Ежедневная хроника полета МКС

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:200d0095c0]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/06/07

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.  

[row]
[col color=#303030:200d0095c0]
Today's launch of STS-122/Atlantis on Mission ISS-1E was postponed due to failure indications of two (of four) engine cut-off sensors in the Liquid Hydrogen tank during early-morning tanking operations.  The next liftoff opportunity is tomorrow, Friday, at 4:09pm EST.

Aboard the space station, FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software after wakeup and before breakfast, for data logging, completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

FE-1 Malenchenko supported the Russian TEKh-20 Plazmennyi-Kristall/PK-3+ (Plasma Crystal-3+) experiment on its sixth day, first activating the turbopump in the Service Module (SM)'s Transfer Compartment (PkhO) for keeping the vacuum chamber (ZB) in the SM Work Compartment (RO) evacuated, then starting the experiment, terminating it later and performing close-down ops.  Yuri copied the data to USB stick for subsequent downlinking via OCA, deactivated all the hardware, and disassembled and stowed it.   [Main objective of PK-3 is to study non-linear dust plasma wave propagation and dispersion ratio at a specified power of an alternating electric field, pressure, and a varied number of particles, controlled by the experimenter   Today's experiment session was performed with 6.81- and 9.2-micron particles in Argon at different pressure and HF generator power output.]

The FE-1 conducted a search in the RS (Russian Segment) for a "lost" back-up feeder cable for the Kurs-P systems, to be installed later for using the KURS-P antenna for long-range rendezvous control.

Yuri also conducted an inspection of the BP1A onboard transmitter of the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system, located in the SM (Service Module) between panels 309 & 312, for possible malfunction.    [The troubleshooting focused on checking how well the device connector is mated to the cabling and whether a bonding strap is present and connected.]

FE-2 Dan Tani performed the periodic deployment of two passive FMK (formaldehyde monitoring kit) sampling assemblies in the Lab (below CEVIS) and SM (most forward handrail) for two days, to catch any atmospheric formaldehyde on a collector substrate for subsequent analysis on the ground.

In the Joint Airlock (A/L), CDR Whitson terminated the charge cycle (after approximately 20 hrs) on the supplementary EMU battery started yesterday in the BSA (Battery Stowage Assembly).

Also in the A/L, Whitson and Tani transferred EMUs for 1E.

The FE-2 had time set aside for troubleshooting the television MPC (Multi-Protocol Converter) downlink, going through a number of progressive steps.    [Step 1: check cables; step 2: swap IEEE 1394 Firewire; step: 3: swap the MPC.]

Peggy Whitson supported ongoing troubleshooting testing on the MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Expert Group 2) encoder, preparing for downlinking of log files of the system which is designed to transmit RS analog video signals (as opposed to digital signals) via Ku-band and MPEG-2 "streaming" packets over the U.S. OpsLAN.   [Prior end-to-end video test results were not as expected and the downlinked files need to be analyzed on the ground.]

Dan Tani conducted inflight maintenance on the Node-2 ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System)'s MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) by adjusting its fluid sampling adapter metering valve and then taking a fluid sample for return to the ground.  Afterwards, Dan repeated the sampling process on the LTL (Low Temperature Loop) side of the Node-2 ITCS.

The CDR meanwhile performed the periodic offloading of the Lab CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) dehumidifier's condensate tank, filling CWC (Contingency Water Container) #1062 with the collected water slated for processing, and putting aside two water samples in sample bags for analysis.   [Estimated offload time before termination (leaving ~6 kg in the tank): ~20 min.  There is currently increased attention on water sampling after the discovery of some contaminated CWCs.  The identified contaminant, a common soil bacterium (unicellular organism) called Wautersia after Belgian microbiologist Georges Wauters, is no more critical than what is found often in faucet water on the ground or in farm soil.  Wautersia lives off hydrogen & carbon dioxide, oxidizing H2 and producing gaseous oxyhydrogen as energy for itself.  Since it can turn sugar into a synthetic biodegradable fuel, it was seen for a short while as a promising long-term solution to the petroleum dependency, until it became clear that this "solution" would require gigantic amounts of expensive sugar.]

Peggy Whitson also conducted the weekly 10-min. CWC audit as part of on-going WDS (Water Delivery System) assessment of onboard water supplies.   [Updated "cue cards" based on the crew's water calldowns are sent up every other week.]

The CDR took air samples for the periodic (weekly) atmospheric status check for ppO2 (Partial Pressure Oxygen) and ppCO2 (pp Carbon Dioxide), using the hand-held CSA-O2 (Compound Specific Analyzer-Oxygen sensor) and CDMK (CO2 Monitoring Kit).  Batteries are to be replaced if necessary.    [Purpose of the 15-min activity is to trend with MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer), i.e., to correlate the hand-held readings with MCA measurements.  O2 sensors checks used #1042, #1063, #1052, #1041.  CO2 sensors used are #1013, #1058, #1045.  CO2 level in Lab and SM was ~0.44%.]

Yuri Malenchenko performed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM.   [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

The FE-1 took photographs behind panel 305 in the SM, to assess the operational temperature environment for the new GTS-2 (Global Timing System 2) experiment.

The FE-2 filled out the regular FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire), his 5th, on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer).    [By means of these FFQs, U.S. astronauts keep a personalized log of their nutritional intake over time on special MEC software.  Recorded are the amounts consumed during the past week of such food items as beverages, cereals, grains, eggs, breads, snacks, sweets, fruit, beans, soup, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, chicken, sauces & spreads, and vitamins.  At TsUP/Moscow, food specialists are currently preparing the Russian food "menu" for delivery by Progress M-63/28P next February.  28P will carry "bonus food" for Peggy and Yuri, plus about 15 kg of fresh food items (apples, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, garlic) in two containers.]

The crewmembers completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1, FE-2), RED resistive exerciser (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, the CDR copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~10:35am, the FE-2 had his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on the SSC-9 laptop).

At ~11:45am, Yuri Malenchenko downlinked a PAO TV message of greetings, congratulating the CIS Anti-Terrorist Center personnel and Russia's Federal Security Forces on the 90th Anniversary of Russia's State Security Agency and for successfully completing their Baikonur 2007 International Antiterrorist Exercise.

CEO photo targets uplinked for today were S. Georgia Island, S. Atlantic (International Polar Year (IPY) Site. Looking right of track for this remote island.  Weather during this pass was expected to be marginal, but the crew was to try for detailed views of the glaciers on the north coast of South Georgia.  South Georgia Island is mountainous with active glaciers.  It has about 20 inhabitants, mainly scientists of the British Antarctic Survey.  King Edward Point is the capital town, with fishing and whaling stations scattered along the more protected, leeside coast, to accommodate seasonal fishing boats. Tourism has recently become the largest income generator), and Mt. Kilimanjaro, Kenya (looking right of track for this peak.  Snow-capped peaks can appear visually distinct from cumulus cloud.  The ice fields on the summit at 19,000+ feet are melting fast.)

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:200d0095c0]
ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 4:44am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 338.7 km
Apogee height -- 339.1 km
Perigee height -- 338.3 km
Period -- 91.31 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0000621
Solar Beta Angle -- 15.5 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 94 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51794

[row]
[col color=#303034:200d0095c0]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/XX/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite
12/XX/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E docking

12/XX -- EVA-1 (Walheim/Schlegel), ~11:28am, 6.5h
12/XX -- Columbus transfer & berthing @ Node-2, ~5:30pm
12/XX -- Columbus ingress, ~5:08pm
12/XX -- EVA-2 (Walheim/Schlegel), ~11:28am, 6.5h
12/XX -- EVA-3 (Walheim/Love), ~10:25am, 6.5h
12/XX/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis undocking, ~8:22am
12/XX/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis landing  ~12:29pm EST
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/20/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM(P), LMC
10/01/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch.
[/table]

[markyschka]

Сообщили, что в апреле полетят Волков и Кононенко. У обоих первых полёт - это с чем связано? Кандидаты по 15 лет дублёрами, старятся постепенно, реального опыта как не было и нет, зато амеров возим и всяких туристов с малайцами и радуемся. Случись что - кто отвечать будет? Тарелкин и другие из последнего набора, когда при таком раскладе полетят? И вообще зачем был нужен тогда тот набор - когда в наборе Волкова ещё половина не летала?

[Старый]

Случись что - кто отвечать будет?

Никто.

[markyschka]

Коротко и ясно.

[Liss]

Сообщили, что в апреле полетят Волков и Кононенко. У обоих первых полёт - это с чем связано? Кандидаты по 15 лет дублёрами, старятся постепенно, реального опыта как не было и нет, зато амеров возим и всяких туристов с малайцами и радуемся. Случись что - кто отвечать будет?

Тарелкин и другие из последнего набора, когда при таком раскладе полетят? И вообще зачем был нужен тогда тот набор - когда в наборе Волкова ещё половина не летала?

По-моему, первая часть цитаты противоречит второй. В том смысле, что Волков и Кононенко летят именно потому, что иначе -- часть 2.

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:734ca0858b]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/07/07
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.  

[row]
[col color=#303030:734ca0858b]
After yesterday's launch scrub for STS-122/Atlantis/Mission ISS-1E due to failure indications of two (of four) engine cut-off sensors in the LH2 tank, the Shuttle is now in a 48-hour turnaround to protect for launch no earlier than Saturday, at 3:43pm EST.

Aboard the space station, FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software after wakeup and before breakfast, for data logging, completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

Afterwards, Tani started periodic maintenance work on the TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation & Stabilization) in the Service Module (SM) "pit", first powering the exercise machine off, then one hour later performing the 4-hr job of removing and replacing five Roller Bearing (#6, #7, #8, #9, #10) on the forward left side of the treadmill.  Afterwards the TVIS ready for use again.

CDR Peggy Whitson set up the EPO (Educational Payload Operations) camcorder for recording her subsequent EPO Demo of "Sanitation on the Station", discussing "house-cleaning" methods and the importance of good sanitation onboard ISS.   [The activities were also downlinked in real-time video/audio via Ku- & S-band.]

FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko spent several hours with the periodic collection of cabin air samples, i.e. by using --

The SKDS CMS (Pressure Control & Atmosphere Monitoring System/Countermeasure System) to take readings of potentially harmful contaminants in the SM.   [The CMS, part of the GANK-4M analyses (see below), uses preprogrammed microchips to measure Formaldehyde (H2CO, methanal), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Ammonia (NH3), taking one measurement per microchip.  CMS is part of the GANK-4M analysis conducted today;
The GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer system.   [GANK tests for Methane (CH4), Ammonia (NH3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Formaldehyde (HCHO), Nitrogen Oxides (NO, NO2), Hydrogen Chloride (HCl), Hydrogen Fluoride (HF), and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN).]; and
The AK-1M adsorber and Draeger tubes to conduct the periodic sampling of cabin air for subsequent analysis on the ground.   [Yuri started out by taking air samples in the SM and FGB and to check for leaked-out Freon in the SM, then switched to the IPD-CO Draeger tubes sampler to check for CO (carbon monoxide) in the SM.]
Dan Tani collected air samples also, with a U.S. GSC (Grab Sample Container) at the center of the Lab and SM.

