Updates ISS UPDATES

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 08/10/2010.

Soyuz TMA-01M/24S launched last evening on time at 11:10:55 PM GMT, with Soyuz CDR/Exp. 25/26 FE-1 Alexander Yurievich Kaleri, Soyuz FE/Exp. 25 FE-3/Exp. 26 CDR Scott J. Kelly & Exp. 25/26 FE-2 Oleg Ivanovich Skripochka. Docking at MRM-2 Zenith will be at ~12:02 AM GMT on Sunday 10/10. This is the 103rd mission to the ISS. With the first launch of the FGB on a Proton-K (1A/R) on 20/11/1998, there have been a total of 34 US missions, 67 Russian missions, 1 European mission (ATV-1) and 1 Japanese mission (HTV-1).

In preparation for OGS (Oxygen Generator System) rack flow measurements next week by FE-3 Scott Kelly in support of the ongoing Sabatier installation, FE-6 Shannon Walker looked for (and found) a fourth Non-Intrusive Flow Meter, stowing it with the others in Node 1.

TVIS Update:
CDR Doug Wheelock & FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin worked several hours of IFM (Inflight Maintenance) on the failed TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation System), out of its SM pit, replacing its VIS (Vibration Isolation System) Controller with a spare unit and going over all cable connections. When the new VIS Controller was powered up, the TVIS gyroscope still did not respond at first; but it began spinning up after the crew midday break. Memory card data were downlinked for ground specialists to review them, analyze what had happened and suggest further recovery steps.

---------- Post added 9th Oct 2010 at 12:18 AM ---------- Previous post was 8th Oct 2010 at 08:13 PM ----------

In-keeping with ESA tradition, Paolo Nespoli's Expedition 26/27 mission has been named: "MagISStra"!

ESA: "Counting down for ESA's MagISStra mission to Space Station".

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Roscosmos PAO: "NITS RKP Carries Out Unique Ground Experiments of the Orbital Station Propulsion System".

Firing tests of the ISS RS propulsion system EQM has been carried out at NITS RKP, Peresvet.
The results of the tests confirmed proper operation of the propulsion after 25 years of functioning. From 1985 to 2010, 38 sessions of firing tests were performed. Total period of propulsion’s impact by hazardous propellant components is 9085 days.
Technical value of the ground tests is defined as prospective confirmation of the ISS life prolongation, as well as application of the SM propulsion system for distant space missions.

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Roscosmos PAO: "ISS-25: Major Objectives".

(September 25, 2010 - November 30, 2010)

• Launch of two ISS-25/26 Russian crewmembers and one NASA (USA) crewmember by Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft.
• Docking of Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft to Mini Research Module Poisk (MRM-2).
• Operational support for docking of Space Shuttle orbiter during mission STS-133/ULF-5.
• Operational support for loading and undocking of Progress M-05M from Module Pirs (DC-1).
• Partial unloading of Progress M-07M vehicles.
• Operational support for docking of Progress M-08M to the Module Pirs (DC-1).
• Operational support for loading and undocking of Soyuz TMA-19 spacecraft from Module Rassvet (MRM-1) (return to the Earth of ISS-24/25 crewmembers).
• Performance of two EVA sessions by Russian crewmembers to the ISS Russian segment.
• Support of the Space Station functionality.
• Performance of the science and application research program and experiments.
• Participation in flight design tests of MRM-1 Rassvet and MRM-2 Poisk.

ISS-25 crew consists of 3 persons (September 25 - October 10, 2010) and 6 persons (October 10 - November 30, 2010).

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Roscosmos PAO: "ISS-25/26: Scientific Program in the Russian Segment".

During ISS-25 and ISS-26, 504 sessions of 41 experiments are planned to be implemented. 34 experiments were started in the previous increments. 7 experiments (Molniya-Gamma, Sprut-2, UHF-radiometry, SLS, VIRU. Test, Colon Crystal) are new.

Experiments to be carried out include:

Life science: Sonocard, Pilot, Vzaimodeystviye, Tipologia, Pneumocard, Sprut-2, Biorisk.

Geophysical research: Relaxation, Uragan, Impulse, Vsplesk, Shadow-Beacon, Molniya-Gamma.

Remote sensing: MW-radiometry, Rusalka, Zeiner, Econ.

Space biotechnology: Lactolen, Biotrek, Biodegradatsia, Zhinseng-2, Structure, Constanta.

Technical research: Vektor-T, Izgib, Identification, Veterok, SLS, Sreda-MKS, Contur, VIRU, Bar, Test, RadioSkaf.

Contract activities: EXPOSE-R.

Study of cosmic rays: BTN-Neutron, Matryoshka-R.

Educational and humanitarian projects: MAI-75, Colon Crystal.

Space technology and material science: Crystallizator, Plasma crystal.

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Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Cosmonauts Can Call Roscosmos Head at Any Time".

Cosmonauts from the International Space Station can give Anatoly Perminov calls at any time, Roscosmos Head told news media at Baikonur, on the eve of the Soyuz TMA-M launch.
"I talk to ISS cosmonauts periodically. At any time, in any place, they can talk to me, that’s our agreement", Anatoly Nikolaevich said.
He explained that such calls are unexpected sometimes.
"Even with some personal problems, they can call me. Cosmonauts have serious tasks in orbit, and if something happens on the ground, I believe, I have to understand it and help them", he added.
On the other hand, Roscosmos Head noted, cosmonauts address him with their personal problem rarely, their questions are mostly linked with the tasks they have in the station.

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Roscosmos PAO: "Progress M-09M to Fly to the ISS in Early 2011".

Low solar activity delayed the launch of the Progress M-09M cargo spaceship to early 2011 from late 2010.
Earlier the launch was scheduled for Dec. 27. As Head of Roscosmos Human Spaceflight Directorate Alexey Krasnov explained RIA Novosti at Baikonur, “the Sun was calm enough, so less propellant was spent for ISS reboost”.
According to him, ISS partners set up their cargo delivery manifests through assessing the situation with the supplies in the station.
“Excessive flights are not needed. Parameters of the cargo manifests are proper wrt supporting the station properly”, Krasnov said.

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Roscosmos PAO: "Soyuz-ISS Departure Contingency Won't Repeat due to the Unit Delivered to the Station".

Soyuz TMA-M crew vehicle launched from Baikonur this Friday is to deliver to the International Space Station a unit which will help to avoid a situation similar to the one happened during Soyuz TMA-18 departure from the station in late September. Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov mentioned this to news media at Baikonur.
"The unit is to be sent to the ISS as a replacement. The crew is to finalize repair of the system", Perminov said.
Roscosmos Human Spaceflight Directorate Head Alexey Kransov added that the new unit will help to avid such situations in the future.
Kransov explained that one of the nominal pressurization status signals was missing during the Soyuz departure. The problem was solved promptly due to the crew and ops personnel, and the Soyuz crew returned to the Earth on the next day, RIA Novosti informs.

---------- Post added at 08:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 09/10/2010.

Sleep cycle shift:
To accommodate tomorrow morning's arrival of Soyuz TMA-01M/24S at ~12:02 AM GMT, crew wake/sleep cycle changes are in effect, featuring a two-part Saturday workday:
  • Wake – 6:00 AM GMT (this morning).
  • Lunch – 1:00 PM GMT.
  • Sleep – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM GMT.
  • Wake – 6:00 PM GMT.
  • Sleep – 8:30 AM GMT (tomorrow, Sunday 10/10) for a very long "sleep".
  • (CDR Doug Wheelock to get up briefly from 5:30 AM to 5:50 AM GMT Monday for transfer of PADIAC EC2 from KUBIK-3 to BLB TCU-2.)
  • Wake – 6:00 AM GMT (Monday 11/10) – returning to nominal.

On TsUP Go, FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin repressurized the ISS cabin atmosphere with O2 (oxygen) from Progress M-05M's/37P's SKDS Section 2 tankage.

For tonight's Soyuz TMA-01M arrival, FE-6 Shannon Walker is scheduled to:
  • Power down the amateur/ham radio equipment to prevent RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) with Soyuz/KURS prox. ops.
  • Make sure that the protective window shutters in the Lab, JPM & Cupola are closed.
  • Install the four alignment guides at the T2 treadmill for load protection.
  • Update the SODF (Station Operations Data File) with P&I (Pen & Ink) for tomorrow's Safety Briefing & the Emergency Roles & Responsibilities Book.

