NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 29 September 2008
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 24 of Increment 17.
At 9:31am EDT, the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) “Jules Verne” entered the atmosphere at an altitude of 120 km, breaking up at ~75 km and splashing into the Pacific Ocean about 12 minutes later.
FE-2 Chamitoff ended his fifth run (FD120) with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository by collecting a final urine sample upon wakeup for storage in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). The sampling kit was then stowed away. His next NUTRITION activity will be the FD180 session. [The current NUTRITION project is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight. It includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes, expanding the previous Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L) testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by MELFI), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.]
CDR Volkov performed the periodic maintenance of the active Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System) by starting the "bake-out" cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #1 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The process will be terminated at ~4:15pm EDT and Bed #2 regeneration performed tomorrow. [Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. The BMP’s regeneration cycle, normally done every 20 days, is currently performed four times more frequently (last time: 9/16 & 9/17).]
Volkov also had ~90 min set aside for the periodic equipment servicing in the SM’s ASU toilet facility, changing out replaceable parts with new components, e.g., a filter insert (F-V), the pretreat container (E-K), and the E-K’s hose. All old parts were discarded as trash. [E-K contains five liters of pre-treat solution, i.e., a mix of H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), CrO3 (chromium oxide, for oxidation and purple color), and H2O (water). The pre-treat liquid is mixed with water in a dispenser (DKiV) and used for toilet flushing.]
FE-1 Kononenko performed IFM (Inflight Maintenance) and functionality checks on the Russian VELO cycle ergometer (VB-3), replacing parts of the cycle’s generator and reassembling the exercise device’s generator unit with its noise-suppressing rubber-metal bushings, then configuring it for operation.
FE-2 Chamitoff set up the video equipment in the Japanese JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) and later recorded some footage for JAXA.
Continuing the extended leak checking of the spare BZh Liquid Unit (#056) for the Elektron O2 generator, Oleg Kononenko charged the unit once again with pressurized N2 from the BPA Nitrogen Purge Unit (#23) to 1 atm (1 kg/cm2). The last test pressurization to monitor for leakage was on 7/20. [Objective of the checkout of the BZh, which has been in stowage for almost 2 years, was to check for leakage and good water passage through the feed line inside of the BZh (from ZL1 connector to the buffer tank) and to check the response of the Electronics Unit’s micro switches (signaling “Buffer Tank is Empty” & “Buffer Tank is Full”. During Elektron operation, the inert gas locked up in the BZh has the purpose to prevent dangerous O2/H2 mixing. A leaking BZh cannot be used.]
In preparation for brief Progress thruster firings at ~9:20am EDT, Chamitoff closed the protective shutters of the science window in the JAXA JPM and U.S. Lab. [The firings were in support of the ATV “Jules Verne” viewing activity with the Russian GFI-1 Relaksatsiya equipment. For the experiment, ISS attitude control authority was handed over to Russian MCS (Motion Control System) at 9:10am and returned to US Momentum Management at ~10:10am. The Lab window could then be re-opened two orbits later, at ~1:10pm.]
The FE-1 set up the Fialka-MV-KOSMOS hardware of the GFI-1 RELAXATION experiment hardware at SM window #9 and used its UV (ultraviolet) camera and spectrometer, controlled from Laptop 3, to record relaxation process imagery & plasma spectra of the ATV’s fiery entry in the Earth’s atmosphere at 9:31am EDT. Afterwards, Oleg tore down and stowed the hardware. [The return of ESA’s first logistics vehicle began with a deorbit burn of 70 m/s delta-V at 8:58am. ATV1 breakup started at an altitude of about 75 km, with the remaining fragments splashing into the Pacific Ocean some 12 min later.]
After clearing the rotation paths of four racks (D1, P3, O6, S6) in the US Lab and configuring the settings (viscosity readings) of the Non-intrusive Flow Meter, Gregory Chamitoff worked on adjusting the ITCS MFCVs (Internal Thermal Control System/Manual Flow Control Valves) in the Lab Forward Endcone and behind the P3 and O3 racks. [The MFCV adjustments in the Lab with the battery-driven non-intrusive Flow Meter are in preparation for the future Regenerative ECLSS (Environment Control & Life Support System). Working in the Fwd Endcone required partial-to-full rotation of the D1 rack and removal of the OGS WDS (Oxygen Generation System/Water Delivery System), D1 SD (Smoke Detector) and demating of ISL (Integrated Station OpsLAN) Ethernet cabling. For accessing the MFCV behind the rotated P3 rack required removal of the CEVIS, and for getting behind the rotated O6 rack, Greg had to remove stowage from the Bay 6 area.]
