Status Report

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 1 October 2008

By SpaceRef Editor
October 1, 2008
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NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 1 October 2008
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All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

>>>Happy Golden Anniversary, NASA! Keep on trekking! <<<

As part of the crew’s regular morning inspection tour, CDR Sergey Volkov 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.]

After yesterday’s preparations for today’s rack relocation, FE-2 Chamitoff, assisted by the CDR, moved the HRF-2 (Human Research Facility 2) rack from its Lab position P4 to the Columbus module, position A4. Having made the necessary umbilical connections and switched on rack power, the FE-2 then performed the post-move checkout, supported by the ground (POIC/Payload Operation & Integration Center), and configured the rack’s PC2 laptop for later use. .

For the two Russian crewmembers, it was time today for their first orthostatic hemodynamic endurance test session with the Russian Chibis suit in preparation for their return to gravity on 10/24, conducting the MedOps MO-4 exercise protocol in the below-the-waist reduced-pressure device (ODNT, US: LBNP/Lower Body Negative Pressure). Assisting each other in turn as CMO (Crew Medical Officer), the subjects were supported in their two one-hour sessions by ground specialist tagup via VHF at 6:38am (DO16) & 8:13am EDT (DO1). [The Chibis provides gravity-simulating stress to the body’s cardiovascular/circulatory system for evaluation of Malenchenko’s orthostatic tolerance (e.g., the Gauer-Henry reflex) after 200 days in zero-G. Data output includes blood pressure readings.]

FE-2 Chamitoff collected the periodic microbiological surface samples with the SSK (Surface Sample Kit) in the SM, Node-1 (at the location where the crew dries their clothing), US Lab and JAXA Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module). [Bacterial and fungal air samples are usually taken at two locations in the module being checked. The samples are then analyzed after 5-days of incubation. For onboard visual analysis of media slides, the crew has a procedure for visual inspection of samples for bacterial and fungal colony growths after appropriate incubation periods.]

Gregory also unstowed the three copies of the SODF (Systems Operation Data File) Warning Book from the Lab, SM (Service Module) and FGB, to make P&I (pen & ink) updates reflecting the completion of OGA (Oxygen Generation Assembly) and OGS (Oxygen Generation System) installation.

Later, the FE-2 worked on the OGS in the Lab, reconfiguring its SPS (Secondary Power System).

Sergey Volkov conducted the periodic (about twice a month) replenishing of the Elektron’s water supply for electrolysis, filling the KOV thermal loops’ EDV container with purified water from CWCs (Contingency Water Containers, #1074) collected by the U.S. CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) dehumidifier. [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 micropump shutdown.]

Today it was Greg Chamitoff’s turn to undergo the monthly CMO (Crew Medical Officer) proficiency training on using HMS (Health Maintenance System) hardware including ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) equipment which may be used in contingency situations where crew life is at risk. [To maintain proficiency, the CMOs spend one hour per month reviewing HMS and ACLS equipment and procedures via the HMS CBT (Computer Based Training) and the ACLS CBT. Maintaining proficiency with the HMS hardware and procedures is essential to successful ISS operations and well-being of the crew.]

Oleg Kononenko set up the power packs for the BAR instruments “Kelvin-Video” and TTM-2 for charging for another operational run of the Russian KPT-12/EXPERT science payload after yesterday’s session. Charging will be terminated tomorrow (10/2), and data taking will be continued in a second session. [Objective of EXPERT is to measure environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, air flow rate) and module shell surface temperatures behind SM panels and other areas susceptible to possible micro-destruction (corrosion), before and after insolation (day vs. night). The payload uses a remote infrared thermometer (Kelvin-Video), a thermohygrometer (Iva-6A) and a heat-loss anemometer/thermometer (TTM-2) to determine environmental data in specific locations and at specific times. Activities include documentary photography with the NIKON D2X camera and flash.]

The Elektron electrolysis machine, turned off yesterday due to the temporary deactivation of the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system for the replacement of the BRPK separator in the SRVK-2M condensate water processor, was reactivated today at 32 amps, supported by Kononenko, who monitored the external temperature of its secondary purification unit (BD) for the first 10 minutes of operations to ensure that there was no overheating. [The gas analyzer used on the Elektron during nominal operations for detecting hydrogen (H2) in the O2 line (which could cause overheating) is not included in the control algorithm until 10 minutes after Elektron startup.]

As has become standard operating procedure after deactivation/reactivation of the BITS2-12 onboard measurement telemetry system and VD-SU monitoring mode, Oleg also performed a quick function verification of the relatively new SUBA Ethernet connection between the OpsLAN (Operations Local Area Network) and the BRI Smart Switch Router in the SM.

The FE-1 had 1:45h reserved for stowage activities on Progress M-65/30P, going by an uplinked list of items to be disposed and their stowage locations. [30P currently also contains liquid waste (urine), pumped to water tank BV1 from 8 EDV-U containers and to BV2 from 6 EDV-Us. Solid waste is stored in 10 KTO containers, besides discarded BKO & BRPK condensate hardware, 22 food ration containers, 12 used dust collector cartridges, a replaceable SPN pump unit, and other items of trash.]

Oleg & Sergey also had an hour each for the regular crew departure preparations, starting to get ready for their return to Earth later this month. [This week they are granted reduced workdays for making their departure preparations, as is usual for Russian crewmembers.]

The CDR conducted the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (ECLSS, Envireonment Control & Life Support Systems) 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 FE-1 later performed 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).

The 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), and RED resistive exercise device (FE-2). For Sergey & Oleg, the MO-4 Chibis exercises replaced part of their regular workouts today.

