Updates ISS UPDATES

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 28/02/2011.

In COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory), FE-5 Paolo Nespoli wound up yesterday's replacement of the WOOV-8 (Water On/Off Valve-8) activities with a WOOV manifold by preparing the spare WOOV-8 for long-term on-orbit stowage and then stowing it temporarily in COL. The failed valve was prepacked for return on STS-133.

Working in Node 1, after first clearing out a sizeable amount of stowage goods, including the food pantry, to gain access, FE-6 Cady Coleman removed & replaced the failed RPCM (Remote Power Control Module) N14B_C. Paolo later assisted in replacing the Node 1 stowage. [The R&R was timed to take advantage of the power-down of the associated DDCU (DC-to-DC-Conversion Unit) Z14B on the Z1 Truss segment, safed Off during the EVA. Due to the temporary power-down, half the lights in Node 1 were out, as were the Node 1 cabin fan and smoke detectors; also some IMV (Intermodule Ventilation) valves were unpowered.]

After completion of DDCU Z14B power-up later today, Cady was to reactivate Node 1 power at UOP-1 (Utility Outlet Panel-1), required tomorrow for the CBCS (Centerline Berthing Camera System) activity during PMM berthing.

Cady also had ~2 hours 20 minutes reserved for floating through the ISS to set up 30 new RAMs (Radiation Area Monitors) delivered on STS-133. After the deployment throughout the station, she took digital pictures to document the placements. [The RAMs are color-coded; the new ULF-5 units are cherry-colored.]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 01/03/2011.

The PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module) "Leonardo" was successfully transferred from the Discovery's cargo bay to the ISS. MS-3 Mike Barratt & MS-4 Nicole Stott operated the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) and berthed PMM at the Node 1 "Unity" Nadir port. At 3:05 PM GMT, PLT Eric Boe & FE-6 Cady Coleman engaged the CBM (Common Berthing Mechanism) latches, anchoring the PMM at its permanent place on the station. Final bolting complete: 3:54 PM GMT.

After the berthing, Cady powered down the CBCS (Centerline Berthing Camera System) and dismantled it for stowage.

CDR Scott Kelly performed the pressurization and subsequent leak check of the Node 1 to PMM vestibule, leaving the ISA (Internal Sampling Adapter) / VAJ (Vacuum Access Jumper) setup assembled and temporarily moved aside for use on FD-11 (Flight Day-11).

Later tonight, Cady has about 3.5 hours to configure the PMM for ingress by uninstalling the CPAs (Controller Panel Assemblies) in its vestibule, completing & closing out vestibule installations and removing the hatch launch restraint pip pin. Ingress is expected at about 12:00 AM GMT 02/03.

FE-4 Dmitri Kondratyev began today's extensive R&R (Removal & Replacement) of the Vozdukh BOA CO2 (carbon dioxide) removal assembly in the SM (Service Module) by shutting down the unit, supported by ground specialist tagup.

Dimitri & FE-1 Alexander Kaleri then worked for several hours to complete Part 1 of the IFM (In Flight Maintenance), consisting essentially of the deinstallation and removal of the old BOA unit. [To accomplish the task, Alex & Dmitri had to demate Vozdukh power cables, turn off the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system & VD-SU control mode (which also required shutting down the Elektron O2 (oxygen) generator, without purge), demating Vozdukh BOA telemetry connections, then reactivation VD-SU mode & BITS2-12, turning the Elektron back on in 32A mode (while monitoring the external temperature of its BD secondary purification unit for the first 10 minutes of operation to ensure that there was no overheating), removing plug-in assemblies & units from the BOA, demating airway ducts, and disconnecting/removing the BOA unit itself. The activities were monitored by ground specialists via VHF tagup. Part 2, installation of the spare BOA with plug-in assemblies & units plus BOA leak check is scheduled tomorrow. Part 3, mating electrical connections, installing acoustic protection, evacuating, and activation for functionality checkout will then close out the labor on 03/03. Dmitri is in charge of the work, but many of the tasks are done by ground control from TsUP-Moscow.

24S Flyabout Update:
The Shuttle-docked time continues to be extended by one day in order to accelerate PMM outfitting tasks originally planned for Increment 26, but the use of Soyuz TMA-01M/24S for the Flyabout on 05/03 (to photograph ISS from new aspects) has been disapproved by Moscow because it is not considered advisable to perform unplanned and untrained maneuvers with this new Soyuz spacecraft type on its very first flight.

