All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Underway: Week 1 of Increment 18. Quote of the Day: By Michael "Spanky" Fincke while performing TVIS assembly kit pre-pack for ULF-2 return: "This CTB (Cargo Transport Bag) is like a pinata; stuff just goes everywhere..."
CDR Fincke, FE-1 Lonchakov & FE-2 Chamitoff began their workday before breakfast with the periodic session of the Russian biomedical routine assessments PZEh-MO-7/Calf Volume Measurement & PZEh-MO-8/Body Mass Measurement, using the IM mass measurement device which Yuri broke down afterwards for stowage. [Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference pints, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures. For determining body mass in zero-G, where things are weightless but not massless, the Russian IM "scales" measure the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring constants. By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the unknown mass (the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the crewmember's mass is calculated by the computer and displayed.]
Gregory worked in the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) to power on the HTV PROX (H-II Transfer Vehicle/ Proximity Communication System) preparatory to its first checkout. [Throughout the week, the HTV control center in Tsukuba will be sending commands and viewing telemetry in order to checkout various parts of the system when ISS overflies a ground site in Tanegashima, Japan. During these overflights, the ground station will send a simulated HTV telemetry stream to ISS and HTV commands will be routed from SSIPC through ISS and back to the ground site. The checkout will not involve any crew use of the HCP (Hardware Command Panel), but the crew will perform an HCP checkout sometime in December after the PROX functionality has been confirmed. PROX consists of an PROX antenna, a PROX-GPS antenna, PROX comm equipment and an HCP. With the exception of the PROX antenna, the PROX-GPS antenna and the HCP, the PROX is also installed in the JPM. When the HTV approaches the ISS, the PROX antenna, which contains GPS receivers, will initiate communications with the HTV. The ISS orbital location and speed are immediately relayed to the HTV through the PROX. At the same time, data from the HTV are relayed to the ISS. In addition, the antenna relays commands sent from the ground to the HTV.]
Mike Fincke conducted his first on-orbit session with the CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS) experiment, with Chamitoff acting as operator, by setting up and donning the Holter Monitor, donning the CBPD (Continuous Blood Pressure Device), performing the Baro Study, doffing the CBPD, and starting the 24-hr passive heart rate data collection. Data are recorded on a PCMCIA memory card, with the HRF (Human Research Facility) rack laptop for control. Data download and equipment stowage is scheduled tomorrow after the 24-hr period. [CCISS studies the effects of long-duration spaceflight on crewmembers' heart functions and their blood vessels that supply the brain (= "cerebrovascular"). Learning more about the changes in cardiovascular & cerebrovascular systems in zero-G could lead to specific countermeasures that might better protect future space travelers. For the Baro study of CCIS, heart rate and blood pressure are being recorded for resting and timed breathing for 5 min, with no caffeine or food (water is acceptable) allowed two hours before the start of the Baro Study and no exercise prior to the Baro Study.]
Yuri Lonchakov performed major periodic replacements on the SM (Service Module)'s ASU toilet facility, changing out replaceable parts with new components, such as a sensor unit (A8A-9060), two receptacles (PR & MP), four hoses, a T-connector, an elbow fitting, an indicator, a filter insert (F-V), and the pretreat container (E-K) with its hose. All old parts were discarded as trash. [E-K contains five liters of pre-treat solution, i.e., a mix of H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), CrO3 (chromium oxide, for oxidation and purple color), and H2O (water). The pre-treat liquid is mixed with water in a dispenser (DKiV) and used for toilet flushing.]
Chamitoff disconnected the thermal control MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) supply jumper which he attached yesterday in the US Lab to an ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) Z-panel (LAB1S3) for filling with coolant. [The activity is in preparation for the installation of the WRS-2 (Water Recovery System 2) of the new Regenerative ECLSS in the CHeCS rack during STS-126/ULF2. All coolant lines need to be filled prior to mating them to their respective racks.]
Greg also printed out a new cue card for the RPM (R-Bar Pitch Maneuver) operations using the 400mm lens. A tagup with ground specialist was held at ~1:50pm EDT to discuss photography details for the maneuver.
