NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 27 August 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Today five years ago (2003), the planet Mars made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years: 55,758,006 km (34,646,419 mi).

Conjunction event: Using ATV thrusters, the ISS performed a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) burn at 12:11pm EDT (in lieu of the IWIS Thruster Firing Test originally planned) to remove the risk of collision with an orbital object,- #33246 (part of the Kosmos-2421 satellite). [Miss distance of the object, tracked over several days, was predicted this morning to be 1.627 km, with a collision probability of 0.0139 (odds 1:72) which brought it over the ruled threshold into the RED box (FR B4-101, i.e.,” greater than 1 in 10,000″), requiring a DAM. The burn, calculated to last 5 min 2sec, was performed with two thrusters of the ATV main propulsion system. Predicted delta-V was ~1 m/s, in retrograde direction, so that future Soyuz launch, Soyuz landing and Shuttle ULF2 launch constraints can be met. An automated timer-controlled confirmation check by the RS CCS (Command & Control System) software of the transition to the proper system configuration for the thruster burn did not take place and had to be done manually by MCC-H Flight Control in time for the burn. Note: The last DAM was performed on 5/30/03.]

Upon wake-up, FE-1 Kononenko terminated his ninth MBI-12 SONOKARD experiment session for the long-term Russian sleep study, by taking the recording device from his SONOKARD sports shirt pocket and later copying the measurements to the RSE-MED laptop for subsequent downlink to the ground. Sergey Volkov’s new MBI-12 session starts tonight (~5:20pm). [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.]

In preparation for the ATV DAM burn at 12:11pm, FE-2 Chamitoff closed the protective shutters on the Lab science window, having verified shutter closure for the JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) window yesterday.

Also for the DAM, the FE-2 locked the FSL FCE (Fluid Science Laboratory/Facility Core Element) in the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) with four locking bolts to fix it for the acceleration forces caused by the thrusters. [The locking activity had to wait until after a ground-commanded GEOFLOW Single Experiment run in the FSL, ending at ~11:15am.]

The originally scheduled installation of the IWIS (Internal Wireless Instrumentation System) and the periodic OBT (Onboard Training) Fire Emergency Drill by the crew were not conducted because of the concurrently scheduled DAM.

After turning on the four Pille dosimeters of the LULIN-ISS radiation complex on 8/21 to start data taking, Kononenko downlinked the post-exposure readings of each dosimeter and then deactivated the LULIN BUI Control & Measuring Unit, leaving the electrical connections in place.

Gregory was to use the electronic Velocicalc instrument to take the periodic THC IMV (Temperature & Humidity Control/Intermodule Ventilation) air flow measurements of relative humidity (dew point, wet bulb temp), temperature and air velocity (flow rate) between modules, but the activity was aborted due to false Velocicalc readings. [The instrument was reading negative in the high 100’s (ft/m) and did not vary when moved across the diffuser. Specialists are investigating the anomalous Velocicalc performance. The IMV flow measurements are used to determine when duct cleaning should be performed.]

Oleg conducted the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS (Russian Segment) hatchways, including the passageways SM PrK (Service Module Transfer Compartment)-ATV, PrK-RO (SM Working Compartment), PkhO (SM Transfer Tunnel)-RO, PkhO-DC1, PkhO-FGB PGO, FGB PGO-FGB GA, FGB GA-Node-1.

More water samples were gathered by Kononenko in the RS, today from the BRP-M Water Distribution & Heating Unit (hot tap). The samples were stored in drinking bags and a sample container for return to the ground.

In the JAXA Kibo JPM, the FE-2 supported the Tsukuba flight controllers by verifying a ground-commanded checkout of the CB (Clean Bench) subrack facility (except its microscope). Video of the checkout was downlinked through VCU (Video Control Unit) and IPU (Image Processing Unit).

Greg performed the periodic maintenance of the CEVIS cycle ergometer, lubricating its guide pins and making sure that the exercise machine can still be rotated out of the way to the stowed position.

The CDR had 2 hrs set aside to perform the periodic Russian SPOPT (Fire Detection & Suppression System) maintenance in the DC1 “Pirs” Docking Compartment by dismantling its three IDZ-2 smoke detectors, cleaning their ionizing needles and then reinstalling the sensors. [Part of the job is inspection and cleaning of surrounding areas behind panels.]

Volkov, Kononenko & Chamitoff had another ~4:30 hrs reserved on today’s timeline between them for ATV cargo unloading/loading, i.e., moving consumables to the ISS via the SM and loading trash & excessed equipment on “Jules Verne”.

The FE-1 performed 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 KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

Afterwards, Oleg also took care of 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).

As per the Russian voluntary “time permitting” task list, Kononenko conducted the regular status check on the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment which researches growth and development of plants (barley) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-13 greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems {Russian: IMBP}), recharging its water tank as required.

The station residents 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), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR, FE-1). Later, Oleg transferred the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) 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).