Middeck Transfers:
Middeck supply transfers are 84% complete and return transfers are 38% complete. Overall transfer completion: 61%.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 02/03/2011.

FE-4 Dimitri Kondratyev & FE-1 Alexander Kaleri worked the major portion of the day on Part 2 of the extensive R&R (Removal & Replacement) of the Vozdukh CO2 (carbon dioxide) removal assembly in the SM (Service Module). After yesterday's deinstallation & removal of the old Vozdukh BOA valve panel, the IFM (Inflight Maintenance) today was focused on installing the spare BOA with plug-in assemblies & units plus BOA leak checking, supported by ground specialist tagup. Oleg replaced P-16 filter cartridges. [Part 3, mating electrical connections, installing acoustic protection, evacuating, and activation for functionality checkout will then close out the labor tomorrow. Vozdukh reactivation is expected tomorrow at about 3:00 PM GMT. Dmitri is in charge of the work, but many of the tasks are done by ground control from TsUP-Moscow.]

The CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) in the US Lab meanwhile continues to operate, but on secondary heaters only. Partial pressure (pp) CO2 remains within flight rule limits. Tomorrow (03/03), the crew will make the CDRA in Node 3 (Air Revitalisation System/ARS rack) operational by installing the new CDRA bed that arrived on STS-133/ULF-5 and replacing ASV (Air Selector Valve) 103 that has caused CDRA to fail. [The two ASVs regulate air flow into the regenerable desiccant/sorbent beds.]

FE-6 Cady Coleman, PLT Eric Boe & CDR Steve Lindsey spent several hours on outfitting the newly arrived PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module). Leonardo, now permanently berthed at the Node 1 Nadir port, was ingressed first by CDRs Scott Kelly & Steve Lindsey last evening at ~11:30 PM GMT. [Today's activities focused on preparing the PMM aisleway by relocating cargo such as the new treadmill, CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) heat exchanger, Robonaut with its accessories, diverse fences & straps to the PMM endcone (opposite the hatch end), and relocating a ZSR (Zero-G Stowage Rack) from the Lab (location Port 1) to the PMM (at P1) along with CTBs (Cargo Transfer Bags) stowed behind the ZSR. ZSR installation required installation of pivot fittings & standoff brackets at PMM P1. Foam, packing material and other trash is being moved to the HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle-2) for disposal.]

Later, Cady began gathering equipment and making preparations for tomorrow's major CDRA maintenance, during which she and Scott will install a new CDRA bed in Node 3 in the ARS (Atmosphere Revitalization System) rack in the front location (Bed 202), along with a new air selector valve.

Middeck Transfers:
Middeck supply transfers are 92% complete and return transfers are 60% complete. Overall transfer completion: 76%.

Stack Reboost:
Tomorrow afternoon at 2:03 PM GMT, a one-burn stack reboost by the Shuttle VRCS (Vernier Reaction Control System) thrusters will be conducted for a duration of 26 minutes and a delta-V of 1.1 m/s (3.3 ft/s).

 

[Suzy]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 01/03/2011.

24S Flyabout Update:
The Shuttle-docked time continues to be extended by one day in order to accelerate PMM outfitting tasks originally planned for Increment 26, but the use of Soyuz TMA-01M/24S for the Flyabout on 05/03 (to photograph ISS from new aspects) has been disapproved by Moscow because it is not considered advisable to perform unplanned and untrained maneuvers with this new Soyuz spacecraft type on its very first flight.

That's disappointing - it would have made for a spectacular photo! Any chance they might change their decision?

 

[DaveS]

That's disappointing - it would have made for a spectacular photo! Any chance they might change their decision?

Not for this mission.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Time to Fly: SAGE III - ISS Prepped for Space Station.

After nine years in a clean room, an instrument that studies the Earth's atmosphere and protective ozone layer has been returned to service.

NASA's Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III-ISS (SAGE III-ISS) will measure ozone, water vapor and aerosols in the atmosphere when it is attached to the International Space Station (ISS) three years from now.

The instrument is scheduled for launch in 2014 on a SpaceX rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"It will ride in the unpressurized trunk of the rocket, and NASA will use robots to dock the instrument on the ISS - kind of like Transformers," said Michael Cisewski, SAGE III-ISS project manager at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. "We're mounting to a piece of the ISS that is going up in the next shuttle launch."