Malenchenko had about 90 minutes set aside for major equipment servicing in the ASU toilet facility, changing out replaceable ASU parts with new components, viz., two receptacles (PR & MP), four hoses, a T-connector, an elbow fitting, an indicator, a filter insert (F-V), the pretreat container (E-K) with its hose.  All old parts were discarded as trash.    [E-K contains five liters of pre-treat solution, i.e., a mix of H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), CrO3 (chromium oxide, for oxidation and purple color), and H2O (water).  The pre-treat liquid is mixed with water in a dispenser (DKiV) and used for toilet flushing.]

Peggy Whitson used the on-board OpsLAN printer to print out Node-2 Leak Pinpoint Procedures.  The material was then placed in the ISS Leak Kit for reference.

Having finished the latest session of the German/Russian TEKh-20 Plazmennyi-Kristall/PK-3+ (Plasma Crystal-3+) experiment yesterday, the FE-1 disassembled the payload for subsequent removal and stowage.

Yuri performed the daily routine maintenance of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM, including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables.  [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists among else of replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

Later, Malenchenko completed the daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance by updating/editing its standard "delta file" including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

Yuri also performed the periodic (monthly) functional closure test of spare emergency vacuum valves (AVK) for the Vozdukh, in the spare parts kit.   [The AVKs are critical because they close the Vozdukh's vacuum access lines in the event of a malfunction in the regular vacuum valves (BVK) or a depressurization in the Vozdukh valve panel (BOA).  Access to vacuum is required to vent CO2 during the regeneration of the absorbent cartridges (PP).  During nominal operation, the AVK valves remain open.]

At 3:15pm EST, CDR Whitson is scheduled to conduct the periodic VHF1 emergency communications check over NASA's VHF (Very High Frequency) sites at Wallops Island (3:14-3:18pm), talking with Houston/Capcom, MSFC/PAYCOM (Payload Operation & Integration Center Communicator) and Moscow/GLAVNI (TsUP Capcom) in the normal fashion via VHF radio from a handheld microphone and any of the U.S. segment ATUs (audio terminal units).   [Purpose of the test is to verify signal reception and link integrity, and to ensure minimum required link margin during emergency (no TDRS) and special events (such as a Soyuz relocation).]

The crewmembers completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR, FE-2), TVIS treadmill (FE-1), RED resistive exerciser (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, the FE-2 copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~3:15am, the crew held the regular (nominally weekly) tagup with the Russian Flight Control Team (GOGU), including Shift Flight Director (SRP), at TsUP via S-band/audio, phone-patched from Houston and Moscow.

Job items on Peggy's and Dan's discretionary "job jar" task list today were crew departure preparations for Dan, Photo/TV bag audit/consolidation for both of them, and a session with the BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) Magnet Unstick, using the CGBA-4 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus-4).

CEO photo targets uplinked for today were Coastal dunes, Namibia (Dynamic event.  Small crescent-shaped dunes are driven north along the hyperarid coast of Namibia by very strong southerly winds.  Small dunes move fast, many yards per year.  Looking immediately left and right of track as ISS crossed the coastline [the driest part of the desert], shooting a few detailed images of the coastal strip where these small dunes occur.  There is interest in comparing positions of known dunes through time, both for geological and budgetary reasons—dunes 2-4 feet high often cross roads and other infrastructures.  Clearing these dunes [or slowing them down by spraying with oil] is a major public-works expense around the few coastal towns in Namibia.

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

[row]
[col color=#303430:734ca0858b]
ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 6:25am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 338.6 km
Apogee height -- 339.0 km
Perigee height -- 338.2 km
Period -- 91.30 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.000059
Solar Beta Angle -- 11.9 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 122 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51811

[row]
[col color=#303034:734ca0858b]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/08/07? -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite, ~3:43pm EST
12/10/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E docking

12/11 -- EVA-1 (Walheim/Schlegel)
12/11 -- Columbus transfer & berthing @ Node-2
12/12 -- Columbus ingress
12/13 -- EVA-2 (Walheim/Schlegel)
12/15 -- EVA-3 (Walheim/Love)
12/17/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis undocking, ~8:22am
12/19/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis landing  ~12:29pm EST
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/20/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM(P), LMC
10/01/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch.
[/table]

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:f802abd842]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/08/07
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.   Saturday -- off-duty day for CDR Whitson, FE-1 Malenchenko and FE-2 Tani except for housekeeping and voluntary work.

[row]
[col color=#303030:f802abd842]
The delayed launch of STS-122/Atlantis/Mission ISS-1E has tentatively been rescheduled for tomorrow, Sunday (12/9) at 3:21pm EST, assuming no major problems turn up in engineering reviews taking place today.  Weather forecast for 12/9 predicts an 80 percent chance of good weather.

Aboard the space station, FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software after wakeup and before breakfast, for data logging, completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

The crew conducted the regular weekly three-hour task of thorough station cleaning.   ["Uborka", normally done on Saturdays, includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, damp cleaning of the Service Module (SM) dining table, other frequently touched surfaces and surfaces where trash is collected, as well as the FE's sleep station with a standard cleaning solution; also, fan screens and grilles are cleaned to avoid temperature rises. Special cleaning is also done every 90 days on the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) bacteria filters in the Lab.]

For today's Voluntary Weekend Science activities, CDR Peggy Whitson started out with software replacement for the HRF-2 RIC (Human Research Facility 2 Rack Interface Controller), first replacing the HRF-2 laptop's Ultrabay Adapter, then uploading the RIC software (EXPRESS Load 5) and rebooting the computer.    [This activity was also performed on HRF-1 on 12/2.]

Later, Dr. Whitson also set up the PD-100 camcorder for unattended video of herself performing BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) science activities involving mixing magnet unsticking from Samples 3, 5 and 9, followed by returning the sample module from CGBA-4 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 4), deactivating the hardware and leaving CGBA powered off but recabled.

FE-2 Dan Tani retrieved and stowed the two FMKs (Formaldehyde Monitoring Kits) deployed by him on 12/6 in the Lab (below CEVIS cycle) and SM (most forward handrail).

FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko completed the daily routine maintenance of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM, including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables.  [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists among else of replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

The crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR, FE-2), TVIS treadmill (FE-1), RED resistive exerciser (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, the CDR copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~6:35am, the FE-1 had his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on the SSC-9 laptop).

Weekly Science Update (Expedition Sixteen -- Week 7)

ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS):   Radiation measurements continue nominally in the PIRS module. The next memory card replacement activity is currently scheduled on 12/10.

ANITA:   Completed.

BCAT (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test):   Reserve.

CARDIOCOG-2:   Completed.

CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS):    "Dan, thanks for completing your in-flight portion of the CCISS experiment!   Also, thanks for completing the Holter check out procedure off the task list.  The PI looks forward to seeing you on landing day!".

CFE (Capillary Flow Experiment):    Reserve.

CSI-2/CGBA (CGBA Science Insert #2/Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus):    In progress.

CGBA-2 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 2):  Complete.

CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2):    CSLM-2 SPU #2 operated 12/3-5, currently reviewing down linked files.

EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students):    Complete.

EPO (Educational Payload Operations):   "Thank you for your excellent EPO Sanitation demo this week. The PD was very happy with the downlinked video and audio."

ETD (Eye Tracking Device):   In progress.

Integrated Immune:   In progress.

LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System):   Complete.

MISSE (Materials ISS Experiment):  Ongoing.

MTR-2 (Russian radiation measurements):   Passive dosimeters measurements in DC1 "Pirs".

MULTIGEN-1:    From Week 5:   MULTIGEN-1 samples will be downloaded on STS-122 (1E).

MSG-SAME (Microgravity Science Glovebox):    Complete.

NOA-2 (Nitric Oxide Analyzer):    Planned.

NUTRITION/REPOSITORY:     In progress..

PMDIS (Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space):    Complete.

SAMS/MAMS (Space & Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems):   Ongoing.

SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight):    " Peggy, thanks for completing the Sleep Actiwatch download/initialization activity off the task list.  You have monthly downloads, doffing the Actiwatch, and two more weeks of required sleep logging.  Additional sleep logging is above and beyond and greatly appreciated by the PI.  Dan, thanks for participating in the sleep experiment as a reserve subject.  Please continue to sleep log until 12/14 to fulfill the three week requirement."

SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite):    In progress.  To be conducted tomorrow (12/2).

Swab (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft):   In progress.

TRAC (Test of Reaction & Adaptation Capabilities):   Planned.

CEO (Crew Earth Observations):  Through 12/6 the ground has received a total of 5,003 CEO frames for review and cataloging for Increment 16.  "Once again about 1,000 frames in the past week alone!  We are focusing our efforts on 5 sessions in which you acquired imagery with camera times corresponding to our target request times:  S. Georgia/ S. Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic Ocean (2 sessions confirmed); Patagonian Glaciers (confirmed); Nairobi, Kenya; and Mt. Kilimanjaro, Kenya.  We are also pleased to confirm your excellent imagery for Acraman Impact Crater, Australia with a few more clouds than we expected.  A portion of your handsome image of the New Zealand capital of Wellington will be published on NASA/GSFC's Earth Observatory website this weekend.  Your sharp, long lens view provides great detail for this rarely photographed city."

CEO photo targets uplinked for today were Coastal dunes, Namibia (Dynamic event.  Small crescent-shaped dunes are driven north along the hyperarid coast of Namibia by very strong southerly winds.  Small dunes move fast, many yards per year.  Looking immediately left and right of track as ISS crossed the coastline [the driest part of the desert], shooting a few detailed images of the coastal strip where these small dunes occur.  There is interest in comparing positions of known dunes through time, both for geological and budgetary reasons—dunes 2-4 feet high often cross roads and other infrastructures.  Clearing these dunes [or slowing them down by spraying with oil] is a major public-works expense around the few coastal towns in Namibia.)

