NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 31 July 2006
SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2006) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 17 of Increment 13.
CDR Pavel Vinogradov, FE-1 Jeffrey Williams and FE-2 Thomas Reiter started the day by performing the periodic Russian biomedical assessments PZEh-MO-7 (calf volume measurement) and PZEh-MO-8 (body mass measurement), using the IM mass measurement device, later breaking it down for stowage. [Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference points, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures. For determining body mass in zero-G, where things are weightless but not massless, the Russian IM “scales” measure the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring constants. By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the unknown mass (the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the crewmember’s mass is calculated by the computer and displayed.]
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The FE-2 replaced the current AFPM (After Fire Protection Means, Russian: SPPZ) kits, whose guaranteed life is expiring, with six new units
Reiter also conducted the monthly PEP (portable emergency provisions) safety inspection. [The IMS-supported inspection involves verification that PFEs (portable fire extinguishers), PBAs (portable breathing apparatus), 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. There are a total of 5 PBAs in the U.S. segment (USOS). There is one EHTK, in the Lab.]
In the US Airlock, the FE-1 terminated the regeneration of the reusable METOX (Metal Oxide) canisters, used in the EMU/spacesuits for CO2 (carbon dioxide) absorption.
CDR Vinogradov installed new software (Vers. 12.01) on the Russian RS2 laptop from a CD-ROM. Later, he ran a test and downloaded the results via PCMCIA card to OCA for downlinking. [The new laptop at the SM CP (Service Module Central Post) work site 2 is an IBM ThinkPad A31P which replaced the earlier RS2 760XD model (on 7/26).]
FE-1 Williams fabricated a grounding wire which he then connected at the newly installed HX (Heat Exchanger) of the Lab CCAA THC (Common Cabin Air Assembly/Temperature and Humidity Controller) to replace the grounding path provided by the (missing) 4th bolt.
Afterwards, Jeffrey Williams complete the CCAA HX installation that was started on ULF1.1. [Required steps involved rotating the LAB1S6 rack to access rear fluid connections. After rotating the rack back into postion the crew was able to engage the Left Upper Attach Mechanism that failed to engage during ULF1.1; therefore the planned troubleshooting was aborted. Jeff then operated valves per the CCAA swap procedure before finally placing the OCA server and equipment back in the nominal location on the front of the S6 rack. The ground supported the work by transitioning the ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) to Single MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) for maximum air bubble removal through the clean MTL PPA (Pump Package Assembly) gas trap and later returning it to the nominal Single LTL (Low Temperature Loop) configuration.]
Jeff also continued his work on the MELFI (Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS) equipment by checking up on hardware status.
Vinogradov performed troubleshooting on the Russian ASN-M Satellite Navigation System’s, including removal & replacement (R&R) of its AFU antenna feeder unit behind SM panel 338. [The work included making new connections and checking on continuity by means of resistance measurements with the MMTs-01 Elektronika Multimeter. ASN-M will be required for the arrival of the European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) “Jules Verne” next year.]
Jeff conducted the scheduled monthly routine maintenance on both CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products) units (#1012 & #1017) currently in use as prime and backup. [Both units were zero calibrated with fresh batteries. Following the zero calibration, the backup unit was stowed and the prime unit’s datalogger function activated to collect 1 hour of data as a spot check. After one hour, the datalogger was deactivated.]
The two designated spacewalkers for the EVA-5 on 8/3, Jeff and Thomas, completed SAFER (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue) testing.
Thomas Reiter completed the routine daily maintenance of the SOZh environment control & life support system in the SM, including the ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables, while Pavel Vinogradov updated/edited the standard IMS “delta file”, including locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).
Later in the day Jeff Williams deactivated the US CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) in the Lab.
The crew worked out in their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (FE-2), TVIS treadmill (FE-1, CDR), RED (FE-1, FE-2), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR). [Pavel Vinogradov’s daily protocol prescribes a strict four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill in unmotorized mode and one hour on VELO plus load trainer (today: Day 3 of the first set).]
Afterwards, Williams transfers his, Pavel’s and Thomas’ exercise data files to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).
