NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 25 October 2011
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.
FE-4 Volkov performed the routine inspection of the SM (Service Module) PSS Caution & Warning panel as part of regular Daily Morning Inspection.
After wakeup, CDR Fossum checked the running BCAT-6 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-6)-Phase Separation experiment for camera battery charge and later in the day performed additional checks on the payload, looking for crystals, changing camera battery, downloading images and restarting the Intervalometer for automated flash photography. [The camera is running for a total of 7 days, taking a photo of the turbid Sample 1 every hour. While Sample 1 is running, crystal checks on Samples 6-10 will be performed each day. Camera battery change and Intervalometer restart is done three times a day. Objective of BCAT-6-Phase Separation: to gain unique insights into how gas and liquid phases separate and come together in microgravity. These fundamental studies on the underlying physics of fluids could provide the understanding needed to enable the development of less expensive, longer shelf-life household products, foods, and medicines.]
FE-5 Furukawa completed his 2nd session with the U.S. PFE (Periodic Fitness Evaluation) protocol as subject, a monthly 1.5-hr. procedure which checks up on BP (blood pressure) & ECG (electrocardiogram) during programmed exercise on the CEVIS cycle ergometer in the US Lab. Readings were taken with BP/ECG equipment and the HRM (heart rate monitor) watch with its radio transmitter. CDR Fossum assisted as Operator/CMO. The BP/ECG recordings were later transferred from the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) via USB thumb drive to an SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop for downlink to the ground. [BP/ECG provides automated noninvasive systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements while also monitoring and displaying accurate heart rates on a continual basis at rest and during exercise.]
Satoshi also serviced the CGBA-5/CSI-05 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 5 / Science Insert-05) Plant Habitat experiment, deactivating the payload, decabling it to gain access to its interior, removing the 6 used germination flasks, planting 3 new germination flasks, recabling the payload and restoring CSI-05 to operation.
FE-4 Volkov terminated the overnight repress of the cabin interior with fresh O2 (oxygen) from Progress 42P SrPK stores.
Volkov also completed the periodic maintenance of the active Russian BMP Harmful Impurities Removal System, starting the “bake-out” cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. Sergey will terminate the process at ~5:15pm EDT. Bed #1 regeneration was performed yesterday. (Done last: 10/3 & 10/4). [Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. The BMP’s regeneration cycle is normally done every 20 days.]
After conducting, at day break, a leak check on the EB vacuum chamber of the new KPT-21 PK-3+ Plasma Crystal-3+ (Plazmennyi-Kristall-3 plus) Telescience payload, Sergey configured the RS (Russian Segment) STTS communications system for working in the MRM2 Poisk module, then ran another KPT-21 experiment session. Later, FE-4 copied and downlinked data & log files, returned the STTS comm system to nominal and checked EB vacuum chamber hermeticity afterwards and before sleeptime (any pressure increase above the vacuum should stay within 5 mmHg). [Main objective of PK-3 is to continue previous plasma crystal experiments, aimed at studying features of plasma including the critical points, where the temperature and pressure at which the liquid and gaseous phases of a substance become identical. Plasma, or collections of charged particles, is the most common state of matter in the universe. In microgravity, large 3-dimensional plasma crystals can be grown, allowing better observation of their structure and basic processes, which will provide a better understanding of plasma. Under Earth conditions, gravity “squeezes” the plasma crystal and it becomes 2-D, not 3-D. Experiments in space aboard the ISS allow researchers to see the real property of the crystals.]
CDR Fossum prepared the EDR (European Drawer Rack) in COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) for subsequent maintenance, disconnecting the EDR laptop from the upper UDP (Utility Distribution Panel), installing protective connector caps, then coiling and fixing the detached cable to the rack front with Velcro.
Afterwards, Mike had ~4h15m allotted for the major IFM (Inflight Maintenance) of removing the MCA VGA (Major Constituent Analyzer / Verification Gas Assembly) from AR1 (Atmosphere Revitalization Rack 1) in the US Lab and installing it instead in Node-3 in AR-2. [The MSA (Mass Spectrometer Assembly) and DCA (Data & Control Assembly) have already been removed from the LAB MCA.]
