NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 13 August 2011
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Saturday – Crew off-duty day.
As part of the regular Daily Morning Inspection, CDR Borisenko checked out the SM (Service Module) PSS caution & warning panel.
Borisenko also inspected the newly activated Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) payload with its LADA-01 greenhouse, checking for proper fan operation by testing the air flow from the ventilators BO A04 & BO A05 and verifying that both LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are lit. [Rasteniya-2 researches growth and development of plants (currently wheat) under spaceflight conditions in the LADA greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems, Russian: IMBP).]
At wake-up, FE-3 Garan, FE-4 Furukawa & FE-6 Fossum completed another post-sleep shift session of the Reaction Self Test (Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the ISS) protocol. [RST is done twice daily (after wakeup & before bedtime) for 3 days prior to the sleep shift, the day(s) of the sleep shift and 5 days following a sleep shift. The experiment consists of a 5-minute reaction time task that allows crewmembers to monitor the daily effects of fatigue on performance while on ISS. The experiment provides objective feedback on neurobehavioral changes in attention, psychomotor speed, state stability, and impulsivity while on ISS missions, particularly as they relate to changes in circadian rhythms, sleep restrictions, and extended work shifts.]
The six crewmembers joined in conducting the regular weekly three-hour task of thorough cleaning of their home, including COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) and Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module). As part of today’s uborka, Ron Garan took documentary photographs of the RGSH AORG (Return Grid Sensor Housing add-on screens) at COL D0 before and after going over them with the vacuum cleaner (to be compared with pictures taken during previous cleaning to establish the quantity of debris captured during the week). [“Uborka”, usually done on Saturdays, includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, damp cleaning of the SM (Service Module) dining table, other frequently touched surfaces and surfaces where trash is collected, as well as the sleep stations with a standard cleaning solution; also, fan screens and grilles are cleaned to avoid temperature rises. Special cleaning is also done every 90 days on the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) bacteria filters in the Lab.]
As part of the uborka house cleaning, CDR Borisenko, FE-1 Samokutyayev & FE-4 Volkov completed regular maintenance inspection & cleaning of the TsV2 fan screen in the FGB plus Group E fan grilles (VPkhO, FS5, FS6, VP) in the SM, with documentary photography, and the weekly checkup on the Russian POTOK-150MK (150 micron) air filter unit of the SM’s & FGB’s SOGS air revitalization subsystem, gathering weekly data on its total operating time & “On” durations for reporting to TsUP-Moscow.
Sergei Volkov completed the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM. [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers, replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers and filling EDV-SV, KOV (for Elektron), EDV-ZV & EDV on RP flow regulator.]
At ~8:55am EDT, the crew held the regular WPC (Weekly Planning Conference) with the ground, discussing next week’s “Look-Ahead Plan” (prepared jointly by MCC-H and TsUP-Moscow timeline planners), via S-band/audio, reviewing upcoming activities and any concerns about future on-orbit events.
Satoshi Furukawa started another session with the JAXA SSHDTV (Super Sensitive High-Definition Television) camera from the Cupola in Node-3, today removing the IR (Infrared) cut filter 3 from the single-focus 8 mm lens and setting the automatic recorder clock & time code for continuous recording of Perseid Meteor Shower occurrences, changing the 32GB memory/storage card three times before sleeptime.
Samokutyayev terminated the overnight charging of the Russian KPT-2 payload. [Objective of the Russian KPT-2/BAR science payload is to measure environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, air flow rate) and module shell surface temperatures behind RS (Russian Segment) panels and other areas susceptible to possible micro-destruction (corrosion), before and after insolation (day vs. night).]
Mike Fossum used the two hand-held CSA-O2 (Compound Specific Analyzer-Oxygen) units, #1046 & #1059, to take the periodic oxygen readings in the ISS prior to today’s Progress oxygen repress.
With the Russian Elektron oxygen generator currently inactive, FE-4 Volkov was to initiate another refresh of the ISS interior with an O2 repress from Progress 43P tankage on Go-ahead from TsUP.
Ron Garan completed the MERLIN-2 (Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator 2) in ER6 (EXPRESS Rack 6) desiccant change-out started yesterday, installing two fresh packs in the Galley fridge and returning all food items and the tray assembly back into the active unit. MERLIN-2 will be back at +4 degC in time for the crew’s evening meal. [MERLIN-2 is used for cold storage of crew food and drink],
Andrey Borisenko performed maintenance on the ASU toilet in the Soyuz TMA-21/26S (#231, docked at MRM2), replacing the collector unit with a new spare from FGB stowage.
