NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 14 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.

FE Tokarev performed Part 3 of his second onboard Profilaktika (MBI-8, Countermeasures ) preventive health maintenance fitness test series.  [Today s Russian fitness test was performed on the TVIS treadmill in unmotorized (idle) mode, with free choice of speeds within the range permitted. The test differs from the normal TVIS session by the use of the TEEM-100 gas analyzer, measurement of blood lactate level and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test. The lactate blood samples were taken 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.]

In preparation for Progress-355/20P docking next week (12/23), FE Valery Tokarev and CDR/SO Bill McArthur took the standard three-hour on-board training course with the TORU teleoperator system, which provides a manual backup mode to the Progress KURS automated rendezvous radar system. Afterwards, Bill and Valery tagged up with TORU specialists at TsUP via S-band audio.  [The drill included procedure review, rendezvous, docking data and rendezvous math modeling data review, fly-around, final approach, docking and off-nominal situations (e.g., video or comm loss). Two modes were simulated on the RSK1 laptop: 20P from stationkeeping range (30 m) in sunlight (insolation), and 20P in final approach in darkness (eclipse). The TORU teleoperator control system lets a Service Module (SM)-based crewmember perform the approach and docking of automated Progress vehicles in case of KURS failure. Receiving a video image of the approaching ISS, as seen from a Progress-mounted docking television camera ( Klest ), on a color monitor ( Simvol-Ts , i.e. symbol center ) which also displays an overlay of rendezvous data from the onboard digital computer, Tokarev would steer the Progress to mechanical contact by means of two hand controllers, one for rotation (RUO), the other for translation (RUD), on adjustable armrests. The controller-generated commands are transmitted from the SM’s TORU control panel to the Progress via VHF radio. In addition to the Simvol-Ts color monitor, range, range rate (approach velocity) and relative angular position data are displayed on the Klest-M video monitor (VKU) which starts picking up signals from Progress when it is still approximately 7 km away. TORU is monitored in real time from TsUP over Russian ground sites (RGS) and via Ku-band from Houston, but its control can not be taken over from the ground. Progress KURS will be activated at 1:20pm EST (12/23) on Daily Orbit 1 (DO1), SM KURS two minutes later. Start of final approach: 2:45pm; estimated time of contact: 2:54pm.]

Afterwards, the crew also conducted the standard 40-min. vehicle-to-vehicle test of the TORU between the SM and the docked Progress-354/19P, closely monitored by ground personnel during DO13. Progress thrusters (DPO) were inhibited and not involved.

In the SM, Valery activated the new Russian experiment DZZ-11 Volni ( Waves ) which he had set up on 11/1 at window #3. After about 1 hr. of operation, he deactivated the hardware again and downlinked the data. The activity was supported by ground tagup via S-band.  [Volni monitors and documents Earth natural resources & ecology data, using the French LSO equipment and two micro cameras installed on a mounting bracket at the window to observe wave disturbances (of natural and man-made origins) in the intermediate-altitude atmosphere. The images are transferred between the French EGE1 and EGE2 laptops for downlink via the BSR-TM channel. The original objective of LSO was to study rare optical phenomena occurring in the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere, so-called “sprites” (i.e., puzzling glow phenomena observed above thunderstorm clouds).]

The Science Officer reviewed uplinked material for familiarization & training for the upcoming PromISS-4 (Protein Crystal Growth Monitoring by Digital Holographic Microscope) experiment session.  [PromISS uses special hardware set up in the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) to monitor protein crystal growth in a three-dimensional environment to produce a detailed analysis and quantitative interpretation of the relationship between the quality of the crystals and the environment in which they were produced. The experiment uses the counter-diffusion crystallization method and a holographic microscope for video-capturing and measuring several parameters of the growing protein crystals, which also will be studied on the ground with X-ray diffraction. The investigation has both space and earth applications.]

McArthur was also scheduled to perform his second EPO (Educational Payload Operations), setting up the camcorder and then videotaping a lecture on the subject of Recycling onboard the Station.  [As in the past, the EPO footage is slated to be put to good use in NASA educational products, on websites, in schools, on TV, etc. EPO Team to CDR: Your previous demo was a great success. Your thoroughness in covering the procedures, taking time to change the camera views, as well as the demonstrations and examples you provided are much appreciated. ]

The SO was also thanked by the ground for his offer to conduct some Saturday Science activities on Expedition 12.  [For 12/17, potential activity suggestions are CBOSS FDI OBT (Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support Systems-Fluid Dynamics Investigations Onboard Training), and construction of a paper tube to support future CBOSS FDI photography.]

