NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 18 October 2005

Now Hear This:  Ding! Ding!   Army Col. William McArthur (USMA ’73, ISS-12 Commander) striking the ship’s bell on the departure of William Readdy (USNA ’74, Assoc. Admin. for Space Ops) from NASA Headquarters, Oct. 05.

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. 

Before breakfast and exercise, FE Tokarev and CDR/SO McArthur completed their first session with the periodic Russian MedOps test “Hematocrit” (MO-10), which measures the red cell count of the blood.  [The blood samples were drawn from a finger with a perforator lancet and then centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the M-1100 kit’s minicentrifuge, and its hematocrit value was read off the tubes with a magnifying glass. It is a well-known phenomenon of space flight that red blood cell count (normal range: 30-45%) tends to go down over time. After the exam, the data were saved in the IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer), and Tokarev stowed the equipment kit.]

The FE also took his first MBI-1 SPRUT-K test, part of Russian medical research on the distribution and behavior of human body fluids in zero gravity. Bill s assistance was not required.  [Supported by payload laptop 3 (LT3) in the Service Module (SM), the test used the Profilaktika kit #8, delivered on Soyuz-217/11S, with data recorded on PCMCIA memory cards, along with Valery s body mass values determined yesterday and the Hematocrit value from the MO-10 test earlier this morning, but skipping fat fold measurements. Experiment requisites are the Sprut (“squid”) securing harness, skin electrodes (cuffs), and LT3 for control and data storage. The Pinguin suit or Braslet-M cuffs, if worn, have to be taken off first. Electrode measurements are recorded at complete rest and relaxed body position.]

This was the first day for the current renal (kidney) stone experiment session (the first of three planned for this Increment). Valery set up the hardware for the 24-hour urine collections and kept his dietary/metabolic log entries up to date, while Bill started his diet log, using a barcode reader to enter all food/fluid intakes today and tomorrow (collections by the crew are not done concurrently). [This long-range preventive medicine investigation features daily random ingestion of either potassium citrate or placebo tablets at dinnertime. The NASA-JSC double-blind Renal Stone research study investigates methods to prevent formation of kidney stones in zero-G. Part of the experiment consists in keeping a metabolic diet log (food and fluid intake), followed by collection of urine samples several times per day during each session.]

Tokarev also collected the monthly sensor readings of the Russian Pille-MKS radiation dosimetry experiment, with its 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: 9/16).

The Science Officer performed the first checkout of the new Pulmonary Function System (PFS) on the HRF-2 (Human Research Facility Rack 2), after it was powered up and configured by ground commanding. As part of the checkout, Bill first turned on the SSC-5 (Station Support Computer #5), then completed GASMAP (Gas Analyzer System for Metabolic Analysis Physiology) reconfiguration, required after its transfer to HRF-2, with new gasses supplied on LF-1/STS-114 in the GDS (Gas Delivery System). After the checkout, the PFS was photo-documented and later deactivated & decabled , followed by power-down of SSC-5 and HRF-2 after file downlink. Today s commissioning activity was a collaborative effort by NASA and ESA, culminating over eight years of development, design and fabrication.  [PFS is a human life sciences investigation into the effects of EVA and long-term exposure to microgravity on human lungs and their respiratory function. Each session includes a number of lung function tests, which involve breathing only cabin air. The test measures changes in the evenness of gas exchange in the lungs, and attempts to detect changes in respiratory muscle strength. Unevenness of gas exchange is a hallmark of virtually every pulmonary disease, and gas exchange can be temporarily disrupted by the filtration by the lungs of nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream. Staying in microgravity for long periods of time may cause changes in respiratory muscle strength. The experiment uses equipment in the HRF-2 located in the U.S. Lab, such as the GASMAP and special software. Data are stored on the HRF laptop for subsequent transmittal to the ground.] 

Both crewmembers took about an hour today for reviewing the timeline of the next U.S. spacewalk, EVA-4, scheduled for 11/7. Afterwards (~10:25am EDT), they tagged up with ground specialists at MCC-Houston to discuss specifics like EVA procedure layout, primary tasks and get-aheads , the new DOUG (Dynamic Operational Ubiquitous Graphics) software version, the tethering plan, the timeline itself, etc. There will be three additional EVA timeline reviews, on 10/20, 11/1, and 11/4.  [The spacewalk, from the Quest Airlock (A/L) in EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) suits, is estimated to last 5h 25m. Primary objectives: installation of an external video camera assembly (CP9 ETVCG, External TV Camera Group) on a stanchion on the P1 segment (lower outboard), and the removal and subsequent jettisoning/throwing of the FPP (Floating Potential Probe) with its solar arrays and extended probes from the top of the Z1 truss (portside), it in retrograde direction (about 30 deg zenith and 10 deg port of the ISS minus X-axis) with a velocity of at least 0.15 m/s, while the station is in XVV TEA attitude. There are also three get-ahead tasks, if time permits: retrieval of the S1-1 RJMC (Rotary Joint Motor Controller), removal & replacement of an RPCM (Remote Power Controller Module on the MT (Mobile Transporter), and installation of a clamp from the MISSE 4 (Materials on the ISS Experiment #4) on the A/L starboard endcone zenith/aft handrail.]

