NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 9 October 2008

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.
FE-2 Chamitoff continued the daily diet monitoring for the SOLO (Sodium Loading in Microgravity) experiment. SOLO runs in two blocks of six days each, with the second starting today. [For the SOLO experiment, Chamitoff follows a special high-salt diet, for which prepared meals are provided onboard. All three daily meals are being logged on sheets stowed in the PCBA Consumable Kit in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS) along with control solution and cartridges for the PCBA. Blood and urine samples are stowed in the MELFI.]
Upon wakeup, FE-1 Kononenko terminated his twelfth SONOKARD experiment session for the long-term Russian sleep study MBI-12, 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. Sergey Volkov’s new MBI-12 session starts tonight (~4:50pm). [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.]
The two Russian crewmembers had their second preliminary training session with the Russian "Chibis" LBNP suit (lower body negative pressure; Russian: ODNT), ramping up to get them ready for returning to gravity on 10/24. Assisting each other in turn as CMO (Crew Medical Officer), the subjects were supported in their two one-hour sessions by ground specialist tagup via VHF at 5:20am (DO16) & 6:50am EDT (DO1). [The assessment uses the Gamma-1 ECG equipment with biomed harness, skin electrodes and a blood pressure and rheoplethysmograph cuff wired to the cycle ergometer’s instrumentation panels. The Chibis ODNT provides gravity-simulating stress to the body’s cardiovascular/circulatory system for evaluation of Volkov’s and Kononenko’s orthostatic tolerance (e.g., the Gauer-Henry reflex) after several months in zero-G. The preparatory training generally consists of first imbibing 150-200 milliliters of water or juice, followed by two cycles of a sequence of progressive regimes of reduced (“negative”) pressure, set today at -15, -20, -25, and -30 mmHg (Torr) for five min. each while shifting from foot to foot at 10-12 steps per minute, wearing a sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure. The body’s circulatory system interprets the pressure differential between upper and lower body as a gravity-like force pulling the blood (and other liquids) down. Chibis data and biomed cardiovascular readings are recorded. The Chibis suit (not to be confused with the Russian “Pinguin” suit for spring-loaded body compression, or the "Kentavr" anti-g suit worn during reentry) is similar to the U.S. LBNP facility (not a suit) used for the first time on Skylab in 1973/74, although it appears to accomplish its purpose more quickly.]
The CDR worked on the BRPK air/liquid separator of the SRVK-2M condensate water processor, replacing two A-B hoses and using water from an EDV container and a pump to test the impact of a possibly clogged A-N hose hydro-connector on the separator’s service life.
The FE-1 meanwhile completed the monthly radiation data checkup for accumulated flux & dose rate data with the Matryoshka-R radiation payload (RBO-3-2) and its LULIN-5 electronics box. Afterwards, Kononenko also conducted the periodic data transfer and time synchronization between the RSS1 laptop and the BSPN payload server for transfer of accumulated Matryoshka data from the BSPN, to be downlinked on OCA comm (via the Russian RSS1 laptop to a PCMCIA flash card). [Before RSS1/BSPN synchronization, the RSS1 is updated with the exact time as per the station clock (which in turn is synchronized daily from RGS/Russian Ground Site). Experiment control application is a payload file transfer program called ShellForKE.]
After yesterday’s preparations for today’s rack relocation, Greg Chamitoff, assisted by the CDR, moved the last three racks from their original positions to their final locations, preceded by clearing obstructing equipment items from the rack fronts, the destination bays and the transfer “corridor”. The relocations also required the temporary relocation of the Lab & Cupola RWS (Robotic Work Station) laptops, which were subsequently restored, and some reconfigurations in the JAXA Kibo module. For the outfitting, the following rack transfers were completed:
- One ZSR (Zero-G Stowage Rack) from the US Lab (position O5) to the JPM (JEM Pressurized Module, pos. F6),
- one ZSR from the Node-2 (pos. D5) to the JLP (JEM Pressurized Logistics Segment, pos. A2), and
- one RSR (Resupply Stowage Rack) from Node-2 (pos. P5) to the US Lab (pos. O5).
