Status Report

NASA ISS On-orbit Status 09 April 2013

By SpaceRef Editor
April 9, 2013
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NASA ISS On-orbit Status 09 April 2013
NASA ISS On-orbit Status 09 April 2013

International Space Station (ISS) Management Center (IMC) Daily Summary Report
Increment 35 Operations – Stage 35-6
04/09/13 4:00 pm Central Daylight Time (CDT)
099 21:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

New Status:
ENERGY Experiment: Commander (CDR) Hadfield began the first day of his ENERGY experiment session, which spans 10 days total. The experiment includes eating a standardized meal, diet logging, specific water intake, measurements of Oxygen uptake, collection of urine samples, and wearing an armband activity monitor. A loss in astronauts’ body mass is a systematic observation during space flight. The aim of ENERGY is to measure changes in energy balance during long term space flight; measure adaptations in the components of the Total Energy Expenditure (consumption); and to derive an equation for the energy requirements of astronauts.

Burning and Suppression of Solids (BASS) Experiment: Flight Engineer-3 (FE-3) Cassidy completed a session of this experiment and is scheduled to perform another session this Friday. BASS examines the burning and extinction characteristics of a wide variety of fuel samples in microgravity and will guide strategies for extinguishing fires in microgravity. BASS results contribute to the combustion computational models used in the design of fire detection and suppression systems in microgravity and on Earth.

Nanoracks Data Collection: FE-6 Marshburn collected data from NanoRacks Modules-20, 21 & 22. Module-20 studies the effects of microgravity on: electroplating; remotely controlled robot control mechanisms and mechanical devices; the effects of a variable magnetic field on Ferrofluids; growth of E. coli bacteria in microgravity and its resistance to the antibiotic Kanamycin. Module-21 studies the fluctuation levels of carbon dioxide on ISS; the potential impact of microgravity on the growth cycle of bacteria; microgravity impacts on the performance of current battery technology. Module-22 studies the possibility of producing alum crystals of higher purity in Space than on Earth; corrosion of iron in a microgravity environment; and coalescence of polymers at different glass transition temperatures in space. Modules are scheduled to be returned to the students on 33 Soyuz.

Robonaut Teleops: Marshburn conducted the second of 2 planned sessions of the Tele-operation System today. The objective of the Robonaut Tele-operation System is to demonstrate the ability to effectively control Robonaut from the ISS, as all previous Robonaut commanding has been from the ground. This configuration is also different from previous Robonaut operations in that Robonaut’s movements were a mimicry of the crewmembers movements, as opposed to movements based on data commanding. This capability will need to be developed to support future operations of Robonaut in the EVA environment as well as certain Intravehicular Activity (IVA) situations.

Water Processing Assembly (WPA) Software Upgrade: Marshburn successfully upgraded the WPA software to Version 6.0. Among other improvements, this upgrade provides:
• Implementation of an Iodinated flush to mitigate biomass growth
• Protection of the Mostly Liquid Separator (MLS) against over pressurization
• Changes to Leak Test Algorithms, including new Product Water algorithm
• Use of Accumulator volume to allow potable water to be offloaded from WPA to Contingency Water Containers (CWC)
• Addition of WPA Pump/Motor electrical current raw data to downlink telemetry

Space Station Computer (SSC) Spare Server Load: Cassidy set up SSC15 in the JEM Pressurized Module (JPM) as Load Image Server (LIS) and a T61p laptop as loading client, then loaded a spare ISS-Server1 laptop. The spare laptop will be set up near SSC15 for loading via direct Ethernet connection for faster file transfer.

Previous Status (04/08/13)
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Status: Friday afternoon a UPA process cycle was aborted when the Fluids Control and Pump Assembly (FCPA) did not spin up to the required speed. Saturday morning new pump motor speed calibration parameters were loaded and the run was reattempted. UPA successfully processed for about 2 hours prior to shutting down due to a high Distillation Assembly (DA) condenser pressure indication. The leading theory is that the hose between the purge pump and the DA is clear of water, but there is still water in the DA condenser which intermittently is clogging the flow path. It is hoped that continued process runs followed by periods of cool down will help to remove excess water from the system. Three process runs have been attempted so far. The first attempt resulted in a shut down after about 2 hours of processing. The second and third attempts were both completed successfully. The crew has configured the Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) to UPA and ground teams will continue to closely monitor UPA process runs.

