NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 10 May 2006

SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2006) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.

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

CDR Pavel Vinogradov and FE/SO Jeffrey Williams performed their periodic (monthly) Russian biomedical assessments PZEh-MO-7 (calf volume measurement) and PZEh-MO-8 (body mass measurement).   [Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference points, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures. , using later disassembling it for stowage.   For determining body mass in zero-G, where things are weightless but not massless, the specially designed Russian mass measurement “scales” (IM), measures the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring constants.  By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the unknown mass (the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the crewmember’s mass is calculated by the computer and displayed.  The IM was later dismantled again.]

Vinogradov worked on the ASN-M Satellite Navigation System, first switching and reconnecting cables connecting the four navigation receiver modules (NPM-1,2,3,4) of the ASN’s antenna feeder system (which Valery Tokarev had photographed on 3/7 for the ground), then linking Laptop 3 to the ASN #2 computer (NVM-2) and using it for upgrading NVM-2 with new software from a floppy disk.  The activities were supported and monitored by TsUP/Moscow.   [The ASN-M satellite navigation system in the SM will be required for the arrival of the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) “Jules Verne” next year.]

Williams used the EHS SSK (Environmental Health Systems/Surface Sample Kit) to collect surface sample swabs in Lab and Node for cultivation. [SSK sampling is done once per month for the first three months that a module is on orbit and once every three months thereafter.  Bacterial and fungal samples are taken at two locations in each module, with the prime site in the Lab being the air supply diffuser at the LAB1P5 rack. The colony growth on the 10 sampling slides will be analyzed after five days of incubation (next Monday, 5/15).]

Jeff also employed the MAS (Microbial Air Sampler) kit to collect air samples in Lab, Node and SM for bacterial and fungal analysis.   [As done for the SSK, the sampling analysis is performed once per month for the first three months, and once every three months thereafter. Bacterial and fungal air samples are taken at two locations in each module.  The colony growth on the sampling slides will be analyzed after five days of incubation in 4 Petri dishes (i.e., on 5/15).  For onboard visual analysis of media slides from SSK, MCDs (microbial capture devices) from WMK, coliform detection bags from MWAK, and Petri dishes from MAS, the crew has a procedure for visual inspection of samples for bacterial and fungal colony growths after appropriate incubation periods.]

The Science Officer performed his second PFMI (Pore Formation & Migration Investigation) run.   [After supporting the ground in activating the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), he installed the next SAA (Sample Ampoule Assembly) specimen (14D) of the PFMI experiment in the thermal chamber, changed out the g-LIMIT (Glovebox Integrated Microgravity Isolation Technology) Bypass 8mm video tape and activated the experiment for untended operation.  PFMI, using Succinonitrile crystals with added water, throws light on the serious problem of defect generation during solidification of liquid materials, which on Earth shows itself in particle segregation driven by gravity (“freckle” effect) and in microgravity in pore or bubble formation of trapped gas due to lack of buoyancy, by helping to improve our understanding of such detrimental phenomena occurring during controlled directional solidification processing.  Of 21 experiments initiated on board to date, 17 were successfully completed; the others were interrupted by various causes.  The current plan for May is to re-process three samples to investigate other solidification phenomena.]

The CDR had about 2 hrs. set aside to perform troubleshooting on the Russian VELO cycle ergometer (VB-3), supported by ground specialist tagup via S-band.   [The prescribed work involved a step-by-step functionality inspection of the exercise device after first disconnecting it from the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system, with VD-SU control mode turned off: disassembly of the bike, then subjecting its control module, power supply, generator assembly and cabling to a methodical checkout, and finally reassembling the VELO and reconnecting it to the BITS2-12 for ground monitoring.]

Vinogradov spent another 2 hours with Progress M-56/21P unloading and cargo transfers, based on an uplinked Unloading plan and keeping track in the IMS (Inventory Management System) with the BCR (Bar Code Reader). As usual, the daily 21P unpack file will be downlinked tonight.

An updated list of US trash earmarked for loading and disposal in 20P was uplinked overnight and added to Jeff William’s discretionary “job jar” task list.  [It is estimated that the list will take 4.5 hours to complete.  The FE is not to pack any US items in the cargo ship-turned-trash can without confirmation that they are on both the Russian and the US 20P loading lists.]

The Elektron O2 generator is deactivated, with its Liquid Unit (BZh-8) suspected of an internal leak and now pressurized with N2 (nitrogen). Cabin air is being refreshed with oxygen from Progress storage or a portable repress tank (BNP), slated for disposal when empty.   [On 4/28, Russian SOZh specialists noticed an internal pressure drop in the BZh-8. After the crew disconnected the BID pressure sensor, the leak at first appeared to stop, but when on the following day continued pressure decrease was observed, the idling Elektron was deactivated and repressurized with N2.  Specialists are now continuing to monitor BZh N2 pressure over the next few days until a recommendation from the hardware designers is received.]

Williams conducted the daily atmospheric status check for ppO2 (Partial Pressure Oxygen) and ppCO2 (pp Carbon Dioxide), using the CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products), CSA-O2 (CSA-Oxygen Sensor) and CDMK (CO2 Monitoring Kit).

