Status Report

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 2 June 2008

By SpaceRef Editor
June 2, 2008
Filed under , , ,
NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 2 June 2008
235795main_STS-124_hatch_op.jpg

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 7 of Increment 17. Flight Day 3 (FD3) of STS-124/1J. ISS crew work cycle today: wake 6:32am EDT; sleep 10:02pm.

STS-124/Discovery docked smoothly at the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter-2) port at 2:03pm EDT, nine minutes behind timeline, in darkness (orbital sunset ~1:23pm), after successfully completing the RPM (R-Bar Pitch Maneuver) in daylight at ~1:08pm and arriving at +V-Bar (straight in front of ISS) at ~1:11pm. The station now hosts ten occupants again as Mission 1J is underway. [The combined crew is comprised of ISS CDR Volkov, FE-1 Oleg Kononenko, FE-2 Garrett Reisman, STS CDR Mark Kelly, PLT Ken Ham, MS1 Karen Nyberg, MS2 Ron Garan, MS3 Mike Fossum, MS4 Akihiko Hoshide (Japan), and MS5/FE-2-17 Greg Chamitoff who replaces Reisman as FE-2, as the latter returns on Discovery as MS-5.]

Hook closure to rigidize the Shuttle-ISS linkup was at ~2:10pm. After the docking, the station was reoriented as planned to minimize the risk of micrometeoroid/debris impacts upon the Shuttle (-XVV = -x-axis in velocity vector, +z-axis in local vertical). [Earlier, at ~10:33am, the ISS maneuvered to docking attitude after attitude control authority was handed over from USOS (US Segment) to RS MCS (Russian Segment Motion Control System).]

Preparatory to the Shuttle arrival, FE-2 Reisman verified closure of the Lab science window shutter as protection against thruster plumes. [The window shutter must remain closed when Shuttle is within 3000 ft/915m of the ISS. It may be opened for no more than 15 minutes for photo documentation if the Shuttle is in free drift.]

Early in the morning, after wakeup and breakfast, the FE-2 set up for INTEGRATED IMMUNE saliva collection for his final session of the assessment which includes a blood draw before undocking. His saliva and blood collections will be aligned with IMMUNE collections by Shuttle crewmembers Fossum, Hoshide and Chamitoff. [Integrated Immune is a 24-hr.assessment of human immune system changes, with the objective to investigate immune neuro-endocrine reactions in the space environment by studying samples of saliva, blood and urine using collection kits and the biomedical (MBI) protection kit, to develop and validate an immune monitoring strategy consistent with operational flight requirements and constraints. The strategy uses both long and short duration crewmembers as study subjects. The saliva is collected in two forms, dry and liquid. The dry samples are collected at intervals during the collection day using a specialized book that contains filter paper. The liquid saliva collections require that the crewmember soak a piece of cotton inside their mouth and place it in a salivette bag; there are four of the liquid collections during docked operations. The on-orbit blood samples are collected right before undocking and returned on the Shuttle so that analysis can occur with 48 hours of the sampling. This allows assays that quantify the function of different types of white blood cells and other active components of the immune system. Saliva samples are secured in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). Also included are entries in a fluid/medications intact log, and a stress-test questionnaire to be filled out by the subject at begin and end. Urine is collected during a 24-hour period, conventionally divided into two twelve-hour phases: morning-evening and evening-morning.]

Before the docking, FE-1 Kononenko performed final STTS communications configuration checks for the docking. Upon docking, Oleg switched USOS/RS comm systems to their mated-flight mode.

Reisman installed the IWIS (Internal Wireless Instrumentation System) hardware preparatory to the 1J docked period docking. [This enables a total of 6 RSUs (Remote Sensor Units), including one RSU to be attached to an accelerometer in the Orbiter airlock, to collect data for three 1J events: JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module) Berthing on FD4 (Flight Day 4), JLP (Japanese Logistics Pressurized Module) Relocation on FD7, and Dedicated Russian Thruster Firing on FD10. IWIS is a Station Development Test Objective (SDTO) that records structural measurements to validate math models used in loads analysis. The data will be used to reduce conservatism and might allow relaxation of operational constraints on activities such as crew exercise, vehicle dockings and reboosts that impart structural loads to ISS. The data will also provide more accurate fatigue calculations that could result in an extension of the ISS life.]

Other pre-docking preparations:

  • Oleg performed the standard functional check of the IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways;
  • Garrett hooked up the UOP DCP (Utility Outlet Panel/Display & Control Panel) power bypass cable at the CUP RWS (Cupola Robotic Work Station) to allow video coverage of the Shuttle’s approach and docking with the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) cameras;
  • Sergey & Garrett readied RPM (R-Bar Pitch Maneuver) photo/video equipment, including camera battery checks, for Orbiter TPS (Thermal Protection System) documentation [Reisman wielded the 400mm-lens camera, Volkov the 800mm-lens camera for documenting the tile acreage and bottom-side door seals], and
  • Oleg set up & later activated the camera timers upon Orbiter RPM initiation [timers indicate beginning and end of the bottom-side photography window].

