NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 15 February 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.  

Today’s work plan for the crew was rearranged to accommodate some troubleshooting of the TVIS treadmill in the Service Module (SM) floor “pit”.  After the crew finished the semi-annual TVIS maintenance yesterday, the CDR performed a check-out exercise on the treadmill, which developed a rhythmic “rattling” noise at about 10 mph speed while exhibiting a slight lateral oscillation at all rates of speed.  A FIT (Failure Investigation Team) convened last evening to develop today’s troubleshooting steps.  The crew has now received the Go to return to normal treadmill usage.   [The first activity was for McArthur to set up a Sony camcorder to record video and audio of the TVIS in action, followed by both crewmembers attempting to reproduce the rattle sound with the front panel removed and record it along with the activity, both for unmanned and manned operation.  Afterwards, Bill converted the camcorder audio/video recording to a digital file for subsequent downlink via Ku-band over several passes.  Ground experts reviewed the accumulated data and determined the TVIS chassis is operating nominally.]

FE Tokarev worked on the Progress-355/20P cargo ship, removing the SSVP docking mechanism in the hatchway between 20P and the DC1 Docking Compartment which he had installed on 1/24 in preparation for the EVA-15.

Afterwards, the FE unstowed computer equipment in 20P and transferred it to the Russian segment (RS), specifically three new A31p laptops with their 28Vdc power supplies and cables, along with a number of CD-ROMs. [Tomorrow, one of the laptops, RS3 (#2002), will be set up and loaded in the Service Module (SM), and the remaining hardware will be stowed in the SM and FGB.]

In preparation for tomorrow’s several hours worth of repair activity on the U.S. MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer) in the Lab, Bill McArthur removed the CMRS (Crew Medical Restraint System) from the AR (Atmosphere Revitalization) rack to allow its rotation for access to its rear panel. [The MCA in the AR rack, delivered on 5A with the Lab, is a mass spectrometer that draws ISS cabin air into a vacuum, ionizes it with the filaments and then produces ion trajectories which “give away” major constituents by their (known) trajectories.  Over the last month, ground engineers have noticed a discrepancy between the SM GA (Gas Analyzer) ppCO2 reading and that of the MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer).  In addition to the ppCO2 issue discrepancy, there also appears to be a trending apart of the MCA ppO2 value and the CSA-CP O2 sensor value. Despite the discrepancies, the atmosphere on ISS has been and is considered in a safe configuration.]

After calibrating the GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer system of the SM SOGS (Pressure Control & Atmospheric Monitoring System), the FE took the weekly cabin air data with the instrument, which tests particularly for NH3 (ammonia) and HCl (hydrogen chloride).

Meanwhile, the CDR ran another periodic atmospheric status check for ppO2 (Partial Pressure Oxygen) and ppCO2 (pp Carbon Dioxide), using the CSA-O2 (Compound Specific Analyzer-Oxygen Sensor) and CDMK (CO2 Monitoring Kit).

At the HRF1 (Human Research Facility 1) rack, Bill conducted the periodic checkout of the MedOps cardiac defibrillator. (Last time done: 12/15).    [This periodic routine task is scheduled as soon as possible from Expedition start and every 60 days thereafter.  For the checkout, the defib is connected to the 120V outlet, equipped with its battery (currently #1012) and then allowed to charge, for about five seconds, to a preset energy level (e.g., 100 joules).  After the button-triggered discharge, a console indicator signals success or failure of the test. The pacing signal is downlinked via S-band for 2 min.  The HRF is powered down afterwards.]

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: 1/16).

The FE performed in-flight maintenance on the Russian geophysical GFI-1 Relaksatsiya (“relaxation”) experiment, replacing its UFS-1 filter and preparing it for re-use.   [Relaksatsiya normally deals with the study of the chemoluminescent chemical reactions and atmospheric light phenomena (emissions, i.e., molecular relaxation processes) that occur during high-velocity interaction between the exhaust products from space vehicles and the atmosphere at orbital altitude and during the entry of space vehicles into the Earth’s upper atmosphere.]

Bill completed the periodic (once per month) routine inspection of the RED (resistive exercise device) with canister cords and accessory straps as well as the canister bolts for re-tightening if required.

The CDR also performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s environment control & life support system (SOZh), including its toilet system (ASU), while the FE 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).

Both crewmembers completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the TVIS treadmill, RED and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer.   [Valery’s daily protocol prescribes a strict four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill and one hour on VELO plus load trainer (today: Day 1 of a new set).]

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).

Working off his discretionary “time available” task list, Tokarev completed the daily status check of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment.   [Rasteniya researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-8 greenhouse.  The regular maintenance of the experiment (each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) involves monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, topping off the water tank if ~20-25% of the total amount (4 liters) remains, and photo/video recording.  Once weekly, data from the Lada greenhouse control unit are recorded on floppy disk for weekly downlink via REGUL-Packet or the new BSR-TM at a suitable occasion

Also on Valery’s discretionary task list for today was his regular checkup on the Japanese experiment GCF-JAXA (Granada Crystallization Facility) in the Russian TBU incubator, maintained at 20 degC, including a temperature check on its ART (automatic temperature recorder).   [This daily monitoring/temp checking, carried on the Russian voluntary “time available” task list, will continue until 4/30.]

