Status Report

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 18 July 2009

By SpaceRef Editor
July 18, 2009
Filed under , , ,
NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 18 July 2009
http://images.spaceref.com/news/exp.20.jpg

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

Crew sleep cycle: Wake: 7:03am; sleep: 10:03pm EDT.

Mission 2J/A’s EVA-1 has been completed. Having begun at 12:19pm EDT, the spacewalk, which was performed by MS4 Dave Wolf & FE-2-E20 Tim Kopra, ended at 5:51pm. [EV1 & EV2 began their “campout” (nachalo desaturatsiy = desaturation start) last night at ~9:30pm in the U.S. Airlock (A/L) with hatch closure and depressurization of the Crewlock (CL) from 14.7 to 10.2 psi, followed by mask prebreathe at ~9:30pm-10:35pm. This morning, following the usual hygiene break/with mask prebreathe for Wolf & Kopra at ~7:43am-8:53am after spending the night on 10.2 psi, the A/L hatch was closed again by Barratt for EVA preps in 10.2 psi, followed by EMU purge (~10:30am) and prebreathe (~10:40am) in the EMUs. Afterwards, with CL depressurization (~11:30am) and EV1/EV2 switching to suit power, EVA-1 began at 12:19pm. The excursion lasted 5h 32m, supported by the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Maneuvering System), operated by PLT Doug Hurley & FE-2 Koichi Wakata.]

Accomplished EVA-1 objectives are:

  • Preparing the JEF (JEM Exposed Facility) and the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) for berthing, using the SRMS (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System) and SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) arms;
  • Configuring the Node-2 Zenith and Node-1 Port CBCS (Centerline Berthing Camera System);
  • Reconfiguring the port CETA (Crew Equipment Translation Aid) cart;
  • Stowing the P3 MT (Mobile Transporter) rail stop,
  • Releasing the ATA (Ammonia Tank Assembly) bolt,
  • Deploying the P3 nadir UCCAS (Unpressurized Cargo Carriers Attachment System);
  • Cleanup & ingress.

One task, deploying the S3 Zenith outboard PAS (Payload Attachment System), was not attempted due to time constraints and will be deferred to a future EVA.

Installation of the JEF on the Kibo JPM with the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) has been initiated. The installation will be completed by the crew, using a JAXA-developed on-board command interface, the EFBM CCI (Exposed Facility Berthing Mechanism Crew Command Interface).

With EVA-1 underway, this was a busy day for all. Activities by Gennady Padalka today included –

  • Performing Sokol space suit maintenance (suit & glove drying, close-out & stowing in Soyuz Orbital Module),
  • Auditing Orlan spacesuit replaceable elements & equipment (SMEG),
  • Offloading the WPA (Water Processor Assembly) into one of the new CWC-I (Contingency Water Containers-Iodine, #1012) with the common H2O Transfer Hose (which took about 23 min) from the PWD (Potable Water Dispenser) Auxiliary Port, then flushed the system.

FE-1 Mike Barratt’s schedule today involved –

  • Supporting FE-2 Wakata & CDR Polansky initiating N2 (nitrogen) transfer from the Shuttle to the ISS by closing the manual N2 isolation valve early in the day,
  • Checking out the batteries of both EVA cameras,
  • Assisting spacewalkers FE-2 Tim Kopra & MS4 Dave Wolf with hatch operations for the Campout hygiene break (~7:45am),
  • Supporting the spacewalkers with Campout EVA preparations, EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) purging (~10:30am) and prebreathing (~10:40am), CL (Crewlock) depress (~11:30am) & post-depress activities,
  • CL repressurization after the EVA,
  • Photographing the EMU gloves for downlink and ground analysis,
  • Handling METOX (Metal Oxide) CO2 absorption canister regeneration and EMU water refilling,
  • Downloading NIKON D2XS EVA photography, and
  • Recharging the REBA (Rechargeable EMU Battery Unit) batteries.