Shortly before the docking, the crew configured the Russian MCS for the automatic “PMA-2 Arrival” mode, an operational sequence used to monitor Orbiter arrival at the PMA-2. [At “Capture Confirmed”, ISS attitude was immediately set to freedrift for about 27 min. to allow dampening out relative motions of ISS and Discovery (with the ODS (Orbiter Docking System) dampers/shock absorbers), then maneuvered to “Mated TEA” (Torque Equilibrium Attitude) to account for the new overall configuration with Discovery docked.]

Docking took place at 2:03pm (with Garrett Reisman ringing the station’s ship’s bell and announcing “Discovery arriving!”). After leak checks of the ODS vestibule for about an hour, ISS/STS hatches will be opened at (nominally) ~3:16pm.

After hatch opening, before installation of the ventilation airduct between station and Discovery, Oleg Kononenko will be performing the standard collection of air samples with the Russian AK-1M sampler in the SM, FGB, Lab, and then also in the Orbiter.

After the traditional welcome ceremony (~4:00pm), the new arrivals are to receive the mandatory 25-min. safety briefing.

FE-2 Reisman, along with CDR Kelly and PLT Ham, will then work on the Node-2 O2 (oxygen) supply line, purging it with N2 (nitrogen) and configuring it to allow Shuttle to supply O2 to the ISS PBAs (Portable Breathing Apparatus) in support of pre-EVA mask prebreathe for denitrogenation.

Greg Chamitoff will transfer his IELK (Individual Equipment Liner Kit) from the Shuttle to the Soyuz TMA-12/16S crew return vehicle where Sergey Volkov installs it for the new FE-2. Garrett Reisman’s IELK will be pulled out and temporarily stowed for return to Earth.

Kononenko is scheduled to deploy and activate the SSC WRLS (Station Support Computer/ Wireless Router) laptop in Node-2 to joint the Shuttle & Station LANs (Local Area Networks) during the 1J docked period,

In preparation for tomorrow’s EVA-1, the FE-1 will also prepare a DCS760 camera for EVA use, leaving it connected to vehicle power until the EMU/prebreathe.

First cargo transfers from the Shuttle middeck to the ISS are scheduled for Ham, Garan, Fossum, Nyberg, Hoshide and Chamitoff. [Transfers will include EVA hardware (EMU/spacesuits #3015 & #3017 for Fossum & Garan, Systems 1 bag, Tools Transfer bag), new ODFs (Operations Data Files), CHeCS CTB (Crew Health Care Systems/Cargo Transfer Bag 1) for FD4 CSA-CP activities, two mesh bags loaded with items before docking, etc.]

Later tonight, Kononenko is work in Node-2 to prepare CVIUs (Common Video Interface Units) to allow transmission of video from the Shuttle for camcorder operations in Node-2. [This will require the installation of the VCP J01 video cap at the Node-2 video port S3 (camcorder port).]

After completing Airlock Equipment Lock (A/L EL) configuration for the first spacewalk tomorrow and conducting a joint review of EVA-1 timeline & procedures with all crewmembers at ~6:25pm tonight, the two spacewalkers, Mike Fossum (EV1) & Ron Garan (EV2), will begin their “campout” in the “Quest” A/L, starting mask prebreathe, while configuring EVA tools, at ~8:55pm, then closing hatches and initiating depressurization of the CL (Crewlock) from 14.7 to 10.2 psi. Sleep for them and the ISS crew will commence at 10:02pm, for the Shuttle crew at ~10:32pm. [The overnight Campout (nachalo desaturatsiy = desaturation start) in the A/L CL (Crewlock) for denitrogenation/pre-breathe at 10.2 psi lasts about 8.5 hrs. Before, the two spacewalkers will perform PBA (Portable Breathing Apparatus) mask prebreathe for denitrogenation, while readying their tools & equipment, then depress the CL from 14.7 to 10.2 psi for their sleep period, to last until ~7:12am EDT tomorrow. The CL hatch will then be cracked (i.e., temporarily repressurized) for a hygiene break/with mask prebreathe for Fossum & Garan. Around 8:35am, the hatch will be closed again for EVA preps in 10.2 psi, followed by EMU purge & prebreathe. Afterwards, Garret, Mark & Greg will support CL depressurization until egress.]

