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More Details for 2008-06-17

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Major focus for CDR Volkov and FE-1 Kononenko today was on Orlan spacesuit activities in the DC1 'Pirs' Docking Compartment, to extend for the next several days.

And preparing spacewalk hardware for the EVA-20 on 7/10 and prior simulation exercises.
After configuring the DC1 communications system for their presence, Sergey & Oleg -

Readied and checked out replaceable components (OTA) and auxiliary gear for their particular Orlan "skafandr" suits (i.e., portable primary & reserve O2 tanks (BK-3), storage batteries (825M3), LiOH canisters (PL-9), moisture collectors, liquid cooling garments (KVO), comm headsets (ShL-10), gloves (GP-10K), thermal comfort undergarments (BK-10), socks, diapers, filters for feedwater lines (FOR), Orlan CO2 measurement units (IK), degassing pump unit (BOS), etc.),
Configured & tested the EVA support panels (POV) in the DC1 and SM PkhO (Service Module Transfer Compartment) (to be used for leak checks and valve tests on the Orlan suits, their BSS interface units & the hatch KVDs (pressure equalization valves)),
Activated & inspected their spacesuits plus a third Orlan for training/testing (Orlan #27 (red stripe) for Volkov, #26 (blue stripe) for Kononenko, #25 for testing & training),
Terminated the charging on the 825M3 battery pack started yesterday,
Activated the training Orlan #25 and equipped it with the BRTA-25 telemetry system,
Installed the 825M3 battery pack in the #25 backpack, and
Reset the DC1 comm system to its regular configuration.
In the U.S. 'Quest' Airlock, FE-2 Chamitoff -

Terminated regeneration of METOX (Metal Oxide) CO2 absorption canisters #0011 & #0007 started yesterday and initiated the bake-out process on the second batch, #0015 & #0016, with CDRA operating nominally,
Started the ~13hr discharge on the 16-volt EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) batteries #2067 & #2071 in the BSA (Battery Stowage Assembly),
Set up EMUs #3018 & #3004 with their SCUs (Service & Cooling Umbilicals) and initiated the standard 1hr scrubbing process on the spacesuits' cooling water loops, filtering ionic and particulate matter (via a 3-micron filter), then
Reconfigured the cooling loops and initiated the ~2hr biocide filtering (loop scrubbing, incl. iodination of the LCVGs (Liquid Cooling & Ventilation Garments) for biocidal maintenance, is done to eliminate any biomass and particulate matter that may have accumulated in the loops), and
Terminated the scrubbing, disassembled the EMU water processing kit and stowed the equipment.
Kononenko serviced the Matryoshka-R (RBO-3-2) radiation payload which has taken over the ESA/RSC-Energia experiment ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS/ALC) with its Spectrometer (AST) and ALC equipment on DC1 panel 429. (Oleg replaced the ALC-948 PCMCIA (Portable Computer Memory Card International Adapter) card with a new one (#949) and used the RSK1 laptop for checking the 948 card for quantity and total size of its stored files, before stowing it for return to earth.)

The FE-2 performed the periodic deployment of four passive FMK (formaldehyde monitoring kit) sampling assemblies in the Lab (at P3, below CEVIS) and SM (at the most forward handrail, on panel 307) for two days, to catch any atmospheric formaldehyde on a collector substrate for subsequent analysis on the ground. (Two monitors each are usually attached side by side, preferably in an orientation with their faces perpendicular to the direction of air flow.)

The FE-1 conducted the monthly maintenance on the Russian IK0501 GA (gas analyzer) of the SOGS Pressure Control & Atmospheric Monitoring System, adjusting the sensor for O2 readings. (IK0501 is an automated system for measuring CO2, O2, and H2O in the air as well as the flow rate of the gas being analyzed).

Sergey & Greg had about half an hour reserved to work on the CMRS (Crew Medical Restraint System), stowed in the CHeCS (Crew Health Care Systems) rack, performing the periodic checkout and inspection of the system for upcoming standard CMO (Crew Medical Officer) proficiency training. (The crew inspected the CMRS for cracks in the board and/or metal fastener exposed on top of CMRS (found on the ground units), either of which could provide a high-voltage defibrillation ground path from the patient to ISS structure. The board-like CMRS allows strapping down a patient on the board with a harness for medical attention by the CMO who is also provided with restraints around the device. The device can be secured to the ISS structure within two minutes to provide a patient restraint surface for performing emergency medical procedures, such as during ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support). It can also be used to transport a patient between the station and the Orbiter middeck. It isolates the crew and equipment electrically during defibrillations and pacing electrical discharges, accommodates the patient in the supine zero-G positions, provides cervical spine stabilization and, for a three-person crew, can also restrain two CMOs during their delivery of medical care.)

Kononenko set up the equipment for his second session with the Russian experiment MBI-18 DYKHANIE ('respiration', 'breathing'), then conducted the session, controlled from the RSE-Med laptop, followed later by Volkov who also undertook the experiment for the second time. The crewmembers took photographs of each other working the hardware, then closed down the payload and stowed it. (Dykhanie-1 uses two body belts (PG-T/thoracic, PG-A/abdominal), a calibrator, resistor, mouthpiece, etc., to study fundamental physiological mechanisms of the external breathing function of crewmembers under long-duration orbital flight conditions. During the experiment, physiological measurements are taken and recorded with a pneumotachogram, a thoracic pneumogram, an abdominal pneumogram, and pressure data in the oral cavity. All experimentally derived plus salient environmental data along with personal data of the subject are recorded on PCMIA card for return to the ground at end of the Expedition. Objectives include determining the dynamics of the relationship between thoracic (pectoral) and abdominal breathing function reserves and their realization potential during spontaneous breathing, the coordinated spontaneous respiratory movements in terms of thoracic and abdominal components of volumetric, time & rate parameters of spontaneous respiratory cycle, identification of the features of humoral-reflex regulation of breathing by dynamics of ventilation sensitivity of thoracic and abdominal components to chemoreceptor stimuli, etc. Overall, the experiment is intended to provide a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of pulmonary respiration/gas exchange gravitational relations of cosmonauts.)

