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More Details for 2007-11-27

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Before breakfast, Dr. Whitson completed the last day of her 2nd session with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository (Peggy's third session will be on her Flight Day 60).

Today she collected another urine sample for storage in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). The sampling kit was then stowed away. (The current NUTRITION project expands 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 worked several hours on the Service Module (SM)'s fire warning system, removing and replacing all ten SIGNAL-VM DS-7A smoke detectors, which were expired. The SIGNAL-VM system was deactivated from the ground beforehand and later turned on again. (The ten DS-7A units were replaced last by Mikhail Tyurin and Mike Lopez-Alegria on 12/28/06 on Expedition 14.)

Later, Malenchenko performed outfitting on the Elektron O2 (Oxygen) generator to improve its performance, by installing a new device -- an interference filter (FPP ST-64) -- between the Elektron Liquid Unit (BZh) and the associated Common Power Switching Unit (BSK) of the SUBA (Onboard Equipment Control System). (SUBA controls, monitors, and diagnoses SM systems status. It operates using sensor output signals and command radio link SM functional outputs, onboard computer system (BVS) units, SM control panels, and system relay outputs. Its software resides in the SM central computer (TsVM) and terminal computer (TVM). The BSKs are used to switch electrical power and protect electrical circuits with fuses against overloads.)

A third maintenance task for Yuri in the Russian Segment (RS) was to check out the cable of an air filter (A-2) in the FGB's Fire Detection & Suppression System (SPOPT).

Dan Tani continued his servicing of the CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2) experiment on its second session. (In Step 1, the FE-2 configured the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility, closed the vacuum vent, checked for acceptable humidity levels, and opened the SPU (Sample Processing Unit) water valve to initiate unattended vacuum preparation. Later, in Step 2, he reset MSG, closed the water valve, again checked for acceptable humidity levels in the sample chamber, then opened the vent & vacuum valves to initiate the required vacuum draw on the sample chamber.)

Since the CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) was deactivated overnight by the ground (9:25pm-2:25am) and LTL temperature setpoint raised to nominal, with cooling is no longer required, Peggy Whitson today disconnected the LTL (Low Temperature Loop) jumper of the ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) from the CDRA rack. (Cabin temperature in Node-2 was set to 21 degC.)

The CDR and FE-2 continued their interior outfitting of Node-2. With Harmony's aft NPRV (Negative Pressure Relief Valve) already replaced (on 10/28) with an IMV (Intermodular Ventilation) valve, Tani today first subjected the Node's IMV to a checkout, in particular the correct function of its aft port & starboard IMV valves and caution annunciations.

Afterwards, Peggy & Dan performed 'plumbing' work on the 'vestibule' space connecting Lab and Node-2 by installing O2 and N2 (Nitrogen) transfer jumpers. Later, the CDR set up the Node-2/Lab vestibule for depressurization and leak checking, uncapping both PPRVs (Positive Pressure Relief Valves). (Starting the outfitting with connecting the high-pressure O2 jumper at the vestibule's Node-2 side (to be followed later on 1E by the Lab-side connection plus purging and leak checking), the crewmembers then installed and connected the low-pressure O2 & N2 jumpers, finally purging the hoses. The purge-and-leak check activity on the O2 lines was conducted remotely from MCC-H, first commanding the low-pressure O2 supply valve closed to vent down the lines, then purging the vestibule O2 jumpers, followed by a fine leak check, and concluding with reopening of the supply valve. The O2 PBA (Portable Breathing Apparatus) ports were not available during that time.)

The FE-2 had 2 hrs. reserved for working in Node-2 to complete the task of connecting its ISL (Integrated Station LAN) Router, which he had started on 11/2 prior to Harmony's relocation to the Lab front end. (The Payloads LAN connection is at the base of AV-3 (Avionics Rack 3, LAB1D2) where Clay Anderson on 9/12 had prepositioned two connectors. ISL is an upgraded onboard LAN (Local Area Network) utilizing Ethernet connectivity over the Router via cable or WAP (Wireless Access Point). JSL is the designation for the overall network, including IP (International Partner) hardware and integration, while ISL refers to specifically US hardware. JSL/ISL integrates all ISS 'user' devices, eventually including RS docking video distribution, payload comm & downlink (from IP modules, e.g., Columbus or Kibo), crew operations, procedures viewing, email, IP phone, etc. JSL/ISL eliminates drag-through cables in hatches, will be up to ten times faster than the current OpsLAN, and has provisions for future modules.)

After the installation, Dan Tani printed out uplinked ISL port mapping labels, then used tape and a protective transparency to affix the sheet on a Node-2 rack cover next to the Lab ISL Interface Panel.

Whitson meanwhile set up the Node-2/Lab vestibule for depressurization & leak checking, uncapping both PPRVs (Positive Pressure Relief Valves).

The CDR spent 2.5 hrs in the Joint Airlock (A/L) gathering U.S. EVA tools in preparation for use during the 1E spacewalks by Walheim, Schlegel and Love. (Tool locations and stowage places of unused tools were uplinked in a matrix table listing stowage places of deployed and unused tools, a staging bag and an IV (Intravehicular) bag in the A/L CL (Crewlock), a tether staging area, and other A/L locations. The work included configuring a mesh bag for EVA-2 containing a round scoop, plus another mesh bag for EVA-3 with two handrails. EVA-1 preps were been done earlier.)

Peggy also continued the four-day troubleshooting of the leaking UIA (Umbilical Interface Assembly)'s O2 supply line in the A/L by mating PHA (Prebreathe Hose Assembly) 'Tee' connectors to one PHA port at a time, in order to determine which of them is leaking as well as what type of leakage that PHA port is experiencing. (Each setup takes about 5 min, followed by several hours of unattended test.)

Additionally, Whitson terminated the discharge cycle on the second batch of EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) batteries, controlled by an automated SSC (Station Support Computer)-based DOS application.

FE-2 Dan Tani conducted the periodic (every two weeks) inspection of the RED (Resistive Exercise Device) canister cords and accessory straps as well as the canister bolts for re-tightening if required.

The CDR performed the regular monthly maintenance of the TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation & Stabilization), inspecting the condition of harnesses, belt slats, corner bracket ropes, IRBAs (Isolation Restorative Bungee Assemblies) and gyroscope wire ropes for any damage or defects, lubricating as required plus recording time & date values.

Peggy Whitson also configured the video equipment in the SM for filming Yuri's and her own subsequent TVIS workout, for biomechanical assessment of the hardware status by ground engineers. (Dan Tani's TVIS video session is scheduled tomorrow. The footage from the three sessions will then be transferred from camcorder to VTR (Video Tape Recorder) for subsequent downlink to the ground when Ku-band is available.)

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

Afterwards, Tani 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).

Malenchenko completed the daily routine maintenance of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM (Service Module), including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables. (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 FE-1 also conducted the daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance again as a voluntary task from his 'time permitting' discretionary task list, 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).

CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today were Heard Island (Heard Island is a bleak, uninhabited, and mountainous island located in the Southern Ocean; about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. Its mountains are covered in glaciers and dominated by Mawson Peak, a 9,006 ft high complex volcano which forms part of the Big Ben massif. A long thin spit named "Elephant Spit" extends from the east of the island. ISS pass was just before midday with weather satellite imagery suggesting clearing from the west. Looking well right of track and using the long lens for details), and Acraman Impact Crater (this 590 million year old impact is located in the north central part of the Eyre Peninsula of southern Australia. It is approximately 90km in diameter and its basin includes several dry to partially dry lakes. Station pass was in late afternoon so the crew was to try for a short lens, nadir mapping strip over the target area).