NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 28 March 2011
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 3 of Increment 27.
Sayonara, Kounotori-2! The Japanese HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle) “White Stork 2” was successfully unberthed at 9:43am EDT and released from the Canadian robot arm at 11:45am. Final Deorbit burn (DOM3): tomorrow ~10:37pm; entry interface of the “Falling Star”: ~11:09pm.
Upon wake-up, CDR Kondratyev performed the regular daily check of the aerosol filters at the Russian Elektron O2 (oxygen) generator which Maxim Suraev had installed on 10/19/09 in gaps between the BZh Liquid Unit and the oxygen outlet pipe (filter FA-K) plus hydrogen outlet pipe (filter FA-V). [Dmitri will inspect the filters again before bedtime tonight, currently a daily requirement per plan, with photographs to be taken if the filter packing is discolored.]
Kondratyev also completed the periodic maintenance of the active Russian BMP Harmful Impurities Removal System, starting the “bake-out” cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #1 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The process will be terminated later tonight (~4:30pm EDT) before sleeptime, followed tomorrow by Bed #2 regeneration. [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. (Last time done: 2/14-16.]
FE-6 Cady Coleman undertook her 15th weekly U.S. “Bisphosphonates” biomedical countermeasures experiment, ingesting an Alendronate pill before breakfast. The required ~10h fast period started for her last night. [The Bisphosphonates study should determine whether antiresorptive agents (that help reduce bone loss) in conjunction with the routine in-flight exercise program will protect ISS crewmembers from the regional decreases in bone mineral density documented on previous ISS missions. Two dosing regimens are being tested: (1) an oral dose of 70 mg of Alendronate taken weekly starting 3 weeks prior to flight and then throughout the flight and (2) an intravenous (IV) dose of 4 mg Zoledronic Acid, administered just once approximately 45 days before flight. The rationale for including both Alendronate and Zoledronic Acid is that two dosing options will maximize crew participation, increase the countermeasure options available to flight surgeons, increase scientific opportunities, and minimize the effects of operational and logistical constraints. The primary measurement objective is to obtain preflight and postflight QCT (Quantitative Computed Tomography) scans of the hip. The QCT scans will provide volumetric bone density information of both cortical and trabecular (spongy) bone regions of the hip.]
Coleman & Nespoli started final preparations for releasing the HTV-2 by enabling the Cupola RWS UOP (Robotic Workstation / Utility Outlet Panel) in Node-3 for power-up and connecting the UOP DCP (Display & Control Panel) power bypass cable at the Cupola RWS, plus installing the CCR (Cupola Crew Restraint) which stabilized the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) operator.
After closing the protective shutters of the Lab & Kibo windows, FE-6 activated the VSW-2 (Video Streaming Workstation) and SSC-19 (Station Support Computer 19) to provide an additional monitor view in the Cupola. [This channeled streaming video from the Lab to the Cupola over the network.]
Paolo & Cady then completed final HTV release steps by –
Disconnecting the remaining power jumper line, putting HTV on its own internal power,
Installing the HTV thermal cover & Node-2 nadir center disk cover,
Closing the Node-2 nadir hatch,
Depressurizing the vestibule & performing leak checks for 30 min, and
Removing CBM (Common Berthing Mechanism) bolts and deploying latches.
Next, the two Flight Engineers grappled the HTV with SSRMS, performing hand controller calibrations on both RWS and setting up their displays & overlays at the Hot Backup RWS in the Lab for release.
After HCP (HTV Control Panel) setup & checkout, next steps were –
Unberthing the HTV with the SSRMS at 9:43am EDT,
Moving the HTV to the release position, and finally
Releasing it from the SSRMS at 11:45am.