At ~4:55pm EDT, FE-2 Thomas Reiter supported an ESA PAO TV interview event with ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen) studio in Mainz/Germany. [Given the timing, the event was taped and broadcast the following day, in the Heute Journal. Parts of interview to be repeated in other news magazines such as “Heute” and “Top 7” as well as on partner channels 3SAT and Infokanal.]
Working off his discretionary “time available” task list, Pavel completed the daily status check of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment, including recharging the water tank as required. [Rasteniya researches growth and development of plants (peas) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-9 greenhouse.]
Still showing on the Russian voluntary task list was the search for the BPU electronic processor (converter-amplifier) box of the Beta-08 ECG (electrocardiogram) units #61 and #63.
On 7/29, ground controllers noticed that the GPS-1 and -2 receivers had stopped tracking data. GPS-1 was power-cycled twice, but this was unsuccessful. After troubleshooting and a review of data today, GN&C engineers determined that AA-2 (Antenna Assembly #2) had failed. [Engineers are assessing the impacts of this failure on upcoming US EVA-5, as AA-4 removal is currently planned. AA-2 was replaced on LF-1 last summer. AA-4 operates intermittently, approximately one week per month.]
Over the past few days, MCC-Moscow performed the periodic SM solar efficiency test to verify performance in LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal), since this will be the predominant ISS attitude. [During the test, the SM solar arrays were positioned to face the sun at orbital noon. During execution of the test, the Warning message “EPS SM Battery Power Low – RS” was annunciated when the total SM battery charge decreased below 150 amp-hours. The battery charge was not expected to fall below 200 Amp-hours, but did, in fact, reach a low level of 128 Amp-hours. Specialists in MCC-M are still awaiting more data to understand the low level of charge and overall efficiency.]
No CEO targets uplinked for today.
To date, more than 198,000 of CEO images have been taken in the first five years of the ISS, almost one third of the total number of images taken from orbit by astronauts.
CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
- http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/station/CEO.html
- 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 13 crew visit:
- http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-13/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.
Expedition 13 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.
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern and subject to change):
- 08/03/06 — US EVA-5
- 08/27/07 — STS-115/12A launch
- 08/29-09/05 — STS-115/12A docked mission w/ISS (earliest) – P3/P4 trusses
- 08/31/06 — Pavel Vinogradov’s birthday
- 09/13/06 — Progress M-56/21P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
- 09/14/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S launch (Expedition 14 + VC11)
- 09/16/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S docking (SM aft port)
- 09/24/06 — Soyuz TMA-8/12S undocking (FGB nadir port) & reentry
- 10/08/06 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
- 10/18/06 — Progress M-58/23P launch
- 10/20/06 — Progress M-58/23P docking (SM aft port)
- 10/31/06 — Russian EVA-17
- 12/14/06 — STS-116/12A.1 launch (earliest)
- 12/16-24/06 — STS-116/12A.1 docked mission w/ISS (earliest) – P5 truss
- 12/19/06 — Progress M-57/22P undocking (DC1) & reentry
- 12/20/06 — Progress M-59/24P launch
- 12/22/06 — Progress M-59/24P docking (DC1)
- 01/22/07 — US EVA-6
- 01/26/07 — US EVA-7
- 01/31/07 — US EVA-8
- 02/06/07 — Progress M-59/24P undocking (DC1) & reentry
- 02/07/07 — Progress M-60/25P launch
- 02/09/07 — Progress M-60/25P docking (DC1)
- 02/22/07 — STS-117/13A launch (earliest) – S3/S4 trusses
- 02/24-03/03/07 — STS-117/13A docked mission w/ISS (earliest)
- 03/08/07 — Progress M-58/23P undocking (SM aft port) & reentry
- 03/09/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S launch (Expedition 15 + VC12)
- 03/11/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S docking (SM aft port)
- 03/19/07 — Soyuz TMA-9/13S undocking (FGB nadir port)
- ??/??/07 — Soyuz TMA-10/14S relocation (SM aft port to FGB nadir port)
- 06/11/07 — STS-118/13A.1 (earliest).
ISS Altitude History
Apogee height — Mean Altitude — Perigee height
For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ on NASA’s Human Spaceflight website. Additional satellite tracking resources can be found at http://www.spaceref.com/iss/tracking.html.
