NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 19 April 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.  >>>Day 3 of joint Exp.10/Exp.11 operations. Day 188 in space for Expedition 10 (186 aboard ISS), with 6 days to go.

After wake-up at the regular time (2:00am EDT), both crews went to work on a busy schedule of ISS-10-to-ISS-11 handovers.

General handover activities continue to go well.  [As of yesterday evening, members of both expedition crews completed dedicated handover activities and functional handover (joint walk-throughs on specific tasks), for a total of 18 hours, including the SSRMS DOUG (Space Station Remote Manipulator System/Dynamic Operational Ubiquitous Graphics) review.]

DOUG software installation and a subsequent training run on the SSRMS were an important part of today s handover activities between John Phillips, Leroy Chiao and Sergei Krikalev.  [After hooking up the UOP-DCP (utility outlet panel-to-display & control panel) bypass power cable at the Lab RWS (Robotics Work Station) in the morning and powering-up the MSS (Mobile Service System) and its video equipment by the ground, the crewmembers took the SSRMS through the scheduled handover/familiarization session (half an hour was reserved for setup and review of DOUG and for general preparations, leaving two hours for the actual operations). The procedure s objective was to provide typical SSRMS stage operations such as Joint OCAS (operator commanded auto sequence) and Single maneuvers, LEE (latching end effector) operations and some DCP switch and MSS camera characterization time. The robotarm was left in Soyuz 9S undock viewing position, and the bypass cable was demated. A minor anomaly encountered during Joint OCAS auto capture is under investigation.]

CDR-11 Krikalev tagged up with medical specialists for a brief discussion of the standard Russian biomedical Braslet-M/Anketa (“bracelet/questionnaire”) test procedure. If required, this would allow 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, recorded on a questionnaire.  [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.]

FE-11 Phillips activated the European MSG (Microgravity Glove Box) to allow the ground team to remotely activate the ESEMs (Exchangeable Standard Electronic Modules) and update the software on the MLC (MSG laptop computer). This installed timelines and other features for tomorrow s scheduled MSG SCT (Safety Certification Test). The MSG was powered down again 4.5 hours later.

Chiao and Phillips began a set of major EVA-related activities in the US Airlock (A/L) which are serving the twofold purpose of being an important step on the Road to LF-1 and an excellent handover exercise.  [Today CDR-10 and FE-11 unstowed and cleaned out the A/L to make room for tomorrow s planned cooling loop flushing and SCU (Service & Cooling Umbilical) swapout and checkout, as well as for Thursday s EMU resizing for return to Houston. As second EVA-related task, Leroy and John powered up the 760XD SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop in the A/L and initiated the 50-day maintenance charge/discharge cycle on backup EMU batteries #2047 & #2048 for the LF-1 spacewalks initiated, using the automated DOS-based procedure.]

Krikalev prepared equipment assembly and work area for the Russian biomedical “Pilot” experiment (MBI-15), which requires a worktable, ankle restraint system and control handles for testing piloting skill in flying simulations on a laptop under stopwatch control. He then conducted the experiment for the first time, supported by tagup with ground specialists. Later in the day, John Phillips and then Salizhan Sharipov also performed the test. Afterwards Sergei deactivated, disassembled and stowed the Pilot-P gear.  [The test subjects performed three flight control modes (fixed, slow and fast free-flyer), each one five times, after checkout and calibration of the control handles. Results were later reported to the ground.]

Sharipov conducted the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various Russian segment (RS) hatchways, including the SM-to-Soyuz tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node passageway.  [This is especially important when the ventilation/circulation system has to cope with a large crew on board.]

Afterwards, Salizhan collected air samples with the IPD-NH3 Draeger tubes for NH3 (ammonia) near the ASU toilet facilities preparatory for tomorrow s planned standard Russian MBI-2 Deuraz (“Diuresis”) experiment, for which he also set up the equipment. Another air sampling will be performed after experiment completion.  [Deuraz requires Sharipov tomorrow to record toilet use time in the morning, perform urine sample collections throughout the day, and log meal and fluid intake on a record card. Additional work, to be completed on Thursday, consists of collecting his venous blood samples, followed by centrifugation to separate the blood into cells and plasma, and finally closeout and stowage.]

Sharipov also worked on the newly delivered AVR High Resolution Equipment, a powerful telescope connected to a Nikon D100 digital camera, to be installed at SM window #9 at a later date.  [Today, Salizhan connected and recharged the camera battery and later assembled the AVR telescope/camera/bracket setup.]

As a Soyuz-215/9S battery check, the spacecraft was switched by ground command radio link (KRL) from ISS power to standalone (battery) power, monitored by Sharipov.

Leroy Chiao replaced the used dust collector in the onboard vacuum cleaner with a new one and stowed the old unit for return to Earth for analysis.

FE-11 Phillips set up the NiCad battery of the Pilobolus voltage/ohm scopemeter for charging, to support tomorrow s UOP-4 (utility outlet panel 4) troubleshooting.

In preparation for his return, Sharipov unstowed Compact Flash cards used for storing imagery and transferred their photo contents to hard disk drive (HDD) and CD in Laptop 2 (TP2) to take back to Earth. The task was supported by tagup with ground specialists via S-band.

As a demo for Phillips, Sharipov also completed the periodic (weekly) replenishing of the Elektron s water supply for electrolysis, filling the KOV thermal loops EDV container with purified (deionized) water from the BKO multifiltration/purification column unit.

Sergei Krikalev performed a temperature check on the sealed BIO-12 “Regeneration” experiment, which studies how zero gravity impacts structural and functional recovery of damaged organs and tissues in Planaria (water flatworms).

