NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 2 December 2008
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.
CDR Fincke, FE-1 Lonchakov & FE-2 Magnus began their workday before breakfast with the periodic session of the Russian biomedical routine assessments PZEh-MO-7/Calf Volume Measurement & PZEh-MO-8/Body Mass Measurement, using the IM mass measurement device which Yuri broke down afterwards for stowage. [Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference pints, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures. For determining body mass in zero-G, where things are weightless but not massless, the Russian IM "scales" measure the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring constants. By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the unknown mass (the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the crewmember’s mass is calculated by the computer and displayed.]
FE-2 Magnus ended her FD15 (Flight Day 15) session with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository, her first, by collecting a final urine sample upon wakeup for storage in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). The sampling kit was then stowed away. Sandra’s next activity with this experiment will be the FD30 session. [The current 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 MELFI), 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.]
For the second checkout for the JAXA HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) PROX space-to-space communication system, the FE-2 connected the drag-thru cable and powered up the PROX system at the ICS (Inter-orbit Communication System) rack, then set up the HCP (Hardware Command Panel) in the US Lab for a functional selfcheck by pressing buttons and checking responses. [The checkout was then performed again from the ground during overflight of the Japan ground station at Tanegashima. The HCP is part of the PROX system, mostly located in the ICS rack, consisting also of a PROX antenna, a PROX-GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna, and PROX comm equipment for the HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle). When the HTV approaches the ISS, the external PROX antenna, which contains GPS receivers, will initiate communications with the HTV. The ISS orbital location and speed are immediately relayed to the HTV through the PROX. At the same time, data from the HTV are relayed to the ISS. In addition, the antenna relays commands sent from the ground to the HTV.]
CDR Fincke had ~4:45 hrs set aside for installing the new WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) rack in the Lab and configuring it for activation, in two parts, separated by a rest period for lunch.
FE-1 Lonchakov spent ~4 hrs on Progress 31P unloading and keeping track of moves & locations in the IMS (Inventory Management System), guided by an uplinked transfer list. [Equipment delivered by the cargo ship include food containers, a new BKO multifiltration unit, five fresh BK-3M oxygen bottles for Orlan-M EVAs, a MNR separator pump, a new AK-1M air sampler kit, personal oral hygiene articles (SLG), a BPK condensate feed unit & its control panel, a Penguin-3 suit, an electrical stimulation suit, ASU toilet inserts, etc.]
Yuri also launched Part 2 of the MAI-75 experiment by activating the hardware during overflight of receiving stations and later turning it off again. [MAI-75 is essentially a Kenwood amateur radio station with special VS-N1 (Visual Communicator) gear for downlinking photographic images in SSTV (Slow Scan Television) mode. The payload, which is run in automatic mode until the hardware is deactivated, is named after the renowned Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) and its 75th anniversary, whose reputation is based on the large number of famous aviators and rocket scientists that received their academic education here. Among the alumni are Academicians and Corresponding Members of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Over 100 General and Chief Designers earned their degree at MAI, with famous rocket scientists like Makeyev, Mishin, Nadiradze and Yangel. MAI also fostered 20 Pilot-Cosmonauts, almost 100 famous test pilots, Heroes of the Soviet Union and Russia. The amateur radio (ham) equipment aboard the ISS for downlinking SSTV imagery is an MAI product.]
One of the more pleasant jobs for Sandy today had to be her feeding the butterflies in their Butterfly Habitat of the CGBA-5/CSI-3 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus Science Insert 3). [This involved powering down and decabling the payload, sliding it out of its stowage locker and pulling a knob in its interior to expose nectar to the butterflies. The steps were then reversed and the payload powered up again.]
Inside the Progress 31P, CDR Mike Fincke meanwhile unstowed a bag with new PCBA (Portable Clinical Blood Analyzer) cartridges bag with two measurement pouches, which he then inserted in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS) for the upcoming SOLO (Sodium Loading in Microgravity) experiment which calls for blood and urine samples.
In preparation for the upcoming sample stowage, the FE-2 also prepared the MELFI by retrieving two -32deg ICEPAC belts from stowage and inserting both into Dewar 1/Tray A, Sections 1 & 2.
