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More Details for 2008-01-16

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CDR Whitson and FE-2 Tani started out with the daily reading of SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment data accumulated during the night, for logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the SLEEP session file on the HRF-1 laptop for downlink.

(To monitor the crewmembers' sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan and Peggy wear 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 Malenchenko serviced the Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System), starting the "bake-out" cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The regen process was terminated at ~2:00 EST. (Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. Filter bed 1 was regenerated yesterday.)

The FE-1 performed IFM (Inflight Maintenance) on the Service Module (SM)'s thermal control loops (KOB-1,2), removing the 3SPN1 pump assembly and replacing it with a new spare, followed by tests of the installation. (This restores all four pump panels to operation, each pump panel with two operating pumps (ENAs).)

After a spontaneous reboot of the KTsP1/CPC1 (Central Post Computer 1) in the SM, Malenchenko conducted troubleshooting and a health check on the computer.

In the Lab. CDR Whitson powered down the Lab PCS (Portable Computer System) laptops in support of the subsequent RPCM R&R (Remote Power Controller Module Removal & Replacement) and activated the Cupola Workstation laptop to maintain a minimum PCS configuration during the R&R.

Afterwards, Peggy removed and replaced two RPCMs in the Lab,- LAB1P5 & LAB1D2.

FE-1 Malenchenko underwent his first Russian blood chemistry analysis test PZE MO-11, assisted by Dr. Whitson as CMO (Crew Medical Officer) as required. The exam was performed with the kits and accessories of the Reflotron-4 blood analyzer and supported by tagup with ground specialists. (Earlier Reflotron versions have operated already on space station Mir. For the test, Malenchenko imbibed 250 ml of warm water or plain (unsweetened) tea, after which fresh blood was drawn from his finger with an Autoclix mini-lancet and a Reflotron pipette. Clinical data were then determined from the collected sample. Using various reagent tabs, the blood is tested with strips (KPI) for such parameters as hemoglobin, glucose, bilirubin, amylase, uric acid, triglycerides, urea, creatinin, cholesterol, etc. The tubes with blood samples were temporarily kept cool for the subsequent (post-breakfast) analysis. Reflotron-4 uses 40 W of power, supplied by the Service Module (SM)'s electrical system.)

CDR Whitson continued her work with the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) and the InSPACE-2 (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions) experiment, today conducting runs #14 and #15, exchange video tapes and finally powering the MSG down. (After activation of MSG and InSPACE & InSPACE-2 equipment, Peggy checked on alignment & focusing of MSG video cam #1, switched the magnetic field between runs, changed out the video recorder tape, turned off InSPACE & MSG and stowed the equipment. InSPACE, conducted last in June 2006 by Jeff Williams on Increment 13, obtains basic data on magnetorheological fluids, i.e., a new class of "smart materials" that can be used to improve or develop new brake systems, seat suspensions robotics, clutches, airplane landing gear, and vibration damper systems. The dispersed particles are contained in CAs (Coil Assemblies) in the MSG that subject them to electric fields of certain strength and frequencies.)

FE-2 Tani worked in the U.S. Airlock (A/L), performing maintenance activities on the EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) systems, centered on cycling the EMU SCOF (secondary oxygen package checkout fixture) valve to verify its function, plus starting (and later terminating) to scrub the EMU spacesuit cooling loops to prevent accumulation of contamination.)

Tani brought the EMU #3008 into the A/L for unbundling or installation in the EDDA (EMU Don Doff Assembly), filled its water tank (with vent port plugs installed) from CWC (Contingency Water Container) #1059 and afterwards initiated ionic and particulate filtration of #3008 with the ion and 3-micron filter. (Purpose of the scrubbing, including iodination of the LCVGs (Liquid Cooling & Ventilation Garments) for biocidal maintenance, is the elimination of any biomass (organic) and particulate matter that may have accumulated in the loops.)

