NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 6 January 2005

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.

Using the WMK (water monitoring kit), CDR Leroy Chiao conducted the visual T+2d analysis of the potable water samples collected on 1/4 from the EDV container of the water supply system (SVO-ZV).  Part of the activity was another microbial analysis for inflight coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli) detection on samples collected on 1/4 (T+44h).  He then entered the microbiological data in the medical equipment computer.   [The analyses use incubated MCDs (microbial capture devices), SSK (surface sample kit) slides, and MAS (microbial air sampler) Petri dishes.  If Leroy s analysis showed colony growth above specified limits, he was to take digital documentary images.  The used MCDs were discarded.]

The crew connected the UOP DCP (utility outlet panel/display & control panel) bypass power cable at the Lab RWS (robotics work station), then reviewed the current version of the DOUG (Dynamic Operational Ubiquitous Graphics) software.  Afterwards, they spent about 1 hr on today s SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) proficiency exercise.   [Used during Robotics/SSRMS operations, DOUG is a software program on the MSS  (mobile service system) RWS laptops that provides a birdseye-view graphical image of the external station configuration and the SSRMS arm, showing its real-time location and configuration on the display during its operation.]

The planned deployment of new OpsLAN software on the SSC laptops was postponed on request from TsUP/Moscow.  The upgrade includes a new version of the IMS (Inventory Management System), which would have made the IMS temporarily inaccessible today.  The IMS software, however, is required by the Russian side to support Elektron troubleshooting.  The SSC upgrade activity will be replanned after 1/12.   This is expected to coincide with the certification dates of the power supplies for the three A31P SSC laptops delivered on 16P, which are slated for deployment in the Russian Segment.   [The objective of the 16P SSC network reconfiguration is to upgrade the flight loads on the SSCs and to deploy and load three A31p SSC laptops in the RS.  The flight load upgrade consists of an update to the SSC File Server with version 5.00 and the A31p SSC clients to vers. 9.00.  The new A31p SSC clients in the RS will replace the current 760XD SSC laptops in the SM as well as the 760XD SSC Router in the FGB.  The two new A31p SSC laptops in the SM will have to be loaded with vers. 9.00, and the A31p SSC router with vers. 2.00.  Each of these three new laptops will also need to have their CMOS flashed to put them in the same CMOS configuration as the rest of the A31p SSC clients onboard.]

The crew conducted the standard fit check of the Kazbeks, the contoured shock absorbing seats in the Soyuz 9S descent capsule (SA).   [This required them to don their Sokol pressure suits, get in their seats and use a ruler to measure the gap between the top of the head and the top edge of the structure facing the head.  The results were reported to TsUP.  Kazbek-U couches are designed to withstand g-loads during launch and orbital insertion as well as during reentry and brake-rocket-assisted landing.  Each seat has two positions: cocked (armed) and noncocked. In the cocked position, they are raised to allow the shock absorbers to function during touchdown.  The fit check assures that the crewmember whose body gains in length during longer-term stay in zero-G, will still be adequately protected by the seat liners for their touchdown in Kazakhstan.  9S serves as CRV (crew return vehicle) in the event of a contingency.]

FE Salizhan Sharipov took the monthly sensor readings of the Pille-MKS radiation dosimetry experiment that has ten sensors placed at various locations in the Russian segment (port cabin window, starboard cabin window, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.).   [Pille dosage values are called down or downlinked via Regul Paket/Email or OCA.  (Last time done: 12/9/04).]

Sharipov finished the second 24 hrs. of his second session of diet logging for the BIOPSY (Effect of Prolonged Space Flight on Human Skeletal Muscle) experiment.  Similarly to the Renal (kidney stone prevention) experiment in the past, nutrition consumption was recorded over 48 hrs. three times a day, using the IMS BCR (inventory management system/bar code reader).   [One of the human systems most affected by extended stays in space is the neuromuscular system.  Past space missions have shown weightlessness can cause deterioration of muscle fiber, nerves and physical strength.  BIOPSY investigates the reductions in limb muscle size, force and power at the cellular level that are induced by microgravity.  This research will determine how long it takes for micro-G to affect skeletal muscles, so predictions can be made regarding muscle changes that may occur on a roundtrip flight to Mars.  To help establish the cellular effects of weightlessness, biopsies are taken from the calf muscle (gastronemius) and foot-flexing muscle (soleus) 45 days before launch, and again immediately upon return to Earth.  MRI (magnetic resonance imagery) also is taken of the calf muscle 90 and 30 days before launch, and again one and 21 days after return to Earth.]

After reconfiguring the EGE-2 laptop, the FE had another session with the European Neurokog experiment, employing newly delivered equipment.  Today’s activities focused on virtual rotation in free floating and fixed position corridor passages while recording EEG (electroencephalography).  The session was supported by tagup with ground specialists.  [Salizhan was equipped with the Halley head electrodes.  After doing the virtual turns/corridor episodes in fixed state (subject strapped down) and free-floating in zero-G called for by the Neurokog protocol, he downloaded the EEG data to a PCMCIA memory card for subsequent return to Earth, and dismantled the equipment.]