- Preparatory to the return flight of the Soyuz TMA-12/16S vehicle, docked at the DC1 nadir port, Volkov performed the periodic cleaning of the screen of the BVN air heater fan assembly in the spacecraft’s Orbital Module (BO).
For the Russian BTKh-11 BIODEGRADATSIYA ("Biodegradation”) experiment, Oleg collected surface samples from specific equipment and structures in the Service Module (SM) for subsequent stowage in the TMA-12 Descent Module for microbial analysis on Earth. [The activities, supported by ground specialist tagup via S-band, were documented with the Nikon D1X digital camera with SB 28DX flash attachment for downlink via OCA.]
Sergey 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.
Gregory completed the weekly 10-min. CWC (Contingency Water Container) inventory as part of on-going WRM (Water Recovery & Management) assessment of onboard water supplies. Updated “cue cards” based on the crew’s water calldowns are sent up every other week. [The new card (17-1016B) lists 29 CWCs (~962.3 L total) for the four types of water identified on board: technical water (283.2 L, for Elektron electrolysis, except for 22.2 L off-limit because of Wautersia bacteria), potable water (627.6 L, incl. 174.6 L currently on hold), condensate water (34.5 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.]
For another VolSci (Voluntary Science) program session later tonight, Greg set up the BCAT-4 (Binary Colloid Alloy Test 4) experiment in the Lab Avionics Racks 2 & 3 seat track area (no MWA/Maintenance Work Area table), along with camcorder and still camera,- to take video and photos of Greg’s subsequent sample homogenization plus the last sample (#3), and then initiated the activity. [The FE-2 configured the SGSM (slow growth sample module) by mixing the samples 8, 9, 10, and 3 and starting automated photography of sample 3 with the Kodak DCS-760 digital still camera controlled by the EarthKAM software running on an SSC (Station Support Computer), automatically taking one photo every hour of sample 3 for the next six days.]
The FE-2 verified closure of the protective window shutters in the Lab and Kibo module, preparatory to tomorrow morning’s Soyuz 16S thruster/SUDN testing at ~4:25am EDT, for which the ISS will briefly go into free drift (so jet thrust can be measured).
The two cosmonauts also had a 50-min period each to themselves for the regular crew departure preparations, working on the standard end-of-increment cleanup preparatory to their return to Earth later this month. [It is usual for Russian crewmembers to be granted reduced workdays for making their departure preparations, as their return date approaches.]
The regular daily maintenance servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM today was listed for Volkov on the discretionary “time permitting” task list. [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.]
For Kononenko the job list suggested, at his discretion, 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).
At ~12:50pm, CDR Volkov conducted a ham radio session with school children from Montreal, Canada.
Greg Chamitoff, an accomplished chess player who has been winning matches with Flight Control Center personnel around the world, at ~2:05pm EDT engaged in a PAO TV event with the Stevenson Elementary School Chess Team at Bellevue Community College in Bellevue, Washington, for about 20 minutes of air time.
The crew completed 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). Part of Sergey’s & Oleg’s exercise regimen was contributed by their one-hour ODNT sessions.
Later, the CDR transfers 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).
As generally every day now, today starting at 9:00am and running until 3:00pm, the US CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) is running intermittently for two half-cycles to control ppCO2 levels. This configuration for the daily ops does not require connecting & disconnecting the ITCS cooling loop. [A forward plan is in work for cycling the CSV (CO2 Selector Valve) to prevent its sticking. CDRA remains “yellow” on the ISS critical systems list.]
Shuttle BOB Update: Greg’s Breakout Box troubleshooting yesterday was successful and cleared the BOB for tomorrow’s Flow Meter operations. [During the checkout, the installation of a ground wire caused a blown fuse, but it showed voltage readings that indicate that the BOB will function correctly and safely. Additionally, with newly added Kapton tape insulation on the Flow Meter transducer’s metal surface there will be no more sparking to the ISS structure in case of contact.]