Preparing for a repeat of the fine leak check on the Kibo JPM/JLP (JEM Pressurized Module/JEM Logistics Pressurized Section) vestibule deferred on 6/7, Chamitoff checked out the proper seating of JPM vacuum QD (Quick Disconnect) caps, then installed a cap on a connector of the JEMRMS BDS (JEM Robotic Manipulator System Backup Drive System) in the Kibo laboratory.

The FE-2 also prepared the MELFI (Minus Eighty Degree Laboratory Freezer for the ISS) in the Lab for upcoming sample stowage by retrieving two -32deg ICEPAC belts (#00070680J & #00070669) from stowage and inserting them in Sections 4 & 1 of Tray C in Dewar 1.

Afterwards, Gregory conducted 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. (Estimated offload time before reaching the tank's neutral point (leaving ~6 kg in the tank): ~27 min. Condensate collection continues to be performed by the CCAA while the Russian SKV-2 air conditioner is off, awaiting its overdue Khladon (Freon-218) refill. SKV-1 has been nonfunctional for a long time.)

Chamitoff also conducted the periodic (every two weeks) inspection of the RED (Resistive Exercise Device) canister bolts, to be re-tightened if required.

The crew conducted 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), and RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-1, FE-2).

Afterwards, Oleg transferred the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) 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).

In preparation for the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) reboost on 6/19 (2:41am EDT), Greg activated the SAMS ICU (Space Acceleration Measurement System/Interface Control Unit), the control computer of the rack/drawer-based system for recording structural dynamics of the station.

At 1:25pm, Greg conducted the periodic VHF-1 emergency communications check over NASA's VHF (Very High Frequency) stations, today at the Wallops (1:44pm-1:46pm) and Dryden (1:33am - 1:40am) stations, talking with Houston/Capcom, MSFC/PAYCOM (Payload Operation & Integration Center Communicator) and Moscow/GLAVNI (TsUP Capcom) in the normal fashion via VHF radio from a handheld microphone and any of the USOS ATUs (Audio Terminal Units). (Purpose of the test is to verify signal reception and link integrity, improve crew proficiency, and ensure minimum required link margin during emergency (no TDRS) and special events (such as a Soyuz relocation).)

The three crewmembers had their standard periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Oleg at ~9:55am, Sergey at ~11:35am, Greg at ~1:50pm EDT.

Kononenko completed the routine maintenance of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM, including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables.

Working off the Russian discretionary 'time permitting' task list, Oleg also 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).

A second voluntary task list item for Kononenko & Volkov today was an audit of expired Expedition 16 food rations, with repacking & preparation of food packages for disposal on the ATV. (To clear storage space for cargo items delivered on Progress M-64/29P.)

The new FE-2 again had about an hour for himself for general orientation (station familiarization & acclimatization) as is standard daily rule for fresh crewmembers for the first two weeks after starting station residence.

VOA Update: Shortly after yesterday's ground-commanded activation of the EHS VOA (Environmental Health System/Volatile Organic Analyzer) in the Lab for a 4-hr sampling run, the unit performed an auto-shutdown with two pressure faults indicated. The engineering team is investigating

VolSci Program: For the Voluntary Science program on the weekend ahead (6/21-6/22), Greg Chamitoff was offered three choices for selection: (1) an 'operations improvement' session with SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) with all three satellites (single-satellite experiments to test new thrusting algorithms and demonstrate safe trajectories for the inspection of space structures; two-satellite experiments to introduce new controllers and on-line path planning tools for purpose of docking to a complex tumbling satellite; three-satellite runs for formation flight experiments to test initialization of a formation and obstacle avoidance; (2) a LOCAD PTS (Lab-On-A-Chip Application Development - Portable Test System) session using Glucan LAL cartridges, targeting yeast & molds on ISS surfaces, preceded by an OBT review and PI teleconference, and (3) an EPO (Education Payload Operations) Demo on Space Careers, creating an educational video discussing different careers found at NASA, to be used to produce an educational product to enhance existing education resources for students in grades 9-12.

CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets uplinked for today were Mount Rainier (Mount Rainier, at 4392 m the highest peak in the Cascade Range, forms a dramatic backdrop to the Puget Sound region. The present-day summit cone was formed during a major mixed-magma explosive eruption about 2200 years ago and is capped by two overlapping craters. Rainier is located 54 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington. The most recent officially recorded volcanic eruptions occurred between 1820 and 1854. While there is no sign of an imminent eruption of Rainier, the volcano is not dormant and is expected to erupt again. This is especially significant because of the proximity of the volcano to the cities of Tacoma and south Seattle. About 5000 years ago the Osceola mudflow initiated by a Rainier eruption covered the site of present-day Tacoma), and Coast Mountains (these glaciers have been in a well-documented, heavy retreat for the past couple of decades even though they are located in a moist, marine environment, with heavy winter snowfalls and elevations ranging from 10,000 to 13,000 feet. Since we are approaching the summer solstice, the lighting is now best for photographing these ranges. Context view of the Coast Mountains is desired).