NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 5 September 2008

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

Sleep Cycle Shift: Due to the late-afternoon ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) undocking, the crew’s sleep cycle shifted by 1.5 hrs: wake-up this morning was at 3:30am EDT, sleeptime begins tonight at 7:00pm. Wake-up tomorrow will also be at 3:30am, and the cycle then moves back to normal.

CDR Volkov started out on the first part of the scheduled replacement of the renewable condensate removal lines (SMOK) of the Russian SOTR Thermal Control System in the Service Module (SM), first verifying shutdown of the two condensate pumps (NOK-1 & NOK-2), then purging the SMOK hoses with air and installing the first set of them between the BTA heat exchanger-evaporator of the SKV-1 air conditioner and the NOK-1 pump.

Continuing the current anti-virus campaign of “cleaning” and reloading RS (Russian Segment) crew support laptops, flash memory cards and DVDs with new antivirus software, FE-1 Kononenko downlinked the results of yesterday’s RSS-1 & RSE-med laptop scans to the ground via Regul BRI/Smart Switch Router telemetry channel.

In the JAXA Kibo laboratory, FE-2 Chamitoff worked on the CBEF (Cell Biology Experiment Facility) to troubleshoot the malfunctioning door lock of the incubator and to take digital photos of three indicated locations (total of ~9 photos). [CBEF provides an incubation environment with controlled temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide (CO2) level. CBEF also has a centrifuge chamber for generating “artificial gravity”, thus enabling simultaneous experiments under both micro-G and controlled-G conditions.]

After starting to troubleshoot the CGSE (Common Gas Supply Equipment) CO2 leak in the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) on 9/3, Gregory Chamitoff today was to wrap up Part 1 of the investigation and prepare the systems for the scheduled leak check which is to track down the source of the still unexplained CO2 loss. [Activities included isolating the Saibo rack from the system CO2 line by disconnecting the QD (Quick Disconnect) on the UIP (Utility Interface Panel/Z-Panel), then repressurizing the system CO2 line from the upper CGSE GBU (Gas Bottle Units), to be monitored by SSIPC (Space Station Integration & Promotion Center) at Tsukuba/Japan for two days to determine if either the system or the payload is the CO2 leak source. Background: On 8/8, the CBEF in the Saibo rack exhibited a sudden unexpected pressure drop at the CGSE CO2 high-pressure sensor, from 3000 kPa to 500 kPa within 1.5 minutes.  Specialists believe that the SSV closed itself unexpectedly, making it a potential contributor to the sudden pressure decrease.  Also suspected is leakage from the CO2 supply line.  Next steps of the troubleshooting will depend on the result of the two-day leak check.]

For a scheduled checkout of the G1 video camcorder with MPC (Multipurpose Converter) and IPU (Image Processing Unit), set up in the Kibo JPM yesterday, Chamitoff configured the camcorder for playing back some recorded test scenes, then downlinked the data (camcorder footage plus file transfer from the MLT/Terminal Laptop) through the MPC and IPU.    [The MPC is part of the video equipment used for HDTV (High Definition TV) playback & downlink. While MPC has already been in general use in the Lab, this was the first MPC operation in Kibo, using JAXA-developed DC power supply, cables and a camera arm that are not used in the Lab. The IPU in the JPM’s Ryutai rack can receive analog signals from the G1, and today’s downlink of G1 data via IPU was to verify the integrity of both the G1 camcorder and IPU.]

Oleg Kononenko had two hours set aside to conduct the periodic audit/inventory of RODF (Russian Operations Data File) procedures material. [Going by an uplinked listing of ~48 ODFs, the audit was to verify whether RS procedures (Cue Cards) tabulated in the uplink are still available onboard, record the actual stowage location of them, take note of any discrepancies in their locations, ODF designations and number of copies, assess ODF conditions, and discard any ODF cue cards not listed in the uplink.]

Later, the FE-1 went about taking the periodic readings of potentially harmful atmospheric contaminants in the SM, using the CMS (Countermeasure System). [The CMS, a component of the GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer suite, uses preprogrammed microchips to measure, normally, H2CO (Formaldehyde, methanal), CO (Carbon Monoxide) and NH3 (Ammonia), taking one measurement per microchip.]

Oleg also conducted the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS (Russian Segment) hatchways, including the passageways SM PrK (Transfer Compartment)-SM RO (Working Compartment), SM PkhO (Transfer Tunnel)-RO, PkhO-DC1, PkhO-FGB PGO, FGB PGO-FGB GA, FGB GA-Node-1, and skipping the Soyuz hatch today.