At ~9:35am EST, McArthur and Tokarev supported a 17-min. interactive educational/PAO event via Ku-band video and S-Band audio with students at the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics in Durham, NC.

At ~2:05pm, the crew downlinked greetings to the participants of the Fifth Regular Congress of the Russian Cosmonautics Federation, to be replayed at the Congress opening on 2/17.   [Attending the event at Moscow’s Polytechnic Museum will be Administration representatives of the City of Moscow and Moscow Oblast (Province), regional Administrations of the Russian Federation, management personnel of Roskosmos/FKA, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/GCTC, the Space Forces of the Ministry of Defense, and heads of space industry enterprises.]

Preparations are underway for an overnight “Campout” by the crew in the “Quest” Airlock on 2/23-2/24 at 10.2 psia pressure as an SDTO (Station Detailed Test Objective) test of this contingency.   [Preps include the development of detailed Go/No-Go and termination criteria for the campout (which requires mask prebreathe), specifying unique conditions that would mandate termination of the test and re-opening of the Node starboard hatch.]

Starting this morning at 1:00am EST and running for seven hours, MCC-Houston and its Moscow support group (HSG) conducted another BCC (Backup Control Center) dry run in test mode, with no involvement of the ISS crew or vehicle.  Purpose of the periodic exercise is to demonstrate BCC functionality under Russian assets while providing proficiency training for HSG personnel at the HSR (Houston Support Room) and TsUP-Moscow specialists.   [The ISS EMCC (Emergency Mission Control Center), located in Russia, comprises TsUP/Moscow as the Lead Control Center, coupled with HSR at TsUP.  The BCC facility provides a command and control capability from TsUP if the EMCC must be activated.  This is the case in situations that render MCC-Houston unable to provide telemetry, voice, and command capability for extended periods.  EMCC is also used when the threat of severe weather results in evacuation of the MCC-H building for extended periods.  In such an emergency, both Russian servers (CMD/command & TM/telemetry) are transitioned from MCC-H connectivity to BCC configuration, after which only the BCC can connect to the CMD and TM ports.  An actual contingency requiring switchover to the BCC occurred on 10/2/2002 when Hurricane Lili forced MCC-H to shut down at 4:00am EDT, and more recently during the severe Hurricane Katrina emergency.]

Today’s CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, which is available for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in ram), were Internal waves, N Patagonian Shelf (looking just left of pass for sun glint enhancement along the coast from Bahia Blanca, eastward to Cabo Corrientes), and Patagonian Glaciers (this pass offered today’s best lighting and weather for contextual views of this target area.  Trying to shoot right of track for oblique and panning views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.  A second pass was over the southern end of the target area.  Trying for context views [pans and obliques] looking northward over both ice fields).

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 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, 6:59am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 346.0 km
• Apogee height — 351.0 km
• Perigee height — 341.0 km
• Period — 91.46 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0007408
• Solar Beta Angle — 28.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.74
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 61 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 41398

Events Ahead (all dates Eastern & tentative):

• 02/22/06 — ISS reboost (by 19P; mnvr. back to XPOP after burn)
• 02/23/06 — Overnight Airlock Campout SDTO
• 03/03/06 — Progress M-54/19P undocking & reentry (mnvr. to LVLH XVV after undock)
• 03/10/06 — ISS reboost (by SM thrusters; mnvr. back to XPOP after burn)
• 03/30/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S launch (Pavel Vinogradov/Russia, Jeffrey Williams/US, Marcos Pontes/Brazil)
• 04/01/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S docking (DC1; mnvr. to LVLH XVV after dock)
• 04/09/06 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S undocking & reentry (mnvr. to XPOP after undock)
• 04/16/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S relocation (DC1 to FGB nadir port)
• 04/24/06 — Progress M-56/21P launch
• 04/26/06 — Progress M-56/21P docking
• 05/03/06 — ULF1.1 launch (NET, not earlier than)
• 06/15/06 — U.S. EVA (under review)
• 06/19/06 — Progress M-55/20P undocking & reentry
• 06/28/06 — Progress M-57/22P launch
• 06/30/06 — Progress M-57/22P docking
• 07/01/06 — 12A launch (under review)
• 08/01/06 — Russian EVA-16 (under review)
• 09/13/06 — Progress M-56/21P undocking & reentry
• 09/14/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S launch
• 09/16/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S docking (DC1)
• 09/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S undocking & reentry
• 10/18/06 — Progress M-58/23P launch
• 10/20/06 — Progress M-58/23P docking
• 12/19/06 — Progress M-57/22P undocking & reentry
• 12/20/06 — Progress M-59/24P launch
• 12/22/06 — Progress M-59/24P 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.