Updates ISS UPDATES

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 07/05/2011.

TVIS Treadmill Update:
TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation System) sound data is still being analyzed by specialists. The possibility of an intrusive TVIS gyro inspection is under discussion. For the time being, TVIS continues to be No Go for the crew.

TOCA Issue:
On 05/05, the crew reported a TOCA (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer) fault alert indicating elevated liquid loop pressures. Specific root cause is unknown but is thought to be related to an improperly executed buffer container changeout and associated loop priming. A procedure is in work to provide manual commanding to relieve pressure by forcing water through a downstream relief valve. Planned execution is 10/05 (Tuesday).

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 11/05/2011.

FE-3 Ron Garan worked in Node 1 where he installed a power cable to increase the power feeds to two ARCUs (American-to-Russian Conversion Units, 53 & 54) in the FGB (Functional Cargo Block). [The jumper, from a J1 power outlet forward in Node 1, was routed to the bulkhead gore panel at the Node 1 Aft port, where the ARCUs are plugged in from the FGB side. FE-5 Paolo Nespoli assisted during the jumper installation since the ZSR (Zero-G Stowage Rack) at bay Port 4 had to be rotated for the cable routing.]

TVIS Update:
The TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation System) exerciser is still No Go for the crew. A major invasive maintenance job involving internal inspection and bearing change is being prepared. Since TVIS is in the SM (Service Module), close coordination with Moscow is required. Meanwhile, the T2/COLBERT advanced treadmill is being used for aerobic exercise.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 12/05/2011.

Elektron Failure:
Yesterday, the BZh Liquid Unit of the Russian Elektron oxygen generator was declared failed by RSC-Energia after it had outlasted its certified life time three times over – a record. Its lack will not prevent moving forward as planned. Alternative plans for O2 (oxygen) supply are being assessed. Available are multiple O2 sources: ATV-2 gas supply will be used first since it will undock first. Old SFOG (Solid Fuel Oxygen Generator) candles currently onboard need to be used up before their end of life (end of this year for the old cartridges, not for the new). Endeavour/STS-134/ULF-6 should be able to supply O2 while it is docked. A new BZh will be delivered on Progress M-11M/43P on 23/06. There are also about 2 weeks of gas stored in Progress M-10M/42P. In addition, the USOS OGA (Oxygen Generator Assembly) may soon become useable. There is an old spare BZh onboard (#056), but it has technical issues, misses some parts necessary for installation and is also at end of life. Basically, ISS needs to support 200 crew-days until 43P arrives. 230 crew-days of O2 are available from ATV-2 plus old SFOGs plus 42P, not including Shuttle or OGA.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 14/05/2011.

CDR Dimitri Kondratyev, FE-1 Alexander Samokutyayev & FE-2 Andrey Borisenko worked several hours in the SM (Service Module) on the Elektron-VM electrolysis machine to restore it to function. Activation of the O2 (oxygen) generator is scheduled on Monday (16/05). [After yesterday's deinstallation & removal of the failed Elektron BZh Liquid Unit, the crew today installed the spare BZh #056 and its BSSK signal & command matching unit, then connected BZh & BSSK to the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system for ground checkout, supported by ground specialist tagup via S-band. The Liquid Unit BZh #056, delivered on Progress M-59/24P in 2007, has been in storage since March 2007, regularly serviced by cosmonauts over the years by pressure-testing it with N2 (nitrogen) for hermeticity. It now replaced the failed unit which has exceeded its certified life time by a factor of 3. A new BZh will be delivered on Progress M-11M/43P on 23/06.]

 

[Poscik]

What is the exact time of souyz undocking and de-orbit at 23rd May?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

What is the exact time of souyz undocking and de-orbit at 23rd May?

Undocking is at 7:06 PM EDT / 11:06 PM GMT.

 

[Poscik]

That's not good. I was hoping I could see Soyuz entry from my backyard.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 17/05/2011.

FE-3 Ron Garan is starting today on a special sleep-cycle schedule, the one the Shuttle crew is using: Wake – 6:00 AM GMT this morning (regular); Sleep – 6:26 PM today -2:56 AM GMT tomorrow, for supporting the STS-134/ULF-6 spacewalks support.

FE-5 Paolo Nespoli supported the ground in STS-134 preparations by pressurizing & leak-checking the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter-2) for ingress, hatch opening and stowage after the Shuttle's arrival. [PMA-2, at the ISS bow, will be the docking port for Endeavour tomorrow. The VAJ/ISA (Vacuum Access Jumper / Internal Sampling Adapter) remains connected to MPEV (Manual Pressure Equalization Valve) for PMA-2 leak check after the docking.]