NanoRacks Data Collection: Last week Marshburn installed NanoRacks Modules-20, 21 & 22 into the NanoRacks Platform which provides power and data transfer capabilities for the Modules containing student-developed experiments from various schools. Saturday, he completed a data collection session and transferred collected data to a laptop. Module-20 studies the effects of microgravity on remotely controlled robot control mechanisms and mechanical devices; studies the effects of a variable magnetic field on Ferrofluids in microgravity; studies the effects of microgravity on electroplating; studies the growth of E. coli bacteria in microgravity and its resistance to the antibiotic Kanamycin. Module-21 studies the fluctuation levels of carbon dioxide on ISS; studies the potential impact of microgravity on the growth cycle of bacteria; studies whether microgravity has an impact on the performance of current battery technology. Module-22 studies the possibility of producing alum crystals of higher purity in Space than on Earth; studies corrosion of iron in a microgravity environment; studies coalescence of polymers at different glass transition temperatures in space. Modules are scheduled to be returned to the students on 33 Soyuz.

Robonaut Tele-operation System (TeleOps): Marshburn conducted the first use of Robonaut TeleOps hardware and software today. He confirmed voice activation and controlled Robonaut’s head and hands via TeleOps. This configuration is different than previous Robonaut operations in that Robonaut’s movements were a mimicry of the crewmembers movements, as opposed to movements based on data commanding. The objective of the Robonaut Tele-operation System is to demonstrate the ability to effectively control Robonaut from the ISS. The research objective is to evaluate this control method in terms of its ability to perform tasks as well as measure the time necessary to complete the defined tasks. This capability will need to be developed to support future operations of Robonaut in the EVA environment as well as certain Intravehicular Activity (IVA) situations. Marshburn will conduct another TeleOps session tomorrow.

Human Research Facility (HRF) Urine Collection and Blood Draw: Cassidy began urine sample collection Saturday and completed collection today. He also started and completed drawing blood samples this morning, then configured and spun the blood samples in the Vascular Refrigerated Centrifuge. All samples were inserted in the Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) for return and analysis.

Environmental Health System (EHS) Water Sampling: The crew took water samples from the Potable Water Dispenser (PWD) and performed microbial testing and iodine analysis with the Colorimetric Water Quality Monitor Kit (CWQMK). The crew also attempted to prime the loops and analyze water from the PWD using the Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA). During the run, the analysis was terminated due to a low auxiliary voltage reading. This error has been seen in the past and data will be downlinked for assessment. The crew did complete the planned TOCA Waste Water Bag (WWB) replacement and took a sample of the Water Recovery System (WRS). Samples will be returned on 33 Soyuz for ground analysis.

ENERGY Experiment Preparation: Hadfield prepared for tomorrow’s first of 10 runs of this experiment. He set up the Armband Activity Monitor, a device that monitors activity and assesses energy expenditure. The monitor was positioned on the right tricep muscle and will be worn for the entire 10-day measurement period, after which the data will be downloaded to the Ground. A loss in astronauts’ body mass is a systematic observation during space flight. The aim of ENERGY is to measure changes in energy balance during long term space flight; measure adaptations in the components of the Total Energy Expenditure (consumption); and to derive an equation for the energy requirements of astronauts.

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test (BCAT)-C3 Multi-Flash Angle (MFA) Photos: Hadfield completed this task consisting of 5 photos taken at 5 different flash angles for each BCAT sample. When enhanced on the ground by the Payload Integrator (PI), these images will show the interface of the phase separation within the sample medium and give the PI great insight into determining if the sample has undergone phase separation, and whether it has remained unchanged since the last set of data was collected several years ago. This important data will make it possible to plan more precisely any future data collection from these samples. It will also provide a direct test of the longevity of these materials in the microgravity environment, giving further insight into these and a wide range of similar samples. BCAT documents the formation of crystals from microscopic spheres (known as colloids) suspended in a liquid, both on the surface of the sample container walls and in the bulk of the sample container. Results help scientists develop fundamental physics concepts previously unobserved due to the effects of gravity.

SLAMMD (Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device): Hadfield, Cassidy and Marshburn performed this activity in support of the Nutrition experiment. SLAMMD provides an accurate means of determining the mass of the crew in microgravity. The guiding principle of SLAMMD follows that of Newton’s Second Law of Motion, F=ma (i.e., force is equal to mass times acceleration). For the Human Research Facility (HRF) SLAMMD, the force is generated by two springs inside the SLAMMD 4 Process Unit (PU) drawer. The acceleration used in calculating the mass is actually a calculated average acceleration with regression analysis. The acceleration is measured through the use of a precise optical instrument which detects the position versus time trajectory of the SLAMMD guide arm and a micro controller which collects the raw data and provides the precise timing. The final computation is done via portable laptop computer with SLAMMD unique software.

