Updates ISS UPDATES

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 11/12/2010.

>>>>The ISS Program has been selected to receive the 2011 National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Current Achievement. ISS Program Manager Mike Suffredini will receive the Trophy on behalf of the ISS Program at the annual NASM black tie dinner and awards ceremony in Washington on April 27, 2011. Congratulations, team!<<<<

CDR Scott Kelly's discretionary "job jar" task list also received an addition today (hard-scheduled for Monday), for him to move CEVIS (Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation System) up by 2 seat track holes. [Historically, the CEVIS is generally located at the 6th seat track from the deck. Last year, CEVIS was placed on CRAB (CEVIS Rack Attachment Bracket) to provide room for the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) when it was in the Lab. When removed from CRAB, CEVIS was moved to the 9th seat track from the deck. It was at this location when Doug Wheelock was hitting his head and thus he moved it down to its current location to provide more headroom. Unfortunately, its current location is too low because the CEVIS frame hits the WORF (Window Observational Research Facility) rack. So Scott has to move it back to the 6th seat track to prevent the frame from hitting WORF while providing sufficient headroom.]

Conjunction Update:
Flight controllers continue to monitor a conjunction with a piece of orbital debris, Object 25502 (an Atlas 2A Centaur rocket body) with a TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on Saturday 11/12 at 8:42 PM GMT, now classified as below the threshold for scheduling a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver). No maneuver was necessary.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 13/12/2010.

Activities completed by CDR Scott Kelly in the course of the day were:

• Moving the CEVIS (Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation System) exercise machine in the US Lab to prevent user interference with the WORF (Window Observational Research Facility) rack [The ergometer was moved by two seat track holes in the "up" direction, followed by closeout photography showing the new locations of the four isolators and an overall view].
• Supporting JAXA ground-commanded HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) PROX (Proximity Operations) equipment checkout activities in the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module) [by setting up the video camcorder for live coverage of Monitor 3 overlays, then activating & monitoring the HCP (Hardware Command Panel) in test mode for its selfcheck and subsequent downlink of BSP-A (Baseband Signal Processor string-A) and TRX-A function performance & command in real time to the ground HTV simulator at TNSC (Tanegashima Space Center) GS (Ground Station) in Japan)].
• Cleaning up the failed MELFI-2 (Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS-2) by wiping down its dewars internally to dry them (to prevent microbial growth when the rack has warmed up to ambient temperature), then re-inserting the trays with ice bricks (+4°C) in Dewars 3 & 4 back in MELFI-2.
• Adjusting the OGS (Oxygen Generation System) sample adapter, setting its metering valve to near-minimum flow in preparation for the upcoming OGS "Bleed & Feed" activity [Currently, OGA (Oxygen Generator Assembly) operation is restricted due to low pH value in the recirculation loop water. The upcoming corrective activity should mitigate the low water pH by bleeding water out of the recirculation loop and replacing it with water from the potable bus.]

As a special, late-added task, FE-2 Oleg Skripochka performed troubleshooting on the Vozdukh CO2 (carbon dioxide) removal system which stopped operating last Saturday (11/12) due to the air pump system. It failed again yesterday when ground controllers tried to restart it. Oleg today worked with the ground to conduct functionality tests on the pump in an attempt to get it back to operation.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Today's ISS Report shows that HTV-2 will be berthed to Node 2 Zenith on Janurary 27th (HTV-2's rendezvous & capture date), instead of Node 2 Nadir.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Roscosmos PAO: "Wind is to Blow in the ISS".

Cosmonauts of the International Space Station are running the first session of the Wind experiment today.
Flight engineer Oleg Skripochka will measure parameters of the gas environment in the wind developed by a special air-cleaning fan.
The experiment is aimed at finding alternative solutions for environmental cleaning in the ISS.
The plan of the crew also includes Coulomb Crystal educational experiment which is carried out to study charge particle flows in microgravity. The experiment is to be run by Alexander Kaleri.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 14/12/2010.