Doug & Fyodor meanwhile are focusing on final preparations for the Soyuz approach & docking. Pre-docking activity steps will have them:
  • Turning on & function-testing the Russian TEKh-15/DAKON-M IZGIB ("Bend") experiment hardware in the SM to take structural dynamics data during the docking.
  • Checking out the RS (Russian Segment) video "scheme" which uses the SONY HDV camera for transmitting over the MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Expert Group-2) encoder from FGB & SM to downlink via US OpsLAN and Ku-band in "streaming video" packets.
  • Setting up the BRTK TVS video equipment to receive video from Soyuz and transmit it via Ku-band.
  • Configuring STTS/station communications for the docking.
  • Monitoring approach and final docking of Soyuz.

After the Soyuz docking at MRM-2, Fyodor's activities will include:
  • Switching hatch PEVs (Pressure Equalization Valves, Russian: KVDs) between MRM-2 & Soyuz back to Electric control mode.
  • Downlinking the TEKh-15/DAKON-M IZGIB ("Bend") structural dynamics measurements and closing out the data take.
  • Reconfiguring STTS station comm. for the nominal post-docking hardline mode (MBS).

Doug will turn off the BRTK TVS video system, while Shannon removes the T2 alignment guides.

After leak checking (1:45 AM to 3:00 AM GMT), hatch opening is expected to take place at about 3:00 AM GMT, to be transmitted to the ground live on PAO TV.

Soyuz CDR Aleksandr Kaleri will then install the interface-rigidizing SSVP BZV clamps (with thrusters disabled from 1:45 AM to 3:50 AM GMT).

The newcomers, FE-2 Aleksandr Kaleri, FE-3 Oleg Skripochka & FE-4 Scott Kelly, then join CDR Douglas Wheelock, FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin & FE-6 Shannon Walker for the obligatory Safety Briefing, to familiarize them with procedures and escape routes in case of an emergency. [For Skripochka, it is the first spaceflight, for Kelly, who flew on STS-103/Hubble Repair & STS-118, it is the 3rd, and for Kaleri, past crewmember of ISS Expedition 8 and Mir expeditions 11, 22 & 28, it is the 5th.]

Other pre-sleeptime activities by the (now six) crewmembers will include:
  • Scott & Aleksandr preparing their CQs (Crew Quarters) in Node 2 (e.g., inspection, cleaning as required, retrieving clothing & sleeping bag CTBs, installing sleeping bag on wall, setting up personal effect, etc.).
  • Aleksandr deactivating his docked Soyuz TMA-01M "orbitalniy polyot" (spacecraft).
  • Walker:
    o Removing the Russian/US video "scheme" equipment.
    o Turning the ham/amateur radio equipment back on.
    o Verifying USOS shutters closed for the IWIS (Internal Wireless Instrumentation System) thruster test on 11.10 (~8:20 AM GMT).
    o Conducting another camera setup status check on the running BCAT-5 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-5) with Sample 7.
  • Fyodor setting up the three Sokol spacesuits and their gloves for drying out.


---------- Post added 10th Oct 2010 at 12:27 AM ---------- Previous post was 9th Oct 2010 at 08:58 PM ----------

Originally posted on the Soyuz TMA-01M thread, but posting here too since it's relevant to this week's ISS operations.


My second NASASpaceFlight article:

Soyuz TMA-01M docks with ISS as crews conduct hardware installation.
 
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Roscosmos PAO: "Shuttle Retirement will not Impact ISS Program".

Shuttle retirement will not impact International Space Station program, Roscosmos State Secretary Vitaly Davydov told news media.
"We don’t see any problem wrt future shuttle retirement. Moreover, we are sure that it will not influence the future of cooperation between Russia and the US", Davydov said.
Head of Roscosmos Human Spaceflight Directorate Alexey Krasnov added that closure of the Space Shuttle program made ISS partners develop new vehicles: European ATV, Japanese HTV. Russia also fulfils its obligations in the program through launching 4 Soyuzes and 5 Progresses per year.
RSC-Energia president Vitaly Lopota reminded that Russia had provided its help in the program while shuttles had not been flying after Columbia accident, so the US partners had not felt any lack of flight capabilities.

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collectSPACE: "Patch preview: Expedition 29".

---------- Post added at 08:14 PM ---------- Previous post was 10th Oct 2010 at 10:27 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 11/10/2010.

FE-2 Alexander Kaleri completed the routine task of shooting two photos of the docking cone of the passive docking assembly (ASP-B) of the MRM-2 Zenith port occupied by Soyuz TMA-01M, a standard practice after Russian dockings. These images are used to refine current understanding of docking conditions. Alexander subsequently downlinked the pictures via OCA assets. [The objective is to take photo imagery of the scratch or scuff marks left by the head of the docking probe on the internal surface of the drogue (docking cone, ASP) ring, now rotated out of the passageway. Before shooting the picture, the cosmonaut highlights the scuffmark with a marker and writes the date next to it. As other crewmembers before him, Alexander used the Nikon D2X digital still camera to take two pictures with the hatch partially closed.]

Alexander, FE-3 Oleg Skripochka & FE-4 Scott Kelly had an hour each set aside for crew onboard orientation plus time for adaptation as required. [During the first two weeks after their arrival, a new ISS crew will have 1 hour a day (or more if needed) to adjust to living in space.]

IWIS Thruster Test:
From 6:13 AM to 7:03 AM GMT, the periodic DTF (Dedicated Thruster Firing) test for IWIS (Internal Wireless Instrumentation System) structural dynamics measuring suite was performed by Russian thrusters, designed to excite solar array S4-1A. These measurements are in support of SDTO (Station Development Test Objective) 13005-U (USS Structural Life Validation and Extension). JPM, Lab & Cupola windows were closed during the firing. [For the IWIS thruster test, the ISS has to be in free drift. This period began at 6:20 AM GMT for about 200 seconds, followed by the firing from 6:23 AM to 6:28 AM GMT and another 200 seconds period of free drift from 6:28 AM to 6:31 AM GMT. After handover of attitude control authority to Russian MCS (Motion Control System) at 6:31 AM GMT, the ISS was maneuvered back to LVLH (Local Vertical Local Horizontal) TEA (Torque Equilibrium Attitude), followed by return of attitude control to US CMGs at 7:15 AM GMT. Desaturations reduce the accumulated momentum of the CMGs of the US MCS (Motion Control System).]

---------- Post added at 08:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 PM ----------

BBC News: "Manned flyby of Moon considered".

Discovery News: "The Space Station as a Deep Space Exploration Platform"?

---------- Post added 12th Oct 2010 at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was 11th Oct 2010 at 08:26 PM ----------

Roscosmos PAO: "Interagency Board Approves ISS-31/32 Backup and ISS-32/33 Prime Crews".

Today, on Oct. 12, Cosmonaut Selection Interagency Board chaired by Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov approved ISS-31/32 backup and ISS-32/33 prime crews, following proposals of RSC-Energia, Gagarin CTC, IBMP:

ISS-31/32 Backup Crew:
Oleg Novitsky – ISS-31, ISS-32 flight engineer, Soyuz TMA commander (Roscosmos).
Evgeny Tarelkin – ISS-31, ISS-32flight engineer, Soyuz-TMA flight engineer (Roscosmos).
Kevin Ford - ISS-31, ISS-32flight engineer, Soyuz-TMA flight engineer-2 (NASA).

ISS-32/33 Prime Crew:
Sunita Williams – ISS-32flight engineer / ISS-33 commander, Soyuz-TMA flight engineer (NASA).
Yury Malenchenko – ISS-32, ISS-33 flight engineer, Soyuz TMA commander (Roscosmos).
Akihiko Hoshide – ISS-32, ISS-33 flight engineer, Soyuz TMA flight engineer-2 (JAXA).

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Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Cosmonauts Perform Experiments with Ginseng".

In the framework of Bioecology experiment, International Space Station cosmonauts perform experiments with ginseng.
The boxes with the plant cells arrived at the station last Sunday, aboard Soyuz TMA-M space vehicle, with the expedition 25 crew.
The experiment is led by Biokhimmash company, responsible for biotechnological science in the ISS (Bioecology, Bioemulsion, Biotrek, Ginseng-2 experiments).
It will help the doctors to create new medicines to fight against cancer and other serious illnesses. In addition, scientists note that the ginseng substance may be applied for food and cosmetics production.
Further on, the data obtained in the experiment will provide the opportunity to develop a museum of producent cultures in the ISS, to be used in inter-planetary missions.

---------- Post added at 08:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:52 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 12/10/2010.