Patience Pays

SAGE III-ISS is a nearly exact replica of SAGE III Meteor-3M, sent into orbit in 2001 on a Russian satellite. SAGE III Meteor-3M went out of service five years ago when the satellite's power supply stopped working.

The new instrument was built in anticipation of being attached to the space station in 2005. A change in ISS design, however, put those plans on hold.

The instrument was stored in a Class 100 clean room in a sealed shipping container under a continuous gaseous nitrogen purge. The purge kept clean dry "air" inside the instrument.

"Now, everything is falling into place," said Cisewski.

SAGE III-ISS underwent initial testing at Langley the week of February 14, 2011, in a clean room set up in a bay with an afternoon view of the sun.

Sunspotting

The instrument was commanded to point to and lock onto the sun as if it were engaging a sunrise event over the horizon. Once locked on, the instrument's scan mirror scanned the full disk of the sun every two seconds. It also was tested at night using the moon as a radiant source.

"It's a matter of testing SAGE III in all its operational modes, solar and lunar, then making some minor modifications," said Patrick McCormick, SAGE principal investigator partnering with NASA through the Center for Atmospheric Sciences at Hampton University in Hampton, Va.

"The nice thing about SAGE III-ISS," McCormick said, "is that being a replica of a proven instrument, the risk for its refurbishment is exceedingly low. SAGE III is a solid, stable instrument."

A Pathfinder

Unique aspects of SAGE III-ISS include:

• It will be among the early NASA payloads sent into space on a commercial launch vehicle, the SpaceX F9/Dragon. Started in 2002 by Elon Musk, founder of PayPal and Zip2 Corp., SpaceX has developed two launch vehicles, established a launch manifest and is funded by NASA to demonstrate delivery and return of cargo to the space station.
• SAGE III-ISS will be the first instrument to measure the composition of the middle and lower atmosphere from the space station. "ISS is in the perfect orbit to do these sorts of measurements," said Joseph Zawodny, SAGE III-ISS project scientist.
• SAGE is one of NASA's longest running Earth-observing programs. That's significant because long-term collection of this data is necessary to understand climate change.

Previous SAGE instruments include SAGE, launched in 1979, followed by SAGE II in 1984. SAGE II gathered data for more than 20 years, and the information it collected was part of the effort that led to a global ban on chlorofluorocarbons in 1987.

Chlorofluorocarbons were used in air-conditioning units and aerosol spray propellants that contributed to the Earth's shrinking layer of protective ozone, which has begun to recover after the chlorofluorocarbon ban.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. built the SAGE III-ISS instrument in Boulder, Colo. The European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space, headquartered in France, are providing a hexapod to keep the instrument pointing in the right direction as the ISS maneuvers in space.


Pete's note: Images of the SAGE III-ISS testing are here.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 03/03/2011.

CDR Scott Kelly & FE-6 Cady Coleman had several hours on their schedule for the CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) repair in Node 3, installing a new CDRA Bed 202 in the front location of the Node 3 ARS-2 (Atmosphere Revitalization System-2) rack and removing & replacing the ASV (Air Selector Valve) 103 that has caused CDRA's failure. [For the IFM (Inflight Maintenance), the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) Kabin enclosure needed to be relocated temporarily (which made the WHC unusable for a while). After the ground had remotely safed appropriate CDRA components, ARS-2 was partially rotated down for taking out and replacing the degraded ASV with a new spare, followed by the installation of the spare CDRA Bed in the front (202) location in the ARS-2 rack at Node 3 Aft 4. With the rack completely rotated down, all utility connections were remated (electrical/data, LTL (Low Temperature Loop) cooling, air, vacuum), then the rear closeout panel closed and the rack rotated back up. Finally, the toilet Kabin had to be re-installed.]

In the SM (Service Module), FE-4 Dmitri Kondratyev worked for several hours on Part 3 of the extensive repair of the Vozdukh CO2 (carbon dioxide) removal assembly. FE-2 Oleg Skripochka deactivated and removed the P-16 CO2 absorption/filter cartridges, now no longer required. [After yesterday's installation of the new BOA valve block/panel with plug-in assemblies & units and the subsequent leak checking, Dmitri today mated electrical connections, installed acoustic protection, evacuated the BVK-1, BVK-2, BVK-3 vacuum valves & AVK-1, AVK-2, AVK-3, AVK-SOA emergency vacuum valves, then activated the BOA for a functionality checkout. Dmitri was supported by ground control & tagup from TsUP-Moscow.]

