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More Details for 2008-04-28

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Underway: Week 2 of Increment 17.

First thing in the morning, FE-2 Garrett Reisman worked in the JLP (Japanese Experiment Module Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section), performing the periodical status & shell temperature check from the MKAM (Minimum Keep-Alive Monitor) panel and calling down the temperatures via S-band.

Later Reisman continued his support of the CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2) experiment in the activated MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility, initiating another evacuation sequence in preparation for final experiment operations scheduled Wednesday (4/30). (Evacuation activities consisted in closing vacuum vent valves, checking for acceptable humidity levels, and opening the SPU (Sample Processing Unit) water valve to initiate unattended vacuum prep, followed later by closing the SPU water valve, checking again for humidity levels in the sample chamber, and opening the vent valve and vacuum valve to initiate a vacuum draw on the sample chamber. The steps were later repeated for another SPU. CSLM-2 examines the kinetics of competitive particle growth within a liquid matrix. During this process, small particles shrink by losing atoms to larger particles, causing the larger particles to grow (coarsen) within a liquid lead/tin matrix. This study defined the mechanisms and rates of coarsening that govern the manufacture with metals from turbine blades to dental amalgam fillings.)

CDR Sergey Volkov performed a 2-hr maintenance job on the Service Module's Internal Thermal Loop 2 (SM KOB2) to restore it to nominal service by replacing the failed 4SPN1 pump panel with a spare unit. (On 3/18, RSC-Energia declared micro pump #1 (one of two) in the 4SPN1 replaceable pump panel of the SM TCS (SOTR, Thermal Control Systems)'s KOB-2 loop failed. A replacement unit was delivered on ATV1 'Jules Verne'. Each of the two SOTR KOB loops has two redundant pump panels with two redundant pumps each. While in the early years of Mir and ISS the pumps were integral to the SPN panels, the current design allows them to be replaced without requiring an entire new SPN block.)

Volkov also spent some time searching for and gathering equipment/tools required for a planned replacement of the Russian SKV-2 air conditioner's compressor assembly, scheduled tomorrow. (SKV-2 was shut down last week due to high temperature. SKV-1 has been off for a long time.)

FE-1 Oleg Kononenko unloaded three stowage enclosures/containers from the ATV, transferred them to the FGB and installed them later in its Pressurized Adapter (GA) compartment.

Garrett Reisman prepared Node-2 for the arrival of the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) on STS-124 by unlatching the hatch of its portside docking port.

In the US Airlock, Reisman replaced both FDS QDMAs (Fire Detection & Suppression/Quick-Don Mask Assemblies) for the PHAs (Prebreathe Hose Assemblies), which have reached the inflation cycle limit, with two new units.

Later, Garrett also undertook the monthly FDS PEP (Portable Emergency Provisions) safety inspection/audit in the ISS modules. (The JLP contains only a PFE (Portable Fire Extinguisher). The IMS (Inventory Management System)-supported inspection involves verification that PFEs, PBAs (Portable Breathing Apparatus), QDMAs and EHTKs (Extension Hose/Tee Kits) are free of damage to ensure their functionality, and to track shelf life/life cycles on the hardware (QDMA harness inspection was not required this time).)

After a review by the two Flight Engineers of an uplinked description of the planned COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) condensate collection system troubleshooting, Reisman removed the CWWDF (Contingency Waste Water Dump Filter) in the Lab forward end-cone from the waste water bus. (Purpose: to protect the filter from the pressures that are possible during the troubleshooting (>20 psi). Background: Since activation of the Columbus condensate system, ground specialists have suspected a partial blockage of the condensate line from COL through Node-2 into the Lab. Ground-commanded troubleshooting has had inconclusive results. Starting today, the crew performs a two-day sequence of troubleshooting steps: Today, safing the waste water bus, which involved rotating the LAB1D1 rack for access, plus initial setup of the sample bag for collecting condensate; and tomorrow the final setup for the troubleshooting with periodic checks of the condensate collected within the sample bag, followed by the tear-down.)

Volkov conducted the routine maintenance of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM, while Kononenko performed the monthly 30-min. servicing of the toilet facility (ASU), changing out replaceable ASU parts with new components, i.e., the urine receptacle (MP) and a filter insert (F-V). The old parts were discarded as trash.

The FE-2 completed 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 reaching the tank's neutral point (leaving ~6 kg in the tank): ~20 min.)

The CDR performed the daily 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).

Oleg had ~15 min set aside for another Russian "Uragan" (hurricane) earth-imaging session, using the Nikon D2X digital camera with 300-800 mm telephoto lens from SM window 9 and the RSK1 laptop for picture download. (Targets uplinked for today were general views of Moldova and Transdniestria in nadir, the Kerch Strait, and overlapping snapshots along the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range including Olympic tracks.).

Garrett did the periodic (monthly) inspection of the RED (Resistive Exercise Device) canister cords and accessories.

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

Afterwards, Reisman 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).

Volkov & Kononenko again had the regular full hour for themselves for general orientation (station familiarization & acclimatization) as is standard daily rule for fresh crewmembers for the first two weeks after starting station residency.

After setting up the Russian TV equipment, the two cosmonauts downlinked cordial messages of greetings and congratulations to a number of popular events in Russia. (Downlinks were transmitted - (1) for the 70th Anniversary of the 43rd Independent Naval Air Force Strike Regiment stationed in Sevastopol (the regiment of fallen cosmonauts Georgy Dobrovolsky & Valentin Bondarenko), (2) to participants in the 'Svyaz-Ekspokomm 2008' trade show for telecommunications, navigational equipment, control systems and information technology in Moscow on May 12-16, (3) for the 75th Anniversary of OAO Izhevskiy Motozavod Aksion-Holding Company, manufacturer of missile & spaceflight equipment since 1949, and (4) for the 85th birthday of Isaak Iosifovich Shvarts, composer of the music for the famous film 'White Sun of the Desert', a lucky talisman for all cosmonauts who traditionally view a screening of the film before their launch.)

At ~4:30pm EDT, Garrett Reisman is scheduled for his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on an SSC laptop).

Soyuz TMA-12 Relocation Update: RSC-Energia is reviewing a possible delay of the 16S relocation from DC1 to FGB and a commensurate change of Progress 29P linkup to the FGB nadir docking port.

No CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today.