NASA Space Station ISS On-Orbit Status 29 October 2004
SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2004) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.
Before breakfast and exercise, FE Salizhan Sharipov completed his second session with the periodic Russian MedOps test “Gematokrit” (MO-10) that measures red cell count of the blood. [The blood samples were drawn from a finger with a perforator lancet, then centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the M-1100 kit’s minicentrifuge, and its hematocrit value was read off the tubes with a magnifying glass. It is a well-known phenomenon of space flight that red blood cell count (normal range: 30-45%) tends to go down over time. After the exam, the data were saved in the IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer), and Sharipov stowed the equipment.]
After setting up the video hardware for recording the activity, CDR Leroy Chiao performed his first general MedOps PFE (periodic fitness evaluation), a 1.5-hr. procedure that checks up on blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) during programmed exercise on the CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation) in the Lab. Readings were taken with the BP/ECG (blood pressure/ECG) and the HRM (heart rate monitor) watch, with Sharipov assisting his crewmate as Crew Medical Officer (CMO). The video equipment was then stowed again. [BP/ECG provides automated noninvasive systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements while also monitoring and displaying accurate heart rates on a continual basis at rest and during exercise. The video is required for biomechanical evaluation of the subject and his equipment setup during data collection.]
Starting another round of the periodic preventive maintenance of RS (Russian segment) ventilation systems, the FE spent ~50 min. in the DC1 docking module to clean the air duct filters (VD1 & VD2), replace the dust collector cartridges (PF1 & PF2) and clean the fans (V1 & V2) & screens.
Salizhan also conducted the periodic (monthly) functional closure test of the Vozdukh CO2 removal system’s emergency vacuum valves (AVK, last time done: 10/7). [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 carbon dioxide (CO2) during the regeneration of the absorbent cartridges (PP). During nominal operation, the AVK valves remain open.]
Leroy signed in and performed his first session with the psychological MedOps WinSCAT experiment (Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool) on the MEC (medical equipment computer). [This is a time-constrained questionnaire test of cognitive abilities, routinely performed by astronauts aboard the ISS every 30 days before or after the PHS (periodic health status) test or on special CDR’s, crewmember’s or flight surgeon’s request.]
Both crewmembers in turn took their first periodic on-orbit hearing assessment (O-OHA) test, a NASA environmental health systems examination to assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures. [The O-OHA audiogram test involves minimum audibility measurements for each ear over a wide range of frequencies and sound pressure levels, with the crewmembers using individual-specific Prophonics earphones, Bose ANC headsets and the SLM (sound level meter). To conduct the testing, the experimenter is supported by special EarQ software on the MEC. The baseline test is required not later than about Flight Day 14 for each new Expedition and is then performed once per month.]
In the Lab, Leroy conducted the periodic inspection of its two ELPS (emergency lighting power supply) units.
Sharipov conducted a 20-min. test of the Russian BRTK-TVS television system in the Service Module (SM), activated by automated daily timeline sequencer (SPP) cyclogram and supported by tagup with ground specialists.
The CDR completed the regular once-a-week maintenance reboot on the operational PCS laptops and the restart of the OCA comm router laptop (every two weeks).
Salizhan performed the standard evaluation of the Russian biomedical Braslet-M/Anketa (“bracelet/questionnaire”) test procedure which requires him evaluate a number of “bracelet” cuffs for their usefulness in suppressing the adverse effects of micro-G for the “newcomer” aboard the station during the acute phase of adaptation to weightlessness, by filling out a questionnaire. [The “bracelets” are compression cuffs attached to a belt and worn on the upper thighs over the coveralls, intended as countermeasures against the initial micro-G effects of blood filling (vascularity) in the upper torso (heaviness and blood pulsation in the head), facial puffiness, nasal stuffiness, painful eye movement, and vestibular disorders (dizziness, nausea, vomiting). They create artificial blood accumulation in the upper thirds of the thighs, causing some of the circulating blood volume to relocate from the upper body to the lower extremities, thereby (hopefully) correcting the adverse hemodynamic effect of micro-G and thus improving the crewmember’s working capability. The actual compression cuff in the Braslet units is a combination of alternating multi-layer tensile and non-tensile elements, whose distension by body movements creates elastic forces that produce the necessary pressure on the body surface.]
Both crewmembers completed their daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, CEVIS, RED exerciser and VELO cycle with NS-1 load trainer.
Leroy performed the monthly maintenance of the TVIS. [This consists mainly of an inspection of the Russian and US tie-down harnesses for any damage.]
Afterwards, Chiao also conducted the monthly maintenance of the CEVIS that he used today for the PFE. [CEVIS monthly maintenance is mostly concerned with an examination of the wire rope isolators for damage.]