At ~10:03 PM GMT, the ISS crew received a VIP call from President Obama at the White House. Main subject of the exchange was expected to be the new role of the ISS as National Laboratory and its importance for science & technology research. [Points to be covered may include the facts that currently more than 150 experiments are going on aboard space station, that control centers around the world in US, Europe, Japan, Canada and Russia are coordinating the research of hundreds of scientists around the globe, that the National Laboratory will dramatically cut the amount of time it takes to get research on the space station, and then to fly it again – getting to just six months, thus promoting the same iterative process that researchers use on Earth to test and retest their theories. Also, the next Shuttle mission brings up the AMS-02 (Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02) which could help unlock some mysteries of the universe, and students are getting opportunities to participate in research through projects like EarthKAM – in the new WORF (Window Observational Research Facility) – and Kids in Micro (30 million students have already participated in ISS-linked educational activities), etc. etc.]

Mated Reboost Update:
This morning's reboost of the stack by the Shuttle VRCS (Vernier Reaction Control System) thrusters in Config 3 mode was on time and successful. Mean orbital altitude of the ISS was lifted by 1.7 km (0.92 nmi.). The burn had a duration of 26 minutes and produced a delta-V of 1.0 m/s (3.3 ft/s), exactly as predicted, boosting mean orbital altitude to 352.8 km, with 361.1 km apogee & 344.4 km perigee height of the slightly elliptical orbit. Purpose of the reboost was to begin setting up phasing for STS-134/ULF-6 launch and Soyuz TMA-21/26S launch.

Mission Extension:
Upon recommendation of the ISS Program Office the MMT (Mission Management Team) has made the decision to extend docked operation for an extra day (i.e., in addition to the earlier added day).

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

JAXA have developed a proposal to deploy cubesats from the JEM Airlock! There are many cool proposals involving the JEM Airlock now, including deployable remote free-flying cameras, deployable small re-entry capsules, and now cubesats! :thumbup:

Mainichi Daily News: "JAXA to seek help from domestic universities on use of small satellites from ISS".

Here's the JAXA proposal (in Japanese) [PDF, 459KB].

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 04/03/2011.

For Scott Kelly, Cady Coleman, Paolo Nespoli, Steve Lindsey, Eric Boe, Al Drew, Steve Bowen, Mike Barratt & Nicole Stott, it was PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module) Reconfiguration Day 2, with a very busy schedule of back-to-back activities lasting most of the day. [Activities included Lab cleanout, relocating a rack bay's worth of cargo from the Lab to PMM endcone, i.e., opposite from hatch end (Kelly, Coleman & Lindsey), ZSR (Zero-G Stowage Rack) transfer & installations (Cady, assisted by Bowen), Aft 1 Rack hardware installation for rack rotation (Boe, Coleman & Nespoli), Aft 4 rack activities (Bowen), Lab Port 4 ZSR transfer with cargo (Al & Mike), MELFI (Minus Eighty Lab Freezer for ISS) stowage shuffle and PMM Forward 3 stowage reconfiguring (Nicole), etc. Trash such as packing foam was to be stowed in the HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle-2) for disposal; other hardware such as FSE (Flight Support Equipment) brackets are to be returned on Discovery.]

Working with MS-4 Nicole Stott, CDR Scott Kelly swapped the GLACIER (General Laboratory Active Cryogenic ISS Experiment Refrigerator) units on ISS and Shuttle. [After powering down GLACIER #003 on the ER-2 (ExPrESS Rack-2), Scott replaced it with GLACIER #004 which Nicole deinstalled on the Aft Middeck. Refrigerator #003 was then installed on the Aft Middeck, #004 in ER-2, with power interrupts limited to 30 minutes for the Shuttle-to-ISS transfer and 120 minutes for the ISS-to-Shuttle GLACIER.]

After reviewing sample transfer instructions, Scott & Nicole transferred return samples from the ISS MELFI to the Shuttle and stored them in the Forward Middeck GLACIER.