Volkov completed the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM. [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers, replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers and filling EDV-SV, KOV (for Elektron), EDV-ZV & EDV on RP flow regulator.]
Sergey also conducted his 2nd onboard session of the Russian MedOps assessment MO-12, (“Study of the Veins in the Lower Extremities”), using the KARDIOMED (Cardiomed) complex with orthogonal leads which Oleg Kotov had installed in the SM in February 2010. [After loading the RSE-med laptop with the Cardiomed software, Sergey set up the equipment, which involves KARDIOMED-TsB, KARDIOMED-KP, KARDIOMED-PMO and KARDIOMED-KRM assemblies with ECG (electrocardiogram) electrodes in a HOLTER monitor harness, a PLETISMOGRAF (Plethysmograph) instrument with calf measuring cuff, pneumatic hose, thigh occlusion cuff, hand pump & valve, and a DOPPLER complex. A Plethysmograph (sometimes called a “body box”) is an instrument for measuring changes in volume within an organ or the whole body (usually resulting from fluctuations in the amount of blood or air it contains).]
Furukawa performed the periodic (approx. weekly) WRS (Water Recovery System) sampling in Node-3 using the TOCA (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer), after first initializing the software and priming (filling) the TOCA water sample hose. [After the approximately 2-hr TOCA analysis, results were transferred to an SSC (Station Support computer) laptop via USB drive for downlink, and the data were also logged.]
Other activities on the Japanese flight engineer’s crowded work schedule for today included:
* Installing the markers for the EEGS (Emergency Egress Guidance System) around the hatch of COL,
* Relocating 3 SSC T61p Servers (#1021 [ISS-SERVER1], #1016 [LS1] & #1302 [CSL SERVER] from Node-2 to the Lab and setting the laptops up in preparation for possible station decrewing,
* Working to recover the wireless SSC-13 & -17 laptops by reloading them from partition, inserting the SSC-19 hard drive in SSC-17 and setting up their initial wireless configuration (with MCC-H to complete the remainder),
* Conducting the periodic check of the CEVIS (Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation) exercise machine’s four isolators for wear & tear, checking for cable stop wear and wire pulling back into cable stop,
* Supporting ground controllers at COL-CC (Control Center) on the ERB2 (Erasmus Recording Binocular) experiment in COL by powering the payload on and checking it out for ground-commanded operations; [after this step an internal clock started running in ERB2, and all following activities till payload shutdown had to be performed within 1h20m. ERB uses a three-dimensional (3-D) video camera, the Sony DSR PD150P camcorder and a Nikon SSM-3DC-101 3D photo camera for taking imagery of the environment onboard the ISS for an accurate map of the station’s interior. The images are transferred by a computer application into a 3D model to be viewed in the Virtual Reality Theater of ESA’s Erasmus Center],
* Relocating 4 PBAs (Pre-Breathe Assemblies) from their ZSR (Zero-G Storage Rack) location to the US A/L (Airlock) and stowing them in the E/L (Equipment Lock) Overhead, * Terminating maintenance discharge on the current batch of EVA batteries in the A/L BSA (Battery Storage Assembly), started on 10/21,
* Verifying proper switch configuration in the EVA A/L in preparation for possible station decrewing,
* Setting up the equipment for his 3rd 24-hour urine collections under the Generic HRF (Human Research Facility) NUTRITION/Repository protocol, beginning tomorrow morning with the first void; [based on crew feedback, new cold stowage hardware, and IPV (International Procedures Viewer) capabilities, the generic blood & urine procedures were created to allow an individual crewmember to select their payload complement and see specific requirements populated. Individual crewmembers will select their specific parameter in the procedures to reflect their science complement. Different crewmembers will have different required tubes and hardware configurations, so they should verify their choice selection before continuing with operations to ensure their specific instruction],
* Closing the protective shutters of the Lab, Node-3/Cupola & Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) windows in preparation for tomorrow’s ISS reboost, and
* Reconfiguring the power jumper for the LAB ISL (Integrated Station LAN) Router to allow ground control of power during possible uncrewed station period, [nominal configuration of ISL Router power is from PS-120 junction power box connected to a UOP (Utility Outlet Panel), but the UOP will default to OFF when reconfigured/power cycled. With no crew aboard ISS, the ISL Router may then not be able to be re-powered if connected to a UOP. The new power reconfiguration will allow ISL Router to be powered directly from a UOP RPC (Remote Power Controller), i.e., the ground, utilizing one of the UOP power bypass cables].
