NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 7 August 2008

Tag : DVD Battery Pack

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those notedpreviously or below.
As part of the crew's regular morning inspection tour, CDR Volkovbegan his workday with the routine checkup of DC1 (DockingCompartment) circuit breakers and fuses. [The monthly checkup in the "Pirs" module looks at AZS circuitbreakers on the BVP Amp Switch Panel (they should all be On) andthe LEDs (light-emitting diodes) of 14 fuses in fuse panels BPP-30& BPP-36.]
For the Russian KPT-2 science payload BAR-RM, the CDR terminatedbattery charging for the "Kelvin-Video" instrument and started theprocess on the TTM-2 anemometer/thermometer's power pack. Afterabout 4 hrs, the charging was terminated. [Objective of the payload is to experiment with ISS leak detectionbased on environmental data anomalies (temperature, humidity, andultrasound emissions) at leak locations. The payload uses a remoteinfrared thermometer (Kelvin-Video), a thermohygrometer (Iva-6A), aheat-loss anemometer/thermometer (TTM-2), an ultrasound analyzer(AU-01), and a leak detector (UT2-03) to determine physicalbackground signs of loss of ISS pressure integrity which could beindicative of leaks in the working compartments of the station.Measurements are taken in specific zones (13 in SM PkhO and 4 inDC1), both with lights & fans turned on and off. ]
Later, in preparation for an upcoming training session of physicalstimulation/conditioning of the two cosmonauts with the Russian BMD(Biomedical Device) PZE STIMUL-01, the CDR removed the first pairof freshly charged NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries from thepayload's charger device and initiated the discharge/charge cycleon the second pair. [The neuromuscular myostimulator suit STIMUL-1, which useselectrical stimulation to contract and relax leg muscle fibers forconditioning, is part of the suite of BMS (Biomedical Support)systems under development at the Moscow IBMP (Institute forBiomedical Problems) for long-duration spaceflights includingpiloted Mars missions.]
FE-1 Kononenko completed outfitting the FGB module with new stowagestructures, transferring additional enclosures from the ATV(Automated Transfer Vehicle) for installation in FGB zones 35B, V(panel 407) to provide more efficient stowage spaces behind panelsand improve airflow/circulation;
Afterwards, Oleg stowed a variety of equipment in the new FGBenclosures, such as two CTBs (Cargo Transfer Bags) with IVA(Intravehicular Activity) Seal Kits from Node-2 and an IFHX(Interface Heat Exchanger).
Sergey Volkov set up the equipment for his third session with theRussian experiment MBI-18 DYKHANIE ("Respiration", "Breathing"),then undertook the session, controlled from the RSE-Med laptop,followed later by Oleg Kononenko who also completed the experimentfor the third time. The crewmembers took photographs of each otherworking the hardware, then closed down the payload and stowed it. [Dykhanie-1 uses two body belts (PG-T/thoracic, PG-A/abdominal), acalibrator, resistor, mouthpiece, etc., to study fundamentalphysiological mechanisms of the external breathing function ofcrewmembers under long-duration orbital flight conditions. Duringthe experiment, physiological measurements are taken and recordedwith a pneumotachogram, a thoracic pneumogram, an abdominalpneumogram, and pressure data in the oral cavity. Allexperimentally derived plus salient environmental data along withpersonal data of the subject are recorded on PCMIA card for returnto the ground at end of the Expedition. Objectives includedetermining the dynamics of the relationship between thoracic(pectoral) and abdominal breathing function reserves and theirrealization potential during spontaneous breathing, the coordinatedspontaneous respiratory movements in terms of thoracic andabdominal components of volumetric, time & rate parameters ofspontaneous respiratory cycle, identification of the features ofhumoral-reflex regulation of breathing by dynamics of ventilationsensitivity of thoracic and abdominal components to chemoreceptorstimuli, etc. Overall, the experiment is intended to provide abetter understanding of the basic mechanisms of pulmonaryrespiration/gas exchange gravitational relations of cosmonauts.]
