NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 15 October 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Day 2 of joint E17/18 operations.

The crew’s work/sleep cycle returned to the normal wake-up time of 2:00am EDT; sleeptime tonight remains at the earlier 4:30pm, for an earlier wakeup tomorrow morning, at 1:00am.

Aboard ISS, the E17/18 crew rotation/handover period went underway with full activity schedules for all six residents involved. Volkov, Kononenko, Fincke and Lonchakov had ~2.5 hrs between them for dedicated CDR/CDR & FE/FE handover activities, focusing today on USOS (US Segment), Elektron oxygen generator servicing in the RS (Russian Segment), and the relevant RBS power outlet 10 (English: UOP/ Utility Outlet Panel). In addition, there are “generic” handovers where crewmembers are scheduled together to complete various designated standard tasks.

After wakeup and before breakfast, FE-2 Chamitoff & SFP (Space Flight Participant) Garriott downloaded the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment data from their Actiwatches to the HRF-1 (Human Research Facility 1) laptop. Garriott is participating in the SLEEP experiment for NASA. [To monitor the crewmember’s sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, crewmembers wear a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by them as well as their 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 regular morning inspection tour, CDR Volkov, with Kononenko and Fincke, 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.]

Major science activities in the RS by Yuri Lonchakov, beginning with activation of the Cryogem-03M (KRIOGEM-03M) thermostatic facility at +29 degC (later reset to +4 degC), today focused on the biotechnological experiment BIOEMULSION, CONJUGATION, BIOEKOLOGIYA/ARIL, and BIO-4. [BIOEMULSION (BTKh-14): transferring Bioreactor #02 from KT thermostat shell to Cryogem-3M and replacing it in KT with Bioreactor #05 for culturing. CONJUGATION (Pairing): removal of the Recomb-K hybridization experiment from Cryogem, process activation at ambient temperature, photography of Recomb-K hardware, completing activation and returning to Cryogem, set at +4 degC. ARIL: relocating ARIL tubes (in Ziploc bag) from BIOEKOLOGIYA (Bioecology) container #18 to Cryogem. BIO-4: third relocation of RLD containers from KUBIK-2 to MELFI.]

Sergey Volkov set up the hardware for the Russian MBI-21 PNEVMOKARD experiment and conducted the session, his fifth, which does not allow moving or talking during data recording. Kononenko will have his fifth session tomorrow. The experiment is controlled from the RSE-med A31p laptop, equipped with new software, and uses the TENZOPLUS sphygmomanometer to measure arterial blood pressure. [PNEVMOKARD (Pneumocard) attempts to obtain new scientific information to refine the understanding about the mechanisms used by the cardiorespiratory system and the whole body organism to spaceflight conditions. By recording (on PCMCIA cards) the crewmember’s electrocardiogram, impedance cardiogram, low-frequency phonocardiogram (seismocardiogram), pneumotachogram (using nose temperature sensors), and finger photoplethismogram, the experiment supports integrated studies of (1) the cardiovascular system and its adaptation mechanisms in various phases of a long-duration mission, (2) the synchronization of heart activity and breathing factors, as well as the cardiorespiratory system control processes based on the variability rate of physiological parameters, and (3) the interconnection between the cardiorespiratory system during a long-duration mission and the tolerance of orthostatic & physical activities at the beginning of readaptation for predicting possible reactions of the crewmembers organism during the their return to ground.]

FE-2 Greg Chamitoff conducted the regular 30-day inspection of the new AED (Automated External Defibrillator) in the CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) rack. [The AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient. It then can treat them through defibrillation, i.e., the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. AEDs are generally either held by trained personnel who will attend events or are public access units which can be found in places including corporate and government offices, shopping centers, airports, restaurants, casinos, hotels, sports stadiums, schools and universities, community centers, fitness centers, health clubs and any other location where people may congregate.]

Volkov worked on the Service Module toilet systems (SM ASU), performing the monthly 30-min. maintenance/servicing of the facility, changing out replaceable ASU parts with new components, i.e., the urine receptacle (MP) and a filter insert (F-V). The old parts were discarded as trash.

In the Soyuz TMA-13/17S Orbital Module, docked at the FGB, Lonchakov installed the LKT local temperature sensor switch (TA251M1B) of the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system and its ROM/read-only memory unit (PZU TA765B), both kept in storage from an earlier Soyuz.

The FE-2 transferred US condensate from the Lab CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) dehumidifier tank to a CWC (Contingency Water Container, #1070), while monitoring the time it took for the pump to fill the latter (in order to evaluate the performance of the US filter used). [Starting at 7:20am, it took until 8:05am to reduce the amount of 24.29 kg condensate to 5.71 kg until tank and CWC pressures had equalized.]

After moving the MATRYOSHKA-R (RBO-3-2) radiation instrumentation from the FGB to the SM (panel 326) yesterday, Yuri Lonchakov today retrieved a new ALC dosimeter kit from Soyuz 17S, mounted the dosimeters on the ALC hardware, activated the AST spectrometer (with memory card ALC-954) and took documentary photography with the Nikon D2X. [RBO-3-2 is using the ESA/RSC-Energia experiment ALTCRISS (ALC/Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS) with its Spectrometer (AST) and ALC equipment, which is periodically moved around and now located again in the SM.]

Oleg reconfigured the SSC-15 (Station Support Computer 15) in the JAXA Kibo module. [The reconfiguration consisted in removing the Ethernet hatch drag-through cable and connecting the laptop instead to power & data in the JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) via a 120V Power/Ethernet cord.]

