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Grew up in Parsippany, New Jersey. Educated Pennsylvania; Caltech. Total EVA Time: 0.30 days. Number of EVAs: 1.
Prior to his employment at TRW, Dr. Reisman was a Ph.D. Candidate at Caltech in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science in Pasadena, California. His multiphase fluid mechanics research provided the first experimental evidence of the presence of shock waves in unsteady cloud cavitation. For this discovery he was presented with the Bruce Chapman Award for excellence in hydrodynamics research at Caltech.
Birth Place: Jewish, New Jersey.
Status: Active.
Born: 1968.02.10.
Spaceflights: 2 .
Total time in space: 107.14 days.
Mission Specialists: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics and minimum three years of related experience or an advanced degree. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. Of 25 Americans, eight pilots and 17 mission specialists.
(The test, using the RSS2 laptop, consisted of switching from the regular 128-byte TM frame to a 206-byte format, for the ground to run tests overnight from RGS (Russian Ground Sites). Tomorrow, in part 2 the FE-1 will reconfigure the BSR-TM back to 128-byte format.)
Afterwards, Malenchenko recorded the post-EVA radiation readings from the Russian EMU-worn plus one background 'Pille-MKS' dosimeters in a log table for subsequent downlink to the ground.
Starting preparations of their next spacewalk, EVA-12 'Charlie' on 11/24 (Saturday), CDR Whitson and FE-2 Tani - Additional Details: here....
The sampling kit was then stowed away. Leo's next NUTRITION/Repository activity will be his Flight Day 30 (FD30) session. (The current NUTRITION project is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight. It includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes, expanding the previous Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L) testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by MELFI), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.) Additional Details: here....
Progress thrusters (DPO) were inhibited and not involved. (Crew activities focused on TORU activation, inputting commands via the RUO Rotational Hand Controller and close-out ops. TORU lets an SM-based crewmember perform the approach and docking of automated Progress vehicles in case of failure of the automated KURS system. Receiving a video image of the approaching ISS, as seen from a Progress-mounted docking television camera ('Klest'), on a color monitor ('Simvol-Ts', i.e. 'symbol center') which also displays an overlay of rendezvous data from the onboard digital computer, the crewmember steers the Progress to mechanical contact by means of two hand controllers, one for rotation (RUO), the other for translation (RUD), on adjustable armrests. The controller-generated commands are transmitted from the SM's TORU control panel to the Progress via VHF radio. In addition to the Simvol-Ts color monitor, range, range rate (approach velocity) and relative angular position data are displayed on the 'Klest-M' video monitor (VKU) which starts picking up signals from Progress when it is still approximately 7 km away. TORU is monitored in real time from TsUP over Russian ground sites (RGS) and via Ku-band from Houston, but its control cannot be taken over from the ground.) Additional Details: here....
Before breakfast and exercise, FE-2 Eyharts performed his first PHS (Periodic Health Status) w/Blood Labs examination. CDR Whitson assisted in drawing blood and using the U.S. PCBA(Portable Clinical Blood Analyzer). The second part of PHS, Subjective Clinical Evaluation, was performed later in the day. (The PHS exam, with PCBA analysis and clinical evaluation, is guided by special software (IFEP, In-Flight Examination Program) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer). While PCBA analyzes total blood composition, the blood's hematocrit is particularly measured by the Russian MO-10 protocol.) Additional Details: here....
(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.) Additional Details: here....
STS-123/Endeavour (ISS-1J/A) lifted off spectacularly in darkness early this morning right on time (2:28am EDT) with all systems performing nominally, for rendezvous with ISS tomorrow (3/12, Wednesday) and docking at approximately 11:25pm EDT. The Orbiter is carrying the seven-member crew of Commander Dominic L. Gorie, Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Richard M. Linnehan, Robert L. Behnken, Michael J. Foreman, Takao Doi and Garrett E. Reisman. Reisman will replace LÃ(c)opold Eyharts as ISS Flight Engineer 2, who returns on 3/26 (nominal) with STS-123. STS-123 is the 122nd space shuttle flight, the 21st flight for Endeavour, the 25th flight to the station and the second of six Shuttle flights planned for 2008 (including the Hubble Service Mission 4). Its primary payloads are the 18,490-lbs Japanese Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS or JLP) and the 3,400-lbs Canadian Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) 'Dextre'. We are off to another great mission! Additional Details: here....
