NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 1 June 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Sunday – a busy pre-docking day for CDR Volkov, FE-1 Kononenko & FE-2 Reisman. Ahead: Week 7 of Increment 17.

Aboard ISS, the shifted wake/sleep cycle began this morning at 6:32am EDT, with sleep time tonight at 10:02pm. [Setting the crew up for tomorrow’s docking.]

STS-124/Discovery (ISS-1J) continues its catch-up flight for the FD3 docking at ~1:54pm, to begin ISS Stage 1J. (Catch-up rate ~480 nmi. per revolution of ~91.5 min.). [Hatch opening expected at ~3:10pm, followed by Safety Briefing (~4:02pm), Soyuz seat liner transfer (for the Reisman/Chamitoff exchange), and preparations for the first spacewalk, EVA-1, by EV1 Fossum & EV2 Garan on 6/3, preceded by their overnight Campout tomorrow night in the Airlock (A/L) for denitrogenation/pre-breathe. Objectives of the nominal 14-day mission: Delivering & installing the JAXA Kibo laboratory, delivering new ISS-17 crewmember Greg Chamitoff, bringing Garrett Reisman back home and conducting a total of three EVAs. Landing will nominally be at KSC on FD15 (6/14) at ~11:02am EDT. OMS Anomaly: During ascent, the left OMS (Orbital Maneuvering System) secondary TVC (Thrust Vector Control) positions failed to null in both pitch and yaw, most likely due to a failure in its (independent) power supply. Left OMS is now parked, aligned through EOM CG (End-of-Mission Center-of-Gravity). Remaining on-orbit OMS burns will be single-engine using right OMS only. The deorbit burn will be dual-engine using the (active) primary TVC of the left OMS.]

CDR Volkov, like his crewmates, had his hands full to prepare for the 1J arrival, starting out with the all-day formatting of the necessary P/TV (Photo/Video) storage devices for the Orbiter RPM (R-bar Pitch Maneuver) photo shoot tomorrow . [Rbar = along the radius vector of the ISS, downward. During the RPM at ~600 ft from the station, the ISS crew will have only ~90 seconds for taking high-resolution digital photographs, using the 400mm & 800mm telephoto lenses, of all tile areas and door seals on the Discovery from SM windows 6 & 8, to be downlinked for launch debris assessment. Thus, time available for the shooting will be very limited, requiring great coordination between the two headset-equipped photographers and the Shuttle. Sergey formatted, in a Kodak DCS 760 camera on station power, eight 1GB PCMCIA (Portable Computer Memory Card International Adapter) flash cards, each one taking ~20 minutes. Afterwards, the reformatted cards were transferred to the SM (Service Module) for the DCS 760 camera configuration to get ready for the RPM documentation.]

For the high-pressure P/TV activity, the CDR also recharged a total of 4 batteries for two DCS digital still cameras (plus one backup), all four simultaneously for at least three hours. The three cameras were then configured and stowed ready for use in the SM. [The three DCS760 cameras are #1019 (800mm lens), #1012 (400mm lens), #1038 (backup).]

In Node-2, FE-2 Reisman used the FFTD (Fluid Fitting Torque Device) tool to remove the PPRV (Positive Pressure Relief Valve) sample port cap and replaced its metal Gamah fitting seal with a soft Gamah seal.

Volkov performed the regular bi-weekly reboots of the SSC (Station Support Computer) OCA Comm Router and File Server A31p laptops.

FE-1 Kononenko spent time in the US Airlock (A/L) on staging and relocating EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) hardware in preparation for the 1J EVAs. [EMUs 3003, 3004 (backup for Garan) and 3018 were readied, with old cuff checklists, mini workstations, tethers & helmet light/EMU TV assemblies removed from the spacesuits on the EDDAs (EMU Don Doff Assemblies); EMUs 3003 & 3004 were then taken off the EDDAs), etc.]

The FE-1 also readied the equipment required for prebreathe using O2 (oxygen) piped over from the Shuttle. [Activities included removal of a closeout panel, tool pre-gathering and relocating a PBA (Portable Breathing Apparatus) from the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) to the Lab for stowage near the ORCA (Oxygen Recharge Compressor Assembly). Background: For the upcoming 1J activities, specialists have developed a detailed “Musical Chairs” plan for moving PFE/PBA fire safety devices around the station’s interior as required for quick access.]

Also in support of upcoming 1J activities, Kononenko powered on PCS (Portable Computer System) laptops in the Node-2, Lab (Cupola) and A/L.

FE-2 Reisman set up the all-important OSTPV (Onboard Short Term Plan Viewer) application for the correct MET (Mission Elapsed Time) from yesterday’s launch (GMT 152/2008 21:02) plus modifications to account for the Discovery crewmembers’ timelines.

Later, Garrett conducted the periodic offloading of the Lab CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) dehumidifier’s condensate tank, filling a CWC (Contingency Water Container, #1054) with the collected water slated for processing. Two samples were required this time, for return to Earth on STS-124. [Estimated offload time before reaching the tank’s neutral point (leaving ~6 kg in the tank): ~30 min.]

Return-to-ground fluid samples were also collected by Volkov of the US ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) from the LAB1D5 MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) sample port after flushing. [No ammonia or OPA (Ortho-Phthalaldehyde) test samples required.]

Afterwards, the CDR consolidated ITCS sampling hardware, labeling and organizing sample bags and OPA test strips in the CQMK (Coolant Quality Monitoring Kit) in preparation for the addition of a second Nomex CQMK arriving on 1J.