At ~10:35am EDT, Andrey, Sasha & Sergei engaged in a PAO phone interview via S-band with Ekaterina Beloglazova, Editor of Rossiyskiy Kosmos (Russian Space) Magazine and an old friend of ISS cosmonauts. [“Tell us about the departure – on the work itself, about your impressions. After all, for Alexander it is the first such experience. It seems that only recently Andrei and Alexander arrived at the station, and now it’s already time to prepare for the return. What were you doing during these months? What have you learned in professional and human terms? Are you satisfied with your work? About the rest you’ll get on the Earth. The crew of “Mars-500″ is growing lettuces, peppers, tomatoes, all kinds of greens. And what about you? What are your plans for the next month? Thank you! Good luck! Have a nice day! Sincerely, Catherine.”]
At ~12:05pm, Mike had 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).
The crew worked out with their regular 2-hr physical exercise protocol on the CEVIS cycle ergometer with vibration isolation (FE-3), TVIS treadmill with vibration isolation & stabilization (CDR, FE-1, FE-4), ARED advanced resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-3, FE-4, FE-5, FE-6), T2/COLBERT advanced treadmill (FE-5, FE-6), and VELO ergometer bike with load trainer (FE-1, FE-4).
T2 Maintenance: Yesterday’s maintenance of the T2 treadmill was completed successfully after some issue with a spacer bar fastener. Fossum replaced the Sorbothane lining in 3 of the 4 T2 snubber cups which were in need of replacement. Ground experts reviewed downlinked photographs and gave the crew the Go for nominal use of the T2.
Weekly Science Update (Expedition Twenty-Seven/Twenty-Eight — Week 20)
2D NANO Template (JAXA): No report.
3D SPACE: No report.
AgCam (Agricultural Camera): No report.
ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS): Complete.
ALTEA SHIELD (NASA/ASI): On 7/22, the ALTEA-SHIELD hardware was relocated to its last location for the Survey part of the experiment. Since then science data are being acquired and so far we reached ~19 days of cumulative science acquisition (min 20 days, preferred 30 days or more for each location).
AMS-02 (Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer): AMS and its laptop continue to operate smoothly. So far data from nearly 4 billion cosmic rays has been collected.
APEX (Advanced Plant Experiments on Orbit) -Cambium: No report.
APEX-TAGES (Transgenic Arabidopsis Gene Expression System): No report.
Asian Seed 2010 (JAXA): Returned on ULF6.
BCAT-4/5 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test 4/5): No report.
BIOLAB (ESA): No report.
BIORHYTHMS (JAXA, Biological Rhythms): No report.
BISE (CSA, Bodies in the Space Environment): No report.
BISPHOSPHONATES: No report.
BXF-Facility (Boiling eXperiment Facility, NASA): No report.
BXF-MABE (Microheater Array Boiling Experiment, NASA): No report.
BXF-NPBX (Pool Boiling Experiment, NASA): No report.
CARD (Long Term Microgravity: Model for Investigating Mechanisms of Heart Disease, ESA): Samples were returned on STS-135 (ULF7).
CARDIOCOG-2: Complete.
CB (JAXA Clean Bench): No report.
CBEF-2 (JAXA Cell Biology Experiment Facility)/SPACE SEED: No report.
CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS): No report.
CERISE (JAXA): No report.
CCF (Capillary Channel Flow): No report.
CFS-A (Colored Fungi in Space-A, ESA): No report.
CSI-3/CGBA-5 (CGBA Science Insert #2/Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 5): No report.
CGBA-2 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 2): Complete.
CIR (Combustion Integrated Rack), MDCA/Flex: No report.
Commercial (Inc 23&24, JAXA): No report.
Commercial (Inc 25 & 26, JAXA): Sample returned by ULF6.
CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2): No report.
CsPins (JAXA): No report.
CubeLab: No report.
CW/CR (Cell Wall/Resist Wall) in EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System): Complete.
DECLIC-ALI (Device for the Study of Critical Liquids & Crystallization-ALICE-like, CNES/NASA): No report.
DomeGene (JAXA): Complete.
DOSIS (Dose Distribution Inside ISS, ESA): No report.
EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students): No report.
EDR (European Drawer Rack, ESA): No report.
