NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 1 April 2005

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

FE Salizhan Sharipov began the day with the regular monthly routine checkup on the DC1 “Pirs” docking modules AZS circuit breakers on the BVP Amp Switch Panel (they should all be On) and the LEDs (light-emitting diodes) of 14 fuses in Fuse Panels BPP-30 & BPP-36.

Before breakfast and first exercise, CDR/SO Leroy Chiao and FE Sharipov performed another session of the periodic Russian biomedical assessments PZEh-MO-8 (body mass measurement) and PZEh-MO-7 (calf volume measurement).  The FE set up the MO-8 “scales” equipment and later broke it down and stowed it away.

Chiao continued previously started work on preparing equipment for return on STS-114/Discovery, cleaning up the Lab storage rack 1P4.

Sharipov had two hours set aside for unstowing and setting up the equipment for the BTC-10 Cardiocog experiment, then performing his fourth session of the procedure.   [Originally part of Pedro Duque’s VC5 “Cervantes” science program, CARDIOCOG-2, involving new equipment that arrived with Yuri Shargin in October 04, studies changes in the human cardiovascular system in micro-G, expressed in the peripheral arteries, and the vegetative regulation of arterial blood pressure and heart rate.  For the experiment, Salizhan had to take systolic & diastolic blood pressure measurements and heart rate data manually, using the Tensoplus sphygmomanometer and storing the data on the French EGE-2 laptop.  The experiment also includes a 5-minute cognitive stress test with a numbers table, with the results called out for recording.]

Later, the FE installed a new electronic device a KSK (A24) network channel controller behind panel 130 in the Service Module (SM).  The unit was then connected to the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system for a checkout by the ground, followed closeout of the installation site and tools.

CDR Chiao worked on printing out updates of the ODF (on-orbit data files).

The FE retrieved the Motorola-9505 Iridium satellite phone from its location in the Soyuz TMA-5 descent module (DM) and initiated the monthly recharging of its lithium-ion battery, a 30-min. process.  The charging was monitored every 10-15 minutes as it took place, and upon completion Salizhan returned the phone inside its SSSP Iridium kit and stowed it back in the DMs operational data files (ODF) container.   [The satphone accompanies returning ISS crews on Soyuz reentry and landing for contingency communications with SAR (Search-and-Rescue) personnel after touchdown.  The Russian-developed new procedure for the monthly recharging has been approved jointly by safety officials with an NCR (Non-Compliance Report) valid for the particular satphone in question, i.e., for the remainder of this Increment, according to which it is no longer necessary to double-contain the phone in two CTBs (crew transfer bags) for recharging its lithium-ion battery.  During the procedure, the phone is left in its fluoroplastic bag with open flap.]

Dr. Chiao reviewed uplinked procedures for the upcoming IFM (in-flight repair) of the VOA (Volatile Organic Analyzer), then tagged up with the ground on the subject.

Salizhan Sharipov performed the periodic (weekly) replenishing of the Elektron s water supply for electrolysis, filling the KOV thermal loops EDV container with purified (deionized) water from the BKO multifiltration/purification column unit.   [The procedure was specially designed to prevent air bubbles from getting into the BZh liquid unit where they inevitably cause micropump impeller cavitation and Elektron shutdown.  In the procedure, the EDV water is carefully drawn from the BKO and the air/liquid separator unit (GZhS) while the crewmember checks for any air bubbles in the EDV (and, if visible, estimates their number).  Elektron water is also supplied from USOS condensate in a CWC (collapsible water container) that is checked for its contents of air bubbles and is rejected if the estimated total air bubble volume is more than 30 cubic centimeters (1 cm air bubble is about 0.5 ccm).]

Troubleshooting of the Elektron continued today with a purge of the buffer tank, after which the unit was successfully restarted.   [Elektron remains on in the 60 amp mode and as of this writing has been on for five hours.  The ppO2 reading according to the MCA (major constituents analyzer) is 155.4 mmHg and is increasing.] 

Leroy performed the periodic on-orbit load calibration of the SchRED (Schwinn resistive exercise device) Flexpack canisters #1002 & #1004 that came up on Progress 15.  (Done last 2/7/05).   [The calibration of the cans re-establishes the relationship of specific load settings with a specific number of pulls per setting, followed by recording of the load values measured with a calibration tool and steel handles from the on-orbit calibration kit.  During a cord replacement maintenance procedure, it was discovered that a bolt and captive fastener is missing and its location is unknown.  This is one of 13 bolts that hold a cover and is not one of the bolts that mounts the RED to vehicle structure.  A structural stress analysis on the missing bolt configuration was performed and positive margins were shown, therefore unrestricted use of the RED has been authorized.]

Working off the Russian discretionary job jar, Sharipov completed the regular daily inspection of the Lada-5 greenhouse equipment, including filling its water canister as required.

Also off his task list, Salizhan conducted a new session with the “Uragan” (hurricane) earth-imaging program that had him focus the Kodak 760 electronic still camera from SM window #9 on targets specified on an uplinked list.

Salizhan completed the routine SOZh/ECLSS servicing/inspection in the SM, including the ASU toilet facilities. 

Leroy prepared the daily IMS (Inventory Management System) delta file for the automated export/import to the three IMS databases on the ground.

The crew performed their daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, RED exerciser and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer.  Salizhan’s daily protocol currently prescribes a four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the TVIS (today: Day 4 of a new set) and one hour on VELO.

Chiao then transferred the daily TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC (medical equipment computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium.

The MEC continues to intermittently fail and requires regular reboots.  It is believed the hard drive is failing and a spare hard drive is being prepared with the proper software for replacement.

At 3:40pm, the crew downlinked a joyous PAO video address on the occasion of the upcoming Cosmonautics Day in Russia (April 12).   [ Forty four years ago, having overcome the Earth gravitation, Yuri Gagarin made the first space flight in human history. Even though his flight lasted only 108 minutes, it was the first step of man beyond the borders of his home planet.  As of today, already 434 people have made space flights and half-a year shifts became a habitual work cycle for cosmonauts&.. Dear friends, colleagues, rulers of the glorious space achievements!  We wish success to all space workers. We wish you peace and prosperity! ]

 
CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:

• http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
• http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov
• http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography/

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:

• http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 10 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-10/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 10 Flight Crew Plans can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/

Previous NASA ISS On-orbit Status Reports can be found here. Previous NASA Space Station Status Reports can be found here. Previous NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Reports can be found here. A collection of all of these reports and other materials relating to Return to Flight for the Space Shuttle fleet can be found here.

Upcoming Key Events:

• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) launch — 4/14 (8:46pm EDT); with Expedition 11 (CDR Sergei Krikalev, FE/SO John Phillips & VC8 cosmonaut Roberto Vittori/ESA-Italy); launch time at Baikonur: 6:46am on 4/15.
• Soyuz TMA-6 docking — 4/16 (10:17pm EDT);
• Soyuz TMA-5 (9S) undocking — 4/24 (2:36pm EDT) with Exp. 10 crew (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS) and VC8 cosmonaut Vittori;
• Soyuz TMA-5 landing — 4/24 (6:01pm EDT (Kustanai: 4:01am on 4/25) ;
• LF1 (STS-114) launch — 5/15;
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/10;
• ULF1.1 (STS-121) launch — NET 7/12;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24;
• Soyuz TMA-7 (11S) launch — 9/27.

ISS Altitude History

Apogee height — Mean Altitude — Perigee height