STS-123/Endeavour continues its chaser flight for tonight's docking at ~11:25pm EDT, to begin ISS Stage 1J/A. (Catch-up rate ~480 nmi. per revolution of ~92 min). (Hatch opening is expected at ~1:08am, followed by: Safety Briefing, Soyuz seat liner transfer (for the Eyharts/Reisman exchange), SRMS (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System)- transfer of SLP-D1 (Spacelab Pallet Deployable 1), carrying SPDM 'Dextre', from Shuttle cargo bay to POA (Payload ORU Attachment) on MBS (Mobile Base System) at ~2:30am, and preparations for the first spacewalk, EVA-1, to be conducted by EV1 Linnehan & EV2 Reisman on 3/13 (~9:23pm EDT), preceded by their 'overnight' Campout tomorrow (6:43am-7:45pm) in the Airlock (A/L) for denitrogenation/pre-breathe. Main objectives of the nominal 16-day mission: Installation of the 18,490-lbs ELM-PS or JLP (Japanese Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section) and the 3,400-lbs Canadian SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) 'Dextre', delivering new ISS-16 crewmember Garrett Reisman & bringing LÃ(c)opold Eyharts back home, and conducting a total of five EVAs. Landing will nominally take place at KSC on FD17 (3/26) at ~8:35pm EDT.) Additional Details: here....
STS-123/Endeavour docked smoothly last night at 11:49pm EDT at the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter-2) port, 24 minutes behind schedule (due to loss of target lock by the CW {Continuous Wave} laser of the Shuttle's TCS {Trajectory Control Sensor} during the manual rendezvous phase, requiring manual lock re-acquisition). The RPM (R-Bar Pitch Maneuver) started at 10:26pm and was successfully completed at 10:34pm, with Whitson and Malenchenko taking 200-300 close-up photographs of Endeavour's bottom heatshield. The station now hosts ten occupants again as Mission 1J/A is underway. (At the point of docking, Peggy Whitson rang the traditional ship's bell and announced 'Endeavour landed!' The combined crew is comprised of ISS CDR Whitson, FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko, FE-2 LÃ(c)opold Eyharts, STS CDR Dominic Gorie, PLT Gregory Johnson, MS1 Robert Behnken, MS2 Mike Foreman, MS3 Takao Doi (Japan), MS4 Rick Linnehan, and MS5/FE-2-16 Garrett Reisman who replaces Eyharts as FE-2, as the latter returns on the Endeavour as MS-5.) Additional Details: here....
Crew sleep cycle today:sleep 8:00am-4:30pm; wake 4:30pm-7:00am tomorrow.
Mission 1J./A's EVA-1 was completed successfully by Rick Linnehan & Garrett Reisman in 7h 1m, accomplishing all its objectives (no get-aheads).
(During the spacewalk, Linnehan (EV1) & Reisman (EV2) -
Prepared the JAXA JLP (JEM Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section) for its transfer, i.e. -
opened and secured the protective flap over the Node-2 topside (zenith) hatch viewport for the internal CBCS (Centerline Berthing Camera System),
removed 8 PCBM (Passive Common Berthing Mechanism) contamination protection covers,
demated & stowed JLP LTA (Launch-to-Activation) connectors & installed protective caps on the LTA receptacles;
Performed Part 1 Assembly of the SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator), i.e. -
released two OTCMs (ORU Tool Changeout Mechanisms) from the launch locations on the SLP (Spacelab Pallet),
installed the OTCMs on the SPDM,
released the OTP EDFs (ORU Temporary Platform Expandable Diameter Fasteners),
inspected the SLP PDGF (Power & Data Grapple Fixture) horseshoe connectors;
Took photographs of the SPDM, and
Installed a protective wire tie over the sharp edge divot discovered during Flight 1A on the Airlock (A/L) handrail.
Official start time of the spacewalk was 9:18pm EDT, about 5 min ahead of timeline, and it ended at 4:19am. Total EVA duration (PET = Phase Elapsed Time) was 7h 1min. It was the 105th spacewalk for ISS assembly & maintenance and the 77th from the station (55 from Quest, 22 from Pirs, 28 from Shuttle) totaling 472h 22min, and the 9th for Expedition 16 (totaling 64h 30min) and the 6th so far this year. After today's EVA, a total of 131 spacewalkers (99 NASA astronauts, 21 Russians, and 11 astronauts representing Japan-1, Canada-4, France-1, Germany-2 and Sweden-3) have logged a total of 660h 44min outside the station on building, outfitting and servicing. It was also the 127th spacewalk involving U.S. astronauts.) Additional Details: here....
Crew sleep cycle today: Sleep 7:00am -3:30pm; wake 3:30pm -7:00am tomorrow.
Node-2/JLP vestibule outfitting, JLP ingress & JLP rack reconfigurations successfully accomplished! The first Japan-made human-rated space facility is now in operation. Arigato Gozaimasu!
(After completing outfitting the Node-2 vestibule to the JAXA JLP (JEM Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section), including removing CBM (Common Berthing Mechanism) hardware, installing several utility jumpers & taking air samples, crewmembers, led by 'high-productivity' Peggy Whitson, ingressed the module three hours early (~9:20pm EDT). This allowed the reconfiguring of three JLP racks (including relocating rack front stowage to Node-2 in preparation for the racks transfer to the JEM during Flight 1J, plus retrieving two bags from behind a rack that contain K-Bars and pivot fittings) to be completed right away, rather than tonight (FD6) as planned. FD6 timeline replanning includes troubleshooting/repair of the broken ISS Multimeter.) Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 22 of Increment 16. Crew sleep cycle today: Sleep 7:00am -3:30pm; wake 3:30pm -6:00am tomorrow.