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:f802abd842]
ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 5:12am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 338.4 km
Apogee height -- 338.8 km
Perigee height -- 338.1 km
Period -- 91.30 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0000509
Solar Beta Angle -- 8.1 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 125 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51826

[row]
[col color=#303034:f802abd842]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/09/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite, ~3:21pm EST
12/11/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E docking

12/12 -- EVA-1 (Walheim/Schlegel), 6.5h
12/12 -- Columbus transfer & berthing @ Node-2
12/13 -- Columbus ingress, ~5:08pm
12/14 -- EVA-2 (Walheim/Schlegel), 6.5h
12/16 -- EVA-3 (Walheim/Love), 6.5h
12/18/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis undocking
12/20/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis landing
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/20/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM(P), LMC
10/01/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch.
[/table]

[Tiger]

Liss, а вам, часом, не нужен в штат человек, который бы эти выпуски ежедневно переводил?

[Liss]

Tiger, на перевод этих сообщений нам никто фонд зарплаты не даст :-(

[Старый]

Нравится мне вступление у них: "Все системы работают нормально за исключением тех которые отказали". Это где ж они такому научились?

[Liss]

Нравится мне вступление у них: "Все системы работают нормально за исключением тех которые отказали". Это где ж они такому научились?

Это давно так. В 2002 г. было всего на одно слово различие, и то непринципиальное: All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below.

[Старый]

Это давно так.

С тех пор как начали работать с нами?

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:b564d01cd5]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/09/07
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.   Sunday -- off-duty day for CDR Whitson, FE-1 Malenchenko and FE-2 Tani.   Ahead: Week 8 of Increment 16.  

[row]
[col color=#303030:b564d01cd5]
The launch of STS-122/Atlantis/Mission ISS-1E has now been targeted for not earlier than 1/2/08 for additional troubleshooting of the four LH2 low level cutoff sensors (after the #3 sensor again failed this morning during another tanking attempt).

Aboard the space station, FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software after wakeup and before breakfast, for data logging, completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

The FE-2 later conducted inflight maintenance on the Node-2 ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System)'s MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) by adjusting its fluid sampling adapter metering valve and then taking another fluid sample for return to the ground and one for OPA (Ortho-Phthalaldehyde) testing..  Afterwards, Dan repeated the sampling process on the LTL (Low Temperature Loop) side of the Node-2 ITCS.    [OPA, an antimicrobial agent, was introduced into the Lab ITCS coolant by the AmiA (Antimicrobial Applicator).]

FE-1 Malenchenko performed monthly maintenance on the Russian IK0501 GA (gas analyzer) of the SOGS Pressure Control & Atmospheric Monitoring System, deactivating the unit and replacing its CO2 filter assembly (BF) with a new unit from FGB stowage (replaced last: 10/29).   [After ensuring good seals on the instrument's base and no leaks around the installed filter, Yuri reactivated the GA and stowed the spent BF for disposal.  IK0501 is an automated system for measuring CO2, O2, and H2O in the air as well as the flow rate of the gas being analyzed.]

CDR Whitson completed the periodic offloading of the Lab CCAA (Common Cabin Air Assembly) dehumidifier's condensate tank, filling CWC (Contingency Water Container) #1062 with the collected water slated for processing, and putting aside two water samples in sample bags for analysis.   [Estimated offload time before termination (leaving ~6 kg in the tank): ~20 min.]

The crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1, FE-2), RED resistive exerciser (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Job items on Peggy's and Dan's discretionary "job jar" task list today were –

Removal of panel fasteners in Node-2 to provide temporary access to the AR SDS (Atmosphere Revitalization/Sample Delivery System).  [The SDS, along with the MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer), PCA (Pressure Control Assembly), TCCS (Trace Contaminant Control Subassembly) and CVV (Carbon Dioxide Vent Valve assembly), is a subsystem of the Atmosphere Control & Supply System of the Lab's ECLSS (Environment Control & Life Support System)];
Lubrication of TVIS treadmill SPDs (Subject Positioning Devices); and
Monthly battery check and rebooting of the PCS (Portable Computer System) A31p laptops.
No CEO photo targets uplinked for today.

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:b564d01cd5]
ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 3:59am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 338.3 km
Apogee height -- 338.7 km
Perigee height -- 338.0 km
Period -- 91.30 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0000524
Solar Beta Angle -- 4.0 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 124 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51841

[row]
[col color=#303034:b564d01cd5]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/02/08 -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite (NET)
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/20/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM(P), LMC
10/01/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch.
[/table]

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:7a06ebfcad]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/10/07
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.   Underway: Week 8 of Increment 16.  

[row]
[col color=#303030:7a06ebfcad]
Aboard the space station, FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software after wakeup and before breakfast, for data logging, completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

CDR Whitson (as Operator) and FE-2 Tani (as Subject) conducted the first scanning session for the Braslet experiment (SDTO/Station Development Test Objective-17011), leading off by a material review by Peggy and followed in the afternoon by the actual ultrasound scanning activity on the FE-2 (who had to abstain from caffeine 12 hrs prior to the scan session, heavy meals 4 hrs before and any food at all 2 hrs prior to the scan, plus no exercise 2 hours before and no liquids 30 mins before).    [The SDTO-17011 "Validation of On-Orbit Methodology for the Assessment of Cardiac Function and Changes in the Circulating Volume Using Ultrasound and Braslet-M Occlusion Cuffs (Braslet)" is a collaborative effort between NASA and the Russian FSA (Federal Space Agency), with the goal to establish a valid ultrasound methodology for assessing a number of aspects of central and peripheral hemodynamics and cardiovascular function, specifically in rapid changes in intravascular circulating volume. Braslet uses Braslet-M occlusion cuffs, i.e., the Russian-made operational countermeasure already pre-calibrated and available onboard for each ISS crewmember.  Braslet employs multiple modes of ultrasound imaging and measurements, in combination with short-term application of Braslet-M occlusive cuffs and cardiopulmonary maneuvers (Valsalva, Mueller) to demonstrate and to evaluate the degree of changes in the circulating volume on orbit.  This will be accomplished by performing echocardiographic examinations in multiple modes (including Tissue Doppler mode), ultrasound measurements of lower extremity venous and arterial vascular responses to Braslet-M device under nominal conditions and also during cardiopulmonary Mueller and Valsalva maneuvers.  Identical measurements will be repeated without Braslet-M, with Braslet-M applied, and immediately after releasing the occlusion device.]

FE-1 Malenchenko meanwhile worked on the Russian BRPK Condensate Separation & Pumping Unit, disassembling its DU-6 electromagnetic valve into its two halves, inspecting the membrane inner cavities and cleaning the valve of any deposits that could obstruct flow.  The valve was then reassembled, reinstalled and tested.

Later, Malenchenko continued the current round of preventive maintenance on the Russian segment (RS) ventilation system, cleaning the TsV1, SV2 & VT7 ventilation system fans in the FGB and changing out the filters in the PF1-4 dust collector cartridges in the SM (Service Module).

Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani completed a major IFM (Inflight Maintenance) task on the Lab ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) by refilling both its MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) and LTL (Low Temperature Loop) lines with coolant fluid, using the FSS (Fluid System Servicer) equipment.    [Prior to the refilling activities, Dan Tani had to remove stowage goods temporarily to provide access to the Lab's ITCS rack and clear the way for FSS ops.  Crew and Ground activities had to be carefully timed for the loop fills due to the large interaction between the Crew and Ground required in performing this activity.  Prior to any Crew action, the Ground configured the system from single loop LT mode to dual loop mode, depressurizing the loops, and configuring software in preparation for ITCS loop fills.   Following the loop fills, the Ground returned the ITCS system to its nominal single LT mode, and the ITCS rack was subsequently restowed and put back in action.]

Yuri conducted the regular weekly task of checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways, including the SM- & FGB-to-Soyuz tunnels, and the DC1-to-Progress and FGB-to-Node-1 passageways.

Performing the periodic (generally monthly) service of the ESA/RSC-Energia experiment ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS), the FE-1 removed the PCMCIA memory card #934 from the AST spectrometer's slot and copied the accumulated data for subsequent downlinking via OCA.  Card 934 was then bagged for return to Earth and PCMCIA card 940 inserted to continue AST ops.

Using the SKDS CMS (Pressure Control & Atmosphere Monitoring System/Countermeasure System), Malenchenko took readings of potentially harmful contaminants in the SM.  The hardware was then returned to initial stowage.   [The CMS uses preprogrammed microchips to measure Formaldehyde (H2CO, methanal), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Ammonia (NH3), taking one measurement per microchip.]

The FE-2 checked out the IMV (Intermodular Ventilation) valves on the port & starboard side of the Lab aft
end.

Yuri performed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM.   [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

Later, the FE-1 handled the daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance, updating/editing its standard "delta file" including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

The crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR), TVIS treadmill (FE-1), RED resistive exerciser (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, the CDR copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~9:10am EST, the crew participated in two PAO TV message/greeting downlinks, the first an improvised Christmas and New Year's greeting from all three, taking turns to talk about the holidays ahead on board, the second addressed to the NASA-sponsored series of "Future Forums" throughout 2008 in observance with the agency's 50th anniversary, showcasing technology and how NASA's Exploration plans tie in to the future.   [The Forums are scheduled for Seattle (Jan. 25, 2008), Columbus, Ohio (Feb. 21), New York City (March), Miami (April), Sacramento (May 2), Boston (September) and Chicago (October 2-3).]

At ~2:00pm, the crew is scheduled for their 5th weekly tagup with the Lead Flight Director at JSC/MCC-H via S-band/audio [S/G-2 (Space-to-Ground 2) phone patch via SSC-10 (Station Support Computer 10)].

BGA & BCDU Events:   On 12/6, BGA (Beta Gimbal Assembly) 1A experienced an LOC (Loss of Communications) due to multiple occurrences of an overcurrent trip.  Also BCDU 3A1 CP RBI (Battery Charge/Discharge Unit/CP Remote Bus Isolator), a fuse-type switch, tripped open on the first event.  The RBI was recovered, and there is no additional impact.  On BGA 1A, the secondary power feed, RPC2 (Remote Power Controller 2 of RPCM 3A_A (RPC Module), is closed and the primary feed (RPCM 1A_A RPC 1) is open. In this configuration there is a loss of redundancy.  After the initial cleanup activities, work is now underway to assess and remedy the situation (which benefits from the 1E mission scrub).  

No CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today.

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:7a06ebfcad]
ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 8:30am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 338.2 km
Apogee height -- 338.6 km
Perigee height -- 337.7 km
Period -- 91.30 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0000611
Solar Beta Angle -- -0.2 deg (magnitude bottoming out)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 124 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51868

[row]
[col color=#303034:7a06ebfcad]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/02/08 -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite (NET). Launch period opens
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/20/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM(P), LMC
10/01/08 -- (NET) STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch.
[/table]

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:c4b6d73cd0]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/11/07
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

[row]
[col color=#303030:c4b6d73cd0]
FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software after wakeup and before breakfast, for data logging, completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko underwent the periodic (generally monthly) health test with the cardiological experiment PZEh MO-1 ("Study of the Bioelectric Activity of the Heart at Rest") on the TVIS (Treadmill with Vibration Isolation System).  [During the 45-min. test, the FE-1 tagged up with ground specialists on a Russian ground site (RGS) pass via VHF (~4:32am EST) and downlinked data from the Gamma-1M ECG (electrocardiograph) for about 5-6 minutes.]