Subsequently, Sharipov performed the third and last part of the current MBI-8 Profilaktika (“countermeasures”) fitness assessment series, first with the usual blood tests (to determine lactate and creatine kinase levels in the blood with the AccuSport equipment), then by a physical exercise session on the TVIS treadmill, supported by tagup with a ground specialist.  CDR/SO Chiao was available as CMO (crew medical officer) to assist as required.   [The TVIS test is identical to the MO-3 test performed on the treadmill in idling (non-motorized) mode with free choice of speeds within certain specified ranges (idle/walk/slow run/moderate run/fast run/walk/recovery).  In addition to the nominal test procedure, MBI-8/Part 3 calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer during the test, the blood lactate measurements, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels (using the Borg Perceived Exertion Scale, viz., 10 steps from very light over hard and very hard to maximum) during the test.  At the end of the creatine kinase tests, the results were logged, copied from Cardiocassette-2000 recording to OCA for downlink, and reported to the ground via tagup.  The activity was also photo-documented with the Nikon D1 digital camera.]

In the ongoing U.S. P6 truss batteries reconditioning program, the first discharge cycle was completed yesterday nominally on set 4B1.  The charge cycle was initiated this morning at ~9:00 am EST.   [A second discharge cycle, a 72-hour dwell, and charge cycle will complete the 4B1 reconditioning effort on the morning of 1/11.  The battery reconditioning exercise enhances battery performance by increasing capacity and also extends battery life.]

Sharipov did the routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system.  In addition, the FE prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for export/import to the IMS databases.

Chiao completed his daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on RED (resistive exercise device) and TVIS, while this mornings TVIS exercise for the MBI-8/Part 3 protocol took care of Salizhan s daily workout.

Afterwards, Leroy performed the daily transfer of TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC (medical equipment computer).

The two new CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion products) units delivered by Progress 16 (#1018 & #1019) were deployed as planned for a four-week decontamination period.  After off-gassing of the sensors is complete, one of these new units will be declared the prime operational unit, and the other will be the designated as the backup unit. 

Update on Elektron:   The Elektron remains off.  All the activities planned for the Russian crewmember yesterday were deferred to a later date so he could perform dedicated troubleshooting on the Elektron.  An electrical pump was temporarily connected to the electrolyte circulation loop to remove the gas bubbles that are causing the Elektron to shut down.  During the activity, the excess bubbles caused overheating of the pump, requiring water flushes to continue the operation.  The crew noted a reduction in the amount of bubbles as a result of continued loop circulation.  Excessive bubbles remained in the system, however, and the attempted re-start of the Elektron at the completion of yesterday s activity was unsuccessful.   Specialists are analyzing the data gathered today, and are developing new troubleshooting procedures which were planned for today.

Update on GLAs:  The CDR replaced three burned out LHAs (Lamp Housing Assemblies) in the U.S. segment yesterday with newly delivered spares from 16P, two in the Lab and one in the Node.  He also performed troubleshooting of another recently failed GLA (General Luminaire Assembly) in the Node, which was attributed to a failed ballast assembly instead of the LHA.  Today, one of the newly installed LHAs in the Lab did not turn on.  This spare had arrived on 16P.  The RPC (remote power controller) powering this GLA has been opened.   [To investigate the possible failure of the brand new LHA, the crew needs to perform procedures called out in the crew’s task list to verify that the LHA is indeed failed, instead of a possible BBA (Baseplate Ballast Assembly) failure.  If the LHA is failed there is no work around as there are no spares on orbit.  Currently, the Lab now has its full lighting reduced by one fixture, and the Node has four of eight working GLAs.  The four failed GLA locations in the Node require new LHAs and ballast assemblies, which are not onboard at this time.]

Tomorrow is an off-duty day for the crew due to Russian Orthodox Christmas.

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the science window, which is available for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in ram), were Mt. Kilimanjaro, Kenya (this overpass presented an opportunity for photography of the ice fields at the summit of the volcano.  Looking to the right of track for the isolated volcanic edifice of Mt. Kilimanjaro; the glacier occupies the summit of the mountain.  It is common for the peak to be exposed while surrounded by clouds.  Images of the summit and mountain flanks are useful for monitoring the extent and rate of recession of this glacier), Internal waves, Patagonian Shelf (weather was predicted to be clear over the Falkland Islands for internal wave photography.  Looking to the left of track and slightly ahead of you for the sunglint point), and Lake Poopo, Bolivia (clear weather conditions were predicted for this region.  Looking to the right of track for Lake Poopo as well as other smaller salars [salt lakes] in the area.  Images of the presence or absence of water in the lakes are useful for monitoring regional climate and surface hydrologic processes).

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 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 10 S launch — 4/15/05;
• Soyuz 9S undock — 4/25/05 (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS).

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 7:06am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 351.9 km
• Apogee height — 354.2 km
• Perigee height — 349.6 km
• Period — 91.58 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0003455
• Solar Beta Angle — 28.5 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.72
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 170
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 35026

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.