EKE (Endurance Capacity by Gas Exchange and Heart Rate Kinetics During Physical Training, ESA): No report.
ELITE-S2 (Elaboratore Immagini Televisive – Space 2): Planned.
EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System): No report.
ENose (Electronic Nose): No report.
EPM (European Physiology Module): No report.
EPO (Educational Payload Operations, NASA) (Sesame Street): No report.
EPO (Educational Payload Operations, NASA) (Kids in Micro-G): No report.
EPO LES-2 (ESA): No report.
EPO GREENHOUSE (ESA): No report.
EPO 3-min Video (JAXA): No report.
EPO J-Astro Report (JAXA): Report-6 was completed by Satoshi on 8/10.
EPO Dewey’s Forest (JAXA): Closed out on 3/15.
EPO Space Clothes (JAXA): Complete.
EPO Hiten (Dance, JAXA): No report.
EPO Lego Bricks (NASA, JAXA): “Satoshi, thank you for working on our activities this week.”
EPO-5 SpaceBottle (Message in a Bottle, JAXA): No report.
EPO Moon Score (JAXA): No report.
EPO Try Zero-G (JAXA): On 8/2, FE3 Garan and FE5 Satoshi completed all actions on live video.
EPO Kibo Kids Tour (JAXA): Complete.
EPO Paper Craft (Origami, JAXA): No report.
EPO Poem (JAXA): No report.
EPO-6 Spiral Top 2 (JAXA): No report.
EPO-7 Doctor Demo (JAXA): Selected as Voluntary Science on 8/20-8/21.
ERB-2 (Erasmus Recording Binocular, ESA): [ERB-2 aims are to develop narrated video material for various PR & educational products & events, including a 3D interior station view.] “Dear Ron and Mike, a BIG BIG THANK YOU for your outstanding performance last weekend! This livelink event was a first to get 3D HD videoconferencing capability with ISS!! Teams on ground could not refrain to express their enthusiasm while seeing all of you in 3D with such level of detail. This test demonstrates that ERB-2 is well suited for that kind of performance. It was also cool to get Satoshi join the session, thanks for that! Thank you again, Mike, for filming a lot during your personal time last Sunday. We are now planning the downlink of 35 Gbytes of audio+video. We are very happy.”
ETD (Eye Tracking Device): Completed.
FACET-2 (JAXA): No report.
FERULATE (JAXA): No report.
FIR/LMM/CVB (Fluids Integrated Rack / Light Microscopy Module / Constrained Vapor Bubble): No report.
Fish Scales (JAXA): Completed on FD7/ULF-4 and returned on STS-132.
FOAM STABILITY (ESA): No report.
FOCUS: No report.
FSL (Fluid Science Laboratory, ESA): FSL activation is on-hold pending engineering assessment of the recent faulty boot-up events. No activities during Weeks #18-19-20-21, awaiting the analysis of the engineering teams.
FWED (Flywheel Exercise Device, ESA): No report.
GENARA-A (Gravity Regulated Genes in Arabidopsis A/ESA): No report.
GEOFLOW-2 (ESA): GEOFLOW-2 runs will be resumed only when ESA will have a clear forward plan for FSL.
HAIR (JAXA): No report.
HDTV System (JAXA): No report.
Hicari (JAXA): No report.
Holter ECG (JAXA): No report.
HQPC (JAXA): Was delivered by 34P.
HREP (HICO/Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean & RAIDS/Remote Atmospheric & Ionospheric Detection System/JAXA): HICO has taken 3811 images to-date. The most recent HICO images include the Caspian Sea, part of Japan, parts of New Zealand, the Nile River Delta and the coast of Sri Lanka. RAIDS is collecting secondary science including nighttime atmospheric disk photometry, spectra and temperatures. Extreme Ultra Violet airglow spectroscopy and optical contamination studies are also being performed.
HydroTropi (Hydrotropism & Auxin-Inducible Gene Expression in Roots Grown under Microgravity Conditions/JAXA): No report.
ICE CRYSTAL (JAXA): Complete.
ICV (Integrated Cardiovascular): No report.
IMMUNO (Neuroendocrine & Immune Responses in Humans During & After Long Term Stay at ISS): Complete.
INTEGRATED IMMUNE: No report.
InSPACE-2 (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2): No report.
IRIS (Image Reversal in Space, CSA): No report.
ISS Amateur/Ham Radio: No report.