After yesterday's replacement of the Vozdukh CO2 (carbon dioxide) removal system's air pump system (VN), FE-1 Alexander Kaleri today re-connected the VN to the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system, and FE-2 Oleg Skripochka later activated the system in Mode 5.

CDR Scott Kelly supported JAXA in the final part of the ground-commanded HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) PROX (Proximity Operations) checkout activities in the JPM (JEM Pressurized Module), focused on the HCP (Hardware Command Panel). [Yesterday's checkout, during which commands were sent from the HCP to the ground HTV simulator at TNSC (Tanegashima Space Center) GS (Ground Station) in Japan, was successful, confirming a successful RF (Radio Frequency) link between the ISS and the ground. The crew will use the HTV PROX during HTV-2 rendezvous operations scheduled for 27/01/2011.]

In support of troubleshooting the damaged SLC (Stray Light Cover) and video multipurpose arms at the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), Scott took situational photography of the hardware in question. [MSG team is developing procedures to repair SLC & arms, but requires photographs detailing the current level of damage.]

Scott also finished locating & gathering the equipment needed for the upcoming OGA (Oxygen Generator Assembly) "bleed & feed" activity, including hoses, adapters, and bags. All required hardware was found. [Currently, OGA operation is restricted due to low pH value in the recirculation loop water. The upcoming corrective activity should mitigate the low water pH by bleeding water out of the recirculation loop and replacing it with water from the potable bus.]

Scott replaced old cue cards for the MSS (Mobile Service System) at the Cupola and Lab RWS (Robotic Workstations) with freshly printed copies of two new uplinked cue cards for upcoming Robotics operations (for "free-flyer capture" & "free-flyer release").

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 15/12/2010.

After setting up the video camcorder for live coverage of HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) RWS (Robotic Workstation) overlays, CDR Scott Kelly again supported JAXA ground-commanded HTV PROX (Proximity Operations) equipment checkouts in the JPM (JEM Pressurized Module). [Today's activities: switching off PROX rack power, disassembling & stowing the HCP (Hardware Command Panel) and HCP power/data cabling, consolidating spare HCP cables, updating CTB (Cargo Transfer Bag) labels and taking documentary closeout photography.]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 16/12/2010.

CDR Scott Kelly retrieved the EWIS (External Wireless Instrumentation System) antenna from its stowage in the JLP and installed it in the US Lab on top of the DDCU-1 (DC-to-DC-Converter Unit) rack at location Port 3, connected to the EWIS internal antenna data cable (W5449). [Once a final location in the Lab is determined based on functionality, permanent routing of the cable behind closeouts or in a Lab standoff can be developed. Also, the entire W5449 cable is expected to be replaced with a new cable in the future to provide new functionality for an External Wireless Communication system for external payloads.]

In preparation for tomorrow's rendezvous & docking of Soyuz TMA-20/25S, FE-2 Oleg Skripochka turned off the SM's (Service Module's) amateur radio equipment (Kenwood VHF (Very High Frequency) transceiver with manual frequency selection, headset, & power supply) to prevent RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) with the KURS autopilot operation.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

This caused quite a stir yesterday, but the issue is now resolved.

RIA Novosti: "Russian Mission Control loses, regains communications link to ISS".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 17/12/2010.

Yest kasaniya! Soyuz TMA-20/25S docked successfully at 8:11 PM GMT at MRM-1, 1 minute ahead of schedule, on Soyuz orbit #33 (DO-2), 5 minutes after local sunset. This doubles the station crew size to 6 persons and brings the total number of currently docked Russian VVs (Visiting Vehicles) to 4:

• Soyuz TMA-01M/24S (#701) at MRM-2 Zenith.
• Soyuz TMA-20/25S (#229) at MRM-1 Nadir.
• Progress M-08M/40P (#408) at DC-1 Nadir.
• Progress M-07M/39P (#407) at SM Aft.

