Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 9 July 2006

By SpaceRef Editor
July 13, 2006
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NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 9 July 2006
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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. Sunday. Flight Day 6 for STS-121; Day 4 of joint ops.

After wake-up at 3:38am EDT this morning, CDR Vinogradov and FE/SO Williams, along with the Shuttle crew, spent a major part of the day on cargo transfers from MPLM Leonardo. All items destined for the ISS have been transferred from the MPLM. This included a new ISS Lab CCAA (common cabin air assembly) atmospheric heat exchanger, EVA equipment, CO2 removal canisters, two large water bags, and other assorted equipment and supplies.

Later, the crew replaced the failed starboard CCAA heat exchanger in the LAB1S6 rack with the new unit.

The crew also successfully completed EVA preparations for tomorrow. [In preparation for EVA-2, the crew reviewed objectives and timeline, cleaned up and stowed all EVA-1 tools and configured and checked out tools for EVA-2. This included a checkout by Jeff Williams of the new SAFER (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue), #1003, delivered on ULF1.1, while Mark Kelly transferred the old SAFER (#1004) to the MPLM for return. EMU and helmet light batteries have been recharged. A burned-out bulb on one of the helmet light assemblies was replaced. The TUS-2 (Trailing Umbilical System 2) power inhibits have been implemented. A different set of crew restraint tethers has been positioned for use. There are no changes or constraining items for tomorrow’s EVA and the activity is set to be executed as planned.]

The crew, supported by Robotics engineers on the ground, configured the SRMS (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System) for viewing, and Jeff Williams ungrappled the SSRMS (Space Station RMS) from the MBS (Mobile Base System). [The SSRMS was released and backed off to the GFBP (Grapple Fixture Backoff Position).]

Shuttle
Processing Status
News
Daily Mission
Return to Flight
ISS
Weekly Status
Weekly Science
Daily On-Orbit Status
Daily Crew Timeline
Soyuz | Progress
ISS News | ATV

The ISS WAP (Wireless Access Point) unit has been declared degraded but as of this time the extent of the degradation is not known. [There was a proposal to swap the ISS unit with a working unit from the Orbiter, however it has been determined the Orbiter crew requires the capability and the proposal was denied. Troubleshooting of the ISS unit would require crew time which is not available at this time so that activity will be scheduled after undocking.]

The ground performed an N2 (nitrogen) repress out of a valve in the ISS A/L, which increased the total stack pressure to 734 mmHg (14.2psi). The valve was then closed again. [Currently the ISS N2 system is hooked up to the Shuttle’s N2 system for the N2 transfer. In order to repress the stack without using ISS N2, Jeff needed to isolate the AL N2 Tanks by closing a valve (VL013) in the “spaghetti” panel and then reopening it later in the day when the repress was complete.]

The FE completed the regular weekly audit/inventory of the available CWCs (collapsible water containers) and their contents, to keep track of onboard water supplies.

The CDR did the daily routine maintenance of the Service Module (SM)’s environment control & life support system (SOZh), including its toilet system (ASU), and he updated/edited the standard IMS (Inventory Management System) “delta file”, including locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

Pavel and Jeff 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), TVIS treadmill (FE, CDR), RED resistive exerciser (FE), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR). ULF1.1 delivered a new CEVIS in MPLM “Leonardo” and returns the old cycle. [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 4 of the first set).]

Afterwards, Williams transferred the 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 ~11:48am EDT, a first joint press conference took place featuring the complete crew onboard the ISS following the docking of Space Shuttle Discovery, with ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter of Germany taking part.

Afterwards the crewmembers gathered for taking the traditional group photograph of both station crews.

Sleep period began for all nine crewmembers at 7:08pm EDT. Wakeup will be tomorrow morning at 3:38am.

The ULF1.1 mission was officially extended by one additional day. A third EVA will be performed on this day. The new EOM (End of Mission) landing date is 7/17 (Monday).

Upcoming Mission Events Overview:

FD7: Perform EVA2 from ISS Airlock (6.5 hrs., ~8:12 am to 2:42 pm EDT): Replace Mobile Transporter umbilical and guide; transfer maintenance spares to ISS external platform, transfer cargo (all day);

FD8: Prepare for EVA3 (if mission extended); transfer logistics;

FD9: Perform EVA3 from ISS Airlock (6.5 hrs.) if supported by consumables; transfers;

FD10: Reberth MPLM “Leonardo” and OBSS in cargo bay; perform external inspections; complete cargo transfers;

FD11: Close hatches; undock from ISS; stop OBSS; perform external inspections;

FD12: Stow Shuttle cabin; check out reentry systems;

FD13: Prepare for deorbit and landing at KSC.

Weekly Science Update (Expedition Thirteen — 13th)

CARD (Latent Virus Shedding during Spaceflight, ESA): Planned

MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS, ESA/NASA): Planned.

EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System, ESA): Planned.

ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS): ALTEINO radiation measurements are now being performed (without shielding belt) in SM starboard crew cabin (near panel 436), close to Matryoshka-R.

TROPI (Study of Novel Sensory Mechanism in Root Phototropism): Planned.

RC (Refrigerated Centrifuge): Planned.

GASMAP (Human Research Facility/Gas Analyzer System for Metabolic Analysis Physiology): Planned

RS (Renal Stone): Planned.

CFE (Capillary Flow Experiment): Planned.

SLEEP: Planned.

Swab (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft): Planned

PFS (Pulmonary Function System, upgrade of existing system): Jeff was thanked for performing the PFS Health Check. Because of his hard work, the PFS is ready for Thomas Reiter’s upcoming Periodic Fitness Evaluation in July.

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3 (BCAT-3): Planned

PFMI (Pore Formation & Migration Investigation): Complete.

POEMS (Passive Observatories for Experimental Microbial Systems in Micro-G): Planned

DAFT (Dust & Aerosol Measurement Feasibility Test): Planned

CBOSS (Cellular Biotechnology Support Systems: The PI (Principal Investigator) is looking forward to begin analyzing the pictures that were taken during operations last Monday. The analysis will indicate if the mixing technique used in the experiment creates a homogeneous mixture. This is important in cell culture to ensure that all the cells are receiving adequate nutrients. Should the experiment prove successful, the technique will be incorporated in any of our possible future cell culture experiments on ISS.

Materials ISS Experiment (MISSE): In progress.

Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions (InSPACE): Completed. Last run completed June 10, 2006. Hardware stowed June 16, 2006.

SEM (Space Experiment Module): Planned

ALTEA (Anomalous Long Term Effects in Astronauts’ Central Nervous System): Planned

SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite): Planned.

Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM): Planned.

Crew Earth Observations (CEO): Continuing.

No CEO (crew earth observations) photo 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:

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:

To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 13 crew visit:

Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern and subject to change):

  • 07/06-15/06 — STS-121/ULF1.1 docked mission w/ISS (Landing 7/17)
  • 08/03/06 — US EVA-5
  • 08/28/07 — STS-115/12A launch (earliest)
  • 08/30-09/06 — STS-115/12A docked mission w/ISS (earliest) – P3/P4 trusses
  • 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)
  • 11/22-23/06 — Russian EVA-17
  • 12/14/06 — STS-116/12A.1 launch (earliest)
  • 12/16-23/06 — 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).

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.

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ISS Altitude History

Apogee height Mean AltitudePerigee height

ISS Altitude History

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.

SpaceRef staff editor.