EVA-1, beginning tomorrow nominally at ~11:32am EDT, will last an estimated 6h 30min, i.e., ending at 6:02pm. Ken Ham will be IV (Intravehicular) crewmember.
— EVA-1 main objectives are:

  • Release SRMS (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System) elbow camera launch lock;
  • Transfer OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) from ISS to Shuttle;
  • Check out MCAS RTL (Mobile Servicing System Common Attach System/Ready-to-Latch) operation (in preparation for ULF-2);
  • Prepare Node-2 port ACBM (Active Common Berthing Mechanism) for JPM install;
  • Open Node 2 nadir hatch window cover (in preparation for ULF-2);
  • Prep JPM for install (disconnect/stow LTA (Launch-to-Activation) cable, remove Passive CBM contamination covers, release JPM forward window launch lock);
  • Inspect Datum A surface of Starboard SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint);
  • Perform Stbd SARJ cleaning test; and
  • Install Stbd SARJ TBA-5 (Trundle Bearing Assembly #5).

Earlier today, 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), RED resistive exercise device (FE-1, FE-2), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR). [For load reasons, no exercise is allowed on ISS or Shuttle while both robotarms are grappled.]

Later, Reisman copied the crew’s exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for downlink, as well as 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).

In the SM, Kononenko completed the routine maintenance of the SOZh/ECLSS system, including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables. [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists of replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers, replacement of an EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine container, and processing U.S. condensate water as it becomes available in a filled CWC from the Lab humidifier.]

Oleg also performed the 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).

No CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today.

CEO photography can be studied at this “Gateway” website:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov (as of 3/1/08, this database contained 757,605 views of the Earth from space, with 314,000 from the ISS alone).

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 5:43am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 339.9 km
Apogee height — 343.5 km
Perigee height — 336.3 km
Period — 91.33 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0005378
Solar Beta Angle — 31.3 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 78 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 54619

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
STS-124 docked timeline

  • 6/03 – FD4 – EVA-1 (11:32am, 6.5 hrs.), OBSS transfer, JPM prep, S3/S4 SARJ TBA install, JPM install; Fossum/Garan (EV1/EV2)
  • 6/04 – FD5 – JPM Vestibule outfitting, Reisman/Chamitoff handovers
  • 6/05 – FD6 – EVA-2 (11:32am, 7 hrs), JPM outfit (JTVE install, JRMS cvr remv), S1 NTA prep, CP 9 ETVCG retrv
  • 6/06 – FD7 – JLP relocate to JPM; JLP Vestibule leak check; Focused inspection
  • 6/07 – FD8 – JLP Vestibule outfitting; CP9 ETVCG TVCIC R&R
  • 6/08 – FD9 – EVA-3 (10:32am, 7 hrs), S1 NTA R&R, compl JPM outfit (RMS cvr remv), P1 CP9 ETVCG install
  • 6/09 – FD10 – JRMS checkouts, JLP Vestibule outfitting, A/L BCM R&R
  • 6/10 – FD11 – “Sayonara” (~4:00pm), hatch close (~4:30pm)
  • 6/11 – FD12 – Undocking (~7:33am); Greg remains, Garrett leaves; OBSS survey/inspection
  • 6/12 – FD13 – Mostly off-duty
  • 6/13 – FD14 – Stowing; deorbit preps
  • 6/14 – FD15 – Deorbit burn

06/14/08 — STS-124/Discovery landing (KSC: ~11:02am EDT, nominal)
07/10/08 — Russian EVA-20 (7/10-11)
09/05/08 — ATV1 undocking
09/09/08 — Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
09/10/08 — Progress M-65/30P launch
09/12/08 — Progress M-65/30P docking (at DC1 nadir)
10/01/08 — NASA 50 Years
10/08/08 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4)
10/11/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/12/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/14/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (FGB nadir)
11/03/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S relocation (from SM aft to FGB nadir)
11/10/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
11/12/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 docking
11/20/08 — ISS 10 Years
11/26/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
11/28/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking
12/04/08 — STS-119/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
12/06/08 — STS-119/Discovery/15A docking
12/15/08 — STS-119/Discovery/15A undocking
2QTR CY09 — STS-127/2J/A launch – JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
3QTR CY09 — STS-128/17A/Atlantis – MPLM(P), last crew rotation
05/??/09 — Six-person crew on ISS (following Soyuz 18S-2 docking)
3QTR CY09 — STS-129/ULF3/Discovery – ELC1, ELC2
4QTR CY09 — STS-130/20A/Endeavour – Node-3 + Cupola
1QTR CY10 — STS-131/19A/Atlantis – MPLM(P)
1QTR CY10 — STS-132/ULF4/Discovery – ICC-VLD, MRM1 (contingency)
2QTR CY10 — STS-133/ULF5/Endeavour – ELC3, ELC4 (contingency).

SpaceRef staff editor.