VC8 guest cosmonaut Roberto Vittori continued performing experiments in his very crammed Eneide science program.  [Today, Vittori worked on EST/Electronic Space Test (experiment activation, start time registration), CRISP-2/Crickets in Space (opening the KUBIK-AMBER lid for air exchange), LAZIO (PCMCIA card exchange, photo imagery, EGLE/magnetometer ops), AGROSPACE/Beans-Seedlings (data checking & logging), BOP/Bone Proteomoics (first cell stimulation, medium change-out in culture chamber, close-out ops, transfers to Soyuz), ENE/Eneide (hardware setup, activation with an initial position/velocity vector, health check, shut down), ETD/Eye Tracking Device (experiment ops), HBM/Heart Beat Monitoring (Session 2 experiment ops, photo imagery), and MOP/Motion Perception (filling out questionnaire).]

Chiao and Sharipov again spent time on prepacking equipment for return on STS-114/Discovery.

The E10 crew conducted a slightly abbreviated physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, RED exerciser, and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer. Leroy then transferred the daily 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, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium.

Sharipov also performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, including its ASU toilet system. Later, as a task list item, he prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for export/import to the IMS databases.

Working off his discretionary job jar task list, Roberto Vittori again used his Nikon D1X digital camera for shooting pictures of his home country, for which two overflight opportunities were uplinked.

At 3:30am EDT, CDR Chiao set up the SM’s amateur radio equipment (Ericsson VHF transceiver, headset, power supply) and at 3:35am engaged in a 10-min. ham radio exchange with students at Schulhaus (School) Feld 1, Richterswil, Switzerland.  [Richterswil is a small town in the Zürich region. The school has about 200 students between 7 and 13 years old (grade 1 to 6).]

At 2:25pm, the five crewmembers, floating in the Lab module, participated in another live interactive TV news conference with US news media (ABC, CNN).

At 3:35pm, with Krikalev acting as camera operator, Roberto Vittori is scheduled for his second TV conference with the Italian Government, today with the Ministry of Industry, talking with Min. Antonio Marzano (Ministro delle Attivita Produttive).

The Elektron continues to operate nominally in 64-amp mode, keeping pace with the joint crew s metabolic requirements. The station upper Flight Rule limit for total cabin pressure is expected to be reached tomorrow at approximately 4:00pm EDT. The Elektron will be powered down before that level is reached.

As required for adequate power balance management, P6 solar arrays 2B & 4B were set to 90 deg sweep angle (dual-angle mode) and the current power users (MSG, SSRMS, EXPRESS Rack 1, etc.) allocated judiciously to the two channels, with A/L shell heaters juggled on or off as required.  [These actions are necessary for maintaining the primary power limit of 12.2 kW on both channels to allow three SNTs (voltage & current stabilizers/converters) supplying power to the RS to support Elektron ops in 64-amp mode.]

Another LHA (Lamp Housing Assembly) in the Lab has failed. The crew advised that lighting remains acceptable. Four LHAs and two BBAs (Baseplate Ballast Assemblies) delivered on 10S are scheduled for installation tomorrow.  [Currently, 9 of 12 lights are functioning in the Lab, 2 of 8 in the Node, and 3 of 4 in the A/L.]

Testing by TsUP/Moscow continues on the Russian ASN-M satellite navigation system in the SM for the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle), on the configuration with NVM navigation computing unit #1 and NPM receiver module unit #3.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 6:36am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 355.1 km
• Apogee height — 359.9 km
• Perigee height — 350.3 km
• Period — 91.64 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0007154
• Solar Beta Angle — 10.1 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.71
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 130 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 36644

For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html

Expedition 10 Flight Timelines:

Soyuz 9S (Expedition 10+1; Leroy Chiao, Salizhan Sharipov, Roberto Vittori):

• Undocking from FGB — 4/24 (Sun.), 2:44pm EDT;
• Sep Burn #1 (manual) — 2:50pm;
• Deorbiting Burn — 5:24pm (4 min 23 sec, delta-V 115.2 m/s);
• Module Sep —  5:49pm;
• Atmospheric Entry — 5:50pm;
• Landing in darkness — 4/24 (Sun.) 6:09pm EDT; 3:09am (4/25) local Kustanai/Kazakhstan;
• Sunrise at Kustanai landing site — 5:16am. [Note: Kazakhstan remains on Standard Time; thus: local time = GMT+5].

Return to Flight:

• LF-1 (STS-114)/Increment 11 SORR (Stage Operations Readiness Review) — 4/22 (Fri) at JSC;
• LF1 (STS-114)/Discovery launch windows (all times EDT), for FD3 docking:
• 5/15: 3:45 – 3:55pm;
• 5/16: 2:22 – 2:32pm;
• 5/17: 1:59 – 2:07pm;
• 5/18: 1:34 – 1:44pm;
• 5/19: 1:12 – 1:22pm;
• 5/20: 12:47 – 12:57pm;
• 5/21: 12:24 – 12:34pm;
• 5/22: 11:58 – 12:08pm;
• 5/23: 11:36 – 11:46pm;
• _ etc.

Note: For the May/June launch period, the daily 10-minute planar launch window (i.e., in ISS orbit plane) starts an average 23 minutes earlier each day, extends into early June and closes due to current constraints of Daylight Launch (6/7) or ET umbilical photo opportunity (6/3). Figures are approximate. There are additional opportunities for docking on FD4 (Flight Day 4), not planned. If STS-114 launches on 5/15, docking will be on 5/17 and undocking on 5/25.

Other Upcoming Main Events:

• Progress M-53 (18P) launch 6/10;
• ULF1.1 (STS-121) launch — NET 7/12;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24;
• Soyuz TMA-7 (11S) launch — 9/27.

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.

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.