NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 3 June 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.

CDR Krikalev performed outfitting in the Service Module (SM) by installing two new electronic blocks (Signal Recovery Devices, UVS-871) for the Russian telephone/telegraph subsystem (STTS) behind wall panels, supported by specialist tagup via headset/extension cable from the FGB. After reconfiguring nominal MBS (intermodule) comm between the Russian (RS) and US (USOS) segments, a checkout for volume level followed. [The “Voskhod-M” STTS enables telephone communications between the SM, FGB, DC1 Docking Compartment and USOS, and also with users on the ground over VHF channels selected by an operator at an SM comm panel, via STTS antennas on the SM s outside. There are six comm panels in the SM with pushbuttons for accessing any of three audio channels, plus an intercom channel. Other modes of the STTS include telegraphy (Teletype), EVA voice, emergency alarms, Packet/Email, and TORU docking support.]

FE/SO Phillips completed Part 2 of this week’s MFMG (Miscible Fluids in Microgravity) payload activities, performing Test 3 of the experiment’s Thermal ops at the work table by slowly injecting 100% honey into clear water. [The activities were again video recorded with the Lab camcorder connected to the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) video drawer equipment, for which MSG ESEM (Exchangeable Standard Electronic Modules) were remote-commanded without crew involvement. Later in the day, MSG and its video equipment were deactivated, and MFMG hardware and work table were restowed. The Science Officer was thanked for yesterday’s Test 4 with tinted water, which appeared to provide excellent color contrast to the honey. The objective of this payload is to determine if isothermal miscible fluids can exhibit transient interfacial phenomena similar to that observed with immiscible (nonmixing) fluids.]

Krikalev prepared for his second run of the regular monthly sessions of the ETD experiment (Investigation of the Coordination of Eye and Head Movements) by conducting a familiarization and training session, reviewing software and procedures material. The experiment ops are scheduled for tomorrow. [ETD, remaining from the VC8 “Eneide” science program, investigates horizontal eye and head movement coordination, measures Listing’s plane, and determines the orientation of the vestibulo-ocular coordinate system, using five target marks on the horizontal plane.]

Sergei tagged up with payload specialists to discuss upcoming (6/10) operations with the US/Russian PLASMA-ISS experiment that will study near-station and ISS surface electroplasmic processes and their effects on ISS systems and elements. [The US P6 solar arrays create static-electricity potentials of ~160 volts on the structure, and two PCUs (Plasma Contactor Units) are commonly used during EVA (or tests) to emit Xenon plasma to keep shell surface potentials at <40V. Because of the high orbital speed (i.e. high collision energy between the Xenon plasma and atmospheric oxygen) a weak optical emission (glow) can be observed. The experiment will use the onboard Russian Relaksatsiya equipment with its Fialka-MV-Kosmos multispectral hardware (spectrometer, video camera plus Laptop 3 software) to observe the PCU plasma jet emission luminescence from SM windows #12 & #13 in late June and early August, preceded by test measurements on 6/10 to ensure successful experiment execution later.]

Dr. Phillips signed in on the MEC (medical equipment computer) and performed his second session with the psychological MedOps WinSCAT experiment (Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool), using special new software for this assessment. [WinSCAT is a time-constrained questionnaire test of cognitive abilities, routinely performed by astronauts aboard the ISS every 30 days before or after the PHS (periodic health status) test or on special CDR’s, crewmember’s or flight surgeon’s request. The exercise involves tests of symbol memorizing, repeating numbers, mathematical processing, and pattern matching.]

After the crew configured Robotics video equipment and performed a final survey of grapple pre-motion, NASA and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) ground controllers successfully conducted today’s Phase 2 commissioning operations of SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) ground commanding, consisting of MBS PDGF (Mobile Base System Power & Data Grapple Fixture) grappling and releasing. [The crew monitored ongoing command executions. Phillips later deactivated systems and removed the UOP-DCP (utility outlet panel-to-display & control panel) bypass power cable at the Lab RWS (Robotics Work Station).]

The CDR worked on the Russian Laptop 3, restoring it to its nominal payload-support configuration (Sprut, Profilaktika, etc.) after yesterday’s successful software upgrade to Version 7.03. [All RS systems and TsUP/Moscow ground equipment are now running Vers. 7.03. Onboard systems have been configured back to nominal operations. All RS system software patches have been uplinked and system main programs have been activated. Transition to SM 7.03 is complete and nominal.]

The FE relocated the TEPC (Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter) from the SM’s starboard Crew Quarters area in the SM, with the detector unit (not the spectrometer) on top of panel 327. [The TEPC remains plugged in a regular CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) power/data outlet on SM panel 450 (i.e., not powered by battery), so that its telemetry can be received on the ground automatically.]

John conducted the periodic (90-day) verification of IMV (intermodular ventilation) airflow between the U.S. (USOS) and Russian segment (RS) using the Velocicalc meter. The measurements were supplemented by CO2 readings with the CDMK (carbon dioxide monitor kit, #1013). [There is no direct measurement of airflow except as reflected by differences in atmosphere partial pressures measured between the RS and USOS. ppCO2 (CO2 partial pressure) is a good yardstick since an increasing ppCO2 in the Lab not reflected in the SM indicates that Vozdukh is not receiving the air from the Lab at an efficient rate. Periodic air flow degradation checks support establishing a most effective fan cleaning schedule.]

The periodic (weekly) CDMK ppCO2 readings were also taken in the cabin, for calldown (along with the battery status) for use in trending analyses.

