ISS On-Orbit Status 04/24/10 All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.
Saturday. >>>Today 43 years ago, Soviet Cosmonaut Vladimir Mikhaylovich Komarov became the first human to die on a space mission, crashing with fowled parachutes on returning in Soyuz 1. Also, 20 years ago today, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched on STS-31/Discovery. Happy Birthday, HST!<<< CDR Kotov performed the regular daily early-morning check of the aerosol filters at the currently running Russian Elektron O
2 generator which Maxim Suraev had installed on 10/19/09 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, currently a daily requirement per plan, with photographs to be taken if the filter packing is discolored.] The crew had a busy day relocating the T2/COLBERT advanced treadmill from its temporary location in Node-2 to its final place in Node-3.
[While FE-1 Skvortsov gathered and managed parts/components removed during T2 uninstall for redistribution in Node-3 and performing photo documentation of the various procedural steps, FE-2 Caldwell-Dyson and FE-6 Creamer removed the T2 system in Node-2 (D5) and then installed it in its designated rack bay in Node-3 (F5). FE-5 Noguchi handled the treadmill cabling, removing data & power jumpers in Node-2 and reconfiguring them in Node-3. Tomorrow, Day 2, will feature installation of the T2 VIS (Vibration Isolation System), along with documentary photography. Three more days are scheduled until nominal full T2 restoration.] Along with T2 relocation, the crew has started on the commissioning of the new CQ (Crew Quarters), to be used as a permanent sleep station in Node-2 in the former T2 rack bay location (P5).
Noguchi & Creamer supported T2 relocation by temporarily removing the TOCA (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer) plus the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) Kabin structure, then configuring the WRS-1 (Water Recovery System 1) Rack for T2 installation. TOCA and Kabin were later replaced in their locations.
[The crew needed 2,5 hrs, longer than planned, to complete the job which required multiple rack rotations to adjust braces for proper fitting.] For the CQ installation, Creamer, Caldwell-Dyson & Kotov removed the “bumpout” structure in Node-2, and Kornienko & Creamer afterwards re-installed it (which required rack rotation).
The TVIS treadmill has been declared Go for nominal use (which actually cleared the way for the removal & relocation of T2). Remaining task today was for Oleg Kotov to open the two TVIS circuit breakers in the SM to allow cool-down of the machine before exercise ops.
[Skvortsov & Kornienko yesterday successfully completed the 4th and final part of the combined annual TVIS maintenance, by finishing the work on the stabilizers and reinstalling TVIS into the SM (Service Module) pit. After their unmanned speed characterization test, followed by the full ACO (Activation & Checkout) run, data were analyzed on the ground and found good to go.] Several time during the day, Tracy & Timothy checked up on the proper functioning of the MELFI-1 (Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS 1) & MELFI-2 as well as the ABRS (Advanced Biological Research System) via laptop displays, as stand-ins for the closed-down POIC (Payload Operations Integration Center).
[MSFC/Huntsville today has a power outage to perform preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance and system upgrades as needed.] Oleg & Soichi completed part of the regular weekly task of thorough station cleaning, including COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) and Kibo.
["Uborka", usually done on Saturdays, includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, damp cleaning of the SM (Service Module) dining table, other frequently touched surfaces and surfaces where trash is collected, as well as the sleep stations with a standard cleaning solution; also, fan screens and grilles are cleaned to avoid temperature rises. Special cleaning is also done every 90 days on the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) bacteria filters in the Lab.] Alexander performed the regular maintenance of the Russian POTOK-150MK (150 micron) air purification subsystems in the SM & FGB, cleaning the pre-filters with a vacuum cleaner with narrow nozzle attachment and later restarting POTOK in automatic mode.
Kotov verified proper operation of the running Russian TEKh-15/DAKON-M IZGIB (“Bend”) experiment in the SM for taking structural dynamics data during the onboard activities. 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.] Soichi performed routine service on the prime CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products) unit (#1042) by replacing its battery (#1381) with a new one (#1133).