Greg used the MAS (Microbial Air Sampler) kit to obtain periodic microbiology air samples from ISS modules (mid-module locations), including the Kibo laboratory. [MAS sampling is performed once every three months, taking bacterial and fungal air samples at each location, and there are two locations sampled in each module. The samples are analyzed after 5-days of incubation in four Petri dishes.]

The FE-2 also collected microbiological surface samples with the SSK (Surface Sample Kit) in the SM, Node-1 (at the location where the crew dries their clothing) and Lab.   [As for MAS, bacterial and fungal air samples are usually taken at two locations in the module being checked. The samples are analyzed after 5-days of incubation. For onboard visual analysis of media slides, the crew has a procedure for visual inspection of samples for bacterial and fungal colony growths after appropriate incubation periods.]

Chamitoff performed another standard sensor calibration on the new CSA-O2 (Compound Specific Analyzer-Oxygen) units #1043 & #1059, delivered on 1J.

Continuing the current round of periodic preventive maintenance of RS ventilation systems, Kononenko worked in the DC1 (Docking Compartment), replacing the PF1 & PF2 filter cartridges and cleaning the V1 & V2 fan grilles and VD1 & VD2 air ducts.

As next step in transitioning the JSL (Joint Station LAN) network to the new Netgear wireless APs (Access Points, WAPs) which provide the JSL with Ethernet connectivity, Gregory powered off the RF (radio frequency) LAN “Proxim” AP in Node-1 & Node-2, then inserted a new wireless network card into the SSC-11 (Station Support Computer 11) laptop, in support of a subsequent remote wireless checkout by the ground.

Sergey Volkov 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.]

Oleg Kononenko completed 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).

In the U.S. Lab, Volkov performed another controlled shut-down of the EHS VOA (Environmental Health System-Volatile Organic Analyzer), with the ground power-cycling its RPC (Remote Power Controller).

In preparation for tonight’s ATV undocking, Chamitoff closed the protective shutters of the science window in the JAXA JPM and in the U.S. Lab.

Later today, CDR Volkov & FE-1 Kononenko will be supporting the undocking and separation of “Jules Verne” by –

• Setting up and activating the KL-152 “Klest” television equipment in the SM with the ATV TV control console (BRTK-PU) [with Ku-band downlink via OCA of the MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Expert Group 2) “streaming video” packets, which MCC-Houston will then pass on to the ESA Gateway for COL-CC (Columbus Control Center) to forward the downlink to TsUP-Moscow; but NASA-TV will not be covering the undocking],
• Preparing the PCE (Proximity Communications Equipment) gear for the undocking, supported by ground specialist tagup via S-band (~3:55pm),
• Taking video and photography of the ATV forward cone at separation (~5:32pm), i.e., focusing the Nikon D2X still camera especially on the two TGM (Telegoniometer) sensor boxes and two VDM (Videometer) sensor boxes in front,
• Monitoring the fly-away from an SM window for situational awareness and safety,
• On TsUP Go, switching the PrK-to-aft port vestibule PEV (Pressure Equalization Valve, KVD) manually to its Closed position, and
• Observing proximity operations of the ATV from any aft window as “Jules Verne” ventures out on its independent flight phase.

At ~5:30am EDT, the crew held the regular (nominally weekly) tagup with the Russian Flight Control Team (GOGU/Glavnaya operativnaya gruppa upravleniya = “Chief Operative Control Group”), including Shift Flight Director (SRP), at TsUP-Moscow via S-band/audio, phone-patched from Houston and Moscow.

At ~9:55am, Sergey & Oleg linked up with TsUP stowage specialists via S-band to conduct the weekly IMS tagup, discussing inventory & stowage issues, equipment locations and cargo transfers.

The station residents 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 (FE-2), TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1), and RED resistive exercise device (FE-2).

Later, Volkov transferred the exercise data files 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).

Working from the Russian discretionary “time permitting” task list, Oleg performed the regular status check on 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}).

S1 Radiator Cover Sheet Debonding: Imagery shows that a face sheet has peeled back on one panel of the S1 radiator, for currently unknown reasons. The heat rejection capability of the radiator has not been impacted to any significant extent, and the debonding of the face sheet is no issue for ATV undocking. [Each of the eight radiator panels has two thermal face sheets, one on each side, which are epoxy-glued and autoclaved to the honeycomb structure of the radiator. The face sheets have a thermal surface coating designed to maximize heat reflection & absorption transfer to space. Further investigation is underway, and specialists are currently keeping a camera on the panel for monitoring.]