Later, Malenchenko also conducted a run with the Russian MBI-21 PNEVMOKARD experiment, his second on-orbit session (which forbids moving or talking during data recording).  The experiment is controlled from the RSE-Med A31p laptop, equipped with new software, and uses the TENZOPLUS sphygmomanometer to measure arterial blood pressure.     [PNEVMOKARD (Pneumocard) is an attempt to obtain new scientific information to refine the understanding about the mechanisms used by the cardiorespiratory system and the whole body organism to spaceflight conditions.  By recording (on PCMCIA cards) the crewmember's electrocardiogram, impedance cardiogram, low-frequency phonocardiogram (seismocardiogram), pneumotachogram (using nose temperature sensors), and finger photoplethismogram, the experiment supports integrated studies of (1) the cardiovascular system and its adaptation mechanisms in various phases of a long-duration mission, (2) the synchronization of heart activity and breathing factors, as well as the cardiorespiratory system control processes based on the variability rate of physiological parameters, and (3) the interconnection between the cardiorespiratory system during a long-duration mission and the tolerance of orthostatic & physical activities at the beginning of readaptation for predicting possible reactions of the crewmembers organism during the their return to ground.]

In the Lab, after inspecting, activating and configuring the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility, FE-2 Tani initiated amother vacuum draw on the sample chamber (by opening the vent and vacuum valves) for subsequent CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2) experiment ops for its third run.    [Ground analysis of the downlinked data for SPU-2 (Sample Processing Unit #2), which ran from 12/3-12/5, indicated excellent science results (samples to be are returned to Earth), boding well for SPU-3 which the ground started today.]

Using a printout of the IMS PiP (Inventory Management System/Plug-in Plan) tool, CDR Peggy Whitson spent about 3 hrs on the periodic PiP audit, focusing on Lab, Node-1 and Airlock.   [Node-2 not required.  The PiP is a tabular compilation listing locations where on-board electrical equipment is plugged in.]

Yuri Malenchenko had several hours reserved for maintenance work on the ATV PCE (Automated Transfer Vehicle/Proximity Communications Equipment; Russian: MBRL) in the Service Module (SM), installing and connecting its antenna switching control box (BUAP) to the onboard cabling system (BKS) for ground-commanded testing.    [The MBRL components are the space-to-space radio "monoblock" (PCE Z0000), the antenna switching control box (BUAP), and the ATV control panel (PU) which Valery Tokarev dismantled last year (March 2006) after (reportedly successful) three-day end-to-end testing.]

The FE-2 conducted more inflight coolant sampling on the Node-2 ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System)'s MTL (Moderate Temperature Loop) by adjusting its fluid sampling adapter metering valve and then taking another periodic fluid sample for OPA (Ortho-Phthalaldehyde) testing (with test strips).  The sampling process for OPA was then repeated on the LTL (Low Temperature Loop) side of the Node-2 ITCS and subsequently also on the MTL loop of the Lab ITCS.    [OPA, an antimicrobial agent, was introduced into the Lab ITCS coolant by the AmiA (Antimicrobial Applicator), before the AmiA was removed again on 11/2 by Clay Anderson for Earth return.]

Peggy Whitson checked out IMV (Intermodular Ventilation) performance between the US (USOS) and Russian segment (RS) by first using the Velocicalc meter to take airflow measurements at fan sites, then cleaning the inlet flow straighteners at the Node-1 & Lab aft port ventilators and finally again measuring their airflow rates.   [After FOD (Foreign Object Debris) removal by Peggy, flow rate increased from 75 cfm (cubic feet /minute) to 106 cfm (i.e., nominal).  There is no direct measurement of airflow except as reflected by differences in atmosphere partial pressures measured between the RS and USOS.  ppCO2 (CO2 partial pressure) is a good yardstick since an increasing ppCO2 in the Lab not reflected in the SM indicates that Vozdukh is not receiving the air from the Lab at an efficient rate.  Periodic air flow degradation checks support establishing a most effective fan cleaning schedule.]

Dan Tani and Peggy (from "job jar" task list) had 75 min set aside for replacing a failed PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), used for updating the IMS, with a new PDA.    [PDA #1010 (with failed display) was replaced by PDA #1004; the latter was then equipped with the battery from #1010 and reloaded with uplinked BCR (Barcode Reader) software to recover BCR functionality for the IMS.]

Dan also set up the EPO (Educational Payload Operations) PD-100 camcorder for downlinking his subsequent EPO Demo of "Living on the Station", taking the viewersx through the living area of the ISS and explaining its utilization by the crew.   [The activities were downlinked in real-time video/audio via Ku- & S-band and taped on the ground.  Peggy's EPO demo of "Sanitation on the Station" of 12/7, discussing "house-cleaning" methods and the importance of good sanitation onboard ISS, received great kudos by ground specialists for its excellence.]

Yuri performed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM.   [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

Later, the FE-1 handled the daily IMS (Inventory Management System) maintenance, updating/editing its standard "delta file" including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

On the RED (Resistive Exercise Device), the FE-2 performed the periodic (every two weeks) inspection of the canister cords and accessories.  The maintenance today also included tightening the RED hardmount plate bolts on the Node-1 "ceiling", done once every 6 months.  

The crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR, FE-2), TVIS treadmill (FE-1/MO-1), RED (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, Tani copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~11:50am EST, Dan had his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on the SSC-9 laptop).

Stage EVA Planning:   Because of the Mission 1E stand-down till early January (based on solar Beta angle restrictions, not on anticipated time for resolving ECO/Engine Cut-off sensor issues), teams are currently assessing a possible Stage-10A EVA (on or around 12/18) for in-situ inspection & photography of the damaged starboard SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint) and also the 1A BGA (Beta Gimbal Assembly) on the S4 truss, particularly its BMRRM (Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module).   [Background]

CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today were Ganges River Delta (ISS flew over the easternmost portion of the Ganges Delta, near the border region of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.  The crew was to shoot to the left of track for the Delta.  Overlapping mapping frames along-track were requested to document stream channel and coastal morphology), South Tibesti Megafans (ISS orbit track was to the SE of a series of large fanlike spreads of sediment, hundreds of km long and wide, that extend southward from the Tibesti Mts into central Chad.  A discontinuous overlapping pattern of former stream channels, large and small, suggests that the entire surface of the megafans was formed by the action of rivers shifting across the surface when the regional climate was wetter.  This megafan structure also serves as a potential analog for channel structures on Mars.  Looking to the left of track for the channel pattern; oblique imagery will aid geolocation of higher resolution nadir imagery), Oasis Impact Crater, Libya (Libya contains several recognized impact structures of various ages and sizes.  ISS passed over two of these craters; the first encounter was with the Oasis Crater.  This crater appears as a circular structure of dark rocks contrasting sharply with the surround desert.  Overlapping mapping frames, along-track and begun as the station approached the target coordinates, were suggested to ensure capturing imagery of the crater), and B.P. Structure, Libya (looking slightly to the left of track after passing over the previous Oasis Crater target.  The B.P. Structure is roughly one-quarter the size of the Oasis Crater, and has less contrast with the surrounding desert.  As with the previous target, overlapping mapping frames provide the best chance of capturing imagery of the impact structure).

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:c4b6d73cd0]
ISS Orbit  (as of this noon, 12:12pm EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 338.0 km
Apogee height -- 338.5 km
Perigee height -- 337.5 km
Period -- 91.29 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.000072
Solar Beta Angle -- -4.6 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 130 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51878

[row]
[col color=#303034:c4b6d73cd0]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/02/08 -- STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite (NET). Launch period opens.
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/18/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
09/29/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
11/06/08 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch
04/??/10 -- STS-132/Discovery/20A – Node-3 + Cupola.
[/table]

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:46d76a9dd7]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/12/07
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

[row]
[col color=#303030:46d76a9dd7]
After wakeup and before breakfast, FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging and completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

After his original troubleshooting (12/6) of the VDS MPC (Video Distribution System/Multi-Purpose Converter) with its four downlinks, the FE-2 activated the MPC to allow the ground to conduct HDTV (high-definition TV) playback and downlink operations.  Later today (~2:00pm EST), the MPC was powered off again.

Also in the Lab, Dan Tani continued his work on the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility, terminating the second vacuum draw on the CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2) experiment, initiating the third draw, then terminating it after six hours and kicking off the final (fourth) overnight vacuum draw.  After that, the ground will be ready for sample processing.    [CSLM-2 examines the kinetics of competitive particle growth within a liquid matrix.  During this process, small particles shrink by losing atoms to larger particles, causing the larger particles to grow (coarsen) within a liquid lead/tin matrix.  This study defined the mechanisms and rates of coarsening that govern the manufacture with metals from turbine blades to dental amalgam fillings.]

FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko performed his second session of the ETD (Eye Tracking Device) experiment in the DC-1 Docking Module, first installing the target board, measuring distances and making hardware connections, then calibrating the setup and making the audio recordings of his eye tracking exercises from three different distances (60 cm, 100 cm, 150 cm).

After yesterday's temporary installation of the BUAP (antenna switching control box), Yuri continued the ATV PCE (Automated Transfer Vehicle/Proximity Communications Equipment; Russian: MBRL) testing in the Service Module (SM) by checking the AFU (antenna feeder unit) circuit lines and connections for continuity and RF (radio frequency) performance with a "Standing Wave Coefficient" (KSV) test using an FSH3 spectrum analyzer from the GTS (Global Timing System).  The FHS3 measurements were then transferred to the TP2 laptop and prepared for downlink to the ground.

After the testing, Malenchenko deinstalled and removed the BUAP from the onboard cabling system (BKS) and stowed it in the FGB at its original location.    [The PCE/MBRL components for ATV prox ops are the space-to-space radio "monoblock" (PCE Z0000), the antenna switching control box (BUAP), and the ATV control panel (PU) which Valery Tokarev dismantled last year (March 2006) after (reportedly successful) three-day end-to-end testing.]

Later, the FE-1 transferred application software log files from the Russian RS3 laptop to a CD-ROM disk for subsequent downlink.

CDR Whitson and FE-2 Tani had ~2 hrs reserved for stowing discarded U.S. cargo on Progress 26P, currently docked at the DC-1 nadir port, for disposal later this month (12/22).