FE-4 Dimitri Kondratyev ran some tests on the Elektron O2 (oxygen) generator, which remains off, to provide additional data to ground specialists who are determining whether to develop new troubleshooting activities or undertake an R&R (Removal & Replacement) of the unit prior to 09/03. [Last night, Elektron experienced an uncommanded shutdown just after begin of crew sleep. Russian specialists are looking at the data to develop a forward plan. This Elektron unit was already operating on the back-up pump. The primary pump had failed many months ago. There is one remaining spare BZh Liquid Unit (#056) onboard, but its functionality is questionable since it has parts that were scavenged from previously failed Elektron Liquid Units.]

After the completion yesterday of a four day Vozdukh R&R, the CO2 (carbon dioxide) removal system was successfully activated and has continued to operate nominally. For the first time on ISS, Vozdukh will be utilizing all three beds instead of being limited to only two. Dimitri today switched the machine to manual control mode.

At ~3:38 PM GMT, the combined ISS/Shuttle crew got together for a symbolic PMM Banner Signing with picture/video-taking, as an expression of gratitude to the Italian and US teams who built the three MPLM (Multi Purpose Logistics Module) modules, supported the past 10 MPLM missions, and converted Leonardo to the PMM configuration now on ISS. The PMM Banner will be sent to Italy for exhibition.

At ~4:33 PM GMT, the 12 station occupants joined for the customary crew photo.

Transfer Status:
97% resupply complete, 73% return complete, 85% overall.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA Develops Light Microscope For International Space Station

NASA began testing a new multi-capability microscope this week on the International Space Station. It will help scientists study the effects of the space environment on physics and biology aboard the orbiting laboratory. The microscope is isolated from vibrations on the station, allowing it to obtain clear, high-resolution images. Using high-resolution magnification, scientists can examine microorganisms and individual cells of plants and animals, including humans.

The microscope will allow real-time study of the effects of the space environment without the need to return samples to Earth. Any living specimens returned to Earth must endure the effects of re-entry through the atmosphere. The ability to use the Light Microscopy Module (LMM) on station will enable scientists to study data unaffected by re-entry.

"We really need to maximize life science investigations conducted on the International Space Station," said Jacob Cohen, principal investigator of the technology demonstration and a researcher at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. "It's really amazing to be able to remotely manage, optimize and troubleshoot experiments observed with a microscope in space without the need to return the samples back to Earth. This microscope is helping fulfill the vision of a true laboratory in space."

The biological samples for the LMM launched on space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission on Feb. 24. They include eight fixed slides containing yeast; bacteria; a leaf; a fly; a butterfly wing; tissue sections and blood; six containers of live C. elegans worms, an organism biologists commonly study; a typed letter "r" and a piece of fluorescent plastic. The wing is from a previous study, Butterflies in Space, involving students from around the country, and flown on STS-129 in 2009. Some of the worms are descendants of those that survived the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107) accident; and others are modified to fluoresce. Scientists commonly attach green, yellow and red florescent proteins to study gene expression.

"Operating the LMM on the space station has been a goal of NASA's Life and Physical Sciences Program for many years," said Ron Sicker, LMM project manager at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. "Scientists and engineers at Glenn modified the commercial microscope in the LMM with 23 micro motors and cameras to allow remote control operations."

Cohen and Sicker expect the LMM to perform the same as a microscope on Earth. In the future, the microscope could be used to assist in maintenance of station crew health, advance our knowledge of the effects of space on biology and contribute to the development of applications for space exploration and on Earth. This technology demonstration was developed by Ames and Glenn, which developed and manages the LMM. The Advanced Capabilities Division in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, funds the project.

"This is a facility to support research in both physical and life sciences by NASA-funded and National Laboratory users," said Julie Robinson, International Space Station Program scientist at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "It gives us a capability not available before that allows more types of research to be done."

For more information about the Light Microscopy Module, visit:
http://issresearchproject.grc.nasa.gov/Investigations/LMM

To see samples of the slides, visit:
www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/news/pressrel/2011/11-012_addm.html

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:
www.nasa.gov/station

For more information about NASA's Ames Research Center, visit:
www.nasa.gov/ames

For more information about NASA's Glenn Research Center, visit:
www.nasa.gov/glenn

------------------------------------------------------------​

More info on the LMM is given in NASA's "A Lab Aloft" blog.

