Updates ISS UPDATES

[IronRain]

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 17/03/2011.

Underway: Increment 27.
Major activities during Inc. 27 & Inc. 28 (starting 16/05/11) include HTV-2 unberth, STS-134/ULF-6, STS-135/ULF-7, ATV-2 unload & undock, 3 Progress missions (42P, 43P, 43P), a Russian EVA, and SpaceX Demo 2 (close approach).

CDR Dmitri Kondratyev had ~3 hours 10 minutes set aside for more cargo unloading from Progress M-09M/41P, with consecutive updating of the IMS (Inventory Management System). [41P is currently scheduled for undocking on 26/04. At present, the cargo ship still has ~46 lbs of O2 (oxygen) for ISS on board.]

FE-5 Paolo Nespoli & FE-6 Cady Coleman continued HTV-2 (H-II Transfer Vehicle-2) cargo activities, working their way for several hours through a final list of stowage instructions. [Activities included removal of two GLAs (General Luminaire Assemblies) and two LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights in the PLC (Pressurized Logistics Carrier) in preparation for tomorrow's planned installation of the RSPs (Resupply Stowage Platforms) into bays Aft 1 & Forward 1, as well as deployment of portable fans since HTV diffusers will be blocked by the RSPs. Stowage also includes a REBR (Re-Entry Breakup Recorder), a kind of "black box" for re-entry vehicles of 2 kg mass and ~12 inch diameter, containing GPS, temperature sensors, accelerometers, data recorder & an Iridium modem for taking reentry data and "phoning" them "home", to be activated just before hatch closure. A second REBR will be installed in ATV-2.]

At ~5:00 PM GMT, MCC-Houston photo specialists talked with Paolo, discussing the recent RPM (R-Bar Pitch Maneuver) photo session during Discovery's approach when Paolo had to shoot part of his imagery with the NIKON D2X in manual focus after failure of auto focus. [This could have been caused either by low contrast in the FOV (Field Of View) or a hard failure. Efforts are underway to develop mitigation for the STS-134/ULF-6 RPM.]

ATV-2 Reboost:
A one-burn reboost of ISS is scheduled tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM GMT using the ATV OCS thrusters. Planned burn duration: 14 minutes 43 seconds; delta-V: 2.16 m/s (7.09 ft/s). Expected mean altitude gain: 3.7 km (2 nmi). Purpose: Set up phasing for the Soyuz TMA-01M/26S (NET 04/04) and STS-134/ULF-6 (19/04) launches.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Orbit to be Readjusted before Next Arrival".

The orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) will be raised by 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) on Friday, Russian Mission Control said on Thursday.
The readjustment is necessary to ensure the best conditions to dock Russia's Soyuz TMA-21 piloted spacecraft and the U.S. Endeavor space shuttle.
"The maneuver will be conducted using the two main engines on board the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-2), named after Johannes Kepler," the Mission Control said in a statement.
The ATV-2 docked with the ISS on February 24. It will stay in orbit for three months, and will be used mainly to adjust the station's orbit.
Corrections to the space station's orbit are conducted periodically before launches of Russian spacecraft and U.S. shuttles to compensate for the Earth's gravity and to safeguard successful dockings.
Russia's Soyuz TMA-21 is expected to travel to the ISS sometime in early April, while the U.S. Endeavor will blast off from Cape Canaveral on April 19.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 19/03/2011.

FE-5 Paolo Nespoli retrieved the ESA GEOFLOW (Simulation of Geophysical Fluid Flow under Microgravity) payload from ATV-2 (Automated Transfer Vehicle-2) and installed its EC in the lower CEM (Central Experiment Module) in COL (Columbus Orbiting Laboratory) Overhead 3 bay rack front.

