ISS On-Orbit Status 04/17/10 All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.
FD13 (Flight Day 13) of STS-131/19A. Saturday – Undock Day. Crew sleep shifting in effect: Wake 12:21am, sleep 3:21pm, returning to nominal tomorrow: Wake 2:00am, sleep 5:30pm. ISS and STS-131/Discovery are flying in separate orbits again. [After the traditional Crew Farewell this morning at ~6:00am EDT and hatch closure at 6:52am EDT, Afterwards, with the Shuttle already controlling attitude of the mated stack with Orbiter ORB control, Rick Mastracchio & Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger initiated the standard one-hour leak check on the ODS (Orbiter Docking System). Discovery undocked in darkness (local sunset 8:37am) at 8:52:25am from PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter 2). After separation, PLT Jim Dutton completed a 270-deg station flyaround, and the Orbiter crew obtained photo/video imagery of the ISS. Final sep burn (Sep 2, 3.0 fps) was at ~10:30am, retrograde.] - Discovery is expected to return to Earth on 4/19 (Monday) after its 14-day mission. Landing opportunities at KSC are at 8:51:22am (Orbit 222) & 10:26:26am EDT (Orbit 223). There are additional KSC opportunities on 4/20 at 7:33am (Orbit 237) & 9:08am (Orbit 238), also at the EDW (Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.) backup landing site at 9:00am EDT (238), 10:36am (239) & 12:11 (240), plus some on 4/21. If landing takes place on Monday at 8:51:22am as planned, Discovery will have circled Earth 222 times, covering a distance of 5,813,261 stat.mi. (9,301,218 km). [Current weather forecast for Monday calls for showers within 30 n.mi. of the Shuttle Landing Facility (which would be a flight rule violation) and the potential for low cloud ceilings.]
At wake-up (12:21am this morning), CDR Kotov performed the regular daily early-morning check of the aerosol filters at the Russian Elektron O
2 generator which Maxim Suraev had installed on 10/19 in gaps between the BZh Liquid Unit and the oxygen outlet pipe (filter FA-K) plus hydrogen outlet pipe (filter FA-V).
[CDR again inspected the filters before bedtime this noon, currently a daily requirement per plan, with photographs to be taken if the filter packing is discolored.] Also at wake-up, FE-6 Creamer & FE-2 Caldwell-Dyson continued their current week-long session of the experiment SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight), TJ’s fourth, Tracy’s first, transferring data from their Actiwatches to the HRF-1 (Human Research Facility 1) laptop.
[To monitor his/her sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, the crewmember wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him/her as well as their patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition, using the payload software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment’s laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days.] Additionally, Caldwell-Dyson continued her FD15 session of the medical protocol for Pro K (Dietary Intake Can Predict and Protect against Changes in Bone Metabolism during Spaceflight and Recovery), her first on board, performing the first urine pH spot test (not sampling) and later logging today’s diet intact.
[Under Pro K, the crewmember measures and logs the pH value of a urine sample, to be collected the same time of day every day for 5 days. The crewmember also prepares a diet log and then annotates quantities of food packets consumed and supplements taken. Tracy required considerably more time for the session than scheduled since her packed food, delivered on 19A, took time for sorting out (probably should have been pre-organized on the ground.] Tracy, Timothy Creamer & Soichi Noguchi completed another session with the Reaction Self Test (Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the ISS) protocol.
[The RST is performed twice daily (after wakeup & before bedtime) for 3 days prior to the sleep shift, the day(s) of the sleep shift and 5 days following a sleep shift. The experiment consists of a 5-minute reaction time task that allows crewmembers to monitor the daily effects of fatigue on performance while on ISS. The experiment provides objective feedback on neurobehavioral changes in attention, psychomotor speed, state stability, and impulsivity while on ISS missions, particularly as they relate to changes in circadian rhythms, sleep restrictions, and extended work shifts.] Prior to hatch closure, final science samples were transferred by FE-2 & FE-5, with Tracy packing one DCB (Double Coldbag) with samples from MELFI-2 (Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS 2, in US-Lab) and MELFI-1 (in Kibo JEM), including ice bricks for cold storage, while Soichi packed the MERLIN (Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator) fridge on the Shuttle with samples from ISS.
For the STS-131 undocking, the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) was powered down (from 3:55am-12:10pm), with GLA (General Luminaire Assembly) lights minimized, JPM cabin fan A off, fan B in low mode, SD (Smoke Detector) A off & SD B remaining active.