From Macro to Nano – A New Microscope on the International Space Station.

 

[SiberianTiger]

I've seen on the news that something is happening to life support systems on the ISS. What's that, actually?

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

I've seen on the news that something is happening to life support systems on the ISS. What's that, actually?

Both the Russian and American carbon dioxide removal systems are down for repairs. I think there's also problems in the oxygen generation systems (in both the USOS and the Russian segment) that requires crew work as well.
Link 1
Link 2

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 05/03/2011.

CDR Scott Kelly spent most of his day working with the ground on OGS (Oxygen Generation System) maintenance in Node 3, flushing the system after cooldown, installing a filter system to scrub the OGS Recirculation Loop water, drawing two samples, one for future conductivity (pH value) measurements by the crew, the other for return to the ground, then removing the temporary filters, installing an adapter to gather pressure data, and closing up after leak checks. [The activity was intended to provide pre- and post-filtration samples and pressure data for developing a long-term remediation configuration to remedy the low pH issue of the recirculation loop which limits the OGS running time. Because the delta-pressure sensor in the water pump assembly is failed, pump current is being adjusted from the ground to keep maximum delta-pressure below maximum value.]

FE-6 Cady Coleman changed the N2 (nitrogen) supply setup for supporting the OGS activities, then also reconfigured the O2 (oxygen) transfer valving to provide Shuttle O2 to the ISS high-pressure tanks only.

Afterwards, Cady joined Shuttle crewmembers Steve Lindsey, Eric Boe, Nicole Stott & Al Drew in major reconfiguration/outfitting activities in the new PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module) attached at Node 1 Nadir. [Focus for today was on dismantling four RSPs (Resupply Stowage Platforms (removal of fences/struts), unbolting two ISPs from the PMM, installing a ZSR (Zero-G Stowage Rack) from the PMM in COL1F2 (Columbus Orbiting Laboratory Forward 2), plus cargo moves to reduce the overall clutter on ISS. General stowage moves for the crew include PMM endcone cleanout, ULF-5 unpacking, HTV-2 cargo unloading (4 parts), EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) & PDGF (Power & Data Grapple Fixture) relocation, NOD2D2 (Node 2 Deck 2) partial cleanup, JPM1A5 (JEM Pressurized Module Aft 5) rack front cleanup, RFTA (Recycle Filter Tank Assembly) consolidation & relocation.]

FE-5 Paolo Nespoli performed maintenance on the Lab CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) to identify & isolate the electrical short from the primary heaters to the chassis that caused the prime heater string malfunction on 28/02. [Paolo took resistance measurements on the Bed 202 housing connection after cutting and insulating the power wires to the failed prime heater. The CDRA continues to work nominally on the secondary heater string. The second CDRA, in Node 3, is performing nominally after the replacement of its 202 Bed by Scott & Cady on 03/03.]

Later, Paolo undertook the transfer of joint mission books from the Shuttle over to ISS. [The new Warning books, contained in a Ziploc bag and CTB (Crew Transfer Bag), include the SODF (Station Operations Data Files) procedures for the docked mission and emergency situations. Paolo gathered and trashed 3 old ULF-4 books (from Lab, SM & FGB), then deployed 3 new ULF-5 books in their places.]

Afterwards, Cady relocated the VSW (Video Streaming Workstation) from Node 2 to the Lab to support the upcoming HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle-2) relocation robotics, and stowed excess equipment.

At ~3:08 PM GMT, Cady downlinked a PAO TV message of congratulation to POC (Payload Operations Center) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, on its 10th Anniversary. ["Greetings to all of you at the Marshall Space Flight Center. I'm Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Cady Coleman aboard the International Space Station. My crewmates and I wanted to take a moment from our work up here to wish all of our friends and colleagues at the Payload Operations Center congratulations on the achievement of the 10th anniversary of your magnificent facility. Since March of 2001, you have provided 24/7 support to us here on the station. And we've come to rely on you – from training us before our mission - to planning our science activities and ensuring they are carried out every day. Your work is invaluable to us. The ISS is a world class scientific laboratory like none other. The science is world-class and so are you. Our sincerest thanks to you for a job well done and we look forward to the next 10 years. Congratulations again and have a great anniversary."]