FE-2 Wakata worked with PLT Doug Hurley in operating the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) for handing over the JEF after its unberthing from the Shuttle payload bay with the SRMS (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System), maneuvering it to the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Manipulator and installing it. [The SSRMS was then maneuvered to the MT (Mobile Transporter) translation position.]

For FE-3 Roman Romanenko, today’s activities included –

  • Terminating the recharge of the power packs for the BAR instruments “Kelvin-Video” and TTM-2 and beginning to take measurements behind panels 314, 313, and 231А in the SM. [Objective of the Russian KPT-12/EXPERT science payload 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), a heat-loss anemometer/thermometer (TTM-2) and an ultrasound analyzer (AU) to determine environmental data in specific locations and at specific times. Activities include documentary photography with the NIKON D2X camera and flash.]
  • Performing SOZh (ECLSS) maintenance in the RS (Russian Segment),
  • Verifying IP-1 flow indicator positions and function, and
  • Conducting IMS (Inventory Management System) editing/updating.

SM Thruster Anomaly: Telemetry indicates that SM Thruster +T1 on SM Manifold 2 has failed. This thruster is one of three thrusters used for positive pitch (+X) control located on Manifold 2. SM Manifold 1 is fully functional providing system redundancy. The telemetry indications have no constraints to operations. The cause for this indication is unknown at this time, MCC-M is investigating.

Debris Avoidance Maneuver: A DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) was performed at 8:35pm last night, using Orbiter VRCS (Vernier Reaction Control System) thrusters. The maneuver was initiated to avoid a conjunction with unknown object 84180.

IRED Canister Cord Replacement: The crew replaced and calibrated the IRED (Interim Resistive Exercise Device) canister cords. The crew was given a Go for nominal exercise on IRED. Cord replacement was necessary due to cycle counts beyond certified use.

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible!):
07/24/09 — Progress 34P launch
07/26/09 — STS-127/Endeavour/2J/A undocking;
07/28/09 — STS-127/Endeavour/2J/A landing
07/27/09 — Progress 34P docking (if STS-127 departs nominally; can slip to 7/29)
07/31/09 — PMA-3 relocation
08/18/09 — STS-128/Discovery/17A – MPLM (P), LMC (~4:25am EDT)
09/10/09 — H-IIB (JAXA HTV-1) launch (~1:00pm EDT)
09/16/09 — H-IIB (JAXA HTV-1) berth w/SSRMS
09/29/09 — Progress 34P undock
09/30/09 — Soyuz TMA-16/20S launch
10/02/09 — Soyuz TMA-16/20S docking (SM aft, until MRM-2 w/new port)
10/08/09 — H-IIB (JAXA HTV-1) unberth
10/11/09 — Soyuz TMA-14/18S undock
10/15/09 — Progress 35P launch
11/10/09 — 5R/MRM-2 (Russian Mini Research Module 2) on Soyuz-U
11/12/09 — STS-129/Atlantis/ULF3 – ELC1, ELC2
12/07/09 — Soyuz TMA-17/21S launch
12/26/09 — Progress 36P launch
02/03/10 — Progress 37P launch
02/04/10 — STS-130/Endeavour/20A – Node-3 + Cupola
03/18/10 — STS-131/Discovery/19A – MPLM(P), LMC
04/02/10 — Soyuz TMA-18/22S launch
04/27/10 — Progress 38P launch
05/14/10 — STS-132/Atlantis/ULF4 – ICC-VLD, MRM-1
05/29/10 — Soyuz TMA-19/23S launch
06/25/10 — Progress 39P launch
07/29/10 — STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 – ELC4, MPLM
08/11/10 — Progress 40P launch
09/16/10 — STS-134/Discovery/ULF6 – ELC3, AMS
09/29/10 — Soyuz TMA-20/24S launch
10/19/10 — Progress 41P launch
11/??/10 — ATV2 – Ariane 5 (ESA)
12/??/11 — 3R Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) w/ERA – on Proton

SpaceRef staff editor.