Mikhail did the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM.
[Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.] The crew completed today’s 2-hr. physical workout protocol on the CEVIS cycle ergometer with vibration isolation (FE-2, FE-5, FE-6), TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-3). ARED advanced resistive exerciser (FE-1, FE-2, FE-5, FE-6), and VELO ergometer bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR, FE-1, FE-3).
At ~9:05am EDT, the crew held their usual WPC (Weekly Planning Conference) with the ground, discussing next week's "Look-Ahead Plan" (prepared jointly by MCC-Houston and TsUP-Moscow timeline planners) via S-band/audio, reviewing the monthly calendar, upcoming activities, and any concerns about future on-orbit events.
CDR, FE-3 & FE-6 had their weekly PFCs (Private Family Conferences) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on an SSC laptop), Misha at ~7:30am, Oleg at ~8:35am, TJ at ~1:20pm EDT.
Reboost Update: Yesterday’s reboost at 4:30pm EDT was nominal. Using Progress 36P’s 8 aft DPO (Approach & Attitude Control) thrusters for a burn duration of 20 min 45 sec, the maneuver achieved a delta-V of 3.07 m/s (planned: 3.0) and mean altitude increase of 5.42 km (planned: 5.38). Awesome accuracy: a very slight over-burn resulted in ~40 m additional altitude which is within the 5% criterion for a reboost to be considered nominal.
Vozdukh Update: Vozdukh CO
2 removal system is up and running. TsUP-Moscow speculated that the failure was due to a transient problem with the BVK-1 & -2 vacuum valves. Both valves were stopped by the Vozdukh control system in the intermediate position, making the system shut itself down. After a manual reset of the BVKs and a reset of all the system parameters to the initial condition, Vozdukh was restarted without additional problems.
Weekly Science Update (Expedition Twenty-Three -- Week 5)
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): The highly successful TAGES Run 2A was completed on 4/21. The memory card issue that was seen during run 3 was eliminated with the use of new memory cards. The complete image set was downlinked during this run.
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: “Soichi, thanks for completing your pill ingestion.”
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: “We performed six test points on 4/19 with methanol. We would like to inform you that test #6 represented the end of the methanol reservoir. This reservoir is planned to be replaced next week. We will also be switching from the N
2 test points to CO
2 test points. There are activities planned to change out the gas bottles next week in support of the CO
2 test points.”
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.”
[see also under KID/KUBIK6] 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): J-SPACE SCHOOL: planned on 5/4 and 5/5.
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): “Thank you, Tracy, for all your hard work! As of now, the first of the total four CVB modules has been completed.”
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 858 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.
KID/KUBIK6: “Thanks, TJ, for your support for the KID / KUBIK6 commissioning activities!”
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): Completed on 4/20.
NANOSKELETON (Production of High Performance Nanomaterials in Microgravity, JAXA): Returned on 19A.
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.
Pro K: “Tracy, thanks for all of the detailed information provided during your first Pro K session. Per your request, your confidential menu has been reformatted and will be uplinked for your next session.”
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.”
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. Returned on 19A.
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 ended on 4/16.
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): “Thank you Tracy for your first session of the THERMOLAB data collection during your VO
2max session. Your data have been received on the ground.”
TRAC (Test of Reaction & Adaptation Capabilities): Planned.
ULTRASOUND: Planned.
VASCULAR (CSA): No report.
VO2max (NASA): “Thanks, Tracy, for all your hard work with the VO
2max activities this week. We especially appreciate that you took the time to give us feedback via crewnotes. We are eagerly awaiting the upload of the RVU photos on DIMS and will be getting back with you once our assessment is complete. We are also looking at the layout of activities for your next session in approximately 4 weeks and will incorporate your feedback into that planning effort. Again, thank you very much for your hard work! The PI, surgeon, and the VO
2max team were all very appreciative for your efforts in the successful data collection.”
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. On 4/20, the exchange of the BIOLAB gloves, needed for WAICO#2, was performed. The re-establishment of the BIOLAB Glovebox (BGB) was confirmed by leak-tightness test afterward. Thanks, TJ, for getting the BIOLAB Facility entirely ready for the WAICO#2 experiment!”
