NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 15 February 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.

After station inspection and morning hygiene, before breakfast and first exercise, CDR/SO Leroy Chiao and FE Salizhan 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. [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 “scales” (IM) 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].

Afterwards, Salizhan performed the first part of his second round of the Russian preventive health maintenance fitness test series MBI-8 “Profilaktika”, starting with the VELO stationary bike ergometer. [There will be two more tests, one with the NS-1 Load Trainer tomorrow, the other with the TVIS treadmill on 2/17. Test procedure is identical to the Russian MO-5 assessment, but in addition to the nominal procedure, it calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer, measurement of the lactate level in the subject’s blood with the AccuSport device, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test. Results are entered on a log sheet. TEEM and ECG (electrocardiograph) data are transferred to Laptop 3, also on a tape cassette (Cardiocassette-2000), and prepared for later downlink via OCA or Regul-Packet comm. The lactate levels were called down to specialists standing by at TsUP.]

Both crewmembers in turn took their third periodic on-orbit hearing assessment (O-OHA) test, a NASA environmental health systems examination to assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures. [The O-OHA audiogram test involves minimum audibility measurements for each ear over a wide range of frequencies (0.25-10 kHz) and sound pressure levels, with the crewmembers using individual-specific Prophonics earphones, Bose ANC headsets and the SLM (sound level meter). To conduct the testing, the experimenter is supported by special EarQ software on the MEC (medical equipment computer), featuring an up/down-arrow-operated slider for each test frequency that the crewmember moves to the lowest sound pressure level at which the tone can still be heard. The baseline test is required not later than about Flight Day 14 for each new Expedition and is then performed once per month.]

The crew continued & completed the full semiannual maintenance/checkup of the TVIS (treadmill with vibration isolation & stabilization), started yesterday. [During today’s Part 2 of the activity, Chiao and Sharipov had 2.5 hours to conclude inspections, lubricate components, check for damage and loose fasteners, clean screens, reassemble the TVIS, power on the machine, set time & date on its control unit, and perform speed characterization. Wire ropes and roller bearing assemblies were to be replaced if found damaged and a new battery was to be installed in the electronics box. The first portion of the extensive maintenance was successfully performed yesterday, with the wire ropes reported to be in “like new” condition, as are the gyro mounting, rollers, fasteners, screws and tracks.]

In a new round of periodic preventive maintenance of RS (Russian segment) ventilation systems, CDR Chiao spent about an hour in the Funktsionalnyi-Grusovoi Blok (FGB) to remove and replace the FGB’s two dust collector filters (PS1 & PS2). [Last time done: 12/3/04.]

As part of regular RS fire alarm maintenance, Salizhan worked in the DC-1 docking compartment to dismantle the IDZ-2 smoke detector for cleaning its needle, then reinstalled the device and turned the temporarily disabled ACC message acquisition equipment back on.

The CDR/SO signed in and performed his fifth session with the psychological MedOps WinSCAT experiment (Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool) on the MEC. [This is a time-constrained questionnaire test of cognitive abilities, routinely performed by astronauts aboard the ISS every 30 days before or after the PHS (periodic health status) test or on special CDR’s, crewmember’s or flight surgeon’s request.]

FE Salizhan Sharipov took the monthly sensor readings of the “Pille-MKS” radiation dosimetry experiment that has ten sensors placed at various locations in the Russian segment (port cabin window, starboard cabin window, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.). [Pille dosage values are called down or downlinked via Regul Paket/Email or OCA. (Last time done: 1/6).]

Leroy printed out an uplinked update of the CD (compact disk) Library Master List (Vol. II) and used it as replacement of the old listing in the onboard POC (Payload Operations Center) library book.

Chiao also performed the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh environment control & life support system and prepared the regular IMS (Inventory Management System) “delta” file for the daily automated export/import to the three IMS databases on the ground.

The CDR worked out in accordance with the daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise protocol on CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation), RED exerciser and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer. Salizhan’s exercise today was accounted for by his MBI-8 Profilaktika session (see above).

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

Leroy also conducted his daily checkup of the Total Dose reading and End File values of the TEPC (Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter), which he had relocated to the Node on 1/31, and called the data down at the evening DPC (daily planning conference). [This is currently a daily requirement since the UOP (utility outlet panel) near the TEPC’s temporary location (for two weeks) does not allow automated telemetry monitoring by the ground.]

TsUP/Moscow has not yet established the root cause of the recent problem with the ASU toilet system that required troubleshooting by the crew. Data are being collected by simulation with ground equipment. A report will be prepared. Also being reviewed is the status of ASU spares and their possible manifesting on Progress 17.

Battery reconditioning on battery set 4B3 has begun on schedule, to take approximately one week, without requiring crew action. Reconditioning of battery set 4B1 was completed on 1/10 and of set 4B2 in November 2004.

The first cabin air refresh with oxygen (O2) from Progress 16 was completed yesterday as scheduled, increasing O2 partial pressure by 8 mmHg/Torr to ~164.7 Torr and using about 10 lbs of gas. The plan is to utilize all the O2 in the Progress tanks prior to 16P undocking. Meanwhile, the Elektron is not needed and remains deactivated until early March.

A reboost of the station is scheduled for tonight at ~8:22pm EST tonight, to set up the proper orbital rendezvous phasing angle for the next Progress launch (17P), on 2/28. The burn is planned for 6 m 56 s duration, to achieve 1.8 m/s delta-V [ISS attitude control will be handed over to RS thrusters at 6:25pm for maneuvering from XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) to LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal) at 6:31pm, followed by reboost attitude. After the burn, attitude will change to LVLH TEA (torque equilibrium attitude) and control authority returned to U.S. control moment gyros at 9:40pm. P6 solar arrays will be switched to autotrack at 5:45pm (to maximize power generation capability in LVLH during 4B3 battery reconditioning).]

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the science window, which is available for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in ram), were Internal Waves, North Atlantic (this overpass provided an opportunity for internal wave photography off the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Looking to the right of track and slightly ahead for the sunglint point; interesting wave patterns may be visible close to the coastline of Portugal), and Saharan Dust, Chad (Dynamic Event. A strong weather system in the central Sahara is mobilizing significant amounts of dust to the northeast of Lake Chad. Looking to the left of track towards the eroded cones of the Tibesti volcanic field for plume edges or visible point sources of dust).

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 — 2/15 (~8:22pm EST, ~1.8 m/s; phasing for 17P rendezvous);
• Progress M-51 (16P) undocking & destructive reentry — 2/26/05;
• Progress M-52 (17P) launch — 2/28/05.
• EVA-13 — 3/25/05;
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) launch — 4/15/05 with Expedition 11 (CDR Sergei Krikalev, FE/SO John Phillips);
• Soyuz TMA-5 (9S) undock — 4/25/05 with Exp. 10 crew (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS);
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/10/05;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24/05;
• Soyuz TMA-7 (11S) launch — 9/27/05.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:07am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 356.1 km
• Apogee height — 362.6 km
• Perigee height — 349.5 km
• Period — 91.66 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0009696
• Solar Beta Angle — -18.7 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.70
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 128 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 35655

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.