McArthur performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s environment control & life support system (SOZh), including its toilet system (ASU), as well as the weekly inspection of the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator apparatus. He also conducted the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various Russian segment (RS) hatchways, including the SM-to-DC1 tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node passageway.

From his discretionary time available task list, Valery 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).

Working on the SM SOZh plumbing system, the FE also removed and replaced the gas-liquid mixture filter (FGS) in the powered-down SRVK-2M condensate water processor.  [The SRVK-2M was subsequently reactivated, and the old filter was prepared for disposal on Progress 19. For the filter replacement, the FE turned off the SKV air conditioner temporarily.]

Using the CDMK (Carbon Dioxide Monitoring Kit, #1015), Bill collected the periodic reading of the cabin air’s current CO2 concentrations in SM and Lab for calldown, along with its battery status (taken after pump start-up) for trending analyses.  [Yesterday s CDMK readings in the SM, Lab and Node showed a ppCO2 of ~4.1 mmHg.]

The CDR completed his regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the CEVIS cycle ergometer, 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, McArthur 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).

Yesterday, following the VOA (Volatile Organics Analyzer) repair and the CHeCS AAA (Crew Health Care Systems Avionics Air Assembly) R&R last week, the CDR successfully activated the VOA. After activation, it passed the system test and performed warm-up for 70 minutes. Afterwards, because of a flapper valve failing to close, the cool down time took longer than expected. However, VOA calibrations and operation continued nominally.

Ground engineers are currently conducting a five-day checkout of the portside TRRJ (Thermal Radiator Rotary Joint), for Loop B of the ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System). Purposes of this test series are to characterize the autotrack function, check out blind mode operations, and characterize certain FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) responses.  [The ground-commanded checkout started 12/12. TRRJ functionality is required at Mission 12A.1 for ETCS (External Thermal Control System) activation. This TRRJ checkout, the third, will be only be conducted for Port (Loop B) due to the loss of one of the Starboard (Loop A) RJMCs (Rotary Joint Motor Controllers). No ammonia (NH3) is currently flowing through the radiators, so any anomalies encountered will not affect nominal TCS ops.]

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 Muglad Basin fans, SW Sudan (good pass over the east end of this site. Requested was a mapping swath of overlapping images just right of track until the Nile came into view), Nairobi, Kenya (nadir pass over this major East African city. Margins of the built-up area are of greatest interest), Mt. Kilimanjaro, Kenya (the small ice field on the summit is expected to disappear by 2015 at the present rate of melting), and Pilcomayo River dynamics, N Argentina (this is the largest megafan on the planet as far as is known. Requested was a mapping swath of overlapping images just left of track — from the cloudy Andes Mountains out onto the clear Pilcomayo plains as far as the trunk Parana River. The Pilcomayo River itself behaves in an unusual way: despite no reduction in discharge, it stops flowing at points progressively closer to the Andes Mts each year, possibly because of active tectonic basining by the plains near the Andes).

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, 7:18am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 350.1 km
• Apogee height — 357.2 km
• Perigee height — 343.0 km
• Period — 91.54 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0010539
• Solar Beta Angle — 1.7deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.73
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 78 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 40406

Upcoming Events (all dates Eastern):

• 12/21/05 — Progress M-55/20P launch (1:38pm EST)
• 12/23/05 — Progress M-55/20P docking (2:54pm EST, at DC1)
• 01/09/06 — 100 days for Expedition 12
• 02/02/06 — Russian EVA-15
• 03/03/06? — Progress M-54/19P undocking & reentry (baseline date under review)
• 03/22/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S launch (Exp. 13 + Marcus Pontes/Brazil)
• 03/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S docking (DC1)
• 04/01/06 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S undocking & return (Exp. 12 + Marcus Pontes)
• 04/06/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S relocation (DC1 to FGB nadir port)
• 04/09/06 — Progress M-55/20P undocking & reentry
• 04/10/06 — Progress M-56/21P launch
• 04/12/06 — Progress M-56/21P docking.

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.