NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 12 August 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

FE-2 Chamitoff started his day with the week-long SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment, using the payload software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment’s session file on the HRF-1 laptop. [To monitor the crewmember’s sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Greg wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew’s discretionary “job jar” task list.]

FE-1 Kononenko serviced the Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System), starting the "bake-out"-to-vacuum cycle on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The regen process will be terminated tonight at ~4:15pm EDT. Filter bed #1 was regenerated yesterday. [Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. The BMP’s regeneration cycle, normally done every 20 days, is currently performed four times more frequently to remove any lingering Freon-218 from the cabin atmosphere (last time done: 7/28 & 7/30).]

CDR Volkov & Gregory Chamitoff performed Day 2 maintenance activities on the TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation & Stabilization), removing and replacing the remaining RBAs (Roller Bearing Assemblies), 36 total, and checking out the treadmill. [Yesterday’s task of manufacturing and installing a tread belt patch was successfully accomplished, after some initial problems in getting the correct running torque settings after re-installing the belt slats. Today, the CDR & FE-2 finished the RBA R&R and returned the belt and chassis to the original configuration. Afterwards, the two crewmembers were to run a Noise Capture & Speed Characterization Test similar to the activity performed on 7/29 during TVIS troubleshooting. This data will be used to compare to the first video once the maintenance is complete.]

Kononenko completed the periodic collection of air samples in the SM (Service Module) & FGB using the AK-1M sampler kit, recording date, time & location. A second sample for Freon-210 was taken in the SM with the AK-1M-F. Kits and pouches were then restowed.

Afterwards, the FE-1 also conducted the periodic atmospheric sampling in the center of the Lab, SM and JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) with the U.S. GSC (Grab Sample Container). [GSC #1041 was not to be used.]

Working briefly on the Matryoshka-R (RBO-3-2) radiation payload, which includes the ESA/RSC-Energia experiment ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS/ALC) with its Spectrometer (AST) and ALC equipment, Kononenko turned off the AST, checked out its PCMCIA (Portable Computer Memory Card International Adapter) card ALC-953 on the RSK-1 laptop and then downlinked the zipped data file via OCA. The AST was not reactivated.

Later, Oleg had another 1h 45m reserved for more trash/equipment transfers to Progress 29P and loading it aboard, keeping the IMS (Inventory Management System) updated with the disposal transfers.

In preparation for tomorrow morning’s ISS reboost with the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) “Jules Verne”, the FE-2 supported SAMS (Space Acceleration Measurement System) ground commanding by activating its ICU (Interim Control Unit) in Rack LAP2/Drawer 1. [The reboost is scheduled tomorrow at 3:58am EDT, for 16min 35 sec. SAMS acquires acceleration data relevant to characterization of the dynamic vibratory environment on the ISS.]

Also for the reboost maneuver, Kononenko unstowed the PLASMA-ISS hardware and installed it at SM window #9 and aligned its sight for the KORONA experiment, which will record the luminosity of the surface of the Soyuz TMA-12 during the ATV reboost thruster (KD) firing. Oleg will be operating the equipment during the firing. [Plasma-ISS uses a UV (ultraviolet) camera, spectrometer (SP), camcorder (VS) with a video cassette, and accessories, mounted on a bracket adapter.]

To protect the science windows of the JAXA JPM and U.S. Lab from the thruster blast, Greg Chamitoff closed their external shutters.

Kononenko performed the routine daily servicing of the SM’s SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS). [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 also completed 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, FE-1, FE-2) and RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2). Later, Oleg transferred 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).

The crew is having their regular periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Oleg at ~10:00am, Sergey at ~1:25pm, Greg at ~4:05pm EDT.

