NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 12 January 2005

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. The crew was thanked for accomplishing a very busy day yesterday so well… (Today they had another one.)

Early in the morning, before breakfast and first exercise, FE Salizhan Sharipov and CDR/SO Leroy Chiao completed their sixth session with the Russian crew health-monitoring program’s medical assessment MO-9/Biochemical Urinalysis. Afterwards, the FE stowed the hardware. [MO-9 is conducted regularly every 30 days (and also before and after EVAs) and is one of five nominal Russian medical tests adopted by NASA for US crewmembers for IMG PHS (Integrated Medical Group/Periodic Health Status) evaluation as part of the “PHS/Without Blood Labs” exam. The analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus Urolux developed originally for the Mir program. Afterwards, the data were entered in the medical equipment computer (MEC)’s special IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program).]

Later, Sharipov took his third session with the cardiological experiment PZEh MO-1 (Study of the Bioelectric Activity of the Heart at Rest), with Chiao assisting as CMO. [During the 30-min. test, the crew tagged up with ground specialists on a Russian ground site (RGS) pass on Daily Orbit 4 (4:08am EST) via VHF and downlinked data from the Gamma-1M ECG (electrocardiograph) for about 5-6 minutes.]

The crew used the equipment for the U.S. PHS/PCBA (periodic health status/portable clinical blood analyzer) with blood labs exam that Chiao had prepared yesterday. [PCBA analyzes total blood composition.]

Sharipov completed the Day 2 portion of the three-part MBI-8 Profilaktika (preventive health maintenance) fitness test series (postponed on 1/6 due to Elektron troubleshooting), today using the NS-01 load trainer on the VELO cycle ergometer, keeping a log and supported by tag-up with medical support personnel at TsUP/Moscow. The CDR was available to assist as necessary. [This Russian fitness test consists of four types of exercise, viz., neck tilting (back/forward), simultaneous forearm flexing, trunk extension, and trunk flexes. Each type of exercise consists of a series of 15 motions repeated two times. Load levels are selected by the ground and do not change from test to test. Total duration of the test is 13 min. Gas analysis, subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels, and blood test for lactate and Creatine Kinase levels are also performed as a part of this test, using the TEEM-100M gas analyzer, AccuSport analyzer, and Reflotron-IV blood analyzer.]

Later, Salizhan conducted the periodic microbial air sampling run with the Russian MedOps SZM-MO-21 experiment Ecosphera. [The equipment, consisting of an air sampler set, a charger, power supply unit, and incubation tray for Petri dishes, determines microbial contamination of the ISS atmosphere, specifically the total bacterial and fungal microflora counts and microflora composition according to morphologic criteria of microorganism colonies.]

Chiao completed a “zero” calibration run of the CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion products), then activated and deactivated the CSA-CP for a cabin air composition data take.

The FE worked on the Stage 3 installation of new cables for the SUBA (onboard equipment control system) to provide for expanded commanding and telemetry data distribution for new payloads, esp., “Rockviss”, which he had laid out on 12/9/04. [The SUBA controls, monitors, and diagnoses SM systems status. It operates using sensor output signals and command radio link SM functional outputs, onboard computer system (BVS) units, SM control panels, and system relay outputs. Its software resides in the SM central computer (TsVM) and terminal computer (TVM).]

The CDR terminated the maintenance charge/discharge of EMU batteries #2047 & 2048 in the Airlock, which was accomplished with the “Analyze” function on the BCMs (Battery Charger Modules) and is simpler than for NIMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries. Afterwards, Leroy reconfigured the controlling SSC laptop to normal ops.

Sharipov performed the periodic (monthly) functional closure test of the Vozdukh CO2 removal system’s emergency vacuum valves (AVK). [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 swapped the hard drive of PCS (portable computer system) laptops preparatory to upcoming reconfigurations. He also updated the SODF (Station Operations Data File) books (Warning, Emergency, Payload Ops) with new pages delivered on Progress 16.

Salizhan did the routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system and prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for export/import to the IMS databases.

Chiao performed the daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, RED exerciser and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer. Salizhan’s protocol today was replaced by the MO-1 and MBI-8 biomed assessment exercises.

Leroy 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 CDR/SO also filled out the regular weekly FFQ (food frequency questionnaire), his eleventh, which keeps a log of his nutritional intake over time on special MEC (medical equipment computer) software. [The FFQ records amounts consumed during the past week of such food items as beverages, cereals, grains, eggs, breads, snacks, sweets, fruit, beans, soup, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, chicken, sauces & spreads, and vitamins. IBMP-recommended average daily caloric value of the crew’s food intake is 2200-2300 cal. If larger quantities of juices and fruits are taken into account, the value can go to 2400-2500 cal.]