 

[IronRain]

Change of command ceremony

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wyH_6Z6b00&feature=feedu[/ame]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Following the undocking of Soyuz TMA-20/25S, Expedition 28 has now begun.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 24/05/2011.

FE-3 Ron Garan, who got up around midnight last night (~3.5 hours before Andrey & Sasha began their sleep), worked several hours on the Node 3 CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly), completing Part 1 of the replacement of the failed Desiccant/Sorbent Bed 201 (back bed). [In today's activity, Ron rotated the CDRA rack at Node 3 bay Aft 4 and demated utilities on the rear bed, then removed the CDRA bed frame and stowed it in the JAXA JPM (JEM Pressurized Module). Part 2 (removal of 3 component groups from the CDRA frame, replacement of Bed 201 plus replacement of all 3 component groups to a nominal configuration), and Part 3 (reinstallation of CDRA into the rack) will be scheduled prior to Shuttle departure.]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Roscosmos PAO: "Johannes Kepler to Raise ISS Orbit".

In accordance with the International Space Station mission ballistics support program, ISS reboost is scheduled for June 3.
The maneuver is to be assisted by 8 attitude thrusters of ATV-2 Johannes Kepler. ISS spatial position will be supported by Zvezda and Progress M-10M thrusters during the maneuver.
The engines will be started at 02:30 Moscow time (22:30 GMT, June 2). After the burn, which is to last 897 sec, the altitude of the station shall become 3.74 km higher, or to achieve 346,4 km.
Several other ISS reboosts are planned to be supported by ATV thrusters.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 01/06/2011

ISS Reboost:
Tomorrow morning at 10:30 AM GMT, a one-burn ISS reboost with ATV-2 "Johannes Kepler" OCS (Orbit Correction System) thrusters will be conducted for a duration of 16 min 51 sec and a delta-V of 2.5 m/s (8.20 ft/s). Altitude gain is expected to be ~4.3 km (2.3 nmi). Purpose of the reboost is to set up phasing for the Progress M-11M/43P launch & docking on 22/06 & 24/06.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 02/06/2011

SPDM Relocation:
The SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) completed a ground-commanded walk‑off to MBS PDGF-3 (Mobile Base System / Power & Data Grapple Fixture-3) and grappled the SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) "Dextre". Dextre relocation to MBS PDGF-2 will be completed tomorrow and the SSRMS will be configured for STS-135/ULF-7 support.

Elektron Update:
Elektron oxygen generator troubleshooting continues. The problem is believed to be gas bubbles – they will be removed next week. No need to activate Elektron now because of good supply of O2 from STS-134/ULF-6 and available supply from ATV-2. The plan is to reactivate Elektron on 20/06.

SSC Transition:
The long-prepared software transition of onboard SSC (Station Support Computer) laptops to Version 4 is being initiated. It will complete the SSC transition to the T61p platform (with a few short-term exceptions) and provide major new capabilities. Server OS (Operating Systems) were transitioned from Windows to Linux. FE-3 Ron Garan is scheduled on 06/06 for 5h 5m to support the upgrade, followed by post-reload steps on 06/07. Configuration files of the Russian BRI Smart Switch Router (SSR) and of the JSL (Joint Station LAN) have already been configured to support the transition/reload, BRI yesterday by CDR Andrey Borisenko, JSL on 05/04 by Paolo Nespoli.

ARED Display Failure:
The ARED (Advanced Resistive Exercise Device) Display unit has experienced a hard failure and will be replaced with an onboard spare. Until then, the crew is recording their exercises manually on spreadsheets.

TVIS Treadmill Failure:
TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation System) is still No Go for use with a suspected mechanical issue inside the gyroscope assembly. Estimated 21.5 hours of Russian crew time are needed for TVIS inspection & troubleshooting. Replacement of the gyro is being considered for after ULF-7.

ISS Reboost:
Later today, at 10:30 PM GMT, a one-burn ISS reboost with ATV-2 "Johannes Kepler" OCS (Orbit Correction System) thrusters will be conducted for a duration of 16 min 51 sec and a delta-V of 2.5 m/s (8.20 ft/s). Altitude gain is expected to be ~4.3 km (2.3 nmi). Purpose of the reboost is to set up phasing for the Progress M-11M/43P launch & docking on 06/22 & 06/24.

 

[Wishbone]

Which flavour of Linux is it?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

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

This was the first day for FE-3 Ron Garan to support SSCV4, i.e. the SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop reloading with software v.4 by the ground that will span the next three days. [Ron's involvement today had him printing out & reviewing the SSCV4 procedures, timeline and NINJA (Network Information for JSL Administration) password document, then teleconferencing (at ~11:30am EDT) with ground specialists to discuss the transition. There are a total of 21 SSC laptops distributed in the ISS, three of them (SSC1, SSC2, SSC3) in the SM (Service Module). Nineteen machines are Lenovo T61p laptops; the remaining two IBM A31p's will also be replaced with T61p's.]

