NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 5 August 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

Due to the threat from Tropical Storm/Hurricane Edouard, NASA JSC closed down yesterday at ~1:00pm EDT and currently remains closed until tomorrow (8/6) morning. ISS Mission Control Center is operating on a reduced weekend support (“GEMINI”) level. Onboard schedules will be re-planned as necessary. Crew activities as timelined in the original work schedules are summarized in the following, and actual task completions will be statused as soon as available.

CDR Volkov’s timeline for today called for Sergey to –

• Perform the periodic service 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, and to terminate the process at ~4:20pm EDT, with Bed #2 regeneration to follow 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 to remove any lingering Freon-218 from the cabin atmosphere (last time: 6/23&24)];
• Work in the DC1 Docking Compartment to mate the BNP telemetry connector;
• Replace the DC1’s PF1 & PF2 dust filters and clean the V1 & V2 fan grilles;
• Conduct 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;
• Take care of the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM;
• Conduct a teleconference (at ~7:55am) with ground specialists to discuss the RS1 laptop;
• Support a telephone interview (at ~8:05am) with an editor of the magazine Rossiyskiy Kosmos (Russian Space);
• Transfer US condensate water, collected from the US CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) air conditioner in a CWC (Contingency Water Container), to a Russian EDV container for processing as technical water for the Elektron oxygen (O2) generator;
• Perform the periodic (monthly) functional closure test of the Vozdukh CO2 removal system’s spare emergency vacuum valves (AVK), in the spare parts kit [The AVKs are critical because they close the Vozdukh’s vacuum access lines in the event of a malfunction in the regular vacuum valves (BVK) or a depressurization in the Vozdukh valve panel (BOA). Access to vacuum is required to vent CO2 during the regeneration of the absorbent cartridges (PP). During nominal operation, the AVK valves remain open.];
• Install thermal insulation on the newly repaired SKV-2 air conditioner; and
• Take the periodic readings of potentially harmful atmospheric contaminants in the SM, using the CMS (Countermeasure System), a component of the GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer suite, which uses preprogrammed microchips to measure H2CO (Formaldehyde, methanal), CO (Carbon Monoxide) and NH3 (Ammonia), taking one measurement per microchip.

FE-1 Kononenko’s timeline for today called for Oleg to –

• Remove the B13 logic unit of the FGB Solar Array Orientation System, with the latter powered down;
• Transfer more enclosures from the ATV for installation in the FGB in zone 35A (panel 403) to provide more efficient stowage spaces behind FGB panels and improve airflow/circulation;
• Conduct 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);
• Restow selected items in the FGB; and
• Support the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment, which researches growth and development of plants (peas) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-13 greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems {Russian: IMBP}), by monitoring the greenhouse, taking pictures and downloading them to the ground.

FE-2 Chamitoff’s work schedule for today called for Gregory to –

• Continue preparing the JAXA Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) for payload operation by setting up and checking out the Robotics BDS (Backup Drive System);
• Connect and turn on the MMA (Microgravity Measurement Apparatus) and MLT (MMA Laptop Terminal) on the RYUTAI Rack;
• Configure and activate the MMA/MLT on the SAIBO Rack;
• Activate and check out the JEM Robotics System (RMS) power switch;
• Start the gas supply on the CGSE (Common Gas Support Equipment), with its valve unit and four CO2 & Argon GBUs (gas bottle units); and
• Prepare and conduct the POC (Portable Onboard Computer) Software Cycle 11 transition, including the COL PWS (Columbus Orbital Laboratory Portable Workstations), from CDs (Compact Disks) after retrieving and auditing them.

Volkov & Kononenko had three hours set aside for more trash cargo transfers to Progress 29P.

The station residents were scheduled for their regular periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Gregory at ~10:25am, Oleg at ~12:05pm, Sergey at ~12:40pm.

The three crewmembers 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 (CDR, FE-1, FE-2), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR, FE-1). Later, Sergey 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).

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
08/4-6/08 — MCC-Houston closed due to Tropical Storm (TS)/Hurricane Edouard
08/13/08 — ATV Reboost
08/30/08 — Progress M-64/29P undocking, from FGB nadir
09/05/08 — ATV1 undocking, from SM aft port (loiter until ~9/25 for nighttime reentry/observation)
09/10/08 — Progress M-65/30P launch
09/12/08 — Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
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 port)
10/12/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/14/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (FGB nadir port)
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (DC1 nadir)
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
11/26/08 — Progress M-66/31P launch
11/28/08 — Progress M-66/31P docking
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
03/25/09 — Soyuz TMA-14/18S launch
05/15/09 — STS-127/Endeavour/2J/A launch – JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
07/30/09 — STS-128/Atlantis/17A – MPLM(P), last crew rotation
05/27/09 — Six-person crew on ISS (following Soyuz 19S docking, May ’09)
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).