It was also the 69th Russian flight to ISS (out of a total of 105 missions).

TMA-20/25S delivered Exp. 26/27 crewmembers FE-4 Dmitri Kondratyev, FE-5 Paolo Nespoli & FE-6 Dr. Catherine (Cady) Coleman. [For Kondratyev, it is the first spaceflight, for Nespoli, who flew on STS-120, it is the second, and for Coleman, past crewmember of STS-73 & STS-93, it is the third.]
Welcome aboard, Dmitri, Paolo and Cady!

The newcomers joined CDR Scott Kelly, FE-1 Alexander Kaleri & FE-2 Oleg Skripochka. After about 3 hours spent in the Soyuz on pre-transfer activities, hatches will be opened at ~11:05 PM GMT, and the crew will transfer to the ISS. This will be followed by the traditional welcome event and the installation of the BZV QD (Quick Disconnect) clamps of the docking & internal transfer mechanism (SSVP) by Dimitri, to rigidize the joint. [The Soyuz TV system was activated at ~7:30 PM GMT (10 km); final approach on automatic KURS pilot began at ~8:03 PM GMT. Shortly after "kasaniya" (contact), automatic "sborka" (closing of Soyuz & MRM-1 Nadir hooks & latches) took place at ~8:12 PM GMT with ISS in free drift. Attitude control authority had been handed over to the Russian MCS (Motion Control System) thrusters at ~4:45 PM GMT and was returned to US CMG (Control Moment Gyroscope) control at ~9:30 PM GMT. For the docking, Russian thrusters will be disabled during Soyuz volume pressurization & clamp installation (9:50 PM to 11:55 PM GMT) and afterwards returned to active attitude control. Before hatch opening, the crew performs leak checks of the Soyuz modules and the Soyuz/MRM-1 interface vestibule. They then doff their Sokol suits, and Dimitri set suits and gloves up for drying. Dmitri also deactivates the BOA (Atmosphere Purification Unit) in the SA (Descent Module), replaces the Soyuz ECLSS LiOH cartridges, equalizes Soyuz/ISS pressures, and puts the spacecraft into conservation mode on ISS integrated power.]

Sleep cycle shift:
To accommodate the arrival of Soyuz TMA-20/25S, crew wake/sleep cycle changes are in effect, featuring today a 4 hour "nap" & 30 minute "snack", and a no-activity Saturday.

• Wake – 6:00 AM GMT (this morning, regular).
• Lunch – 12:00 PM GMT.
• Midday nap – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM GMT.
• Snack – 10:05 PM to 10:35 PM GMT.
• Sleep – 6:00 AM GMT (tomorrow morning, 18/12) for a very long "sleep".
• Wake – 5:59 AM GMT (Sunday, 19/12).
• Sleep – 9:30 PM GMT (Sunday 19/12).
• Wake – 6:00 AM GMT (Monday, 20/12, returning to "normal").

Scott & Oleg worked in MRM-1 to clear it out for the 25S docking, relocating US & Russian food containers from behind MRM-1 panels to designated stowage areas in Node 1, Node 2, FGB & MRM-1.

After their 4 hour "nap", which took from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM GMT, Scott & Alexander set up the Ku-band video "scheme" for covering the Soyuz docking. [Scott activated the FGB-based A31p SSC (Station Support Computer) laptop for the TV conversion to NTSC & Ku-band of the RS (Russian Segment) video signal from the SONY HDV camera via the MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Expert Group-2) encoder from FGB & SM, in order to downlink "streaming video" packets via US OpsLAN and Ku-band. Oleg meanwhile set up and checked out the RSS-1 (SSC-1) laptop at the TsP (Central Post) for monitoring the imagery during the MPEG-2 channel transmission.]

