NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 4 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.  Day 2 of joint Exp.11/Exp.12 operations.  Week 24 of Increment 11.  Day 173 days in space (171 aboard ISS) for Expedition 11, with 6 days to go.  Also: Day 2510 since first ISS launch (FGB/Zarya), and 1797 days of cumulative crew time aboard ISS.

After wake-up at a shifted 3:30am EDT, both crews went to work on a busy schedule of ISS11-to-ISS12 handovers.  Most scheduled activities were done jointly to serve as handover demos for the “new” crewmembers.

CDR Krikalev and FE-12 Tokarev started Soyuz activities by first setting up the ventilation duct from the Service Module (SM) through the DC-1 docking module to the TMA-7.  In the Soyuz Orbital Module, Tokarev then installed the LKT local temperature sensor commutator (TA251M1B) of the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system and its read-only memory (ROM) unit (PZU TA765B), both kept in SM stowage from an earlier Soyuz TMA.

Observed by CDR-12 McArthur, FE/SO Phillips supported the ground in a “zero” calibration of the MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer) by opening and closing the manual oxygen valve (HVO2).

With the Elektron currently turned off, Valery Tokarev, tutored by Sergei, serviced the Russian BMP harmful impurities removal system, starting the “bake-out” cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #1 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system.  Before sleep time today, the bake-out will be terminated.   [Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods.  The BMP currently still uses the same vacuum vent valve for regeneration as the Elektron (the latter for venting hydrogen).  The Elektron will be turned on again on Thursday (10/6).]

Tokarev later transferred two kits of RSC-Energia’s BIOEKOLOGIYA (BTKh-12, Bioecology) payload with its high-definition automatic temperature recorder (ART) and software disk to the SM and activated the experiment.   [Purpose of the payload, flown before, is to obtain high-efficiency strains of microorganisms for future production of petroleum biodegradant preparations, plant protection growth aids and exopolysaccharides used in the petroleum industry.]

Afterwards, Tokarev removed the KONYUGATSIYA (BTKh-10, Conjugation) payload’s Rekomb-K hybridizer bags from the Biokont-T thermal insulator container and placed them for activation in the Cryogem-03M cooler/glovebox, first set at +37 degC for warm-up, then cooled with ice packs to +4 degC.  Later, the run was terminated and the hybridizer Ziploc bags returned to the Rekomb-K container.  The Rekomb-K operations were also photographed with the Nikon D1X.   [The RSC-E experiment utilizes bacterial conjugation and mobilization of plasmids in the development and future production of new proteins for medicinal applications.]

After completing the first part of the newly arrived BIO-10 “Intercellular Interaction” experiment yesterday, Krikalev and Tokarev today conducted the second part by deactivating the bio-sample cultivation and disassembling the setup in the Russian Cryogem-03M glovebox, supported by tagup with ground specialists.   [The BIO-10 Meshkletochnoe vzaimodeistvie (Intercellular Interactions) activities were again documented photographically with the Nikon D1X digital still camera.  The RSC-E “Fibroblast-1″payload evaluates the cytotoxic (destructive) activity in microgravity of isolated lymphocytes from human blood with joint culturing of a myeloblast culture.]

SFP (Spaceflight Participant) Greg Olsen spent about an hour shooting the agreed-upon photo documentation and video footage of ISS onboard activities by the crew, assisted by Sergei where required.  Olsen also used a suitable overflight pass at 2:07pm EDT for digital photography of Montana’s Eagle Nest and Custer Battlefield, with the Nikkor 80-400mm zoom lens.

As part of the contracted VC-9 program, Krikalev assisted Greg Olsen in installing a hard disk drive with his programs in the RSE1 laptop, supported by ground specialist tagup via S-band.

Later, Olsen filled out the log/questionnaires for his experiments MOP (Motion Perception/Vestibular Adaptation to Gravity Changes), and LBP (MYSCUL, low back pain muscle investigation). 

The SFP also completed the first sampling session of his ESA-sponsored experiment SAM (Sample) that evaluates microbial species which might benefit from growth conditions within ISS life support systems, and investigates into the mechanism of microbial adaptation (mutation) to microgravity.  The data from his VC-9 experiments were then transferred from FlashCard memory to the RSE1 laptop.

Krikalev used the ART (automatic temperature recorder) to conduct a temperature check on the BIO-12 “Regeneration” experiment, started yesterday, that studies how zero gravity impacts structural and functional recovery of damaged organs and tissues in Planaria (water flatworms).

As Salizhan Sharipov before him, Sergei also worked with the AVR High Resolution Equipment, a powerful telescope connected to a Nikon D100 digital camera, installing it at SM window #9 for subsequent ground observation and photoimaging.   [After focusing the telescope with its electronic viewfinder, the CDR took photography (KPT-3) of various ground objects for half an hour on Daily Orbit 11, starting at 2:05pm, for Russia’s Environmental Safety Agency (ECON).]

Krikalev performed the periodic data recording and photo documentation of the germinated plants of the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) payload with subsequent transfer of data and images to the ground via Regul-Packet and the newer BSR-TM telemetry link.  Working off his voluntary task list, he also completed the regular daily inspection of the zero-G greenhouse experiment, checking on the water supply in its canister.

Bill McArthur installed 17 newly arrived U.S. RAM (Radiation Area Monitor) dosimeters (white) in the ISS, documenting their deployment photographically, and collected 17 used RAMs (blue) for return on Soyuz TMA-6/10S.

Sergei conducted the periodic (currently daily) checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various Russian segment (RS) hatchways, including the SM-to-Soyuz tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node passageway.  [This checkup is especially important when the ventilation/circulation system has to cope with a large crew on board.]