FE-1 Malenchenko inspected the Russian de-ionized water container (KOV EDV), used for supplying water to the Elektron oxygen (O2) generator for electrolysis, for bubbles and possible need for filling up with U.S. condensate from a CWC (Contingency Water Container, #1071). (Air bubbles larger than ~10 mm in the water must be prevented from getting into the BZh Liquid Unit where they could cause Elektron shutdown.)

Dan Tani performed his daily status check on the BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) science payload, running by itself in Node-2 since 12/13/07 (briefly interrupted for EVA-13 photo support). (The status check, conducted on the last image taken by the DCS 760 digital still camera which is controlled by EarthKAM software on an A31p laptop, is to verify proper image focus and camera alignment. The SSC (Station Support Computer) is taking photography of the phase separation occurring in the BCAT Sample 3, with the photo flash going off every half hour.)

Malenchenko completed today's routine maintenance of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM, including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables.

Using the SKDS CMS (Pressure Control & Atmosphere Monitoring System/Countermeasure System), the FE-1 took the periodic readings of potentially harmful contaminants in the SM. The hardware was then returned to initial stowage. (The CMS uses preprogrammed microchips to measure Formaldehyde (H2CO, methanal), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Ammonia (NH3), taking one measurement per microchip.)

CDR Whitson performed the routine task of taking two photos of the internal part of the DC1's nadir docking cone (ASP SSVP), used for the recent Progress 27P docking, a standard practice after Russian dockings. The pictures were then transferred to OCA for subsequent downlinking. These images are used to refine current understanding of docking conditions. (The objective is to take photo imagery of the scratch or scuff mark left by the head of the docking probe on the internal surface of the drogue (docking cone) ring, now rotated out of the passageway. As other crewmembers before him, the CDR used the Nikon D1X digital still camera to take two pictures each with the hatch closed down.)

The FE-2 ran the periodic check of active U.S. payloads, i.e., cleaning the ANITA (Analyzing Interferometer for Ambient Air) inlet plus inspecting and filter cleaning of the CGBA-5 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 5) incubator payload. (The CGBA incubator is controlled from the ground, with automatic video downlinked to Earth. ANITA continues to collect data every six seconds and downlinks the data daily to the ground team. ANITA monitors low levels of potential gaseous contaminants in the ISS cabin atmosphere with a capability of simultaneously monitoring 32 gaseous contaminants. The experiment is testing the accuracy and reliability of this technology as a potential next-generation atmosphere trace-gas monitoring system for ISS and future spacecraft. This is a cooperative investigation with ESA.)

Yuri conducted the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatch openings (8) in the SM, FGB and DC1.

Peggy Whitson checked out the setup of the BSMM (Multi-Channel Matching Unit) prepared by Yuri yesterday with new software, and conducted the scheduled HDD (Hard Disk Drive) test, followed by downlink of the resulting log file. (BSMM is part of the OpsLAN (Operations Local Area Network), which also includes such items as the BSPN (Payload Server), OBC (Onboard Controller) for RokvISS, and GTS (Global Timing System).)

After a recent failure (1/4) of the GTS (Global Timing System), Malenchenko performed troubleshooting on the system to recover it for operation.

At ~4:05pm EST, Dan Tani had his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on the SSC-10 laptop),

The crewmembers performed 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-2) , TVIS treadmill (FE-1), RED (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, Peggy Whitson copied 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).

CEO photo targets uplinked for today were South Tibesti Megafans, Africa (weather was clear over the Tibesti megafans area. Looking for overlapping, discontinuous dry channels and stream beds as indicators for the megafans. Overlapping, nadir frames taken along-track were requested), IPY - Aurora Borealis; Heard Island, Southern Indian Ocean (some patchy cloud cover were present over Heard Island, but significant holes in the cloud desk should also have been present for photography. Looking to the right of track for this mountainous island - of particular interest are the glaciated mountain peaks), and Patagonian Glaciers, S. America (weather was predicted to be clear over the Patagonian mountain ranges, providing an opportunity for imagery of summit glaciers. ISS passed over the northern end of the ranges. Imagery of the small summit glaciers on the interior (northeastern) range front was requested).