In the JLP (Japanese Experiment Module Logistics Pressurized Module), Reisman performed the periodical HCTL (Heater Controller) status and shell temperature check from the MKAM (Minimum Keep-Alive Monitor).

In preparation for 1J, Garrett supported the ground in pressurizing & leak-checking the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter 2) for ingress, hatch opening and stowage after the Shuttle’s arrival. [PMA-2 will be the docking port for Discovery tomorrow.]

The FE-2 also had another hour set aside for more personal departure preparations.

To increase Shuttle ventilation, Sergey Volkov installed a temporary THC IMV (Temperature & Humidity Control/Intermodule Ventilation) airduct in Node-2 and then also configured the IMV diffuser in the Lab to optimize Lab airflow for the “docked stack” configuration.

In the SM, Kononenko completed 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.]

Oleg performed the daily IMS 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).

The crew conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR), TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1, FE-2), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

At ~11:50am EDT, CDR Volkov has his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on an SSC laptop).

Tonight, the three crewmembers are scheduled for their regular periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Sergey at ~7:40pm, Oleg at ~7:58pm, Garrett at ~8:40pm.

Working off the discretionary “if time permits” task list, Kononenko had his fifth run with the Russian DZZ-2 "Diatomeya" ocean observations program, using the NIKON F-5 digital still camera with 80-200 mm lens and the HDV (high-definition) video camcorder from SM windows 7 & 8 to identify areas with intensive bioproduction confined to the largest upwelling of oceanic floors. [June is a period of extensive phytoplankton blooming in the waters of the Northern hemisphere. Also, June is associated with the end of a dry season and the start of a rainy season in the largest river basins of India, West Africa, and South America. Uplinked target zones were in the Pacific Ocean (geographic point to the west of Chile, Costa Rica seashore) and in the North Atlantic (Panamanian seashore, geographic point to the east of Newfoundland).]

Also off the Russian suggestions list, Oleg was to perform a session of the Russian GFI-8 "Uragan" (hurricane) earth-imaging program, using the D2X to take telephotos. [Uplinked target zones were the Kazbek volcano with glaciers on the northern slope, including the Kolka glacier, oil slicks in the floodplain of the river Terek all the way to the estuary, looking for drill platforms in the Caspian Sea, conditions of the coastal line of the drying Aral Sea, general views of the Balkan countries from various angles for EPO, and Moldavian river beds (series of overlapping shots from lagoons near the sea, upstream).

No CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today.

CEO photography can be studied at this “Gateway” website:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov (as of 3/1/08, this database contained 757,605 views of the Earth from space, with 314,000 from the ISS alone).

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 4:01am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 340.0 km
Apogee height — 343.6 km
Perigee height — 336.4 km
Period — 91.33 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.000539
Solar Beta Angle — 36.1 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 72 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 54602

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
06/02/08 – FD3 – STS-124/Discovery/1J docking (1:54pm)
— STS-124 docked timeline:

• 6/03 – FD4 – EVA-1 (11:30am, 6.5 hrs.), OBSS transfer, JPM prep, S3/S4 SARJ TBA install, JPM install; Fossum/Garan (EV1/EV2)
• 6/04 – FD5 – JPM Vestibule outfitting, Reisman/Chamitoff handovers
• 6/05 – FD6 – EVA-2 (11:30am, 7 hrs), JPM outfit (JTVE install, JRMS cvr remv), S1 NTA prep, CP 9 ETVCG retrv
• 6/06 – FD7 – JLP relocate to JPM; JLP Vestibule leak check; Focused inspection
• 6/07 – FD8 – JLP Vestibule outfitting; CP9 ETVCG TVCIC R&R
• 6/08 – FD9 – EVA-3 (10:30am, 7 hrs), S1 NTA R&R, compl JPM outfit (RMS cvr remv), P1 CP9 ETVCG install
• 6/09 – FD10 – JRMS checkouts, JLP Vestibule outfitting, A/L BCM R&R
• 6/10 – FD11 – “Sayonara” (~4:00pm), hatch close (~4:30pm)
• 6/11 – FD12 – Undocking (~7:33am); Greg remains, Garrett leaves; OBSS survey/inspection
• 6/12 – FD13 – Mostly off-duty
• 6/13 – FD14 – Stowing; deorbit preps
• 6/14 – FD15 – Deorbit burn

06/14/08 — STS-124/Discovery landing (KSC: ~11:02am EDT, nominal)
07/10/08 — Russian EVA-20 (7/10-11)
09/05/08 — ATV1 undocking
09/09/08 — Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
09/10/08 — Progress M-65/30P launch
09/12/08 — Progress M-65/30P docking (at DC1 nadir)
10/01/08 — NASA 50 Years
10/08/08 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4)
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)
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (FGB nadir)
11/03/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S relocation (from SM aft to FGB nadir)
11/10/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
11/12/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 docking
11/20/08 — ISS 10 Years
11/26/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
11/28/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking
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
2QTR CY09 — STS-127/2J/A launch – JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
3QTR CY09 — STS-128/17A/Atlantis – MPLM(P), last crew rotation
05/??/09 — Six-person crew on ISS (following Soyuz 18S-2 docking)
3QTR CY09 — STS-129/ULF3/Discovery – ELC1, ELC2
4QTR CY09 — STS-130/20A/Endeavour – Node-3 + Cupola
1QTR CY10 — STS-131/19A/Atlantis – MPLM(P)
1QTR CY10 — STS-132/ULF4/Discovery – ICC-VLD, MRM1 (contingency)
2QTR CY10 — STS-133/ULF5/Endeavour – ELC3, ELC4 (contingency).