Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z

---

More Details for 2008-03-20

---

STS-123-1J/A Flight Day (FD) 10/11.

Crew sleep/wake cycle today: Sleep 5:00am -1:30pm; wake 1:30pm -5:00am tomorrow.
FD10 was off-duty for both crews.

After wakeup yesterday at ~1:30pm EDT and before breakfast, CDR Peggy Whitson completed another session with the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop, as suggested on her discretionary 'job jar' task list. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Peggy 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.)

Peggy also set up her current Actiwatch data in a data file for downlink from the HRF-1 for medical analysis and planning report preparation by the ground.

FE-2 Leo Eyharts performed his first session with the biomed experiment INTEGRATED IMMUNE (Validating Procedures for Monitoring Crew member Immune Function), collecting wet saliva samples first thing in post-sleep. FE-2-16 Garrett Reisman will have his second INTEGRATED IMMUNE saliva collection later today after wake-up (~1:30pm). (IMMUNE protocol requires the collection to occur first thing post-sleep, before eating, drinking and brushing teeth, and all samples are stored at ambient temperature. Along with NUTRITION (Nutritional Status Assessment), INTEGRATED IMMUNE samples & analyzes participant's blood, urine, and saliva before, during and after flight for changes related to functions like bone metabolism, oxidative damage and immune function to develop and validate an immune monitoring strategy consistent with operational flight requirements and constraints. The strategy uses both long and short duration crewmembers as study subjects. The saliva is collected in two forms, dry and liquid. The dry samples are collected at intervals during the collection day using a specialized book that contains filter paper. The liquid saliva collections require that the crewmember soak a piece of cotton inside their mouth and place it in a salivette bag; there are four of the liquid collections during docked operations.)

Right after day's begin, FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko continued supporting the experiment session with the Russian/German TEKh-20 Plasma Crystal-3+ (Plazmennyi-Kristall/PK-3+) payload by activating the turbopump in the Service Module (SM)'s Transfer Compartment (PkhO) for keeping the vacuum chamber (ZB) in the SM Work Compartment (RO) evacuated. The turbopump was deactivated again this morning at ~4:55am EDT before sleeptime. (Main objective of PK-3 is to study dust plasma wave propagation and dispersion ratio at a specified power of HF discharge, pressure, and a varied number of particles.)

Eyharts & Reisman filled out the regular FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire), Leo's fifth, Garrett's first, on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer). (On the FFQs, NASA/ESA 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. The FFQ is performed once a week to estimate nutrient intake from the previous week and to give recommendations to ground specialists that help maintain optimal crew health. Weekly estimation has been verified to be reliable enough that nutrients do not need to be tracked daily.)

In the U.S. Airlock, CDR Whitson made preparations for tonight's EVA-4, initiating re-charge on two DCS-760 camera batteries for the EMU Prebreathe period. (Using the camera's plugged-in battery charger, the charging process takes at least three hours.)

The FE-1 conducted the periodic (currently daily) checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various Russian segment (RS) hatchways, including the FGB-to-Soyuz tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node passageway. (This is especially important when the ventilation/circulation system has to cope with a larger crew on board, currently ten persons, and one of the two Russian SKV air conditioners off (SKV-1).)

Yuri also completed the routine maintenance of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM, including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables. (Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists of replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers, replacement of an EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine container, replacement of the KOV EDV for the Elektron-intended water, and processing U.S. condensate water as it becomes available in a filled CWC from the Lab humidifier.)

Leo Eyharts & Garrett Reisman, the two rotating ISS-16 Flight Engineers, had 2h 15min set aside on their schedules for generic handover activities (where crewmembers are scheduled together to complete various designated standard tasks for familiarizing the new station resident with procedures, caveats, etc.).

Working from the Russian 'available time' suggestions list, Yuri Malenchenko performed the regular daily 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).

A second task list item for the FE-1 for FD10 was the daily monitoring, picture-taking and downloading for the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment which researches growth and development of plants (peas) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-12 greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems {Russian: IMBP}).

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, FE-2-16), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, Yuri transferred the crew's exercise data file to the MEC 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).