After reviewing today's EPO (Educational Payload Operation) session and setting up the PD-100 camcorder, Dan Tani and Peggy Whitson performed and narrated a demo of Newton's 1st Law of Motion.  Afterwards, the EPO hardware was put back in stowage.    [The activities were downlinked in real-time video/audio via Ku- & S-band and taped on the ground.  Today's activities were a repetition of a demo earlier this month which was out of camera focus.]

The CDR completed the PiP (Inventory Management System/Plug-in Plan) audit in the US Segment (USOS) started yesterday, listing Node-1 and Airlock UOPs (Utility Outlet Panels) and providing connectivity information including power supplies, cabling, and equipment updates to the IMS (Inventory Management System).    [The audit allows IMS to accurately reflect the parent-child relationship for how equipment is plugged in on ISS.]

Tani meanwhile arranged for a better protected stowage place for a spare Ku-band Forward Link Receiver unit behind a closeout panel of the Node-2 DDCU (DC-to-DC Converter Unit) rack.

Dan also stowed a number of MLI (Multi-Layer Insulation) cover pieces in "Harmony", which were retrieved and brought in from the recent external Node-2 outfitting work, such as the PDGF (Power & Data Grapple Fixture) mounting ring MLI.

Peggy serviced the EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System) in ER3 (EXPRESS Rack 3) by removing the water reservoirs from both rotors and replacing them with new reservoirs (#FM005 on Rotor A, #FM006 on Rotor B).  The old H2O tanks were stowed.   [The 298-kg EMCS, delivered on ULF1.1, is a multi-purpose combination centrifuge/growth chamber with eight small research containers that allows plant growth experiments to be carried out in controlled partial and microgravity conditions and under controlled pressure, light, temperature and humidity.  The goal of these experiments is to enable growing plants in space that could serve as a basic nutrition source for astronauts on future long-duration missions to the Moon or Mars.]

Later, the CDR performed troubleshooting on the Node-2 ATU-15 (Audio Terminal Unit 15) on the port side, after verifying that the Node-2 starboard ATU-7 is functioning separately from ATU-15.   [Troubleshooting of the failed ATU-15 was to include checking for debris in the ATU's headset/PMIC (Portable Microphone) connector, for a stuck control button, etc.]

The FE-2 undertook the monthly FDS PEP (Fire Detection & Suppression/Portable Emergency Provisions) safety inspection/audit.   [The IMS-supported inspection involves verification that PFEs (portable fire extinguishers), PBAs (portable breathing apparatus), QDMAs (quick-don mask assemblies) and EHTKs (extension hose/tee kits) are free of damage to ensure their functionality, and to track shelf life/life cycles on the hardware (QDMA harness inspection was not required this time).  In the USOS, there are a total of 5 PFEs and 7 PBAs, plus 7 QDMAs and 4 EHTKs.]

Whitson ran the periodic check of active U.S. payloads, i.e., cleaning the ANITA (Analyzing Interferometer for Ambient Air) inlet plus inspecting and filter cleaning of the CGBA-5 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 5) incubator payload.    [The CGBA incubator is controlled from the ground, with automatic video downlinked to Earth.  ANITA continues to collect data every six seconds and downlinks the data daily to the ground team.  ANITA monitors low levels of potential gaseous contaminants in the ISS cabin atmosphere with a capability of simultaneously monitoring 32 gaseous contaminants. The experiment is testing the accuracy and reliability of this technology as a potential next-generation atmosphere trace-gas monitoring system for ISS and future spacecraft. This is a cooperative investigation with the European Space Agency.]

Yuri performed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM.   [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

Later, the FE-1 handled the daily IMS maintenance, updating/editing its standard "delta file" including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

The crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR), TVIS treadmill (FE-1, FE-2), RED (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, Tani copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today were Bosumtwi Impact Crater, Ghana (the crew had a nadir pass over this 10.5 km diameter impact structure.  The crater is filled with a lake; cloud cover was expected to be minimal so the crew was asked to look for this distinctive feature.  Ground recommendation was to start taking overlapping nadir frames along-track as ISS approached the African coastline as a good strategy to capture the crater), Lake Poopo, Bolivia (weather was predicted to be clear over Lake Poopo.  Imagery of the shoreline of the Lake is requested for monitoring of water levels.  Water levels respond quickly to changes in regional precipitation, making the Lake a useful indicator of regional climate change.  Looking the left of track for the Lake, and for large white salars [salt pans] to the south), and Caracas, Venezuela (orbit track brought the ISS over the western urban-rural fringe of the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.  The city is located in a valley of the northern Coastal Range of Venezuela.  Overlapping, nadir mapping frames of the western metropolitan area, taken along-track, are requested).

 CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:46d76a9dd7]
 ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 3:29am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 337.8 km
Apogee height -- 338.2 km
Perigee height -- 337.5 km
Period -- 91.29 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0000538
Solar Beta Angle -- -9.2 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 130 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51888

[row]
[col color=#303034:46d76a9dd7]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/18/07 -- Stage 10A EVA (Whitson/Tani) -- Stbd SARJ, 1A BGA BMRRM
12/18/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis ET tanking test (7:00am)
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/02/08 – NET: STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite.  Launch period opens.
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/18/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
09/29/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
11/06/08 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch
04/??/10 -- STS-132/Discovery/20A – Node-3 + Cupola.
[/table]

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:879201a1fd]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/13/07
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

[row]
[col color=#303030:879201a1fd]
After wakeup and before breakfast, FE-2 Dan Tani (whose tenure aboard the station has now been extended) again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging and completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

Also before breakfast, CDR Whitson, FE-1 Malenchenko and FE-2 Tani performed the periodic Russian biomedical routine assessments PZEh-MO-7/Calf Volume Measurement and PZEh-MO-8/Body Mass Measurement (4th for CDR & FE-1, 3rd for FE-2), using the IM mass measurement device which Malenchenko afterwards broke down for stowage.    [Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference pints, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures.  For determining body mass in zero-G, where things are weightless but not massless, the Russian IM "scales" measure the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring constants.  By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the unknown mass (the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the crewmember's mass is calculated by the computer and displayed.]

Malenchenko and Whitson, assisting each other in turn, conducted a session with the biomedical protocol KARDIO-ODNT (MBI-5) in the "Chibis" garment, an extensive cardiovascular test of human pericardium (heart muscle) activity as well as of primary parameters of central and regional blood circulation at rest and under the effect of lower body negative pressure (LBNP, Russian: ODNT).     [The Chibis provides gravity-simulating stress to the body's cardiovascular/circulatory system for evaluation of Yuri's & Peggy's orthostatic tolerance (e.g., the Gauer-Henry reflex) after 7 weeks in zero-G.  The MBI-5 protocol again consisted of first imbibing 150-200 milliliters of water or juice, followed by a sequence of progressive regimes of reduced ("negative") pressure, set at -25, -30, -35 and -40 mmHg for five minutes each, while shifting from foot to foot at 10-12 steps per minute. The body's circulatory system interprets the pressure differential between upper and lower body as a gravity-like force pulling the blood and body fluids "down".  MBI-5 data output include blood pressure readings with the Tenzoplus Sphygmomanometer, today without telemetry data monitoring but reporting of heart rate and blood pressure to TsUP-Moscow.]

Later today, at sleeptime, Malenchenko will start another data take with the new Russian MBI-12 SONOKARD (Sonocard) experiment, his fifth.    [During sleep, Yuri will wear a shirt with the special SONOKARD device in the shirt pocket.  The objectives of the experiment are stated to (1) study the feasibility of obtaining the maximum of data through computer processing of records obtained overnight, (2) systematically record the crewmember's physiological functions during sleep, (3) study the feasibility of obtaining real-time crew health data.  Investigators believe that contactless acquisition of cardiorespiratory data over the night period could serve as a basis for developing efficient criteria for evaluating and predicting adaptive capability of human body in long-duration space flight.]

After familiarizing himself with the BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) science payload, Dan Tani supported another session by setting up the MWA WSA (Maintenance Work Area/Work Surface Area) in Node-2 for BCAT Sample 3 operations, including arranging a digital still camera run by an A31p SSC (Station Support Computer) with EarthKAM software for automatically taking flash photography of the sample every two hours over the next several days.    [On crew recommendation, the ground approved moving the payload to Node-2.  Thus, BCAT-3 becomes the first science experiment conducted in the new Harmony node!]

Later, Dan also continued his work on the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility, terminating the final (fourth) vacuum draw on the CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2) experiment and initiating sample processing, to be run by the ground for the next 36 hrs.  Dan's next intervention will be on 12/15.   [CSLM-2 examines the kinetics of competitive particle growth within a liquid matrix.  During this process, small particles shrink by losing atoms to larger particles, causing the larger particles to grow (coarsen) within a liquid lead/tin matrix.  This study defined the mechanisms and rates of coarsening that govern the manufacture with metals from turbine blades to dental amalgam fillings.]

CDR Whitson contributed to the current round of the monthly preventive maintenance of Russian segment (RS) ventilation systems, working in the FGB (Funktsionalnyi-Grusovoi Blok) to clean the detachable VT7 fan screens 1, 2, and 3 of the three SOTR (Thermal Control System) gas-liquid heat exchangers (GZhT4).

Yuri Malenchenko continued the extended leak checking of the spare BZh Liquid Unit (#056) for the Elektron O2 generator by checking the unit's pressure and charging it once again with pressurized N2 from the BPA-M Nitrogen Purge Unit (# 23) to 1 atm (1 kg/cm2).  The last test pressurization was on 11/12.   [During Elektron operation, the inert gas locked up in the BZh has the purpose to prevent dangerous O2/H2 mixing.  A leaking BZh cannot be used.]

Dan Tani serviced the CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products) primary unit (#1051) by changing out its battery after turning it off first.

The FE-2 also filled out the regular FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire), his 6th, on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer).    [By means of these FFQs, U.S. astronauts keep a personalized log of their nutritional intake over time on special MEC software.  Recorded are the amounts consumed during the past week of such food items as beverages, cereals, grains, eggs, breads, snacks, sweets, fruit, beans, soup, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, chicken, sauces & spreads, and vitamins.  At TsUP/Moscow, food specialists are currently preparing the Russian food "menu" for delivery by Progress M-63/28P next February.  28P will carry "bonus food" for Peggy and Yuri, plus about 15 kg of fresh food items (apples, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, garlic) in two containers.]

