NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 28 December 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.
Crew wake-up this morning was back at its regular 1:00am EST. Sleep time begins at 4:30pm.
FE Sharipov continued Progress 16P integration into Service Module (SM) systems by installing a recycled US-21 matching unit, a 50-min. task. The installation was later tested electrically by TsUP-Moscow, taking about 10 min. during an RGS (Russian ground site) pass. [The US-21 matching unit connects the SM with the Progress motion control and DPO thrusters systems, so that they can be commanded by the SM computer system (BVS). After bolting the box down, Salizhan hooked it up with the telemetry (TM) connector to the BITS2-12 onboard TM system, after the ground had inhibited data output to the VD-SU control system mode, powered off the BITS and deactivated the Elektron O2 generator, SKV-2 air conditioner and BMP micropurification unit for about an hour. These systems were subsequently turned back on by TsUP, which then conducted the standard electric activation test of the US-21 at ~8:05am without crew involvement.]
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Previous Reports ISS On-orbit Status [HQ] |
CDR/SO Chiao meanwhile conducted the monthly IMS-based PEPs (portable emergency provisions) audit and inspection (last time done: 12/2). [The procedure involves verification that PFEs (portable fire extinguishers), PBAs (portable breathing assemblies), QDMAs (quick-don mask assemblies) and EHTKs (extension hose/tee kits) are free of damage to ensure their functionality, and to track shelf life/life cycles on the hardware. PEPs are not removed from their locker unless obvious damage is discovered during the inspection. There are a total of 5 PBAs in the U.S. segment (USOS), viz., two in the Node, two in the Lab, and one in the Airlock. There is only one EHTK, in the Lab.]
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Progress Cargo Vehicle Procedures According to the introduction to these documents “this book is intended for performing cargo transfer operations in Progress and on stowing equipment in SM and Progress.” These documents contain diagrams and detailed procedures for the transfer of times from the Progress Vehicle currently docked with the ISS. |
The crew also began with Progress 16P unloading and cargo transfers, for which several hours were set aside today. This will continue over the next few days. [Updated US & Russian cargo lists are being used in conjunction with the IMS (Inventory Management System)-based transfer and stowage operations. TsUP also uplinked an updated 39-page listing of HAZMAT (hazardous materials) items in the Progress cargo, covering such diverse things as lithium ion and alkaline batteries, printer cartridges, and experiment payloads.]
The FE retrieved the Motorola-9505 Iridium satellite phone from its location in the Soyuz TMA-5 descent module (DM) for its monthly recharging of the lithium-ion battery and started the 30-min. process. The charging was monitored every 10-15 minutes as it took place, and upon completion Salizhan placed the phone inside its SSSP Iridium kit and stowed it back in the DM’s operational data files (ODF) container. [The Russian-developed new procedure for the monthly recharging has been approved jointly by safety officials with an NCR (Non-Compliance Report) valid for the particular satphone in question, i.e., for the remainder of this Increment, according to which it is no longer necessary to double-contain the phone in two CTBs (crew transfer bags) for recharging its lithium-ion battery. During the procedure, the phone is left in its fluoroplastic bag with open flap.]
The CDR/SO spent time in the U.S. segment (USOS) with the regular periodic inspection of smoke detectors in the Lab, Airlock (A/L) and Node, as well as of the A/L’s and Lab’s bacterial charcoal filters. Leroy also used the vacuum cleaner to clean the screens of the units.
Sharipov updated the existing RODF (Russian ODF) books with new replacements and additions delivered on 16P. [US ODF updates (two Warning books, three Emergency 1 books & two Emergency 2 books) will be handled separately. Today’s procedural RODF material, totaling 15 items, includes two new Medical Operations books, for medical monitoring and preventive measures, to replace the older one-book version.]
Leroy conducted the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities), while Salizhan prepared the daily IMS inventory “delta” file for automated updating of the IMS databases.
The crewmembers performed their daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, RED exerciser and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer. Salizhan’s daily protocol currently prescribes a 1.5-hr structured set on the TVIS (today: Day 1 of a new set) and one hour on VELO.
Afterwards, Leroy performed the standard weekly maintenance check of the TVIS and its SPDs (subject positioning devices) as well as its time & date settings.
The CDR 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.
Before calling it a day, FE Sharipov broke out the “Urolux” equipment, setting it up for the crew’s fifth Russian PZE MO-9 biochemical urine test tomorrow. [The MO-9 analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus Urolux developed originally for the Mir program.]
No CEO targets for today except “static” points of interest for optional picture-taking. The next CEO target uplinks are planned for after the New Year.
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:
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.
Upcoming Key Events:
- ISS reboost (delta-V: 4 m/s) — 1/15/05;
- EVA-12 — 1/26/05 (Eastern)
- Progress 16P undocking & destructive reentry — 2/27/05;
- Progress 17P launch — 2/28/05.
- EVA-13 — 3/25/05;
- Soyuz 10S launch — 4/15/05;
- Soyuz 9S undock — 4/25/05 (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS).
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ISS Location NOW |
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:40am EST [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 353.2 km
- Apogee height — 355.8 km
- Perigee height — 350.7 km
- Period — 91.60 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.000385
- Solar Beta Angle — 14.6 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 204 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 34884
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.
