NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 25 October 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.  

FE Tokarev performed Part 2 of his first onboard “Profilaktika” (MBI-8) preventive health maintenance fitness test series.  Today he used the resistive NS-01 load trainer, keeping a log and supported by tag-up with medical support personnel at TsUP/Moscow.  Part 3, on the TVIS treadmill, will conclude the assessment tomorrow.   [Today’s Russian fitness test consists of four types of exercise, viz., neck stretching (back/forward), simultaneous upper arm flexing, trunk extension, and trunk flexes.  Each type of exercise requires a series of 15 motions repeated two times.  Load levels are selected by the ground and do not change from test to test.  Total duration of the test is ~13 min.  Gas analysis using the TEEM-100M gas analyzer and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels were also performed as a part of this test.  The lactate blood test was done twice at the end of the session, using the ACCUSPORT analyzer and REFLOTRON-4 accessories.  Results were entered on a log sheet.  TEEM and ECG (electrocardiograph) data were transferred to the Laptop 3, also on a tape cassette (Cardiocassette-2000), and prepared for later downlink via Regul-Packet comm.  Results were also called down to specialists standing by at TsUP.]

In further preparation for the 11/7 spacewalk (EVA-4), CDR McArthur first transferred the Cupola RWS PCS (Robotics Workstation/Portable Computer System) laptop to the UOP (utility outlet panel) of the Airlock’s Equipment Lock (AL/EL) compartment to support the upcoming EVA dry run activity, and powered it on.

Afterwards, the crew had about five hours to install the freshly charged EMU (extravehicular mobility unit) batteries and ready the gear for scrubbing (flushing) the EMU cooling loops.  While the flushing went on, required for at least an hour, EVA tools were configured, followed later by EMU checkout (which was fully successful), testing of the powered hardware for the REBAs (rechargeable EVA battery assemblies), and checkout of the SAFER (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue) units.

FE Tokarev worked on the Service Module (SM) Central Post station, replacing the hard disk of Laptop 1 to recover the computer which failed during Expedition 11.

Valery also did the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s Environment Control & Life Support System (SOZh), including its toilet system (ASU), and later updated/edited the computerized IMS (Inventory Management System) database.

On the new HRF-2 (Human Research Facility 2), Science Officer McArthur completed a computer-based training session for the checkout of the ADUM (Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity/On-board Proficiency Enhancer) experiment hardware scheduled for next Friday (10/28).

The CDR also completed his regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the CEVIS cycle ergometer, TVIS treadmill, and RED resistive machine. Valery’s exercise was accounted for by his MBI-8 “Profilaktika” workout with the resistive load trainer this morning.

Afterwards, Bill 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 CEVIS and RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~2:15pm EDT, McArthur had his first Program Science Conference (of three) with Program Scientist Dr. Don Thomas and his staff, discussing Increment 12 working payloads.   [Among the science investigations scheduled for SO McArthur during this Increment in the US segment will be first uses of the LF1-delivered HRF-2, physical science experiments like CBOSS-FDI (Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support Systems-Fluid Dynamics Investigations), BCAT-03 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) and InSPACE (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions), earth sciences like CEO and EarthKAM, the ESA payload PromISS (Protein Crystal Growth Monitoring by Digital Holographic Microscope), and others.  In the Russian segment, numerous investigations are planned for commercial payloads, biomedical & biotechnology experiments, geophysical observations, space energy studies, earth science, technical & material science, etc.]

During yesterday’s monthly TVIS maintenance, McArthur found the starboard forward upper wire rope isolator of the treadmill frayed (“about 75%”).  The crew took photos of the damage for downlink and applied gray tape.  TVIS is still able to support nominal operations, and the wire rope isolator only needs to be replaced when it is completely severed.  

Also yesterday morning, the TEPC (Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter) telemetry indicated a reboot or power cycle.  No cause has been identified as yet.  TEPC was commanded back on and recovered nominally.   [The TEPC is located in the SM, but the Russians were not aware of any power cycle.  Also, the crew reported they were not working in the area of the TEPC.  Following the apparent reboot, TEPC returned to Standby mode.  The cause of the reboot is still under investigation.]

The crew was complimented and thanked by the ground for yesterday’s excellent PAO exchange with members of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics visiting the Johnson Space Center (JSC), and their video downlinks to West Point for the Army-Navy game and for the 5th Anniversary of permanent human occupancy of the ISS (since 11/2/2000).

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 Internal waves, Northern Patagonian Shelf (a clearing trend was predicted for the southern South American coastline that provided favorable conditions for internal wave photography.  Looking to the left of track along the coastline for the sunglint point and wave patterns), Internal waves, Southern Patagonian Shelf (clearing was predicted to continue over the southern Patagonian Shelf.  Looking to the left of track near the coastline for the sunglint point.  Internal wave patterns may be visible near the coast and to the north of the Falkland Islands), and Patagonian Glaciers, South America (this pass took the crew over the southernmost Patagonian ice fields.  Looking to the left of track for small glaciers on the upper slopes and among the peaks of the mountains.  These smaller glaciers respond more quickly to climate shifts than larger valley glaciers at lower elevations).

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.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 7:04am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 346.6 km
• Apogee height — 347.3 km
• Perigee height — 345.8 km
• Period — 91.47 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0001134
• Solar Beta Angle — 37.3 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.74
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 88 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 39618

Upcoming Events (all dates Eastern):

• 10/26/05 — Test Reboost (four Progress 19 thrusters on manifold 2; 0.25 m/s delta-V)
• 10/27/05 — EVA-04 Dry Run
• 10/28/05 — EVA-4 Delta-SORR @ JSC (Stage Operations Readiness Review)
• 11/02/05 – 5th Anniversary of permanent ISS occupancy
• 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.