NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 9 October 2005

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All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.   Sunday and Day 7 of joint Exp.11/Exp.12 operations.  Week 24 of Increment 11.  Day 178 in space (176 aboard ISS) for Expedition 11, with 1 day to go.  Also: Day 2515 since first ISS launch (FGB/Zarya), and 1803 days of permanent crew occupancy aboard ISS.  Ahead: Week 1 of Increment 12.

After wake-up at a shifted 3:30am EDT, both crews again worked a busy schedule of ISS11-to-ISS12 handovers (Russian acronym: RPS), which proceeded briskly as planned.   [Most scheduled activities were done jointly to serve as handover demos for the “new” crewmembers (“functional” as opposed to “dedicated” handovers).]

CDR Sergei Krikalev completed the second 1.5-hr. part of his final training session in the “Chibis” ODNT suit as standard preparation of cosmonauts for returning into gravity (the second part is scheduled for tomorrow).  Since it was outside an RGS (Russian ground site) comm window, with no telemetry downlink, his vital body readings were again obtained with the Tensoplus sphygmomanometer.  A tagup/calldown with ground specialists via US S-band supported the run, which was assisted by Phillips.   [The below-the-waist reduced-pressure device ODNT (US: LBNP) in the “Chibis” garment provides gravity-simulating stress to the body’s cardiovascular/circulatory system for reestablishing the body’s orthostatic tolerance (e.g., the Gauer-Henry reflex) after the six-month stay in zero-G.  Krikalev’s ODNT protocol today consisted of first imbibing 150-200 milliliters of water or juice, followed by a sequence of progressive regimes of reduced (“negative”) pressure, set at -15, -25, -35 and -40 mmHg for five minutes each, then at -20, -30, and -40 mmHg, 10 minutes in each mode, and at -30 mmHg for 5 min, while shifting from foot to foot at 10-12 steps per minute. The body’s circulatory system interprets the pressure differential between upper and lower body as a gravity-like force pulling the blood (and other liquids) down.]

Sergei Krikalev continued return equipment transfers to the Soyuz, stowing the gear in the Descent Module (DM).  Cargo intended for disposal will be stowed in the Orbital Module (OM).  More transfers will follow tomorrow before hatch closure.   [The list of “downmass” cargo includes such items as AK-1M air samples, Russian payload components & data for Bioekologia, Bradoz, Profilaktika, Pulse, Plasma, Uragan, Matryoshka, Relaksatsiya, Statokonia, SKK-3 materials exposure container, etc., plus contracted equipment such as HDDs (hard disk drives) and PCMCIA memory cards for Halley & ETD (Eye Tracking Device), the Japanese SCN (Space Cup Noodles) demo with its HDTV footage, and other experiments, as well as SFP (Spaceflight Participant) Gregory Olsen’s personal belongings, including memorabilia, diary notes, flags, the “Space Tourists Handbook” prototype, HDD, etc.]

Assisted by Sergei, Greg Olsen used two suitable overflight passes for digital photography of specific homes in Princeton, NJ, his Sensors Unlimited Company, Sarnoff Research and the University in Princeton, NJ, his Montana ranch, Montana’s Eagle Nest and the Custer Battlefield, with the Nikon D1X equippped with Nikkor 80-400mm zoom lens.

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

As usual, the data from Olsen’s VC-9 experiments and video/photographing were transferred from FlashCard memory cards to the removable hard disk drive of the RSE1 laptop.

FE-12 Valery Tokarev made preparations for charging the battery of the Russian MO-21 “Ecosfera” air sampler & incubation equipment which he will use for the microbial analysis on air samples to be collected tomorrow for incubation in the MO-21 equipment.   [MO-21 determines microbial contamination of the ISS atmosphere, specifically the total bacterial and fungal microflora counts and microflora composition according to morphologic criteria of microorganism colonies.]

To support the regular cabin dust analysis conducted by TsUP/Moscow, FE/SO Phillips removed one of the PF dust filter cartridges in the SM (“the most contaminated one”) and bagged it for return.   [A new filter from FGB storage was installed in its place.]

Tokarev 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.]

In preparation for EVA-4 on 11/7, to be conducted in U.S. EMUs (Extravehicular Mobility Units) from the “Quest” Airlock (A/L), McArthur and Phillips first removed stowed equipment from the A/L to make room, then reconfigured the spacesuits (EMU #3009 for Bill, #3010 for Valery) and ECOK (EMU Crew Options Kit) bags.   [The EMUs were first re-equipped with their helmet lights, removed from Orlan suits #26 and #27, which also allowed installation of the EVA TV cameras.  Next, the two EMUs were resized using uplinked instructions, followed by installation of the REBA (rechargeable EVA battery assembly) batteries, to be charged and checked out at a later date.  Finally, Bill and John consolidated the EMU hardware transferred from STS-114 and Soyuz 11S and reconfigured the ECOKs for Bill and Valery.  The latter are mesh bags containing typically EVA gloves, wristlets, Spectra comfort undergloves, Woodsman Socks, Thermax sock liners, Fresnel lens, LCVG (liquid cooling & ventilation garment) with signal conditioner, DIDB (disposable in-suit drink bag),and other accessories.]