Valery Tokarev performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, including the ASU toilet system, as well as the weekly inspection of the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator apparatus.

Working off his discretionary time available task list, the FE also prepared the regular daily IMS delta /update file for automated export/import to the three IMS databases (MCC-H, TsUP, Baikonur).

The crew again had one hour each set aside on today s schedule for ISS familiarization and adaptation, to help in adjusting to their new surroundings and activities.  [This free session has become a valuable standard requirement for new station occupants for the first two weeks.]

Bill and Valery completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the CEVIS cycle ergometer, TVIS treadmill, RED resistive machine 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 4 of the first set).]

Later, McArthur transferred the CEVIS, TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data of his CEVIS and RED workouts, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~12:50pm EDT, the crew downlinked a video message of greetings to the participants of the 10th Meeting of the Working Group on Environmental Auditing of INTOSAI (International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions), to be held 10/29 in Korolev, hosted by the Russian Federal Audit Agency under Sergei Vadimovich Stepashin.  [About 130 representatives from 55 countries are expected to attend. The downlink will be occasioned by a lecture and practical demonstration of the capabilities of RSC-Energia, TsUP/Moscow and Russian science in the field of environmental monitoring from space (soils, air, water).]

At ~2:05pm, ISS attitude control authority will be handed over to the Russian MCS (Motion Control System) for subsequent maneuvering (at 3:40pm) to XVV ZLV (x-axis in velocity vector, z-axis in local vertical) attitude required for tonight s major reboost burns. The first burn will be performed at 5:09pm for 705 seconds, the second at 6:33pm for 700 sec, both with 2.94 m/s delta-V each. Main purpose of the reboost is to set up proper orbit phasing for Progress 20 launch.  [The burns will be performed by eight DPO-BT thrusters of Progress 19, from the #1 manifold and will be controlled in attitude by Service Module MNFD thrusters from both manifolds. The 19P burns are steered by the SM motion control & navigation system (SUDN) via the US-21 matching unit (installed in 19P on 9/13). The propulsion systems were tested successfully on 9/15.]

The Elektron oxygen (O2) generator continues to be off since 10/13, as Russian specialists are reviewing downlinked data. Yesterday (10/17), Valery Tokarev performed an O2 repress, using about 4.5 kg from the Progress 19 tanks to raise the ISS ppO2 (oxygen partial pressure) by 7 mmHg.   [The cause of the shutdown was an empty EDV (KOV) container with de-ionized water. RSC-Energia needs to assess the quantity of bubbles in the EDV using downlinked photos obtained during filling of two EDVs on 10/14 before reactivation will be attempted.]

After the switch, on 10/14, of CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products) #1020 to prime and #1021 to backup as part of a nominal three-month prime/backup rotation, O2 readings from #1020 have shown a significant downward drift as compared to the MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer) used as reference and the #1021 backup, making its O2 sensor suspect. For now, the crew was requested to switch the two units back to their original function (i.e., #1021 prime and #1020 backup) until the new CSA-CPs #1012 and #1017 delivered on Progress 19 are ready to take over monitoring.

During crew sleep time tonight, MCC-H will begin the periodic reconditioning procedures for the P6 solar array 2B1 battery, to last for about one week.  [Reconditioning improves battery performance by balancing battery cells and provides data to the engineers to assess battery health.]

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 Hurricane Wilma, Caribbean Sea [Dynamic Event. This late-season storm was predicted to reach Category 1 strength by the time of this ISS overpass. The crew was advised to look to the left of track for cloud banding and eye features), and Patagonian Glaciers, South America (look to the right of track for mountain glaciers amongst the northernmost Patagonian peaks. Cloud cover was variable, so a short lens was suggested to obtain general context views of the eastern slopes of the mountains).

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.

Upcoming Events (all times EDT):

• 10/18/05 — ISS Reboost (two burns, 11m 40s each, to set up phasing for Progress 20P launch & circularize;)
• 10/27/05 EVA-04 Dry Run
• 11/07/05 — EVA-4 (U.S.)
• 11/18/05 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S relocation (from DC-1 to FGB nadir port)
• 12/20/05 Progress M-54/19P undocking & reentry
• 12/21/05 Progress M-55/20P launch
• 12/23/05 — Progress M-55/20P docking
• 01/09/06 — 100 days for Expedition 12.

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.