Cady & Paolo then –
. Monitored HTV departure by verifying IDM1 (ISS Departure Maneuver 1) and IDM2 burns, and Passive Abort Setting,
. Parked the SSRMS,
. Performed the usual post-MSS (Mobile Service System) operations cleanup for the LAB RWS, including disconnecting the DCP cable),
. Cleaned up the Cupola RWS (inhibiting the UOP, removing the CCR) after MSS was powered down by ground commanding,
. Performed photo/video clean-up of LAB camcorder and VTR (Video Tape Recorder) Bypass Cable configuration, and
. Inhibited and temporarily stowed the HCP in the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module). [Final Proximity systems deactivation and HCP stow is scheduled for tomorrow to give SSIPC (Space Station Integration & Promotion Center)/Tsukuba time to check out a new model transponder on HTV during the departure.]
In the SM (Service Module), CDR Kondratyev meanwhile activated & verified proper operation of the Russian TEKh-15/DAKON-M IZGIB (“Bend”) experiment for taking structural dynamics data during HTV unberthing. The data were later copied to a USB stick for downlink to the ground. [IZGIB has the objective to help update mathematical models of the ISS gravitation environment, using accelerometers of the Russian SBI Onboard Measurement System, the GIVUS high-accuracy angular rate vector gyrometer of the SUDN Motion Control & Navigation System and other accelerometers for unattended measurement of micro-accelerations at science hardware accommodation locations – (1) in operation of onboard equipment having rotating parts (gyrodynes, fans), (2) when establishing and keeping various ISS attitude modes, and (3) when performing crew egresses into space and physical exercises.]
Later, using the NIKON D2X camera with flash, Kondratyev took documentary photography of the Russian BIORISK-MSN payload, laid out with all contents of the container. Pictures were then to be downlinked to TsUP-Moscow via OCA.
Other activities completed by Dmitri included –
Preparing the high-speed RSPI Radio Data Transmission System for downlinking payload data from all Expedition 27 Uragan & Seiner experiment sessions from flash memory cards via the RSS2 laptop,
Conducting, from the voluntary free-time task list, 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),
Completing 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 and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers],
Running a ~15-min. photography session for the DZZ-13 “Seiner” ocean observation program, obtaining NIKON D3 photos with Nikkor 80-200 mm lens and the SONY HD video camcorder on oceanic color bloom patterns in the waters of South Eastern Atlantic, then copying the images to the RSK-1 laptop, and
Working for ~3 hrs on a major IFM/In-flight Maintenance on the SM ASU toilet facility behind panels 137, 138 & 139, changing out replaceable parts with new components, such as a receptacle, hoses, a T-connector, an elbow fitting, etc. All old parts were discarded as trash.
Before sleep time, Dima will prepare the Russian MBI-12 Sonokard payload and start his 10th experiment session, using a sports shirt from the Sonokard kit with a special device in the pocket for testing a new method for acquiring physiological data without using direct contact on the skin. Measurements are recorded on a data card for return to Earth. [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.]
FE-6 Coleman checked out a cable intended for the SAMS TSH (Space Acceleration Measurement System Triaxial Sensor Head) required to support operations of the new BXF (Boiling eXperiment Facility). [The cable was delivered with the BXF to replace an older TSH cable that had a short, as determined by Shannon Walker. After BXF was installed in the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) on 3/22, the MSG power controller/breaker (ESEM 4B) again tripped. Today’s task was to verify that the replacement cable is installed and if not, to search for it. If the new TSH cable is indeed installed, this may indicate a problem with the SAMS sensor itself. SAMS/TSH are required for the MSG/BXF science activities.]
The crew worked out with their regular 2-hr physical exercise on the TVIS treadmill (CDR), ARED advanced resistive exerciser (CDR, FE-5, FE-6) and T2/COLBERT advanced treadmill (FE-5, FE-6). [T2 snubber arm inspection is no longer needed after every T2 session but must be done after the last T2 session of the day.]
No CEO (Crew Earth Observation) targets uplinked for today.