FE-2 Chamitoff conducted another lengthy session with the SHERE(Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment) payload, proceedingthrough the individual experiment steps by - Activating the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) in the US Lab, Powering on the SHERE hardware, Accessing the CGBA (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus) toinstall the SHERE FM (Fluid Module) #1, Supporting the first SHERE experiment run (Test Point 23), Transferring the module with the fluid sample, Installing FM #26 for the second experiment run (Test Point 5), Removing the FM from the CGBA and transferring SHERE data, Turning off the SHERE/CGBA equipment, Transferring the data files to the MSG laptop, and Powering down the MSG.
[Background: Rheology is the study of the deformation and flow ofmatter under the influence of an applied stress which might be, forexample, a shear stress or extensional stress. In practice,rheology is principally concerned with extending the"classical" disciplines of elasticity and (Newtonian)fluid mechanics to materials whose mechanical behavior cannot bedescribed with the classical theories. SHERE is designed to studythe effect of preshear on the transient evolution of themicrostructure and viscoelastic tensile stresses for monodispersedilute polymer solutions in the MSG. Collectively referred to as"Boger fluids," these polymer solutions have become a popularchoice for rheological studies of non-Newtonian fluids and are thenon-Newtonian fluid used in this experiment. The SHERE hardwareconsists of the Rheometer, Camera Arm, Interface Box, Cabling,Keyboard, Tool Box, Fluid Modules, and Stowage Tray.]
The FE-2 completed the weekly 10-min. CWC (Contingency WaterContainer) audit as part of on-going WRM (Water Recovery &Management) assessment of onboard water supplies. [Updated "cue cards" based on the crew's water calldowns are sentup every other week. The current card (17-0002U) lists 34 CWCs(Contingency Water Containers, ~1314.1 L total) for the four typesof water identified on board: technical water (535.2 L, forElektron, flushing & hygiene, incl. 487.2 L flushing-only waterbecause of Wautersia bacteria), potable water (706.7 L, incl. 174.6 L currently forflushing only), condensate water (64.3 L), waste/EMU dump and other(7.9 L). Wautersia bacteria are typical water-borne microorganisms that have been seenpreviously in ISS water sources. These isolates pose no threat tohuman health.]
In preparation for another run with the US SLEEP (Sleep-WakeActigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment,Gregory first downloaded SLEEP data from his Actiwatch to the HRF-1(Human Research Facility 1) laptop for subsequent downlink andverification by the support scientist, then re-initialized anddonned the Actiwatch. [To monitor his sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Chamitoffnow wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the lightlevels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep andactivity throughout this run. The log entries are done within 15minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days.]
Sergey performed the routine daily servicing of the SM's SOZhsystem (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS). [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checkingthe ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solidwaste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-Uurine containers.]
Oleg conducted the daily IMS (Inventory Management System)maintenance, updating/editing its standard "delta file" includingstowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/importto its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).
In continuing support of the COL FSL (Columbus OrbitalLaboratory/Fluid Science Lab) facility, Greg inserted a blank DLT(Digital Line Tape) cartridge in the FSL VMU (Video ManagementUnit) tape recorder.
The crew conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program(about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personalhygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR, FE-1, FE-2), REDresistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and VELO bike withbungee cord load trainer (CDR, FE-1). Later, Volkov transferred theexercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptopfor downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart RateMonitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure onthe HRM storage medium (done six times a week).
At ~4:15am EDT, the crew held the regular (nominally weekly) tagupwith the Russian Flight Control Team (GOGU/ Glavnaya operativnaya gruppa upravleniya = "Main Operative Control Group" ), including Shift Flight Director (SRP), at TsUP-Moscow viaS-band/audio, phone-patched from Houston and Moscow.
At ~8:45am, Sergey & Oleg linked up with TsUP stowagespecialists via S-band to conduct the weekly IMS tagup, discussingstowage issues, equipment locations and ATV & Progress cargotransfers.
At ~10:15am, the crew supported two interactive PAO TV interviewswith US media of ~10 min each: KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (Jeremy Desel),and Cal Pol Magazine, San Luis Obispo, CA (Scott Roark).
TVIS Update: Replacement of the treadmill roller bearings is scheduled nextweek on 8/11 & 8/12. Before the change-out, the torn belt mustbe repaired with a patch, to be created and installed by the crew.Only after this procedure is completed, the scheduled rollerbearing change-out can be performed, since it involves manipulationand stretching of the tread belt during the change-out, which couldpropagate the tear. Delivery of a new tread belt is proposed onProgress 30P.