Sergey unstowed, set up and activated the DAKON-M hardware for the second session of the Russian experiment TEKh-15/IZGIB (“Bend”), taking photography of the activity which will run till 10/19, requiring visual control of hardware operations three times a day and report to the ground. The first IZGIB session, for checkout, was conducted on 9/23. [IZGIB has the objective to help update mathematical models of the ISS gravitation environment, using accelerometers of the Russian SBI Onboard Measurement System, the GIVUS high-accuracy angular rate vector gyrometer of the SUDN Motion Control & Navigation System and other accelerometers for unattended measurement of micro-accelerations at science hardware accommodation locations – (1) in operation of onboard equipment having rotating parts (gyrodynes, fans), (2) when establishing and keeping various ISS attitude modes, and (3) when performing crew egresses into space and physical exercises.]

Chamitoff and Fincke spent handover time on the US ACS OGS (Atmosphere Control & Supply/Oxygen Generation System), going through the steps of setting it up for activation. [Steps included accessing the OGS rack front and mating the O2 outlet jumper QD (Quick Disconnect) at the N2 Purge ORU (Orbit Replaceable Unit, LAB1PD1 panel), then performing an N2 (nitrogen) purge of the H2 (hydrogen) sensor and letting the OGA (Oxygen Generation Assembly) powered for ~20 min. Afterwards, the H2 sensor QDs were reconnected, the rack door closed, and the WDS (Water Delivery System) re-attached and activated.]

VC-15 Richard Garriott, assisted in part by Russian crewmembers, worked on his daily onboard program which today included –

• INTEGRATED IMMUNE (Validating Procedures for Monitoring Crew member Immune Function), before breakfast (collecting dry saliva sample);
• SLEEP Actiwatch logging;
• Telephone talk to AT;
• SSTV (Slow-Scan TV) ham radio session with Star City/Shchelkovo (with Volkov & Kononenko);
• PMC (Private Medical Conference);
• Ham radio session with Austin, TX (friends & family, Mayor of Austin);
• PRK Visual Acuity evaluation;
• MUSCLE-G (LBP/Low Back Pain) questionnaire;
• MOP-G (Motion Perception; vestibular adaptation to changes in micro-G);
• Earth photography (Asia); and
• Video blogs (e.g., on NASA Sleep Study, Visual Acuity Study, Immune Study, wedding rings, Operation Immortality – developing a digital time capsule for future generations, etc.).

Oleg & Yuri had an hour reserved for replacing and updating RODF (Russian Operations Data File) procedures pages, updating four books (VC Emergency, Technical Experiments, LDM/Long Duration Missions, TORU) and stowing two new ODF CD-ROMs plus two new books (VC15, E17/18 Crew Handover).

CDR Volkov conducted the periodic (currently daily) checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways, including the DC1-to-Soyuz tunnel, and the FGB-to-Soyuz and FGB-to-Node passageway. [This is especially important when the ventilation/circulation system has to cope with a larger crew on board, currently six persons, and one of the two Russian SKV air conditioners still off (SKV-1) because it has run out of service life.]

The FE-1 performed the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM (Service Module). [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 daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance was conducted today by Yuri Lonchakov, updating/editing the standard IMS “delta file” including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

Greg & Mike had another ~90 min on their timeline for pre-packing hardware to be returned on STS-126/ULF-2.

The crew had their regular PMCs (Private Medical Conferences), via S-band/audio & Ku-band/video, Richard at ~7:55am, Oleg at ~12:05pm, Yuri at ~12:35pm, Sergey at ~2:00pm, Greg at ~2:15pm. Mike’s was yesterday.

Today’s schedule also provided for an approximately 1-hr repressurization of the ISS atmosphere with O2 from Progress 30P’s SrPK tankage, conducted by Oleg and Yuri.

The E17 crew completed 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 (FE-2), TVIS treadmill (CDR/2.5h, FE-1/2.5h), and RED resistive exercise device (FE-2).

Later, Greg 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).

CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo target uplinked for today was Ouarkziz Impact Crater, Algeria (weather was predicted to be clear over this 3.5 km in diameter impact structure. Looking for the distinctive linear features caused by folded strata of the Ouarkziz Monocline as an indicator of the crater’s location. The circular crater is distinctive within the folded rock beds when viewed with the long lens. Nadir-viewing, overlapping frames taken as ISS passed over the monocline from SW to NE should have captured the crater).

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).

Week 26 Scheduled Main Activities:

• Thu. (10/16): ISS-18 expmts.; VC15 Prgm.; EDV replace; ULF-2 prepacking; Handovers ISS-18; WRM CWC audit; PEPS inspect.; Iridium recharge; IP-1 check.
• Fri. (10/17): ISS-18 expmts.; VC15 Prgm.; PAO; GOGU tagup; ULF-2 prepacking; Handovers ISS-18; ODNT/LBNP OBT; IDZ-2 smoke detector mntn.; CMS sampling; IP-1 check.
• Sat. (10/18): ISS-18 expmts.; VC15 Prgm.; BMP ch.1 regen.; GANK sampling; IP-1 check; FFQ; Handovers ISS-18; Symbolic Activity; OGS deact.; DOUG review for JEMRMS checkout.
• Sun. (10/19): ISS-18 expmts.; VC15 Prgm.; Handovers ISS-18; BMP ch.2 regen.; JEMRMS DOUG review ; JEMRMS activities/checkout ; MBI-15 NEURO; O-OHA assess.; IP-1 check; Elektron BZh check.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 4:32am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 352.4 km
Apogee height — 354.7 km
Perigee height — 350.1 km
Period — 91.59 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0003436
Solar Beta Angle — -58.9 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 48 hours — 119 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 56744

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undock (DC1 nadir, 8:15pm) & land (11:36pm) = 10/24 — 9:36am Kazakhstan)
11/02/08 — Progress 30P reboost; Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends
11/14/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
11/16/08 — 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
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).