NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 4 November 2008
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.
Upon wakeup, CDR Fincke started the next part (3rd of 5) of the periodic acoustic measurement protocol by recording post-sleep data of the crew-worn acoustic dosimeters, later deploying the dosimeters statically (Part 4), one at the SM (Service Module) Central Post, one in Node-2 and the third in an empty rack bay in the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) which is being considered as a future temporary sleep station. Later, at ~2:00pm EST, Fincke recorded the data taken by the three static dosimeters during the day (Part 5), and then stowed the dosimeters. [Acoustic data must be taken twice per Increment, each time for the duration of the 16-hour crew workday.]
Before morning inspection and breakfast, FE-1 Lonchakov terminated his second experiment session for the long-term Russian sleep study MBI-12/SONOKARD, 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. [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-2 Chamitoff started his day by downloading the accumulated data of the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment from his Actiwatches to the HRF-1 (Human Research Facility 1) laptop as part of his final week-long session with SLEEP. [To monitor the crewmember’s sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Greg wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition and uses 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. This is Week 3 of 3 for the FE-2.]
In the SM, Lonchakov serviced the new Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-1 ("Plants-1") experiment, copying initial data to a PCMCIA memory card for subsequent downlink via BSR-TM and OCA channels, plus filling the KDV water canister. [Rasteniya-1 researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the LADA-14 “greenhouse” from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems, Russian: IMBP). The payload hardware includes a module (MIS/Module for the Investigation of Substrates), a MIS control unit (BU), a nitrogen purge unit (BPA) and other accessories. During its operation, the experiment requires regular daily maintenance of the experiment involving monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, and photo/video recording.]
Chamitoff continued the new (monthly) round of periodic preventive maintenance of ventilation systems in the RS (Russian Segment), working in the FGB cleaning the ventilation screens of panels 201, 301 & 401.
Also in the FGB, the FE-1 made preparations for the subsequent R&R (removal and replacement) of Komparus components scheduled for the next few days (11/4-11/8), today first tagging up with ground specialists via S-band to discuss the activities, then setting up the work area and switching protective caps on a power outlet (148A). [“Komparus” is the FGB’s communications portal. The Komparus (KIS) onboard radio command & measuring system activates and deactivates the FGB’s radio telemetry system, with transmitters, commutators, external antennas, etc. of its two independently operating RTU-A and -B data telemetry subsystems.]
In support of JAXA/Tsukuba operations in the Kibo module (uplinking new databases & downlinking log files after database test runs), Gregory connected a JEMRMS (JEM Robotic Manipulator System) power cable to a UOP (Utility Outlet Panel), then powered up and checked the JEMRMS BUC (Backup Controller). After the ground commanding was done, the FE-2 turned off the BUC and disconnected the power cable.
In preparation for tomorrow’s scheduled ESP-3 (External Stowage Platform 3) relocation from the zenith side of the P3 truss element to the MCAS (Mobile Base System [MBS] Common Attachment System), Mike Fincke and Greg Chamitoff conducted the usual one-hour review of DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) software. [The EBCS (External Berthing Camera System), which will be required for the ESP-3 relocation, was properly checked out by the ground on 9/8, with support by Volkov & Chamitoff.]
In the Kibo JLP (JEM Logistics Pressurized Module), Greg replaced a damaged PBA (Portable Breathing Assembly) mask (with a broken comm piece) with a new PHA QDMA (Prebreathe Hose Assembly/Quick-Don Mask Assembly) from the spares kit. [A new QDM will be transferred on ULF2 FD4 from the Endeavour to the PHA spares kit prior to the EVA Prebreathe.]
Mike Fincke had ~1:45h set aside to work on the RED (Resistive Exercise Device), adjusting its spiral pulleys in order to increase canister loading and installing two external splines, including one found. Afterwards, the CDR performed the usual load re-calibration of the canisters. [The calibration allows accurate execution of exercise protocol objectives. Upon receipt of the results of the calibration data, ground specialists review the data and, assuming favorable engineering analysis, give the crew a GO for their RED exercise session. Calibration of the load settings of the pulley cans is performed with an on-orbit calibration kit with a special calibration tool and steel handles. Downlink from Mike after the successful calibration: “Cheers!”]
Mike & Greg had another 3:20h reserved for hardware prepacking for the STS-126/ULF2, using as reference a revised uplinked Prepack List which reflects crew calldowns from yesterday’s tagup.
The CDR also conducted the routine daily servicing of the SOZh (ECLSS) system 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 performing US condensate processing (transfer from CWC to EDV containers) if condensate is available.]
Later, the FE-2 performed 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 had their periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Greg at ~10:10am, Mike at ~10:50am, and Yuri at ~ 11:40am EST.
FE-1 Lonchakov again had an hour to himself for general orientation (station familiarization & acclimatization) as is standard daily rule for fresh crewmembers for the first two weeks after starting station residence, if she/he chooses to take it.
The crew performed 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, FE-1), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).
