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More Details for 2008-01-18

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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.)

Also before breakfast, Peggy Whitson, Yuri Malenchenko and Dan Tani performed the periodic Russian biomedical routine assessments PZEh-MO-7/Calf Volume Measurement and PZEh-MO-8/Body Mass Measurement (6th for CDR & FE-1, 5th for FE-2), using the IM mass measurement device which Malenchenko afterwards broke down 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.)

At ~3:55am EST, the FE-2 again activated the VDS MPC (Video Distribution System/Multi-Purpose Converter) with its four downlinks to allow the ground to conduct HDTV (high-definition TV) playback and downlink operations. Later (~1:05pm), the MPC was powered off again. (The end-to-end test of the system, conducted by the crew and ground specialists on 1/17 from the ISS though the NASA DTV system using the MPC to determine signal latency was a full success. Final results for latency measurements should be available early next week, although the current estimate in the delay was approximately 3 seconds. This capability will allow High Definition (HD) TV transmission to NASA Headquarters which can then broadcast to network HD channels. Networks that could potentially take advantage of this opportunity include, but are not limited to, CNNHD, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Discovery HD Theater. The MPC Project is a joint SDTO between JAXA and NASA to downlink HDTV from the ISS.)

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.)

FE-1 Malenchenko conducted the regular weekly station cleaning in the Russian segment (RS). ('Uborka", usually done on Saturdays, includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, damp cleaning of the Service Module (SM) dining table, other frequently touched surfaces and surfaces where trash is collected, as well as the CDR's sleep station with a standard cleaning solution; also, fan screens and grilles are cleaned to avoid temperature rises.)

CDR Whitson removed and replaced two RPCMs (Remote Power Controller Modules) in the Lab. (The R&R of RPCMs LA1B-H & LA1B_C was complicated by the fact that the TeSS rack in the Lab had to be removed to access the work site, as well as the fact that significant power-downs were required to safe the RPCMs for removal.)

Thus, preparatory to the RPCM IFM (Inflight Maintenance), Whitson and Tani removed the TeSS (Temporary Sleep Station) rack to gain access behind it in the Lab endcone for the subsequent RPCM removal & replacements (R&Rs). Later, Peggy and Dan restored the TeSS to its normal position.

The CDR took off the PPRV (Positive Pressure Relief Valve) cap in the Node 2 starboard hatch; she later reinstalled it on the PPRV.

Before the R&Rs, the FE-2 also turned off the loads (equipment) powered by UOP-6 (Utility Outlet Panel 6) in the Lab, which included the SSC-4 (Station Support Computer 4), SSC-7, and MEC (Medical Equipment Computer). After the RPCM R&Rs, UOP-6 loads were powered on again, and SSC-4 was logged in to launch the KFX (Ku Band File Transfer) application, which it supports.

Prior to the scheduled installation of the BUAP (Antenna Switching Control Box) gear of the ATV PCE (Automated Transfer Vehicle/Proximity Communications Equipment; Russian: MBRL), FE-1 Malenchenko and TsUP specialists performed a planned deactivation of the Elektron. As part of the deactivation process the Elektron was purged with N2 (nitrogen), controlled from laptop.

Afterwards, Yuri had several hours set aside for the installation and checkout of the BUAP (which will switch between the external PCE antennas), followed by its connection to the BITS2-12 Onboard Telemetry Measurement System. The installation was tested by checking the AFU (Antenna Feeder Unit) circuit lines and connections for continuity and RF (radio frequency) performance with a 'Standing Wave Coefficient' (KSV) test using an FSH3 spectrum analyzer from the GTS (Global Timing System). The FHS3 measurements were then transferred to the TP2 laptop and prepared for downlink to the ground. (The PCE/MBRL components for ATV prox ops are the space-to-space radio 'monoblock' (PCE Z0000), the BUAP, and the ATV control panel (PU). A full-scale test of the PCE with all antennas is scheduled for later this month.)

The two flight engineers had again time reserved for cargo transfers and stowage from Progress M-62/27P.

Dan also filled out the regular FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire), his 10th, on the MEC. (By means of these FFQs, U.S. astronauts keep a personalized log of their nutritional intake over time on special MEC software. Recorded are the amounts consumed during the past week of such food items as beverages, cereals, grains, eggs, breads, snacks, sweets, fruit, beans, soup, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, chicken, sauces & spreads, and vitamins.)

Peggy took air samples for the periodic (weekly) atmospheric status check for ppO2 (Partial Pressure Oxygen) and ppCO2 (pp Carbon Dioxide), using the hand-held CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products), CSA-O2 (CSA -Oxygen sensor) and CDMK (CO2 Monitoring Kit). Batteries were to be replaced if necessary. (Purpose of the 15-min activity is to trend with MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer), i.e., to correlate the hand-held readings with MCA measurements.)

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

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

Afterwards, Dan Tani copied 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).

Working off his discretionary 'time permitting' task list, the FE-1 conducted the daily 20-min. IMS 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).

At ~2:15am EST, the CDR had her 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).

At ~3:20am, the crew held the regular (nominally weekly) tagup with the Russian Flight Control Team (GOGU), including Shift Flight Director (SRP), at TsUP via S-band/audio, phone-patched from Houston and Moscow.

At ~3:55am, Yuri linked up with TsUP stowage specialists via S-band to conduct the weekly IMS tagup, discussing stowage issues and equipment locations.

At ~12:45pm, the crew will conduct the periodic science/research conference with Science Program representatives at MCC-H. (In terms of accomplishments, of the originally (at beginning of Increment) planned 92 hours plus 194 hours of reserve not planned/scheduled, all planned and reserve activities have been completed (except those that need to be done post-1E). Replanning is in work for additional research through 1E, including InSPACE, SPHERES, LOCAD, SWAB, SLAMM-D, NUTRITION & Repository, and newly designed EPO Demos. New activities coming up with STS-122/1E are GEOFLOW and WAICO.)

At ~2:20pm, the crew is scheduled for their ninth 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-10 (Station Support Computer 10)).

CEO photo targets uplinked for today were Antarctic Ice Pack, S. Atlantic Ocean (storm systems are moving through the South Atlantic, but significant holes in the cloud deck can be expected. Icebergs may be visible through these holes. The larger ice fragments are monitored as potential hazards to ships and as part of International Polar Year research. Looking to the right of track as ISS approached Antarctica for opportunities to view the sea surface), and Patagonian Glaciers, S. America (ISS orbit track traversed the northern Patagonian mountains from NW to SE. Nadir overlapping frames, taken along track, of glaciers and icefields on the mountain flanks and summits were requested for time-series analysis of ice extent and morphology change).