Before sleeptime, Satoshi also set up his 2nd experiment with the onboard JAXA DK (Diagnostic Kit), to continue for 3 straight days with a series of medical diagnostic measurements including cardio/heart, brainwave, and oxygen measurements. [Starting tonight with the 2nd (of 3) oxygen level measurement with the Pulse Oximeter, Satoshi will record brainwaves overnight during sleep, followed tomorrow by Cardiograph measurements & Heart Sound recordings through Thursday (10/27). These measurements will then be repeated one more times later during the Increment. Purpose of these activities is to perform diagnostic measurements with medical equipment in order to evaluate the equipment for development of a future diagnostic system on board. DK includes: Medical laptop, USB Camera, Pulse Oximeter, Stethoscope, Sleep Monitor and Digital Walk Holter/Electrocardiograph and Electroencephalograph (for brain waves).]
Sergey Volkov had another hour set aside for loading waste and other excessed cargo on the resupply ship-turned-trash can Progress 42P, while logging the moves in the IMS (Inventory Management System) database.
Before Presleep tonight, the CDR will turn on the MPC (Multi Protocol Converter) and starts the Ku-band data flow of video recorded during the day to the ground, with POIC (Payload Operations & Integration Center) routing the onboard HRDL (High-Rate Data Link). After about an hour, Mike will turn MPC routing off again. [This is a routine operation which regularly transmits HD onboard video (live or tape playback) to the ground on a daily basis before sleeptime.]
At ~1:00pm EDT, Sergey had his standard weekly PMC (Private Medical Conference) via S- & Ku-band audio/video.
The crew worked out with their regular 2-hr physical exercise protocol on the CEVIS cycle ergometer with vibration isolation (FE-5), TVIS treadmill with vibration isolation & stabilization (FE-4), ARED advanced resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-4, FE-5), and T2/COLBERT advanced treadmill (CDR). Earlier, Mike set up the video camera in Node-3 to cover the workout sessions of himself, Sergey & Satoshi on the ARED, to meet the regular 30-day requirement for biomechanical evaluation of the on-orbit crewmembers, and evaluation of the hardware status.
Tasks listed for Sergey Volkov on the Russian discretionary “time permitting” job for today were –
* Continuing the preparation & downlinking of more reportages (written text, photos, videos) for the Roskosmos website to promote Russia’s manned space program (max. file size 500 Mb),
* The daily inspection of the recently activated Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) payload with its LADA-01 greenhouse, verifying proper watering of the KM A32 & A24 root modules; [Rasteniya-2 researches growth and development of plants (currently wheat) under spaceflight conditions in the LADA greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems, Russian: IMBP)],
* Taking care of the daily IMS 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
* Another ~30-min. session for Russia’s EKON Environmental Safety Agency, making observations and taking KPT-3 aerial photography of environmental conditions on Earth using the NIKON D3X camera with the RSK-1 laptop.
Reboost: Another one-burn reboost of the ISS will be performed tomorrow morning at 8:52am EDT, using the two KD engines of the SM’s ODU (Integrated Propulsion System) for a burn duration of 1m 54s and a planned Delta-V of 1.82 m/s (5.97 ft/s). The purpose of the reboost is to set up phasing for 45P launch, 28S launch, and 27S landing.
CEO (Crew Earth Observation) targets uplinked for today were Moroni, The Comoros (Moroni [population 60,000 in 2003] lies on the island of Grande Comore, the island nearest track, and one of four that make up this Indian Ocean archipelago. Looking right, on the SW angle of Grande Comore [a major volcano which scientists suggest is likely to erupt in the near future]), Asmara, Eritrea (looking right of track, well inland behind the coastal hills. A prominent bay on the Red Sea coast is a major downtrack visual cue), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (requested was a context view of the Saudi capital city: looking slightly right of track), and Mexico City, Mexico (looking right of track for this city of 21 million [greater Mexico City]).