SPDM Update: The Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator "Dextre" was powered-upon Monday for installation of an Arm-2 Shoulder Joint softwarepatch. After patch installation, the polarity inversion error thatoccurred initially during the 1J/A mission (3/19/08) re-occurred.Preliminary analysis indicates the problem is in an ambiguityswitch returning an inconsistent value. This ambiguity switch isonly used during power-up and for a specific range of angles. Inthe near term, parking the arm at a specific angle can work aroundthe issue. In the long term, this problem can be resolved throughsoftware updates.
MT Update: Tomorrow (8/8, ~2:05-3:35pm EDT), the Mobile Transporter will bemoved from WS-4 (Worksite 4) to WS-6 to support JEM RMS (JapaneseExperiment Module Robotic Manipulator System) checkouts.
CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today were Kwanza Basin , Angola (the Kwanza basin is undergoing rapid economic development,especially around the capital city Luanda, as Angola becomes amajor oil exporter. ISS CEO imagery will be used as "baseline"imagery against which to measure future growth [settlements,railroads, highways, etc.]. A mapping swath looking obliquely leftwill ensure capturing the site. Visual cues are straight ridgesextending away from track), Gordion, Turkish archaeological site (this rich archeological site was a city [capital of Phrygia] 800years BCE where King Midas reigned. It is also the city whereAlexander the Great cut the Gordion knot with his sword. For thelast century Turkish and US researchers have excavated here. Theyhave requested oblique views to illustrate publications andpresentations. Shooting left for context views. A mapping swathwill ensure capturing the site), Mount Vesuvius, S. Italy (looking near nadir. Visual cues are [1] the peninsula leading outto the Isle of Capri; and [2] Vesuvius's volcanic cone itself whichis a prominent dark circular feature in the coastal plains justsouth of Naples), and Haze SE USA (looking left after crossing Cuba for the margin of a hazy airmassmoving offshore from Georgia. Recent high pressure conditions haveconcentrated "aerosols" [smog, smoke, dust and other materials] inthe lower atmosphere. These are especially visible from space asGreg looked obliquely through the atmosphere [giving a longer "lineof sight" through the pollution]. Images of haze are effective ifthe margin/front between clear and hazy air can be detected. Thesmog front was expected to be approximately over southern Floridaduring the overflight).
CEO photography can be studied at this "Gateway" website:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov (as of 3/1/08, this database contained 757,605 views of the Earthfrom space, with 314,000 from the ISS alone).
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 3:59am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 350.7 km
Apogee height -- 357.6 km
Perigee height -- 343.8 km
Period -- 91.55 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0010247
Solar Beta Angle -- -7.4 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.73
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 40 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 55658
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
08/13/08 -- ATV Reboost
08/30/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking, from FGB nadir
09/05/08 -- ATV1 undocking, from SM aft port (loiter until ~9/25for nighttime reentry/observation)
09/10/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
09/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
10/01/08 -- NASA 50 Years (official)
10/08/08 -- STS-125/Atlantis Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission4 (SM4)
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/12/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (FGB nadir port)
10/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (DC1 nadir)
11/10/08 -- STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch - MPLM Leonardo, LMC
11/12/08 -- STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 docking
11/20/08 -- ISS 10 Years
11/26/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
11/28/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking
02/10/09 -- Progress M-67/32P launch
02/12/09 -- Progress M-67/32P docking
02/12/09 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A launch - S6 truss segment
03/25/09 -- Soyuz TMA-14/18S launch
05/15/09 -- STS-127/Endeavour/2J/A launch - JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
07/30/09 -- STS-128/Atlantis/17A - MPLM(P), last crew rotation
05/27/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS (following Soyuz 19S docking, May '09)
10/15/09 -- STS-129/Discovery/ULF3 - ELC1, ELC2
12/10/09 -- STS-130/Endeavour/20A - Node-3 + Cupola
02/11/10 -- STS-131/Atlantis/19A - MPLM(P)
04/08/10 -- STS-132/Discovery/ ULF4 - ICC-VLD, MRM1
05/31/10 -- STS-133/Endeavour/ULF5 - ELC3, ELC4 (contingency).