NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 29 Sep 2003
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below. Week 22 for Expedition 7 is underway.
FE/SO Ed Lu worked on the SSC (Station Support Computer) system, reconfiguring it for Expedition 8. [The 1.5-hr. task involved reloading laptops from CDs, installing a new HDD (hard disk drive), and replacing the video tape machine (SSCVT) with SSC6 for power and network connection.]
CDR Yuri Malenchenko prepared equipment assembly and work area for the monthly Russian biomedical “Pilot” experiment (MBI-15) which requires a work table, ankle restraint system and control handles for testing piloting skill. Yuri then conducted the assessment, followed, for the third time, by flight engineer Ed Lu (last time done: 8/4). Both were supported by tag-up with ground specialists. Ed later deactivated, disassembled and stowed the gear. [Lu performed three flight control modes (fixed, slow and fast free-flyer), each one five times, after checkout and calibration of the control handles. Results were later reported to the ground.]
Malenchenko performed the MO-5 MedOps KARDIO-ODNT session, an involved cardiovascular test protocol of the human pericardium (heart muscle) activity as well as primary parameters of central and regional blood circulation at rest and under the effect of lower body negative pressure (LBNP, Russian: ODNT). Yuri was assisted by Ed Lu during the entire procedure. [The LBNP, generated by a specially designed “Chibis” suit, applies suction on the lower body ranging from 10 to 60 mmHg, thereby exerting a functional loading roughly equivalent to 10-60 kg of force on the musculoskeletal system to test the body’s adaptation to prolonged exposure to microgravity. After an initial setup period, during which a large number of electrodes are attached to the head, body and extremities of the test subject, cardiographic readings on the oscilloscope of the Gamma-1M medical complex are taken during one or two Russian ground sites (RGS) comm passes, first without, then with the Chibis suit.]
Ed Lu conducted photography of all harness hip belts of the TVIS (treadmill with vibration isolation and stabilization) to document damage and potential damage on the belts. [Involved are three Expedition 6 and one spare TVIS hip belt utilized by Expedition 6 and 7 crews. The high-resolution digital pictures will be used for troubleshooting root cause and for implementing corrective measures for the next set of harnesses to be delivered. Ed’s goal was to document each harness with as many detailed photos as he felt necessary to help engineers understand the wear and tear on the harnesses.]
The Science Office performed another CBOSS-FDI (Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System/Fluid Dynamics Investigation) session, first reviewing today’s experiment procedure, then working with TCMs (tissue culture modules) A16 and A20 containing the polystyrene bead particles. [As on last Wednesday, Ed first obtained control images for three TCM’s, ordered by priority in the procedure. In a change from last time, a break point has been built into the procedure after the second TCM so that if Ed runs short on time, he can skip to the end. CBOSS is a stationary bioreactor system for the cultivation of cells aboard the ISS. FDI comprises a series of experiments aimed at optimizing CBOSS operations while contributing to the characterization of the bioreactor vessel (the Tissue Culture Module or TCM) in terms of fluids mixing techniques on orbit, which are essential to conduct cellular research in that environment.]
Malenchenko loaded special software on the Russian payload laptop #3 in support of planned testing of the ASN satellite navigation system (which is comparable to our GPS), then connected the laptop to a 1553 bus. The task was supported by a tagup with a ground specialist. The test itself will be performed on 10/3.
Malenchenko also performed the mandatory daily 30-min. task of SOZh life support systems maintenance and prepared the daily IMS (inventory management system) delta file for updating the IMS databases, while Ed Lu did the routine status checkup of autonomous Lab payloads..
Ed Lu worked out with the daily 2.5-h program of physical exercise, on TVIS treadmill and RED expander. Malenchenko conducted his exercise as part of the Cardio-LBNP sessions.
Today’s CEO (crew earth observation) targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Patagonian Glaciers (two passes. Relatively clear weather is persisting for an unusually long period. Views of glacier tongues on the west [Pacific] side of the Andes were requested), Macau, China (nadir pass), Xianggang (Hong Kong), China (nadir pass), Alexandria, Egypt (nadir pass), Tigris-Euphrates, Turkey (looking left and right of track for the numerous structures blossoming around the many lakes which are the center pieces of this major development project), Bamako, Mali (looking right of track on the far side of the Niger River. This may be one of the most difficult cities to identify due to its small size and relatively small transport system), and Atlanta, Georgia (nadir pass).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at
http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/
