Updates ISS UPDATES

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 17/08/2011.

FE-3 Ron Garan successfully reinstalled the MCA DCA (Major Constituents Analyzer | Data & Control Assembly, ORU-1) in Node 3 and later supported its ground-commanded activation. It is currently in its standard 72 hour hold to allow MCA to stabilize before a full calibration is performed. [In May, this ORU-1 was installed into the LAB MCA. The Node 3 MCA ORU-2 is nearing its end of life and will be operated in LEM (Life Extending Mode). It will be used on an "as needed" basis for operations that change the ISS atmosphere such as O2 represses. Note: the LAB MCA is non-operational due to a failure of its ORUs assembly.]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

My latest NASASpaceflight article: ISS Managers Conduct Expedition 29 FRR, Prepare Station for Post-Shuttle Ops.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 18/08/2011.

After setting up the Node 3 camcorder to capture video of UMS (Urine Monitoring System) installation & operations in the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment), FE-6 Mike Fossum set up the UMS for testing with the SSC-19 (Station Support Computer-19) laptop but had to abort the activity after several WHC CB (Circuit Breaker) trips. [After the UMS was unpowered, the WHC could not be recovered. UMS was put in a safe configuration, and ground engineers are looking at a possible electrical fault in the system.]

Node 3 MCA Update:
MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer), powered up and in a 72-hr hold for stabilization since yesterday, is showing sample pump 2 to be the active pump in the Sample Pump ORU-5 (Orbit Replacement Unit-5). This could indicate that sample pump 1 has failed. Engineers are reviewing the data, but even if the pump is failed, it has lasted much longer than expected. Nominal maintenance plan is to replace ORU-5 after both pumps fail with a spare ORU-5 currently on board. MCA will remain in LEM (Life Extending Mode) until needed.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 19/08/2011.

After last evening's test of the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) RGPS (Relative Global Positioning System), CDR Andrey Borisenko today started a three-day test series of the Russian ASN-M Satellite Navigation System, first equipping the RSK2 A31p laptop with a hard disk carrying the test application, then making cable connections between the laptop and the three active ASN navigation electronics modules NPM-1, NPM-3 & NPM-4 and activating the test program. [Between now and 08/22, the CDR is monitoring communications with NPM status every 2 hrs during work hours. The objective of the test is to confirm that array configurations for ATV docking in positive Solar Beta angles do not create unacceptable multipathing for the RGPS (ASN) antennas. Both TRRJs (Thermal Radiator Rotary Joints) and both SARJs (Solar Alpha Rotary Joints) plus the 1B, 2B, 3A & 4A BGAs (Beta Gimbal Assemblies) were placed in Directed position for this test (i.e., not autotrack). The test will include 4 different array configurations, with periods of autotrack in between for power generation recovery. The test is planned to be complete late Sunday evening. A second ATV RGPS test at negative Betas is planned for 09/01 through 09/04.]

In the JAXA JPM (JEM Pressurized Module), FE-3 Ron Garan reconfigured the MSPR (Multipurpose Small Payload Rack), with the G1 camcorder and MPC (Multi Protocol Converter) activated to downlink live video. [To work on the MSPR rear side, Ron had to tilt the rack down, then connected DDCU (DC/DC Converter Unit) cabling and installed the MSPR MPC. The rack was then tilted up again and G1 & MPC powered off. MSPR provides power and a variety of data interfaces (USB, Ethernet, IEEE1394 and video) to the experiment equipment that will be installed in the Work Volume, Small Experiment Area and Work Bench. The MSPR DDCU distributes power to subcomponents. The crew operates its switches on the front panel to supply/shut down the power.]

FE-6 Mike Fossum successfully completed maintenance on the LAB D1 (Deck 1) rack MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) Return QD (Quick Disconnect). [This QD leaked a few years ago. It is part of a short TCS (Thermal Control System) extension jumper that was installed to allow rack rotation. Fossum isolated the leaky QD from the MTL system pressure by disconnecting the supply line from the rack and the return line from the extension jumper. Mike also demated the leaky QD from the rack, then regained cooling to the LAB D1 rack by connecting the return (without extension) and supply lines. With the extension jumper removed, he used the IVA (Intravehicular Activity) QD Maintenance Kit to return the leaky QD back to its original working order and reinstalled the jumper and returned the Lab D1 rack to its original configuration.]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From Robonaut 2 (@AstroRobonaut) via Twitter:

"Everything is still a go for my power soak tomorrow. I'll be posting updates as things progress. The action starts around 5:30am central [10:30 AM GMT]."