Oleg activated & verified proper operation of the Russian TEKh-15/DAKON-M IZGIB ("Bend") experiment in the SM for taking structural dynamics data during the Soyuz docking. [IZGIB has the objective to help update mathematical models of the ISS gravitation environment, using accelerometers of the Russian SBI Onboard Measurement System, the GIVUS high-accuracy angular rate vector gyrometer of the SUDN Motion Control & Navigation System and other accelerometers for unattended measurement of micro-accelerations at science hardware accommodation locations - (1) in operation of onboard equipment having rotating parts (gyrodynes, fans), (2) when establishing and keeping various ISS attitude modes, and (3) when performing crew egresses into space and physical exercises.]

Afterwards, Oleg:

• Set up the BRTK TVS video equipment to receive video from Soyuz and transmit it via the Ku-band "scheme".
• Configured STTS/station communications for the docking.
• Monitored, with Alexander, the approach and final docking of Soyuz.

After the Soyuz docking at MRM-1, Oleg's activities will include:

• Switching hatch KVDs (PEVs/Pressure Equalization Valves) between MRM-1 & 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).

Alexander will turn off the BRTK TVS video system for subsequent downlinking of footage.

RS thrusters will be inhibited from 9:50 PM to 11:55 PM GMT for the leak check and clamps installation. Soyuz CDR Dimitri Kondratyev will conduct the leak checking on the Soyuz side from ~9:50 PM to 11:05 PM GMT, followed by hatch opening and Crew Welcome, expected to take place at about 11:05 PM to 6:35 PM GMT, to be transmitted to the ground live on PAO TV.

Afterwards, Dimitri will install the interface-rigidizing SSVP BZV quick-disconnect clamps at ~11:35 PM to 11:55 PM GMT.

The newcomers will then join Scott, Alexander & Oleg for the obligatory Safety Briefing by Scott (~12:20 AM to 1:05 AM GMT Saturday 18/12), to familiarize them with procedures and escape routes in case of an emergency.

Other pre-sleeptime activities by the (now six) crewmembers will include:

• Cady & Paolo 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 effects, etc.).
• Dimitri deactivating his docked Soyuz TMA-20 "orbitalniy polyot" (spacecraft).
• Scott, with Dimitri's help, completing the ambient transfer of the 25S-delivered SOLO (Sodium Loading in Microgravity) PCBA (Portable Clinical Blood Analyzer) bag with two measurement pouches and stowing them in MELFI-1 (Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS-1), Dewar 4, Tray C/Sect. 2.
• Alexander installing the ID-3MKS dosimeter assemblies of the RBO-3-2 Matryoshka radiation payload in the #2 Kabin (crew quarters) on the RL protective curtain.
• Scott, Cady & Paolo joining for about an hour for the first crew handover session, to familiarize the newcomers with immediate duties.

 

[orb]

Roscosmos:
Operations and Experiments in the International Space Station (December 20-26, 2010)
:: 18.12.2010

Roscosmos and MCC-M PAO:

December 20, Monday

• ISS attitude control with USOS CMG assistance
• SW upgrading in RSE-MED computer
• Replacement of RSS1 computer by a computer of new generation
• ECLSS (Environment Control and Life Support System) maintenance operations
• Space ray research: BTN-Neutron (registration of high-energy neutron flows)
• Study of the physical conditions in the ISS environment: Matreshka-R (study of radiation environment dynamics in the station and improvement of space dosimeter)
• Space bio-technology: Biotrek (study of space radiation heavy particle flows influence on genetic properties of producing cells in biologically active substances), Lactolen (study of the space environment effects on growing, genetic and physiological parameters of the lactolen producent strain)
• Life-science experiments: Biorisk (exposure of the sets with passive samples), Sonocard (validation of the medical system by using contactless monitoring of the crew physiological parameters during sleeping time), Vzaimodeistvie (Interaction) (study of the long-term space mission crew behavior patterns: crew-ops)
• Geophysics and studies of the near-Earth space: Vsplesk (Splash)(monitoring of the seismic effects in near-Earth space), Impulse (ionosphere sounding by pulsed plasma sources- standby)
• Contract experiments: EXPOSE-R (studies of exobiological processes in outer space)
• Educational experiments: Coulomb Crystal (study of the charged particles dynamics under magnetic field in microgravity)
• Remote sensing: Econ (study of the ISS RS application capabilities for ecological monitoring of various objects in the territory of Russia and other states)