After temporarily removing the T2 treadmill handrail to clear work space, CDR Doug Wheelock continued with Sabatier outfitting in Node 3. Today's activities were (1) installing the Sabatier guide rails (left/right) into the OGS (Oxygen Generator System) Rack structure, (2) mounting the Sabatier ORUs (Orbit Replacement Units) onto the Sabatier reactor's frame, and (3) installing the Sabatier reactor itself into the OGS left rack volume. [Three ORUs were installed on the reactor: the Main Controller, the Motor Controller, and the Compressor, with launch locks removed and cover plates attached.]

FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin supported the Sabatier effort by readying and setting up the IFM (Inflight Maintenance) Non-Intrusive Flow Meter and Shuttle Breakout box in preparation for the upcoming ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) flow adjusting/balancing within the OGS rack by FE-4 Scott Kelly after the Sabatier reactor is fully connected and ready to produce water.

Afterwards, Fyodor also disconnected the PU/ATV Console Panel of the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) PCE (Proximity Communications Equipment; Russian: MBRL). For current tests, see note below.

ATV PCE Checkout:
The ATV PCE is being checked out by ESA/TsUP today, tomorrow and Thursday, to verify proper operation of the PCE WAL3 (Low Gain) and WAS2 (Medium Gain) antennas as well as the PCE equipment internal to the SM. The WAL3 & WAS2 antennas are prime for ATV Rendezvous operations. As part of the checkout, the PCE equipment is activated, directed to perform a self-test and switched to CW (Carrier Wave) mode. After an attitude maneuver that maximizes coverage for the antenna(s) being tested, the PCE transmits a beacon to ESA's Maspalomas (MAS) and Villafranca (VIL) Ground Stations. The ground stations track the ISS, check that the CW signal is received, verify the proper RF (Radio Frequency) power level, and record the evolution of the RF power level over time. For the duration of the maneuvers, Lab, JPM and Cupola windows are shuttered and the SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint) is feathered (arrays facing RS thrusters edge-on).

---------- Post added 13th Oct 2010 at 08:35 PM ---------- Previous post was 12th Oct 2010 at 08:43 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 13/10/2010.

In preparation for the STS-133/ULF-5 EVAs, CDR Doug Wheelock gathered special EVA tools, i.e., SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint) launch restraints and rail stubs, to be provided to FE-4 Scott Kelly for his preparatory work.

Scott then worked on the launch restraints and rail stubs for the ULF-5 EVAs, including cutting the lanyards. Later, he unpacked and assembled the EVA CLPA (Camera Light Pan/tilt Assembly), then gathered other tools for use during the EVAs.

Doug continued his series of Sabatier reactor installation tasks, first temporarily removing the T2 treadmill handrail to make room, then replacing the current OGS (Oxygen Generator System) rack AAA (Avionics Air Assembly) manifold with a new manifold designed to be compatible with Sabatier.

Next, Doug tipped the OGS rack down, mated all electrical/data and fluid lines from the rack to the Sabatier, then rotated it up again and connected the CO2 (carbon dioxide) inlet QD (Quick Disconnect) at the rack UIP (Utility Interface Panel). [This completed the Sabatier installation. It now remains for Scott Kelly to perform the ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) flow adjusting/balancing with the Non-Intrusive Flow Meter equipment, after which the reactor should be producing water.]

FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin conducted a 3 hour IFM (Inflight Maintenance) on the TORU manual teleoperated rendezvous & docking system in the SM, removing its BPS Signal Conversion Unit and replacing it with a spare unit.

ATV PCE Checkout:
The ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) PCE (Proximity Communications Equipment; Russian: MBRL) is being checked out by ESA/TsUP today, today and tomorrow, to verify proper operation of the PCE WAL3 (Low Gain) and WAS2 (Medium Gain) antennas as well as the PCE equipment internal to the SM. The WAL3 & WAS2 antennas are prime for ATV Rendezvous operations. As part of the checkout, the PCE equipment is activated, directed to perform a self-test and switched to CW (Carrier Wave) mode. After an attitude maneuver that maximizes coverage for the antenna(s) being tested, the PCE transmits a beacon to ESA's Maspalomas (MAS) and Villafranca (VIL) Ground Stations. The ground stations track the ISS, check that the CW signal is received, verify the proper RF (Radio Frequency) power level, and record the evolution of the RF power level over time. For the duration of the maneuvers, Lab, JPM and Cupola windows are shuttered and the SARJ is feathered (arrays facing RS thrusters edge-on). Today's test began at ~5:47 AM GMT with attitude control handover to Russian MCS (Motion Control System), followed by maneuver to WAL3 antenna test attitude at 5:52 AM GMT, maneuver to LVLH (Local Vertical Local Horizontal) TEA (Torque Equilibrium Attitude) and return of attitude control to US CMGs at ~9:30 AM GMT.
 
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From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 14/10/2010.

FE-6 Shannon Walker worked her way through a long list of tasks, including:
  • Temporarily removing the T2 treadmill handrail in Node 3 to make room, then collecting a return-to-ground coolant fluid sample from the ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) after clean-flushing the adapter.
  • Inspecting the CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) J21 connector at the Node 3 ARS (Air Revitalization System) rack to ensure safe connection prior to Sabatier/Node 3 CDRA activation.
  • Changing out the 9V batteries in all four CQs (Crew Quarters) in Node 2.

FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin completed a major IFM (Inflight Maintenance) of several hours in the FGB (Functional Cargo Block), replacing the #4 800A battery of its PSS (Power Supply System, Russian: SES/sistema elektrosnabzheniya) with a spare AB unit. Also replaced with new spares were the PTAB-2 current converter, BUPT-2 control unit and MIRT-3 charge/discharge current integrator. The old parts were prepared for disposal on Progress M-07M/39P. [The ZRU charge/discharge unit #4 was deactivated by TsUP/Moscow beforehand and later reactivated. The new battery #4 is currently being conditioned in Cycle mode. This restores the full set of six FGB batteries to operation.]

CDR Doug Wheelock finished up with the Sabatier reactor installation into the OGA (Oxygen Generation Assembly) rack, making final connections and removing/stowing the tools used. First activation of the Sabatier is tentatively scheduled for next Monday. [For Sabatier to work, the OGA has to be functioning, with internal flows balanced.]

Working in support of the Sabatier reactor installation, FE-4 Scott Kelly conducted the first (4 hour) part of OGS (Oxygen Generator System) flow balancing, first setting the OGA TCS (Thermal Control System) internal valves to "best guess" positions, then taking initial measurements of internal flow rates using the NIFM (Non-Intrusive Flow Meter). NIFM was then safed for the time being. [Purpose of these extended valve adjustments is to optimize the TCS flow in the presence of the newly-added Sabatier system.]

Tonight, Doug will be closing the protective window shutters in the Lab, JPM & Cupola, preparatory to the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) PCE (Proximity Communications Equipment; Russian: MBRL) hardware test set for ~11:22 PM GMT, which requires attitude maneuvering. [US attitude control authority handover to RS: 10:37 PM GMT; return to US CMGs (Control Moment Gyroscopes): 12:00 AM GMT Friday 15th.]

ATV PCE Checkout:
The ATV PCE is being checked out by ESA/TsUP today and tomorrow, to verify proper operation of the PCE WAL3 (Low Gain) and WAS2 (Medium Gain) antennas as well as the PCE equipment internal to the SM. The WAL3 & WAS2 antennas are prime for ATV Rendezvous operations. As part of the checkout, the PCE equipment is activated, directed to perform a self-test and switched to CW (Carrier Wave) mode. After an attitude maneuver that maximizes coverage for the antenna(s) being tested, the PCE transmits a beacon to ESA's Maspalomas (MAS) and Villafranca (VIL) Ground Stations. The ground stations track the ISS, check that the CW signal is received, verify the proper RF (Radio Frequency) power level, and record the evolution of the RF power level over time. For the duration of the maneuvers, Lab, JPM and Cupola windows are shuttered and the SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint) is feathered (arrays facing RS thrusters edge-on). Today's test begins ~10:47 PM GMT with attitude control handover to Russian MCS (Motion Control System), followed by maneuver to WAS-2 antenna test attitude at 10:52 PM GMT, maneuver to LVLH (Local Vertical Local Horizontal) TEA (Torque Equilibrium Attitude) and return of attitude control to US CMGs at ~12:26 AM GMT Friday 15th.

---------- Post added at 08:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:17 AM ----------

A photo of Sabatier.

It looks mighty complicated - I really wouldn't like to see the wiring diagram for that thing! :blink:

iss025e007248.jpg

Hi-res version.

---------- Post added at 09:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:41 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 15/10/2010.

