NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 12 December 2005

SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2005) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.  Underway: Week 10 for Expedition 12.

CDR/SO McArthur and FE Tokarev performed their fourth periodic (monthly) Russian biomedical assessment PZEh-MO-7 (calf volume measurement) and PZEh-MO-8 (body mass measurement), using the specially designed mass measurement device (IM), later disassembling it for stowage.   [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.  For determining body mass in zero-G, where things are weightless but not massless, the Russian IM “scales” measure 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.]

Tokarev completed Part 1 of his second onboard “Profilaktika” (MBI-8, “Countermeasures”) preventive health maintenance fitness test series, starting with the VELO stationary cycle ergometer.   [Valery will do two additional parts of the test, one with the NS-1 Load Trainer tomorrow, the other with the TVIS treadmill on 12/14.  Test procedure for MBI-8 is identical to the Russian MO-5 assessment, but in addition to the nominal procedure it uses the TEEM-100M gas analyzer with breathing mask and a subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test.  The lactate blood test was done twice at the end of the session, using the ACCUSPORT analyzer and REFLOTRON-4 accessories.  Results were entered on a log sheet.  TEEM and ECG (electrocardiograph) data were transferred to the Laptop 3, also on a tape cassette (Cardiocassette-2000), and prepared for later downlink via Regul-Packet comm.  Results were also called down to specialists standing by at TsUP.]

The FE also conducted an audit/inventory of Russian post-fire protection equipment (SPPZ) by verifying location and availability of two SPPZ assembly packages behind an FGB stowage panel.  A ground tagup via S-band followed the activity.

McArthur meanwhile completed the monthly PEP (portable emergency provisions) safety inspection.  (Last time done: 11/14).   [The IMS (Inventory Management System)-supported inspection involves verification that PFEs (portable fire extinguishers), PBAs (portable breathing apparatus), QDMAs (quick-don mask assemblies) and EHTKs (extension hose/tee kits) are free of damage to ensure their functionality, and to track shelf life/life cycles on the hardware.  There are a total of 5 PBAs in the U.S. segment (USOS).  There is one EHTK, in the Lab.]

After unstowing the Russian/German Plasma Crystal-3 (PK-3) payload, the FE removed the N-300 evacuation turbopump from the adapter plate of the experiment unit (EB) and bagged the latter for subsequent disposal in Progress 19.  The task was supported by ground tagup.  [The automated PK-3 experiment had been performed on dusty plasma, i.e., fine particles charged and excited by RF/radio frequency power inside an evacuated work chamber as it crystallized.]

The Science Officer finished the software upgrading of the five EXPRESS (Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station) racks (ERs), today loading the RIC (Rack Interface Controller) computer of ER1 with the new Rev. 4A software.  ELC1 (ER1 laptop computer) remained powered after the activity.   [The new software improves ER payload water leg operations for future water-cooled payloads, such as EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System) and SpaceDRUMS (Space-Dynamically Responding Ultrasonic Matrix System).]

McArthur supported another ground-controlled full calibration of the MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer) by opening the instrument’s VGA (verification gas assembly) valve and closing it again a few hours later.  [The U.S. MCA uses a mass spectrometer with a magnetic field to separate ionized air sample constituents in a work chamber that is kept at vacuum by a high-performance ion pump.]

Bill also conducted the standard annual one-hour inspection and servicing of the food warmers in the Galley (located in the SM).   [Food warmers, food trays, utensils, etc., are part of the food preparation hardware of the CSS (crew support systems).  The food warmers are in recessed wells in the galley table that also has crew and equipment restraints.  Besides the galley, the wardroom area also includes a potable water dispenser (for hot and ambient water for drink and food hydration), a trash container, and two refrigerators.]

Valery recorded the monthly sensor readings of the Russian “Pille-MKS” radiation dosimetry experiment, which has ten sensors placed at various locations in the Russian segment (port cabin window, starboard cabin window, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.). (Last time done: 11/14). 