For Reisman, it was the first onboard TVIS exercise session. (For the first seven TVIS runs, Garrett is using SPD (Subject Positioning Device) top assemblies to help get acclimated to running on the treadmill in the weightless environment. For keeping his exercise data file, Reisman selected his own PCMCIA memory card.)

Eyharts prepared his video recording of yesterday's treadmill exercise run for the ground to route & record it onto a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) for later downlink.

CDR Whitson set up the Node-2 camera to provide video of the JLP (JEM Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section) to the ground. Later she reinstalled the Node-2 cap to support Robotics ops TV coverage tonight.

Before going into their sleep period this morning, the joint crew had an hour to review timeline and procedures for EVA-4. Afterwards, Leo & Garrett performed a Robotics operation, pre-positioning Arm-2 of the SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) to bring its OTCM (ORU {On-orbit Replaceable Unit} Tool Changeout Mechanism) closer to the OTP (ORU Temporary Platform) to facilitate removal of its thermal sock blanket by the spacewalkers (a get-ahead task). (Only a single-joint maneuver was required for the re-positioning.)

At ~4:45am, shortly before sleep time, Yuri set up the Russian MBI-12 SONOKARD (Sonocard) payload and started his 12th experiment session, using a sports shirt from the SONOKARD kit with a special device in the pocket for testing a new method for acquiring physiological data without using direct contact on the skin. Measurements are recorded on a data card for return to Earth. (SONOKARD objectives are stated to (1) study the feasibility of obtaining the maximum of data through computer processing of records obtained overnight, (2) systematically record the crewmember's physiological functions during sleep, (3) study the feasibility of obtaining real-time crew health data. Investigators believe that contactless acquisition of cardiorespiratory data over the night period could serve as a basis for developing efficient criteria for evaluating and predicting adaptive capability of human body in long-duration space flight.)

For both crews, workday began today at 1:30pm EDT. Bob Behnken (EV1) & Mike Foreman (EV2) are currently on 'Campout' (nachalo desaturatsiy = desaturation start) in the A/L CL (Crewlock), after hatch closure this morning at ~4:40am. The two spacewalkers performed PBA (Portable Breathing Apparatus) mask prebreathe for denitrogenation, while readying their tools & equipment, then depressed the CL from 14.7 to 10.2 psi for their sleep period. (For the Campout, fresh METOX (Metal Oxide) canisters were installed in the A/L for CO2 control.)

After wakeup, ending the 8.5-hr sleep period, the Airlock Crewlock (CL) hatch will be cracked at ~2:13pm for a hygiene break/with mask prebreathe for Foreman & Behnken, after spending the night on 10.2 psi campout. Around 3:23pm, the hatch will be closed again by Peggy Whitson (who supports all Campout preps and post-EVA activities as IV/Intravehicular Crewmember) for EVA preparations in 10.2 psi, followed by EMU purge & prebreathe. Afterwards, Peggy supports CL depressurization and EV1/EV2 egress.

EVA-4 Preview: Nominally, EVA-4 begins at ~6:28pm and lasts approximately 6h 10min, ending at ~12:38am. Its major objectives are to:

Replace RPCM (Remote Power Controller Module) S02B-D on the S0 truss;
Conduct T-RAD (Tile Repair Ablator Dispenser) demo in the Shuttle PLB;
Release Node-2 ACBM (Active Common Berthing Mechanism) launch locks;
Perform get-ahead tasks (install covers on JLP stbd nadir/zenith trunnions, port nadir/zenith trunnions and keel pin trunnion; remove OTCM-2 sock cover; inspect Z1 toolbox for any MMOD (Micrometeoroid/Orbital Debris) damage that may have been 'collateral' to the D-handle impact, etc.); and
Clean up worksite & ingress.
After post-EVA cleanup tomorrow morning, sleeptime for the ISS crew begins at ~5:00am, at ~5:30am for the Shuttle crew.