YEAST B (ESA): No report.
CEO (Crew Earth Observations): Through 4/20, a total of 17,098 frames of ISS CEO imagery have been received on the ground for review and cataloging. “Since our last input, we are pleased to report your acquisition of imagery for the following CEO Target Requests: Lake Nasser, Toshka Lakes, Egypt - useful views acquired, but additional detailed views will be requested; Doha Qatar - excellent detailed views acquired - context views are now needed; Tehran, Iran - excellent detailed view - still needing context views for this target; Athens, Greece - excellent views acquired - all requirements met; Manama, Bahrain - under evaluation; Valletta, Malta - requirements complete for this target; and Volga - Ural Delta - excellent context views - detailed mapping remains. Your rare, detailed view of the Panian Mine, Semirara Island, Philippines was published on NASA/GSFC's Earth Observatory website on April 11. This open-pit mining operation of coal in a tropical setting primarily supports energy production for the Philippines. Last weekend we also published on Earth Observatory your striking view of ice floes off the northeastern tip of Urup Island in the Kurile Archipelago of northeastern Asia. A unique combination of sea-ice, terrain features and wind create a fascinating ice floe pattern. Thank you for these beautiful images of our Earth.”
CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today were
Simon's Bay, Cape Point, S. Africa (looking to the left of track for this point along the coastline of South Africa. The HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin aboard, anchored in Simon's Bay in 1836. General context views of the Bay and coastline were requested), Brasilia, Brazil (weather was predicted to be clear for this morning pass over the capital city of Brazil. The center of the metropolitan area was located slightly to the left of track. Overlapping mapping frames of the urban area were requested), Cordillera Blanca Glaciers, Peru (orbit track provided an opportunity to take nadir viewing, overlapping frames of summit glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru [part of the Andes mountain chain]. ISS had a NW-SE transect along the full extent of the spine of the mountains), Ampato Glaciers, Peru (orbit track took the ISS over the Ampato Glaciers. These summit glaciers are located in three adjacent mountain groups that are part of the Andes mountain chain. Overlapping nadir-viewing frames of the glaciers were requested), and
Villarrica Volcano, Chile (looking to the right of track for this large and active stratovolcano. In addition to the potential for ash- and lava-producing volcanic activity, melting of summit glaciers has produced damaging mudflows [or lahars]. Imagery of the volcano's summit and flanks was requested to map the current extent of ice.) ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 9:05am EDT [= epoch])
Mean altitude – 349.3 km
Apogee height – 356.2 km
Perigee height – 342.5 km
Period -- 91.52 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.65 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0010158
Solar Beta Angle -- 55.6 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.73
Mean altitude gain in the last 24 hours -- 5076 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) – 65,486
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time and subject to change): --------------Six-crew operations-----------------
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) 07/23/10 -- Russian EVA-25
(Yurchikhin/Kornienko) 07/26/10 -- Progress M-05M/37P undock
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 -- STS-133/Discovery launch (ULF5 – ELC4, PMM)
09/16/10 -- Soyuz TMA-18/22S undock/landing
(End of Increment 24) 09/30/10 -- Soyuz TMA-20/24S launch –
Kelly (CDR-26)/Kaleri/Skripochka 10/02/10 -- Soyuz TMA-20/24S docking
10/xx/10 -- Russian EVA-26
10/27/10 -- Progress M-08M/40P launch
10/29/10 -- Progress M-08M/40P docking
TBD -- STS-134/Endeavour (ULF6 – ELC3, AMS-02)
11/26/10 -- Soyuz TMA-19/23S undock/landing
(End of Increment 25) --------------Three-crew operations-------------
12/10/10 -- Soyuz TMA-21/25S launch –
Kondratyev (CDR-27)/Coleman/Nespoli 12/12/10 -- Soyuz TMA-21/25S docking
--------------Six-crew operations-------------
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.
