Updates ISS UPDATES

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SPACE.com: Greetings, Human! Space Robot Shakes Astronaut's Hand, Signs 'Hello':

A NASA robot built to ease the daily lives of astronaut in space greeted its human commander with a hearty handshake Wednesday (Feb. 15), along with a silent message: "Hello, World."

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[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 15/02/2012.

CDR Dan Burbank continued the checkout and activity session with Robonaut, picking up where he left off yesterday by performing the deferred checkout of force sensors by pushing on each forearm in multiple directions and manipulating the fingers while the ground evaluated the data. [This was followed by the "Strong Man" maneuver with different velocities and accelerations, at the conclusion of which Dan had the opportunity to shake hands with Robonaut and perform the first ever handshake in space between a humanoid robot and an Astronaut. Today’s schedule then called for Dan to rotate the waist back to face Robonaut overhead and to conduct Free Space activities. These maneuvers were to demonstrate repeatability, further exercise the waist joint and also demonstrate finger dexterity by performing sign language to say "Hello World". Following the maneuvers, the ground was to verify the camera identification numbers and then proceed with power-down. Robonaut was then to be disassembled with Don Pettit's help and stowed back in the rack, concluding its checkout.]

 

[NovaSilisko]

Will this Robonaut be used for any work outside the station, or is it just a prototype?

 

[MaverickSawyer]

From what I understand, that depends on the results of preliminary tests like these. If they go well, he'll go EV. If not, he's a prototype.

I like the sign language message. "Hello world" is a common first C++ program output.

 

[NovaSilisko]

From what I understand, that depends on the results of preliminary tests like these. If they go well, he'll go EV. If not, he's a prototype.

I like the sign language message. "Hello world" is a common first C++ program output.

Ah, alright. As cool as the prospect of an EVA is, using Robonaut for those purposes combined with a 1:1 motion sensor to control him, would be much much safer. Also, you could even have someone on the ground control him.

 

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SPACE.com: Cosmonauts to Take Spacewalk Outside Space Station Today

 

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CBS News Space: Realtime coverage of Russian EVA-30

One of the primary objectives of Russian spacewalk No. 30 was to move the Strela 1 cargo crane from the Pirs docking and airlock compartment to the Poisk mini-research module. (Credit: NASA)​

EDIT: And article by Orbinaut Pete:

NASASpaceflight: LIVE: Cosmonaut duo begin Russian spacewalk outside ISS



Aviation Week: Russian Spacewalk Gets Underway Outside the International Space Station

RIA Novosti: Russian Cosmonauts Go on 6-Hour Spacewalk

 

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Aviation Week: Spacewalking Cosmonauts Struggle to Transfer Cargo Crane:

Spacewalking cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Anton Shkaplerov struggled Thursday to transfer the Strela 1 cargo crane from the Pirs to the Poisk module during a scheduled six hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station’s Russian segment.

The excursion got underway at 9:31 a.m., EST, and the two men fell 90 minutes behind schedule, as they wrestled with safety tethers and a second Stela crane attached to Pirs and used in the transfer.
“Whoever came up with that?” one of the cosmonauts, with a note of frustration over the work plan, radioed at one point, according to a commentator’s translation. “I’m running out of hands here.”

Mission Control Moscow was evaluating whether the two men had time to tackle the second major task of their outing, the installation of five protective orbital debris shields on the station’s 12-year-old Svezda service module.

“It’s locked in place,” one of the spacewakers – it was not clear which one -- informed controllers as the transferred crane was finally latched down on Poisk at 1:15 p.m., EST. "We are all hot and bothered.”

The Strela transfer is considered a precursor to the disposal of Pirs, a combination docking module and airlock, launched a decade ago.

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The EVA has ended at 20:46 UTC / 3:46 p.m. EST, after 6 hours 15 minutes of spacewalk, with not all objectives being completed.

Aviation Week: Spacewalking Cosmonauts Forced to Defer Space Station Debris Shield Installation

SPACE.com: 2 Russian Cosmonauts Move Space Station Crane in 6-Hour Spacewalk

 

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NASA:
Spacewalkers Move Crane, Install Experiment

nternational Space Station Expedition 30 Flight Engineers Oleg Kononenko and Anton Shkaplerov wrapped up a six-hour, 15-minute spacewalk at 3:46 p.m. EST Thursday.

The two spacewalkers moved the Strela-1 crane from the Pirs docking compartment to begin preparing the Pirs for its replacement next year with a new laboratory and docking module. Kononenko and Shkaplerov used another boom, the Strela-2, to move the hand-operated crane to the Poisk module for future assembly and maintenance work. Both telescoping booms extend like fishing rods and are used to move massive components outside the station. This task was originally scheduled during an Expedition 28 spacewalk on Aug. 3, 2011, but was called off due to time constraints.

While Kononenko and Shkaplerov were on the exterior of Poisk, they also installed the Vinoslivost Materials Sample Experiment, which will investigate the influence of space on the mechanical properties of the materials.