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 5:53am EDT [= epoch])
* Mean altitude – 387.0 km
* Apogee height – 399.5 km
* Perigee height – 374.5 km
* Period — 92.29 min.
* Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
* Eccentricity — 0.0018483
* Solar Beta Angle — 6.5 deg (magnitude decreasing)
* Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.60
* Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 387 m
* Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 74,124
* Time in orbit (station) – 4722 days
* Time in orbit (crews, cum.) — 4009 days
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time and subject to change):
————–Three-crew operations (Increment 29)————-
10/26/11 — ISS Reboost (8:52am EDT)
10/29/11 — Progress M-10M/42P undocking (5:04am EDT)
10/30/11 — Progress M-13M/45P launch (6:11am)
11/02/11 — Progress M-13M/45P docking (~7:40am)
11/13/11 — Soyuz TMA-03M/28S launch – D.Burbank (CDR-30)/A.Shkaplerov/A.Ivanishin (11:14pm)
11/16/11 — Soyuz TMA-03M/28S docking (MRM2) (~12:45am)
————–Six-crew operations————-
11/22/11 — Soyuz TMA-02M/27S undock/landing (End of Increment 29) (~9:21pm)
————–Three-crew operations————-
11/30/11 — SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon — Target date
12/26/11 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S launch – O.Kononenko (CDR-31)/A.Kuipers/D.Pettit — (date “on or about”)
12/28/11 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S docking (MRM1) — (date “on or about”)
————–Six-crew operations—————-
TBD — Progress M-13M/45P undock
TBD — Progress M-14M/46P launch
TBD — Progress M-14M/46P docking (DC-1)
02/29/12 — ATV3 launch readiness
TBD — Soyuz TMA-03M/28S undock/landing (End of Increment 30)
————–Three-crew operations————-
03/xx/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/30S launch – G.Padalka (CDR-32)/J.Acaba/K.Volkov
04/xx/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/30S docking (MRM2)
————–Six-crew operations—————-
05/05/12 — 3R Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) w/ERA – launch on Proton (under review)
05/06/12 — Progress M-14M/46P undock
05/07/12 — 3R Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) – docking (under review)
05/xx/12 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S undock/landing (End of Increment 31)
————–Three-crew operations————-
05/xx/12 – Soyuz TMA-06M/31S launch – S.Williams (CDR-33)/Y.Malenchenko/A.Hoshide
05/xx/12 – Soyuz TMA-06M/31S docking
————–Six-crew operations—————-
09/xx/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/30S undock/landing (End of Increment 32)
————–Three-crew operations————-
10/xx/12 — Soyuz TMA-07M/32S launch – K.Ford (CDR-34)/O.Novitskiy/E.Tarelkin
10/xx/12 – Soyuz TMA-07M/32S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
11/xx/12 — Soyuz TMA-06M/31S undock/landing (End of Increment 33)
————–Three-crew operations————-
11/xx/12 — Soyuz TMA-08M/33S launch – C.Hadfield (CDR-35)/T.Mashburn/R.Romanenko
12/xx/12 – Soyuz TMA-08M/33S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
03/xx/13 — Soyuz TMA-07M/32S undock/landing (End of Increment 34)
————–Three-crew operations————-
03/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/34S launch – P.Vinogradov (CDR-36)/C.Cassidy/A.Misurkin
03/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/34S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
05/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-08M/33S undock/landing (End of Increment 35)
————–Three-crew operations————-
05/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-10M/35S launch – M.Suraev (CDR-37)/K.Nyberg/L.Parmitano
05/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-10M/35S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-09M/34S undock/landing (End of Increment 36)
————–Three-crew operations————-
09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-11M/36S launch – M.Hopkins/TBD (CDR-38)/TBD
09/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-11M/36S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-10M/35S undock/landing (End of Increment 37)
————–Three-crew operations————-
11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-12M/37S launch – K.Wakata (CDR-39)/R.Mastracchio/TBD
11/xx/13 – Soyuz TMA-12M/37S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
03/xx/14 – Soyuz TMA-11M/36S undock/landing (End of Increment 38)
————–Three-crew operations————-