ISSAC (ISS Agricultural Camera, NASA): ISSAC had a nominal imaging this week and collected ~35 ground sites including parts of North America, South America and Africa. Due to limited/no access for our ground sites in North America, ISSAC will not be operating between 8/12-8/18. ISSAC will resume its nominal imaging on 8/19.
IV Gen (Intravenous Fluids Generation): No report.
KID/KUBIK6: No report.
KUBIK 3 (ESA): No report.
LMM/PACE-2 (Light Microscopy Module / Preliminary Advanced Colloids Experiment): “Ron, you did a great job preparing LMM for PACE-2 operations. Thank you for showing us the sample. We were able to confirm water in at least four or five of the seven wells. This information helped us to prepare for science operations. Using the LMM Microscope from the ground, the LMM/PACE operations team has confirmed that you successfully deposited the index-matching oil on the sample. We also appreciate you reattaching the LMM Supply Hose label. Doug Wheelock noticed that this label was loose a year ago. He used Kapton tape to secure it, which explains your observation of Kapton tape”. PACE-2 science operations started shortly after the hardware was configured. The LMM/PACE operations team began evaluating the first of three particle samples. The objective of the three particle samples is to observe calibrated three-dimensional objects at a variety of magnifications. The higher magnifications of 63x and 100x require index-matching oil. This is the first of six PACE-2 samples. After the three particle samples are observed and imaged, three fixed biological samples will be observed and imaged.
LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System): No report.
Marangoni Exp (JAXA): 24th run was completed on 12/22.
Marangoni DSD – Dynamic Surf (JAXA): Payload name was change from Marangoni DSD to Dynamic Surf.
Marangoni UVP (JAXA): No report.
Matryoshka-2 (RSA): No report.
MAXI (Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image, JAXA): Continuing telemetry monitoring.
MDCA/Flex: “MDCA’s return to test points earlier this week went smoothly. We are so excited to be performing science again! A total of 11 test points were successfully performed (with 10 counting towards the matrix since one was a repeat). The test points used methanol fuel at various chamber pressures and atmospheres.”
MEIS (Marangoni Experiment for ISS) in JAXA FPEF (Fluid Physics Experiment Facility): No report.
Microbe-2 (JAXA): Sample returned by ULF6.
Micro-G Clay (JAXA EPO): Complete.
MISSE-7 (Materials ISS Experiment 7): The 7th Materials on International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-7) reached a successful mission completion on 5/10. During EVA-1, PEC 7A and PEC 7B were retrieved and transferred to the STS-134 Shuttle payload bay for return to Earth. MISSE-7 was launched to the ISS aboard the STS-129 Shuttle mission in November 2009, and operated continuously since that time. During its 1.5 year on-orbit mission, MISSE-7 tested a variety of next-generation solar cells and electronic devices and provided real-time downlink of science data. MISSE-7 also continuously exposed cutting-edge material samples that will be analyzed in ground laboratories to determine how well they survived the space exposure effects of atomic oxygen, ultraviolet exposure, particle irradiation, and extreme temperature cycles.
MISSE-8 (Materials ISS Experiment 8): Two MISSE-8 experiments exceeded the temperature limits due to the high beta angle this week. On 8/6 the Reflectarray and SEUSXE II experiments were turned off in a controlled manner by the Payload Rack Officer to prevent damage due to overheating. These experiments will remain disabled until the end of the high beta period that ends on 8/16. PASCAL continued nominal commanding that produced IV curves of the solar cells. IV curves are plots of the current versus voltage for solar cells and tell a lot about how these are performing. The SpaceCube experiment is continuing to upload files with updated code for new radiation hardening by software experiment algorithms.
MMA (JAXA/Microgravity Measurement Apparatus): No report.
MPAC/SEED (JAXA): Completed on 19A FD4.
MSG-SAME (Microgravity Science Glovebox-Smoke Aerosol Measurement Experiment): No report.
MSL (Materials Science Laboratory, ESA): No report.
MTR-2 (Russian radiation measurements): Passive dosimeters measurements in DC-1 “Pirs”.
MULTIGEN-1: Completed.
MYCO 3 (JAXA): No report.
MyoLab (JAXA): Completed on 4/20.
NANOSKELETON (Production of High Performance Nanomaterials in Microgravity, JAXA): Returned on ULF6.
NEURORAD (JAXA): No report.
NEUROSPAT (ESA/Study of Spatial Cognition, Novelty Processing and Sensorimotor Integration):
NOA-1/-2 (Nitric Oxide Analyzer, ESA): Complete.
