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More Details for 2007-11-17

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Saturday -- off-duty day for CDR Whitson, FE-1 Malenchenko and FE-2 Tani except for housekeeping and voluntary work.

After setting up the video camera gear for covering their CEVIS cycle ergometer workout, Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani activated the OUM-PFE (Oxygen Uptake Measurement - Periodic Fitness Evaluation) equipment at the HRF-2 (Human Research Facility 2) rack, including the HRF PFM/PAM (Pulmonary Function Module/Photoacoustic Analyzer Module), Mixing Bag System and GDS (Gas Delivery System). Both crewmembers then completed the evaluation protocol, wearing HRMs (Heart Rate Monitors), with each one in turn acting as subject and operator, obtaining measurements on themselves on the CEVIS cycle ergometer. (The operations were documented with photo and video. Later, Peggy and Dan updated the evaluation protocol, deactivated & stowed the gear, including photo/video equipment, and powered down the OUM-PFE laptop. Purpose of OUM-PFE is to measure aerobic capacity during exercise within 14 days after arrival on ISS, and once monthly during routine PFEs. The data allows exercise physiologists & flight doctors to assess the crew's health & fitness and to provide data for modifying & updating crew-specific exercise regimes. PFE-OUM is a collaborative effort between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency).)

In the Lab, the CDR performed the periodic inspection and cleaning of the FDS (Fire Detection & Suppression) system's bacteria filter und SD (smoke detector).

Yuri Malenchenko worked at the SM CP (Service Module Central Post), swapping the RS1 A31p laptop with the RS3 A31p. After making the connections, the FE-1 conducted a test of the replacement.

Malenchenko & Whitson undertook another 30-min Shuttle RPM (R-bar Pitch Maneuver) skill training, Peggy's second, Yuri's third, using DCS-760 digital still cameras with 400 & 800mm lenses at SM windows 6 & 8 to take imagery of documented EO (Earth Observation) targets. Today's RPM training was scheduled to coincide with daylight ground tracks to support the EO shooting while practicing setting manual focus. Afterwards, Peggy downlinked the obtained images to the ground for analysis, to be discussed at a subsequent tagup. (The skill training prepares crewmembers for the bottomside mapping of the Orbiter at the arrival of STS-122/1E in December. During the RPM at ~600 ft from the station, the ISS crew will have only ~90 seconds for taking high-resolution digital photographs 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.)

Using the vacuum cleaner and other tools, FE-2 Tani performed the periodic 80-min US segment (USOS) hatch seal inspection (Node-1 forward, aft & starboard, Lab aft & forward, Node-2 aft & forward, and Joint Airlock) in support of ACS (Atmospheric Control System) maintenance (last time done: 9/25).

CDR Whitson had about an hour scheduled to update and deploy US SODF (Station Operation Data File) Warning books, required after the recent Node-2 relocation and prior to Harmony's activation. Updating consists of replacing page sections with new uplinked and printed-out material. (The three Node-2 Relocate/Activation Warning books are deployed in the SM, FGB, and Lab.)

In preparation for the upcoming Stage EVA-11 'Bravo' next week (11/20), the crew reviewed uplinked NH3 (ammonia) decontamination OBT (Onboard Training) material, followed by tagging up with ground specialists via Ku- & S-band to discuss procedural particulars. (EVA-11 will involve some handling of NH3 coolant gear (venting & stowing).)

Afterwards, Dan Tani started battery recharging for the EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) spacesuits in the A/L BSA (Battery Stowage Assembly). (Since BC (Battery Charger) 1 is hard failed, the procedure uses only BCs 2, 3 & 4.)

Later, Peggy Whitson initiated METOX (Metal Oxide) CO2 absorption canister regeneration, after installing used canister #0017 & #0019 in the A/L bakeout oven.

Yuri performed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM. (Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.)

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/with OUM, FE-2/with OUM), TVIS treadmill (FE-1, FE-2), RED resistive exerciser (FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, the FE-2 transferred the crew's 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).

Dan 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 ~7:05am EST, Yuri conducted his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on the SSC-9 laptop).

At ~8:50am, the crewmembers held their regular weekly planning conference (WPC) with the ground, discussing next week's "Look-Ahead Plan" (prepared jointly by MCC-H and TsUP/Moscow timeline planners), via S-band/audio, reviewing upcoming activities and any concerns about future on-orbit events.

Working off the Russian voluntary task list, FE-1 Malenchenko used the Nikon D1X (SIGMA 300-800mm telephoto lens) to make observations and take aerial KPT-3 photography of environmental conditions for Russia's Environmental Safety Agency (ECON). (KPT-3 photography has been a frequent earth observing experiment for ECON.)

As a second discretionary task list item, Yuri completed another radiation data monitoring & logging session for flow & dose power data with the Matryoshka-R radiation payload and its LULIN-5 electronics box (accumulated readings were recorded on a log sheet for subsequent downlink to TsUP/Moscow via the BSR-TM payload data channel).

Task List Items: Among the items waiting for Whitson & Tani on their discretionary 'job jar' list are two audits - of onboard CTBs (Cargo Transfer Bags) and the 'stowage rack of the week', currently the one at LAB1P5 -- using a new Audit function introduced with the implementation of the laptop-based IMS 2.0 version on Increment 15. (This function allows the user to setup audits of bags, kits, stowage locations, just about anything that is considered a container, via a special Audit window with a linked Object Properties window.)