The FE also conducted a test of the Russian TVS television system, checking out the Klest (KL-103Ts) TV camera with ground support during RGS (Russian ground site) passes on Daily Orbits 13 & 15.   [As part of the test, Valery downlinked New Year’s greetings to the citizens of Yaroslavl (to be played on 12/29 in the Yaroslavl Grand Cinema and Concert Hall during New Year’s celebration by prominent citizens), and TV greetings to the head of the rural settlement of Chebakovsky, Valentina Ivanovna Plakida, on her 50th birthday (the village of Maslenikovo, birthplace of first female cosmonaut Valentina V. Tereshkova, is part of Chebakovsky rural settlement).  The Klest was turned on and off by the SM’s automated daily timeline system (SPP), and Valery monitored its test imagery on the #2 monitor (VKU2).]

Later, Tokarev performed the daily routine maintenance of the Service Module (SM)’s environment control & life support system (SOZh), including its toilet system (ASU), and later updated/edited the standard IMS (Inventory Management System) delta file, including locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

CDR McArthur supported the activation of the newly repaired VOA (Volatile Organics Analyzer), to check on adequate nitrogen flow and power for the nominal instrument configuration.  Calibration of the VOA will not be performed until after ~24 hours after activation to ensure that components have reached thermal equilibrium prior to calibration.   [The AAA (Avionics Air Assembly) air conditioner of the CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) rack, required for VOA activation, worked smoothly after the replacement of its fan assembly by the CDR.  The new fan is yielding ~65 cu.ft/min of air, about twice the performance of the old ventilator).]

In preparation for tomorrow’s scheduled Robotics MSS (Mobile Service System) OBT (on-board training) activity, Bill McArthur hooked up the UOP-DCP (utility outlet panel-to-display & control panel) bypass power cable at the Lab RWS (Robotics Work Station) and conducted a review of the applicable DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) software.  Tomorrow’s session will test a new functionality of the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System), viz., to capture the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) when it arrives at the station in 2008.   [DOUG is a software program on the MSS RWS laptop that provides a graphical birdseye-view image of the external station configuration and the SSRMS arm, showing its real-time location and configuration on the laptop during its operation.  After the DOUG review, Bill saved the log files of the Lab RWS PCS (Personal Computer System) for downlink and ground troubleshooting/evaluation.]

Also on the SSRMS, specialists are performing today an on-orbit checkout of the LEE (Latching End Effector) hot backup capability, using ground commanding only.  A readiness review of the new ground command capability of the SSRMS will be conducted tomorrow by ISS/Robotics specialists from NASA & CSA (Canadian Space Agency).

Bill McArthur completed his regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the TVIS treadmill and RED resistive exerciser, with Valery Tokarev’s exercise accounted for by his MBI-8 “Profilaktika” run on the VELO bike this morning.

Afterwards, Bill 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 RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

Later in the day, Valery unstowed and installed the equipment for the periodic Russian MO-10 “Hematokrit” testing, scheduled tomorrow for both crewmembers.   [MO-10 measures the hematocrit (red blood cell mass) value of the blood (it is a well-known phenomenon of space flight that red blood cell mass {normal range: 30-45%} tends to go down over time).]

The crew reported that they are almost out of table salt.  More salt will be manifested on Progress 20.

The reconditioning activity on the P6 EPS (Electrical Power System) Battery Set 2B3 is finished.   [PPLs (Pre-Positioned Loads) are now being prepared based on reconditioning results and will be uplinked to the computers on 12/16.  A capacity test on 12/22 will conclude the activities.  Nickel hydrogen batteries can develop and display “memory loss” resulting in a temporary loss of capacity that should be periodically erased by cycling all material via fully discharging and charging cells (“reconditioning”).] 

No CEO (Crew Earth Observations) targets uplinked for today.

To date, over 177,000 of CEO images have been taken in the first five years of the ISS.

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 12 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-12/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 12 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, 11:07am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 350.3 km
• Apogee height — 357.0 km
• Perigee height — 343.5 km
• Period — 91.54 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0010004
• Solar Beta Angle — -6.8 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.73
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 145 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 40377

Upcoming Events (all dates Eastern):

• 12/20/05?? — Progress M-54/19P undocking & reentry (baseline date under review)
• 12/21/05 — Progress M-55/20P launch (1:38pm EST)
• 12/23/05 — Progress M-55/20P docking (2:55pm EST, at DC1)
• 01/09/06 — 100 days for Expedition 12
• 02/02/06 — Russian EVA-15
• 03/22/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S launch (Exp. 13 + Marcus Pontes/Brazil)
• 03/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S docking
• 04/01/06 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S undocking & return (Exp. 12 + Marcus Pontes).

 
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.