NUTRITION w/REPOSITORY/ProK: “Great job, Ron. We have received all of the barcodes that were placed in crew notes. After your successful ops this week, you are only one session away from completing your 5 inflight Nutrition sessions. Your final session will be scheduled in the R-14 (Return-14d) timeframe. Great job with your inflight session, Satoshi. The barcodes you placed in crew notes have been received. You have now completed 2 sessions with only 2 remaining (only 2 sessions remain because the FD30 session was skipped due to lack of crew time pre-ULF7). Your next Nutrition session will be the FD120 session.”
PADIAC (Pathway Different Activators, ESA): No report.
PADLES (JAXA, Area PADLES 3/4; Passive Area Dosimeter for Lifescience Experiment in Space): On 6/14 completed installation of 17 Dosimeters in JPM and JLP.
PASSAGES (JAXA): “Dear Ron, many thanks for completing your last session of PASSAGES. The science team already checked the data; they confirmed the data look good, and we will be waiting for you for post-flight BDC. Thank you for your interest in participating in this experiment!”
PCDF-PU (Protein Crystallization Diagnostic Facility – Process Unit): No report.
PCG (JAXA, Protein Crystal Growth): Continuing telemetry monitoring.
PCRF (Protein Crystallization Research Facility) Reconfiguration (JAXA): See PCG.
PLSG (Plant Signaling, NASA/ESA): Mike completed the planned experiment stop and sample processing on Friday, 8/5, bringing to a conclusion a very successful two runs for this experiment. All Plant Signaling frozen samples are now safely in MELFI awaiting return to Earth. No near-term experiment activities are planned until the preparation for return of the frozen samples and the empty Experiment Containers.
PMDIS (Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space): Complete.
POLCA/GRAVIGEN (ESA): Complete.
Portable PFS: No report.
Pro K: No report.
RadGene & LOH (JAXA): Complete.
RadSilk (JAXA): No report.
RST/Reaction Self Test (Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the ISS): “Ron, Mike and Satoshi, we downlinked your data from the past month and we thank you for your participation and especially for completing tests from the task list!”
RYUTAI Rack (JAXA): No report.
SAIBO Rack (JAXA): On 8/6 Voluntary Science, FE-5 Satoshi completed Clean Bench clean up and Valve check out.
SAMS/MAMS (Space & Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems): No report.
SAMPLE: Complete.
SCOF (Solution Crystallization Observation Facility, JAXA): No report.
SEDA-AP (Space Environment Data Acquisition Equipment-Attached Payload, JAXA): Continuing telemetry monitoring.
SHERE II (Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment II): “SHERE II had a very exciting and productive week. The very first two science runs were completed on Monday, 8/8, and seven additional science runs were completed on Thursday, 8/11. “Mike – The team really enjoyed the video you created during the second test run on Monday. It really shows off well the work you and SHERE are doing up there! Furthermore, you did an outstanding job on Thursday when you did 7 test points. That is a record in SHERE’s history, and it was made possible by your efficiency and careful thermal management of the MSG work volume during these tests. Thank you! Satoshi – You did great on your Dry Run on Wednesday, 8/10, and SHERE II looks forward to doing some science runs with you soon.”
SLAMMD (Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device): No report.
SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight): No report.
SMILES (JAXA): Continuing telemetry monitoring.
SODI/IVIDIL (Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument/Influence of Vibration on Diffusion in Liquids, ESA): No report.
SODI/COLLOID (Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument/Colloid): No report.
SOLAR (Solar Monitoring Observatory): The Sun Visibility Window #43 ended on 7/31. The next Sun Visibility Window is predicted to start on 8/23.
SOLO (Sodium Loading in Microgravity): “Ron, the SOLO science team and the whole ESA team passes huge thanks for all your efforts to complete the two SOLO diet sessions and associated measurements and sampling! Some of the issues discussed with you in the last conference are being looked at by the ground teams in view of future subjects. Thank you again, also to Satoshi for the help with the blood draw!”
Space-DRUMS (Space Dynamically Responding Ultrasonic Matrix System): No report.
Space Food (JAXA): No report.
SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite): “Ron, you setup for and executed part of Test Session 27 to investigate Orbital Dynamics and test Zero Robotics code. Major activity was to setup and re-deploy the beacons in the JEM Bays 4 and 5. You were able to successfully use the T61p with SPHERES for the first time, a new LPTX antenna, and access SPHERES files on T:\ drive!–all of which were major accomplishments! During the test session, we did observe some unexpected flight behavior. Based on the Beacon photos you took, the SPHERES team has updated the Beacon locations in the GUI to correct this behavior, and we believe we are ready to proceed with our Zero Robotics activities next week. Thank you!”
SPHINX (SPaceflight of Huvec: an Integrated eXperiment, ESA): No report.
SPICE (Smoke Point In Co-flow Experiment): No report.
SPINAL (Spinal Elongation): No report.
SPRINT: No report.
SS-HDTV (Super Sensitivity High Definition Camera, JAXA): On 8/8, FE-5 Satoshi completed setup at Cupola, then took the first video Recording-1 (Earth’s night view during passing over Japan) using Zoom Lens. On 8/10, he completed the second video Recording-1. On 8/11, Lens exchange to Single Focus Lens 8mm is planned, then the third video Recording-1 will be performed. Also planned on 8/12-8/13 is Recording-3, Meteor shower (Perseids).
STP-H3 (Space Test Program – Houston 3): MHTEX determined last week that gas had been introduced into the starter pump. This week MHTEX started up pumps 3, 4 and 5 to see if any gas has migrated to the other pumps. MHTEX will run in this condition for a few days in order assess the appropriate time to re-prime the system. Canary attempted to take data from the Space Drums venting activity on Day 218 but an anomaly with that experiment occurred and the Waste Gas System was not used. VADER continues to increase the voltage of the VEDs in the high emissivity state to see if a larger delta e can be achieved. DISC is currently processing images that were taken in previous weeks.
SWAB (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft): No report.
TASTE IN SPACE (ESA): No report.
THERMOLAB (ESA): “Thank you, Mike, for your first successful in-flight THERMOLAB data collection during your VO2max protocol on 6/27.”
TRAC (Test of Reaction & Adaptation Capabilities): Planned.
TREADMILL KINEMATICS: No report.
TRIPLELUX-B (ESA): No report.
ULTRASOUND: Planned.
VASCULAR (CSA): No report.
VCAM (Vehicle Cabin Atmosphere Module, NASA): No report.
VESSEL ID System (ESA): Acquiring science data with NorAIS receiver.
VESSEL IMAGING (ESA): No sessions possible due to Ultrasound anomaly.
VO2max (NASA): No report.
VLE (Video Lessons ESA): No report.
WAICO #1/#2 (Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels; ESA): No report.
YEAST B (ESA): No report.
CEO (Crew Earth Observation): Through 8/7, 8,493 CEO frames were received on the ground for review and cataloging. “We are pleased to report your acquisition of imagery with times corresponding to those of our CEO Daily Target Lists for the following target: Tripoli, Libya – in a well-executed session of repeated, overlapping frames you acquired several high-quality frames of this low-contrast urban area – your views meet all our requirements, including the 180mm lens setting – we can now remove this long-standing target from our site list – congratulations! Your daylight-awake orbit tracks descended in to the Southern Hemisphere this week where seasonal lighting conditions and winter weather patterns are eliminating suitable views of the few targets we have in that part of the world. This situation will likely persist until the middle of next week limiting your opportunities to nighttime views of Auroras, Noctilucent Clouds, and possibly views of cities at night in the Northern Hemisphere. Hang in there, things will get better soon! Your striking, panoramic view of biomass burning in southern Africa was published on the NASA/GSFC’s Earth Observatory website this past weekend. Acquired in late July, your high-oblique photograph illustrates the extent of the vast, regional smoke palls that develop every dry season in this part of the world. Nice shot!”
CEO: Current daylight-awake ISS orbit tracks have progressed into a seasonal low-light pattern into the Southern Hemisphere. Few, if any of CEO targets in that part of the world will have suitable visibility due to illumination or weather constraints. These conditions are expected to persist for another 4 to 6 days. Meanwhile, CEO staffers will look for nighttime opportunities for either displays of Aurora or Noctilucent Clouds, or, possibly Cities at Night targets. CEO targets uplinked for today were Aurora Borealis, NW North America (DYNAMIC EVENT: The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center suggests that statistically the strongest Auroral activity in the Northern Hemisphere will be found over the polar regions from the longitudes of 105E [NE Asia] to 80W [central North America]. At this time the crew was to begin looking obliquely left of track towards the atmospheric limb of polar region for Aurora during the next 10 minutes), and Noctilucent Clouds, Northern Europe (DYNAMIC EVENT: At the uplinked time, as ISS tracked northeastward over the western Mediterranean Sea, the crew was to begin looking left for these bluish, sun-illuminated cloud elements, well above the horizon, trying for high oblique panning views of the atmospheric limb looking left of track for about 9 to 11 minutes).