Between the two of them, Mike & Greg had ~5 hrs set aside for more cargo prepacking for STS-126/ULF-2.
Yuri performed the routine task of taking two photos of the internal part of the FGB nadir port's SSVP-StM docking cone, used for the Soyuz TMA-13/17S linkup on 10/14. These images are used to refine current understanding of docking conditions. The pictures were then transferred to OCA for subsequent downlinking. [The objective is to take photo imagery of the scratch or scuff mark left by the head of the active docking probe on the internal surface of the passive drogue (docking cone) ring, now rotated out of the passageway. As other crewmembers before him, the FE-1 used the Nikon D1X digital still camera to take two pictures each with the hatch closed down.]
In the JAXA JLP (JEM Logistics Pressurized Module), Mike Fincke removed a failed GLA LHA (General Luminaire Assembly/Light Housing Assembly) and two failed LHA BBAs (Baseband Assemblies), then connected the vacuum cleaner to a UOP (Utility Outlet Panel, J4) in the JPM.
The FE-2 completed another one of the periodic inspections of the RED (Resistive Exercise Device) canister cords and accessories, currently done every two weeks.
The crew executed their regular daily 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-2), TVIS treadmill (FE-1), RED (CDR, FE-1, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1). [Maximum speed for TVIS in motorized mode is not to exceed 16.1 km/h. SPDs (Subject Positioning Devices) are required for the first seven exercise sessions for the CDR and FE-1 for safety.]
Afterwards, Greg 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).
Lonchakov performed 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 daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance was conducted today also by Yuri, updating/editing the standard IMS "delta file" including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).
After temporarily removing the CBCS (Centerline Berthing Camera System) in the Node-2, Gregory set up the EarthKAM (EK) payload for a week of student photo ops. [The first part of the setup required "borrowing" a Ku-Band Power Supply from the US Lab for use in Node-2. To minimize the impact to the setup activities for BCAT, use of a different DCS-760 camera was recommended. This will be the first session since last April, so there are many students eagerly awaiting the chance to put the camera to work. This will be the 29th time for EarthKAM aboard the ISS and the first time on Increment 18. EK is using a DCS 760 electronic still camera with 50mm (f/1.4) lens at the Node-2 window, powered by 16Vdc from a 28 Vdc adapter, taking pictures by remote operation from the ground, without crew interaction. Numerous schools are participating in this EarthKAM session. EarthKAM is an education program that enables thousands of students to photograph and examine Earth from the unique perspective of space, integrating the excitement of ISS with middle-school education. The student requests are uplinked in a camera control file to an A31p SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop which then activates the camera at specified times and receives the digital images from the camera's storage card on its hard drive, for subsequent downlink via OPS LAN.]
On ER-2 (EXPRESS Rack 2), Chamitoff removed & replaced the GN2 (gaseous nitrogen) umbilical at the LAB1O1 UIP (Utility Interface Panel). [A looped GN2 umbilical was flown on mission ULF 1.1. It was built for the ARIS-EXPRESS Kit but was flown on loan for temporary use on the OGS (Oxygen Generation System) rack. The OGS rack no longer requires continued use of the umbilical and so it was removed for installation on ER-2 to replace an older configuration of the umbilical which was being used on the Rack. The ARIS (Active Rack Isolation System) kit baseline calls-out the use of the looped GN2 umbilical.]
FE-1 Lonchakov had an hour to himself for general orientation (station familiarization & acclimatization) as is standard daily rule for fresh crewmembers for the first two weeks after starting station residence, if she/he chooses to take it.
At ~2:20pm, the crewmembers convened for their standard bi-weekly teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office (Steve Lindsey), via S-band S/G-2 audio & phone patch.
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 9/1/08, this database contained 770,668 views of the Earth from space, with 324,812 from the ISS alone).
Current Time Differences: EDT/Moscow - 7 hrs; CDT/Moscow - 8 hrs (until 11/2).
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Time, some changes possible.):
10/29/08 -- Progress 30P reboost
11/02/08 -- Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends
11/14/08 -- STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 launch - MPLM Leonardo, LMC
11/16/08 -- 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
11/29/08 -- STS-126/Endeavour/ULF2 landing
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).
