NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 8 March 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.   >>As of ~7:00am EST this morning, the ISS has circled Earth 36,000 times since launch of FGB/Zarya, covering a distance of 1.524 billion km (953 million miles) or six times the distance to Mars and back. <<

Today was cabin air analysis day aboard the station.  FE Salizhan Sharipov started it by unstowing the Russian Real-Time Monitoring Analyzer unit (BAOK) for measuring atmospheric concentration of harmful contaminants and installing it up for air sampling in the Russian segment (RS).  The setup activities included a calibration and first SM sampling run.   [Used before by Padalka on Increment 9, the BAOK gas analyzer determines concentrations of CH4 (methane), NH3 (ammonia), CO (carbon monoxide), HCN (hydrogen cyanide), HF (hydrofluoric acid) and NO2 (nitric oxide) from air samples using electrochemical sensors, with measurements displayed on LCD (liquid crystal display) and stored on tapes.]

CDR/SO Leroy Chiao supported a zero calibration of the two active CSA-CPs (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products) in the US segment (USOS), then readied the MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer) for operation.

Later, Chiao collected air samples with a GSC (grab sample container) at the center of the Lab, then with the new Dual Sorbent Tube (DST), instead of the old SSAS (Solid Sorbent Air Sampler), in the center of Lab and SM. (Last time done:  2/10).

Sharipov meanwhile used the Russian AK-1M sampler in the SM and FGB.  Then, checking for CO, he took air samples in the SM with the IPD-CO Draeger tubes sampler.  (Last time done:  2/10) 

A major crew task today was another ADUM session (Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Micro-G).  The Science Officer set up the equipment, including video and electronic still cameras.  Chiao and Sharipov each spent about 20 min. performing Z-scans (bone) on each other, taking turns as operator and subject.  Afterwards, Chiao deactivated the hardware and cleaned up.   [The session required an active HRF (Human Research Facility) plus video tape recording on a mini-DV tape using the Lab camcorder (due to the current jitter issues with the VTRs), followed by power-up of HRF computer and ADUM hardware & software by the crew.  Using the CMRS (crew medical restraint system) for strapping down the subject, scans were taken, their images recorded and the scanning & post-scan activities videotaped and still-photographed for downlink.  ADUM investigates the diagnostic capability of ultrasound (U/S) in medical contingencies relevant to the space environment and demonstrates the ability of minimally trained crewmembers to perform and interpret advanced sonographic examinations. The U/S images are downlinked to the ground for interpretation.  This telemedicine has important applications to emergency medical care in remote areas of the earth, as well as for astronaut crews traveling beyond low earth orbit.  See also the paper on remotely guided FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) in the January issue of the Journal of Trauma (http://www.jtrauma.com).]

Time again for another SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) crew-proficiency training run.  After connecting the UOP DCP (utility outlet panel/display & control panel) bypass power cable at the Lab Robotics Work Station (RWS) and reviewing the computerized DOUG (dynamic operations ubiquitous graphics) model, Chiao went through the Robotics exercise.   [Objective today was to maneuver the SSRMS to the EVA-13 viewing position.  Ops were deliberately kept short due to scheduling issues.  The Canadarm2 motion consisted of an FOR OCAS (frame of reference {i.e., x, y, z instead of joint angle values} operator commanded auto sequence) maneuver, a Joint OCAS and two Single Joint maneuvers. The final position is similar to the position used for EVA-12 viewing, with a slightly different wrist configuration.  The MBS (Mobile Base System) Mast camera remains hard-failed.]

Working off the voluntary Russian task list, Salizhan performed the regular daily inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment, which researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-5 greenhouse.  The maintenance includes topping off the experiment s water container as required.

Leroy completed the routine SOZh/ECLSS servicing/inspection in the SM, including the ASU toilet facilities.  Part of today’s ECLSS maintenance was the regular checkup on the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator apparatus.  Chiao also prepared the daily IMS delta file for the automated export/import to the three IMS databases on the ground.

Sharipov broke out and set up the equipment for tomorrow s scheduled Russian PZE MO-9 Urolux biochemical urine test.

The crew performed their regular daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS, RED exerciser, CEVIS cycle and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer.   [Salizhan’s daily protocol currently prescribes a four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill and one hour on VELO (today: Day 4 of a new set).]

Leroy 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.

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo target, 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), was Tropical Cyclone Ingrid, Australia (Dynamic Event. This Category 3 cyclone [locally known as a willy-willy ] will have made landfall by the time of the overpass, but it still is a well-organized and powerful storm. Looking to the right of track for the eye and wall clouds.)

 
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:

• EVA-13 — 3/25 (could slip to 3/28);
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) launch — 4/15 with Expedition 11 (CDR Sergei Krikalev, FE/SO John Phillips);
• Soyuz TMA-5 (9S) undocking — 4/25 with Exp. 10 crew (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS);
• LF1 (STS-114) — NET 5/12;
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/10;
• ULF1.1 (STS-121) — NET 7/10;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24;
• Soyuz TMA-7 (11S) launch — 9/27.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 6:35am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 357.1 km
• Apogee height — 359.9 km
• Perigee height — 354.3 km
• Period — 91.68 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.65 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0004116
• Solar Beta Angle — 40.0 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.70
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 105 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 36000

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.