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More Details for 2008-02-27
ISS On-Orbit Status 02/27/08

Upon wakeup, FE--2 Eyharts performed the last sampling of his first session with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository, collecting a final urine sample for storage in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS).

The sampling kit was then stowed away. Leo's next NUTRITION/Repository activity will be his Flight Day 30 (FD30) session. (The current NUTRITION project is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight. It includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes, expanding the previous Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L) testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by MELFI), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.)

FE-1 Malenchenko and CDR Whitson continued the current round of periodic preventive maintenance of RS (Russian Segment) ventilation systems. (In the Service Module (SM), Yuri cleaned the inlet fan (MTs12-4) grille of the BMP (Micropurification Unit), temporarily deactivated, after visually inspecting and photographing the grille (on panel 419). Peggy later worked in the FGB, accessing and cleaning the vent screens of specific interior closeout panels (116, 231, 316 & 431).)

In preparation for tonight's station reboost from the two-nozzle SM main engine, the CDR installed an IWIS RSU (Internal Wireless Instrumentation System Remote Sensor Unit) in Node-2, hooking it up to UOP2 (Utility Outlet Panel 2) for power. Afterwards, Whitson configured and programmed the timing of the IWIS ICU (Interface Control Unit) for tonight's activation. (Along with the new unit in Node-2, IWIS will monitor dynamic/vibrational responses of the ISS structure during the reboost, measured by RSUs in the Lab, Node-1, FGB and SM (in Sync Mode), transmitting their measurements via radio to the central NCU (Network Control Unit).)

FE-2 Eyharts set up and configured the VCA-2 (Video Camera Assembly 2) in the Columbus Orbital Laboratory (COL) module to capture the subsequent emergency drill.

All three crewmembers then performed the 90-min Columbus New Module 'Delta' Emergency Procedure Drill, tailored for the new addition to the station, (Purpose of the 'Delta' OBT (Onboard Training) exercise, mandatory at no later than 7-10 days after arrival of the new module, was to familiarize the crew with COL hardware and valves used in emergency situations and with the new Ammonia Detection Kit location, hardware and cue cards, and to review new, stand-alone COL emergency procedures, including the 'big picture' changes to the existing emergency procedures due to the new module addition. For example: the increased station volume increases the ISS reserve time in case of a leak (to ~1240 min, from ~1070 min); additional equipment safing would be required; the sequence of closing hatches for USOS (US Segment) leak checks will be impacted; more volume is now available for utilizing USOS atmosphere for RS (Russian Segment) leaks; while the automated response to a Rapid Depress situation for COL is consistent with the automated response for the other USOS modules, although automatically commanded COL hardware is added, etc. COL does not have PBA (Portable Breathing Apparatus) oxygen ports and no EHTKs (Extension Hose Tee Kits) for PBA, the nearest location for both being in Node-2.)

Eyharts continued preparing the COL BLBG (Biolab Glovebox) for the upcoming experiment WAICO #1 (Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels). (After preparing and sterilizing two sets of sample Experiment Containers (Ecs #1-4 & #5-8) yesterday, then inserting them in the BLBG TCU (Thermal Control Unit), both EC sets were installed today in the incubator for starting the experiment. The WAICO samples require a 14-day growing period and will be returned on Flight 1J/A.)

With the Russian Elektron O2 (oxygen) generator powered off since yesterday, CDR Whitson supported the activation of the new OGS (Oxygen Generation System) in the US Lab by configuring the OGS rack and the H2 (hydrogen) sensor for activation. The subsequent power-up of the rack was performed from the ground via S-band/telemetry commanding. (After the OGA (Oxygen Generation Assembly) had been running for 20 min for a leak check of the dome, Whitson reconnected the H2 sensor QDs (Quick Disconnects), closed the rack door and re-attached the WDS (Water Delivery System) for its subsequent activation. OGS is one of the three Regenerative ELCSS system racks slated to be installed in Node 3.)

In the Soyuz 15S spacecraft, docked at the FGB nadir port, Malenchenko turned off the gas analyzer, terminating its periodic checkup activity.

Peggy Whitson performed the periodic offloading of the Lab CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) dehumidifier's condensate tank, filling a CWC (Contingency Water Container, #1054) with the collected water slated for processing. No samples were required this time. (Estimated offload time before termination (leaving ~6 kg in the tank): ~30 min.)

After the aborted software upgrade of the Russian RSE1 laptop on 2/24, Yuri Malenchenko today had 2 hrs reserved for troubleshooting the RSE1 machine, conducting a health check of the installed HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and reloading the RSE version 1.2 software for further checkout. (With the new ATV CBT (Automated Transfer Vehicle Computer-based Training) application the crew will be able to run ATV docking simulations on the laptop.)

Yuri conducted an audit/inventory of RS ODF (Operations Data File) cue cards for spacewalks, including assessing their condition and readiness for use on EVAs.

The FE-1 also downlinked Part 2 of the prerecorded video of 'Life aboard ISS' footage filmed by Peggy with the SONY HRV-Z1 high-definition camcorder on 2/22 for use on Russian television. (TsUP-Moscow had suggested scenes of Yuri working with the Matryoshka radiation detectors, filling the Elektron EDV container with US condensate water, and other scenes of interest to TV viewers including crewmembers washing their faces, brushing their teeth, exercising, cooking meals, conducting science research and servicing life support systems. Part 1 of the recorded footage was downlinked yesterday.)

In preparation for tonight's station reboost, Leo Eyharts worked on the Columbus FSL (Fluid Science Laboratory), temporarily re-attaching the FSL FCE (Facility Core Element) drawer structure to the rack by means of the four launch fixations bolts used during COL launch. (After the reboost, the launch captive bolts will be removed again and the protective gap covers re-installed. The need for the lock-down of the FCE during a reboost was indicated by an updated structural analysis.)