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 9:15am EDT [= epoch])
Mean altitude – 386.6 km
Apogee height – 395.3 km
Perigee height – 377.9 km
Period — 92.29 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0012855
Solar Beta Angle — 66.2 deg (magnitude peaking)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.60
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 21 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) – 72,986
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time and subject to change):
————–Six-crew operations————-
08/23/11 — Progress M-11M/43P undocking (5:35am EDT)
08/24/11 — Progress M-12M/44P launch (~9:00am)
08/26/11 — Progress M-12M/44P docking (SM aft) (~10:40am)
09/08/11 — Soyuz TMA-21/26S undock/landing (End of Increment 28)
————–Three-crew operations————-
09/22/11 — Soyuz TMA-03M/28S launch – D.Burbank (CDR-30)/A.Shkaplerov/A.Ivanishin
09/24/11 — Soyuz TMA-03M/28S docking (MRM2)
————–Six-crew operations————-
10/25/11 — Progress M-10M/42P undocking
10/26/11 — Progress M-13M/45P launch
10/28/11 — Progress M-13M/45P docking (DC-1)
11/16/11 — Soyuz TMA-02M/27S undock/landing (End of Increment 29)
————–Three-crew operations————-
11/30/11 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S launch – O.Kononenko (CDR-31)/A.Kuipers/D.Pettit
12/02/11 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S docking (MRM1)
————–Six-crew operations—————-
12/26/11 — Progress M-13M/45P undock
12/27/11 — Progress M-14M/46P launch
12/29/11 — Progress M-14M/46P docking (DC-1)
02/29/12 — ATV3 launch readiness
03/05/12 — Progress M-12M/44P undock
03/16/12 — Soyuz TMA-03M/28S undock/landing (End of Increment 30)
————–Three-crew operations————-
03/30/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/30S launch – G.Padalka (CDR-32)/J.Acaba/K.Volkov
04/01/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/30S docking (MRM2)
————–Six-crew operations—————-
05/05/12 — 3R Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) w/ERA – launch on Proton (under review)
05/06/12 — Progress M-14M/46P undock
05/07/12 — 3R Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) – docking (under review)
05/16/12 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S undock/landing (End of Increment 31)
————–Three-crew operations————-
05/29/12 – Soyuz TMA-06M/31S launch – S.Williams (CDR-33)/Y.Malenchenko/A.Hoshide
05/31/12 – Soyuz TMA-06M/31S docking
————–Six-crew operations—————-
09/18/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/30S undock/landing (End of Increment 32)
————–Three-crew operations————-
10/02/12 — Soyuz TMA-07M/32S launch – K.Ford (CDR-34)/O.Novitskiy/E.Tarelkin
10/04/12 – Soyuz TMA-07M/32S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
11/16/12 — Soyuz TMA-06M/31S undock/landing (End of Increment 33)
————–Three-crew operations————-
11/30/12 — Soyuz TMA-08M/33S launch – C.Hadfield (CDR-35)/T.Mashburn/R.Romanenko
12/02/12 – Soyuz TMA-08M/33S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
03/xx/13 — Soyuz TMA-07M/32S undock/landing (End of Increment 34)
————–Three-crew operations————-
03/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/34S launch – P.Vinogradov (CDR-36)/C.Cassidy/A.Misurkin
03/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/34S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
05/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-08M/33S undock/landing (End of Increment 35)
————–Three-crew operations————-
05/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-10M/35S launch – M.Suraev (CDR-37)/K.Nyberg/L.Parmitano
05/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-10M/35S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/34S undock/landing (End of Increment 36)
————–Three-crew operations————-
09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-11M/36S launch – M.Hopkins/TBD (CDR-38)/TBD
09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-11M/36S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-10M/35S undock/landing (End of Increment 37)
————–Three-crew operations————-
11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-12M/37S launch – K.Wakata (CDR-39)/R.Mastracchio/TBD
11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-12M/37S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
03/xx/14 – Soyuz TMA-11M/36S undock/landing (End of Increment 38)
————–Three-crew operations————-
