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More Details for 2008-02-08

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Dan Tani's 109th day in space.

The crew's work/sleep cycle was shifted once more in preparation for Atlantis 1E arrival, to 5:00am-8:15pm.

STS-122/Atlantis continues its catch-up flight for tomorrow's FD3 ISS docking at ~12:25pm EDT, to begin ISS Stage 1E. (Catch-up rate ~480 nmi. per revolution of ~92 min.). (Hatch opening: expected at ~1:35pm, followed by: Safety Briefing, OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) handoff from SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) to SRMS (Shuttle RMS) at ~4:30pm, Soyuz seat liner transfer (for the Tani/Anderson exchange), and preparations for the first spacewalk, EVA-1, by EV1 Walheim & EV2 Schlegel, on 2/10, preceded by their overnight Campout tomorrow night in the Airlock (A/L) for denitrogenation/pre-breathe. Objectives of the nominal 11-day mission: Delivering & installing the Columbus module, delivering new ISS-16 crewmember LÃ(c)opold Eyharts & bringing Dan Tani back home, and conducting a total of three EVAs. Landing will nominally take place at KSC on FD10 (2/18) at ~9:59am EST.)

After wakeup and before breakfast, FE-2 Dan Tani completed his daily access of the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for downlink. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan 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.)

The FE-2 worked on recharging a total of 8 batteries for two DCS digital still cameras in two batches of four simultaneously for the two DCS-760 digital cameras, to be used for the Orbiter RPM (R-bar Pitch Maneuver) photo shoot tomorrow. (Rbar = along the radius vector of the ISS, downward. During the RPM at ~600 ft from the station, the ISS crew will have only ~90 seconds for taking high-resolution digital photographs, using the 400mm & 800mm telephoto lenses, of all tile areas and door seals on the Atlantis from SM windows 6 & 8, to be downlinked for launch debris assessment. Thus, time available for the shooting will be very limited, requiring great coordination between the two headset-equipped photographers and the Shuttle. )

Also for the upcoming high-pressure RPM P/TV (Photo/Video) activity, Tani worked throughout the day on formatting the necessary P/TV storage devices. (Formatted, in a Kodak DCS 760 camera on station power, were five 1GB EVA Flash Cards plus three PCMCIA 1GB Microdrives, each one taking ~20 minutes. Afterwards, the reformatted cards and microdrives were transferred to the SM (Service Module) for the DCS 760 camera configuration to get ready for the RPM documentation.)

Working in the newly arrived 28P cargo ship (TKG), Yuri Malenchenko installed the LKT local temperature sensor commutator (TA251MB) of the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system, along with its ROM unit (read-only memory, TA765B), a 1-hr. job. The LKT was subsequently switched on by the ground to complete the basic configuration. Yuri then completed the electronic integration of 28P into the ISS by installing the standard US-21 matching unit, another 1-hr. task. The Progress thrusters were then testfired to insure their functionality in providing attitude control for ISS. These tests were successful and 28P is now incorporated into the steering logic for the ISS. (The US-21 matching unit connects the SM with the Progress motion control and DPO thrusters systems, so that they can be commanded by the SM computer system (BVS). After bolting the box down, Yuri hooked up its the telemetry (TM) connector to the BITS2-12 onboard TM system on Go from TsUP, after Moscow had inhibited data output to the VD-SU control system mode, powered off the BITS and deactivated the SKV-1 air conditioner. These systems were subsequently turned back on. The dynamic thruster test of the installation was successful.)

FE-2 Tani completed his third (and last) on-orbit session with the CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS) experiment, with Peggy Whitson 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.)

Malenchenko had about 30 minutes set aside for maintenance/servicing of the toilet facility (ASU), changing out replaceable ASU parts with new components, e.g. a receptacle (MP) and a filter insert (F-V). All old parts were discarded as trash.

The FE-1 also prepared equipment for the upcoming installation of a new electronic interference filter in the Elektron O2 generator system, designed to prevent RFI (radio-frequency interference) with the ATV/Automated Transfer Vehicle. (On 12/21/07, when Yuri assisted the ground in activation the Elektron in the standard 32 amp mode, the system came on in 11 amps mode. A recently (11/27) installed electronic interference filter (FPP) felt hot to Yuri's touch, who, on ground advice, turned off the Elektron, removed the filter and reconnected the cables. The electrolysis machine was successfully reactivated in 32 amp mode and was then operating nominally at 24 amps.)