Peggy Whitson conducted the weekly 10-min. CWC (Contingency Water Container) audit as part of on-going WDS (Water Delivery System) assessment of onboard water supplies.   [Updated "cue cards" based on the crew's water calldowns are sent up every other week.  The current cue card (16-0018J), to be updated with today's data, lists 24 CWCs; ~1041 liters total) for the four types of water identified on board: technical water (793.6 l, for Elektron, flushing, hygiene), potable water (221.3 l), condensate water (0 l), waste/EMU dump and other (26.6 l).  Two CWCs (#1004 & #1081, ~89 l) with potable water are off limits due to the Wautersia bacteria found in sample analysis, the source of which is still not understood.  Impact of losing this potable CWC is negligible since there are sufficient drinking water supplies onboard.  Also currently not to be used are nine CWCs with technical water (~389 l).]

Yuri performed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM.   [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

Later, the FE-1 handled the daily IMS maintenance, updating/editing its standard "delta file" including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

Yuri and Dan had another 2 hrs reserved for stowing discarded U.S. cargo on Progress 26P, currently docked at the DC-1 nadir port, for disposal later this month (12/22).     [Discarded hardware, as specified on an uplinked list, includes such items as food containers, food waste bags, Penguin-3 suits, socks, coveralls, wipes & wet towels, medical kits, used & expired alkaline batteries, 35-mm film cassettes, hoses & adapters, cartridge belts with tools, etc.]

The crewmembers conducted their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (FE-2), TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1), RED (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, Peggy copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

At ~10:10am EST, Peggy, Yuri and Dan supported a 20-min joint crew news conference conducted with U.S. media at NASA centers and NASA Headquarters.   [Media clients tape the event for use within their respective media outlets.]

At ~11:30am EST, the crew conducted their standard bi-weekly teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office (Steve Lindsey), via S-band S/G-2 audio & phone patch.

US EVA-13 Update:   Planning is going ahead on the spacewalk scheduled for Whitson & Tani next Tuesday (12/18) for comprehensive in-situ inspection & photography of  (1) the damaged starboard SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint) and  (2) the 1A BGA (Beta Gimbal Assembly) on the S4 truss, particularly its BMRRM (Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module, sometimes pronounced "broom").    [Background]

ATU-15 Recovery Update:   Troubleshooting of the portside ATU-15 (Audio Terminal Unit 15) in Node-2 by CDR Whitson on 12/12 succeeded in restoring the unit to function.  The fault was found to be a sticky PTT (Push-to-talk) button.    [The ATU will be left in standby and available for use as desired.  Ground work is underway to correct the sticking action.]

MT Translation:   Due to the 1E launch slip, Robotics engineers will translate the MT (Mobile Transporter) tomorrow (12/14; 11:41am-1:41pm) from WS7 (Worksite 7) to WS4, in order to protect the MT TUS (Trailing Umbilical System) cable from MMOD (micrometeoroid/orbital debris) damage.  The rail cart will be returned to WS4 on or about 1/2/08 in time for 1E arrival.    [Before the translation, the rail path will be surveyed with the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) vidcams for obstructions.  RS thrusters will be disabled for the duration of the MT translation.]

STS-122 Tanking Test:   The comprehensive ECO (Engine Cut-Off) sensor system test being prepared for 12/18 (7:00am EST), will take the External Tank (ET) through a nominal thermal/cryo cycle, i.e., LH2 tanking/detanking.  Background:  Employing the real-time TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) method commonly used for locating faults in very long cable lines (e.g., twisted wire pairs, coaxial cables for telecommunications, surveillance [e.g., checking for wire taps], microcircuits, optical fibers, etc.), an electronic instrument sends out a fast-rise-time electrical pulse which either will be absorbed at the other end if there is no break in resistance (impedance), or reflected back in various ways depending on the discontinuity (break) in resistance encountered.  From the known travel time of the pulse-and-echo, the location of the fault can be located to within centimeters.  The breakpoints in the cabling for introducing the TDR pulse are being set up inside the MLP (Mobile Launch Platform) on the pad without any changes to any connectors, feedthroughs, cabling trays etc. in the ET and Orbiter from their nominal state.

CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today were Arkenu 1 and Arkenu 2 Impact Craters (ISS had a nadir pass over the paired Arkenu 1 [7 km diameter] and 2 [10 km diameter] impact craters.  Both craters formed approximately 140 million years ago during impact of the same meteor.  Looking for the circular crater structure formed by dark rocks - contrast is high with the surrounding desert.  Nadir, overlapping mapping frames taken along-track were recommended), Tin Bider Impact Crater (this approximately 70 million year old impact structure is located in a range of mountains to the south and west of two major North African dune fields.  The crater is 6 km in diameter, and the concentric ring structure of disturbed rock layers should be clearly visible with the long lens.  Overlapping, nadir mapping frames taken along track were recommended), and Pilcomayo River Dynamics, Northern Argentina (weather was predicted to be clear over the inland delta [aka megafan] of the Pilcomayo River.  Of particular interest are the branching channels and wetlands of the Pilcomayo megafan. Nadir mapping frames along track are requested to capture imagery of the current channel configuration).

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:879201a1fd]
 ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 3:49am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 337.6 km
Apogee height -- 338.0 km
Perigee height -- 337.1 km
Period -- 91.28 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0000718
Solar Beta Angle -- -13.8 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 265 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51904

[row]
[col color=#303034:879201a1fd]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/18/07 -- Stage 10A EVA (Whitson/Tani) -- Stbd SARJ, 1A BGA BMRRM
12/18/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis ET tanking test (7:00am)
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/02/08 – NET: STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite.  Launch period opens.
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/18/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
09/29/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
11/06/08 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch
04/??/10 -- STS-132/Discovery/20A – Node-3 + Cupola.
[/table]

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:ddfc9b72e6]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/14/07
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

[row]
[col color=#303030:ddfc9b72e6]
After wakeup and before breakfast, FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging and completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

Also upon wakeup, FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko terminated his fourth MBI-12 SONOKARD experiment session by taking the recording device from his SONOKARD sports shirt pocket and later copying the measurements to the RSE-MED laptop for subsequent downlink to the ground.   [SONOKARD objectives are stated to (1) study the feasibility of obtaining the maximum of data through computer processing of records obtained overnight, (2) systematically record the crewmember's physiological functions during sleep, (3) study the feasibility of obtaining real-time crew health data.  Investigators believe that contactless acquisition of cardiorespiratory data over the night period could serve as a basis for developing efficient criteria for evaluating and predicting adaptive capability of human body in long-duration space flight.]

The FE-2 again activated the VDS MPC (Video Distribution System/Multi-Purpose Converter) with its four downlinks to allow the ground to conduct HDTV (high-definition TV) playback and downlink operations.  Later today (~1:40pm EST), the MPC was powered off again.

Tani then assisted the ground in ongoing troubleshooting of the transmission & downlinking of analog (as opposed to digital) video signals from the Russian Segment (RS) via the MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Expert Group 2) encoder and Ku-band in "streaming video" packets over the U.S. OpsLAN.   [Prior end-to-end video test results had not been as expected, and the evaluation of downlinked log files continues.  For today's troubleshooting, Tani set up the software application for PAL (Russian)-to-NTSC (US) format conversion on an A31p laptop, connected cables and started the laptop.  After the test, the A31p was left on for eventual downlinking of more log files.]

Malenchenko completed the periodic switchover of the Russian STTS telephone/telegraph subsystem to an alternate string, today to the primary string after its operation on the backup string.   [The "Voskhod-M" STTS enables telephone communications between the SM, FGB, DC1 and U.S. segment (USOS), and also with users on the ground over VHF channels selected by an operator at an SM comm panel, via STTS antennas on the SM's outside.  There are six comm panels in the SM with pushbuttons for accessing any of three audio channels, plus an intercom channel.  Other modes of the STTS include telegraphy (teletype), EVA voice, emergency alarms, Packet/Email, and TORU docking support.]

Dan Tani had about 4 hrs scheduled for auditing and consolidating photo/TV items in their CTBs (Cargo Transfer Bags), including a large number of size AA batteries.    [This task has up to now been on the U.S. "job jar" task list for Dan and Peggy and was now hard scheduled due to crewtime availability.]

The CDR and FE-2 conducted a one-hour review of an uplinked procedures briefing package for the US EVA-13 next week (12/18), covering topics like egress plan, timeline ordering of tasks, translation/fairleads/tether plan, hazards, and ingress plan.  Later (~7:00am EST) Peggy and Dan tagged up with ground specialists to discuss particulars.    [The spacewalk of ~6.5 hrs duration has two major objectives: (1) Inspection of 1A BGA (Beta Gimbal Assembly) and BMRMM (Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module, "broom"), including assisting fault search by the ground by disconnecting/reconnecting cables and possibly performing an R&R (removal & replacement) of the 1A ECU (Electronic Control Unit) on the S4 truss;  (2) inspection and photo documentation of the Stbd SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint), including temporary removal of protective MLI covers (8 double-wide, 12 single-wide, plus 2 DLA/Drive Lock Assembly covers), debris removal, DLA inspection, finally unbolting (3 bolts) & removing TBA-5 (Trundle Bearing Assembly #5) for return to Earth.]

The FE-1 meanwhile worked in the RS on the line 3 BRPK-2 Air/Liquid Condensate Separator of the SRV-K2M Condensate Water Recovery System, removing the mechanical filter cartridge from the separator's transfer unit.

Whitson took air samples for the periodic (weekly) atmospheric status check for ppO2 (Partial Pressure Oxygen) and ppCO2 (pp Carbon Dioxide), using the hand-held CSA-O2 (Compound Specific Analyzer-Oxygen sensor) and CDMK (CO2 Monitoring Kit).  Batteries were to be replaced if necessary.    [Purpose of the 15-min activity is to trend with MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer), i.e., to correlate the hand-held readings with MCA measurements.  O2 sensors checks used #1042, #1063, #1052, #1041.  CO2 sensors used are #1013, #1058, #1045.  CO2 level in Lab and SM was ~0.44%.]

With the BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) science payload running by itself in Node-2 since yesterday, FE-2 Tani began a daily status check on the A31p laptop controlling the EarthKAM digital still camera, verifying on the last image taken that image focus and alignment remain in check.    [The SSC (Station Support Computer) is taking photography of the phase separation occurring in the BCAT Sample 3, with the photo flash going off every half hour for the next few days.]

Yuri handled the daily IMS maintenance, updating/editing its standard "delta file" including stowage locations, for the regular weekly automated export/import to its three databases on the ground (Houston, Moscow, Baikonur).

Peggy and Yuri each had another ~4.5 hrs reserved for stowing U.S. and Russian trash cargo on the Progress 26P cargo ship-turned-trash can, currently docked at the DC-1 nadir port.     [Discarded hardware, as specified on uplinked lists, includes such items as Russian food containers (U.S. food containers being recycled on the ground), food waste bags, Penguin-3 suits, TVIS malfunction kit & harnesses, payload containers, one old 760XD laptop, socks, coveralls, wipes & wet towels, medical kits, used & expired alkaline batteries, 35-mm film cassettes, hoses & adapters, cartridge belts with tools, foam pieces, etc.]

