NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 17 October 2004
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. Day 2 of joint Exp.9/Exp.10 operations.
Last Sunday for the crew aboard ISS and a task-jammed day. Ahead:
Week 25 of Increment 9. Day 181 in space for Expedition 9; also Day
1415 of permanent human station residency, and Day 2160 since first
ISS launch (FGB/Zarya).
After wake-up at the regular time (2:00am EDT), both crews went to
work on a busy schedule of ISS-9-to-ISS-10 handovers.
VC7 guest cosmonaut Yuri Shargin conducted the first run of the
BTKh-10 Konyugatsiya (Conjugation) experiment that deals with the
processes of genetic material transmission using bacterial
conjugation. [Yuri removed the active Rekomb-K equipment with the
hybridizer bags from the Kriogem-03 freezer-thermostat, switching the
latter to –22 deg. After the insert with hybridizer bags had warmed
up to ambient +37 deg, the conjugation process was activated and the
insert was reinstalled in the freezer. Later, the process was
deactivated and the removal of the hybridizers was documented
photographically. At the end, the Kriogem was switched to +4 deg.]
Expedition 10 Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov conferred with ground
specialists on the Russian biomedical Braslet-M/Anketa
(“bracelet/questionnaire”) test procedure which requires him to
evaluate a number of “bracelet” cuffs for their usefulness in
suppressing the adverse effects of micro-G for the “newcomer” aboard
the station during the acute phase of adaptation to weightlessness.
[The “bracelets” are compression cuffs attached to a belt and worn on
the upper thighs over the coveralls, intended as countermeasures
against the initial micro-G effects of blood filling (vascularity) in
the upper torso (heaviness and blood pulsation in the head), facial
puffiness, nasal stuffiness, painful eye movement, and vestibular
disorders (dizziness, nausea, vomiting). They create artificial blood
accumulation in the upper thirds of the thighs, causing some of the
circulating blood volume to relocate from the upper body to the lower
extremities, thereby (hopefully) correcting the adverse hemodynamic
effect of micro-G and thus improving the crewmember’s working
capability. The actual compression cuff in the Braslet units is a
combination of alternating multi-layer tensile and non-tensile
elements, whose distension by body movements creates elastic forces
that produce the necessary pressure on the body surface.]
Sharipov also had his first session with the European Neurocog
experiment, using newly delivered equipment. Today’s activities
focused on virtual rotation in free floating and fixed position
passages while recording EEG (electroencephalogram). [Assisted by CDR
Padalka, Salizhan first activated the EGE-2 computer, then equipped
himself with the Halley head electrodes. After doing the virtual
turns/corridor episodes in fixed state (subject strapped down) and
free-floating in zero-G called for by the Neurocog protocol, he
downloaded the EEG data to a PCMCIA memory card for subsequent return
to Earth, and dismantled the equipment.]
For his return to gravity, Gennady Padalka conducted the second
training session in the “Chibis” LBNP suit (lower body negative
pressure; Russian: ODNT), assisted by Mike Fincke. [“Chibis is the
Russian below-the-waist reduced-pressure device designed to provide
gravity-simulating stress to the body’s cardiovascular/circulatory
system. The suit forms an airtight seal around the waist and applies
suction to the lower body. The preparatory training generally
consists of first imbibing 150-200 milliliters of water or juice,
followed by a sequence of progressive regimes of reduced (negative)
pressure, set at -15, -20, -25, and -30 mmHg (Torr) for five minutes
each while shifting from foot to foot at 10-12 steps per minute, while
wearing a sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure. The body’s
circulatory system interprets the pressure differential between upper
and lower body as a gravity-like force pulling the blood (and other
liquids) down. It prepares the body’s orthostatic tolerance (e.g.,
the Gauer-Henry reflex) after Sasha’s six-month stay in zero-G.
Chibis data and biomed cardiovascular readings are recorded. The
Chibis suit (not to be confused with the Russian Pinguin suit for
spring-loaded body compression, or the “Kentavr” anti-g suit worn
during reentry) is similar to the U.S. LBNP facility (not a suit) used
for the first time on Skylab in 1973/74, although it appears to
accomplish its purpose quicker.]