The FE-1 completed routine 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.)

Yuri also worked on the 'Matryoshka-R' radiation payload suite (RBO-3-2), conducting the periodic collection and logging of accumulated data of seven Matryoshka-R Bubble Dosimeter detectors installed on 2/22 at various exposure locations in the RS, using the special Bubble Dosimeter Reader. (The complex Matryoshka payload suite is designed for sophisticated radiation studies. Three detectors now in use are positioned in spherical 'Phantom' containers in the DC1, four in the stbd crew cabin, under the work table, and behind a panel (#327).)

In addition, working from the Russian voluntary 'time permitting' task list, the Russian flight engineer --

Performed 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);
Conducted the regular checkup on the Japanese experiment GCF-JAXA (Granada Crystallization Facility) in the Russian TBU incubator, maintained at +20 degC, including a temperature check on its ART (automatic temperature recorder) (This is a daily monitoring/temp checking, carried on the Russian voluntary task list for the duration of Expedition 16); and
Performed the daily monitoring, picture-taking and downloading on the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment. Today's task was extended to include recharging the water tank of the greenhouse. (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 BIO-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.)
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), TVIS treadmill (FE-1, FE-2), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Peggy then transferred the crew's exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlinking, as well as 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).

As most every day after his arrival, when not busy with urgent Columbus commissioning work, Leo had another 60 minutes for himself for general orientation (station familiarization & acclimatization), as is standard daily rule for the first two weeks after starting station residency.

At ~12:30pm EST, Peggy Whitson supported two interactive PAO TV interviews with US media of ~10 min each: The Hawk Eye Newspaper, Burlington, IA (Craig Neises), and KCCI-TV in Des Moines, IA (Molly Cooney).

GNC MDM Swap: At about 10:00am, Houston ground controllers started loading new software patches to both GNC MDMs (Guidance, Navigation & Control Multiplexer/Demultiplexer) computers, one to control CMG (Control Moment Gyroscope) Gimbal Acceleration, the other for Attitude Filter Reset. Executing the loading required swapping the two MDMs at ~11:30am between Prime and Backup, ending with GNC-1 being primary MDM. During the swap activities, the ISS was controlled by Russian MCS (Motion Control System) thrusters, with attitude control authority handed over from US CMG Momentum Management at 11:25am, to be returned later today (~3:50pm).

ISS Reboost: Attitude control will again be turned over to RS tonight at ~10:30pm for the duration of the planned ISS reboost. The thrust maneuver, with the SM's two-barrel KD main engine and ODU props, is scheduled for ~00:21am EST, with a planned delta-V of 3.2 m/s. Some US systems will be powered down for the maneuver and afterwards reactivated. Attitude control authority will then be returned to USOS at ~1:20am. For both MCS/thruster periods, the protective Lab science window shutters will remain closed.

MSS Software Upgrade: All MSS/SSRMS (Mobile Service System/Space Station Remote Manipulator System) software Vers. R5.0 uplinks and checkouts were successfully completed; PCS (Portable Computer System) A31p laptops were patched without issues. (The update was required to incorporate Dextre/SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) functionality into the MSS. In addition, there were a few updates to the SSRMS and MBS (Mobile Base System) behavior as well as new SPDM PCS displays. The crew's next Robotics operations will occur on the new MSS R5 software. In prep for that, the ground will uplink a brief summary of system behavior changes for the DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) software review for those ops.)

CDRA Troubleshooting Update: Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly dP (delta Pressure) troubleshooting was completed. Nothing was found that could explain the anomalous dP signature. For the CDRA's erratic temperature sensor, a bypass jumper cable will be installed on 2/29 (Friday).

STS-123/1J/A Preview: JAXA reported that preparations for Flight 1J/A continue on schedule. Launch of STS-123/Endeavour, carrying the Canadian SPDM 'Dextre' and the ELM-PS (Experiment Logistics Module - Pressurized Section) for the Japanese 'Kibo' Laboratory (to be launched 5/25), is scheduled for 3/11 at 2:28am EDT, with the crew of CDR Dominic Gorie, PLT Greg Johnson, MS1/EV1/2 Bob Behnken, MS2/EV2 Mike Foreman, MS3 Takao Doi/JAXA, MS4/EV1 Rick Linnehan, and MS5/EV2/FE-2-16 Garrett Reisman. Reisman will take over the ISS FE-2 position from LĂ(c)opold Eyharts who returns on Endeavour on 3/24 (landing 3/28)..

CEO photo targets uplinked for today were Eastern Tien Shan, China (looking left to obtain general views of winter conditions on these mountains, especially snow pack and glacier tongues), Chaing Mai, Thailand (this is northern Thailand's largest and most culturally significant city. Chaing Mai and two neighboring cities form a major population cluster (700,000) in a mountain valley. The cities are difficult to discern from orbit. However, the valley floor where the cities are located is light gray compared with the surrounding dark green mountains. Looking left of track up the Ping River valley. General orientation views were requested), Saharan dust, Chad (Dynamic event. Spring winds are setting up in the central Sahara Desert, with dust plumes being raised from the basin just north of Lake Chad. This basin -the Bodele basin--supplies more dust to the Earth's atmosphere than any other on the planet, with some dust reaching the Americas every season. Looking left as the plumes blow towards track), and Ile Rouleau Impact Crater, Canada (this small impact crater (~4 km in diameter) lies partly under water in long, narrow Lake Mistassini. However, it is relatively easy to locate as the center uplift forms an island, close to nadir.)


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