16S/17S Docking Contingency Planning: RSC-Energia has developed a “just in case” contingency plan for the very unlikely event that Soyuz 16S, currently docked at the DC1 nadir port, must relocate to the FGB to make room for Soyuz TMA-13/17S, should the latter be prevented from nominal docking at the FGB (as would be the case if the KURS antenna fails to retract). [FGB docking is not allowed for Soyuz/Progress docking with unretracted KURS antenna.]
GNC MDM Update: Both GNC MDM (Guidance, Navigation & Control Multiplexer/Demultiplexer) computers appear stable with no failures in 13 days. Remaining steps for completion of X2R7 software transition, including stepping up the C&C-3 (Command & Control) MDM 3 to R7 will be performed. [Proposed on-orbit testing to incorporate GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite data into GNC MDM to attempt to recreate the recent failure will be deferred until after 16S undock.]
Vozdukh Failures: The Russian Vozdukh CO2 removal system has had repeated failures, believed to be due to microswitches. The system is currently restarted after each failure. Troubleshooting plan is in work.
RGA Failures: Two US RGAs (Rate Gyroscope Assemblies) failed due to a skewed FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation & Recovery) system software file. [This type of failure has been seen in the past with a single RGA but not both. Both RGAs were successfully recovered after the skewed FDIRs were disabled. This configuration does not violate any Flight Rules.]
Week 24/25 Scheduled Main Activities:
- Fri. (10/10): Soyuz 16S thruster/SUDN test; MO-8; MBI-12 dwld.; FFQ; ITCS MFCV adjust; RS Video MPEG config.; Water T+2 anal.; SOLO #2; CDMK check.
- Sat. (10/11): Station cleaning; PFCs; Ham radio call; SOLO #2.
- Sun. (10/12): SOLO #2; PFC; VRU disk exchange.
CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today were Tenoumer Impact Crater (this tiny, 1.9km-diameter impact crater is located in the desert interior of northern Mauritania. Despite its small size, the crater is geologically fresh [just over 20,000 years old] and relatively unweathered in its desert setting. CEO researchers are seeking detailed, near-nadir views of this feature. Greg had a mid-morning track with clear weather anticipated. As ISS tracked NE-ward from the Mauritanian coast, he was to note the large, well-photographed Richat Structure and begin looking only seconds later for Tenoumer just left of track), London, England, Great Britain (on this early afternoon pass, ISS had a rare break in the typical fall weather pattern over the British Isles, with a near-nadir view of this renowned mega-city in relatively fair weather. As the station approached England from the W, Greg was to look just inland from the southern coast and use the long-lens settings for a detailed mapping of the urban margins), and Niwot Ridge Tundra, Colorado (nadir view of this target area in late morning with clear weather anticipated. This Long Term Ecological Research [LTER] site is located in north-central Colorado within the alpine areas above 3,000m just west of Boulder. As ISS tracked NE-ward over the Colorado Rockies, before reaching the plains to the E, Greg was to try for contextual mapping of the ridge and its surroundings).
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, 6:53am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 352.8 km
Apogee height — 355.5 km
Perigee height — 350.1 km
Period — 91.60 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0004029
Solar Beta Angle — -37.2 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
Mean altitude loss in the last 48 hours — 64 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 56636
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
10/10/08 — Soyuz 16S thruster test
10/12/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch (~3:01:29 am EDT; Fincke, Lonchakov, Garriott)
10/14/08 — Soyuz TMA-13/17S dock (FGB nadir port, ~4:33am EDT)
10/23/08 — Soyuz TMA-12/16S undock (DC1 nadir, 8:15pm) & land (11:36pm) = 10/24 — 9:36am Kazakhstan)
11/02/08 — Progress 30P reboost; Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends
11/16/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC (~7:02pm EST) – U/R
11/18/08 — STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 docking – U/R
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).