In the Soyuz TMA-5’s Orbital Module, Sharipov installed the LKT local
temperature sensor commutator (TA251M1B) of the BITS2-12 onboard
telemetry system and its read-only memory (ROM) unit (PZU TA765B),
both kept in SM stowage from TMA-3.
Gennady conducted the second part of the newly arrived BIO-10
“Intercellular Interaction” experiment by deactivating the bio sample
cultivation and disassembling the setup in the MSG (Microgravity
Science Glovebox) in the Lab, supported by tagup with ground
specialists. [The BIO-10 Mezhkletochnoe vzaimodeistvie
(Intercellular Interactions) activities were again documented
photographically with the Nikon D1 digital still camera.]
As part of the current handover activities, Fincke and Chiao
completed the daily routine inspection of the SM’s SOZh life support
system, today including the weekly inspection of the BRPK air/liquid
condensate separator apparatus as well as the periodic checkout of the
IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways and FGB-to-Node
tunnel (last time done: 10/14). In addition, they prepared the
regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for export/import
to the IMS databases.
Another handover task between Mike and Leroy was a review of the
current version of the DOUG (Dynamic Operational Ubiquitous Graphics)
software, to be followed by an operational run on the SSRMS (Space
Station Remote Manipulator System) tomorrow. [Used during
Robotics/SSRMS operations, DOUG is a software program on the MSS RWS
(mobile service system robotics workstation) laptops that provides a
birdseye-view graphical image of the external station configuration
and the SSRMS arm, showing its real-time location and configuration on
a laptop during its operation.]
The crew also reviewed the detailed procedures for the upcoming
EMU/spacesuit repair activities scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday
(10/19) and Wednesday (10/20). [The activities will consist of EMU
#3013 flushing and EMU #3005 pump removal & replacement.]
CDR Padalka updated flight procedures books with new ODF (operations
data files) pages brought up on 9S/Soyuz.
Salizhan meanwhile unstowed equipment and made preparations for the
high-priority repair activities on the Elektron oxygen generator
tomorrow and Tuesday. [The installation of the new gas analyzers
delivered on 9S will require hydrogen vent valve (ZLVK) deactivation,
aerosol filter installation, H2 line and valve adapter (SBMP)
installation and H2 gas analyzer base plate installation tomorrow
(10/18), followed on 10/19 by adapter (BVK F-2) post-install leak
check, H2 line installation finish, mating of telemetry connectors and
gas analyzer installation on the base plate.]
With the Elektron currently turned off, after switching filter bed #1
of the SM’s harmful impurities removal unit (BMP) to Regeneration
cycle yesterday, Sharipov today terminated the bake-out, moding the
channel back to Purify. Later, he initiated regeneration on filter
channel #2. [The regeneration of the air purifier filter beds is
repeated every 20 days. Each bakeout to space vacuum takes about 24
hours.]
Yuri Shargin used the Nikon D1 camera with f800 lens on his first
session of observation and imaging of selected targets for the Russian
Environmental Protection Service as part of the Ekon (KPT-3)
experiment, today performing photography of the North American
continent.
By way of the ongoing handovers, Salizhan assisted Gennady in the
periodic inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment
which researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight
conditions in the Lada-5 greenhouse.
Shargin conducted a session with the biomedical MBI-9 “Pulse”
experiment, preceded by setting up the equipment. A second run for
Yuri is scheduled for 10/22, the day before his return to Earth.
[Execution of the medical cardiological assessment is controlled from
the Russian payload laptop, using a set respiration rate (without
forced or deep breaths) and synchronizing respiration with
computer-commanded “inhale” commands. First, arterial blood pressure
is measured with the “Tensoplus” sphygmomanometer, followed by the
“Pulse” test to record the ECG (electrocardiogram) and a report to
TsUP in the next comm pass.]