Crew activities before and during undocking included –
- Noguchi closing the protective window shutters on Kibo, Lab and Cupola,
- Creamer tearing down the oxygen transfer equipment, used to supply Shuttle O2 to the spacewalkers for prebreathing;
- TJ also configuring the PMA-2 for depressurization after the undocking, followed by
- Setting up the departure configuration at the PMA-2 and standing by at the Lab RWS (Robotics Workstation) A31p laptop with a stopwatch to monitor the proper performance of automatic undocking software for the PMA-2 departure under Russian thruster attitude control and to immediately mode ISS to attitude control if undocking software fails. [The procedure provides for the crewmember to take over the automatic operational attitude control sequence manually if the software does not resume control after the period of free drift a few minutes after physical separation. Free drift is employed to prevent a conflict between the control systems of the two vehicles (ISS & Shuttle) and to “limp” (unload) the docking mechanisms], and
- Soichi using the NIKON digital camera and PD-100 camcorder to document the undocking, backing away & separation of the Discovery.
CDR Kotov verified proper operation of the running Russian TEKh-15/DAKON-M IZGIB (“Bend”) experiment in the SM (Service Module) for taking structural dynamics data during the Shuttle undocking. Afterwards, Oleg downlinked the measurement data to the ground.
[IZGIB has the objective to help update mathematical models of the ISS gravitation environment, using accelerometers of the Russian SBI Onboard Measurement System, the GIVUS high-accuracy angular rate vector gyrometer of the SUDN Motion Control & Navigation System and other accelerometers for unattended measurement of micro-accelerations at science hardware accommodation locations - (1) in operation of onboard equipment having rotating parts (gyrodynes, fans), (2) when establishing and keeping various ISS attitude modes, and (3) when performing crew egresses into space and physical exercises.] After the undocking –
- TJ Creamer depressed the PMA-2 and conducted the subsequent leak check of the Node-2 forward hatch (by periodically monitoring pressure readings) at the MPEV (Manual Pressure Equalization Valve);
- TJ then deconfigured the C&T (Command & Tracking) video set up, uninstalling the video cap in Node-2 which enabled reception of video from the docked Discovery; followed by
- Deconfiguring the BPSMU (Battery Powered Speaker Microphone Unit) and its long single drag-through line, used during the docked phase, then stowing the equipment; and finally
- Removing the THC IMV (Temperature & Humidity Control Intermodule Ventilation) air duct in Node-2.
FE-5 Noguchi returned PEPs (Portable Emergency Provisions) back to their nominal stage positions, i.e., PBA (Portable Breathing Apparatus) #1019 from the A/L (Airlock) to COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) endcone & PBA #1017 from A/L to Node-3.
Noguchi then powered down the PCS (Portable Computer System laptops in the US A/L (Airlock) and in COL.
Working afterwards in Node-3 on the WRS (Water Recovery System), Noguchi set up the newly installed RFTA ( Recycle Filter Tank Assembly) for the periodic backfill, with ground support, from the UPA (Urine Processor Assembly) with QD (Quick Disconnect) hose.
Also in Node-3, Soichi conducted the periodic manual filling of the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) flush water tank (EDV-SV), terminated after ~26 min.
Afterwards, Noguchi had ~1 hr for unpacking 19A cargo items.
Timothy deployed two additional VSWs (Video Streaming Workstations) in Node-2, connecting them to power, the reloading VWS2 and placing it on the network.
TJ worked on the SSC-5 (Station Support Computer 5), returning the laptop to nominal configuration after its successful use for downlinking the LDRI (Laser Dynamic Range Imager) data from the Orbiter late TPS inspection.
[The Ultrabay Adapter & 60 GB HDD (Hard Disk Drive) were replaced with the usual floppy disk drive temporarily stowed nearby.] FE-2 Caldwell-Dyson deployed two new 19A-delivered cue cards for dealing with NH
3 (ammonia) contamination in the Ammonia Contamination Kit in the FGB (behind Panel 309).
Later, Tracy had ~3.5 hrs set aside for updating onboard SODF (Station Operations Data File) EMER books with 19A-arrived PCNs (Page Change Notices).
[The activity involved collecting 6 copies of the 20A Emer 1 Book from the Lab, SM, Airlock, Node-2, Soyuz 21S & Soyuz 22S, replacing about 50 pages, discarding the old pages and redeploying the books in their nominal locations.] Later, the FE-2 verified proper closure of the Lab, JPM & Cupola window shutters to protect from the upcoming Progress 35P purge venting.