FE-6 Shannon Walker deactivated ALTEA (Anomalous Long Term Effects on Astronauts) Shield dosimetry data collection, relocating the Shield Isotropic Equipment (from Lab Starboard 2 to Overhead 5), reactivating data collection and taking documentary photography [ALTEA-Shield uses existing ALTEA hardware to survey the radiation environment in the US Lab in 3D. It also measures the effectiveness and shielding properties of several materials with respect to the perception of anomalous Light Flashes. Shannon today set up the ALTEA-Shield Survey configuration in the second of three sites (the first was utilized on 20/09.]

Working in support of the Sabatier reactor installation, FE-4 Scott Kelly conducted the 2nd 4 hour part of OGS (Oxygen Generator System) flow balancing, first setting the OGA (Oxygen Generation Assembly) TCS (Thermal Control System) internal valves to "best guess" positions, then taking initial measurements of internal flow rates using the NIFM (Non-Intrusive Flow Meter). NIFM was then safed for the time being. [Purpose of these extended valve adjustments is to optimize the TCS flow in the presence of the newly-added Sabatier system.]

---------- Post added 16th Oct 2010 at 06:48 PM ---------- Previous post was 15th Oct 2010 at 09:34 PM ----------

The Expedition 25/26 press kit is now online (PDF, 6.07 MB).

---------- Post added at 08:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:48 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 16/10/2010.

After an N2 (nitrogen) repress of the cabin air from Progress M-05M/37P yesterday, an O2 (oxygen) repress from 37P tankage took place today. [These represses are needed before dismantling an O2 regulator. The regulator is the same as on Soyuz TMA-19/23S & Soyuz TMA-01M/24S, and on 14/10 the crew reported that they had access to the regulator and may be able to return it on 23S. 20kg of O2 available (~16mmHg of stack pressure) are to be used in two represses over two days. The regulator on 24S had issues prior to launch, however after several cycle sessions, the valve/regulator seemed to work.]

---------- Post added 17th Oct 2010 at 07:29 PM ---------- Previous post was 16th Oct 2010 at 08:23 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 17/10/2010.

Conjunction Alert:
Flight controllers are tracking a conjunction with Object #33457, a Chinese CZ-4B rocket body. The TCA (Time of Closest Approach) is Tuesday (19/10) at 3:01 PM GMT. Total miss distance: 1.9 km. Radial miss: 0.17 km. A valid PC (Probability of Collision) number is not yet available.

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Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Cosmonauts to Take Part in the Russian Population Census".

This evening, on Oct. 18, Rosstat experts will come to the Mission Control Center to make poll of the Russian cosmonauts working in the International Space Station.
ISS-25 crew members Alexander Kaleri, Oleg Skripochka and Fiodor Urchikhin will answer the questions of the form sheets to take part in the national Population Census which is run in Russia on Oct. 14-25.

This will be the second time for flight engineer Urchikhin to fill the forms of the Census from orbit. He was involved in a similar procedure during his space mission in 2002.

---------- Post added 18th Oct 2010 at 01:21 PM ---------- Previous post was 17th Oct 2010 at 08:44 PM ----------

An interview with Tracy Caldwell-Dyson!

SPACE.com: "Space Station Life Has its Ups and Downs, Astronaut Says".

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RIA Novosti: "Russian cosmonauts on ISS take part in census".

---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:40 PM ----------

Here's the ESA press kit for Paolo Nespoli's Expedition 26/27 mission (PDF, 12.1 MB).

---------- Post added at 10:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 18/10/2010.

With the Sabatier reactor installed and the ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) flow within the rack balanced enough to proceed with the Sabatier checkout this week, FE-6 Shannon Walker connected the necessary QDs (Quick Disconnects) for CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly) and OGS (Oxygen Generator System). [In the OGS in Node 3, Shannon mated the TOCA (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer) N2 (nitrogen) hose to the OGS UIP (Utility Interface Panel) N2 connector and later the OGS QD itself. Sabatier may be turned on already tonight, for a "heart-beat" test. Tomorrow and through the end of the week, ground controllers will be performing the checkout operations.]

In order to clear the way for the upcoming (21/10) move of the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) from Columbus Forward 2 (COL1F2) to Lab Starboard 2 (LAB1S2), CDR Doug Wheelock & Shannon today transferred MELFI-2 (Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS-2) from Lab Starboard 2 to Lab Starboard 1, then connected umbilicals. [Due to the moves, the data on fireports (in each rack) in the current EMER-2 Book will be out of date until arrival of updates with STS-133/ULF-5.]

In the US A/L (Airlock), FE-4 Scott Kelly initiated the first round of EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) battery recharging in the BSA (Battery Stowage Assembly).

Afterwards, Scott continued the ongoing gathering & preparing of EVA tools & equipment for the two ULF-5 EVAs.

Several times during the day, the three Russian flight engineers joined for PAO TV events, first being briefed on filling out their registration form for the statewide Russian Population Census, then demonstrating & discussing the registration procedure by completing their own census forms for Moscow TV.

Conjunction Alert:
Flight controllers are tracking a conjunction with Object #33457, a Chinese CZ-4B rocket body. The TCA (Time of Closest Approach) is Tuesday (19/10) at 3:01 PM GMT. Total miss distance: 2.05 km. Radial miss: 0.18 km. A valid PC (Probability of Collision) number is not yet available but an avoidance maneuver is not required.

---------- Post added 19th Oct 2010 at 09:52 PM ---------- Previous post was 18th Oct 2010 at 10:22 PM ----------

NASA: "Space Station Partners Release International Docking Standard".

The International Space Station Multilateral Coordination Board (MCB) has approved a docking system standard. The international standard will provide guidelines for a common interface to link future spacecraft ranging from crewed to autonomous vehicles and from low-Earth orbit to deep-space exploration missions. The interface definition document is available at:
www.internationaldockingstandard.com

The MCB consists of senior representatives from NASA, the Russian Federal Space Agency; the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology assisted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; the European Space Agency; and the Canadian Space Agency. The MCB is the space station's senior level management board. It coordinates the orbiting laboratory's operations and activities among the partners.

"The goal was to identify the requirements to create a standard interface to enable two different spacecraft to dock in space during future missions and operations," said Bill Gerstenmaier, MCB chair and associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "This standard will ease the development process for emerging international cooperative space missions and enable the possibility of international crew rescue missions."

This standardization effort will ensure interface commonality without dictating any particular design behind the standard interface. The document contains the information necessary to describe physical features and design loads of a standard docking interface.

The technical teams from the five space station partner agencies will continue to work on additional refinements and revisions to the initial standard.

The Multilateral Coordination Board released the document to allow non-partner agencies and commercial developers to review the new standard and provide feedback.

Interested parties may send comments to:
[email protected]

----------

ESA: "New international standard for spacecraft docking".

Partners in the International Space Station programme have agreed on a new standard for docking systems, which will be capable also of implementing berthing. The agreement allows a range of compatible, but not necessarily identical, mechanisms for spacecraft docking. A first agreed version of the Interface Definition Document will be released on 25 October.

The International Docking System Standard (IDSS) provides the guidelines for a common interface to link spacecraft together. It builds on the heritage of the Russian developed APAS system (Androgynous Peripheral Attachment System) used for the Space Shuttle for the ‘hard docking’ and the innovative soft-capture features of the new NASA and ESA systems. Other agencies will be free to choose specific features behind the interface.

“The IDSS is an outstanding example of international collaboration. We have developed a common language for docking systems to use the same 'words' in space when it comes to work together,” said Simonetta Di Pippo, ESA Director of Human Spaceflight.

“The Docking Standard sweeps away the boundaries for a truly global exploration endeavour. It will also make joint spacecraft docking operations more routine and eliminate critical obstacles to joint space exploration undertakings,” she continued.

“Today, our future in space is more open-minded than ever. ESA has been committed to the development of this standard since the inception of the working group and has contributed to the document defining this standard interface. We have been working for a number of years on the development of the IBDM (International Berthing Docking Mechanism) and we are willing to make the IBDM compatible with this new international docking standard,” Simonetta Di Pippo concluded.

Open and flexible standard

The initial IDSS definition document will be released into the public domain on 25 October. It will contain a preliminary description of the physical features and design loads of the standard docking interface.

The technical teams from the five ISS partner agencies will continue to work on additional refinements and additions to the initial standard. ESA, NASA, Roscosmos, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Canadian Space Agency are represented on the Multilateral Coordination Board, which coordinates Station activities among the partners.