ER-4/ER-5 Relocation Update: During yesterday’s EXPRESS Rack 5 transfer, both the supply- and return-line QDs (Quick Disconnects) of the ITCS MTL (Internal Thermal Control System/Moderate Temperature Loop) leaked some ITCS fluid (Triol, a water/glycerin mixture) upon disconnection. A 1.1% drop in accumulator quantity was observed, which equates to approximately 3-4 oz. of fluid. The return line leak was stopped. Since the supply side continued to leak despite prescribed QD leak troubleshooting, it was left connected to the Z-panel. ER-5 was relocated to the JPM but will remain unpowered until the ITCS jumper is installed. It is not scheduled for powered operations for several days. The supply line must be removed prior to the CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) rack relocation in two weeks. [A “triol” is a chemical compound containing three hydroxyl groups (-OH), such as glycerol.]

VolSci Preview: For next weekend’s Voluntary Science program, Gregory has selected a 4-hr. session with the SPHERE (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) payload, using all three satellites and requiring the CDRA to be running. Two additional candidate payloads were suggested for 8/31 (Sunday) & 9/1 (Monday, a holiday): (1) a LOCAD-PTS (Lab-On-A-Chip Application Development – Portable Test System) run, using Glucan LAL cartridges in COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) to look for fungus on surfaces, and (2) another SHERE (Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment) session.

CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo target uplinked for today was Santorini Volcanic Complex, Greece (looking left at the tight circle of small islands nearest track for detailed images), Kwanza Basin, Angola (overlapping images along track at nadir were requested; handheld imagery is acting as baseline mapping data for expected new economic development in the Kwanza Basin as oil revenues from the coastal oilfields rise rapidly), Hurricane Gustav, Caribbean (Dynamic event. This hurricane is moving NW and expanding rapidly. It is expected to be a Category 2 storm centered just south of Cuba by the time of this ISS pass), and High Central Andean Glaciers (changes in glacier footprint are climate change indicators, and are ideally mapped by remote means. Tropical mountain glaciers are known to be melting fast in some areas. Looking roughly at nadir for bright white glaciers on mountain peaks [for ~2.5 minutes]).

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).

Week 19/20 Scheduled Main Activities:

• Thu. (8/28): MBI-12/Sonokard (CDR); BMP ch.1 regen; Regen ECLSS Mod Kit 1 install; JAXA CB Microscope C/O; Clay EPO return; COL FSL FCE release; ATV cargo transfers; PHS w/blood set-up; ASU R&R; WRM audit.
• Fri. (8/29): BMP ch.2 regen; PHS w/blood (PCBA); 29P: LKT remove/activate/hatch close/leak check; BRTK-MBRL prox.comm. prep; ITCS fluid sampling (JEM, Lab, Node-2, COL); OCA & FS laptop reboots.
• Sat. (8/30): Station cleaning (RS); PFCs (CDR, FE-1); VolSci (SPHERES); FFQ; Ham pass.
• Sun. (8/31): Station cleaning (USOS); WINSCAT; PFC (FE-2).
• Mon. (9/1, Labor Day): Crew off duty; Progress 29P Undock (~3:47pm); CSA-CP probe replacement; ham session; FSL/FCE lock.
• Tue. (9/2): ATV Undock OBT; BUAP/MBRL (PCE) equipment install in SM (ATV hand controller, antenna switch box, prox comm unit); Elektron deact/act; Vozdukh AVK test; FGB PS1/PS2 filter & TsV1 screen cleaning; USOS water sampling; CMO profic.train.; FSL/FCE release.

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
09/01/08 — Progress M-64/29P undocking, FGB nadir (~3:47pm); independent flight w/”Plasma” exp.
09/05/08 — ATV1 undocking, from SM aft port (~5:27pm); independent flight
09/09/08 — Progress M-64/29P de-orbit (~5:19pm)
09/10/08 — Progress M-65/30P launch (~3:49:45pm)
09/12/08 — Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft, ~5:08pm DM)
09/29/08 — ATV de-orbit (nighttime re-entry for observation)
10/01/08 — NASA 50 Years (official)
10/08/08 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4)
10/11/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft)
10/12/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch (~3:03am EDT; Lonchakov, Fincke, Garriott)
10/14/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (FGB nadir port, ~4:51am)
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (DC1 nadir) or 10/24?
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
11/25/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking & deorbit
11/26/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
11/30/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking
02/09/09 — Progress M-66/31P undocking & deorbit
02/10/09 — Progress M-67/32P launch
02/12/09 — Progress M-67/32P docking
02/12/09 — STS-119/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
02/14/09 — STS-119/Discovery/15A docking
02/24/09 — STS-119/Discovery/15A undocking
02/26/09 — STS-119/Discovery/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 M-67/32P undocking & deorbit
05/15/09 — STS-127/Endeavour/2J/A launch – JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
05/25/09 — Soyuz TMA-15/19S launch
05/27/09 — Six-person crew on ISS (following Soyuz 19S docking)
07/30/09 — STS-128/Atlantis/17A – MPLM(P), last crew rotation
10/15/09 — STS-129/Discovery/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/Discovery/ULF4 – ICC-VLD, MRM1
05/31/10 — STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 – ELC3, ELC4 (contingency).