At ~4:45pm, Chamitoff is also scheduled for 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),

At ~5:20pm EDT, just before sleep time, the FE-1 will again set up the Russian MBI-12 SONOKARD (Sonocard) payload and start his eighth experiment session, using a sports shirt from the SONOKARD kit with a special device in the pocket for testing a new method for acquiring physiological data without using direct contact on the skin. Measurements are recorded on a data card for return to Earth. [SONOKARD objectives are stated to (1) study the feasibility of obtaining the maximum of data through computer processing of records obtained overnight, (2) systematically record the crewmember’s physiological functions during sleep, (3) study the feasibility of obtaining real-time crew health data. Investigators believe that contactless acquisition of cardiorespiratory data over the night period could serve as a basis for developing efficient criteria for evaluating and predicting adaptive capability of human body in long-duration space flight.]

A new discretionary task added on the U.S. “job jar” list for Greg Chamitoff for today is to work on the Columbus Biolab Incubator (BLB INC), removing WAICO-1 (Waving & Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels) experiment containers (ECs) from Rotor B and to install & remove Reference ECs.

VolSci Program Preview: For the weekend of 8/16, Gregory was offered three choices for the Voluntary Weekend Science program: (1) SHERE (Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment) science runs in the CGBA; (2) an “operations improvement” session with SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) with all three satellites; and (3) a Space Careers Demo EPO (Education Payload Operations), creating an educational video discussing different careers found at NASA, to be used to produce an educational product to enhance existing education resources for students in grades 9-12.

SPDM Checkout Update: Ground-commanded checkout activities of the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) continued today, including a Brake Run-In Test. [Yesterday, controllers checked the FMS (Force Moment Sensors) on both OTCMs (On-orbit Tool Change-out Mechanisms), as well as the OTCM gripper and socket advance mechanism using manual hard stop commands, a check of the gripper, socket advance and torquer mechanisms using the BDU (Back-up Drive Unit) in low and high voltage modes and a check of the brakes on all the joints on both arms.]

ATV1 Reboost: Tomorrow’s ISS reboost by two of the four ATV main engines is scheduled for a TIG (Time of Ignition) of 3:58am EDT. Burn duration: 16 m 35 s, to yield a delta-V of 3.3 m/s (10.8 ft/s). The expected altitude gain (delta-H) is 5.8 km (3.1 nm). Purpose of the reboost is for altitude maintenance and to set up phasing for upcoming visiting vehicles.

KURS Test: TsUP/Moscow has scheduled a test today of both strings of the KURS automated rendezvous radio command system for the FGB port, in preparation for the Progress M-64/29P undocking on 9/2.

CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today were Mt. Etna, Sicily (looking left for Etna volcano which is almost always smoking), and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (Greg was to shoot overlapping nadir views of the park where trails are being mapped).

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).

Remaining Week 17 Main Activities:

• Wed. (8/13): ATV reboost, FMK stow, TVIS quarterly maintenance, Columbus Cycle 11 software transition, Plasma-ISS experiment, JAXA FPEF setup, 29P stow.
• Thurs. (8/14): MBI-15/Neuro setup, JAXA JEMRMS checkout review, 29P stow.
• Fri. (8/15): MBI-15/Neuro, MBI-21/Pneumocard, JEMRMS checkout, CDMK check, VOA power down, 29P stow, KOB-1 maintenance.
• Sat. (8/16): SAMS Ghosting, Weekly house cleaning.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 8:57am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 350.4 km
Apogee height — 357.4 km
Perigee height — 343.3 km
Period — 91.55 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0010433
Solar Beta Angle — -27.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.73
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 85 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 55740

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
08/13/08 — ATV Reboost (~3:58am EDT, 3.3 m/s delta-V)
09/02/08 — Progress M-64/29P undocking, from FGB nadir
09/07/08 — ATV1 undocking, from SM aft port (loiter until 9/29 for nighttime reentry/observation)
09/10/08 — Progress M-65/30P launch
09/12/08 — Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft)
10/01/08 — NASA 50 Years (official)
10/08/08 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4)
10/11/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft)
10/12/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch (~3:03am EDT)
10/14/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (FGB nadir port, ~4:51am)
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (DC1 nadir) or 10/24?
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
11/25/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking & deorbit
11/26/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
11/30/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking
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).