Status Report

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 19 July 2009

By SpaceRef Editor
July 21, 2009
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NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 19 July 2009
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All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.   Sunday.  Ahead: Week 8 of Increment 20.

Crew sleep cycle:  Wake 6:33am, sleep 10:03pm EDT.

EVA-1 Recap:   The primary purpose of yesterday’s EVA-1 was to prepare the JEF (Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility) for installation on the JPM (JEM Pressurized Module).  EVA crewmembers Dave Wolf (EV-1) and Tim Kopra (EV-2) successfully completed a 5:32 hr EVA.   During the re-mating of the LTA (Launch-to-Activation) cables from the JEF to the Shuttle dummy connectors, one connector could not be connected and was wire-tied to structure as an acceptable configuration.

The following tasks were accomplished during EVA-1 :

  • Removed and jettisoned the JPM ABM MLI (Active Berthing Mechanism Multi-Layered Insulation) covers,
  • Removed the JEM RMS (Robotic Manipulator System) grounding tab,
  • Reconfigured the JEF and ICC-VLD (Integrated Cargo Carrier-Vertical Light Deploy) LTA cables ,
  • Removed the JEF EFBM (External Facility Berthing Mechanism) MLI and disconnected the JEF- to-Orbiter power cable,
  • Removed the MAXI payload contamination cover and stowed for return,
  • Opened the Node-2 Zenith CBCS (Centerline Berthing Camera System) flap in preparation as a backup berthing location for HTV1,
  • Reconfigured the CETA (Crew Equipment Translation Aid) cart foot restraints and brake handles to prevent interference with rotation of the SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint),
  • Reconfigured the P3 MT (Mobile Transporter) stop to clear it from the MT translation path,
  • Released a bolt on the ATA (Ammonia Tank Assembly) in preparation for tomorrow’s EVA-2,
  • Opened the Node-1 Port CBCS flap in preparation for the PMA3 relocation,
  • Fully deployed the P3 Nadir UCCAS (Unpressurized Cargo Carrier Attach System) with the detent tool which was an uncompleted EVA task from Flight 15A,
  • As a get ahead task installed two of six FPP (Floating Power Potential) connector sleeves on the Lab, PMA2, and Node-1,
  • Due to time and suit consumables constraints, the S3 Zenith outboard Payload Attach System (PAS) deploy was deferred to a future EVA.

Major activities by the STS crew today included:

  • Unberthing ICC (Integrated Cargo Carrier) with SRMS (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System) and place in overnight park position,
  • Translating the MT (Mobile Transporter) from WS6 (Worksite 6) to WS7 in preparation for the ICC-VLD handoff on Flight Day 6,
  • Handing off ICC to SSRMS and berthing to the JPM,
  • Calibrating JEMRMS, and
  • Preparing for EVA-2 (METOX, REBAs, EMU batteries, cameras) and 2nd Airlock Campout by Dave Wolf & Tom Marshburn.

Later in the day, Padalka attended to the current experiment session with the Russian/German TEKh-20 Plasma Crystal-3+ (Plazmennyi-Kristall/PK-3+) payload, activating the turbopump in the Service Module (SM)’s Transfer Compartment (PkhO) for pulling a vacuum on the work chamber (ZB) in the SM Work Compartment (RO), then turning off the pump, conducting experiment ops in semi-automatic (manual) mode, closing the experiment out, copying & downloading data from the hard drive and downlinking them to the ground. [Main objective of PK-3 is to study wave propagation and dispersion ratio in a dust plasma, i.e., fine particles charged and excited by HF (high frequency) radio power inside the evacuated work chamber, at a specified power of HF discharge, pressure, and a varied number of particles. Today’s experiment is performed with 9.2 µm (micrometer) particles, to study a two-phase linear structure development process (Relay-Taylor instability), evolution of boundary (to study surface phenomena).  PK-3+ has more advanced hardware and software than the previously used Russian PKE-Nefedov payload.]

FE-3 Roman Romanenko performed the following activities on his work schedule –

  • Performing preventive maintenance on the Russian ventilation system, today cleaning the four “Group B” fan screens (VT1, VTK1, VV1RO & VV2RO) in the SM (Service Module),
  • Using the CMS (Countermeasure System), a component of the SKDS GANK-4M suite, to check for Vinyl Chloride, Ethanol, and Ethylene Oxide in the SM [CMS uses preprogrammed microchips to measure for numerous contaminants such as O-Xylol (1,2-Dimethylbenzol, C8H10), Hydrogen Chloride (HCl), Formaldehyde, Isopropanol, Methanol, Toluene, Mercaptan, Sulphur dioxide, Hydrogen cyanide, Phosgene, etc.],
  • Completing daily IMS (Inventory Management System) 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), and
  • Performing the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM (Service Module), including the weekly collection of the toilet flush (SP) counter and water supply (SVO) readings for calldown to TsUP-Moscow.

Roman also checked up on the Russian POTOK-150MK (150 micron) air filter unit of the SM’s SOGS air revitalization subsystem, gathering weekly data on total operating time & “On” durations for reporting to TsUP-Moscow. [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.]

FE-2 Koichi Wakata’s workday included the following activities –

  • Installing the newly delivered right VIS (Vibration Isolation System) x-rotation dashpot on the ARED (Advanced Resistive Exercise Device) and photo documenting the major R&R steps with the G1 video camcorder (video to be downlinked at a later time),
  • Resetting the JEU (Joint Expedited Undocking) Resolver in the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module),
  • Activating & starting the JEMRMS (Japanese Experiment Module Robotic Manipulator System) Arm Bus Monitor,
  • Maneuvering the JEMRMS to calibration start position, and
  • Perform JEMRMS calibration with EFU (Exposed Facility Unit) target view by TVC MA EE (TV Camera on Main Arm End Effector), assisted by E-20 FE-2 Tim Kopra.

Thirsk set up the NUTRITION w/Repository gear for his third session, readying the equipment for the blood draw and for the 24-hr urine collections beginning tomorrow, with Frank’s assistance. [The NUTRITION project is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight. It includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes, expanding the previous Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L) testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by supercold MELFI dewars), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.]

At ~8:05pm tonight, the joint crew is scheduled for an in-depth one-hour review of procedures for the EVA-2 spacewalk, with egress scheduled tomorrow at ~11:33pm EDT.

Afterwards, at ~9:28pm, David Wolf (EV1) & Tom Marshburn (EV3) will begin their “campout” (nachalo desaturatsiy = desaturation start) in the A/L (Airlock) with hatch closure and depressurization of the CL (Crewlock) from 14.7 to 10.2 psi, followed by mask prebreathe at ~10:08pm-11:28pm. [Sleep for the ISS crew begins at 10:03pm.]

EVA-2 Objectives:

  • Egress (11:28am)
  • ICC spare ORU (Orbital Replacement Unit) transfers (11:58am)
  • JEF Forward VE (Vision Equipment) install (4:13pm)
  • EVA-2 ingress (5:53pm)

The crew completed their regular daily 2.5-hr. physical workout program on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (FE-1, FE-4, FE-5), TVIS treadmill with vibration isolation (CDR, FE-1, FE-2, FE-3), RED resistive exercise device (FE-2, FE-4, FE-5) and VELO cycle ergometer with bungee cord load trainer (CDR, FE-3). [The interim RED is being used in lieu of the ARED (Advanced RED) until the latter has had its damaged VIS (Vibration Isolation System) dashpot replaced and can be put back in service.]

Later, Thirsk transferred the exercise data files to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) 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).

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.