Afterwards, Paolo prepared the FSL (Fluid Science Laboratory) FCE (Facility Core Element) for scientific operation by unlocking its locking bolts which protected it against acceleration forces and installing 4 AVM (Anti Vibration Mount) brackets stops to prevent the unwanted extraction of the FCE from the FSL Rack (MVIS/Microgravity Vibration Insulation System locks were not used). [Background: GEOFLOW studies thermal convection in the flow of a viscous incompressible fluid (silicone oil) held in a gap between two concentric spheres to model Earth's liquid core. A central force field is introduced by applying a high voltage difference (10 kV) between the two spheres. Maintaining the inner sphere at a higher temperature than the outer sphere also creates a temperature gradient (0 to 10 degrees K). The spheres rotate at rates between 0 and 2 Hz) which is thought to represent the Earth's liquid core, where the role of gravity is played by the central electric field. These experiments require a weightless environment in order to turn off the unidirectional effect of gravity on Earth. This is of importance for astrophysical and geophysical problems like global scale flow in the atmosphere, the oceans, and in the liquid nucleus of planets. There is also an applied interest in this work: the EHD (Electro Hydrodynamic) force that simulates the central gravity field may find applications in high-performance heat exchangers, and in the study of electro-viscous phenomena. The thermal convection will be observed between the two spheres, and temperature distribution will be measured by using Wollaston Shearing Interferometry; additional optical diagnostics may also be used (Schlieren or shadowgraphy). Numerical simulations and comparisons of GEOFLOW with theoretical predictions for the flow pattern bifurcating from trivial state will be conducted, as well as a comparison with theoretical work on the flow in the Earth's interior. As a result of the experiments, a detailed description of the transition to turbulence and the transition scenarios to chaos should be obtained.]

JAXA/SSIPC Update:
Outstanding progress in the resumption of nominal operations was reported from SSIPC (Space Station Integration & Promotion Center)/Tsukuba. JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) OCS (Operation Control System) & HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) OCS have been checked out; no significant issues were identified. Their commanding & telemetry monitoring function are nominal. Prime international communication line was recovered 16-17/03, and test commands from SSIPC for JEM & HTV were sent successfully. A backup line was set up and tested yesterday. The power situation around SSIPC is not stable yet, and emergency black-outs may occur. HTV-2 departure date is still 28/03. Great work, JAXA!

 

[Wishbone]

Any updates for the RS? Reckon that D.K.'s workload must be pretty high, the rightmost time he updated the blog was at Scott's departure.

EDIT: On March 22 Col.Kondratiev comes back with a photo:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 23/03/2011.

CDR Dmitri Kondratyev went on a search & inspection of already routed RS (Russian Segment) power and Ethernet data cables for planned pre-installation activities of SM (Service Module) CSL (Crew Support LAN) subnet laptops, to provide Russian crew Internet access. [Since the SSC-2 (Station Support Computer-2) and SSC-3 laptops, in earlier configuration, were installed in CQs (Crew Quarters), power & LAN (Local Area Network) Ethernet cables were routed behind panels to CQ. They need to be located and used, where possible, for CSL subnet laptops, and the current SSC-2 & SSC-3 power connections must be ascertained.]

CEVIS No Go:
The "clicking" noise during CEVIS (Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation System) exercise reported by the crew sounded worse last night after the crew manipulated the Low/Medium/High gain settings; originally it was audible only in the low gain setting. The crew, flight control team, and engineering agreed to temporarily stand down from CEVIS exercise until the source can be identified. The crew will use T2 until this issue is resolved.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 24/03/2011.

CEVIS Update:
The CEVIS (Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation System) exercise machine is still No Go as ground engineers investigate the "clicking" noise coming from the machine during operation. The crew uses T2 instead, until this issue is resolved.

PAS-2 Checkout:
Russian ACS (Attitude Control System) thrusters were disabled from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM GMT while the ground performed a remote actuation checkout of the external PAS-2 (Payload Attach System-2) involving actuation of the CLA (Capture Latch Assembly) and UMA (Umbilical Mechanism Assembly) IMCAs (Integrated Motor Controller Actuators).
Pete's note: PAS-2 will be the install site for AMS-02 during STS-134.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 25/03/2011.

CEVIS Update:
The CEVIS (Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation System) exercise machine is still No Go as ground engineers investigate the "clicking" noise coming from the machine during operation. The crew uses T2 instead, until this issue is resolved.

PAS-2 Checkout Update:
Yesterday's remote actuation checkout of the external PAS-2 (Payload Attach System-2) involving actuation of the CLA (Capture Latch Assembly) and UMA (Umbilical Mechanism Assembly) IMCAs (Integrated Motor Controller Actuators) was successful. PAS-2 is ready for the installation of the AMS-02 (Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02) on STS-134/ULF-6.

 

[Wishbone]

From Dmitry's blog - March 24 was the day of the first on-board training session for the flight home.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's a great video of Cady playing her flute on the ISS - includes a mini fly-through of the USOS and some great Cupola views! :thumbup:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 31/03/2011.