Later, the FE-2 will transfer the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~10:05am EDT, the crew downlinked a message of greetings to an ESA/DLR space “gala” at the Sinsheim-Speyer Museum in Germany, going through the ESA Gateway via Col-CC (Columbus Control Center) in Oberpfaffenhofen. [The privately-financed space museum at Speyer today opened its spectacular new Buran Hall to the public, exhibiting the flight test model of the Soviet space shuttle “Buran” (Blizzard), recently purchased from Russia and transported from Bahrain on a special ship. Total investment in the Buran exhibit, incl. hall: 10 million Euros. Anyone has a Soyuz capsule for sale? They’re interested.]

SHERE Science Program: With the last two runs of the SHERE (Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment) experiment yesterday, Greg Chamitoff has successfully completed the 20 runs desired for Increment 17. Thanks and congratulations went up to the FE-2 from the SHERE PI & engineering teams, both of which are “ecstatic over the result”. [SHERE is designed to investigate the effect of preshearing (rotation) on the stress and strain response of a polymer fluid being stretched in microgravity.]

MFCV Adjustments: Yesterday, after the FE-2 had successfully performed two of the three remaining MFCV (Manual Flow Control Valve) adjustments in the US Lab (at P3 & O6), the adjustment of the final valve, in the Lab Aft Endcone, had to be deferred after Chamitoff reported observing a spark when the Flow Meter touched the metal ducting in the D6-O3 location, apparently from the screws on the transducer. Engineers are investigating the anomaly. [Purpose of these valve adjustments is to optimize the ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) flow throughout the USOS (US Segment) to allow for the incorporation of the Regenerative ECLSS to be launched on the ULF-2 mission.]

ISS Reboost Preview: Tomorrow’s ISS reboost by Progress M-65/30P is scheduled for a TIG (Time of Ignition) of 7:33am EDT and duration of 4min 41s, to yield an expected delta-V of 0.7 m/s (2.3 ft/s). Projected mean altitude increase is 1.2 km (0.7 n.mi.). The purpose of the reboost is to set up orbital phasing for the 17S/16S Soyuz launch & landing.

Week 24 Scheduled Main Activities:

  • Thu. (10/2): Progress reboost (7:33am); HRF-1 relocate & mate; 30P trash stow; KPT-12 expmt.; RS Ventilation cleaning; WRM CWC audit.
  • Fri. (10/3): MELFI rack relocate & mate; CDMK chck.; BRI-RSS1 data dump; JPM Panels reconfig; RS Ventilation cleaning; 30P trash stow.
  • Sat. (10/4): Station cleaning; SAMS activation; SOLO Diet monitor.
  • Sun. (10/5): PFP-ODNT OBT/trng.; SODF updating

CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today were Vredefort Impact Crater, South Africa (Vredefort is the largest confirmed impact crater that has been discovered on Earth so far. The original size of this ancient crater [approximately 2 billion years] is believed to have been 250 km in diameter. While Greg has already taken excellent detail images of the Vredefort structure, researchers now asked him to take context views of the entire crater with the 50 mm lens. Weather satellites suggested that clouds should not obscure the view), South Tibesti Megafans, Chad (these subtle, ancient erosional features in the Sahara are located between Lake Chad to the south and closer to the southern flank of the rugged Tibesti Mountains to the north. Requested were short-lens oblique views of the region for use later to help pinpoint areas for more detailed shots. After crossing to the W of Lake Chad, Greg was to begin shooting broad mapping views of the area to the right of track until ISS reached the mountains), Post-Ike Survey, Upper Texas Coast (Dynamic Event: This is the first time that the ISS orbit allowed for context views of the upper Texas coast after the passage of Hurricane Ike. Looking left of track towards the coast. CEO researchers received numerous requests through PAO for post-Ike imagery. Greg’s context views of the upper coast using the 800 mm lens may allow for comparisons of shoreline erosion to pre-Ike imagery. The imagery can also complement satellite images that have also been requested. With the passage of a cold front it was hoped that clouds were not a factor. Image taking was to be continued over the Mississippi delta so that post-Hurricane Gustav coastal changes were documented as well), and Sevilleta Wildlife Area, New Mexico (this wildlife area is also designated as a Long Term Ecological Research [LTER] site. It is primarily situated near either side of the Rio Grande River in central New Mexico. Detailed, mapping views along the orbit track were requested).

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, 7:56am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 352.1 km
Apogee height — 356.4 km
Perigee height — 347.9 km
Period — 91.58 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0006331
Solar Beta Angle — 1.7 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 48 hours — 67 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 56525

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
10/02/08 — ISS Reboost (~0.7 m/s; 7:33am EDT)
10/12/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch (~3:03am EDT; Fincke, Lonchakov, Garriott)
10/14/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (FGB nadir port, ~4:51am)
10/24/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (DC1 nadir) & landing
11/02/08 — Progress 30P reboost; Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends.
11/16/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC (~7:02pm EST) – U/R
11/18/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 docking – U/R
11/20/08 — ISS 10 Years
11/25/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking & deorbit
11/26/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
11/30/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking
12/01/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 landing (~1:25pm EST est.)
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/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
02/14/09 — STS-119/Discovery/15A docking
02/24/09 — STS-119/Discovery/15A undocking
02/26/09 — STS-119/Discovery/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
05/25/09 — Soyuz TMA-15/19S launch
05/27/09 — Six-person crew on ISS (following Soyuz 19S docking)
07/30/09 — STS-128/Atlantis/17A – MPLM(P), last crew rotation
10/15/09 — STS-129/Discovery/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/Discovery/ULF4 – ICC-VLD, MRM1
05/31/10 — STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 – ELC3, ELC4 (contingency).

SpaceRef staff editor.