At 10:30am EST, Gregory supported the periodic VHF-1 emergency communications check over NASA’s VHF (Very High Frequency) stations, today with the Dryden (10:33am) and White Sands (10:36am) VHF sites, talking with Houston/Capcom, MSFC/PAYCOM (Payload Operation & Integration Center Communicator), Moscow/GLAVNI (TsUP Capcom), EUROCOM/Munich and JCOM/Tsukuba in the normal fashion via VHF radio from a handheld microphone and any of the USOS ATUs (Audio Terminal Units). [Purpose of the test is to verify signal reception and link integrity, improve crew proficiency, and ensure minimum required link margin during emergency (no TDRS) and special events (such as a Soyuz relocation).]
At ~5:10am, CDR Fincke powered up the SM’s amateur radio equipment (Kenwood VHF transceiver with manual frequency selection, headset, & power supply) and conducted, at 5:15am, a ham radio exchange with St. Thomas’ Primary School, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Several displays were planned for the school library on the school’s ARISS (Amateur Radio in ISS) project, with information on the NASA space program, Amateur Radio and ARISS. They also have a link to the school ARISS Project web site, NASA and the current location of the ISS, plus an interactive section where children can listen to past ARISS school contacts. Questions were uplinked to Mike beforehand. [“How did the space station get into space and how does it stay there?”; “What is it like eating and sleeping in space?”; “Do you have night and day in the space station?”; “Where does the space station get its power from?”; “Besides humans, are there any living things on the space station?”; “Is there any danger of being hit by a meteoroid when on a space walk and what protection do you have?”; “What do you do if some one gets sick or injured in space?”; “With astronauts on the space station from so many countries, what time zone does it work in?”; “Do you get to speak to your family from the space station?”; “How long is it safe to live in the space station before it starts to affect your health?”; “How do you have enough oxygen to breath on the space station?”; “What do you miss the most about earth?”]
At ~1:05pm, the crew downlinked two TV addresses with Russian/English greetings, one on the 90th Anniversary of the N. E. Zhukovski Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) in the city of Zhukovski, the other to the personnel of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and participants of the Day of Militia ceremony on 11/10. [TsAGI, founded on December 1, 1918, by Professor Nikolai Egorovich Zhukovski, a pioneer of national aviation, today maintains ties with over 50 leading aerospace companies and research centers in the US, Europe and Asia in the areas of theoretical and experimental aviation research. Zhukovski, the “Father of Russian Aviation” is known for the saying “Rather than using the strength of their muscles, humans will fly using the power of their minds”.]
At ~3:00pm, the E18 crew is scheduled for a teleconference with the crew of the STS-126 mission, via S/G-2 for audio and Ku-Band for video.
CEO photo targets uplinked for today were South Tibesti Megafans (ISS had a clear, mid-morning pass over this target located in northwestern Chad south of the Tibesti Mountains. Relict channels of an extensive megafan river system occupy a large area, probably dating from the last wet period in the Sahara Desert [~10,000 years ago]. These channel networks appear to be good analogs for river-like lines on Mars. Overlapping images at nadir along the ground track were requested. The relict stream beds are located on the light-toned flats south of dark volcanic slopes of the Tibesti Mountains), Vredefort Impact Crater (this large, ancient impact located in northern South Africa is about 300km in diameter and over 2 billion years old. On this fair-weather pass near midday, Mike & Greg approached the impact from the NW. Looking just right of track and using the long lens settings for a mapping of the visible rim features of the impact), Georgia/S. Sandwich (the South Georgia Island is an arching, mountainous and glaciated island that lies about 860 miles east-southeast of the Falkland Islands. The South Sandwich Islands form a separate island group to the SE. Weather was marginal [partly cloudy at best], but Mike & Greg were to try for detailed views of the glaciers on the north coast of South Georgia. The pass was in the best light near midday), and Patagonian Glaciers (the Northern Patagonian Ice Field is the northernmost of two large remaining ice fields of South America, located in the Andes Mountains of southern Chile. It is also the world’s largest ice field so far from the poles. Looking just left of track on this partly cloudy pass near midday. Mike & Greg were to try for detailed views of the glacier features, particularly on the western and northern margins).
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, 7:35am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 352.1 km
Apogee height — 354.3 km
Perigee height — 349.9 km
Period — 91.58 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0003272
Solar Beta Angle — 6.1 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 48 hours — 56 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 57061
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
11/05/08 — ESP-3 relocation
11/14/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC; 7:55pm EST
11/16/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 docking; ~4:56pm
11/20/08 — ISS 10 Years
11/25/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking & deorbit
11/26/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
11/27/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 undocking; 10:32am
11/29/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 landing; ~2:01 pm
11/30/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking
02/09/09 — Progress M-66/31P undocking & deorbit
02/10/09 — Progress M-67/32P launch02/12/09 — 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
Six-person crew on ISS
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 (contingency)
05/31/10 — STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 – ELC3, ELC4 (contingency).
