NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 16 December 2008

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

Before morning inspection and breakfast, FE-1 Lonchakov terminated his fourth experiment session for the long-term Russian sleep study MBI-12/SONOKARD, by taking the recording device from his SONOKARD sports shirt pocket and later copying the measurements to the RSE-MED laptop for subsequent downlink to the ground. [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.]

Servicing the new WRS (Water Recovery System), FE-2 Magnus –

• Collected the periodic samples from the PWD (Potable Water Dispenser) Ambient and the SVO-ZV tap and the SRV-K Warm tap,
• Analyzed in-flight samples with the TOCA (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer) via the TOCA water sampling hose, the WMK MCD (Water Microbiology Kit/Microbial Capture Devices) for microbial traces, and the CDB (Coliform Detection Bag) for inflight coliform indications (Magenta for Positive, Yellow for Negative),
• Stowed away the usual SRV-K Warm & SVO-ZV tap archival samples to be returned on 15A for post-flight analysis on the ground, and, after the analyses,
• Performed data recording and, for conserving water, the usual water reclamation from the sample bags via an absorbing towel (to be dried by airing) and concluded the activities.

[The TOCA performed successfully. WRS sampling & checkouts are regularly conducted for 90 days: every 4 days – WRS water hose (TOCA inflight analysis) & microbial bag sample (inflight bacterial visual enumeration plus archival for return on 15A), every 8 days – an archival water sample (return on 15A), and monthly – a TOCA bag sample from PWD (tested inflight). Coliform bacteria are the commonly-used bacterial indicator of sanitary quality of foods and water. They are defined as rod-shaped Gram-negative non-spore forming organisms that ferment Lactose with the production of acid and gas when incubated at 35-37 degC. Coliforms are abundant in the feces of warm-blooded animals, but can also be found in the aquatic environment, in soil and on vegetation. In most instances, coliforms themselves are not the cause of sickness, but they are easy to culture and their presence is used to indicate that other pathogenic organisms of fecal origin may be present.]

As part of the regular physical fitness check prior to Orlan spacewalks, it was Yuri Lonchakov’s turn today for the Russian MO-5 MedOps protocol of cardiovascular assessment during graded physical load on the VELO cycle ergometer, his second, assisted by Mike Fincke as CMO (Crew Medical Officer). [The assessment uses the Gamma-1 ECG equipment with biomed harness, skin electrodes and a blood pressure and rheoplethysmograph cuff wired to the cycle ergometer’s instrumentation panels. Measurements were telemetered down via VHF to RGS (Russian Groundsite) during a comm window at 4:43am EST (DO4. For the graded-load exercise, the subject works the pedals after a prescribed program at load settings of 125, 150, and 175 watts for three minutes each. Data output involves a kinetocardiogram, rheoplethysmogram, rheoencephalogram and a temporal pulsogram.]

Major focus for CDR Fincke & FE-1 Lonchakov today was on Orlan spacesuit activities in the DC1 “Pirs” Docking Compartment, to go on for the next several days, preparing spacewalk hardware for the EVA-21 on 12/22 and the prior simulation exercises on 12/19. After configuring the DC1 communications system for their presence, Yuri & Mike –

• Configured & tested the EVA support panels (POV) in the SM PkhO (Service Module Transfer Compartment) [to be used for leak checks and valve tests on the Orlan suits, BSS interface units & hatch KVDs (pressure equalization valves)],
• Checked out the BSS interface unit in the PkhO,
• Tested the Orlan BSS plus cooling loops and their degassing (i.e., liquid/gas separation) both in the DC1 and in the SM PkhO,
• Set up BNP portable repress O2 tank #3 in the SM RO (Working Compartment). and
• Activated & inspected their spacesuits [Orlan #27 (red stripe) for EV1/Lonchakov, #26 (blue stripe) for EV2/Fincke].

Additionally, the FE-1 worked on the EXPOSE-R payload, securing its lid with Aramide tape to ensure it stays closed during egress and translation to its external installation site.

Yuri also took the periodic and pre-EVA sensor readings of the Russian “Pille-MKS” (MKS = ISS) radiation dosimetry experiment which has ten sensors placed at various locations in the Russian segment (DC1, SM starboard & port cabin windows, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.). The Pille Reader was left powered up. [Nine of the ten dosimeters are read manually.]

Later, Lonchakov & Fincke installed the StM Docking Mechanism between Progress M-01M/31P and the DC1 airlock. [StM is the "classic" probe-and-cone type, consisting of an active docking assembly (ASA) with a probe (SSh), which fits into the cone (SK) on the passive docking assembly (PSA) for initial soft dock and subsequent retraction to hard dock. The ASA is mounted on the Progress’ cargo module (GrO), while the PSA sits on the docking ports of the SM, FGB and DC1.]

Sandra Magnus finished transferring and unpacking US cargo items delivered on 31P.

In the U.S. Airlock, Magnus terminated the discharge on EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) battery #2074 and initiated it on battery #2037 in the BSA BC4 (Battery Stowage Assembly/Battery Charger 4). [The periodic maintenance consists of fully discharging (and later recharging) the storage units to prolong their useful life. After end of the maintenance cycle, Sandy restored the SSC laptop, which is used in DOS mode for the automated procedure, to nominal ops.]

