All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 17 of Increment 17.
FE-2 Chamitoff started out with his second week-long session of the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment, using payload software for data downloading and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's session file on the HRF-1 laptop. [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Greg wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]
FE-1 Kononenko performed the periodic service of the active Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System) by starting the "bake-out" cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #1 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The process will be terminated at ~5:15pm EDT and Bed #2 regeneration completed tomorrow. [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: 8/5&6)];
Volkov & Chamitoff had several hours set aside for working through a major two-day IFM (Inflight Maintenance) on the TVIS treadmill, first to repair the torn tread belt with an improvised patch & shim and later to undertake the periodic R&R (removal & replacement) of the TVIS roller bearings. [During their TVIS chassis inspection on 8/1, the crew discovered a one-inch tear in the tread belt on the port edge. This necessitated repair since a torn belt could raise a belt slat resulting in a tread belt jam and subsequent motor box failure. A procedure was developed on the ground for a patch to be created and installed on both sides of the belt and for a hole to be punched at the end of the tear. Shims were then to be added to the rear and forward deck so that the likelihood of the belt slats, with patch installed, scraping the deck is minimized.]
The FE-2 also completed the periodic deployment of four passive FMK (Formaldehyde Monitoring Kit) sampling assemblies in the Lab (at P3, below CEVIS) and SM (at the most forward handrail, on panel 307) for two days, to catch any atmospheric formaldehyde on a collector substrate for subsequent analysis on the ground. [Two monitors each are usually attached side by side, preferably in an orientation with their faces perpendicular to the direction of air flow.]
FE-1 Kononenko set up the hardware for the Russian MBI-21 PNEVMOKARD experiment and conducted the session, his third, which forbids moving or talking during data recording. The experiment is controlled from the RSE-Med A31p laptop, equipped with new software, and uses the TENZOPLUS sphygmomanometer to measure arterial blood pressure. [PNEVMOKARD (Pneumocard) attempts to obtain new scientific information to refine the understanding about the mechanisms used by the cardiorespiratory system and the whole body organism to spaceflight conditions. By recording (on PCMCIA cards) the crewmember's electrocardiogram, impedance cardiogram, low-frequency phonocardiogram (seismocardiogram), pneumotachogram (using nose temperature sensors), and finger photoplethismogram, the experiment supports integrated studies of (1) the cardiovascular system and its adaptation mechanisms in various phases of a long-duration mission, (2) the synchronization of heart activity and breathing factors, as well as the cardiorespiratory system control processes based on the variability rate of physiological parameters, and (3) the interconnection between the cardiorespiratory system during a long-duration mission and the tolerance of orthostatic & physical activities at the beginning of readaptation for predicting possible reactions of the crewmembers organism during the their return to ground.]
In preparation for the first Japanese payload activity, a JAXA Educational Payload Operation (EPO) session, Gregory unstowed and set up the Microgravity Clay Experiment (MCE) in the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module), attaching the MCE box on the CBEF (Cell Biology Experiment Facility) micro-G door and forming clay in a human shape, while videotaping the activity.
Also in the JPM, Greg Chamitoff completed the first (of three) setups of the FPEF (Fluid Physics Experiment Facility) for the planned Marangoni Surface experiment by readying the MWA (Maintenance Work Area) for operation.
Meanwhile, Oleg performed routine preventive maintenance in the Soyuz TMA-12/16S by cleaning the screen of the BVN fan/heater assembly in the spacecraft's Orbital Module (BO) at the DC1 nadir port.
Later, Kononenko took the periodic readings of potentially harmful atmospheric contaminants in the SM (Service Module), using the CMS (Countermeasure System), a component of the GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer suite, which uses preprogrammed microchips to measure H2CO (Formaldehyde, methanal), CO (Carbon Monoxide) and NH3 (Ammonia), taking one measurement per microchip.
The FE-1 also had 2h 15m set aside for more trash/equipment transfers to Progress 29P and loading it aboard, guided by an uplinked cargo transfer list and stowage map to ensure proper center-of-gravity positioning for post-undocking control.
The FE-2 had 1h 20m reserved for transferring and unpacking cargo delivered on the ATV-1 (Automated Transfer Vehicle).
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.]
Oleg also completed 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).
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), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR, FE-1). Later, Kononenko transferred the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) 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).
At ~2:20pm EDT, the crew will convene for their standard bi-weekly teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office (Steve Lindsey), via S-band S/G-2 audio & phone patch.