 

[orb]

SPACE.com: It's Alive! Humanoid Robot Powers Up on Space Station

 

[N_Molson]

At least they unpacked the poor silicon guy ! :lol:

 

[orb]

RIA Novosti: Robonaut successfully passes first test on ISS:

The first human-like robot and permanent resident of the International Space Station, Robonaut 2 or R2, has successfully passed its first test, the official Robonaut`s microblog reported on Tuesday.

{...}

NASA astronaut Mike Fossum switched on Robonaut, which got its first commands from Earth, and was able to open its eyes - cameras. The first view through the robot's eyes was a complicated panel of cables, dials and instruments. Robonaut will make its first movement on September 1.

"Sure wish I could move my head and look around," Robonaut 2 posted in his Twitter. The robot will not actually move until the beginning of September, as its creators continue running tests.

{...}

Aviation Week: Station Astronauts Power Up Robonaut 2

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Robonaut Wakes Up In Space

After months of patiently snoring away in its storage bag, Robonaut 2 – the first dexterous humanoid robot in space – finally got its wakeup call on Monday.

R2, as the robot is called, was delivered to the International Space Station on STS-133 – the last flight of space shuttle Discovery – in February, but due to the astronaut’s busy schedule of shuttle missions and science experiments, the station crew hadn’t been able to do more than unpack it. Until now.

On Monday, Mission Specialists Mike Fossum and Satoshi Furukawa hooked R2 up inside the Destiny laboratory, and teams on the ground sent power to the robot for the first time in space.

“Those electrons feel GOOD!” R2 tweeted from its Twitter account at www.twitter.com/astrorobonaut. R2, with help from its team on the ground, has been tweeting even in its sleep for more than a year.

The power was left flowing to the robot more than two hours while Fossum and Furukawa went on with their other activities. This gave engineers on the ground a chance to verify that all the wiring and connections inside the robot made it to space intact, and to see how they would work in the station’s microgravity – the way heat builds up and dissipates at the station is hard to replicate on the ground. In other words, R2 needed a checkup before getting the go ahead for exercise (or any movement at all).

The diagnosis was positive.

“Everything came alive,” said Nic Radford, Robonaut deputy project manager. “We started getting video out of Robonaut’s eyes. Everything worked exactly as we expected it to. It was a very, very exciting time.”

That clears the way for engineers to begin leading R2 through its first movements on orbit. The station crew is scheduled to set it up again on Sept. 1, so that commands to move its arms and hands can be sent from the ground. If all continues to go well, R2 could begin helping out with simple station tasks in 2012.

Meanwhile, here on the ground, one of R2’s twins is on its way to the Arizona desert to participate in the 2011 Desert RATS – or Research and Technology Studies – field test, simulating a mission to an asteroid. For these tests, R2 will try out a four-wheeled base in its Centaur 2 configuration. Visit www.nasa.gov/desertrats for more information.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

New Scientist: "Space entrepreneurs may hold fate of ISS".

Bigelow Aerospace of Las Vegas, Nevada, which has built an expandable Kevlar-based space station module, is currently working on two ISS-related deals. Bigelow director Mike Gold, a member of the Federal Aviation Administration's Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, says the firm is in "advanced discussions" with the commercial Japanese Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS) - which operates the Kibo module on the ISS for the Japanese Space Agency JAXA - to provide it with an orbiting habitat.

The module could be rented out as an ISS storage unit, making the station less dependent on frequent resupply flights, says Hiroshi Kikuchi of JAMSS. To show that the modules are capable of safe, crewed operation, Bigelow is also negotiating with NASA to attach one to a US-owned ISS module.

An inflatable module for the JEM = super cool. :thumbup:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 25/08/2011.

In the US Lab, FE-6 Mike Fossum had 2h 45m blocked out to perform IFM (In-Flight Maintenance) on the CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) Bed 202 in the ARS (Atmosphere Revitalization System) rack at Deck 6 whose temperature sensor A has shown signs of degradation. [Purpose of today's procedure was to bypass the degraded sensor by using four 22-gauge pin/socket jumpers to provide connectivity between CDRA Bed 202 Temp Sensors B and C while omitting Temp Sensor A. Bed 202 had to be removed for the jumper installation.]