Vozdukh Update:
The Russian Vozdukh CO2 scrubber failed again overnight due to overheating of the pump. The crew removed some noise-reducing padding and Vozdukh is now back up and running. [This pump was not replaced as part of the Vozdukh BOA R&R this week. CO2 remained at ~3 mmHg everywhere while Vozdukh was down. Vozdukh is running in a lower mode (manual mode 4) to manage the heat load. If Vozdukh fails again today, the preferred mitigation option would be to accelerate the pre-sleep Shuttle LiOH change-out by a few hours.]

Transfer Status:
Middeck transfer ahead of schedule with 89% complete: Resupply 97%, return 81%; ~108 lbs O2 transferred tank to tank; 26 lbs N2 transferred tank to tank.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 06/03/2011.

CDRs Scott Kelly & Steve Lindsey ended the N2 (nitrogen) transfer from the Shuttle to the ISS HPGTs (High-Pressure Gas Tanks) and tore down the transfer equipment. [A total of ~26 lbs N2 was transferred.]

FE-5 Paolo Nesploi & Steve L. also dismantled & removed the O2 (oxygen) supply line that was used to pipe O2 from the Shuttle to the ISS tanks. [An estimated total of ~117 lbs O2 was transferred until this morning, plus 51 lbs of ISS metabolic support (given that Elektron remains off.]

Scott finished up with yesterday's maintenance work on the OGS (Oxygen Generation System) in Node 3, removing the temporary filters, prepping them for stowage and closing up the Aft 5 bay by rotating the rack to re-install the side access panel. [The activity was intended to provide pre- and post-filtration samples and pressure data for developing a long-term remediation configuration to remedy the low pH issue of the recirculation loop which limits the OGS running time. Because the delta-pressure sensor in the water pump assembly is failed, pump current is being adjusted from the ground to keep maximum delta-pressure below maximum value. ]

After reviewing refresher notes on DCB (Double Cold Bag) handling, Scott & FE-6 Cady Coleman had 2.5 hours reserved for the critical packing of science specimens for return on STS-133/ULF-5. [Scott & Cady prepared five DCBs with Ice Bricks and samples removed from MELFI-3 (Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS-3) and MELFI-1, then stored them on the Shuttle middeck. Time critical due to a 124 hour hold constraint.]

Later, at ~8:33 PM GMT, the ISS and Discovery crews congregated for the traditional Farewell ceremony, on live NASA TV. Shuttle/ISS airduct disassembly and hatch closing then followed at ~8:48 PM GMT. Undocking of Discovery from PMA-2 is scheduled tomorrow at 12:03 PM GMT, after a total docked time of 10 days 16 hours 49 minutes. Landing is expected on 09/03 (Wednesday), at ~4:58 PM GMT.

Utilities Update:

• Lab CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) running nominally on heater string 1 this morning; transition to heater string 2 later today for a 24 hour checkout.
• Node 3 CDRA went down due to a recurrence of a spontaneous controller reboot; but was recovered an hour later.
• OGA (Oxygen Generator Assembly) remediation procedure completed. [OGA set points were adjusted due to high pump cautions and delta-pressure concern. Flow test results indicate sufficient flow to perform remediation but insufficient flow to leave the hardware installed permanently].
• Vozdukh CO2 (carbon dioxide) scrubber system is up and running nominally since insulation removal.
• Elektron O2 generator is currently deactivated; experts are analyzing the data. [If the problem is the software then a software patch, currently in development, will be uplinked.]
• Russian ASU toilet is operating in automated mode, at present without issues.

Conjunction Preview:
NASA has received preliminary data on a possible conjunction with Object #14694 (Westar 6 Rocket Body/Pam-D) on 09/03 (Wednesday). TCA (Time of Closest Approach): 11:59 AM GMT. This will be reassessed for ISS after undocking perturbations have been tracked out. Not expected to affect Shuttle, based upon planned post-undock state vector. If DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) required, the ATV-2 (Automated Transfer Vehicle-2) is prime candidate for the propulsive evasion.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 08/03/2011.

FE-5 Paolo Nespoli joined with FE-6 Cady Coleman in a 1 hour task of removing stowed cargo in Node 2 from bay Deck 2 to the Forward area to provide access to clear the hatch preparatory to the HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle-2) relocation to the Nadir port on 10/03. [This is part 1 of the temporary cargo shuffling. Part 2 will move the cargo to a long-term stowage area which is TBD.]

