NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 20 May 2008

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

CDR Volkov & FE-1 Kononenko had several hours between them for Progress 29P unloading and cargo transfers, while logging movements in the IMS (Inventory Management System).

FE-2 Reisman meanwhile spent 2.5 hrs in the US Airlock (A/L) completing the previously initiated EVA tool configuration in preparation for the STS-124/1J spacewalks.

Later, Reisman used the G1 video camcorder to take documentary footage of the EVA tools in their final configuration and the current state of the A/L, including mini workstations and contents of the ORU bags to be used, for review by EVA specialists on the ground.

With the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) powered up and the VDS (Video Distribution Subsystem) configured by ground commanding, the FE-2 conducted the pre-launch checkout of the RWS (Robotics Workstations).

Afterwards, CDR Volkov & FE-1 Kononenko started up and tested the POC-DOUG (Portable Onboard Computers/Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) application. [DOUG is a special application running on the MSS (Mobile Service System) RWS laptops that provides a graphical birdseye-view image of the external station configuration and the SSRMS arm, showing its real-time location and configuration on a laptop during its operation.]

Reisman & Volkov then took the SSRMS on an automated joint maneuver sequence (OCAS mode = Operator Commanded Auto Sequence) to use the LEE (Latching End Effector)’s video camera to inspect two areas on the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) for possible MLI (Multi-Layered Insulation) damage.

Subsequently, the SSRMS was maneuvered to grapple the MBS PDGF-3 (Mobile Base System/Power & Data Grapple Fixture 3), followed by a ground-commanded base change to prepare for tomorrow’s Robotics ops (during which the other end of the arm will be released at the Node-2 PDGF and maneuvered to the 1J Docking position).

In preparation for the upcoming transfer of potable water from Progress M-64/29P to the Service Module (SM), Oleg Kononenko set up pumping equipment and initiated the compression of the SM Rodnik BV1 tank bladder, monitoring air flow to check for leak tightness (hermeticity). [Each of the spherical Rodnik tanks BV1 & BV2 consists of a hard shell with a soft membrane (bladder) composed of elastic fluoroplastic. The bladder is used to expel water from the tank by compressed air pumped into the tank volume surrounding the membrane and is leak-tested before water transfer.]

To provide cooling for the ground-commanded activation of the U.S. CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly), FE-2 Reisman connected the regular ITCS LTL (Internal Thermal Control System/Low Temperature Loop) coolant jumper connection to the LAB1D6 rack. [CDRA was activated today to test a new half cycle time and increasing the Lab CCAA fan speed. These modifications may be used during the 1J mission so the ground tested them to ensure there are no unforeseen issues. Lab1P6 CCAA fan speed was increased from its nominal 5740 rpm to 6000 rpm. Afterwards, Reisman was to determine if the increase in fan speed caused an unacceptable increase in noise. The purpose of this increase is to improve the Lab air mixing, specifically near the Lab1P1 IMV intake that feeds Node 2.]

CDR Volkov performed the routine task of taking close-up photos of a scuff mark left by the probe of the Progress 29P’s active docking mechanism on the internal part of the FGB passive docking cone mechanism. The pictures were then transferred to OCA for subsequent downlinking. These images are used to refine current understanding of docking conditions. [The passive drogue (docking cone) ring of the SSVP-StM docking mechanism is rotated out of the passageway and thus accessible for inspection. As other crewmembers before him, the CDR used the Nikon D1X digital still camera to take several pictures with the hatch closed down.]

The FE-2 completed the monthly run with the MedOps experiment WinSCAT (Windows Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool) by logging in on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) and performing the psychological evaluation exercise on the laptop-based WinSCAT experiment. It was Garrett’s third onboard session. [WinSCAT is a time-constrained questionnaire test of cognitive abilities, routinely performed by astronauts aboard the ISS every 30 days before or after the PHS (periodic health status) test or on special CDR’s, crewmembers or flight surgeons request.]

Sergey completed the routine maintenance of the SM’s 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 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).

The crew conducted 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 (FE-2), TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1), and RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2).

Afterwards, the FE-2 transferred the crew’s exercise data file to the MEC 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).

Volkov & Kononenko had their regular periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video (Reisman had his yesterday).

Working off the voluntary “job jar” task list, Garrett conducted the periodic audit/inventory of CDs in the CD Library II kit stowed in the Lab, going by a master list inside the case, to be hard-scheduled tomorrow of not completed today. [Any discrepancies and required updates were to be reported to MCC-H.]

Also on Garrett’s discretionary job list is the periodic survey/inspection of the contents of the CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) Rack.

CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo target uplinked for today was Antarctic Ice Pack (as ISS orbit tracked into the Southern Hemisphere, the crew had opportunities to photograph large rafted ice blocks moving northwards from Antarctica. Looking to the right of track as the station approached Antarctica for breaks in cloud cover – ice may have been visible through these "slots").

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, 7:35am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 340.7 km
Apogee height — 344.4 km
Perigee height — 337.0 km
Period — 91.35 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0005568
Solar Beta Angle — 68.4 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.76
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 40 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 54415

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
05/31/08 — STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM “Kibo”, racks, RMS (5:02pm EDT nominal)
06/02/08 — STS-124/Discovery/1J docking (1:49pm)

Tentative STS-124 docked working timeline:

• 6/03 — EVA-1 (11:30am, 6.5 hrs.), OBSS transfer, JPM prep, S3/S4 SARJ TBA install, JPM install
• 6/04 — JPM Vestibule outfitting, Reisman/Chamitoff handovers
• 6/05 — EVA-2 (11:30am, 6.5 hrs), JTVE install, JRMS cvr remv, NTA prep, CP 9 ETVCG retrv
• 6/06 — JLP relocate to JPM; JLP Vestibule leak check
• 6/07 — JLP Vestibule outfitting
• 6/08 — EVA-3 (10:30am, 6.3 hrs), S1 NTA install, CP9 ETVCG install, JRMS cover remove
• 6/09 — JRMS checkouts, JLP Vestibule outfitting, A/L BCM R&R
• 6/10 — Sayonara (~4:00pm), hatch close (~4:30pm)
• 6/11 — Undocking (~9:04am); OBSS survey/inspection
• 6/12 — Mostly off-duty
• 6/13 — Stowing; deorbit preps
• 6/14 — Deorbit burn (~9:56am);

06/14/08 — STS-124/Discovery landing (KSC: ~10:59am EDT, nominal)
07/10/08 — Russian EVA-20 (7/10-11)
??/??/08 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4)
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
10/01/08 — NASA 50 Years
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)
10/16/08 — STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
10/18/08 — STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 docking
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (FGB nadir)
11/03/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S relocation (from SM aft to FGB nadir)
11/20/08 — 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).