NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 19 November 2007
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 5 of Increment 16.
Before breakfast, CDR Peggy Whitson & FE-2 Dan Tani accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging, completing questionnaire entries in the experiment’s laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink. [To monitor the crewmember’s sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Peggy and Dan 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, currently as part of the crew’s discretionary “job jar” task list.]
Also before breakfast, in preparation for tomorrow’s EVA-11 “Bravo”, CDR Whitson, FE-1 Malenchenko and FE-2 Tani took the standard 15-min. pre-EVA session with the Russian crew health-monitoring program’s medical assessment MO-9/Biochemical Urinalysis. [MO-9 is conducted every 30 days (and also before and after EVAs) and is one of five nominal Russian medical tests adopted by NASA for U.S. crewmembers for IMG PHS (Integrated Medical Group/Periodic Health Status) evaluation as part of the "PHS/Without Blood Labs" exam. The analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus Urolux developed originally for the Mir program. Afterwards, the data are entered in the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer)’s special IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program).]
Yuri Malenchenko also completed the periodic (generally monthly) health test with the cardiological experiment PZEh MO-1 (“Study of the Bioelectric Activity of the Heart at Rest”) on the TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation System). [During the 30-min. test, the FE-1 tagged up with ground specialists on Russian ground site (RGS) passes via VHF (~12:23pm EST) and downlinked data from the Gamma-1M ECG (electrocardiograph) for about 5-6 minutes.]
Later, Yuri collected 10 Russian “Pille-MKS” radiation dosimeters from their nominal exposure locations, recorded their dosages and equipped Peggy’s and Dan’s EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) with one dosimeter each (A0309/CDR & A0310/FE-2). [A third sensor, A0308, was placed in the SM (Service Module) on the PULT reader for background readings, and the others redeployed at their nominal locations in the SM and DC1.]
Also in preparation for the spacewalk, Peggy Whitson & Dan Tani –
- Configured one DCS-760 still camera for the EVA with the 28mm lens, leaving it connected to station power until tomorrow’s EMU Prebreathe activity,
- Initiated charging of one DCS battery, to take over from station power tomorrow,
- Installed LiOH CO2 (Lithium Hydroxide Carbon Dioxide) absorber canisters in their EMU/spacesuits,
- Powered down onboard amateur (ham) radio equipment (Kenwood in SM, Ericsson in FGB) to prevent RF (radio frequency) interference with the EMUs,
- Prepared the A/L EL (Airlock Equipment Lock) for the Campout & spacewalk,
- Tagged up with ground specialists at ~10:35am EST for reviewing EVA particulars, and
- Before Campout underwent the standard pre-EVA PMC (Private Medical Conference) via S- & Ku-band audio/video.
After completing the EVA teleconference with MCC-H, Peggy (EV1) and Dan (EV2) were ready to begin their “campout” in the A/L, starting mask prebreathe at ~2:00pm, then closing hatches and initiating depressurization of the CL (Crewlock) from 14.7 to 10.2 psi. Sleep time for the ISS crew begins at 4:30pm.
After the usual hygiene break/with mask prebreathe for Whitson and Tani at ~1:30am tomorrow morning after spending the night on 10.2 psi campout, the A/L hatch will be closed again by Malenchenko for EVA preps in 10.2 psi, followed by EMU purge & prebreathe. Afterwards, with CL depressurization and EV1/EV2 egress, EVA-11 “Bravo” nominally begins tomorrow at ~6:00am EST (knowing Peggy, most likely earlier). Yuri will support the spacewalk as IV (Intravehicular) crewmember.
[EVA-11 is expected to last about 6h 40m. Its Node-2 Outfitting objectives are:
- Remove Stbd NH3 (ammonia) Shunt Jumper;
- Configure Vent Tools;
- Vent & Stow the Stbd NH3 Shunt Jumper;
- Release Node-2 Fluid Caps, reconfigure P1 radiator SFUs (Squib Firing Units, fired today), and release Node-2 Loop A Fluid Tray;
- Relocate Node-2 Loop A Fluid Tray, then attach it, deploy/mate it, and vent N2 (nitrogen) from it;
- Mate & open hinge QDs (Quick Disconnects), S0 Fluid QDs, and Node-2 Fluid QDs;
- Connect Node-2 Fluid Line Heater Cables;
- Connect Node-2 Port Avionics to Node-2; and
- Mate Primary PMA-2/Node-2 Umbilicals.