The crew completed today’s physical workout regime on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (FE-5), ARED advanced resistive exerciser (FE-1, FE-2, FE-5, FE-6), T2/COLBERT advanced treadmill (CDR, FE-2, FE-3, FE-6) and VELO ergometer bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR, FE-1, FE-3).
T2/COLBERT Update: The T2 treadmill is currently only being used in unpowered mode, after its PAU (Power Avionics Unit) exhibited increased temperatures, most likely due to a short circuit in a power converter to the treadmill motors. Workouts in unpowered mode are entirely satisfactory from Flight Surgeon’s standpoint.
Weekly Science Update (Expedition Twenty-Three -- Week 4)
3-D SPACE: No report.
AgCam (Agricultural Camera): No report.
ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS): Complete.
ALTEA DOSI (NASA/ASI): This ISS backup radiation monitoring system remains non-operational.
APEX (Advanced Plant Experiments on Orbit) -Cambium: No report.
APEX-TAGES (Transgenic Arabidopsis Gene Expression System): No report.
BCAT-4/5 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test 4/5): No report.
BIOLAB (ESA): No report.
BIORHYTHMS (JAXA, Biological Rhythms): No report.
BISE (CSA, Bodies in the Space Environment): No report.
BISPHOSPHONATES: No report.
CARD (Long Term Microgravity: Model for Investigating Mechanisms of Heart Disease, ESA): No report.
CARDIOCOG-2: Complete.
CB (JAXA Clean Bench): No report.
CBEF (JAXA Cell Biology Experiment Facility)/SPACE SEED: No report.
CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS): No report.
CERISE (JAXA): No report.
CFE (Capillary Flow Experiment): Reserve.
CSI-3/CGBA-5 (CGBA Science Insert #2/Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 5): Ongoing.
CGBA-2 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 2): Complete.
CIR (Combustion Integrated Rack), MDCA/Flex: No report.
CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2): Complete.
Commercial Photo (JAXA): No report.
CW/CR (Cell Wall/Resist Wall) in EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System): Complete.
DECLIC (Device for the Study of Critical Liquids & Crystallization, CNES/NASA): No report.
DomeGene (JAXA): Complete.
DOSIS (ESA): The instrument is nominally acquiring science.
EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students): No report.
EDR (European Drawer Rack, ESA): “Thank you, TJ, for installing KUBIK6 with KID in EDR in preparation for the PADIAC (Pathway Different Activators) experiment.”
ELITE-S2 (Elaboratore Immagini Televisive - Space 2): Planned.
EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System): No report.
ENose (Electronic Nose): No report.
EPM (European Physiology Module): Activated in support of CARD.
EPO (Educational Payload Operations, NASA): No report.
EPO LES-2 (ESA): No report.
EPO 3-min Video (JAXA): No report.
EPO J-Astro Report (JAXA): No report.
EPO Dewey’s Forest (JAXA): Closed out on 3/15.
EPO Space Clothes (JAXA): Complete.
EPO Hiten (Dance, JAXA): No report.
EPO Moon Score (JAXA): No report.
EPO Try Zero-G (JAXA): No report.
EPO Kibo Kids Tour (JAXA): Complete.
EPO Paper Craft (Origami, JAXA): No report.
EPO Poem (JAXA): No report.
EPO Spiral Top (JAXA): No report.
ERB-2 (Erasmus Recording Binocular, ESA): “Thank you for finding the ERB-2 Camera.”
[ERB-2 aims are to develop narrated video material for various PR & educational products & events, including a 3D interior station view.] ETD (Eye Tracking Device): Completed.
FACET (JAXA): No report.
FIR/LMM/CVB (Fluids Integrated Rack / Light Microscopy Module / Constrained Vapor Bubble): “Tracy, thanks for all the work you did for us. Just for heads up, we will not be doing any ground commanding until 4/26.”
FOAM STABILITY (ESA): No report.
FOCUS: No report.
FSL (Fluid Science Laboratory, ESA): No report.
FWED (Flywheel Exercise Device, ESA): No report.
GEOFLOW: No report.
HAIR (JAXA): No report.
HDTV System (JAXA): Was delivered by HTV1.
Holter ECG (JAXA): No report.
HQPC (JAXA): Was delivered by 34P.
HREP (HICO/Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean & RAIDS/Remote Atmospheric & Ionospheric Detection System/JAXA): HREP is operating nominally and 830 images have been taken to date.
ICE CRYSTAL (JAXA): Complete.
ICV (Integrated Cardiovascular): No report.