Afterwards, Mike connected the CDRA ITCS LTL (Internal Thermal Control System | Low Temperature Loop) loop for cooling, to allow post-maintenance checkout. Telemetry then showed that both temperature sensors A & B were reporting invalid temperatures, indicating a problem with the jumper installation. [Ground teams are reviewing data to determine what further actions are needed.]

FE-3 Ron Garan & FE-5 Satoshi Furukawa each had ~90 min to make preparations for using the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter-2), now no longer needed for Shuttle arrivals, as a most welcome stowage compartment, pre-gathering cargo from behind racks. [Items were retrieved and restowed per uplinked lists at a staging location in Node 2 (about one-third of the cargo planned for PMA-2). The remaining items will be temp stowed elsewhere, and the crew will be allotted 4.5 hrs tomorrow for the actual PAM-2 stowage activity.]

 

[orb]

NASA:

Aug. 26, 2011​

MEDIA ADVISORY : M11-180
NASA Sets Space Station Status Update Briefing For Monday

HOUSTON -- NASA Television will broadcast an International Space Station status update briefing at 9 a.m. CDT [14:00 UTC] on Monday, Aug. 29.
Michael Suffredini, space station program manager, will provide the latest information on the status of the station following the Aug. 24 failure of the Russian Progress 44 resupply vehicle to reach orbit.

The Russian Federal Space Agency has established a commission to assess the root cause of the failure, to develop a plan of corrective action, and determine any implications for the launch of crews to the station on similar Soyuz rockets. Suffredini also will discuss the status of the commission’s investigation and preliminary plans by NASA and its international partners to resume crew and cargo launches.

{...}



RIA Novosti: Russia to test launch Soyuz rockets before delivering ISS crews:

Russia will carry out two unmanned test launches of Soyuz carrier rockets in the coming fall before using them to deliver crews to the International Space Station, a source in the Russian space industry said on Friday.

One of the Soyuz rockets will be used to deliver a new Progress M-13M space freighter to the ISS, the source said.

{...}

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 26/08/2011.

After opening the Node 2 forward hatch and allowing time for ventilation, FE-3 Ron Garan & FE-5 Satoshi Furukawa had ~4.5 hrs between them for stowing cargo in the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter-2), now no longer required for Shuttle dockings. The new stowage facility will alleviate part of the stowage situation on board. When finished, Garan closed the Node 2 forward hatch. [Guided by an uplinked stowage list, the crew transferred cargo items into PMA-2, secured them with bungees and velcroed desiccant packs to some of the items to prevent condensate formation in some offnominal cases. Enough clearance was to be maintained between stowage and hatch mechanisms to allow future access. The cargo arrangement was also documented with one photograph for each layer.]

Working ~2h 40m in the US Airlock, Ron Garan uploaded new charge parameters to the 4 BCMs (Battery Charge Modules) from an A31p SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop via a BCM-PCS (Portable Computer System) interface cable and a USB ThumbDrive. The new "smoothing" parameters improve the sensitivity of the BCMs to detect charge completion. Also updated were the printer code and execute tables for all BCMs. Updated BCM software will be installed at a later date. [In the past, there were overtemperature events when the BCMs did not terminate charging quickly enough. The new procedure, used first on 11/11/2010, allows for the update of the smoothing parameter on the BCMs.]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Video: Robonaut 2 Power Soak Setup (available in HD)!​

 

[orb]

NASA:

• Preflight Interview: Anton Shkaplerov
• Preflight Interview: Anatoly Ivanishin
• Preflight Interview: Dan Burbank

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 27/08/2011.

Elektron Update:
The Russian Elektron O2 generator was successfully activated last Wednesday (08/24) in 32 amp mode and is running nominally. [Elektron was scheduled to be down-moded after the departure of 3 crewmembers in Soyuz TMA-21/26S but that will probably change now].

PMA-2 Stowage Update:
By leaving the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter-2) pressurized after the final Shuttle undocking, 27 CTBEs (Cargo Transfer Bag Equivalents) of available stowage space was gained for USOS cargo. A total of 24 CTBEs worth of cargo were stored in the volume this week by Ron and Satoshi.