Dan conducted the periodic (every two weeks) 10-min inspection of the RED (Resistive Exercise Device) canister cords and accessory straps as well as the canister bolts for re-tightening if required.

The crewmembers performed their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR, FE-2), TVIS treadmill (FE-1), RED (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, Peggy copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

A new task added to the voluntary "job jar" list for the CDR and FE-2 calls for an audit of rubber gloves on board, to report the quantity of available clean room rubber gloves and Nitrile gloves stowed in a CTB and in the ASU toilet facility.

At ~2:30am EST, the crew held the regular (nominally weekly) tagup with the Russian Flight Control Team (GOGU), including Shift Flight Director (SRP), at TsUP via S-band/audio, phone-patched from Houston and Moscow.

At ~4:00am, Yuri linked up with TsUP stowage specialists via S-band to conduct the weekly IMS tagup, discussing stowage issues and equipment locations.

At ~8:20am, the FE-1 also powered up the SM (Service Module)'s amateur radio equipment (Kenwood VHF transceiver with manual frequency selection, headset, and power supply), to conduct, at 8:25am, a ham radio exchange with students and faculty at Kursk State Polytechnic University who actively participated in amateur sessions from Kursk, radio expeditions from Sochi (Dagomys) and from the peak of Mt. Elbrus with Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin.

At ~2:00pm, the crew conducted their sixth weekly tagup with the Lead Flight Director at JSC/MCC-H via S-band/audio.  [S/G-2 (Space-to-Ground 2) phone patch via SSC-10 (Station Support Computer 10)].

KURS Antenna Test:   Yesterday, a ground-commanded test of the KURS system was performed over RGS (Russian Ground Sites) from the DC1 Docking Compartment side in preparation for Progress M-62/27P docking on 12/26.  Test results for string 1 of the KURS hardware were nominal, but results for string 2 were off-nominal.  Specialists at TsUP-Moscow believe the off-nominal results may be due to a loss of VHF (Very High Frequency)-1 communication and the telemetry stream from RGS 27 (BRL).  TsUP will decide if a retest on string 2 is required.

TORU Test:  In preparation for 27P arrival, Moscow has scheduled a test of the TORU manual teleoperator control system in the SM for 12/17.

26P Rodnik Tank:  Since 9/4, the expulsion bladder in Progress 26P's Rodnik tank 1 has been suspected of a small leak, possibly rendering the tank unfit for the upcoming urine transfer from the SM.  TsUP this week learned from the supplier that the bladder is acceptable for urine transfer provided the KN1 valve is closed during the pump-over, currently scheduled for 12/17 (Monday).

MT Translation:   At 11:41am-1:41pm the MT (Mobile Transporter) was remotely driven from WS7 (Worksite 7) to WS4, in order to protect the MT TUS (Trailing Umbilical System) cable from MMOD (micrometeoroid/orbital debris) damage.   [In pre-configuring the RS systems for the thruster-disabled period duringt the translation (to reduce loads), a software program uplinked was inadvertently executed, configuring the Russian SUDN (Motion Control & Navigation System) such that both it and the U.S. GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control) systems were briefly in control of ISS attitude.  Action to reconfigure into a structurally safe mode was taken immediately.  The rail cart will be returned to WS4 shortly before 1E arrival.  Before the translation, the rail path was surveyed with the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) vidcams for obstructions.]

CEO (Crew Earth Observation) photo targets uplinked for today were Somalia Coast, Somalia (weather was predicted to be clear over Somalia for photography of coastal dune and vegetation patterns.  Collection of baseline imagery during the current La Nina conditions will be useful for comparison with the next El Nino event.  Looking to the right of track as ISS proceeded NE parallel to the coastline; overlapping, along-track frames were recommended), and Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras (scattered clouds were predicted over the Gulf of Fonseca, but there should have been opportunities for mapping photography of the site.  Overlapping frames of the coastline were requested.  Repeat imagery of the site will allow for assessment of land use and land cover change on the coastal environment over time).

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:ddfc9b72e6]
ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 8:18am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 337.3 km
Apogee height -- 337.8 km
Perigee height -- 336.8 km
Period -- 91.28 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0000731
Solar Beta Angle -- -18.5 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.77
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 180 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51923

[row]
[col color=#303034:ddfc9b72e6]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/18/07 -- Stage 10A EVA (Whitson/Tani) -- Stbd SARJ, 1A BGA BMRRM
12/18/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis ET tanking test (7:00am)
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/10/08 – NET: STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite.
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/18/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
09/29/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
11/06/08 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch
04/??/10 -- STS-132/Discovery/20A – Node-3 + Cupola.
[/table]

[Liss]

За прошедшую неделю...

План работ с 10 по 16 декабря 2007 года
ОСНОВНЫЕ СЛУЖЕБНЫЕ ПОЛЕТНЫЕ ОПЕРАЦИИ

[row color=darkblue:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]Дата
 [col]Наименование и проводимые работы
 [col]Исполнитель и время
 [col]Примечание

[row color=darkblue:3fd65d9d76]
[col]Мероприятия по поддержанию здоровья экипажа
 [col]
 [col]
 [col]

[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 12.12 ср
 [col]
 Приватная медицинская конференции через АС из ЦУП-Х
 [col]
 БИ1 – 15 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 15.12 сб
 [col]
 Приватная беседа с семьей
 [col]
 БИ1 – 20 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 16.12 вс
 [col]
 Приватная психологическая конференция
 [col]
 БИ1 – 15 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=darkblue:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]Тестирование систем
 [col]
 [col]
 [col]

[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 13.12 чт
 [col]
 Тест аппаратуры «Курс» (2 комплекта) со стороны СО1
 [col]
 ЦУП
 [col]
 14.12 - резерв

[row color=darkblue:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]Техническое обслуживание систем
 [col]
 [col]
 [col]

[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 Ежедн.
 [col]
 Техническое обслуживание системы обеспечения жизнедеятельности  : замена по рекомендации с Земли одного из блоков СОЖ, переработка конденсата АС; 16.12 – сброс информации со счетчиков систем водообеспечения и санитарно-гигиенического обеспечения и устройства обеззараживания воздуха «Поток»
 [col]
 БИ1 – 40 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 10.12.12
 [col]
 Техническое обслуживание системы водообеспечения:  
 [col]
 
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 [col]
 10.12 - замена фильтра газо-жидкостной смеси системы регенерации воды из конденсата
 [col]
 БИ1 – 1 час
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 [col]
 05.12 -заправка контейнера очищенной воды для системы
 «Электрон»
 [col]
 БИ1 – 40 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 10, 12.12
 [col]
 Техническое обслуживание системы обеспечения газового состава
 [col]
 
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 [col]
 10.12 - корректировка показаний газоанализатора ГА ИК0501 по каналу 02
 [col]
 БИ1 – 15 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 [col]
 12.12 – измерение уровня содержания вредных примесей в СМ с помощью пробоотборника CMS
 [col]
 БИ1 – 30 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=darkblue:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]Прочие работы
 [col]
 [col]
 [col]
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 Ежедн.
 [col]
 Сброс файлов c научной и служебной информацией через бортовую информационно-телеметрическую систему и блок сопряжения с системой «Регул»
 [col]
 ЦУП
 [col]
 На всех видимых витках

[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 10-14.12
 [col]
 Работы по инвентаризации:
 [col]
 [col]
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 [col]
 10-14.12 - редактирование данных системы
 инвентаризации
 [col]
 БИ1 – 20 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 [col]
 14.12 – инвентаризация вкладышей АСУ
 [col]
 БИ1 – 1 час
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 10-15.12
 [col]
 Контроль установки датчиков потока
 [col]
 БИ1 – 15 мин
 [col]
 На время совместного полета с ОК

[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 11, 15.12
 [col]
 Укладка удаляемого оборудования в ТКГ «Прогресс М-61» с отметкой в системе инвентаризации
 [col]
 Суммарно: БИ1 – 5 час 25 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 12.12 ср
 [col]
 Наддув жидкостного блока системы кислородообеспечения «Электрон-ВМ»
 [col]
 БИ1 – 15 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 15.12 сб
 [col]
 Переключение средств связи на основной комплект
 [col]
 БИ1 – 15 мин
 [col]
 
[row color=#303030:3fd65d9d76]
 [col]
 16.12 вс
 [col]
 Еженедельная влажная уборка станции
 [col]
 3 чел – 3 час
 [col]

[Liss]

[row]
[col color=darkblue:39244967a1]
ISS On-Orbit Status 12/15/07

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.   Saturday -- off-duty day for CDR Whitson, FE-1 Malenchenko and FE-2 Tani except for housekeeping and voluntary work.

[row]
[col color=#303030:39244967a1]
After wakeup and before breakfast, FE-2 Dan Tani again accessed the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging and completing questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for later downlink.    [To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition.  The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary "job jar" task list.]

The crew conducted the regular weekly three-hour task of thorough station cleaning.   ["Uborka", normally done on Saturdays, includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, damp cleaning of the Service Module (SM) dining table, other frequently touched surfaces and surfaces where trash is collected, as well as the FE's sleep station with a standard cleaning solution; also, fan screens and grilles are cleaned to avoid temperature rises. Special cleaning is also done every 90 days on the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) bacteria filters in the Lab.]

In the Lab, FE-2 Dan Tani wrapped up his support of the CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2) experiment in the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility, terminating SPU-3 (Sample Processing Unit #3) processing, transferring its data to the MLC (MSG Laptop Computer) and verifying them, then removing SPU-3, installing a new SPU (#11), and finally turning the payload off.  Later, the MSG was also powered off.    [CSLM-2 examines the kinetics of competitive particle growth within a liquid matrix.  During this process, small particles shrink by losing atoms to larger particles, causing the larger particles to grow (coarsen) within a liquid lead/tin matrix.  This study defined the mechanisms and rates of coarsening that govern the manufacture with metals from turbine blades to dental amalgam fillings.  By all indications, the CSLM runs were nominal.]

In Node-2, with the BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) science payload running by itself since 12/13, the FE-2 performed his daily status check on the A31p laptop controlling the EarthKAM digital still camera, verifying on the last image taken that image focus and alignment remain in check.    [The SSC (Station Support Computer) is taking photography of the phase separation occurring in the BCAT Sample 3, with the photo flash going off every half hour for the next few days.  The EarthKAM camera will be required next week for post-EVA EMU glove photography.]

FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko performed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM.   [Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.]