Click on image to enlarge​

Flight Engineers Oleg Kononenko and Anton Shkaplerov work with a Strela crane during Thursday's spacewalk.

Credit: NASA TV​

The duo also collected a test sample from underneath the insulation on the Zvezda service module to search for any signs of living organisms.

The pair was unable to complete all the originally planned tasks, including the installation of five debris shields on Zvezda.

Both spacewalkers wore Russian Orlan suits bearing blue stripes and equipped with NASA helmet cameras.

This spacewalk was the 162nd in support of space station assembly and maintenance, totaling 1021 hours, 47 minutes. With two previous spacewalks during Expedition 17 in 2008 under his belt, Kononenko now has a total of 18 hours, 27 minutes of spacewalking time. It was Shkaplerov's first spacewalk and the only one scheduled during Expedition 30.

Because of the location of the activities, Commander Dan Burbank and Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin entered the Poisk module at 7:20 a.m., where they were isolated for the duration of the spacewalk with access to their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft in the event of an emergency.

Meanwhile, Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Andre Kuipers, whose Soyuz TMA-03M is docked to the Rassvet module, were free to move about the U.S. segment of the complex.

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[Suzy]

I found a NASA page with links to archived Daily Reports, if anyone's interested

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 16/02/2012.

With initial assist by Don Pettit, André Kuipers deployed the MARES (Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System) hardware in the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) from stowed configuration and installed its associated laptop. Later, André configured the cabling and went on testing the rigidity of the MARES VIF (Vibration Isolation Frame) using a mechanical dynamometer. This was followed by executing a specific battery charge process and an integrity test of the MARES HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and the spare disk. [The configuration involved setting up the connections between the PIU (Power Interface Unit) and the J02 UIP (Utility Interface Panel) at Forward 3 and then to MARES, plus installing the EPM (European Physiology Module) laptop and its connection to the MARES pantograph connectors for Ethernet and power. Afterwards, MARES and laptop were powered off.]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 17/02/2012.

After yesterday's Part 1 of MARES (Muscle Atrophy Resistive Exercise System) Commissioning, FE-5 André Kuipers today completed Part 2, consisting of MARES functional test, battery discharge, disassembly/disconnect & stowage, assisted by Dan Burbank, plus copying the log files to downlink laptop. [For the MARES VIF (Vibration Isolation Frame) realignment, Andre loosened, then retightened bolts on the three VIF guides A, then repeated yesterday's VIF rigidity test using a mechanical dynamometer. Afterwards, the EPM (European Physiology Module) laptop was disconnected from the MARES Pantograph and reconnected to the EPM Rack for file copying. MARES was then disassembled and stowed, concluding the commissioning.]

In final close-out activities after EVA-30, Anatoly Ivanishin worked in DC-1 (Docking Compartment-1) to re-integrate the Progress M-14M/46P (#414) cargo ship, docked at the port, with the ISS by:

• Conducting a leak check on the DC-1/46P vestibule
• Opening the DC-1/SU & SU/46P hatches and installing the QD (Quick Disconnect) screw clamps (BZV) of the docking & internal transfer mechanism (SSVP) to rigidize the coupling
• Deactivating the cargo ship
• Installing the ventilation/heating air duct
• Dismantling the docking mechanism (StM, Stykovochnovo mekhanizma) between the cargo ship and DC-1

Conjunction Advisory:
Flight controllers are monitoring a conjunction with Object 29423 (Chinese CZ-4B DEB) with a TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on 2/19 at 9:02 PM GMT. Currently predicted radial miss distance of this object is ~430m. The decision point (Go/NoGo for maneuver data Cyclogram development) is tomorrow (2/18) at 9:32 PM GMT, for a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) on 2/19 (Sunday) at 9:02 PM GMT, if required.

Pete's note: TCA and DAM times are the same, so one is obviously an error.

 

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Aviation Week: ISS To Receive Special Centrifuge

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 18/02/2012.

After yesterday's Part 2 of MARES (Muscle Atrophy Resistive Exercise System) Commissioning, FE-5 Andre Kuipers today relocated items removed in preparation of MARES deployment back to their original locations on the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) deck rack front. [This included all bags, the MARES (Dynamometer, MARES EPM HD (European Physiology Module | Hard Drive), WS2 Ethernet cable, Ziploc bag with 3 connector caps and the mainbox.]

Conjunction Update:
Flight controllers continue to monitor a conjunction with Object 29423 (Chinese CZ-4B DEB) with a TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on 2/19 at 9:02 PM GMT. The conjunction is currently considered of Low Concern. The decision point (Go/NoGo for maneuver data Cyclogram development) is tonight (2/18) at 9:32 PM GMT, for a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) tomorrow (2/19) at 9:02 PM GMT, if required.