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 8:35am EDT [= epoch])
Mean altitude – 352.4 km
Apogee height – 353.5 km
Perigee height – 351.4 km
Period — 91.59 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.00016
Solar Beta Angle — -20.8 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 198 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) – 70,820
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time and subject to change):
————–Three-crew operations————-
03/29/11 — HTV2 deorbit (DOM3: ~10:37pm)
04/04/11 — Soyuz TMA-21/26S launch – A. Borisenko (CDR-28)/R.Garan/A.Samokutayev – 6:18:20pm EDT
04/06/11 — Soyuz TMA-21/26S docking – ~7:18pm EDT
————–Six-crew operations————-
04/19/11 — STS-134/Endeavour launch ULF6 (ELC-3, AMS) ~7:48pm EDT
04/21/11 — STS-134/Endeavour docking
04/26/11 — Progress M-09M/41P undock
04/27/11 — Progress M-10M/42P launch
04/29/11 — Progress M-10M/42P docking (DC-1 nadir)
05/01/11 — STS-134/Endeavour undock
05/03/11 — STS-134/Endeavour landing
05/16/11 – Soyuz TMA-20/25S undock/landing (End of Increment 27)
————–Three-crew operations————-
05/30/11 — Soyuz TMA-02M/27S launch – M. Fossum (CDR-29)/S. Furukawa/S. Volkov
06/01/11 — Soyuz TMA-02M/27S docking (MRM1)
————–Six-crew operations————-
06/10/11 — ATV-2 “Johannes Kepler” undock (SM aft)
06/21/11 — Progress M-11M/43P launch
06/23/11 — Progress M-11M/43P docking (SM aft)
06/28/11 — STS-135/Atlantis launch ULF7 (MPLM) ~3:30pm EDT NET
06/30/11 — STS-135/Atlantis docking ULF7 (MPLM) NET
07/27/11 – Russian EVA #29
08/29/11 — Progress M-11M/43P undocking
08/30/11 — Progress M-12M/44P launch
09/01/11 — Progress M-12M/44P docking (SM aft)
09/16/11 – Soyuz TMA-21/26S undock/landing (End of Increment 28)
————–Three-crew operations————-
09/30/11 — Soyuz TMA-03M/28S launch – D.Burbank (CDR-30)/A.Shkaplerov/A.Ivanishin
10/02/11 – Soyuz TMA-03M/28S docking (MRM2)
————–Six-crew operations————-
10/25/11 — Progress M-10M/42P undocking
10/26/11 — Progress M-13M/45P launch
10/28/11 — Progress M-13M/45P docking (DC-1)
11/16/11 — Soyuz TMA-02M/27S undock/landing (End of Increment 29)
————–Three-crew operations————-
11/30/11 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S launch – O.Kononenko (CDR-31)/A.Kuipers/D.Pettit
12/02/11 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S docking (MRM1)
————–Six-crew operations—————-
12/26/11 — Progress M-13M/45P undock
12/27/11 — Progress M-14M/46P launch
12/29/11 — Progress M-14M/46P docking (DC-1)
02/29/12 — ATV3 launch readiness
03/05/12 — Progress M-12M/44P undock
03/16/12 — Soyuz TMA-03M/28S undock/landing (End of Increment 30)
————–Three-crew operations————-
03/30/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/30S launch – G.Padalka (CDR-32)/J.Acaba/K.Volkov
04/01/12 — 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)
05/16/12 — Soyuz TMA-04M/29S undock/landing (End of Increment 31)
————–Three-crew operations————-
05/29/12 – Soyuz TMA-06M/31S launch – S.Williams (CDR-33)/Y.Malenchenko/A.Hoshide
05/31/12 – Soyuz TMA-06M/31S docking
————–Six-crew operations—————-
09/18/12 — Soyuz TMA-05M/30S undock/landing (End of Increment 32)
————–Three-crew operations————-
10/02/12 — Soyuz TMA-07M/32S launch – K.Ford (CDR-34)/O.Novitskiy/E.Tarelkin
10/04/12 – Soyuz TMA-07M/32S docking
————–Six-crew operations————-
11/16/12 — Soyuz TMA-06M/31S undock/landing (End of Increment 33)
————–Three-crew operations————-
11/30/12 — Soyuz TMA-08M/33S launch – C.Hadfield (CDR-35)/T.Mashburn/R.Romanenko
12/02/12 – 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————-