----------

International Docking System Standard (IDSS) Interface Definition Document (IDD) [PDF, 1.01 MB].

---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 19/10/2010.

In DC-1 (Docking Compartment-1), FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin worked on the Russian Orlan-MK spacesuits #4 & #5, upgrading the software on the Orlan computers. Later, the software upgrade was repeated on Orlan-MK #6 in MRM-2 (Mini Research Module-2). [For upgrading the computers, Fyodor loaded the new software from the RSE-Med laptop via a special OPU operational reprogramming device (TA339) from FGB stowage, as he had done on 30/06 on the Orlan BRTA radio/telemetry units.]

Reboost:
A one-burn reboost of ISS is scheduled tomorrow afternoon at 7:41 PM GMT using the Progress M-07M/39P DPO rendezvous & docking thrusters. Planned burn duration: 228.7 seconds; delta-V: 0.55 m/s.

---------- Post added at 10:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 PM ----------

Roscosmos PAO: "About Upcoming ISS Reboost".

In accordance with the International Space Station mission ballistics support program, ISS reboost is scheduled for Oct. 20.
The maneuver is to be assisted by 8 attitude thrusters of the Progress M-07M cargo vehicle attached to the Zvezda instrumentation compartment. The engines will be started at 23:41 Moscow time (19:41 GMT). Estimated value of the burn is 0.5 mps. As a result of the maneuver which is to last 228,7 sec, the altitude of the station shall become 0.9km higher, or to achieve 353,3 km.
The operation is aimed at providing favorable conditions for further docking to the station of Russian Progress M-08M and US Discovery STS-133 to be launched on Oct. 27 and Nov. 1, respectfully.

---------- Post added 20th Oct 2010 at 09:47 PM ---------- Previous post was 19th Oct 2010 at 10:28 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 20/10/2010.

Preparatory to the Progress M-05M/37P undocking on 26/10, FE-2 Alexander Kaleri worked on the panel of 37P's SrPK air supply tankage system, closing valves and removing two pressure regulators (KR1, KR2), which he had inspected on 14/10.

In the US A/L, CDR Doug Wheelock terminated the second round of EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) battery recharging in the BSA (Battery Stowage Assembly). Later, Doug made preparations for the regular "bakeout" regeneration of EVA (Extravehicular Activity) METOX (Metal Oxide) canisters for CO2 (carbon dioxide) removal.

In DC-1 & MRM-2, FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin worked on the Russian Orlan-MK spacesuits (#4, #5, #6), performing fit checks on their helmets for a US EHIP (EMU Helmet Interchangeable Portable) light/TV assembly (#1006) brought over from the USOS (US Segment) by FE-4 Scott Kelly. [Russia has developed various spacers of different widths to give a tighter fit. Scott showed Fyodor how to install the EHIP and took final configuration photography for confirmation as his time allowed.]

Working in COL to prepare for tomorrow's scheduled move of the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) from COL Forward 2 (COL1F2) to Lab Starboard 2 (LAB1S2), Doug first reconfigured the RFCA (Rack Flow Control Assembly) from LTL (Low Temperature Loop) operation to MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop). [The activity required rotation of the AV-3 (Avionics Rack-3) at Lab Deck 2 (LAB1D2) down and later return it to its "upright" position.]

Next, Doug stowed the MSG video equipment with its two monitors & touchpad plus the MLC (MSG Laptop Computer) with associated cabling, and then verified that the facility is ready for transfer to the Lab.

Reboost:
A one-burn reboost of ISS is scheduled later today at 7:41 PM EDT using the Progress M-07M/39P DPO rendezvous & docking thrusters. Planned burn duration: 228.7 seconds; delta-V: 0.55 m/s.

---------- Post added at 10:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 PM ----------

M&Ms - I mean, assorted candies - in spaaaace! :lol:

iss025e007580.jpg

Hi-res version.

---------- Post added at 10:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:11 PM ----------

My third NASASpaceFlight article:

ISS Prepares for Busy Upcoming Year of Logistics Operations.
 
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From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 21/10/2010.

CDR Doug Wheelock, assisted by FE-4 Scott Kelly, had ~3 hours set aside for transferring the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) from COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) Forward 2 (COL1F2) to Lab Starboard 1 (LAB1S1). [With the MSG gone, the fireport tables for COL include a fireport that no longer exists there. Fireports are openings in console and wall panels for fire extinguisher nozzle insertion to reach behind-panel space.]

Doug & Scott both went through the CBT (computer-based training) session for the new Soyuz TMA-01M/24S delivered HMS (Health Maintenance System) Tonometry hardware & procedures, then verified Tonometer equipment functionality & readiness in microgravity by performing individual eye pressure measurements on an eye simulator. [Tonometer measurements in micro-G will be used to assess the health of the crew's eyes.]

FE-6 Shannon Walker set up the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) for its subsequent grapple maneuver at Node 2 by:

  • Connecting the Lab RWS (Robotics Workstation) DCP (Display & Control Panel) bypass cable.
  • Connecting the Cupola RWS DCP bypass cable.
  • Installing the CRA (Crew Restraint Assembly) in the Cupola (which enables crewmembers to work at the CUP RWS without floating away - but involves a hatch drag-thru).
  • Configuring the cabling between the DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) SSC (Station Support Computer) and PCS (Portable Computer System) laptops.
  • Reviewing times for SSRMS Ops and DOUG software startup to receive telemetry during Ops.
  • Checking out the RWS in preparation for STS-133/ULF-5.

Afterwards, Shannon & Scott maneuvered the SSRMS to grapple the Node 2 PDGF (Power & Data Grapple Fixture).

ISS Reboost:
A one-burn reboost of ISS was performed yesterday at 7:41 PM GMT using the Progress M-07M/39P DPO rendezvous & docking thrusters. The 3 minute 49 second duration burn generated a delta-V of 0.5 m/s and raised the ISS mean altitude by approximately 890 m. This reboost places the ISS in the proper phasing attitude and altitude for Progress M-08M/40P launch on 27/10 and consecutive FD-3 launch opportunities for STS-133/ULF-5 starting on 1/11. It is also the first of two reboosts to set up conditions for Soyuz TMA-19/23S landing on 30/11.

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Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Orbit Boosted".

In accordance with the International Space Station mission ballistics support program, ISS reboost was carried out on Oct. 20.
The maneuver was assisted by 8 attitude thrusters of the Progress M-07M cargo vehicle attached to the Zvezda instrumentation compartment. The engines were started at 23:41 Moscow time (19:41 GMT), to trigger the burn of 0.5 mps. The maneuver lasted 228,7 sec, bringing the ISS into orbit with the following parameters:
Min altitude – 350.7 km.
Max altitude – 375.7 km.
Revolution – 91.54 min.
Inclination – 51.66 deg.
The operation is aimed at providing favorable conditions for further docking to the station of Russian Progress M-08M and US Discovery STS-133 to be launched on Oct. 27 and Nov. 1, respectfully.
 
NASA: NASA To Mark 10th Anniversary Of Life On Space Station:
WASHINGTON -- NASA will commemorate the 10th anniversary of human life, work and research on the International Space Station (ISS) with an Oct. 27 series of roundtable discussions. The events at three NASA centers and headquarters in Washington will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website www.nasa.gov/ntv.

...

The events will feature former space station residents, key leaders and team members who have guided the station through its first 10 years. Panelists at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida; Johnson Space Center in Houston; Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.; and NASA Headquarters in Washington will discuss the challenges and accomplishments of the station's first decade of assembly and research and consider the promise of the upcoming decade of microgravity research.

...
Click to expand...
 
NASA will commemorate the 10th anniversary...with an Oct. 27 series of roundtable discussions...
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, that's how I like to party :dry: :P
 
dougkeenan said:
Regarding the furnace in KOBAIRO, how fast can it change temperature?
Click to expand...

Doug, good question!

As for the answer, I honestly don't know - I can't find any info on it.

However, if zero-G furnaces are you forte, then you'll be pleased to know that an even better one will arrive in a few years! It's called the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF), and will be installed in the JPM! :)

The Japanese have all the best furnaces! :thumbup:

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JAXA: "Discovery of New X-ray Celestial Body in Centaurs by Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI)".

October 22, 2010 (JST).
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN).