December 21, Tuesday

• ISS attitude control with USOS CMG assistance
• Nitrogen pumping-out from the FGB propulsion high-pressure oxidizer tanks
• Replacement of RSK2 computer by a computer of new generation
• Unloading Soyuz TMA-20 cargo
• Accommodation of the cargo to be disposed of in Progress M-08M
• SW replacement in the payload MU of the conboard equipment control system
• ECLSS maintenance operations
• Coulomb Crystal experimental TV-data downloading
• Space bio-technology: Biotrek, Lactolen
• Study of the physical conditions in the ISS environment: Matreshka-R
• Studies of the Solar system: BTN-Neutron
• Life-science experiments: Biorisk, Sonocard, Vzaimodeistvie, Pilot (validation of the crew skills of vehicle control modes)
• Educational experiments: Coulomb Crystal
• Geophysics and studies of the near-Earth space: Vsplesk, Impulse
• Contract experiments: EXPOSE-R
• Medical test: evaluation of the cardio-vascular system status upon the data of daily holter monitoring

December 22, Wednesday

• Attitude control handover to RS GNC
• ISS reboost assisted by 8 Progress M-07M thrusters
• ISS attitude control with USOS CMG assistance
• Replacement of RSK1 computer by a computer of new generation
• Filling Electron water containers
• ECLSS maintenance operations
• Space bio-technology: Biotrek, Lactolen
• Study of the physical conditions in the ISS environment: Matreshka-R
• Studies of the Solar system: BTN-Neutron
• Life-science experiments: Biorisk, Sonocard, Pilot
• Contract experiments: EXPOSE-R
• Geophysics and studies of the near-Earth space: Vsplesk, Impulse (standby)
• Technical studies and experiments: Bar (validation of the ISS leak detection methods)
• Medical test: evaluation of the cardio-vascular system status upon the data of daily holter monitoring, measurement of the body mass and shank size

December 23, Thursday

• ISS attitude control with USOS CMG assistance
• Replacement of ASN-M navigation computer modules НВМ-1 and НВМ-2
• Soyuz TMA-20 cargo unloading
• Copying Identification experimental results into the laptop
• ECLSS maintenance operations
• Space bio-technology: Biotrek, Lactolen
• Studies of the Solar system: BTN-Neutron
• Life-science experiments: Biorisk, Sonocard, Tipologia (Typology) (study of the typical crew operator`s activities during long-term space missions)
• Study of the physical conditions in the ISS environment: Matreshka-R
• Geophysics and studies of the near-Earth space: Vsplesk, Impulse
• Contract experiments: EXPOSE-R
• Educational experiments: Coulomb Crystal
• Medical test: definition of the packed cell volume, study of the heart bioelectrical activity during rest

December 24, Friday

• ISS attitude control with USOS CMG assistance
• Weekly ISS cleaning
• Crew rest
• ECLSS maintenance operations
• Space bio-technology: Biotrek, Lactolen
• Educational experiments: Coulomb Crystal
• Studies of the Solar system: BTN-Neutron
• Life-science experiments: Biorisk
• Study of the physical conditions in the ISS environment: Matreshka-R
• Geophysics and studies of the near-Earth space: Vsplesk, Impulse, Uragan (Hurricane) (experimental validation of space and ground system designed for natural and human-caused emergency prediction and focused on mitigation of their effects, as well as development of classification and decoding criteria)
• Contract experiments: EXPOSE-R
• Earth studies and ecological monitoring: Zeiner (testing data provision from the ISS RS crew to the Rosryibolovstvo scientific and fishing teams in ocean)