WHC Issue:
Troubleshooting is being planned for the current problem of filling the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) flush water tank which had several unsuccessful attempts by the crew. Data indicate that there is a flow restriction or complete blockage of water flow between the WHC flush tank and WDS (Water Delivery System) accumulator. Depending on usage rates, there is currently only enough flush water to get through next Tuesday. Troubleshooting on Monday will attempt to fix this but should at least add water to the system buying more time. If the system runs out of flush water, NASA would request use of the Russian ASU toilet facility.

Conjunction Alert:
MCC-Houston is monitoring repeating conjunction threats with a piece of space debris. Good data are expected later as to whether it will be a problem over the weekend. Ballistics teams are assessing possible DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) impacts to upcoming rendezvous profiles.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 01/04/2011.

Conjunction Avoidance:
Due to repeating conjunctions with Object 34443 (debris from the collision of the COSMOS 2251 & Iridium 33 satellites on 10/02/09), a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) will be conducted tomorrow morning, with an ignition time of 2:36 AM GMT and a delta-V of 0.5 m/s. The DAM will utilize the ATV-2 (Automated Transfer Vehicle-2) OCS (Orbit Correction System) engines for the reboost. SM (Service Module) thrusters will perform attitude control for Yaw & Pitch; Progress M-09M/41P will perform roll control. In order to minimize orbit perturbations before the DAM, the Russian Solar Array Efficiency Test was cancelled from today's plan.

CEVIS Troubleshooting:
The crew performed additional CEVIS (Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation System) audio/video collection today, with the goal to identify which CEVIS ORU (Orbital Replacement Unit) is the source of noise. Ground engineering review of the data is in work.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

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

In the JPM (JEM Pressurized Module), FE-6 Cady Coleman performed status checking & troubleshooting on the Kobairo rack's MMA (Microgravity Measurement Apparatus), with photo documentation. [On 24/03, a communication error occurred on the MMA RSU (Remote Sensor Unit) which is powered from the Ryutai rack with a long (7.2 m) power cable. Cady was to investigate three possible causes and then take appropriate remedial action.]

DAM Update:
On Saturday, April 2, ISS performed a nominal DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) using ATV-2 (Automated Transfer Vehicle-2) OCS (Orbit Correction System) jets at 2:36 AM GMT to avoid Object 34443 (Cosmos 2251 Debris). Burn duration was 3 minutes 18 seconds; delta-V: 0.49 m/s (1.60 ft/s); mean altitude increase: 0.85 km (0.46 nmi).

Soyuz TMA-21/26S:
At the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site, Soyuz TMA-21/26S stands ready for tonight's liftoff at 10:28:20 PM GMT, carrying Andrei Ivanovich Borisenko (Russia, ISS-27 Flight Engineer, ISS-28 Commander), Aleksander Mikhailovich Samokutyayev (Russia, ISS-27/28 Flight Engineer, Soyuz 26S Commander), and Ronald J. Garan (USA, ISS-27/28 & Soyuz 26S Flight Engineer).

 

[Wishbone]

Commander 27 is looking for directions:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Alert! Alert!

The ISS crew have been ordered to take shelter in their Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft due to an approaching piece of orbital debris - which is from a Chinese satellite that was deliberately destroyed in a 2007 weapons test!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Alert rescinded!

The conjunction has turned "Green", and so the crew are no longer required to take shelter in the Soyuz. :thumbup:

 

[orb]

RIA Novosti: NASA plans to use ISS in preparation for flights to Mars

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 07/04/2011.

Conjunction Alert:
Due to the thruster firings during the Soyuz TMA-21/26S docking activities, ISS lost about 60-70m in altitude. This is a more or less common effect but it has brought another conjunction with space debris into the near-term, with Object 33329 (Chinese CZ-2C rocket debris). TCA (Time of Closest Approach) is 09/04 (Saturday) at 5:17 PM GMT. Probability of collision calculations will become valid tomorrow morning (Friday), followed by the Go/No Go decision for developing the Russian maneuver cyclogram (ops programming) early on Friday afternoon. A DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver), if required, would then be conducted on 09/04 at ~2:59 PM GMT. Ballistic experts continue to monitor the conjunction.

 

[orb]

Aviation Week: NASA May Test Advanced Life Support On ISS:

NASA is considering a commercial proposal for long-term tests of advanced environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) hardware on the International Space Station (ISS), backing up the original station equipment with potentially more reliable life-support gear designed for human spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit.

{...}

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 08/04/2011.

Conjunction Update:
The conjunction event with Object 33329 (Chinese CZ-2C rocket debris) reported yesterday has moved out of the probability zones, i.e., PC (Probability of Collision) = 0, and is no longer of concern.