The FE-2 also continued the preparation of the MELFI (Minus Eighty Degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS) for future sample storing by completing the eighth ICEPAC insertion into the freezer after ULF-2, today retrieving another two -32 degC ICEPAC belts and placing them into Dewar 2, Tray C/Section 1 & Tray D/Section 4 for cooling down.

CDR Fincke used the electronic Velocicalc instrument to take the periodic THC IMV (Temperature & Humidity Control/Intermodule Ventilation) air flow measurements of relative humidity (dew point, wet bulb temp), temperature and air velocity (flow rate) between modules. [There is no direct measurement of airflow except as reflected by, and calculated (with Velocicalc) from, differences in atmosphere partial pressures measured at selected points between the RS and USOS. ppCO2 is a good yardstick since for example an increasing ppCO2 in the Lab not reflected in the SM would indicate that Vozdukh is not receiving the air from the Lab at an efficient rate. Periodic air flow degradation checks support establishing a most effective fan cleaning schedule.]

In preparation for tonight’s reboost test, Sandy Magnus tightened an AVM (Anti Vibration Mount) bracket bolt on the ESA FSL FCE (Fluid Science Laboratory/ Facility Core Element) in the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory). [The lower right AVM bracket of the FCE has only one bolt working. To protect the AVM against reboost loads, the torque on the bolt had to be increased (to 22 inch-lb) and the other (loose) bolt secured with Kapton tape.]

Sandy also completed 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, replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers and performing US condensate processing (transfer from CWC to EDV containers) if condensate is available.]

For tonight’s thruster maneuver, the FE-2 also closed the protective shutters of the Lab & JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) science windows.

EWIS (External Wireless Instrumentation System) and IWIS (Internal Wireless Instrumentation System) were to be activated by ground commanding for capturing structural dynamics data of the station during the reboost firing.

The crew had their periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Yuri at ~8:55am, Sandy at ~10:05am, and Mike at ~12:00pm EST.

The station residents conducted their regular daily 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, FE-1), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1/MO-5).

ISS Reboost Test: Tonight the station will perform a test maneuver using the Progress 31P mid-ring thrusters. The thruster firing (duration: 9m 28s) is scheduled at 10:58:50 pm EST. Expected delta-V: 0.5 m/s (1.64 ft/s), with a mean altitude increase of ~0.9 km (0.5 nmi). Attitude control authority will be handed over to Russian MCS (Motion Control System) at 9:10pm and returned to US Momentum Management at 11:45pm. [31P is docked to the DC1 nadir port, i.e., radially, and the burn will be done in LVLH +XVV attitude (local vertical-local horizontal/+X axis into the velocity vector, i.e., flying bow-forward), the first time for this type of translational maneuver. The purpose of this reboost is to test the Progress mid-ring (lateral) thrusters to support a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) when a Soyuz is docked to the SM aft port (17S is currently docked at the FGB nadir port). The test burn will also start the phasing for the STS-119/15A and 32P launches.]

CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today were Teide Volcano, Canary Is. (at 3,718m above sea level and about 7,500m above the ocean floor, this is the highest point on both Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. ISS pass was in late afternoon with partly cloudy conditions expected [low clouds swirling around the islands]. Looking well right of track [SW] for Tenerife Island with sun glint further to the SW. Using the long lens settings for detail).

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, 7:43am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 353.5 km
Apogee height — 358.1 km
Perigee height — 348.9 km
Period — 91.61 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0006856
Solar Beta Angle — -72.3 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 33 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 57722

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible!):
12/16/08 — ISS reboost test (~10:58pm; 0.5 m/s)
12/19/08 — Russian EVA-21 Suited Exercise (wake 11:30pm 12/18; sleep 3:00pm 12/19);
12/22/08 — Russian EVA-21 (wake 9:30am; hatch opening ~7:15pm; sleep 7:10am 12/23);
02/09/09 — Progress M-01M/31P undocking & deorbit
02/10/09 — Progress 32P launch
02/12/09 — Progress 32P docking
02/12/09 — STS-119/Endeavour/15A launch – S6 truss segment
02/14/09 — STS-119/Endeavour/15A docking
02/24/09 — STS-119/Endeavour/15A undocking
02/26/09 — STS-119/Endeavour/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 32P undocking & deorbit
05/12/09 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4)
05/15/09 — STS-127/Endeavour/2J/A launch – JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
05/27/09 — Soyuz TMA-15/19S launch
Six-person crew on ISS
08/06/09 — STS-128/Discovery/17A – MPLM (P), LMC, last crew rotation
08/XX/09 — Soyuz 5R/MRM2 (Russian Mini Research Module, MIM2) on Soyuz
09/XX/09 — H-IIB (JAXA HTV-1)
11/12/09 — STS-129/Atlantis/ULF3 – ELC1, ELC2
12/10/09 — STS-130/Endeavour/20A – Node-3 + Cupola
02/11/10 — STS-131/Atlantis/19A – MPLM(P), LMC
04/08/10 — STS-132/Discovery/ULF4 – ICC-VLD, MRM1
05/31/10 — STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 – ELC3, ELC4
12/XX/11– Proton 3R/MLM w/ERA.