WRM Update: An updated WRM (Water Recovery Management) “cue card” was uplinked overnight for the crew’s reference, updated with yesterday’s water audit. [The new card (17-0002Y) lists 30 CWCs (~1095.0 L total) for the four types of water identified on board: technical water (362.3 L, for flushing only because of Wautersia bacteria), potable water (706.7 L, incl. 174.6 L currently on hold), condensate water (9 L), waste/EMU dump and other (17 L). Wautersia bacteria are typical water-borne microorganisms that have been seen previously in ISS water sources. These isolates pose no threat to human health.]

ATV “Jules Verne” Undocking: Tonight, the ATV cargo ship, carrying ~900 kg (2,000 lbs) of dry waste and 254 kg (560 pounds) of liquid waste, will undock from the ISS SM aft port, according to the following summary flight plan:

• ISS mnvr to undocking attitude 3:10pm EDT
• ISS Free Drift 5:27pm
• Sunrise 5:27:36pm
• Undock Command 5:28pm
• Phys.Sep/hooks open (spring delta-V=0.08m/s) 5:31pm
• ATV departure burn (316 s, delta-V=4.00 m/s) 5:32pm
• ISS mnvr to TEA attitude 5:55pm
• Sunset 6:24pm
• Independent flight until deorbit on 9/29 (Monday):
• Deorbit Burn #1 (29.80 m/s) 6:14:39am
• Deorbit Burn #2 (70.28 m/s) 9:12:27am

CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today were Hurricane Ike, Atlantic Ocean (Dynamic Event. Hurricane Ike is now a strong Category 3 storm, and exhibits well-defined outflow banding and an eye feature. Greg was to look to the right of track for the hurricane. Current track predictions have Ike encountering the Bahamas by early next week), Madrean Sky Islands, SW USA/Mexico (the Madrean Sky Islands are patches of forest near the summits of the high mountains of the southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico. These forests are remnants of much more extensive vegetation that once existed at lower elevations in cooler and wetter climates. Looking to the W as ISS passed over New Mexico and northern Mexico for views of the mountains. Oblique images of the mountains were requested to provide context for later high-resolution imagery), and Pilcomayo River dynamics, Northern Argentina (the Pilcomayo River rises in the Andes Mountains to the west. Images of the river course and adjacent floodplains – located to the right of track – were requested for investigation of river dynamics and land cover change near the banks).

CEO photography can be studied at this “Gateway” website:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov (as of 3/1/08, this database contained 757,605 views of the Earth from space, with 314,000 from the ISS alone).

Week 20/21 Scheduled Main Activities:

• Sat. (9/6): FFQ; IWIS deactivation.
• Sun. (9/7): Station cleaning; DCP video bypass cable install for Robotics; PFC (FE-2).
• Mon. (9/8): SLEEP; Acoustic Survey; BMP ch.1 regen; POC-DOUG revw; SSRMS/ESP-3; Hatch seal inspect; CGSE troubleshoot; EMER OBT; ATV MBRL/PCE uninstall; Iridium phone recharge.
• Tue. (9/9): SLEEP; Acoustic Survey; BMP ch.2 regen; TORU OBT; O-OHA; EMU batt. maint.; BCAT-3 fam.; PMCs; JAXA AQUA-Ink Ball exp.; MBI-12.
• Wed. (9/10): SLEEP; MBI-18; MBI-12 term/dwnld; “Life on ISS” video; RS Video/MPEG-2 Ku-Band test; CGSE troubleshoot; SOTR-SMOK R&R; SSK/MAS T+5 analyses; BCAT-3/-4.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 8:49am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 353.3 km
Apogee height — 358.0 km
Perigee height — 348.7 km
Period — 91.61 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0006899
Solar Beta Angle — 18.5 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours — 62 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 56117

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
09/08/08 — Progress M-64/29P de-orbit (~4:45pm)
09/10/08 — Progress M-65/30P launch (~3:49:45pm)
09/12/08 — Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft, ~5:08pm DM)
09/29/08 — ATV de-orbit (nighttime re-entry for observation from 2 NASA planes; 9:12pm)
10/01/08 — NASA 50 Years (official)
10/10/08 — STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission 4 (SM4) 12:33am [new target date]
10/11/08 — Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft)
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)
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (DC1 nadir) or 10/24?
11/12/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC [new target date]
11/14/08 — 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
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).