NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 27 December 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Saturday – rest day for CDR Fincke, FE-1 Lonchakov & FE-2 Magnus.

CDR Fincke & FE-2 Magnus started their day with another download of last night’s data of the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment from their Actiwatches to the HRF-1 (Human Research Facility 1) laptop as part of the week-long session with SLEEP. [To monitor the crewmember’s sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Mike & Sandy wear a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by them as well as their patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition and use the payload software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment’s laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew’s discretionary “job jar” task list. It was the second session for Mike, the first for Sandra.]

The crew performed the regular weekly three-hour task of thorough station cleaning. ["Uborka", usually done on Saturdays, includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, damp cleaning of the SM (Service Module) dining table, other frequently touched surfaces and surfaces where trash is collected, as well as the FE’s sleep station with a standard cleaning solution; also, fan screens and grilles are cleaned to avoid temperature rises. Special cleaning is also done every 90 days on the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) bacteria filters in the Lab.]

As part of the house cleaning, Yuri Lonchakov conducted regular maintenance inspection & cleaning of fan screens in the FGB (TsV2), DC-1 (V3, VD1) and SM (VPkhO, VPO7, VGZhT2, VPrK, FS5, FS6, FS9 & FS14).

Later, when performing the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (ECLSS/Environment Control & Life Support System) in the SM, Yuri also temporarily powered down the Russian POTOK-150MK (150 micron) air filter unit of the SM’s SOGS air revitalization subsystem for the periodic cleaning of its pre-filter, using the vacuum cleaner with narrow-slit nozzle attachment. [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 performing US condensate processing (transfer from CWC to EDV containers) if condensate is available.]

CDR Fincke serviced the US WRS (Water Recovery System) by refilling the WSTA (Water Storage Tank Assembly) with pretreated urine from EDV-U container for processing by the UPA (Urine Processing Assembly). [The WSTA should be filled to no more than 75%. Recycled water from the PWD may now be used by the crew for non-oral hygiene purposes.]

At ~9:00am EST, the crewmembers conducted their regular WPC (Weekly Planning Conference) with the ground, discussing next week’s "Look-Ahead Plan" (prepared jointly by MCC-Houston and TsUP-Moscow timeline planners) via S-band/audio, reviewing the monthly calendar, upcoming activities, and any concerns about future on-orbit events.

For his selected VolSci (Voluntary Weekend Science) program featuring a dry run with SHERE (Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment), CDR Fincke –

• Reviewed SHERE experiment procedures for familiarization,
• Activated the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox),
• Powered up the SHERE hardware,
• Accessed the CGBA (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus) to install the SHERE FM (Fluid Module) #46,
• Conducted a SHERE dry run using the test (dry) FM,
• Removed the FM from the CGBA, followed by SHERE data transfer,
• Turned off the SHERE/CGBA equipment,
• Transferred the data files to the MSG laptop, and
• Powered down the MSG.

FE-2 Magnus completed the regular bi-monthly reboots of the OCA Router and File Server SSC (Station Support Computer) laptops.

For her own VolSci today, Sandy Magnus had chosen a Space Careers Demo EPO (Education Payload Operations), creating an educational video discussing different careers found at NASA, to be used to produce an educational product to enhance existing education resources for students in grades 9-12. Afterwards, the video hardware was stowed again. [For the Demo, Sandy reviewed procedures, set up the SONY PD100 camcorder (without tape) and conducted the demo which was downlinked via Ku-band & S-band and recorded on the ground, discussing personal career paths, NASA-related careers, and other careers affiliated with equipment and experiments on ISS.]

The FE-2 performed periodic service on the WPA (Water Processing Assembly) by filling two CWC-Is (Iodinated Contingency Water Containers, #1010 & #1008) with iodinated water from the PWD (Potable Water Dispenser) auxiliary port.

Working from his discretionary “as time permits” task list, FE-1 Lonchakov performed a session of the Russian GFI-8 "Uragan" (hurricane) earth-imaging program, using the NIKON D2X digital camera to take telephotos. [Uplinked target zones were the Kilimanjaro Volcano, the Nicaragua Pacific Coastline, noteworthy scenes of the Andes, and Patagonia Ice Field Glaciers.]

Yuri’s voluntary task list also suggested another ECON KPT-3 session, making observations and taking aerial photography of Pacific Ocean surface contaminations for Russia’s Environmental Safety Agency (ECON) using the D2X with SIGMA 300-800mm telephoto lens.

A third item on the “time permitting” task list for the FE-1 was to search for and collect hardware required for the externally installed OBSTANOVKA (Environment) experiment, including the Fluke 105B scopemeter with accessories, eight alkaline batteries for the scopemeter and the Elektronika-MMTs-1 Multimeter instrument. Four batteries were to be installed and both Fluke and MMTs-01 checked out. After a Langmuir Probe hardware familiarization review on 12/29, the first measurements of the plasma environment near the docked Soyuz spacecraft will be taken on 12/30 as part of the OBSTANOVKA experiment Part 1. [The GFI-11/OBSTANOVKA payload, along with the IMPULSE experiment, will use ionosphere probes and a pulsed plasma source to make scientific measurements of ionosphere parameters and plasma-wave characteristics.]

At ~1:40pm, Sandy had for a PFC (Private Family Conference), via S-band/audio and Ku-and/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on an SSC laptop).

