/08 — Russian EVA-21
02/09/09 — Progress M-01M/31P undocking & deorbit
02/10/09 — Progress 32P launch
02/12/09 — Progress 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 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).
