NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 17 May 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.  

CDR Pavel Vinogradov had another busy day with IFM (inflight maintenance) tasks in the Russian segment (RS), starting off with repairing the failed Vozdukh (“air”) CO2 removal system, where he inspected the electrical power circuit of the PKO switching valve and then replaced the PKO valve control box with a spare from Node stowage. The repair was successful: Vozdukh is now back up and running in Manual Mode 5.

In the Service Module (SM), Vinogradov completed the periodic calibration check of the IK0501 gas analyzer (GA) via its IG-3 oxygen (O2) sensor unit, supported by tagup with ground specialists.   [IK0501 is an automated system for measuring CO2, O2, and H2O in the air, as well as the flow rate of the gas being analyzed.]

With three hours set aside for this task, the CDR started the long-awaited installation of the new H2 (hydrogen) dump line from the Elektron-VM, routing it behind a number of SM panels next to the existing flexible metal H2 hoses.  The job was to include relocation of the RPD pressure differential regulator (equalization unit) and the ZLVK-2 electropneumatic hydrogen vacuum valve, to be connected to the B9 nozzle for the new external port that will be installed during EVA-16. Today’s task, supported by ground specialist tagup via S-band, was to conclude with RPD and ZLVK function checks and line pressurization for a 20-hr. leak check.   [Because of the failed external vent valve, the Elektron had to use the same vacuum vent valve for regeneration as the BMP micropurification unit (the former for venting hydrogen), i.e., BMP could only be regenerated with Elektron turned off.]

In the Lab, after activation of the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), FE/SO Williams removed and stowed the PFMI/g-LIMIT (Pore Formation & Migration Investigation/ Glovebox Integrated Microgravity Isolation Technology) payload hardware except for components required for the upcoming InSPACE (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions) experiment ops.

Jeff then set up the InSPACE equipment in the MSG, which he deactivated afterwards.   [InSPACE, a previously (on Expedition 7) conducted investigation of materials science, obtains basic data on magnetorheological fluids, i.e., a new class of “smart materials” that change their properties when in a magnetic field, making them useful for improving or developing new brake systems, seat suspensions robotics, clutches, airplane landing gear, and vibration damper systems.  The dispersed particles are contained in Coil Assemblies (CAs) which subject them to electric fields of certain strength and frequencies.]

Pavel meanwhile changed out the PCMCIA (portable computer memory card international adapter) card in the ALC laptop of the newly activated ESA/RSC-Energia experiment ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS) and dumped the spectrometer data for subsequent downlink via the OCA comm system.   [ALTCRISS uses the ACT spectrometer employed by VC8 guest cosmonaut Roberto Vittori last year in the DC1 for the Italian LAZIO (Low Altitude Zone/Ionization Observatory) experiment. Spacers (to correct the spectrometer’s tilt) and new shielding tiles (LDM-ALC-101) were installed yesterday by the CDR]

The FE had another 1h 50m set aside on the timeline for continuing equipment prepacking for STS-121/ULF1.1.

Williams also completed the periodic (once per month) routine inspection of the RED (resistive exercise device) with canister cords, squat harness components, and accessory straps, and the canister bolts for re-tightening if required.   [The RED maintenance plan has been updated for the canister assembly with SchRED (Schwinn RED) Flexpacks.]

Vinogradov conducted the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways, including the SM-to-DC1 (20P) tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node and FGB-to-Soyuz passageways.   [This is important in light of the current attention on the accuracy of cabin air analysis values, which also motivated yesterday’s activation of the Soyuz gas analyzer.]

Pavel performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s environment control & life support system (SOZh), including regular replacements in its toilet system (ASU), plus the weekly inspection of the air/liquid condensate separator apparatus (BRPK).  Working off his discretionary “time available” task list, he later 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).

The FE conducted the daily 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).

Both crewmembers worked out in their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the TVIS treadmill (FE, CDR), RED (FE) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR).   [Pavel Vinogradov’s daily protocol prescribes a strict four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill in unmotorized mode and one hour on VELO plus load trainer (today: Day 2 of the first set).]

Afterwards, Jeff transferred the exercise data files to the MEC 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).

Still remaining on Pavel’s discretionary “time as available” task list is the search for “missing” Russian equipment items, specifically a transformer for the SOZh’s water management system with cable and accessories that were delivered about three years ago on a Progress cargo ship but never used.

Propellant transfer to the FGB from Progress 21P started at 6:10am EDT, after Progress DPO (approach & attitude control) thrusters were disconnected from the SM MCS (Motion Control System).  A preliminary estimate of propellants transferred is 48 kg of fuel and 104 kg of oxidizer.  Later, TsUP is to reconnect the US-21 matching units for 21P and 20P.   [Monitored by Moscow on Daily Orbits 2 & 3, the SM’s automated daily timeline sequencer (SPP) commanded transition to propellant transfer mode, then commenced propellant transfer from the two refueling tanks (BG) of Progress 21P to the four tanks (TBG/O 1-4) of the FGB via prop lines passing through the SM, lasting about 1-1.5 hrs.]