FE-2 Tani set up the latest software version of the DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) application, intended for the upcoming Columbus transfer and 10A spacewalks.. (DOUG is a special application running on the MSS (Mobile Service System) RWS laptops that provides a graphical birdseye-view image of the external station configuration and the SSRMS arm, showing its real-time location and configuration on a laptop during its operation.)

Also in support of 1E, CDR Peggy Whitson -

Installed the ISS-side string of the BPSMU (Battery Powered Speaker Microphone Unit) (after Shuttle docking, cables connected to the Shuttle-half of the dragthrough QD (quick disconnect) will be installed by the Shuttle crew),
Performed the pressurization process on the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter #2), followed by leak checking and additional preparations of the PMA for the Shuttle's arrival (the pressurization equipment was left connected for the post-docking leak checks),
Powered on the Cupola RWS (Robotic Work Station) and Airlock (A/L) A31p laptops in preparation for their support of the 1E docked mission, and.
Configured & connected the bypass cables of the VDS VTR (Video Distribution System/Video Tape Recorder) for passing video to and from the station on the Lab's starboard side and allowing the station to receive video from the Orbiter on the Lab's port side.
FE-1 Malenchenko meanwhile powered down the VOA (Volatile Organics Analyzer).

The regular installation of the IWIS (Internal Wireless Instrumentation System) hardware for measuring and recording structural dynamics during docking was completed by Whitson.

In the Lab, the CDR connected the regular ITCS LTL (Internal Thermal Control System/Low Temperature Loop) coolant jumper at the LAB1D6 rack in support of ground-commanded activation of the U.S. CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly). (A PPL (Pre-Positioned Load) was uplinked earlier today to mask a faulty temperature sensor ('A') that was causing the CDRA to deactivate earlier in the week. The CDRA was then reactivated and went into operate nominally.)

Peggy also conducted the periodic coolant sample collection from the Node-2 ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) MTL & LTL (Medium & Low Temperature Loops), as well as from the PhosRA (Phosphate Removal Assembly).

Regular surface sampling was conducted by Peggy for the SWAB (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft) experiment.

Afterwards, Whitson performed the periodic offloading of the Lab CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) dehumidifier's condensate tank, filling CWC (Contingency Water Container) #1062 with the collected water slated for processing, and putting aside two water samples in bags (1 sample bag, 1 purge bag) for return to Earth. (Estimated offload time before termination (leaving ~6 kg in the tank): ~40 min.)

In Node 2, the FE-2 installed a J01 camcorder cap on the S3 viewport (camcorder port 1).

Tani finished disassembly and packing of the BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) science payload which had run by itself in Node-2 since 12/13/07 (briefly interrupted for EVA-13 and EVA-14 photo support). (The experiments was supported by Dan with periodic status checks, 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) was taking photography of the phase separation occurring in the BCAT Sample 3, with the photo flash going off every half hour.)

With the Elektron-VM O2 (oxygen) generator currently off, a cabin air refresh was performed by the FE-1 from Progress 27P storage (SrPK) as required.

The crewmembers completed 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 resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-2), and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Yuri then transferred the crew's exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM 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, Yuri conducted the daily monitoring, picture-taking and downloading on the newly set up BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment. (Rasteniya-2, researches growth and development of plants (peas) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-12 greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems, Russian: IMBP). During its operation, the experiment requires regular daily maintenance of the experiment involving monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, and photo/video recording. During the duration of the BI O-5 experiment, students of the Moscow City Palace for Youth Creativity of the Meshchansky inter-regional center #15 in Moscow) and the Prince of Oldenburg Lyceum in St. Petersburg will be cultivating plants in parallel on the ground and conducting comparative observation of plant growth and development under gravity and zero-gravity conditions. They are receiving the photo images taken by Yuri.)

At ~7:05am, 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 ~7:35am EST, Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani supported two PAO TV interviews of 6 minutes each, one with CBS News, the other with MSNBC News.

AT ~9:20am, Yuri Malenchenko supported an interview with a correspondent of Rossiysky Kosmos Magazine, Moscow. ('Could you summarize what you have been able to accomplish to date and what your plans are for the future?'; 'What did the new cargo vehicle bring to the station?'; 'What are the main objectives of the joint ISS/STS-122 flight?')

At ~2:05pm, the crew had 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)).

At ~7:00pm, Rex Walheim (EV1) and Hans Schlegel (EV2) will begin their 'campout' in the A/L with hatch closure and depressurization of the CL (Crewlock) from 14.7 to 10.2 psi, followed by mask prebreathe. Sleep time for the ISS crew begins at 8:15pm. (For the Campout, fresh METOX (Metal Oxide) canisters are installed in the A/L for CO2 control.)