Progress 44P Replanning:
Ground teams at MCC-H and TsUP-Moscow are busy replanning on-orbit operations after the loss of the Progress M-12M/44P resupply ship on 08/24. Prime method for tracking consumables on board will be the new BCR/RFID (Bar Code Reader / Radio Frequency ID) scanner system (which is to be checked out first). With a slip of Soyuz TMA-21/26S departure next week very likely, work schedules are being redefined to make use of the additional US crewmember (Garan), the two Russian crew members (Borisenko, Samokutyayev) and activities planned originally for Increment 29. SM (Service Module) propellant tanks are topped off right now from Progress M-10M/42P. Prime reboost & DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) would be done with SM main engines, but DC-1 (Docking Compartment-1) could also be used. Having the SM Aft end open (no Progress docked) appears of no concern, except perhaps for a slight increase in MMOD (Micrometeorite Orbital Debris) risk.

 

[IronRain]

Spaceflight Now: Space station could be abandoned in November

Astronauts may need to temporarily withdraw from the International Space Station before the end of this year if Russia is unable to resume manned flights of its Soyuz rocket after a failed cargo launch last week, according to the NASA official in charge of the outpost.

Despite a delivery of important logistics by the final space shuttle mission in July, safety concerns with landing Soyuz capsules in the middle of winter could force the space station to fly unmanned beginning in November, according to Michael Suffredini, NASA's space station program manager.

"Logistically, we can support [operations] almost forever, but eventually if we don't see the Soyuz spacecraft, we'll probably going to unmanned ops before the end of the year," Suffredini said in an interview Thursday, one day after Russia lost a Soyuz rocket with an automated Progress resupply ship bound for the space station.

{...}

 

[Wishbone]

Orbital stay of Samokutyaev, Borisenko, Garan has been extended, TMA-21 landing postponed.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

A typical task on a space robot's "To Do" list

Repairing failed circuit-breaker boxes is a routine chore on board the International Space Station (ISS). The circuit breakers (also known by the technical term "Remote Power Control Modules," or RPCMs) are an important part of the ISS’s electrical system, and tend to fail occasionally. Up to now, swapping the boxes needed to be done by astronauts during spacewalks. That is, until the arrival of Dextre, the Space Station's robotic handyman.

Dextre was designed to do standard repairs on the Space Station's exterior to reduce the need for astronauts to do spacewalks (which always carry a certain level of risk), and free up the crew's time for more important activities, like conducting science experiments. Like the average home, as the Space Station ages, it will require more minor repairs and servicing to ensure that everything stays in working order. As the Station's resident handyman, Dextre will always be on call to keep the Station ship-shape.

On August 28, 29 and 30, 2011 (August 30 being a contingency day), Dextre will replace a failed circuit breaker box on the ISS. The Space Station's robotic handyman will approach the worksite with the help of Canadarm2. He will begin by extending one of his arms to grasp and remove a brand new circuit breaker from the Cargo Transport Container. Using his other hand, he will grasp the fixture on the broken circuit breaker, unfasten the bolt that holds it in place and remove it. Dextre will then rotate his waist so his workbench is turned away from the worksite, and install the new circuit breaker. The failed circuit breaker will then be put into an empty slot into the Cargo Transport Carrier. After he completes his task, Canadarm2 will move Dextre away from the worksite.

 

[SiberianTiger]

http://ria.ru/science/20110829/426405981.html
http://ria.ru/science/20110829/426435635.html
http://ria.ru/science/20110829/426399309.html
http://ria.ru/science/20110829/426401576.html
http://www.interfax.ru/politics/txt.asp?id=205382


Departure and landing of Soyuz TMA-21 (Borisenko, Samokutyayev, Garan) postponed from September 8th to September 16th.

Launch of Soyuz TMA-22 (Shkaplerov, Ivanishin, Burbank) is postponed from September 22th to late October / early November.

State commission to authorize the new ISS crew will be held on September 5th.

Before the Soyuz TMA-22's launch, at least two unmanned launches of Soyuz family rockets will be done, including launch of Progress M-13M whose launch, originally planned for October 28th, may be hastened to October 14th.