The Science Officer was thanked for performing the HRF GASMAP functional checkout yesterday. The ground was “happy to report that everything went nominally”.

Chiao’s inspection of the US Lab window yesterday, required once per Increment to check for particulate and/or contamination films on the window, went generally well, with some “lesson learned” aspects. [The crew was instructed to use the Mag light instead of the PUL (Portable Utility Light) because the latter is still under investigation for the previous UOP-4 trip. The crew reported the task was difficult to perform by a single crewmember. The crew also reported that the Mag lighting was insufficient to discern the different layers of the windowpanes. Still photos and video have been sent to the ground for analysis.]

Activities on the long-planned step-up to the new CCS CSCI (Command & Control System/ Computer Software Configuration Items) version 4.6 (CCS R4) started yesterday with the loading of the new software into the Backup and Standby C&C MDM. [The Primary C&C MDM was not loaded with the new software and continues to be Prime. Today this Prime C&C MDM (with the old R3 Software load) will be transitioned to standby mode and the newly loaded CCS R4 C&C MDMs will be transitioned to Prime and Backup configurations. Then the crew will install the previously ghosted PCS R8 hard drives into the PCSs and to re-connect the laptops into the system. The ISS will operate in this configuration overnight. Tomorrow, the standby MDM, with the old R3 software, will be loaded with the new CCS R4 software. With the CCS R4 software loaded onto all three C&C MDMs, the CCS R4 upload procedure will be complete. The transition will retire a number of Station Program Notes (SPNs) and will add USOS Command and Control functionality.]

The crew was unable yesterday to perform the periodic noise level measurements program with the US sound level meter (SLM) because the latter was out of battery power, and the crew could not find six C-cell batteries to replace the old ones. Contrary to yesterday’s status report, the SLM survey could not be performed and has to wait for new batteries on Progress 17. [The crew found 2 Duracells, 2 Energizers, and 6 Varta C-cells (SLM requires six C-Cell batteries). The Varta batteries are not planned spares for the SLM and cannot be used at this time until they have been evaluated on the ground. The SLM survey will have to be rescheduled or just wait until the next planned session in 2 months.]

Per the nominal Beta angle attitude transition plan, yesterday the ISS was successfully transitioned from XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) to +XVV LVLH (+x-axis in velocity vector/local vertical local horizontal) attitude. [The maneuver occurred at ~9:14am EST and consumed 18.61 kg of Russian prop system propellant. Consistent with the attitude transition the US solar arrays were transitioned to dual angle mode.]

Update on 4B1 Battery Set Reconditioning: The reconditioning was successfully completed yesterday. The battery set was placed back on line, and the ISS is now in the nominal power configuration. The software PPLs (Pre-Positioned Loads) to control charging of the reconditioned battery will be finalized this week, with uplink on 1/14. Following the PPL uplink, a 4B1 final capacity test will be performed on 1/21. The battery reconditioning exercise enhances battery performance by increasing capacity and extends battery life.

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, no longer limited in the current LVLH attitude, were Tsunami Damage, Andaman Islands (Dynamic Event. These relatively unexplored islands suffered extreme flooding from the recent tsunami. Detailed images of the islands are useful for mapping of geomorphic change resulting from the tsunami, and for assessing flood damage to the island interiors. Looking to the right of track for the islands [located to the northwest of Sumatra]), Irrawaddy River Delta, Burma (patchy cloud cover is predicted over the delta area. Looking to the right of track for murky areas of sediment outwash and flattened vegetation. Significant flooding during the recent tsunami may have altered the delta’s hydrology and geomorphology. Detailed mapping swaths across the delta will enable quantification of any change), Patagonian Glaciers, S. America (this overpass provided an opportunity for high-resolution photography of the central ice fields. Mapping of the leading edges of the larger valley glaciers is important to monitor ice advance and/or retreat), and Dust Storm, Central Africa (Dynamic Event. This overpass provided an opportunity for photography of a large dust storm originating in central Africa. Looking aft along track for visible dust cloud edges. Inclusion of coastline in images is desirable in order to facilitate geographic location of the dust cloud).

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:

• ISS reboost (delta-V: 4 m/s) — 1/15/05;
• EVA-12 — 1/26/05 (Eastern)
• Progress 16P undocking & destructive reentry — 2/27/05;
• Progress 17P launch — 2/28/05.
• EVA-13 — 3/25/05;
• Soyuz 10 S launch — 4/15/05;
• Soyuz 9S undock — 4/25/05 (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS).

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.