Sergey Volkov performed the periodic inspection & cleaning of the FDS (Fire Detection & Suppression) system’s bacteria filters and SDs (smoke detectors) in the US Airlock (one SD), Node-1 (2 SDs) and Lab (2 SDs). After removing the closeouts in Node-2 (2 SDs) for the cleaning, the CDR removed SD #2 and replaced it with a new spare, taking documentary photography of the SD connectors afterwards.
After temporarily turning off the SRVK-2M Condensate Processor behind panel 436 in the SM, Oleg installed a “residue-trap” insert in the condensate hose upstream of the Processor’s inlet. [Purpose: to collect and provide visual monitoring of sediments brought in with the condensate from the BRPK-1/2 (Condensate Separator & Pumping Unit), downstream from the BKO Multifiltration Unit and the BKV Water Conditioning Unit (which treats the condensate water with salts for taste and silver ions for preservation.]
Afterwards, Kononenko took the periodic readings of potentially harmful atmospheric contaminants in the SM, using the CMS (Countermeasure System), a component of the SKDS GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer suite, today using preprogrammed microchips to measure for Isopropanol (“rubbing alcohol”, C3H8O), Methanol (“wood alcohol”, CH3OH) and Toluene (methylbenzene, C7H8).
The FE-1 completed the periodic collection of air samples in the SM & FGB using the AK-1M sampler kit, recording date, time & location. A second sample for Freon-210 was taken in the SM with the AK-1M-F. Kits and pouches were then restowed.
Kononenko also conducted the periodic atmospheric sampling in the center of the Lab, SM and COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) with the U.S. GSC (Grab Sample Container), using GSCs #1038, #1011, and one 30P-delivered GSC.
Additionally, Oleg performed the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS (Russian Segment) hatchways, including the passageways SM PrK (Transfer Compartment) – RO (SM Working Compartment), PkhO (SM Transfer Tunnel) – RO, PkhO – DC1, PkhO – FGB PGO, FGB PGO – FGB GA, and FGB GA-Node-1.
The CDR meanwhile conducted 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.]
Sergey 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).
The crew completed 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 (FE-2), TVIS treadmill (CDR/2.5h, FE-1/2.5h), and RED resistive exercise device (FE-2).
Later, Volkov will transfer 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).
Sergey set up the TTM-2 and “Kelvin-Video” batteries for charging for another operational run of the Russian KPT-2 “Expert” science payload BAR-RM. Charging will be terminated tomorrow (9/30), followed by closeout ops and re-stowing. [Payload objective is to experiment with ISS leak detection based on environmental data anomalies (temperature, humidity, and ultrasound emissions) at leak locations. The payload uses a remote infrared thermometer (Kelvin-Video), a thermohygrometer (Iva-6A), a heat-loss anemometer/thermometer (TTM-2), an ultrasound analyzer (AU-01), and a leak detector (UT2-03) to determine physical background signs of loss of ISS pressure integrity which could be indicative of leaks in the working compartments of the station. Measurements are to be taken in specific zones (13 in SM PkhO and 4 in DC1), both with lights & fans turned on and off. ]
Week 24 Scheduled Main Activities:
- Tue. (9/30): MO-7; BMP ch.2 regen; TEPC relocate; NOA1 exp.; RED inspect.; IWIS reprog.; Node-1 RFCA Flowmeter test, ITCS MTL (MFCV) adjust, A/L MTL Flowmeter meas.; FMK stow; Kazbek fit checks; crew dep. preps.
- Wed. (10/1): HRF-2 relocate & mate; 30P trash stow; MO-4; SODF updates; REGUL-Paket reconfig.; Crew Departure preps.; OGS Power reconfig.
- Thu. (10/2): HRF-1 relocate & mate; 30P trash stow; KPT-12 expmt.; RS Ventilation cleaning; WRM CWC audit.
- Fri. (10/3): MELFI rack relocate & mate; CDMK chck.; BRI-RSS1 data dump; JPM Panels reconfig; RS Ventilation cleaning; 30P trash stow.
- Sat. (10/4): Station cleaning; SAMS activation; SOLO Diet monitor.
- Sun. (10/5): PFP-ODNT OBT/trng.; SODF updating
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, 6:02am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 352.3 km
Apogee height — 356.6 km
Perigee height — 348.0 km
Period — 91.58 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.000643
Solar Beta Angle — 11.5 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 48 hours — 70 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 56493
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
10/01/08 — NASA 50 Years (official)
10/02/08 — ISS Reboost (~1.8 m/s)
10/14/08 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4) 12:33am
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)
10/24/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (DC1 nadir) & landing
11/02/08 — Progress 30P reboost
11/16/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC (~7:02pm EST)
11/18/08 — 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
12/01/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 landing (~1:25pm EST est.)
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).