IMMUNO (Neuroendocrine & Immune Responses in Humans During & After Long Term Stay at ISS): Complete.
INTEGRATED IMMUNE: No report.
InSPACE-2 (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2): No report.
IRIS (Image Reversal in Space, CSA): No report.
LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System): No report.
Marangoni UVP (JAXA): No report.
MAXI (Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image, JAXA): Acquiring science data.
Marangoni UVP: No report.
MEIS (Marangoni Experiment for ISS) in JAXA FPEF (Fluid Physics Experiment Facility): No report.
MDCA/Flex: See under CIR.
Microbe-1 (JAXA): No report.
Micro-G Clay (JAXA EPO): Complete.
MMA (JAXA/Microgravity Measurement Apparatus): No report.
MISSE7 (Materials ISS Experiment): MISSE7 is operating nominally.
MPAC/SEED (JAXA): Completed on 19A FD4.
MSG-SAME (Microgravity Science Glovebox): Complete.
MSL (Materials Science Laboratory, ESA): No report.
MTR-2 (Russian radiation measurements): Passive dosimeters measurements in DC-1 “Pirs”.
MULTIGEN-1: Completed.
MYCO 1 (JAXA): Myco Sampling was completed on 19A for FE5, FE6, PLT, MS1, and MS4 on FD11.
MyoLab (JAXA): Started on 19A FD6.
NANOSKELETON (Production of High Performance Nanomaterials in Microgravity, JAXA): No report.
NEURORAD (JAXA): Started on 19A FD4.
NEUROSPAT (ESA/Study of Spatial Cognition, Novelty Processing and Sensorimotor Integration): No report.
NOA-1/-2 (Nitric Oxide Analyzer, ESA): Complete.
NUTRITION w/REPOSITORY/ProK: No report.
PADLES (JAXA, Area PADLES 3/4; Passive Area Dosimeter for Lifescience Experiment in Space): Dosimeters were stowed on 19A FD12. New dosimeters (PADLES 4) were set up on 19A FD12.
PASSAGES (JAXA): No report.
PCDF-PU (Protein Crystallization Diagnostic Facility - Process Unit): No report.
PCG (JAXA, Protein Crystal Growth): No report.
PCRF (Protein Crystallization Research Facility) Reconfiguration (JAXA): Complete.
PMDIS (Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space): Complete.
POLCA/GRAVIGEN (ESA): Complete.
RadGene & LOH (JAXA): Complete.
RadSilk (JAXA): Samples were returned to ground on ULF3.
RST/Reaction Self Test (Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the ISS): “Tracy, TJ and Soichi: Thank you for your continued participation in Reaction Self Test. Also thank you for your crew notes, we appreciate the information. As a reminder the constraints for Reaction Self Test are that the tests should be taken within 2 hours of wake up or going to bed.”
SAIBO Rack (JAXA): A CGSE/CBEF CO
2 leak check has been completed.
SAMS/MAMS (Space & Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems): No report.
SAMPLE: Complete.
SCOF (Solution Crystallization Observation Facility, JAXA): No report.
SEDA-AP (Space Environment Data Acquisition Equipment-Attached Payload, JAXA): MPAC & SEED retrieval and packing were performed on 19A FD4.
SHERE (Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment): Complete.
SLAMMD (Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device): No report.
SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight): “Tracy, thanks for completing your first week of sleep logging for this increment. We will be downlinking the data on 4/26 to send to the PI. TJ, thanks for completing another week of sleep logging this increment. We will be downlinking the data on 4/26 to send to the PI.”
SMILES (JAXA): Acquiring science data.
SODI/IVIDIL (Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument/Influence of Vibration on Diffusion in Liquids, ESA): No report.
SODI/DSC (Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument/Diffusion Soret Coefficient): No report.
SOLAR (Solar Monitoring Observatory): The Sun observation window#27 has started on 4/7, when the SOLAR platform was put in Sun Tracking Mode immediately after 19A docking. The current Sun observation window is predicted to end on 4/17. The SOLAR platform un-powering foreseen during 19A EVA#3 on 4/13 has not taken place as the LWAPA adapter retrieval from the Columbus External Payload site was called off.
SOLO (Sodium Loading in Microgravity): No report.
SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite): No report.
SPICE (Smoke Point In Co-flow Experiment): No report.
SPINAL (Spinal Elongation): No report.
SWAB (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft): No report.
THERMOLAB (ESA): No report.
TRAC (Test of Reaction & Adaptation Capabilities): Planned.
ULTRASOUND: Planned.
VASCULAR (CSA): No report.