Working from the Russian discretionary "time permitting" task list, the FE-1 conducted 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}).
JAXA CGSE Update: On 8/8, when the CBEF internal solenoid valves supplying CO2 (carbon dioxide) to the incubator were opened & closed, an anomalous pressure drop was observed which may indicate a potential CO2 leak of the CGSE (Common Gas Support Equipment). Investigation is underway on the ground. In case of an actual leak, the volume of gas in the bottles is very small and would not bring the atmosphere to the toxic limit; also, with the cabin ventilation running, any hazard from this leak is controlled. There is no impact on payload operations until end of Inc-17 since no experiment requiring CO2 is planned in this Increment. [CBEF is a CO2 gas incubator with controlled temperature and humidity, to be used for various life science experiments such as cultivating cells, plants, and so on in the JPM. It consists of an incubator and control equipment for CBEF control & communication.]
SPDM Checkout Update: Postponed from last week (8/5-6), the ground-commanded checkout of the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator "Dextre" today and tomorrow focuses on OTCM (ORU Tool Mechanism) socket in manual & automatic mode. [Checkout steps are in summary: (1) Pre-motion survey using ISS and SPDM cameras to verify SPDM arm & body workspace prior to ground control operations, (2) ground-controlled positioning of OTCM1 & OTCM2 in view of the SPDM CLPA2 (Camera, Light & Pan/Tilt Assembly 2) to allow controllers to observe OTCM mechanism motion, (3) calibration of the OTCM mechanisms in preparation for checkout, and (4) performing OTCM mechanism checkout in automatic mode.]
O2 Repress Update: The repress last Friday (8/8) added 7 mmHg partial pressure of oxygen from Progress M-64/29P to the cabin atmosphere.
TsVM Update: Lane 3 of the Russian Central Computer in the SM failed over the weekend. The other two lanes are up and nominal. Teams are analyzing.
COL Update: The data of the first GEOFLOW experiment run in the Columbus laboratory are on the ground. Engineers are still working to resolve an issue with the insertion of a tape in the FSL (Fluid Science Laboratory).
Kibo Commissioning Update: Successfully completed by Gregory Chamitoff were MMA (Microgravity Measurement Apparatus) checkout, RYUTAI and SAIBO rack installation & check out, and JEMRMS (Robotic Manipulator System) Backup Drive checkout. JEMRMS main arm checkout is planned later this week.
No CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today.
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).
Remaining Week 17 Main Activities:
- Tues. (8/12): TVIS roller bearing R&R, TVIS speed characterization, SPDM "Dextre" ops, BMP regen, 29P stow.
- Wed. (8/13): FMK stow, TVIS quarterly maintenance, ATV reboost, Columbus Cycle 11 software transition, Plasma-ISS experiment, JAXA FPEF setup, 29P stow.
- Thurs. (8/14): MBI-15/Neuro setup, JAXA JEMRMS checkout review, 29P stow.
- Fri. (8/15): MBI-15/Neuro, MBI-21/Pneumocard, JEMRMS checkout, 29P stow, KOB-1 maintenance.
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:39am EDT [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 350.5 km
Apogee height -- 357.5 km
Perigee height -- 343.4 km
Period -- 91.55 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0010419
Solar Beta Angle -- -23.6 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.73
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 76 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 55722
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
08/13/08 -- ATV Reboost (~3:30am EDT, 3.45 m/s delta-V)
09/02/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking, from FGB nadir
09/07/08 -- ATV1 undocking, from SM aft port (loiter until 9/29 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 (~3:03am EDT)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (FGB nadir port, ~4:51am)
10/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S undocking (DC1 nadir) or 10/24?
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
11/25/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking & deorbit
11/26/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
11/30/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking
02/09/09 -- Progress M-66/31P undocking & deorbit
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
02/14/09 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A docking
02/24/09 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A undocking
02/26/09 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A landing (nominal)
03/25/09 -- Soyuz TMA-14/18S launch
03/27/09 - Soyuz TMA-14/18S docking (DC1)
04/05/09 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S undocking
04/07/09 -- Progress M-67/32P undocking & deorbit
05/15/09 -- STS-127/Endeavour/2J/A launch - JEM EF, ELM-ES, ICC-VLD
05/25/09 -- Soyuz TMA-15/19S launch
05/27/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS (following Soyuz 19S docking)
07/30/09 -- STS-128/Atlantis/17A - MPLM(P), last crew rotation
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).
