NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 8 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.
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Before breakfast and exercise, CDR Krikalev and FE/SO Phillips completed their second session with the periodic Russian MedOps test “Hematokrit” (MO-10), measuring red cell count of the blood, as first part of today’s PHS (Periodic Health Status) assessment with blood labs. [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.]
Both crewmembers then did the second part of the PHS assessment, each one acting first as CMO, then as subject, using the U.S. PCBA (portable clinical blood analyzer). The third part of the PHS, subjective evaluation by each crewmember, was performed later in the day. Afterwards, John completed data entry for both of them and stowed the hardware. [The PHS exam, with PCBA analysis, MO-10, and clinical evaluation, is guided by special software (IFEP, in-flight examination program) on the medical equipment computer (MEC). While PCBA analyzes total blood composition, MO-10 particularly measures the blood’s hematocrit.]
Sergei Krikalev conducted an external inspection and photo documentation from Service Module (SM) windows of the MLI (multi-layer insulation) blankets on the Soyuz TMA-6/10S attached to the DC-1 docking compartment, focusing in particular in the blanket joints between the Descent Module (SA) and Instrumentation/Propulsion Compartment (PAO). [On 5/26 the crew noted and photographed some MLI damage near the joint between the SA and the PAO. Today’s inspection revealed that two “opened” areas in the MLI along the seam between the Soyuz SA and the Orbital Module (BO). During its orbital flight, the SA is covered with six overlapping panels of MLI insulation (EVTI, ekranno-vakuumnaya termoizplyatsyia, = vacuum-shield thermal insulation). These panels are fastened to the hull with transverse belts that come apart when the SA separates from the PAO. During reentry, the panels are blown away by air stream and thruster plumes.]
John Phillips transferred the data file that resulted from yesterday’s FOOT (Foot/Ground Reaction Forces during Space Flight) session to the downlink list for retrieval on the ground. [The SO was thanked for his day-long data collection activity. “You are beginning to look like a pro working through those exercises!”]
The CDR had another ~3.5 hr on his schedule for transferring and stowing discarded material on the Progress 17 cargo ship, supported by the IMS (Inventory Management System) and an uplinked 96-items list. [17P trash transfers continue throughout this week.]
The FE did the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, as well as the preparation of the regular IMS “delta” file for export/import to the IMS databases.
Working off his “job jar” task list, Krikalev had another session with the “Uragan” earth-imaging program, focusing the Nikon D1X No. 3 digital camera with 800-mm lens on targets called out on an uplinked list. [Today’s targets included detailed photography of the Berov Mounds stretching all the way to Astrakhan, the main body of the Volga River to the N of Astrakhan, populated areas on the right bank of the Volga, detailed pictures of seaside section of the Volga delta, oil field infrastructure at the root section of Mangyshlak Peninsula, the left bank of the Amudarya River, and gas field infrastructure.]
Also off the task list, Krikalev conducted the regular daily inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment, including filling its water canister for the Lada-7 greenhouse as required.
Both crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the CEVIS cycle (John), TVIS treadmill (Sergei), 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 4 of a new set). John configured a new treadmill harness with two French Clips and a “shackle”, but TVIS specialists will analyze pictures of the new arrangement before determining if this is an acceptable configuration.]
Afterwards, the FE transferred the exercise data files to the MEC for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week). [Earlier, John reported a problem with the MEC that required some troubleshooting. He was to check with the ground if the TVIS data files could not be downloaded.]
At ~4:35pm EDT, Phillips is scheduled for his weekly private conference with his family (PFC), via S-band/audio and Ku-band/NetMeeting video.
A new software version for the OpsLAN SSC (Operations Local Area Network Station Support Computer) A31p laptops has been uplinked (Service Pack 01) to upgrade the onboard Robotics DOUG software to Version 1.61, which includes Shuttle RTF (Return to Flight) information. Its installation on the A31p ThinkPads will be done from the “job jar” task list. [DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) is a software program that provides a graphical birdseye-view image of the external station configuration and the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System), showing its real-time location and configuration on a laptop during its operation.]
Update on Elektron: Replacement of the currently installed Liquid Unit-6 (BZh-6) with the previously used BZh-7 is scheduled for tomorrow, along with their secondary purification units (BD). Also planned is the switching of the two SM internal cooling loops (KOB).
During various RGS (Russian ground site) comm passes, TsUP/Moscow and Oberpfaffenhofen/Bavaria have been running more tests of the downlink functionality of the BSR-TM Regul interface unit (part of the Russian radio control & communications system) and of the German ROKVISS robotics experiment, without crew involvement.
During the propellant transfer operations last Monday (6/6) from Progress 17 to the FGB module’s low pressure tanks, a timing slipup in setting a software “flag” caused the emptying of SM prop tank/section 1 to the FGB. [In addition to 65 kg prop (fuel+oxidizer) from 17P, 152 kg was pumped over from the SM, for a total of 217 kg. This is not a problem, according to TsUP/Moscow, and no prop transfers are planned prior to 18P arrival.]
Launch of Progress 18 is still set for Thursday next week (6/16), at 7:09pm EDT (Baikonur: 6/17, 5:09am), with docking on 6/18 (at ~8:46pm), adding ~6934 kg to ISS mass. 17P undocking, reducing station mass by ~6934 kg, is scheduled for 6/15 (4:13pm), preceded by 17P propulsion system purge on 6/10 (Friday, 1:55am) and 17P docking clamp removal plus leak check on 6/14 (Tuesday, 3:20pm).
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 Kabul, Afghanistan (looking a touch right in the center of Kabul’s wide valley), Dara Battlefield, Turkey (battlefield archeology is a relatively new and interesting cross-disciplinary activity between historians and archeologists. Summer excavations around the ancient Byzantine fortress of Dara are being undertaken by researchers from Oxford University. CEO investigators hope that handheld images will reveal subtle differences in vegetation–not detectable on the ground–that could direct attention to unexpected points of interest), and Pinacates Biosphere, N Mexico (this easy-to-see volcanic site-black lavas against the dun desert colors, all left of track-is interesting for the strong seasonal change in vegetation that can probably be documented from space. Identifiable green patches of vegetation, some endemic to the lava field, appear and disappear seasonally, but no regional view has yet been achieved).
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, 7:20am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 351.4 km
- Apogee height — 354.4 km
- Perigee height — 348.3 km
- Period — 91.57 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0004541
- Solar Beta Angle — -18.3 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.73
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 110
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 37431
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);
- PMA-3 depress — 6/22 (4:50am EDT);
- Reboost — 6/29 (4:21pm, delta-V 2.3 m/s);
- LF-1/STS-114 launch — NET 7/13 (18-day window opens);
- LF-1/STS-114 dock — NET 7/15 (adding 110,713 kg to ISS mass);
- 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 7/13/06.
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.
