All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Today is FE-2 Chamitoff's 46th birthday. Happy Birthday, Greg!!
FE-1 Kononenko serviced the Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System), starting the "bake-out"-to-vacuum cycle on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The regen process will be terminated tonight at ~5:15pm EDT. Filter bed #1 was regenerated yesterday. [Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. The BMP's regeneration cycle, normally done every 20 days, is currently performed four times more frequently to remove any lingering Freon-218 from the cabin atmosphere (last time done: 7/28 & 7/30).]
FE-2 Chamitoff continued commissioning preparations in the JAXA Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module). [Activities included first turning off power supply from the Saibo & Ryutai Rack UDCs (Utility DC-to-DC Converters) to the MMA NCU & RSUs (Microgravity Measurement Apparatus/Network Control Unit & Remote Sensor Units), then reconfiguring the FPEF (Fluid Physics Experiment Facility) in two steps from launch to operational configuration, including securing the 3-D camera at a temporary position and verifying its focus setting. Later, power from Saibo & Ryutai was turned on again and the NCU/RSUs and MLT (MMA Laptop Terminal) activated.]
Kononenko performed scheduled IFM (in-flight maintenance) on the Service Module (SM)'s condensate water processor (SRV-K2M) by removing and replacing its water-conditioning unit purification columns (BK BKV). The old unit was disposed of in Progress 29P. (Last time done: 3/23/08). [The SRV-K2M, with its BKO multifiltration unit, converts collected condensate into drinking water by removing dissolved mineral and organic impurities from the condensate. Downstream from it the condensate water is treated in the BKV water conditioning unit with salts for taste and silver ions for preservation, before it flows to the KPV potable water container from which the reclaimed water is dispensed warm or hot for drinking and preparation of food and beverages.]
CDR Sergey Volkov performed maintenance on the SM's Internal Thermal Loop 2 (KOB2) to determine the technical condition of the filled hydraulic loop by assembling and leak-checking pump and pressure gauge equipment, then using it to measure the free volume (of air) in the loop, adjusting the operational pressure in KOB2 accordingly, and finally disassembling the equipment. [There are two SOTR KOB cooling loops in the SM, each equipped with two redundant pump panels with two redundant pumps each.]
Oleg initiated discharge/charge cycle on the first pair of four NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries for the Russian BMD (Biomedical Device) PZE STIMUL-01 payload in the payload's charger device in preparation for the upcoming physical stimulation/conditioning training of the two cosmonauts with the device. [The neuromuscular myostimulator suit STIMUL-1, which uses electrical stimulation to contract and relax leg muscle fibers for conditioning, is part of the suite of BMS (Biomedical Support) systems under development at the Moscow IBMP (Institute for Biomedical Problems) for long-duration spaceflights including piloted Mars missions.]
With the FGB solar arrays partially retracted and no longer in use, Kononenko continued the dismantling of the SOSB Solar Array Orientation System in the FGB, today removing a static converter (B15, one of two), the communications unit (B01) and the amplifier unit (B03) from behind panel 407, placing the blocks in temporary storage for recycling. The logic & control unit (B14) was removed earlier and used to replace the failed B14 block in the SM. [The FGB SOSB comprises Sun sensors, amplifier-converter unit, amplifier unit, logic & control unit, communications unit, static converter, and solar array drive.]
Gregory had an hour reserved to relocate & rearrange stowage items in Node-2 for more efficient ops and to create more space for additional crew provisions (food) from the "Jules Verne" ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle).
The FE-2 also checked out the U.S. SLM (Sound Level Meter) instrument and then used it to conduct the periodic (once every two months) noise level measurement program in all modules of the station for a 2-hr acoustic survey, followed by transfer of the recorded data to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer). [A total of 45 acoustic measurements were obtained at four locations in the ATV1, six locations in Node-2, 11 locations in the SM, eight locations in the COL, nine locations in the Kibo JPM, and four locations in the Kibo JLP. The survey also includes three crew preference locations taken at their perceived loudest locations in the station. The SLM gives instantaneous noise levels and their frequency spectra, which are transferred to the MEC laptop via an RS232 cable and later downlinked with regular CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) data dump or via OCA.]
Volkov set up the TTM-2 and "Kelvin-Video" batteries for charging for another operational run of the Russian KPT-2 science payload BAR-RM. Charging will be terminated tomorrow (8/7), followed by closeout ops and re-stowing. [Payload objective is to experiment with ISS leak detection based on environmental data anomalies (temperature, humidity, and ultrasound emissions) at leak locations. The payload uses a remote infrared thermometer (Kelvin-Video), a thermohygrometer (Iva-6A), a heat-loss anemometer/thermometer (TTM-2), an ultrasound analyzer (AU-01), and a leak detector (UT2-03) to determine physical background signs of loss of ISS pressure integrity which could be indicative of leaks in the working compartments of the station. Measurements are taken in specific zones (13 in SM PkhO and 4 in DC1), both with lights & fans turned on and off. ]
Kononenko performed the routine daily servicing of the SM's SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS). [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.]
Later, working off the discretionary "time permitting" task list, Oleg also performed the daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance, updating/editing its standard "delta file" including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).
An additional job on the Russian voluntary task list for Kononenko was the regular status check on the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment which researches growth and development of plants (peas) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-13 greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems {Russian: IMBP}).
The crew conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2). Later, Oleg transferred the exercise data file to the MEC laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).
The station residents were scheduled for their regular periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Sergey at ~1:00pm, Oleg at ~2:15pm, Gregory at ~3:30pm EDT.
At ~3:10pm, the ISS crew is scheduled for their regular weekly tagup with the Lead Flight Director at JSC/MCC-H via S-band/audio. [S/G-2 (Space-to-Ground 2) phone patch via SSC (Station Support Computer)].
At ~4:25pm, Chamitoff will hold his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on an SSC laptop), undoubtedly to enjoy best birthday wishes from his family.
VolSci Program Preview: For the weekend of August 9, Greg Chamitoff was offered two choices for the Voluntary Weekend Science program: (1) an "operations improvement" session with SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) with all three satellites; and (2) a LOCAD PTS (Lab-On-A-Chip Application Development - Portable Test System) surface sampling session in COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) using Glucan LAL cartridges, targeting fungus on ISS surfaces.
No CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today due to yesterday's JSC stand-down.
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 Earth from space, with 314,000 from the ISS alone).
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:43am 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 -- 0.0010245
Solar Beta Angle -- -2.9 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) -- 55645
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 ~9/25 for 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 Mission 4 (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).