The FE also completed the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh environment control & life support system in the SM, including the ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables, and later updated/edited the standard IMS “delta file”, including locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

Jeff supported MCC-H specialists in switching the OpsLAN (Operations Local Area Network) to a new email system, necessitated by the replacement of the old legacy email servers on the ground with new COM email servers.   [After the requisite Service Pack files were uplinked during a Ku-band comm pass, Jeff Williams was to deploy the Service Pack (vers. 11.02) to the SSC (Station Support Computer) Client laptops. After successful completion of all necessary steps of the user migration, the crew should be able to use Outlook on their SSCs.]

Both crewmembers worked out in their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (FE), TVIS treadmill (FE, CDR), and RED resistive exerciser (FE).   [Pavel Vinogradov’s daily protocol prescribes a strict four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill in unmotorized mode and one hour on VELO plus load trainer when functional again (today: Day 3 of the first set).]

Afterwards, Jeff transferred the exercise data files to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on CEVIS and RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~11:30am EDT, the crew engaged in two interactive televised PAO events of approximately 9 minutes each, one with StarDate Syndicated Radio, Austin, TX (Damon Benningfield), the other with WISN-TV in Milwaukee, WI (Patrick Paolantonio).  The interviews were taped by the stations for later broadcast and also shown live on NASA TV.

Remaining on Pavel’s voluntary task list was the search for “missing” Russian equipment items, specifically a transformer of the SOZh’s water management system with cable and accessories that were delivered about two years ago on an earlier Progress (14P).

Tomorrow at ~11:25am EDT, ISS will maneuver from “belly-down” LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal) attitude to sun-pointing XPOP TEA (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane/torque equilibrium attitude), as called for by flight rules when the Solar Beta angle exceeds 11 deg (plus or minus).   [Due to the failure of the US-21 matching units between the Service Module (SM) computer system and both Progress vehicles, the maneuver will be conducted using SM thrusters rather than the nominally-used Progress thrusters.  Such attitude maneuvers have previously been conducted.  Investigation into the failures of the matching units by Russian specialists is underway.]

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, in the current LVLH attitude no longer limited by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Karakoram (the Karakoram is an extensively glaciated range in south central Asia.  A detailed view of individual glaciers is highly desirable), Bigach Impact Crater (Bigach impact crater, located in Kazakhstan, is 8 km in diameter and approximately 5 million years old.  This is a challenging target, and there are relatively few images of this crater in the CEO database. Bigach should have been directly under the orbit track), Pinacates Biosphere Site, Northern Mexico (the Pinacates Biosphere Reserve was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993.  Detailed imagery of this area will aid in documenting the diverse assemblage of plants as well as its geology), and Central-Arizona Phoenix (the Central-Arizona Phoenix site is one of the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites. Investigators are looking for images of this region about four times per year to capture changes in seasonal vegetation.  A detailed view of this area, particularly tree/shrub/grassland transitional area, was requested).

To date, more than 186,000 of CEO images have been taken in the first five years of the ISS, almost one third of the total number of images taken from orbit by astronauts.

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:

• http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/station/CEO.html
• 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 13 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-13/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 13 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.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 7:47am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 344.1 km
• Apogee height — 350.4 km
• Perigee height — 337.7 km
• Period — 91.42 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0009469
• Solar Beta Angle — -6.7 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.75
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 89 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 42722

Significant Events Ahead (all dates subject to change):

• 05/11/06 — Attitude maneuver to XPOP using SM thrusters
• 05/20/06 — Progress M-56/21P loading complete; hatches closed
• 06/01/06 — Russian EVA-16
• 06/08/06 — ISS reboost with 21P for phasing (6:51pm EDT, delta-V 1.5 m/s)
• 06/19/06 — Progress M-55/20P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 06/24/06 — Progress M-57/22P launch
• 06/26/06 — Progress M-57/22P docking (DC1)
• 07/01/06 — NET STS-121/ULF1.1 launch
• 07/03-11/06 — NET STS-121/ULF1.1 docked mission w/ISS
• 07/??/06 — US EVA-5
• 08/28/07 — NET STS-115/12A launch
• 08/30-09/06 — NET STS-115/12A docked mission w/ISS
• 09/13/06 — Progress M-56/21P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
• 09/14/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S launch (Expedition 14 + VC11)
• 09/16/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S docking (SM aft port)
• 09/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S undocking (FGB nadir port) & reentry
• 09/??/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
• 10/18/06 — Progress M-58/23P launch
• 10/20/06 — Progress M-58/23P docking (SM aft port)
• 11/??/06 — Russian EVA-17
• 12/14/06 — NET STS-116/12A.1 launch
• 12/16-23/06 — NET STS-116/12A.1 docked mission w/ISS
• 12/19/06 — Progress M-57/22P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 12/20/06 — Progress M-59/24P launch
• 12/22/06 — Progress M-59/24P docking (DC1)
• 01/22/07 — US EVA-6
• 01/26/07 — US EVA-7
• 01/31/07 — US EVA-8
• 02/06/07 — Progress M-59/24P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 02/07/07 — Progress M-60/25P launch
• 02/09/07 — Progress M-60/25P docking (DC1)
• 02/22/07 — NET STS-117/13A launch
• 02/24-03/03/07 — NET STS-117/13A docked mission w/ISS
• 03/08/07 — Progress M-58/23P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
• 03/09/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S launch (Expedition 15 + VC12)
• 03/11/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S docking (SM aft port)
• 03/19/07 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S undocking (FGB nadir port)
• 03/22/07 — NET STS-117/13A launch
• ??/??/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
• 06/11/07 — NET STS-118/13A.1.

    (NET = no earlier than)

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.