Salizhan performed another set of observations for the Diatomeya ocean research program, collecting photo and video imagery of the Atlantic Ocean and its watershed area in South America, with the purpose of obtaining seasonal data describing (a) the condition of the natural environment in the Amazon and Parana river water basin, (b) the scale and shape of the boundaries of highly productive South Atlantic water areas confined to the warm and cold current confluence region in the sub-Antarctic front. [Both visual observations and photo/video shooting were done in nadir, using the NIKON F5 digital still camera with 80-mm lens to shoot 1-2 frames per each target, and the DVCAM 150 digital camcorder for video imagery, while recording running voice commentary using the camcorders mike. Imagery targets were green (highly bioproductive) water areas and blue-colored waters, river networks across the water basins of the largest South American rivers, and irregularities in the cloud field structure along the flight track.]
Working off the crew-discretionary Russian task list, Sharipov completed the periodic inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment which researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-5 greenhouse.
The FE held the weekly tagup with IMS specialists at MCC-M, discussing open issues concerning identification of equipment and storage locations for the IMS databases. [Issues today included calldown of the locations of some specific items, such as a V1 fan, and the necessary updating of the IMS database after the recent Soyuz-215/9S unloading.]
At ~8:00am EDT, Chiao and Sharipov “compared notes” with the Expedition 9 crew (Gennady Padalka & Michael Fincke) via teleconference.
Sharipov performed the daily routine maintenance of the SOZh environmental control & life support systems in the SM and prepared the daily “delta” file for updating the IMS (inventory management system) databases.
Chiao took the periodic (weekly) reading of the cabin airs current CO2 partial pressure in the SM and Lab, using the U.S. CDMK (CO2 monitor kit), for calldown (along with the battery status) for use in trending analyses.
Leroy and Salizhan again had one hour set aside on today’s schedule for ISS familiarization, i.e., to adjust to their new surroundings and activities. [This “free” session has become a valuable standard requirement for new station occupants for the first two weeks.]
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Previous Reports ISS On-orbit Status [HQ] |
P6 Battery Reconditioning Status: Reconditioning of the P6 truss’ 4B solar array’s battery #2 (4B2) continues to go well, to run through Sunday (10/31). Ground specialists are in the middle of the second discharge cycle for the reconditioning and expect to bring the 4B2 BCDU/Battery set back on-line sometime this weekend. [Background: Nickel hydrogen batteries can develop and display “memory loss” resulting in a temporary loss of capacity that should be periodically erased by “reconditioning”, i.e., cycling all material by fully discharging and charging cells. On orbit reconditioning provides data on battery cell divergence, which provides an early indication of battery failure and a true measure of battery capacity and age. Each Battery set is estimated to take seven days for reconditioning. During reconditioning one BCDU/Battery Set will be off line.]
Upcoming Key Events: Station attitude, currently in LVLH XVV (local vertical/local horizontal, x-axis in velocity vector), will be changed to solar array testing attitude on 10/31 (9:14am EDT), followed by XPOP on the same day at 2:50pm EST. XPOP will be maintained until switching back to LVLH on 11/16. A date of 11/17 for the station reboost was set by the IMMT (ISS Mission Management Team) this morning, with backup opportunity on 11/18. The Soyuz relocation is now moved back to 11/29 (no earlier than), preceded by a hot-fire test of its thrusters. The IMMT also agreed that the new SIGI (space integrated GPS/inertial navigation system) R2 firmware upload activities are GO pending completion of safety procedural modifications. [Some background: SIGI uses four commercial GPS antennas mounted on the S0 (S-Zero) truss. The system, supported by four RGAs (rate gyro assemblies), can determine station attitude, position and velocity. In the past, there have been some glitches in the system’s operations thought to be due to XPOP attitude, in which not as many GPS satellites are “seen” as in earth-oriented LVLH).]
Today’s CEO photo targets, in the current LVLH attitude not limited by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Internal waves, Bahamas (this overpass provided an opportunity to capture internal waves to the north of Cuba. The sunglint point was to the left of track), Internal waves, Patagonian Shelf (a predicted clear weather window provides an opportunity for internal wave photography), and Tuamotu Archipelago, Pacific Ocean (this nadir pass provided an excellent opportunity for development of island and reef photography technique. While no longer a science target, the Archipelago offers some of the best examples of large atolls in the Pacific Ocean. Useful island and reef mapping photographs are characterized by crisp focus, and acquisition of context images to allow for accurate cataloging).
CEO images can be viewed at these websites:
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:
To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 10 crew visit:
- http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-9/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.
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ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:39am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 359.3 km
- Apogee height — 364.9 km
- Perigee height — 353.6 km
- Period — 91.73 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0008428
- Solar Beta Angle — 15.6 deg (magnitude increasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.70
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 170 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 33940
ISS Altitude History
Apogee height — Mean Altitude — Perigee height
For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html. In addition, information on International Space Station sighting opportunities can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ on NASA’s Human Spaceflight website. The current location of the International Space Station can be found at http://science.nasa.gov/temp/StationLoc.html at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Additional satellite tracking resources can be found at http://www.spaceref.com/iss/tracking.html.