The station residents conducted their regular daily 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR), TVIS treadmill (FE-1, FE-2), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

TOCA Software Update: Based on the aborted TOCA (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer) run on 12/24, an update to the TOCA software has been uplinked to the TOCA USB drive connected to the SSC-7 (Station Support Computer 7) laptop. Performing the software upgrade this weekend was added to Mike Fincke’s discretionary “job jar” task list. [Although the upgrade is not mandatory for Monday’s activities, it is highly desired as it will significantly increase the chances for a successful run.]

Weekly Science Update (Expedition Eighteen — Week 9)

3-D SPACE: Complete.

ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS): Complete.

BCAT-3/4 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test 3/4): Planned/Reserve.

BIO-4: Complete.

BIOLAB: Planned.

CARDIOCOG-2: Complete.

CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS): In progress.

CFE (Capillary Flow Experiment): Reserve.

CW/CR (Cell Wall/Resist Wall) in EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System): Samples returned on 1J.

CSI-3/CGBA-5 (CGBA Science Insert #2/Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 5): Ongoing.

CGBA-2 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 2): Complete.

CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2): Complete.

EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students): Complete.

EDR (European Drawer Rack): On 12/23, additional check-out tests of the PCDF EU (Protein Crystallization Diagnostic Facility Electronic Unit) have been successfully performed. These tests included command scripts uplinked to EDR. The whole ground segment infrastructure is okay and is awaiting the launch of the PCDF PU (Process Unit) on 15A.

ELITE-S2 (Elaboratore Immagini Televisive – Space 2): Planned.

ENose (Electronic Nose): “ENose is operating normally. As of 12/23/08, we have downloaded data files twice. We have analyzed 2 weeks of data, and have found nothing unexpected in the breathing air.”

EPO (Educational Payload Operations): Reserve.

ETD (Eye Tracking Device): Completed.

EuTEF (European Technology Exposure Facility): Science acquisition for DEBIE-2, DOSTEL, EXPOSE, FIPEX, MEDET. On-ground troubleshooting for TRIBOLAB.

FSL (Fluid Science Laboratory): FSL is nominal.

GEOFLOW: For run#7, a higher corruption level of the downlinked data has been encountered, forcing the ground teams to postpone run#8 execution as scheduled on 12/22. In fact, the whole run#7 data set has been downlinked again on 12/22, still leading to some corrupted data but at different locations in the data stream. By merging the two downlinked data sets, the USOC teams have re-consolidated the run#7 in an acceptable way for the science teams. GEOFLOW science runs will be continued during the next weeks.

HDTV System Test DL (JAXA): Complete.

ICE CRYSTAL (JAXA): Ice Crystal experiment is going on. “This week, we have conducted 5 experiments during three nights from 12/23-12/24. Next run will be in next year, 1/5”.

IMMUNO (Neuroendocrine & Immune Responses in Humans During & After Long Term Stay at ISS): Complete.

InSPACE-2 (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2): In progress.

Integrated Immune: In progress.

KUBIK-FM1/ KUBIK-FM2 Centrifuge/Incubators: Completed.

LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System): Reserve.

Marangoni Experiment for ISS in JAXA FPEF (Fluid Physics Experiment Facility): In progress.

Micro-G Clay (JAXA EPO): Complete.

MISSE (Materials ISS Experiment): Ongoing.

Moon Photography from ISS (JAXA EPO): Complete.

MSG-SAME (Microgravity Science Glovebox): Complete.

MTR-2 (Russian radiation measurements): Passive dosimeters measurements in DC1 “Pirs”.

MULTIGEN-1: Completed.

NOA-1/-2 (Nitric Oxide Analyzer, ESA): Complete.

NUTRITION w/REPOSITORY: In progress.

PADLES (Passive Dosimeter for Lifescience Experiment in Space): In progress.

PCRF (Protein Crystallization Research Facility) Reconfiguration (JAXA): Complete.

PMDIS (Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space): Complete.

SAMS/MAMS (Space & Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems): Ongoing.

SAMPLE: Complete.

SHERE (Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment): “SHERE is looking forward to the VolSci experiment familiarization and Dry Run with you on Saturday, Mike!”

SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight): In progress.

SOLAR (Solar Monitoring Observatory): The next Sun observation window is planned to start around 12/26.

SOLO (Sodium Loading in Microgravity): Complete.

SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite): Reserve.

Swab (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft): Complete.

TRAC (Test of Reaction & Adaptation Capabilities): Planned.

ULTRASOUND: Planned.

WAICO #1/#2 (Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels): Complete/Planned.

CEO (Crew Earth Observations): Ongoing.

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

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, 8:13am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 353.7 km
Apogee height — 358.8 km
Perigee height — 348.5 km
Period — 91.61 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0007694
Solar Beta Angle — -22.2 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 61 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 57895

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible!):
01/14/09 — ISS reboost w/SM thrusters
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
05/12/09 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4)
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
08/06/09 — STS-128/Discovery/17A – MPLM (P), LMC, last crew rotation
08/XX/09 — Soyuz 5R/MRM2 (Russian Mini Research Module, MIM2) on Soyuz
09/XX/09 — H-IIB (JAXA HTV-1)
11/12/09 — STS-129/Atlantis/ULF3 – ELC1, ELC2
12/10/09 — STS-130/Endeavour/20A – Node-3 + Cupola
02/11/10 — STS-131/Atlantis/19A – MPLM(P), LMC
04/08/10 — STS-132/Discovery/ULF4 – ICC-VLD, MRM1
05/31/10 — STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 – ELC3, ELC4
12/XX/11– Proton 3R/MLM w/ERA.