Columbus Update:

During EVA-4, a partial powerdown of the Columbus module is required (3:35pm-12:25am EDT), resulting in half of its lights switched off, IMV (Intermodular Ventilation) supply fan off, and ATU-2 (Audio Terminal Unit 2) off.
BIOLAB: Further troubleshooting in work; will request space on 1J/A to return some items. Cold stowage of the samples in the TCU1 (Thermal Control Unit 1) is being monitored.
FSL (Fluid Science Laboratory): Troubleshooting activities are on hold until after the 1J/A joint mission.
SOLAR (Solar Monitoring Observatory): Powered and functioning nominal.
EuTEF (European Technology Exposure Facility): Powered and functioning nominal.
ATV Update (Flight Day 11):

Yesterday (3/19), ATV 'Jules Verne' successfully performed five maneuvers, as follows:
TV2_1: began at 1:30:03am EDT, delta-V=2.15 m/s
TV2_2: began at 2:15:41am, delta-V = 2.14 m/s (the original TV2_2 was planned to be "no burn" (0 m/s) and was thus deleted; TV2_3 was re-named TV2_2)
IF1: began at 6:21:02am, delta-V = 0.14 m/s
IF2: began at 7:06:48am, delta-V = 0.02 m/s
IF3: began at 7:51:04am, delta-V = 1.32 m/s
Based on ATV GPS (Global Positioning System) data, specialists estimate the post-maneuver state to have been within 100 m in semi-major axis of ATVCC/Toulouse prediction. In addition, NASA-GSFC successfully performed coherent TDRSS tracking before and after the maneuvers that confirmed the maneuver results. ATVCC reported that all maneuvers were nominal. Following the maneuvers, the ATV successfully arrived at the Parking point 2000 km in front of the ISS, where it is currently positioned.
To maintain the Parking point, two stationkeeping maneuvers, SK1_1 & SK1_2, are planned for tomorrow (3/20) at 9:13:50am & 10:04:41am, respectively. ATV is scheduled to leave the Parking point on 3/27.
TsUP-Moscow also tested the SM Kurs-P system today in preparation for ATV-1 rendezvous. Set 2 was tested on DO-15; while the readiness signal was not obtained, the Kurs designers deemed the test successful because they have seen this signature before. Set 1 was tested on DO-1, and the nominal readiness signal was obtained at 5:11:42pm.
ATV is exhibiting slightly (~200-300 W) more power consumption than expected. Data indicate that its electronic boxes are drawing less, but its heaters more than nominal. Among the possible causes under assessments are one or two missing or loose thermal MLI (Multi-Layered Insulation) blankets. When ATV approaches the ISS, a thorough external inspection will precede any docking attempts (which could be impeded by loose insulation).
ASN-M Internal Transition Failure: RSC-Energia has traced the failure of switching over to the ASN-M Satellite Navigation System's NVM-1 Navigation Computer Module (one of two) to the suspected Common Power Switching timer (BSK DB2) of the Onboard Complex Control System (SUBK). Its removal & replacement is scheduled for tonight. ASN-M is critically required for ATV docking.

VolSci Preview: Three optional activities for the Voluntary Science program on days 3/25 & 3/26 were suggested to Peggy & Garrett for their choice. Selection is required by tonight. (The session choices are: (1) LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System), (2) USND (Ultrasound relocation & checkout; and (3) SLAMMD (Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement) - Body Mass Measurement.)

Shuttle Update: Currently under consideration is the plan to have Endeavour land one revolution (~92 min) earlier than originally planned on 3/26, to take advantage of the first daylight landing opportunity. This will require a small sleep shift for the Shuttle crew of an additional 15 min earlier on FD14 & FD15 but is only a minimal impact for the ISS crew.

ISS Crew Sleep Shift Planning: To synchronize the ISS crew's timeline with STS-123/1J/A docking and subsequent docked activities, Peggy's, Yuri's and Leo's wake/sleep cycle has undergone a number of shifts which started on 3/11. For the next five days, the wake/sleep shift schedule is as follows (all times EDT):

FD11 Wake: 1:30pm (3/20) - 5:00am (3/21)
Sleep: 5:00am - 1:30pm (3/21)

FD12
Wake: 1:30pm (3/21) - 4:00am (3/22)
Sleep: 4:00am - 12:30pm (3/22)

FD13
Wake: 12:30pm (3/22) - 4:00am (3/23)
Sleep: 4:00am - 12:30pm (3/23)

FD14
Wake: 12:30pm (3/23) - 3:30am (3/24)
Sleep: 3:30am - 12:00pm (3/24)

FD15
Wake: 12:00pm (3/24) - 3:30am (3/25)
Sleep: 3:30am - 12:00pm (3/25)

No CEO photo targets uplinked for today.