The MAXI Mission Team found a new X-ray celestial body by the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) installed on the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on October 17 (Sun.) This is the second nova discovery by the MAXI following the finding of MAXI J1659-152 on September 25 (Sat.).
The nova emerged in Centaurs became brighter around October 17, but, as it was still dark, we took a few days to analyze observation data, then reported its location information to the world at around 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 20 (Wed., Japan Standard Time) through the Astronomer's Telegram (ATel No.2959.) Upon receiving this report, NASA's astronomical satellite "Swift" (*1) conducted an urgent tracking and observation from midnight October 21 (JST.) As a result, the nova was confirmed to be a unprecedented bright X-ray source. It is predicted to be highly possible that the nova is either a neutron star with a companion star of a massive star which exists extremely far away, over several ten thousands light-years, in the Galaxy, or a black hole.
With the discovery this time, the MAXI proved its capability of discovering a X-ray nova existing far away in the Galaxy. The MAXI team will continue its observations in cooperation with the Swift satellite to elucidate more details of this nova. It is named "MAXI J1409-619."

*1 Gamma-ray burst observation satellite launched on Nov. 20, 2004.

20101022_maxi_2e.jpg

Images of areas of 10 degrees in radius around the nova MAXI J1409-619. A celestial body that was not observed on Oct. 12 shone bright on the 17th.
Right ascension 14 hr. 09 min. 2 sec., Declination -61 deg. 57 min.

20101022_maxi_3e.png

The detailed X-ray image shot by the Swift satellite. An unknown bright new celestial body was seen in the brighter part (0.2 degrees in radius) observed by the MAXI.

The MAXI team itself is a Japanese team consisting of researchers from JAXA, RIKEN, and domestic universities, but we have very close ties with the Swift team, which is mainly composed of American, Britain and Italian researchers, for observations.
This discovery was mainly conducted by Assistant Professor Kazutaka Yamaoka of Aoyama Gakuin University (also a member of the MAXI team) and Dr. Jamie A. Kennea of Penn State University.

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Cosmonaut food prices skyrocket due to inflation: official.

The price of food rations on board the International Space Station (ISS) has increased by nearly 50 percent over the past year due to inflation, a Russian official said on Thursday.

"Last year, the cosmonaut's daily ration in space cost about 11,000 rubles (250 euros), and today the cost is reaching 15,000 rubles," Viktor Dobrovolsky, director of the food institute that supplies space cosmonauts, told the Interfax news agency.

The increase is caused by price inflation on natural products used in making the rations, and rising costs of required tests and analyses, he said.

Cosmonauts consume between 1.6 and 1.75 kilogrammes of food per day. The menu is repeated every eight days, Dobrovolsky said.

When in weightless conditions, cosmonauts generally consume moist and sticky products like buckwheat porridge, boiled eggs, pudding and ragout, since these foods stay on the forks and spoons without floating away.

Products that cause crumbs, like bread, are excluded since crumbs can scatter around the spaceship. Salt and pepper can only be used if salt is dissolved in water and pepper is mixed in vegetable oil.


----------

Xinhua: "More variety on menu for future Russian cosmonauts".

Russian cosmonauts will in future enjoy a more varied diet while in space, Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Skvortsov, who recently returned from the International Space Station, said Friday.

"Now we are switching to 16 days allowance instead of eight to meet all the demands of cosmonauts," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted the cosmonaut as saying.

Skvortsov also noted that the preferences and appetites of those onboard tended to change.

"When I was on the Earth, I drank tea without sugar, but on board I started drinking it with sugar," he said.

Skvortskov also said there were difficulties in sending particular food products to the Russian cosmonauts because they had to undergo special tests and correspond to the All-Union State Standards for cosmonauts.

In Russia, the selection of food for cosmonauts is much stricter than in the U.S., with American cosmonauts able to receive products bought in any supermarket of the country.

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Space News: "Europe To Broaden Access to the Space Station".

---------- Post added 23rd Oct 2010 at 12:25 AM ---------- Previous post was 22nd Oct 2010 at 10:42 PM ----------
tblaxland said:
Oh yeah, that's how I like to party :dry: :P
Click to expand...

I'm sure some non-alcoholic alcohol will be readily available! :lol:

---------- Post added at 01:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 AM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 23/10/2010.

CDR Doug Wheelock supported another test on the newly transferred & installed MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), by visually inspecting & activating the MSG facility, with the video camera set up to allow ground monitoring, and later powering it down.

FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin spent several hours on preparing Progress M-05M/37P for its departure next Monday, 25/10 (~2:22 PM GMT). Specifically, the usual close-out steps included:
  • Installing the docking mechanism (StM, Stykovochnovo mekhanizma) between Progress and the DC-1 Nadir port (done yesterday) [the StM is the "classic" probe-and-cone type, consisting of an active docking assembly (ASA) with a probe (SSh), which fits into the cone (SK) on the passive docking assembly (PSA) for initial soft dock and subsequent retraction to hard dock. The ASA is mounted on the Progress' cargo module (GrO), while the PSA sits on the docking ports of the SM, FGB, DC-1, MRM-1, and MRM-2].
  • Uninstalling & removing the LKT local temperature sensor commutator (TA251MB) of the BITS2-12 onboard measurement telemetry, along with its ROM unit (Read-Only Memory, TA765B) for re-use.
  • Activating the spacecraft's electronics and taking out the ventilation/heating air duct.
  • Closing the DC-1/37P hatches on TsUP Go (~11:20 AM GMT).
  • Removing the QD (Quick Disconnect) screw clamps (BZV) of the docking & internal transfer mechanism (SSVP) which rigidized the joint [during clamp removal and leak checking, Russian thrusters were inhibited due to load constraints].
  • Starting the standard one-hour leak checking of the SU docking vestibule and fuel/oxidizer transfer line interface between Progress and DC-1.
  • Downlinking Fyodor's formal report on loading completion and the video depicting the close-out activities, for review by ground specialists.

FE-6 Shannon Walker closed the protective shutters of the Lab, JPM & Cupola windows for the 37P pre-undock propellant line purge at 7:05 PM GMT.

Update on Sabatier Reactor:
The Sabatier activation & checkout was completed successfully last night. The system ran for 5 hours, alternating between processing and standby as CO2 (carbon dioxide) was available from CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly). Following the 5 hour checkout, Sabatier operation continued as the OGA (Oxygen Generator Assembly) production rate was increased up to 100%, to evaluate pressure in the vent line that is shared between the Sabatier and OGA. Hamilton Standard has met their initial contractual obligation. This is a huge milestone for the ISS, and congratulations were uplinked to the crew for their great work and perseverance during the last couple weeks. Sabatier will not be run again until sometime after STS-133/ULF-5 because it only works with the CDRA in Node 3 which will undergo IFM (Inflight Maintenance) during ULF-5. Activation of Sabatier after the IFM will largely depend on OGA which is currently under investigation because of some questions regarding water quality in the recirculation loop.

MT Translation:
Ground controllers successfully translated the MT (Mobile Transporter) from WS-6 (Worksite-6) to WS-3 in preparation for the ULF-5 mission. System performance was nominal. With this, all SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System), SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator), and MT preparation tasks for the ULF-5 mission are now complete.

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Today, the ISS broke Mir's record for the length of time of uninterrupted human presence in space!

The previous record set by Mir was 3,644 days (9 years 357 days).
The ISS's cumulative crew time from 31/10/2000 to today is 3,645 days!
 
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From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 25/10/2010.

Progress M-05M/37P undocked successfully from the DC-1 (Docking Compartment-1) Nadir port on time at 2:22 PM GMT. 37P will free-fly for approximately 3 weeks on autonomous mission and is scheduled to re-enter destructively on or about 15/11. [Earlier, CDR Doug Wheelock closed the protective shutters of the Lab, JPM & Cupola windows. FE-6 Shannon Walker turned off the amateur/ham radio equipment. FE-1 Alexander Kaleri & FE-2 Oleg Skripochka monitored the undocking with photo & video cameras, focusing in particular on the Progress docking mechanism to verify that there were no missing or damaged O-ring seals on the docking interface. FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin later switched the DC-1 to Progress PEV (Pressure Equalization Valve, Russian: KVD) manually to its Closed position, a standard post-undocking procedure, and downlinked the pictures.]