 

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ESA: Space oddities - to teach science:

22 February 2012

When liquids and bubbles are in space, odd things start to happen. ESA astronaut André Kuipers is taking schools across Europe on a microgravity waltz to learn what is behind seemingly simple phenomena such as convection and foams.

Space oddities on the International Space Station will help thousands of schoolchildren to realise that the consequences of the laws of physics running our Universe can be complex – and on Earth they are not the same as in the Station’s weightlessness.

Armed with two ESA educational experiments during his PromISSe mission, André is inviting students aged 10–14 to share his scientific adventure.

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[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlb4-KOTq8w"]Share André's scientific adventure - YouTube[/ame]

 

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collectSPACE: Astronaut builds LEGO space station inside real-life space station

 

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NASA:
Though Shuttle Retired, International Space Station Still Open For Business, Research Going Strong

Feb. 27, 2012

The pace of research aboard the International Space Station is accelerating, even though the space shuttles used to build it have been retired. The shuttles' huge cargo carrying capacity was needed to build the space station, but for daily use the United States and its international partners have a variety of vehicles to get research materials and equipment to and from the station.

Part of this international effort also involves commercial providers in various stages of their vehicle's completion, which are being contracted by NASA to both deliver cargo to the station, and to return research samples to the Earth.

Currently, all astronauts are launched aboard the Russian Federal Space Agency, or Roscosmos, Soyuz vehicle for transport to and from the station. Roscosmos also provides the Progress unmanned cargo resupply ships that deliver supplies to the orbiting outpost. Both vehicles use automated systems to dock to the station. The Soyuz returns the crew and a limited amount of cargo home, while the Progress -- filled with trash -- burns up upon re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.

The Automated Transfer Vehicle, also known as ATV and built by the European Space Agency, is an unmanned cargo carrier capable of automatically docking with the station. The Automated Transfer Vehicle can carry in excess of 16,800 pounds (7,620 kilograms) of cargo, including dry goods, water, gases and propellant. Once the cargo is unloaded, the vehicle is used as a garbage container, with the carrier and enclosed waste burning up upon re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere. Two Automated Transfer Vehicles have visited the station to date.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency provides the H-II Transfer Vehicle, also known as HTV, which is the only vehicle, besides the shuttle, capable of transporting external cargo to the station. This vehicle is captured with the station's robotic arm and berthed to the designated port, with two visiting the station so far. Like the Automated Transfer Vehicle, the H-II Transfer Vehicle's cargo is unloaded, and the vehicle is used to collect trash. The vehicle also burns up upon re-entry.

Two commercial resupply service providers are projected to complete flight demonstration capabilities and make deliveries to the station in 2012. Both spacecraft will use the station's common berthing mechanism ports that provide shirtsleeve conditions and large passageways for cargo transfers into the station. Both vehicles require berthing to the station, after capture with the station's robotic arm.

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is currently contracted to complete 12 missions. Late April 2012 is targeted as the new launch date for the second demonstration flight to the space station, with the vehicle to be berthed upon arrival. Test cargo will be transferred and returned on the demo flight.

Orbital's Cygnus vehicle is contracted to provide eight missions between 2012-2015, and will be berthed to the station. Approximately 44,092 pounds (20,000 kilograms) of cargo is planned for delivery to the station, along with disposal of station trash upon the vehicle's re-entry. Cygnus' pressurized cargo module is based on the station's Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, also known as the MPLM. Orbital Sciences Corp. created an informative animated video showing a Cygnus station cargo delivery mission.

Space station assembly is now complete, and there are many research facilities in place to continue not only what is currently being done, but expand and do even more investigations. The U.S. and its partners have supported a continuous presence on the station for the past 11 years, and the laboratory is expected to operate at least through 2020.


by Lori Keith
NASA's Johnson Space Center

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 27/02/2012.

CDR Dan Burbank had ~2 hrs set aside to pre-gather and prepare tools, hardware and the Lab MWA WSA (Maintenance Work Area | Work Surface Area) for the scheduled upgrade IFMs (Inflight Maintenance) on the PL-1 (Payload-1) and PL-2 MDM (Multiplexer/Demultiplexer) computers. [IFM objective is to install EPIC (Enhanced Processor & Integrated Communications) hardware in the MDMs in the AV-3 (Avionics-3) Rack, starting tomorrow with PL-2. This will include removing the PL-2 MDM, installing a new circuit card, Ethernet Cable, and MDM front cover, and replacing the MDM into the AV-3 Rack. Upgrade of PL-1 will follow on 2/29.]

Conjunction Advisory:
Flight controllers are monitoring multiple conjunctions with Object 28471 (Chinese CZ-4B rocket body) on 2/29 (Wednesday) with TCAs (Times of Closest Approach) of 12:41 PM & 2:13 PM GMT. Currently predicted radial miss distances are ~356 m and ~77 m, resp. The close approaches occur after the time of the planned reboost on 2/29 (preliminary reboost TIG/Time of Ignition: 10:21 AM GMT), so the reboost option will be selected to gain sufficient separation from this object.