Potential get-ahead tasks, should there be time, are:
- Relocate N2 VTE (Vent Tool Extender) bag for EVA-12 “Charlie”;
- Relocate APFR (Articulating Portable Foot Restraint) for EVA-12;
- Connect Stbd Avionics umbilicals to Node-2;
- Connect PMA-2 redundant umbilicals;
- Deploy SSPTS (Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System) cable; and
- Relocate APFR for 1E.
Prior to Campout lockout, FE-2 Tani serviced the MELFI (Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS) with another ICEPAC insertion, by retrieving two -32 degC ICEPAC belts from stowage and placing them in a MELFI dewar. [The reason the crew is performing several ICEPAC insertions this week is because the amount of warm mass that can be placed in a dewar at one time is limited. These activities are in preparation for the next Cold Bag packing, planned for STS-122/1E.]
Yuri performed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM. [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]
The FE-1 also completed the daily maintenance of the IMS (Inventory Management System), updating/editing its standard “delta file”, including locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).
Following his support of Campout start, FE-1 Malenchenko, after verifying with MCC-H that IMV (Intermodular Ventilation) with Node-2 has been deactivated, is to uncap the Node-2 starboard & port PPRVs (Positive Pressure Relief Valves), shut the Node-2 aft port IMV valve and close Harmony’s aft hatch.
The crewmembers 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 (CDR), TVIS treadmill (FE-1,FE-2), RED resistive exerciser (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).
Afterwards, Dan Tani transferred the crew’s exercise data file to the MEC 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).
At ~9:30am EST, the crew supported a PAO TV interview exchange with WBBM Radio (Steve Grzanich) in Chicago, IL.
At ~1:35pm, Malenchenko downlinked via VHF a message of greetings to congratulate Major General Sergey Alexandrovich Derepko on his appointment as Chief of the Military Financial & Economic Academy. [“…Thank you for your support of our launch. I hope that the fruitful cooperation between Russian pilot-cosmonauts and the Military Financial & Economic Academy will continue.”]
Elektron Deactivation: The station’s Elektron O2 (oxygen) generator in the SM has been turned off in support of the EVA. TsUP/Moscow’s plan is to reactivate the electrolysis machine on 11/28. Meanwhile, the cabin atmosphere will be refreshed periodically with O2 from Progress M-61/26P stores.
Russian Solar Array Efficiency Test: According to RSC-Energia, preliminary analysis of the results of the periodic SM Solar Array Efficiency Testing on 11/16 indicates essentially no decrease in photovoltaic performance.
No CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today.
CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this “Gateway” site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 8:07am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 340.6 km
Apogee height — 341.7 km
Perigee height — 339.6 km
Period — 91.35 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0001545
Solar Beta Angle — 9.5 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.76
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 106 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 51528
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible):
11/20/07 — US EVA-11 “Bravo” (Whitson/Tani)
11/24/07 — US EVA-12 “Charlie” (Whitson/Tani)
11/28/07 — ISS Reboost
12/06/07 — STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch — Columbus Module, ICC-Lite
12/08/07 — STS-122/Atlantis/1E docking
12/15/07 — STS-122/Atlantis undocking
12/18/07 — STS-122/Atlantis landing
12/22/07 — Yuri Malenchenko’s Birthday
12/23/07 — Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 — Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/31/08 — 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. satellite on Redstone rocket) [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/06/08 – Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
02/07/08 — Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 — Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 — ATV-1 “Jules Verne” launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 — STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A — SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS (NET)
02/16/08 — STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 — STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 — STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 — Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 — ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 — Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 — Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 — STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM “Kibo”, racks, RMS.
04/26/08 — STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 — STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 — Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 — Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 — ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 — Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 — Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 — Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/20/08 — (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM(P), LMC
10/01/08 — (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 — 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
04/??/09 — Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 — Constellation’s Ares I-X Launch.
Note: The daily ISS On-Orbit Status reports can also be found at