MT Translation:
From 1:45 PM to 3:45 PM GMT, the MT (Mobile Transporter) was moved by ground control on its rails from WS-3 (Worksite-3) to WS-5 in preparation for HTV-2 relocation from Node 2 Zenith to Nadir scheduled for 10/03 (Thursday). Russian thrusters were disabled during this time, and no unisolated exercise was allowed (e.g., VELO).

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Payload Operations Center Marks 10th Anniversary as Space Station Science Command Post.

The Payload Operations Center at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., is celebrating a decade of round-the-clock support to the International Space Station.

On March 8, 2001, the Payload Operations Center went online as the science command post for the space station. It links Earth-bound researchers with their experiments -- or payloads -- in orbit. The job of coordinating space station research is critical because the team is managing all U.S. science assets and calculating the time and space required to accommodate experiments and programs, including those of International Partners.

For 10 years, the Payload Operations Center team at the Marshall Center has supported more than 6,000 hours of science experiments conducted by 41 space station crew members, and coordinated more than 1,100 experiments aboard the orbiting outpost.

"It's our mission to ensure each crew member has the knowledge and the resources they need on-orbit to achieve the highest possible science results," said Lybrease Woodard, manager of Marshall's Payload Directors’ Office. "The crews and scientists have been remarkable to work with. This milestone is a tribute to everyone who has supported payload operations, whether as part of the flight control cadre, ground operations or planners -- it's a big team effort."

When the Payload Operations Center opened for business at Marshall, many processes were still being developed. Yet the team's prior experiences supporting Spacelab -- science missions carried out in the space shuttle's payload bay in the 1990s -- helped them transition more quickly into support of the space station.

"Our experiences with Spacelab really led to our success," recounted Pat Patterson, a Payloads Operations manager who in 2001 was director of the first shift of flight controllers at Marshall. "Spacelab was our roadmap, but with a continuous laboratory we have gone so much further. We know that those people orbiting 220 miles above Earth count on us, and so do the researchers here on Earth."

By serving as virtually an extra space station crew member, the team of ground-based flight controllers helps increase experiment efficiency which saves precious crew time for operations that require a human touch. The Payload Operations Center can send commands to the space station as fast as eight per second. Since 2001, more than 870,000 commands have been sent to payloads.

With the help of the payload operations team, orbiting crew members and the scientists on the ground accomplish their science goals, and have produced and published more than 300 results papers from science experiments aboard the station.

"That's what our work is all about, doing everything we can to ensure scientists get the results with a well-operated laboratory," said Julie Robinson, International Space Station Program scientist at Johnson Space Center in Houston. "In previous Spacelab days, it was all for just two weeks of opportunity. Now the operations center supports hundreds of experiments around the clock. They are masters of coordinating research operations in space at a level never done before."

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 11/03/2011.

In ATV-2 (Automated Transfer Vehicle-2) "Johannes Kepler", Paolo set up the spacecraft's GCP (Gas Control Panel) for a 10 mmHg O2 (oxygen) delivery and then conducted the first pressurization of the ISS cabin atmosphere from the ATV GDS's (Gas Delivery System's) gas line #1.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 14/03/2011.

CDR Scott Kelly & FE-4 Dimitri Kondratyev joined in a CDR-to-CDR handover activity, in which Scott reviewed with Dima, the new CDR, some lessons learned, best practices and other handover items as needed.

The traditional "Change of Command" ceremony follows later today: it is scheduled at ~8:45 PM to 9:05 PM GMT with all crewmembers, officially marking the transfer of the baton from Increment 26 to Increment 27.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Robonaut 2 was unboxed today! But, it wasn't without excitement!

Cady Coleman and Paolo Nespoli were unscrewed the front cover from R2's SLEEPR, removed it, and then removed the foam. But Robonaut was not inside! Cady and Paolo looked confused. Paolo took the camera and started looking for R2. Eventually, he found him in the JPM! They had obviously unboxed R2 earlier, and has re-assembled its box in order to fool the ground. An excellent practical joke! :rofl:

R2 is back in the lab now.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here he is!

I love Scott's pose!

Hi-res versions can be found here (pages 75 & 76).


From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 16/03/2011.

[R2] now awaits the next SSC (Station Support Computer) software load (~May 2011) before he/she/it? can be deployed and activated.