VO2max (NASA): No report.
VLE (Video Lessons ESA): No report.
WAICO #1/#2 (Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels): Vernalization of the Arabidopsis seeds is on-going at +4degC in the BIOLAB Thermal Control Unit (TCU), i.e. these seeds "feel winter condition" before germinating when the experiment starts.”
YEAST B (ESA): No report.
CEO (Crew Earth Observations): No report.
No CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today.
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 8:09am EDT [= epoch])
Mean altitude – 344.9 km
Apogee height – 347.8 km
Perigee height – 342.0 km
Period -- 91.43 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.65 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0004296
Solar Beta Angle -- 23.5 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.75
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours – 127 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) – 65,391
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time and subject to change): --------------Six-crew operations-----------------
04/19/10
-- STS-131/Discovery/19A
deorbit burn: 7:47am landing (KSC): 8:47am
04/28/10 -- Progress M-05M/37P launch
04/30/10 -- Progress M-05M/37P docking
05/10/10 -- Progress M-04M/36P undock
05/12/10 – Soyuz TMA-17/21S relocation (FGB Nadir to SM Aft)
05/14/10 -- STS-132/Atlantis/ULF4 – ICC-VLD, MRM-1 “Rassvet”
06/02/10 -- Soyuz TMA-17/21S undock/landing
(End of Increment 23) --------------Three-crew operations-------------
06/14/10 -- Soyuz TMA-19/23S launch –
Wheelock (CDR-25)/Walker/Yurchikhin 06/16/10 -- Soyuz TMA-19/23S docking
--------------Six-crew operations-----------------
06/28/10 -- Progress M-06M/38P launch
06/30/10 -- Progress M-06M/38P docking
07/07/10 -- US EVA-15
(Caldwell/Wheelock) 0*7/23/10 -- Russian EVA-25
(Yurchikhin/Kornienko) 07/26/10 -- Progress M-05M/37P undock
07/29/10 -- STS-134/Endeavour (ULF6 – ELC3, AMS-02)
08/30/10 -- Progress M-06M/38P undock
08/31/10 -- Progress M-07M/39P launch
09/02/10 -- Progress M-07M/39P docking
09/16/10 -- Soyuz TMA-18/22S undock/landing
(End of Increment 24) 09/16/10 -- STS-133/Discovery (ULF5 – ELC4, PMM)
09/18/10 -- STS-133/Discovery (ULF5 – ELC4, PMM) docking
09/22/10 -- STS-133/Discovery (ULF5 – ELC4, PMM) undock
09/30/10 -- Soyuz TMA-20/24S launch –
Kelly (CDR-26)/Kaleri/Skripochka 10/xx/10 -- Russian EVA-26
10/27/10 -- Progress M-08M/40P launch
10/29/10 -- Progress M-08M/40P docking
11/26/10 -- Soyuz TMA-19/23S undock/landing
(End of Increment 25) 12/10/10 -- Soyuz TMA-21/25S launch –
Kondratyev (CDR-27)/Coleman/Nespoli 12/15/10 -- Progress M-07M/39P undock
12/26/10 -- Progress M-08M/40P undock
12/27/10 -- Progress M-09M/41P launch
12/29/10 -- Progress M-09M/41P docking
03/16/11 -- Soyuz TMA-20/24S undock/landing
(End of Increment 26) 03/30/11 -- Soyuz TMA-22/26S launch –
A. Borisienko (CDR-28)/R, Garan/A.Samokutayev 04/01/11 -- Soyuz TMA-22/26S docking
04/27/11 -- Progress M-09M/41P undock
04/28/11 -- Progress M-10M/42P launch
04/30/11 -- Progress M-10M/42P docking
05/17/11 -- Soyuz TMA-21/25S undock/landing
(End of Increment 27) 05/31/11 -- Soyuz TMA-23/27S launch –
M. Fossum (CDR-29)/S. Furukawa/S. Volkov 06/02/11 -- Soyuz TMA-23/27S docking
06/21/11 -- Progress M-11M/43P launch
06/23/11 -- Progress M-11M/43P docking
08/30/11 -- Progress M-12M/44P launch
09/01/11 -- Progress M-12M/44P docking
09/30/11 -- Soyuz TMA-24/28S launch
10/28/11 -- Progress M-13M/45P launch
10/30/11 -- Progress M-13M/45P docking
11/25/11 -- Soyuz TMA-25/29S launch
11/27/11 -- Soyuz TMA-25/29S docking
12/??/11 -- 3R Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) w/ERA – on Proton.