SPDM Relocation:
Tonight at ~9:30 PM-12:00 AM GMT, the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) will complete the relocation of the SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) "Dextre" to MBS PDGF-2 (Mobile Base System / Power & Data Grapple Fixture-2) in preparation for STS-135/ULF-7 support.

ATV-2 Reboost Update:
The one-burn reboost of ISS was completed nominally last night at 10:30 PM GMT using the ATV-2 OCS (Orbit Correction System) thrusters. Burn duration was 16 min 51 sec, resulting in a delta-V of 2.52 m/s (8.27 ft/s) vs. planned 2.50/8.20. Mean altitude gain: 4.36 km (2.35 nmi) vs. planned 4.3/2.3. The reboost used up 331 kg of ATV propellant, and 35 kg were used for attitude control. Purpose of the reboost was to set up phasing for the Progress M-11M/43P launch & docking on 06/22 & 06/24. For the maneuver, Russian thrusters were disabled at 9:30 PM GMT (CMG control) and re-enabled at 12:00 AM GMT. No CMG desats were required.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Orbit Boosted".

In accordance with the International Space Station mission ballistics support program, ISS reboost was carried out on June 3.
The maneuver was assisted by the Orbit Control System (OCS) thrusters of ATV-2 vehicle attached to the station.
The maneuver brought the ISS into orbit with the following parameters:
Min altitude – 347.0 km
Max altitude – 363.7 km
Revolution – 91.4 min
Inclination – 51.7 deg.
The operation was carried out in order to maintain ISS altitude.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Today's "A Lab Aloft" blog entry details a NOFBX monopropulsion experiment to be performed on the ISS next year.

Why the International Space Station? Technology Demonstration.

From this image, it looks to be a FRAM type payload.

An excellent use of ISS' capabilities to demonstrate BEO technologies. :thumbup:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 04/06/2011

On Day 2 of the ongoing SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop reloading with software v.4 (SSCV4), the crew had ~30 min set aside for moving their personal data from SSC clients to T61p USB 120 GB hard drives in preparation for Monday's & Tuesday's SSCV4 transition activities. [Of the (currently) 24 SSC laptops in the ISS (SM: 3, Node 3: 1, Node 1: 1, A/L: 1, Cupola: 3, Lab: 7. JPM: 1, Node 2: 6, COL: 1), 13 will be reloaded with v.4 by the ground, 7 by the crew. After replacement of the remaining IBM A31p laptops with Lenovo T61p's, the machines will be configured by the crew (12) & ground (9), leaving at the end 23 T61b SSCs in service.]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

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

FE-3 Ron Garan had most of his workday (~5 hours) dedicated to Day 3 of the ongoing SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop transition to/reloading with software v.4 (SSCV4), today scheduled to replace existing servers with new servers, deploy new T61p SSC laptops, swap hard drives in order to maintain contingency rollback capability, join wireless laptops to the network so that ground can complete configuration, and perform stowage operations. However, SSC reloads ran into snags, including missing .dll files, and ground teams are assessing next steps. [Of the (originally) 24 SSC laptops in the ISS (SM: 3, Node 3: 1, Node 1: 1, A/L: 1, Cupola: 3, Lab: 7. JPM: 1, Node 2: 6, COL: 1), 13 will be reloaded with v.4 by the ground, 7 by the crew. After replacement of the remaining IBM A31p laptops with Lenovo T61p's, the machines will be configured by the crew (12) & ground (9), leaving at the end 23 T61b SSCs in service.]

Preparatory to this evening's (7:45 PM-10:15 PM GMT) activation of the Node 3 CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) by the ground, Ron connected the Nod 3 ITCS LTL (Internal Thermal Control System | Low Temperature Loop). He also terminated LTL flow to the Lab CDRA, which was shut down by the ground. [Node 3 CDRA will be turned on in preparation for running OGA (Oxygen Generator Assembly) and Sabatier on Wednesday (06/08).]

ATV-2 Prop Line Purge/Vent:
Preparatory to its undocking on 06/20, ATV02 (Automated Transfer Vehicle-2) "Johannes Kepler" propellant (fuel/oxidizer) lines will be purged & vented by automatic sequencer this afternoon at 5:28 PM-7:01 PM GMT.

ATV-2 Survey by SSRMS:
From ~10:15 PM-2:15 AM GMT, the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) will be used for an external survey of ATV-2, docked at the SM (Service Module) Aft end.

SPDM Reconfiguration:
From 2:35 AM-4:35 AM GMT, the SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) "Dextre" will be reconfigured to be ready for STS-135/ULF-7.