Today’s Planned Tasks
• Reboot Laptop RS2(1) [Complete]
• SM ПСС (Caution & Warning Panel) Test [Complete]
• Reload Laptop RSS1, RSS2 / r/g 1009 step 1 [Complete]
• ENERGY – Water Sample Collection [Complete]
• ENERGY – PFS Powerup [Complete]
• ENERGY – Urine Sample Collection (Series) [Complete]
• ENERGY – Water Sampling [Complete]
• Stop discharging the 1st 825М3 Battery Pack S/N 1267611113, start charging the 1st 825М3 Battery Pack S/N 1267611113 [Complete]
• ENERGY – Hardware Warmup prior to Checkout [Complete]
• ENERGY – Measuring Oxygen Level (Series) [Complete]
• Glove Box (MSG) Activation [Complete]
• Gathering spacesuit replaceable elements, service, and personal gear.r/g 2002 [Complete]
• ISS-MCC-M TV Test Comm Session (Ku + S-band) / r/g 2020 [Complete]
• Condensate Collection to the Lab Condensate Tank in Preparation for WPA Software Update [Complete]
• CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 1954 [Complete]
• Water Processing Assembly (WPA) Software Unstow [Complete]
• BASS Equipment Setup [Complete]
• WPA Software Update [Complete]
• ENERGY – Menu (for the experiment to replace regular breakfast) [Complete]
• Review EVA Translation Paths and Work Zones through ISS Windows. r/g 1957 [Complete]
• ENERGY – Equipment stow [Complete]
• Water Processing Assembly Software Stow [Complete]
• BASS – Closeout Ops [Complete]
• Crew time for ISS adaptation and orientation [Complete]
• СОЖ Maintenance [Complete]
• ROBONAUT – Experiment Procedure Review [Complete]
• ROBONAUT – Camcorder Setup [Complete]
• ROBONAUT – Hardware Setup [Complete]
• Installation of Obstanovka Experiment SW Patch in БСПН via RSS1. r/g 2024 [Complete]
• ROBONAUT – Hardware Checkout [Complete]
• ENERGY Diet Log of Lunch [Complete]
• ENERGY – Data Downlink and Hardware Powerdown [Complete]
• MSG – Powerdown [Complete]
• ТК 417 Stowage Completion Report (S-band) / r/g 1154, 1414, 1745, 1989 [Complete]
• ARED Flywheel Cylinder Evacuation [Complete]
• СКПФ1, СКПФ2 Dust Filter Replacement and MRM1 ГЖТ Cleaning [Complete]
• RGN REC-TNK – Remove depress hose for nominal operations [Complete]
• RGN-REC TK – Transfer and Replacement [Complete]
• ТКГ 417 Activation, Air Duct Removal / Activation/Deactivation [PK], [Complete]
• RGN – Start Filling EDV with Water [Complete]
• RGN – Initiate drain into EDV [Complete]
• MRM1 Fan Screen Cleaning (Group B) / RODF СОТР [Complete]
• Nanoracks Data Gathering [Complete]
• RGN – Terminate drain into EDV [Complete]
• RGN – Terminate Filling EDV with Water [Complete]
• IMS edit [Aborted]
• On MCC GO Removal and of Quick-Release Screw Clamps on АО-СМ-417 side, Inspection and СМ-ТКГ 417 Interface Video / Activation/Deactivation [PK] [Complete]
• SM AO – ТКГ 417 Hatch Closure / Activation/Deactivation [PK] [Complete]
• On MCC GO ПрК-СУ and ТКГ-СУ (ТКГ 417) Hatch Leak Check / Activation/Deactivation [Complete]
• Crew Prep for PAO [Complete]
• PAO Hardware Setup [Complete]
• ROBONAUT – Stow Equipment [Complete]
• PAO Event [Complete]
• ROBONAUT – Camcorder Config [Complete]
• ROBONAUT – Removal and Closeout Ops [Complete]
• CASKAD. Manual Mixing in Bioreactor / r/g 1954
• TV downlink to show SM-ТКГ 417 Video (Ku-band) [Complete]
• R2 – Hardware Stowage [Complete]
• JRNL – Journal Entry [Complete]
• Condensate Collection to the Lab Condensate Tank in Preparation for WPA Software Update [Complete]
• P/TV Playback Start
• ISS – HAM Radio Session
• ENERGY Diet Log of Dinner
• P/TV Playback Stop

Task List
• CEO ops [Complete]
• IMS update
• SSC data gather (FE-6)
• SSC data gather (CDR) [Complete]
• WHC KTO replace
• Roscosmos report
• WHC EDV build
• WHC EDV R&R
• Uragan photo
• ECON photo
• RGN WSTA fill
• Crew handover [In Work]

Ground
• Nominal Commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Wednesday, 4/10: ENERGY-Day 2, Node 1 jumper install, CIR align guide removal, Nanorack data collect
Thursday, 4/11: ENERGY-Day 3, HRCS KU Comm1 install, CIR align guide install
Friday, 4/12: ENERGY-Day 4, HRCS checkout, Nanorack data collection, BASS, EPO demo

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:
Component
Status
Elektron
On
Vozdukh
On
[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”)
On
[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”)
Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab
Standby
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3
Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab
Failed
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3
Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)
Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)
Standby

SpaceRef staff editor.