December 25, Saturday

• ISS attitude control with USOS CMG assistance
• ECLSS maintenance operations
• Space bio-technology: Biotrek, Lactolen
• Studies of the Solar system: BTN-Neutron
• Life-science experiments: Biorisk
• Study of the physical conditions in the ISS environment: Matreshka-R
• Geophysics and studies of the near-Earth space: Vsplesk, Impulse
• Contract experiments: EXPOSE-R

December 26, Sunday

• ISS attitude control with USOS CMG assistance
• Charging accumulator batteries of Kelvin IR thermometer under Bar experiment
• ECLSS maintenance operations
• Space bio-technology: Biotrek, Lactolen
• Studies of the Solar system: BTN-Neutron
• Life-science experiments: Biorisk
• Study of the physical conditions in the ISS environment: Matreshka-R
• Geophysics and studies of the near-Earth space: Vsplesk, Impulse, Uragan
• Contract experiments: EXPOSE-R
• Technical studies and experiments: Vector-T
• Earth studies and ecological monitoring: Zeiner, Econ

Nomenclature and sequence of the operations to be performed may vary depending on real circumstances.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Commander Scott Kelly's new video: Working Out Aboard the Space Station.​

ARED is a pretty cool piece of kit! :thumbup:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 18/12/2010.

Saturday – Crew rest day. First full day of the entire Exp. 26 crew complement:
• CDR Scott Kelly (USA).
• FE-1 Alexander Kaleri (Russia).
• FE-2 Oleg Skripochka (Russia).
• FE-4 Dmitri Kondratyev (Russia).
• FE-5 Paolo Nespoli (Italy).
• FE-6 Cady Coleman (USA).

Another First:
A full 24 hours of rest and getting to know each other and their new home for the old and new crewmembers - from 6:00 AM GMT this morning to 6:00 AM GMT tomorrow.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's a new Expedition 26 Poster from collectSPACE. This replaces the old poster due to copyright issues.

Full cS thread.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

My latest NASASpaceFlight article:

ISS Managers review long-term configuration of International Space Station.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 20/12/2010.

FE-6 Catherine "Cady" Coleman had ~30 minutes scheduled to configure and review the upcoming JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) RMS (Remote Manipulator System) checkout in the computerized DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) in preparation for the HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle-2) arrival on 27/1/11. [The RMS checkout will involve the HC (Hand Controller) and Arm Bus, JOCAS (Joint Operator Commanded Auto Sequence), FOR (Frame of Reference {i.e., x,y,z instead of joint angle values} OCAS (Operator Commanded Auto Sequence), and Pause/Proceed function, EE (End Effector) and VLU (Video Light Unit), plus manual operations for familiarization.]

After clearing out space in the Lab end cone & Overhead 4 stowage areas to enable ops, FE-5 Paolo Nespoli completed Part 1 of assembling the SLAMMD (Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device) hardware, then connected the HRF (Human Research Facility) PC (Portable Computer) laptop to SLAMMD.

At the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) A/L (Airlock), Cady removed the Bezel hardware, to be trashed, and replaced it with new components, then verified correct mating of the Ethernet cables and took documentary photographs of the connections at MLC (MSG Laptop Computer), UOP (Utility Outlet Panel) and of the full MSG rack.

Robotics Test:
After ground-commanded power-up of the MSS (Mobile Service System), the MT (Mobile Transporter) with the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) was moved by ground control from WS-3 (Worksite-3) to WS-5 (3:45 PM to 6:45 PM GMT). Subsequently, the SSRMS maneuvered to and grappled MBS (Mobile Base System) PDGF-3 (Power & Data Grapple Fixture-3). For the MT translation, Russian thrusters were disabled at ~3:45 PM GMT and re-enabled at 6:45 PM GMT.

