NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 30 August 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.
Before breakfast and exercise, CDR Krikalev and FE/SO Phillips completed their third session with the periodic Russian MedOps test “Hematocrit” (MO-10), which measures red cell count of the blood. [The blood samples were drawn from a finger with a perforator lancet, 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 Krikalev stowed the equipment.]
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The CDR also took his third MBI-1 “SPRUT-K” test, part of Russian medical research on the distribution and behavior of human body fluids in zero gravity. John’s assistance was not required. [Supported by payload laptop 3 (LT3) in the Service Module (SM), the test used the “Profilaktika” kit #7, delivered on Soyuz-216/10S, with data recorded on PCMCIA memory cards, along with Sergei’s body mass values determined on 8/23 and the Hematocrit value from the MO-10 test earlier this morning, but skipping the “fat fold” measurement. 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.]
Phillips activated and checked out the new U.S. BP/ECG (blood pressure/electrocardiograph) equipment that was delivered on LF-1, testing the functionality of the ECG screen and the BP cuff. The new gear replaces the expired one. [BP/ECG can provide automated noninvasive systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements while also monitoring and displaying accurate heart rates on a continual basis at rest and during exercise.]
The Expedition 11 crew had three hours set aside to conduct the Soyuz emergency descent training exercise, standard procedure for each ISS crew. The exercise, which does not involve any command activation, uses computer simulation on the RSK1 laptop with a descent hand controller (RUS) to set up reentry conditions and switch between modes. It was supported by a tagup and discussions with a ground instructor at TsUP/Moscow via S-band. [The onboard training (OBT) session included a review of the pertinent ODF (operations data files), specifically the books on Soyuz Insertion & Descent Procedures, Emergency Descents, and Off-Nominal Situation Procedures such as manual undocking. Nominal return of Soyuz 10, with Sergei Krikalev, John Phillips and Gregory Olsen, is scheduled for 10/11, but station crews must always be prepared for emergency descents.]
John Phillips continued unpacking and stowing cargo delivered by the Shuttle on LF-1, for another 1h 45m.
Afterwards, the crew worked for two hours to finish up on Progress 18 unloading/transfers, with stowage in the correct locations and updating of the IMS (Inventory Management System) deferred to a later date. [Loading of 18P with hardware for disposal is scheduled to start tomorrow.]
The CDR received the Go by Safety officials to remove the yellow tags from the 18P-delivered SFOGs (solid-fuel oxygen generators, Russian: TGK). [Yellow tags, more formally called “uncertified dual ops tags”, are used to identify (1) items not certified for ISS Operations (certification and/or paperwork not complete prior to launch); (2) items which have IP (International Partner) segment-specific certification (can be used in one IP segment but should not be used in anther IP segment); (3) items that could pose a safety hazard; and (4) items that are broken or expired. Blank yellow tags are flown so hardware can be tagged on-orbit as necessary.]
John performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s environment control & life support system (SOZh), including toilet facilities (ASU), and also prepared the regular daily IMS “delta”/update file for automated export/import to the three IMS databases (MCC-H/TsUP/Baikonur).
Both crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the TVIS treadmill, RED resistive machine 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, John transferred the exercise data files to the MEC for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data of the RED workouts, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).
The crewmembers also completed their portions of the weekly TVIS maintenance, i.e., inspecting their SLD (subject loading device) harnesses and checking the condition of the SPDs (subject positioning devices) and roller bearings, as well as recording time & date values.
A continuing job for Sergei on his discretionary task list is the transfer of urine from EDV-U liquid waste containers to the two empty Rodnik water tanks in Progress 18 for disposal, begun on 8/26.
The crew was provided with a list of U.S. hardware candidates for disposal on Soyuz 10 (Orbital Module, to be jettisoned), including no longer needed FMVM (Fluid Merging Viscosity Measurement) equipment and empty food containers.
There was another display failure on an SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop, SSC 1, which appears similar to the other display failures experienced on previous SSCs. Troubleshooting and recovery of SSCs are being discussed. In the short term, there is no major operational impact. [There are now three functioning SSCs: two in the Lab and one in the SM.]
The next major crew activity ahead will be the upcoming transition of the onboard PCS (Portable Computer System) laptops to a new software version, R9, and the step-up from the IBM 760XD laptops to the faster ThinkPad A31p NGL (Next Generation Laptop) platforms. In preparation for the transition, scheduled in a couple of weeks, John and Sergei will spend time on Thursday & Friday this week with “ghosting” several hard drives in order to get three A31p laptops loaded and ready to deploy for the transition to R9. The ghosting (“cloning”) activities will be discussed tomorrow in a conference between crew and ground specialists.
Approximately 88 kg propellants were transferred yesterday during the automated refueling of the FGB low-pressure tanks (BNDG) from the Progress 18 refueling system (KDU).
Over the past weekend, the crew worked on the LHAs (Lamp Housing Assemblies) and BBAs (Baseplate Ballast Assemblies) of the U.S. segment’s lighting system, which has failed in places. Only one LHA, in the Lab, could not be replaced, since its location requires prior coordination with Payloads personnel for temporarily removing a blocking sensor of the SAMS (Space Acceleration Measurement System) sensor. [Stowed in the Lab are currently 9 LHA spares and 3 BBA spares. Two LHAs and 3 BBAs are failed. No new LHAs or BBAs were delivered on 18P or are manifested on 19P.]
Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, which is available for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in ram), were Patagonian Glaciers (in the first of three passes over the Patagonian Ice Fields today, light was low and weather marginal; trying for long lens views between cloud formations of small glaciers of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. In the second pass over this target, light was better but weather was still marginal; again trying for between-cloud views of small glacier features, this time over the lower Southern Patagonian Ice. During the final pass of the day over this target, lighting was at its best for this time of the year. Between-cloud views with the long lens of small glacier were about the best the crew could hope for this pass).
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 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.
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ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:37am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 352.4 km
- Apogee height — 353.3 km
- Perigee height — 351.5 km
- Period — 91.59 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.000138
- Solar Beta Angle — 59.8 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 105 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) – 38736
Upcoming Events (all times EDT):
- 09/07/05 — Progress M-53/18P undocking (6:23am)
- 09/08/05 — Progress M-54/19P launch (9:08am)
- 09/10/05 — Progress M-54/19P docking (10:49am).
19P is manifested to deliver to the ISS the following cargo: 800 kg propellants; 110 kg gas (oxygen/air, thanks to 14 additional gas tanks installed by RSC-Energia externally for an extra delivery capability of 60 kg O2); 300 kg water; 1230 kg dry cargo, comprising 139 Russian cargo items (including a new Elektron-VM Liquid Unit and 16 SFOG candles) and 83 NASA items (including two IBM 760XD laptops).
- 09/30/05 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S launch (~11:54pm)
- 10/03/05 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S docking (~1:20am)
- 10/11/05 — Soyuz TMA-6/10S landing (~9:06pm)
- 11/18/05 — Soyuz TMA-7/11S relocation (from DC-1 to FGB nadir port)
- 12/21/05 – Progress M-55/20P launch
- 12/23/05 — Progress M-55/20P docking
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.