Magnus finished her VolSci (Voluntary Science) session with the CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS) experiment, started yesterday, by wrapping up its 24-hr heart rate data collection. [After doffing the HM2 (Holter Monitor 2) equipment with its six electrode leads and two CCISS Actiwatches, Sandy downloaded their accumulated data to the HRF2 (Human Research Facility 2) PC2 laptop, then stowed the equipment.]
Afterwards, the FE-2 went on a search for two CTBs (Cargo Transfer Bags, #1002, #1313) and did locate them in the back of an overhead storage space in the Kibo JPM.
In the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory), Sandy relocated BIOLAB syringe equipment.
Yuri Lonchakov completed 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.]
FE-2 Magnus performed the planned TOCA (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer) software upgrade with improved parameters based on a previous downlink, by installing a USB drive, then transferring the new data and finally rebooting TOCA, now ready for sample analysis.
The three crewmembers completed the monthly session (their first) of the CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) emergency medical operations OBT drill, a 30-min. exercise (+30 min. for pen & ink procedures updates) to refresh their CMO (Crew Medical Officer)’s acuity in a number of critical health areas. The proficiency drill today focused on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), specifically on tracheal intubation. [The HMS (Health Maintenance Systems) hardware, including ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) equipment, may be used in contingency situations where crew life is at risk. To maintain proficiency, crewmembers some time each month reviewing HMS and ACLS equipment and procedures via the HMS and ACLS CBT (computer-based training). The training drill, each crewmember for him/herself, refreshes their memory of the on-orbit stowage and deployment locations, equipment etc. and procedures.]
VolSci Program Preview: For the weekend of 12/6 & 12/7, Mike and Sandy were offered three choices for the Voluntary Weekend Science program: (1) JAXA Marangoni Clean Up (Part 1 of 2) of Silicone Oil inside the Marangoni Experiment Cell; (2) ESA Video Lesson ESA – 1 (VLE-1) – "Design elements that improve living/working", demonstrating how effective industrial design can help overcome the living/working problems on the ISS; and (3) Video Lesson ESA – 1 (VLE-1) – "An ordinary meal", highlighting the different ways of eating during the day, focusing on a solitary and ordinary breakfast during a working day on the ISS.
FE-2 Magnus had an hour to herself for general orientation (station familiarization & acclimatization) as is standard daily rule for fresh crewmembers for the first two weeks after starting station residence, if she/he chooses to take it.
The ISS crew completed their 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, FE-1), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).
The crew had their periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Sandy at ~10:25am, Yuri at ~10:40am, and Mike at ~1:25pm EST.
At ~4:00pm, the ISS crew will have their regular weekly tagup with the Lead Flight Director at JSC/MCC-H via S-band/audio. [S/G-2 (Space-to-Ground 2) phone patch via SSC (Station Support Computer)].
At ~4:20pm, just before sleep time, Yuri will set up the Russian MBI-12 SONOKARD (Sonocard) payload and start his third experiment session, using a sports shirt from the SONOKARD kit with a special device in the pocket for testing a new method for acquiring physiological data without using direct contact on the skin. Measurements are recorded on a data card for return to Earth. [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.]
CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today were Sao Paulo-Rio de Janeiro Aerosol (looking right for possible smog plumes blowing offshore from these great cities. Smog is visible best against the sea as background. Views outside the glint disc are preferred and views through possible scattered cumulus are useful), and Ouarkziz Impact Crater, Algeria (evening light should be strong enough to see this almost completely circular 3.5 km-diameter structure, but also to reveal much detail. Looking left of track just within the dark ranges of the Atlas Mt. foothills).
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, 11:12am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 354.0 km
Apogee height — 358.4 km
Perigee height — 349.7 km
Period — 91.62 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0006479
Solar Beta Angle — -24.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours – 27 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) – 57504.
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
12/07/08 — Progress M-65/30P reentry (after 3 weeks autonomous flight for geophysical experiments)
12/17/08 — Progress M-01M/31P thruster firing (test with Soyuz docked at SM aft);
12/18/08 — Russian EVA-21
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
05/15/09 — 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
07/30/09 — STS-128/Atlantis/17A – MPLM (P), last crew rotation
10/15/09 — STS-129/Endeavour/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/Endeavour/ULF4 – ICC-VLD, MRM1 (contingency)
05/31/10 — STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 – ELC3, ELC4 (contingency).