In preparation for Progress M-08M/40P docking next Friday, Alexander & Oleg went through the standard 3 hour refresher training for the TORU teleoperator system, which provides a manual backup mode to the Progress' KURS automated rendezvous radar system. A tagup with a TORU instructor at TsUP/Moscow via S-band audio supported the training. [The drill included procedure review, rendezvous, docking data and rendezvous math modeling data review, fly-around, final approach, docking and off-nominal situations (e.g., video or comm. loss). Three different flight conditions were simulated on the RSK1 laptop. The TORU teleoperator control system lets a SM-based crewmember perform the approach and docking of automated Progress vehicles in case of KURS failure. During spacecraft approach, TORU is in "hot standby" mode. Receiving a video image of the approaching ISS, as seen from a Progress-mounted docking television camera ("Klest"), on a color monitor ("Simvol-Ts", i.e. "symbol center") which also displays an overlay of rendezvous data from the onboard digital computer, the CDR would steer the Progress to mechanical contact by means of two hand controllers, one for rotation (RUO), the other for translation (RUD), on adjustable armrests. The controller-generated commands are transmitted from the SM's TORU control panel to the Progress via VHF radio. In addition to the Simvol-Ts color monitor, range, range rate (approach velocity) and relative angular position data are displayed on the "Klest-M" video monitor (VKU) which starts picking up signals from Progress when it is still approximately 8 km away. TORU is monitored in real time from TsUP over RGSs (Russian Ground Sites) and via Ku-band from Houston, but its control cannot be taken over from the ground. On 30/10, Progress KURS-A (Active) will be activated at 3:06 PM GMT on DO-1 (Daily Orbit-1), SM KURS-P (Passive) two minutes later. Progress video will be switched on at a range of ~9 km, Progress floodlight at ~8 km. Progress TORU will activate at 3 km range. Flyaround to the DC-1 Nadir port (~400 m range, in sunlight) starts at 4:17:28 PM GMT, followed by station keeping at 170 m at ~4:24:40 PM GMT. Start of final approach: ~4:28:30 PM GMT (DO-2) in sunlight, contact: ~4:39:30 PM GMT. SM Kurs-P deactivation on mechanical capture. Sunset: 4:29 PM GMT.]

Doug unstowed and installed a power cable chain for powering the SSC-14 (Station Support Computer-14) laptop at the Cupola RWS (Robotic Workstation) for STS-133/ULF-5 robotic operations.

Later, Doug worked in the A/L (Airlock) with FE-3 Scott Kelly, checking out the SAFER (Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue) units to be used in the two ULF-5 EVAs.

Scott & Shannon both worked on the new Soyuz TMA-01M/24S delivered HMS (Health Maintenance System) Tonometry hardware & procedures, verifying Tonometer equipment functionality & readiness in microgravity by performing individual eye pressure measurements on an eye simulator. [Tonometer measurements in micro-G will be used to assess the health of the crew's eyes.]

Afterwards, Scott & Shannon conducted a review of the new POC (Portable Onboard Computer) DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) software for the upcoming ULF-5 robotics activities with the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System). Shannon in particular had 2 hours set aside for this preparation.

Scott had ~1 hour for taking special photographic shots with the D2X digital cameras for starting Photosynth mapping in the FGB, Lab, Node 1, Node 2, Node 3, A/L, Columbus, JPM and JLP, with no crewmembers in sight. [Photosynth is a Microsoft-developed process to turn series of photos into 3-D panoramic vistas. Photosynth allows everyone (except Mac users) to create unique panoramas or "synths" using their own photos. Photosynth was already used by NASA last year for RPM (R-bar Pitch Maneuver) photography of the Orbiter underside. It is being used to create a 3-D rendering of the ISS's interior for training purposes, so astronauts familiarize themselves with their new home before they get there.]

Conjunction Alert:
Flight controllers are tracking a conjunction of High Concern with Object #81621 (Unknown). The TCA (Time of Closest Approach) is tomorrow, Tuesday 26/10 at 12:41 PM GMT. Radial miss (latest estimate): 0.17 km. The PC (Probability of Collision) is in the RED box. If required, a posigrade DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) of 0.4 m/s would be performed at 10:25 AM GMT tomorrow morning.

---------- Post added at 09:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 PM ----------

Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Beats Mir Record".

International Space Station has beaten a record by Mir station many years ago. The ISS has become the longest habitable space outpost ever built.
The previous record was set by Russian orbital station Mir. The crews were permanently working in Mir from Sept. 8, 1989, till August 28, 1999, within 3641 days, or about 10 years. However, this figure includes also the time spent for many relocations of Soyuz-TM vehicles.
The new record was set by the ISS on Oct. 22, at 11:13 MSK. The crews have been permanently flying in the ISS since Nov. 2, 2000.
Thus, the ISS will also celebrate the 10th jubilee of its first expedition this year.
On Nov. 2, 2000, ISS-1 commanded by William Shepherd, with Sergey Krikalev and Yury Gidzenko, arrived at the station.
 
in the Dutch newspapers:

ISS turns off engines to get to an orbit that's 500 meters higher. They do this to avoid space debris that's on the path of the ISS. The crew is not in danger and they don't have to get into the Soyuz capsules.
 
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Orbinaut Pete said:

Cosmonaut food prices skyrocket due to inflation: official.

The price of food rations on board the International Space Station (ISS) has increased by nearly 50 percent over the past year due to inflation, a Russian official said on Thursday.

"Last year, the cosmonaut's daily ration in space cost about 11,000 rubles (250 euros), and today the cost is reaching 15,000 rubles," Viktor Dobrovolsky, director of the food institute that supplies space cosmonauts, told the Interfax news agency.
Click to expand...

Six commuter train stations away from MCC-Moscow's gateways and they can find a grocery market with quite affordable prices. Do I need to submit my suggestion officially? :rolleyes:
 
Apparently, the DAM won't affect Progress M-08M or STS-133! :)

SPACE.com: "Space Station Dodges Debris from Old NASA Satellite".

---------- Post added at 06:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:28 PM ----------

NASA: "International Space Station Water System Successfully Activated".

NASA has announced the successful activation of new hardware that will support water production services aboard the International Space Station.

The Sabatier system can create up to 530 gallons of water per year from byproducts of the station's Oxygen Generation System and Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly. The process is named for Paul Sabatier, a 1912 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry.

"This is an important step forward in NASA's commercialization endeavors and shows how successful private industry can be at providing solutions on its own," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Space Operations at the agency's Headquarters in Washington. "The ability to produce this water will be important for sustaining space station operations once the shuttle is retired."

The system was integrated into the space station's Water Recovery System during the week of Oct. 11. Activation, checkout and first use of the system were completed Oct. 22, running for over eight hours.

The Sabatier process uses a nickel catalyst to interact with hydrogen and carbon dioxide at elevated temperatures and pressures to produce water and methane. The water is retained for recycling processes, and the methane is vented outside of the space station.
Prior to adding the Sabatier system, hydrogen produced while generating station oxygen was considered waste gas and vented overboard. Carbon dioxide generated by crew metabolism also was vented overboard. With the Sabatier system, these two former waste gases will generate a valuable product for the space station: water.

Under contract to NASA, Hamilton Sundstrand supplied the flight hardware and operational support for a Sabatier-reaction-based system that operates as part of the station's Environmental Control and Life Support System. This contract is unique because NASA did not participate in design reviews or impose any specifications on the design, except for those defined in the safety, interface and acceptance requirements met by Hamilton Sundstrand.

The company developed, procured, and built the flight hardware and support equipment needed for operations and training. The in-orbit operational portion of the contract runs until Sept. 30, 2014.

---------- Post added at 06:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:33 PM ----------

Astronomy Now: "International Space Station experiment detects nova".

The Huntsville Times: "NASA scientists reflect on 10 years of humans living and working on International Space Station".

---------- Post added at 07:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 PM ----------

Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Orbit Boosted to Avoid Fragment of Space Garbage".

Specialists from the Russian Mission Control Centre (MCC) boosted on Tuesday the orbit of the International Space Station in order to avoid its collision with space garbage.

Progress cargo craft’s eight thrusters assisted the maneuver. The thrusters were triggered at 14:25 MSK, for 180 seconds totally.

ISS’s speed increased by 0.4 meters per second, Mission Control Center’ s sources said. As a result, the orbit was raised by about 700 meters. In the point of dangerous approach the station was 1.5 kilometers above the space garbage, they said, ITAR-TASS reports.

NASA specialists on Tuesday warned Russian colleagues that a fragment of space garbage was approaching the International Space Station, and this, according to NASA specialists, could pose danger to the station and its crew.

“If specialists of the Russian Mission Control Centre decide that the approaching has become dangerous, they will make an emergency correction of the ISS orbit,” centre’s spokesman Valery Lyndin said earlier on Tuesday. “The approach is called dangerous, if the possibility of a collision is 0.001 percent,” he added.

The Russian-American crew of Alexander Kaleri, Oleg Skripochka, Fyodor Yurchikhin, Shannon Walker, Douglas Wheelock and Scott Kelly continued working nominally.