At 4:15pm, the crew is scheduled to engage in an interactive audio PAO
ship-to-ship call with the crew of the ten-day NEEMO mission (NASA
Extreme Environment Mission Operations) currently underway in the
“Aquarius” underwater research facility. Video will be taken on both
sides and later edited/packaged by PAO for NASA TV. [Aquarius,
similar in size to the ISS SM and owned by NOAA, is the only undersea
research laboratory in the world. The 45-ft long by 13-ft wide
habitat sits on the ocean floor three miles off Key Largo, Florida,
near deep coral reefs, 62 ft beneath the surface.]
At 3:56am EDT this morning, ISS flight attitude was maneuvered from
sun-pointing XPOP to earth-oriented LVLH.
Weekly Science Update (Expedition Nine — 25th):
GASMAP: Nothing new.
Human Research Facility/Workstation (HRF WS): Continuing.
Advanced Ultrasound (ADUM): Photos taken by Fincke of the ADUM probe
did not show anything unusual, so further diagnostic tests of the
ultrasound probe are being considered for the Increment 10 crew.
Hand Posture Analyzer (HPA: Nothing new.
In-Space Soldering Investigation (ISSE): Nothing new.
Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI): Nothing new.
Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS): SAMS continues to
acquire acceleration data relevant to characterization of the dynamic
vibratory environment on the ISS.
Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System (MAMS): MAMS continues
to monitor the quasi-steady microgravity environment.
Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System
(PCG-STES): Nothing new.
Protein Crystal Growth Monitoring by Digital Holographic Microscope
(PromISS): Nothing new.
Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal
Emulsions (InSPACE): Planned.
Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3 (BCAT-3): BCAT team is “really
excited” about all of the images the crew captured and is still
analyzing the data.
Renal Stone (RS): Nothing new.
Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites
(SHERES): Nothing new.
Foot/Ground Reaction Forces during Space Flight (FOOT): Nothing new.
Materials ISS Experiment (MISSE): In progress. Deployed outside on
the U.S. Airlock. Nominal and collecting data.
Cellular Biotechnology Support Systems-Fluid Dynamics Investigation
(CBOSS-FDI): Nothing new.
Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (BSTC): In planning.
Yeast Group Activation Packs (Yeast GAP): Nothing new.
Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM): Camera
charge was completed successfully. The team is waiting for the
October run by Expedition 10.
Earth Science Toward Exploration Research (ESTER): Nothing new.
Serial Network Flow Monitor (SNFM): The last run using SNFM on two
laptops was successful, capturing SAMS bootup data on both side of the
EXPRESS hub. The team uplinked their deep appreciation.
Fluid Merging Viscosity Measurement (FMVM): Thank you to the crew
for all their efforts in taking the FMVM pictures.
Viscous Liquid Foam–Bulk Metallic Glass (Foam): Nothing new.
BIOPSY (Effects of Prolonged Space Flight on Human Skeletal Muscle):
Nothing new.
Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2): Planned.
Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA): Nothing new.
Miscible Fluids in Microgravity (MFMG): Nothing new.
Educational Payload Operations (EPO): Nothing new.
Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE): Nothing new.
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.
Crew Earth Observations (CEO): The crew’s image count as of
yesterday morning stood at 20,817. Their latest Mt. St. Helens images
were excellent, and a number of them are being prepared for
publication. “This has been a highly successful increment for us
thanks to your diligent efforts at observing and documenting our Earth
from the ISS. We have especially benefited from your detailed
feedback and willingness to practice and try new methods to improve
the quality of your images. Please share your CEO experiences and
techniques with the new crew and let them know how we look forward to
working with them as well”.
Sleep period begins at the normal 5:30pm.
Ahead for Soyuz 8S:
- Hatch close — 10/23 (Sat), ~2:00pm;
- Undocking from FGB — ~5:05pm;
- Entry burn — ~7:40pm;
- Landing — ~8:32pm.
CEO images can be viewed at these websites:
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:
To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 9 crew visit:
- http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-9/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.
Expedition 9 Flight Crew Plans can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/
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.