 

[orb]

SpaceRef: Despite NASA Claims, The Primary Purpose (Today) of the Space Station is Operations - Not Science.

 

[orb]

RIA Novosti: Russia's Mission Control to readjust ISS orbit.
________________________________________

Roscosmos:
About Upcoming ISS Reboost
:: 21.12.2010

Roscosmos PAO:

In accordance with the International Space Station mission ballistics support program, ISS reboost is scheduled for Dec. 22.

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 19:28 Moscow time (16:28 GMT). Estimated value of the burn is 2.4 mps. The altitude of the station shall become 4.2km higher, or to achieve 352.9 km.

The operation is aimed at providing favorable conditions for further docking to the station of Russian Progress M-09M and US Discovery STS-133 to be launched on Jan. 28 and Feb. 3, respectfully.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA TV Video: Expedition 26 Holiday Message.​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

For some "behind the scenes" Expedition 26 on-orbit images, be sure to check out the MagISStra Flickr account, where Paolo Nespoli is uploading some great photos.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 21/12/2010.

In the JPM (JEM Pressurized Module), CDR Scott Kelly & FE-6 Cady Coleman conducted a 1 hour checkout of the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) RMS (Remote Manipulator System), readied by Cady yesterday, in preparation for the HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle-2) arrival on 27/01/11. [Before the checkout, Cady set up & powered up the RLT (Robotics Laptop Terminal), started & configured the DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics) application, then activated the CCP (Camera Control Panel), RMS Monitors and other RMS systems. The checkout involved the HC (Hand Controller) and Arm Bus, JOCAS (Joint Operator Commanded Auto Sequence), FOR (Frame of Reference {i.e., x,y,z instead of joint angle values} OCAS (Operator Commanded Auto Sequence), and Pause/Proceed function, EE (End Effector) and VLU (Video Light Unit), plus manual operations for familiarization.]

In the SM (Service Module), FE-1 Alexander Kaleri continued the outfitting of the new RSPI Radio System for Information Transfer, today installing & connecting a large number of jumper cables behind panel 231A. [RSPI will enable the RS (Russian Segment) to downlink large data files using Russian communication assets, similar to the USOS OCA (Orbiter Communication Adapter) system. The external RSPI antenna will be mounted on the SM exterior during the Orlan EVA-27, currently scheduled on 21/01/11.]

Scott conducted a 30 minute IFM (Inflight Maintenance) in the US Lab, installing a UOP (Utility Outlet Panel) at the Starboard 5 location and checking it out.

At ~3:25 PM GMT, the six crewmembers assembled in the SM to take several group photos with the NIKON D2X (or D3) while displaying the flag of the IAA (International Association of Astronautics) and a package of 300 logos, delivered on Soyuz TMA-20/25S. The pictures were to be downlinked via OCA, the flag and logos pre-packed for return on STS-133/ULF-5/Discovery next February. [The IAA is turning 60 years old in 2011. It is an international non-governmental non-profit science organization involved in space research and exploration for peaceful purposes and also rocket technology and space.]

Robotics Test:
More SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) / SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) checkouts were conducted today, and the MT (Mobile Transporter) with the SSRMS was moved by ground control from WS-5 (Worksite-5) to WS-2 (7:05 PM to 10:05 PM GMT). For the MT translation, Russian thrusters were again temporarily disabled.

ISS Reboost:
Tomorrow (22/12) a reboost maneuver is scheduled for the station using the DPA Rendezvous & Docking thrusters of Progress M-07M/39P, docked at SM Aft. The purpose of the reboost is to shape the ISS orbit optimally for the HTV-2 launch on 20/01/11, as well as to set up STS-133 FD-3 (Flight Day-3) rendezvous opportunities for February. TIG (Time of Ignition): 4:28 PM GMT; burn duration: 21 minutes 11 seconds; expected delta-V: 2.40 m/s (7.87 ft/s); expected altitude gain: 4.28 km (2.31 nmi).