The orbit is usually boosted to move the station to the necessary point for docking with a cargo craft or a piloted craft. Now and then it is changed in order to avoid space garbage, small meteorites, debris of old satellites and spacecraft.

----------

Roscosmos PAO: "Two ISS Cosmonauts to Make Space Walk on November 15".

The next space walk by Russian cosmonauts of the International Space Station is to take place on Nov. 15, Interfax informs quoting ISS RS Flight Director Vladimir Soloviev.
According to him, the EVA will begin at 17:25 MSK and last about 6 hours.
Cosmoanuts Fiodor Yurchikin and Oleg Skipochka are to install universal platform for scientific payloads on the outer surface of the Zvezda module.

---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:02 PM ----------

NASA TV Video: Spacelab Mission Remembered as Milestone.​
 
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Great to see that they don't forget such great missions. But it's a bit sad that there will be propably no german in space for several years.
 
Aviation Week: "ISS Partners Set Docking Interface Standards".

Flight Global: "Space ministers press for co-operation to make exploration a reality".

----------

NASA Feature: "10 Years on the ISS".


NASA TV Video: The International Space Station: Together is the Future.​


---------- Post added at 08:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:47 PM ----------

NASA TV Video: NASA Administrator Marks ISS Tenth Anniversary.​


---------- Post added 28th Oct 2010 at 08:07 PM ---------- Previous post was 27th Oct 2010 at 08:21 PM ----------

Some NASA TV Videos.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg-eVs1A_p8"]YouTube - First ISS Commander Reflects on Station's 10th Anniversary[/ame]

---------- Post added 29th Oct 2010 at 12:24 AM ---------- Previous post was 28th Oct 2010 at 08:07 PM ----------

NASA: "NASA Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of Space Station With Crew News Conference And New Web Content".

The International Space Station partner agencies will mark a major milestone on Nov. 2 with the 10-year anniversary of people living permanently aboard the space station. NASA will commemorate the event with a news conference featuring the six crew members currently in orbit.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will begin the event, speaking live to the station crew at 9:15 a.m. EDT from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. His remarks and the following news conference will be broadcast live on NASA Television.

The news conference will begin immediately after the administrator's conversation with the crew and be open to participation from accredited media representatives at participating NASA or international partner locations. U.S. media planning to attend should contact their respective NASA newsroom by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1.

Expedition 25, the 25th crew to live and work aboard the station, consists of Commander Doug Wheelock; his fellow NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Shannon Walker; and Russian cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin, Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka.

The crew is awaiting the launch of space shuttle Discovery's six astronauts on the STS-133 mission to deliver supplies, spare parts and a permanent cargo module to the station. STS-133 is scheduled to lift off at 4:40 p.m. EDT on Nov. 1 from Kennedy.

"As we look forward to the next 10 years, taking us through 2020, the space station will serve many roles," said Mike Suffredini, International Space Station program manager. "With its permanent human presence, it will serve as a foothold for long-term exploration into space, being an integral part of testing human endurance, equipment reliability and processes essential for space exploration."

Since the Expedition 1 crew arrived at the station, humans have continuously occupied the orbiting laboratory. More than 196 people have visited the complex, and by the exact time of the anniversary (5:21 a.m., Nov. 2, 2000), the station will have completed 57,361 orbits of the Earth, traveling some 1.5 billion miles.

Representatives of the five international agencies that built and operate the station have agreed in principle to continuing its use for another decade. The governments of the 15 participating nations in the station partnership are in the process of formally endorsing that plan. More than 600 different research and technology development experiments have been conducted on the station, many of which are producing advances in medicine, recycling systems and a fundamental understanding of the universe.

In addition to the crew news conference, NASA is updating the content of the International Space Station section of its website in recognition of the 10th anniversary. The update supports the on-going transition from station assembly to utilization. The website now will focus on the research in the unique microgravity environment of low-Earth orbit.

The updated section of the NASA website incorporates an improved organization system to help visitors find what they are looking for with regard to research and technology development, crews and expeditions, international cooperation and the new capabilities of the station as a U.S. national laboratory.

The new space station section also provides better linkages with social media applications, including a new International Space Station Program scientist blog, and Twitter accounts for astronauts aboard the station and the National Laboratory. For more information, visit:
www.nasa.gov/station

For a Flash feature and Web story on the first 10 years of human life aboard the station, visit:
www.nasa.gov/externalflash/expedition_10_years
www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/living/10years.html

Julie Robinson, space station program scientist, is sponsoring an inside look at how research is conducted on the station through a new blog. The blog will bring to the public the stories of the researchers and their discoveries as they unfold.

For the new program scientist blog, visit:
http://go.usa.gov/atI

To follow station science on Twitter, visit:
www.twitter.com/@ISS_Research

To follow the station's national laboratory activities, visit:
www.twitter.com/@ISS_NatLab

To follow Twitter updates from Expedition 25 astronauts Wheelock and Kelly, visit:
www.twitter.com/@Astro_Wheels
www.twitter.com/@StationCDRKelly

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:
www.nasa.gov/ntv

---------- Post added at 02:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 28/10/2010.

FE-6 Shannon Walker cleaned out the Deck 2 bay in Node 1 in support of upcoming CBCS (Centerline Berthing Camera System) installation and PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module) berthing (except for three CTBs (Cargo Transfer Bags) and the vacuum cleaner).

In preparation for the arrival of Progress M-08M/40P on Saturday, CDR Doug Wheelock & FE-1 Alexander Kaleri set up the Ku-band video "scheme" for a communications test of converting the RS (Russian Segment) video signal from the SONY HDV camera to US NTSC format and Ku-band from FGB & SM, for downlinking "streaming video" packets via US OpsLAN and Ku-band. [For the test, Doug configured the SSC-1 (Station Support Computer-1) A31p laptop in the FGB and activated the VWS (Video Streaming Workstation) laptop for both the conversion and the "streaming" MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Expert Group-2) encoding, with FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin running the video test from the RS.]

---------- Post added at 08:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:09 PM ----------

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 29/10/2010.

In preparation for the Progress M-08M/40P docking tomorrow, FE-1 Alexander Kaleri & FE-2 Oleg Skripochka tagged up with ground instructors at TsUP/Moscow via S-band/audio for a one-hour refresher discussion of the TORU teleoperator system operations during rendezvous & docking. TORU provides a manual backup mode to the Progress' KURS automated rendezvous radar system. A tagup with a TORU instructor supported the training. [The TORU teleoperator control system lets a SM-based crewmember perform the approach and docking of automated Progress vehicles in case of KURS failure. During spacecraft approach, TORU is in "hot standby" mode. Receiving a video image of the approaching ISS, as seen from a Progress-mounted docking television camera ("Klest"), on a color monitor ("Simvol-Ts", i.e. "symbol center") which also displays an overlay of rendezvous data from the onboard digital computer, the CDR would steer the Progress to mechanical contact by means of two hand controllers, one for rotation (RUO), the other for translation (RUD), on adjustable armrests. The controller-generated commands are transmitted from the SM's TORU control panel to the Progress via VHF radio. In addition to the Simvol-Ts color monitor, range, range rate (approach velocity) and relative angular position data are displayed on the "Klest-M" video monitor (VKU) which starts picking up signals from Progress when it is still approximately 8 km away. TORU is monitored in real time from TsUP over Russian Ground Sites (RGSs) and via Ku-band from Houston, but its control cannot be taken over from the ground. tomorrow (30/10), Progress KURS-A (active) will be activated at 3:06 PM GMT on Daily Orbit-1 (DO-1), SM KURS-P (passive) two minutes later. Progress floodlight will be switched on at a range of ~8 km. Flyaround to the DC-1 Nadir port (~400 m range, in sunlight) starts at 4:17:28 PM GMT, followed by station keeping at 170 m at ~4:24:40 PM GMT. Start of final approach: ~4:28:30 PM GMT (DO-2) in sunlight, contact: ~4:39:30 PM GMT after local sunset (4:29 PM GMT). SM Kurs-P deactivation on mechanical capture.]

FE-6 Shannon Walker readied the Node 1 Nadir hatch latch for PMM arrival by setting it to Unlatch to minimize the probability of hatch mechanism jam prior to the berthing, and installed & checked out the CBCS (Centerline Berthing Camera System) at Node 1 Nadir, with its power, video and control unit connections.

---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 PM ----------

Space News: "NASA Plans for Nonprofit To Manage Station Research".

SPACE.com: "Horror Stories From Space: 10 Ways Life in Orbit Can Be Rough".
 
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