Sergei Krikalev completed the scheduled leak testing on the Elektron Liquid Unit #5 (BZh-5), after retrieving it from stowage and connecting it to the nitrogen purge assembly (BPA) with a pressure measuring sensor (BID). The BZh-5 was pressurized with the nominal N2 pressure of about 1.1 kg/cm2 (15.5 lb/in2), i.e., slightly above 1 atm, after which it was found to be leaking. The CDR is continues to monitor the N2 pressure.

The CDR conducted the weekly IMS (inventory management system) tagup with specialists at TsUP/Moscow, discussing open issues concerning identification of equipment and storage locations for the IMS databases. [Issues under discussion today included cargo stowage zones in the FGB to help in further consolidating storage space, identification of locations of items found during Sergei s recent search, etc.]

Sergei also completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, including regular replacements of the ASU toilet facility, and prepared the regular IMS (Inventory Management System) delta file for export/import to the IMS databases.

Both crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (John), TVIS treadmill (Sergei), RED exerciser and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer. [Sergei 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 3 of a new set).]

Afterwards, the FE 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 RED and CEVIS, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium.

Working off the discretionary job jar task list, Krikalev performed the regular daily inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment, including filling its water canister as required. [Rasteniya researches growth and development of plants (currently horse radish) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-7 greenhouse. The regular maintenance of the experiment (each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) involves monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, topping off the water tank if ~20-25% of the total amount (4 liters) remain, and photo/video recording.]

Also suggested by the task list for Krikalev today was another session with the “Uragan” (hurricane) earth-imaging program that had him focus the Nikon D1X digital camera with f400 or 800 mm lens from SM window #9 on targets specified by an uplinked list. [Today’s targets included the Tuzla sand bar at the Taman peninsula, oil pipeline infrastructure on the sea shore and mountain ridge to the west of Novorossiysk, strip photography of farm lands of Krasnodar Territory, the alluvial plain of the Volga River, views of the Ural and Altai Mountains, the Katun River valley, strip photography of farm lands from the Sea of Azov to Stavropol , farm land near Kavminvody, Vladikavkaz on the Terek River, the Cherkeisk reservoir, sea currents along Dagestani and Azerbaijani coastline with oil sleek, etc.]

As an additional item on the “job jar” task item for the CDR, there still remains urine transfer from the EDV-U collection container to the empty water tanks 1 and 2 of Progress 17.

John Phillips’ cleaning activity yesterday on an erratic smoke detector (SD) in the Node was successful. The contamination-caused obscuration dropped by approximately half its pre-cleaning value. Subsequent to the cleaning the SD was enabled for active monitoring.

Starting this morning at 2:00am EDT and running for seven hours, MCC-H and its support group in Moscow (HSG) conducted another BCC (Backup Control Center) dry run in test mode, with no involvement of the ISS crew or vehicle. Purpose of the periodic exercise was to demonstrate BCC functionality under Russian assets, while providing proficiency training for HSG (Houston Support Group) personnel at the HSR (Houston Support Room) and TsUP/Moscow specialists. Old recorded telemetry data of 3/10/05 were used for the comm/connectivity test. [The ISS EMCC (Emergency Mission Control Center), located in Russia, comprises TsUP as the Lead Control Center, coupled with HSR at TsUP. The BCC facility provides a command and control capability from TsUP if the EMCC must be activated. This is the case in situations that render MCC-Houston unable to provide telemetry, voice, and command capability for extended periods. EMCC is also used when the threat of severe weather results in evacuation of the MCC-H building for extended periods. In such an emergency, both Russian servers (CMD/command & TM/telemetry) are transitioned from MCC-H connectivity to BCC configuration, after which only the BCC can connect to the CMD and TM ports. An actual contingency requiring switchover to the BCC occurred on 10/2/2002 when Hurricane Lili forced MCC-H to shut down at 4:00am EDT.]

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 Typhoon Nesat, W Pacific (Dynamic event. Two overflight opportunities, one with oblique view angle and late afternoon sun to enhance storm band cloud tops, the other later in the dawn s early light. Looking left of track for this storm, which was Category 3 at the first pass, Cat. 4 at the second), Internal waves, S China Sea (looking left towards the glint point which followed the ISS track well to the east over Vietnam s coastal waters, where internal waves could be expected), St. Thomas reefs, Virgin Islands (looking a touch right for this reef mapping site), St. John reefs, Virgin Islands (look a touch right for this reef mapping site), and St. Croix reefs, Virgin Islands (looking a touch right for this reef mapping site).

 
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 11 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-11/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 11 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, 6:56am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 351.9 km
• Apogee height — 355.2 km
• Perigee height — 348.7 km
• Period — 91.58 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.65 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0004855
• Solar Beta Angle — -28.7 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 42
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 37352

Some Increment 11 Main Events (not final):

• Progress M-52 (17P) undock — 6/15 (4:13pm EDT);
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/16 (7:09pm EDT, Baikonur: 6/17, 5:09am)
• Progress M-53 (18P) dock — 6/18 (8:46pm EDT);
• Reboost — ~6/22 (delta-V 1.5 m/s);
• LF-1/STS-114 launch — 7/13 (18-day window opens);
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) relocate (from DC-1 to FGB) — ~8/16;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24 (dock 8/26);
• ULF1.1/STS-121 launch — NET 9/9 (launch window opens);
• 12A/STS-115 launch — NET 2/16/06;
• 12A.1/STS-116 launch — NET 4/23/06;
• 13A/STS-117 launch — NET 5/18/06.

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.