FE/SO John Phillips spent about 15 minutes with CDR-12 McArthur to provide him with a familiarization overview of the important volt/amp “Multimeter” equipment and its attachments.   [The Multimeter, named “Gnarlene”, is used to measure electric continuity/resistance, voltage, pressure and temperature.  On LF-1, Gnarlene was scavenged from STS-114/Discovery for ISS use, to supplement the ISS “scopemeters” (named “Aeolus” and “Pilobolus”) which are all past their calibration lifespan (i.e., need to be recalibrated on the ground).  The E12 crew received no training on the Multimeter, so John’s task today was to provide an introduction/overview of the operational differences between it and a scopemeter.  The latter is still prime for electric current measurements and any oscilloscope functions.  Gnarlene is within calibration until April 2006.  A new calibrated scopemeter will hopefully fly on ULF1.1.  Gnarlene operates on a single 9V battery for up to 400 hours.  A scopemeter, in comparison, consumes four C-cells in two hours or requires hard-line 28V power.]

Observed by his U.S. successor, Phillips collected coolant samples from the Lab TCS MTL (thermal control system/moderate temperature loop) for analysis on the ground.

Another handover task between John and Bill was a 1-hr. review of the current version of the DOUG (Dynamic Operational Ubiquitous Graphics) software, to be followed tomorrow by an operational run on the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System).   [Used during Robotics/SSRMS operations, DOUG is a software program on the MSS RWS (mobile service system robotics workstation) laptops that provides a graphical birdseye-view image of the external station configuration and the SSRMS arm, showing its real-time location and configuration on a laptop during its operation.]

Later, as another handover demo for the E-12 crew, Krikalev conducted the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, including its ASU toilet system, while Phillips prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for export/import to the three IMS databases (MCC-H, TsUP, Baikonur).

The E11 crew conducted a somewhat abbreviated physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, RED exerciser, and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer.  With the E12 crew, they also performed the weekly maintenance on the TVIS, primarily checking the condition of the SPDs (subject positioning devices) and recording time & date values, followed by the monthly maintenance on the CEVIS cycle ergometer.

Phillips 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.

FE-12 Valery Tokarev tagged up with medical specialists for a brief discussion of the standard Russian biomedical Braslet-M/Anketa (“bracelet/questionnaire”) test procedure.  If required, this would allow him to evaluate a number of “bracelet” cuffs for their usefulness in suppressing the adverse effects of micro-G for the “newcomer” aboard the station during the acute phase of adaptation to weightlessness, recorded on a questionnaire.   [The “bracelets” are compression cuffs attached to a belt and worn on the upper thighs over the coveralls, intended as countermeasures against the initial micro-G effects of blood filling (vascularity) in the upper torso (heaviness and blood pulsation in the head), facial puffiness, nasal stuffiness, painful eye movement, and vestibular disorders (dizziness, nausea, vomiting).  They create artificial blood accumulation in the upper thirds of the thighs, causing some of the circulating blood volume to relocate from the upper body to the lower extremities, thereby (hopefully) correcting the adverse hemodynamic effect of micro-G and thus improving the crewmember’s working capability.  The actual compression cuff in the Braslet units is a combination of alternating multi-layer tensile and non-tensile elements, whose distension by body movements creates elastic forces that produce the necessary pressure on the body surface.]

At ~1:20pm EDT, all five crewmembers participated in a live interactive TV news conference with U.S. and Russian media assembled at NASA Centers and TsUP/Moscow, via U.S. assets (Ku-band with S/G2) from the Lab module.   [Of the 26 minutes time slot, 14 min were for U.S. media and 12 min. for Russian media.  This was another in-flight event utilizing the new NASA multi-channel television digital satellite system.  Due to the signal encoding and decoding required, the new digital satellite system has a 4-second audio delay between ISS and ground reception, and vice versa, for which the crew is prepared.]

Later tonight, at 6:25pm, Gregory Olsen will have the first of his three contracted real-time televised report downlinks via the Russian LIV SECAM system to TsUP/Moscow of about 15 min, assisted by Sergei Krikalev.

At ~12:15pm, ISS attitude control was handed over to the Russian MCS (motion control system) thrusters, which then turned the station  through 90 degrees from its earth-oriented sideward flight (i.e., LVLH YVV, = local vertical local, horizontal/y-axis in velocity vector) to bow-forward direction (LVLH XVV, = x-axis in velocity vector).  ISS will fly in this attitude until 10/18, going back to sun-pointing XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) after the ISS reboost planned for that day.

No CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets uplinked today.

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, 7:46am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 348.3 km
• Apogee height — 349.6 km
• Perigee height — 347.1 km
• Period — 91.50 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0001821
• Solar Beta Angle — -41.8deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.74
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 137 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 39288

Expedition 11 Flight Timelines:

• Soyuz 10S (Expedition 11+1; Sergei Krikalev, John Phillips, Gregory Olsen):
• Undocking from FGB — 10/10 (Mon., Columbus Day), 5:40pm EDT (undock command);
• Sep Burn #1 (manual) —  5:46pm;
• Deorbiting Burn —  8:21pm (4 min 23 sec; delta-V 115.2 m/s); 
• Landing before dawn — 10/10 (Mon.)  9:08pm EDT;  7:08am (10/11) local Kustanai/Kazakhstan;
• Sunrise at Kustanai landing site — 7:47am local.  [Note: Kazakhstan remains on Standard Time; thus: local time = GMT+5].

Other Upcoming Events (all times EDT):

• 10/18/05 — ISS Reboost
• 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.