Tokarev performed aerial video- and photoimaging of ground targets with the AVR high resolution equipment, a powerful telescope connected to a Nikon D100 digital camera, which Sergei had installed on 10/4 at Service Module (SM) window #9.   [After focusing the telescope with its electronic viewfinder, the FE took photography (KPT-3) of various ground objects for half an hour on Daily Orbit 12 (DO12), starting at 2:35pm, for Russia’s Environmental Safety Agency (ECON).]

Bill McArthur, with Phillips assisting, undertook the periodic one-hour task of inspecting and cleaning hatch seals and hatch plate sealing surfaces in the U.S. segment (USOS), working on six hatches, viz.: Node (forward, aft & starboard), Lab (aft), and Airlock, in support of regular ACS (atmospheric control system) maintenance.   [Hatch seals are lubricated with Braycote-601, which is also deposited on the sealing surfaces.  Dust and particles (FOD, foreign object debris) can stick to the lubricant and to both seals and sealing surfaces.  These are regularly inspected with a magnifying glass for FOD, nicks, burrs, cuts or gouges that would impair a proper seal, and are cleaned, as required, with brushes, dry wipes and Kapton tape.  (Last time done: 8/8).]

During DO12, Krikalev turned on the ventilation system in the Soyuz TMA-6 descent module (DM) to support the TsUP/Moscow-commanded standard calibration test on the DM’s BILU linear accelerometer, for which the Soyuz structural dynamics test on 9/29 provided data.

Tokarev performed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, including the ASU toilet system and the weekly collection of the toilet flush (SP) counter and water supply (SVO) readings for calldown to TsUP.  Valery also prepared the regular daily IMS (Inventory Management System) “delta”/update file for automated export/import to the three IMS databases (MCC-H, TsUP, Baikonur).

Phillips, McArthur and Tokarev completed the regular 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on the TVIS, RED resistive machine and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer.  For McArthur and Tokarev, these were the third exercise sessions.  Krikalev again performed his exercise regimen today as part of the earlier LBNP (ODNT) workout in the Chibis suit.

Later today, Bill will transfer their exercise data files to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data of the RED workouts, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).   [For the E12 entries, special procedures were used to establish their accounts.  Their data transfers will become regular after the installation of new, personalized software on the MEC on 10/14, during which MEC will be upgraded from the IBM 760XD to an A31p ThinkPad.]

After yesterday’s traditional Change-of-Command ceremony, today at ~3:50pm and ~4:10pm EDT, CDR Krikalev and FE-12 Tokarev will sign the formal ISS Russian segment (RS) Handover Act, certifying RS handover/acceptance as specified in the RPS (handover) book, proper transfer of emergency procedures documents, and a list of cargo items stowed on Progress-354/19P for deorbit.

Still carried by Krikalev’s “time available” task list for today was processing of condensate from a U.S. CWC (collapsible water container), to be used in the Elektron.

During crew sleep yesterday, payload ground controllers stopped receiving SAMS (Space Acceleration Measurement System) health and status data from the ICU laptop that was replaced yesterday.  Attempts were made to restore communications with SAMS, but were not successful. Ground controllers are assessing other recovery options to restore SAMS functionality before 10S undocking.

The ARISS (Amateur Radio on International Space Station) ham radio equipment in the SM has been deactivated in preparation for the Soyuz TMA-6 undocking on Monday.

On 10/6, John Phillips reported that his final filling out of the FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire) failed when he was unable to input his data into the MEC.  This appears to indicate a corrupted MEC file, and John was informed by the flight surgeon and the MCC-H nutrition group that his last FFQ would not have to be completed before return.

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 12 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-12/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 12 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, 6:56am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 347.8 km
• Apogee height — 349.0 km
• Perigee height — 346.6 km
• Period — 91.49 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0001781
• Solar Beta Angle — -21.2deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.74
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 130 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 39366

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 —  8:18:46 pm (4 min 23 sec; delta-V 115.2 m/s);
• Module separation – 8:43pm;
• Atmospheric entry – 8:46pm;
• Max-G load – 8:53pm;
• Parachute open command – 8:55pm;
• Landing before dawn — 10/10 (Mon.)  9:09pm EDT;  7:09am (on 10/11) local Arkhalyk/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
• 10/27/05 – EVA-04 Dry Run
• 11/07/05 — EVA-4 (U.S.)
• 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.