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From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 29/08/2011.
In the JAXA JPM (JEM Pressurized Module), FE-5 Satoshi Furukawa spent several hours working on the MSPR (Multipurpose Small Payload Rack), first setting up the G1 camcorder and MPC (Multi-Protocol Converter) for live monitoring from the ground, then disconnecting all MSPR DCU (DC/DC Converter Unit) cables, checking for any debris or bent pins, re-connecting the DCU cables, verifying with an inspection mirror that each cable was fully connected and taking photos for downlink. [On 08/19, after power cables were connected to the MSPR DCU, ground inspection of downlinked documentary photographs indicated that one of the cables was not fully connected. This also raised concern that the other cables might not be fully connected, which would inversely affect the output current from the MSPR DCU to subcomponents, possibly rendering them nonfunctional. MSPR power checkout was therefore aborted. Today’s activity was to verify the cable connections.]
FE-5 Satoshi Furukawa & FE-6 Mike Fossum reviewed procedures and started preparations for an upcoming major IFM (Inflight Maintenance) in the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) on the MARES (Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System). [MARES activities will be spread over the next three days and will focus on R&R (Removal & Replacement) of some bolts and reseating the hardware, then troubleshoot the MARES Main Box which failed to power on nominally after installation. MARES is a dynamometer that will eventually be used for research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular physiology to better understand the effects of microgravity on the muscular system. MARES hardware comprises an adjustable chair and human restraint system, a pantograph (an articulated arm supporting the chair, used to properly position the user), a direct drive motor, associated electronics and experiment programming software, a linear adapter that translates motor rotation into linear movements, and a vibration isolation frame. It is capable of supporting measurements & exercise on seven different human joints, encompassing nine different angular movements, as well as two additional linear movements (arms and legs). It is considerably more advanced than current ground-based medical dynamometers (devices used to measure force or torque) and a vast improvement over existing ISS muscle research facilities. MARES may be used together with an associated device called the PEMS II (Percutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulator II).]
Progress 44P Update:
Soyuz TMA-21/26S will not depart on 09/08; NASA & Roskosmos are continuing to discuss options for 26S return and Soyuz TMA-22/28S launch; currently, there is no baseline plan yet. The Progress M-12M/44P impact site in southern Siberia (Altai Region) is in a very wooded and mountainous area. It appears to be spread over a large area, with "many tiny pieces" scattered about. With current capability, all consumables on board ISS are good into 2012, even with a six-person crew. Soyuz spacecraft stay time is limited to 210 days, and a 210 day crew stay is acceptable from both the NASA Crew Office and NASA medical perspectives.
Robotics Update:
SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) activities are continuing nominally, all conducted remotely from the ground. Yesterday's task for SPDM, opening the CTC (Cargo Transport Container) on the EOTP (Enhanced ORU Temporary Platform) and grasping the spare RPCM (Remote Power Controller Module), was completed successfully - with one motor stall which was resolved quickly. Today, the new RPCM will be removed from the CTC, the old P1-1A-A RPCM will be uninstalled, the new RPCM will be installed in the P1 Truss instead, and the failed RPCM will be stowed in the CTC. Tomorrow is planned as a contingency day to complete the R&R activities, followed by an MT (Mobile Transporter) translation. Thursday (09/01) and Friday (09/02) will feature activities to stow the CTC and RRM (Robotics Refueling Mission) on ELC-4 (ExPrESS Logistics Carrier-4).
Conjunction Alert:
Flight Controllers received a late notification of a possible conjunction of ISS with space debris (Object-81006, unknown) tomorrow afternoon, 08/30, at a TCA (Time of Closest Approach) of 8:02:56 PM GMT. Radial miss: 0.18 km, Down Track Miss: -13.9 km, Cross Track Miss: 1.6 km. Due to the short notice, work is underway for a possible DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver), using the SM (Service Module) engines.
In the JAXA JPM (JEM Pressurized Module), FE-5 Satoshi Furukawa spent several hours working on the MSPR (Multipurpose Small Payload Rack), first setting up the G1 camcorder and MPC (Multi-Protocol Converter) for live monitoring from the ground, then disconnecting all MSPR DCU (DC/DC Converter Unit) cables, checking for any debris or bent pins, re-connecting the DCU cables, verifying with an inspection mirror that each cable was fully connected and taking photos for downlink. [On 08/19, after power cables were connected to the MSPR DCU, ground inspection of downlinked documentary photographs indicated that one of the cables was not fully connected. This also raised concern that the other cables might not be fully connected, which would inversely affect the output current from the MSPR DCU to subcomponents, possibly rendering them nonfunctional. MSPR power checkout was therefore aborted. Today’s activity was to verify the cable connections.]
FE-5 Satoshi Furukawa & FE-6 Mike Fossum reviewed procedures and started preparations for an upcoming major IFM (Inflight Maintenance) in the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) on the MARES (Muscle Atrophy Research & Exercise System). [MARES activities will be spread over the next three days and will focus on R&R (Removal & Replacement) of some bolts and reseating the hardware, then troubleshoot the MARES Main Box which failed to power on nominally after installation. MARES is a dynamometer that will eventually be used for research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular physiology to better understand the effects of microgravity on the muscular system. MARES hardware comprises an adjustable chair and human restraint system, a pantograph (an articulated arm supporting the chair, used to properly position the user), a direct drive motor, associated electronics and experiment programming software, a linear adapter that translates motor rotation into linear movements, and a vibration isolation frame. It is capable of supporting measurements & exercise on seven different human joints, encompassing nine different angular movements, as well as two additional linear movements (arms and legs). It is considerably more advanced than current ground-based medical dynamometers (devices used to measure force or torque) and a vast improvement over existing ISS muscle research facilities. MARES may be used together with an associated device called the PEMS II (Percutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulator II).]
Progress 44P Update:
Soyuz TMA-21/26S will not depart on 09/08; NASA & Roskosmos are continuing to discuss options for 26S return and Soyuz TMA-22/28S launch; currently, there is no baseline plan yet. The Progress M-12M/44P impact site in southern Siberia (Altai Region) is in a very wooded and mountainous area. It appears to be spread over a large area, with "many tiny pieces" scattered about. With current capability, all consumables on board ISS are good into 2012, even with a six-person crew. Soyuz spacecraft stay time is limited to 210 days, and a 210 day crew stay is acceptable from both the NASA Crew Office and NASA medical perspectives.
Robotics Update:
SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) activities are continuing nominally, all conducted remotely from the ground. Yesterday's task for SPDM, opening the CTC (Cargo Transport Container) on the EOTP (Enhanced ORU Temporary Platform) and grasping the spare RPCM (Remote Power Controller Module), was completed successfully - with one motor stall which was resolved quickly. Today, the new RPCM will be removed from the CTC, the old P1-1A-A RPCM will be uninstalled, the new RPCM will be installed in the P1 Truss instead, and the failed RPCM will be stowed in the CTC. Tomorrow is planned as a contingency day to complete the R&R activities, followed by an MT (Mobile Transporter) translation. Thursday (09/01) and Friday (09/02) will feature activities to stow the CTC and RRM (Robotics Refueling Mission) on ELC-4 (ExPrESS Logistics Carrier-4).
Conjunction Alert:
Flight Controllers received a late notification of a possible conjunction of ISS with space debris (Object-81006, unknown) tomorrow afternoon, 08/30, at a TCA (Time of Closest Approach) of 8:02:56 PM GMT. Radial miss: 0.18 km, Down Track Miss: -13.9 km, Cross Track Miss: 1.6 km. Due to the short notice, work is underway for a possible DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver), using the SM (Service Module) engines.