At ~6:35am EST, the FE-1 had his weekly PFC (Private Family Conference) via S-band/audio and Ku-band/MS-NetMeeting application (which displays the uplinked ground video on the SSC-9 laptop).

At ~9:15am, the crewmembers held their regular weekly planning conference (WPC) with the ground, discussing next week's "Look-Ahead Plan" (prepared jointly by MCC-H and TsUP/Moscow timeline planners) via S-band/audio, reviewing the monthly calendar, upcoming activities, and any concerns about future on-orbit events.

The crewmembers performed their regular 2.5-hr physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (CDR), TVIS treadmill (FE-1, FE-2), RED (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (FE-1).

Afterwards, Peggy copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

A new task added to the voluntary "job jar" list for CDR and FE-2 calls for finishing up the audit and consolidation of photo/TV items in their CTBs (Cargo Transfer Bags), started by Dan Tani yesterday.

Also in the discretionary "job jar" for Dan for today were departure preparations for his end-of-increment cleanup.    [Due to the extension of his station tenure to NET mid-January, the FE-2 will have more leisure in completing this clean-up.]

Working from his own "time permitting" job list, Yuri was to perform the periodic collection & deletion of readings on the MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor) radiation sensor reader/display of the RBO-3-2 Matryoshka-R antroph-amorphous (human torso) "phantoms" located inside the station for sophisticated radiation studies, collecting radiation measurements every 15 minutes around the clock.

A second job item on Malenchenko's discretionary list for today was another KPT-3 session to make observations and take aerial KPT-3 photography of environmental conditions for Russia's Environmental Safety Agency (ECON) using the Nikon D1X digital camera with SIGMA 300-800mm telephoto lens.   [KPT-3 photography has been a frequent earth observing experiment for ECON.]

MT Translation:   Yesterday's planned MT (Mobile Transporter) translation from WS7 (Worksite 7) to WS4, erroneously reported here as completed, was deferred to no earlier than 12/20 (Thursday) due to a possible obstruction of MLI (Multi-Layered Insulation) on the NTA (Nitrogen Tank Assembly).  The translation was to provide added protection of the TUS (Trailing Umbilical System) from MMOD (Micrometeoroid/Orbital Debris) between now and Flight 1E.  Ground controllers are assessing imagery of the translation path and developing a forward plan.

BGA 1A Update:   More testing was performed last night on the failed 1A BGA (Beta Gimbal Assembly).  During a power switch sequence the BCDU 3A1 CP RBI (Battery Charge/Discharge Unit/CP Remote Bus Isolator), a fuse-type switch, did not trip open, but the RPCs (Remote Power Controllers) of both primary and redundant power feeds to the 1A ECU (Electronics Control Unit) tripped several times.  At the conclusion of the test, the RPCs remained closed for about 3 hours, then tripped again.  ECU 1A is now unpowered and BGA 1A is locked, with the motor off, i.e. in stable configuration.  Engineering analysis of the dumped data continues, but no more troubleshooting is expected before the EVA-13.

Weekly Science Update (Expedition Sixteen -- Week

ALTCRISS (Alteino Long Term monitoring of Cosmic Rays on the ISS):   Radiation measurements continue nominally in the PIRS module. The next memory card replacement activity is currently scheduled on 12/10.

ANITA:   Completed.

BCAT (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test):   The Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3 experiment can now proceed, thanks to Astronauts Dr. Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani.  Sample 3, the most critical of the samples (and the one closest to the critical point) was the first to be restarted to allow for the publication of the science data by Harvard University (Dr. David Weitz, PI, and Peter Lu, Doctorate Candidate).  Operations (EarthKAM imaging) will continue for 4 days when parts of the BCAT-3 setup is needed for EVA activities.  After the EVA BCAT-3 activities will continue for a total of 14 days.

CARDIOCOG-2:   Completed.

CCISS (Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Control on Return from ISS):    "Dan: Due to the slip of 1E, we will need to repeat your 2nd session at the appropriate time frame (within R–21 to R–14) to meet the experiment's requirements. This activity will be hard scheduled. Again, thank you for your participation."

CFE (Capillary Flow Experiment):    Reserve.

CSI-2/CGBA (CGBA Science Insert #2/Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus):    In progress.

CGBA-2 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 2):  Complete.

CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2):    CSLM-2 SPU-3 34-hr soak is in progress and should be complete by 12/15/07.

EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students):    Complete.

EPO (Educational Payload Operations):   EPO is very satisfied with the EPO Demos that the crew conducted within the past week including the Sanitation on Station, ISS Tour / Living Space, and Newton's Laws Demo.  The videos will be used to enhance existing education resources.  "We would like to thank the crew for their efforts in inspiring the next generation of explorers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."

ETD (Eye Tracking Device):   Second session for Yuri Malenchenko was performed nominally on 12/12.

Integrated Immune:   In progress.

LOCAD-PTS (Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System):   Complete.

MISSE (Materials ISS Experiment):  Ongoing.

MTR-2 (Russian radiation measurements):   Passive dosimeters measurements in DC1 "Pirs".

MULTIGEN-1:    MULTIGEN-1 samples will be downloaded on STS-122 (1E).  Peggy performed successfully the Water Reservoirs Exchange activity on 12/12.  That allows for additional dry-out of the EMCS (European Modular Cultivation System) Facility as preventive measure to the now delayed Clean-Up activities planned during 1E Stage..

MSG-SAME (Microgravity Science Glovebox):    Complete.

NOA-2 (Nitric Oxide Analyzer):    Planned.

NUTRITION/REPOSITORY:     In progress..

PMDIS (Perceptual Motor Deficits in Space):    Complete.

SAMS/MAMS (Space & Microgravity Acceleration Measurement Systems):   Ongoing.

SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight):    "Peggy: The Sleep PI appreciates you going "above and beyond" with your extra sleep logging.  Remaining for the Sleep experiment, you have monthly downloads, doffing the Actiwatch, and two more weeks of required sleep logging."   "Dan: The Sleep team would appreciate if you could continue to sleep log so that the Sleep experiment's logging requirements (3 weeks during the mission) are met."

SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite):    In progress.  To be conducted tomorrow (12/2).

Swab (Characterization of Microorganisms & Allergens in Spacecraft):   In progress.

TRAC (Test of Reaction & Adaptation Capabilities):   Planned.

CEO (Crew Earth Observation):  On-going.

CEO photo targets uplinked for today were Afar Rift Zone, Ethiopia (looking to the right of track as ISS approached the "elbow" formed by the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden - the area to the west of the elbow is the Afar Rift Zone [also known as the Afar Triangle].  This geologically active region is a junction between the Arabian, Indian, and African tectonic plates - all of which are moving away from each other, producing frequent earthquakes and historically active volcanoes [such as Erta Ale in Ethiopia].  Overlapping frames of the Afar Triangle area will provide a useful record of the rift area, particularly surface expressions of faults and lava flows), and Madrean Sky Islands (this target is located in the northern reaches of Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental which boast some of the richest biodiversity anywhere in North America.  It is a comprised of cool, moist, higher-altitude pine-oak forested mountain ranges that dot the hot, lower Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southern Arizona and New Mexico and northwestern Mexico.  These climatological islands are situated in remote and rugged areas and are vestiges of cooler, wetter periods during the ice ages.  Nadir- or near-nadir imagery of the forested mountaintops was requested).

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov  (about 700,000 NASA digital photographs of Earth are downloaded by the public each month from this "Gateway" site);
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography

[row]
[col color=#303430:39244967a1]
ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 7:04am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude -- 337.2 km
Apogee height -- 337.7 km
Perigee height -- 336.7 km
Period -- 91.28 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0000737
Solar Beta Angle -- -23.3 deg (magnitude increasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.78
Mean altitude loss in the last 24 hours -- 165m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) -- 51937

[row]
[col color=#303034:39244967a1]
Significant Events Ahead (all dates Eastern Standard, some changes possible. NET = Not Earlier Than):
12/18/07 -- Stage 10A EVA (Whitson/Tani) -- Stbd SARJ, 1A BGA BMRRM; (~6:00am)
12/18/07 -- STS-122/Atlantis ET tanking test (7:00am)
12/22/07 -- Yuri Malenchenko's Birthday
12/22/07 -- Progress M-61/26P undocking (DC1) & reentry
12/23/07 -- Progress M-62/27P launch
12/26/07 -- Progress M-62/27P docking (DC1)
01/10/08 – NET: STS-122/Atlantis/1E launch -- Columbus Module, ICC-Lite.
01/31/08 -- 50-Year Anniversary of Explorer 1 (1st U.S. Satellite on Redstone rocket)  [Check it out at http://usspace50.com/ ]
02/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P launch
02/09/08 -- Progress M-63/28P docking
02/14/08 -- NET:  ATV-1 "Jules Verne" launch/Ariane V (Kourou, French Guyana)
02/14/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A launch/1J/A, ~11:53am, w/SLP-SPDM, JEM ELM-PS
02/16/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour/1J/A docking
02/27/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour undocking
02/29/08 -- STS-123/Endeavour landing
03/01/08 -- Progress M-62/27P undocking (DC1) & reentry
03/06/08 -- NET: ATV-1 docking (SM aft port)
04/07/08 -- Progress M-63/28P undocking (DC1) & reentry
04/08/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S launch
04/10/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking (DC1)
04/19/08 -- Soyuz TMA-11/15S undocking (FGB nadir port)
04/23/08 -- Soyuz TMA-12/16S relocation (from DC1 to FGB nadir port)
04/24/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J launch – JEM PM "Kibo", racks, RMS.
04/26/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J docking
05/04/08 -- STS-124/Discovery/1J undocking
05/14/08 -- Progress M-64/29P launch
05/16/08 -- Progress M-64/29P docking (DC1)
07/29/08 -- NET: ATV-1 undocking (from SM aft port)
08/11/08 -- Progress M-64/29P undocking (from DC1)
08/12/08 -- Progress M-65/30P launch
08/14/08 -- Progress M-65/30P docking (SM aft port)
09/13/08 -- Progress M-66/31P launch
09/15/08 -- Progress M-66/31P docking (DC1)
09/18/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 launch – MPLM Leonardo, LMC
09/29/08 -- STS-126/Discovery/ULF2 undocking.
10/01/08 -- 50th Birthday of NASA
10/11/08 -- Progress M-65/30P undocking (from SM aft port)
10/14/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S launch
10/16/08 -- Soyuz TMA-13/17S docking (SM aft port)
11/06/08 -- STS-119/Discovery/15A launch – S6 truss segment
04/??/09 -- Six-person crew on ISS  (with Soyuz 18S docking)
04/15/09 -- Constellation's Ares I-X Launch
04/??/10 -- STS-132/Discovery/20A – Node-3 + Cupola.
[/table]