Preparations for the Orlan EVA on 6/1 are continuing on the ground. [The new EVA DOUG (Dynamic Operational Ubiquitous Graphics) files for EVA-16 and a preliminary 15-page list of procedures for the R&R (removal & replacement) of the external MBS (Mobile Base System) TV camera were uplinked to the crew.  For the spacewalk (start: 6:40pm EDT; duration: 5h 55m), the crew’s rest/work cycle will shift, beginning next Saturday (6/20) with wakeup at 5:00am, sleep at 8:00pm and continuing on 6/21 with wakeup at 8:00am, sleep 11:30pm until the EVA.  Used mostly during Robotics/SSRMS operations, DOUG is a software program on the MSS RWS (Mobile Service System Robotics Workstation) laptops that provides a graphical birdseye-view image of the up-to-date external station configuration on a laptop for study of external ops.] 

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) 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 Lake Nasser, Toshka Lakes, Egypt (looking right of track [to the E] for the Toshka Lakes.  These lakes are part of Egypt’s New Valley Project.  The intent is to relieve the population pressure from the delta by enticing people to move further inland.  The lakes are located to the west of Lake Nasser.  Documenting lake levels in the individual lakes), Glacial features, North Libya (ancient glacial features are exposed in the Libyan Desert as evidenced by meandering river traces), Sierra Madera Impact Crater (Sierra Madera impact crater should have been very close to the ISS track.  This crater is 13 km in diameter and has been dated as less than 100 million years old.  It is a highly eroded crater; however, there is a small uplifted central portion of the crater that is visible.  Noting the drainage in the area as it encircles the central uplift), Red River Basin, TX (investigators are collaborating with researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas for imagery of the Red River basin.  The crew was advised to note the water levels in Lake Texoma and also document the drainage networks leading in to the Red River basin), and Coast Mountains (this site has recently been added to the ground’s suite of glacial sites.  Context views of these mountains will help in locating specific glacial features later.  The glaciers of the Coast Mountains have been in retreat for the past several decades.  Mountains range in elevation from 10,000 to 13,000 feet).

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 13 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-13/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 13 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 noon, 12:18pm EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 343.5 km
• Apogee height — 349.7 km
• Perigee height — 337.3 km
• Period — 91.41 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0009172
• Solar Beta Angle — -28.3 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.75
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 65 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 42835

Significant Events Ahead (all dates subject to change):

• 05/20/06 — Progress M-56/21P loading complete; hatches closed
• 06/01/06 — Russian EVA-16
• 06/08/06 — ISS reboost with 21P for phasing (6:51pm EDT, delta-V 1.5 m/s)
• 06/19/06 — Progress M-55/20P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 06/24/06 — Progress M-57/22P launch
• 06/26/06 — Progress M-57/22P docking (DC1)
• 07/01/06 — NET STS-121/ULF1.1 launch
• 07/03-11/06 — NET STS-121/ULF1.1 docked mission w/ISS
• 07/??/06 — US EVA-5
• 08/28/07 — NET STS-115/12A launch
• 08/30-09/06 — NET STS-115/12A docked mission w/ISS
• 09/13/06 — Progress M-56/21P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
• 09/14/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S launch (Expedition 14 + VC11)
• 09/16/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S docking (SM aft port)
• 09/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S undocking (FGB nadir port) & reentry
• 09/??/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
• 10/18/06 — Progress M-58/23P launch
• 10/20/06 — Progress M-58/23P docking (SM aft port)
• 11/??/06 — Russian EVA-17
• 12/14/06 — NET STS-116/12A.1 launch
• 12/16-23/06 — NET STS-116/12A.1 docked mission w/ISS
• 12/19/06 — Progress M-57/22P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 12/20/06 — Progress M-59/24P launch
• 12/22/06 — Progress M-59/24P docking (DC1)
• 01/22/07 — US EVA-6
• 01/26/07 — US EVA-7
• 01/31/07 — US EVA-8
• 02/06/07 — Progress M-59/24P undocking (DC1) & reentry
• 02/07/07 — Progress M-60/25P launch
• 02/09/07 — Progress M-60/25P docking (DC1)
• 02/22/07 — NET STS-117/13A launch
• 02/24-03/03/07 — NET STS-117/13A docked mission w/ISS
• 03/08/07 — Progress M-58/23P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
• 03/09/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S launch (Expedition 15 + VC12)
• 03/11/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S docking (SM aft port)
• 03/19/07 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S undocking (FGB nadir port)
• 03/22/07 — NET STS-117/13A launch
• ??/??/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
• 06/11/07 — NET STS-118/13A.1.

    (NET = no earlier than)

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.