Weekly Science Update (Expedition Sixteen -- 4th)

ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS): Radiation measurements continue to be performed throughout the Increment 16.

ANITA: Completed.

BCAT (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test): Reserve.

CARDIOCOG-2: Completed.

CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS): Reserve

CFE (Capillary Flow Experiment): 'CFE ended with a bang! And it has been a fun and productive ride. CFE's last (19th) experiment run in space, CFE-CL1, was conducted yesterday (11/16) by ISS CDR Peggy Whitson. The experiments were performed to round out CFE-CL experimental data that will serve as a benchmark for large scale capillary dynamics pertinent to fuels/cryogen/water management systems on spacecraft. Difficulties were encountered early when attempting to reset the experiment for subsequent runs, requiring Peggy to impart large disturbances to the test vessel to clear liquid from a pinning lip. It was not known by the science and engineering team how difficult this procedure would be for this container a priori. Despite the difficulties encountered, Peggy was successful in resetting the experiment at least three times after which successful data sets were collected each time. It cannot be overemphasized that all disturbances imparted to the container and/or MWA (Maintenance Work Area) by Peggy within the field of view of the camera produced new quantitative data extending our database and providing truly complex phenomena to test our numerical predictions. We wish to especially thank her and all of NASA in the air and ground for the fun and data. You will like our results when we publish!'

CSI-2/CGBA (CGBA Science Insert #2/Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus): In progress.

CGBA-2 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 2): Complete.

CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2): Planned.

EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students): Complete.

ETD (Eye Tracking Device): In progress.

Integrated Immune: In progress.

LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System): Complete.

MISSE (Materials ISS Experiment): Ongoing.

MTR-2 (Russian radiation measurements): Passive dosimeters measurements in DC1 'Pirs'.

MULTIGEN-1: Since last report on 11/08, all the ECs (Experiment Containers) have been dried out in view of the experiment termination. MULTIGEN-1 Containers have been removed from EMCS European Modular Cultivation System) on 11/15. Reference ECs have been inserted in the EMCS, and the final dry out is under way. The EMCS Facility was switched off on 11/15.

MSG-SAME (Microgravity Science Glovebox): Complete.

NOA-2 (Nitric Oxide Analyzer): Planned.

NUTRITION/REPOSITORY: In progress (CDR); Reserve (FE-2).

PMDIS (Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space): Complete.

SAMS/MAMS (Space & Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems: Ongoing.

SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight): 'Peggy, thanks for the quick turnaround in initializing another Actiwatch and completing your SLEEP logs off the task list. If the missing watch is found, the activity on the Task List will be to download three Actiwatches and initialize two. Additional SLEEP logging is above and beyond and greatly appreciated by the PI, however only the weeks with a targeted sleep differential will be on the Task List at this time. -- Dan, as you requested, we would like to remind you that your SLEEP logs have been added as a task list item. Only three weeks of SLEEP logging is required of continuous logging during varying weeks of sleep shifting to count as a SLEEP subject. Additional SLEEP logging is above and beyond and greatly appreciated by the PI, however only the weeks with a targeted sleep differential will be on the Task List at this time.'

SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite): 'Dan, the SPHERES team salutes you for your time and great effort this morning. The Group A Test 2 ran perfectly and a lot of the other data will allow for fine tuning satellite controllers. The 'attached satellite' tests use state-of-the-art algorithms, and they will require a substantial amount of data to succeed. We are look forward to future operations that will focus on formation and docking tests. We expect that these will not only collect useful data, but also be visually amazing.'

Swab (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft): In progress.

TRAC (Test of Reaction & Adaptation Capabilities): Planned.

CEO (Crew Earth Observations): Through 11/13 the ground has received a total of 1,367 CEO images for review and cataloging for Increment 16. Observers are pleased to report a target acquisition success on their first day's target list (11/8). The crew had some success in acquiring useful imagery of the Toshka Lakes, Egypt site. Most new crews take some time to settle in and usually take a couple of weeks before observers see any hits from their target requests. 'Thanks for your prompt, enthusiastic startup of our payload! Nearly two-thirds of your imagery so far has been acquired with the long lens settings and most of it has good focus. It appears that we can begin sooner making target requests using these settings.'

CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today were Ouarkziz Impact Crater (Ouarkziz is a relatively "young" impact crater, dated at 70 million years. The crater is 3.5 km in diameter and is located in the Atlas Mountains of western Algeria near the border with Morocco. As ISS crossed the Atlas Mountains from the NW in mid-morning sun, the crew was to shoot just left of track for the impact in folded rocks near the south side of the E-W mountain range), Gulf of Fonseca (observers are monitoring the rapid coastal development around this area shared by the three Central American countries of El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. ISS approach was from the NW along the Pacific side of Central America for a nadir pass with mid-morning lighting conditions. Looking for the landmark feature, the Consiguina Volcano on the south side of the gulf, and mapping the coastal margins and the sediment plumes for this area), and Pilcomayo River dynamics, Northern Argentina (this dynamic river issues from the Andes Mountains to the W and then breaks SE-ward across the Chaco Plain forming part of the border between Argentina and Paraguay. Overlapping frames were requested to document the current channel and riverbank morphology for comparison to historical imagery. After crossing the Andes from the NW in midday sun, the crew was to look right of track for the bright sandbars of the river as it leaves the mountains. Mapping the area from NW to SE until the river dissipates a megafan on the Chaco Plain).