More good news!
SPDM Dextre was checked out and is working nominally with both arms. (The waist-up-only robot from Canada arrived in space in nine separate pieces that are being assembled in the current spacewalks. Each of the two arms has seven joints; in addition, SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) Dextre can pivot at the 'waist'. Its grippers (hands) have built-in socket wrenches, cameras & lights. Only one arm is movable at a time, to keep the robot stable and avoid a two-arm collision. Dextre can be attached to MT (Mobile Transporter) to translate along the stations rail tracks, or alternately to the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) to swing to places where the railcart can't go. What a supercool helper!) Additional Details: here....
Crew sleep cycle today: Sleep 6:00am -2:30pm; wake 2:30pm -6:00am tomorrow.
After wake-up yesterday at ~3:30pm, CDR Peggy Whitson completed another session with the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for downlink, as suggested on her discretionary 'job jar' task list. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Peggy 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.) Additional Details: here....
Crew sleep cycle today: Sleep 6:00am -2:30pm; wake 2:30pm -6:00am tomorrow.
EVA-3 was completed successfully by Rick Linnehan and Bob Behnken in 6h 53m, accomplishing most of its objectives.
(During the spacewalk, Linnehan (EV1) & Behnken (EV2) -
Installed the OTP (ORU {On-Orbit Replaceable Unit} Temporary Platform) and THA (Tool Holder Assembly) on the SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator),
Removed MLI (Multi-Layered Insulation) thermal blankets,
Installed the CLPA (Camera, Light & Pan/Tilt Assembly) on the SPDM,
Cleaned up & configured the SLP (Spacelab Pallet) for return (to be transferred with the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) from the POA (Payload ORU Attachment) to the Orbiter PLB (Payload Bay) tomorrow evening (FD9)),
Transferred the spare SSRMS yaw joint from the PLB to stowage on the ESP-2 (External Stowage Platform 2),
Transferred two spare DCSUs (Direct Current Switching Units) from the PLB to stowage on the ESP-2,
Transferred the LWAPA (Light Weight Adapter Plate Assembly) for installation on the Columbus EPF (External Payload Facility) and prepared for the installation of two MISSE-6 (Materials International Space Station Experiment) payloads,
Removed the MCAS EBCS (Mobil Common Attachment System External Berthing Camera System) cover flap as a get-ahead, and
Stowed the JLP (JEM Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section) trunnion covers on a handrail for future installation.
Tasks not completed: Additional Details: here....
Crew sleep cycle today: Sleep 5:00am -1:30pm; wake 1:30pm -5:00am tomorrow.
Three more major mission steps were accomplished:
SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) 'Dextre', with repositioned arms, was successfully stowed on the U.S. Lab PDGF (Power & Data Grapple Fixture) (and is looking very cool);
SLP (Spacelab Pallet) was returned to the Shuttle PLB (Payload Bay) for re-berthing; and
SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) was 'walked off' the Node-2 PDGF onto MT/MBS (Mobile Transporter/Mobile Base System) PDGF-3 and maneuvered into position for today's MT translation from Worksite 6 (WS6) to WS4.
(During commanding of the SPDM's body ('waist') roll joint to stowage mode, it rotated in the opposite direction than expected, due to a sign mistake (polarity inversion, i.e., a plus-sign instead of a minus-sign) in the DMCS (Dexterous Manipulator Control Software) configuration file. Flight Controllers worked around this in real time, and the crew was able to maneuver the SPDM LEE (Latching End Effector) onto the LAB PDGF without further ado. Work is underway at CSA/MDA to write a corrective software patch.) Additional Details: here....
Crew sleep/wake cycle today: Sleep 5:00am -1:30pm; wake 1:30pm -5:00am tomorrow.
FD10 was off-duty for both crews.
After wakeup yesterday at ~1:30pm EDT and before breakfast, CDR Peggy Whitson completed another session with the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop, as suggested on her discretionary 'job jar' task list. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Peggy 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.) Additional Details: here....
Crew sleep/wake cycle today: Sleep 5:00am -1:30pm; wake 1:30pm -4:00am tomorrow.
EVA-4 was completed successfully by Bob Behnken & Mike Foreman in 6h 24m, accomplishing most of its objectives.
During the spacewalk, Behnken (EV1) & Foreman (EV2) -
Demonstrated an on-orbit heat shield repair technique using the T-RAD (Tile Repair Ablator Dispenser) to demonstrate an Orbiter tile repair DTO (Development Test Objective) in space. (The spacewalkers tested STA-54, a pink putty-like material consisting of two compounds that are mixed together in a pressure-driven applicator gun just before they exit the nozzle. With Foreman working the applicator, the test was completed nominally, and the test samples were stowed in the TSA (Tool Stowage Assembly in the Orbiter PLB (Payload Bay) for return and analysis; results looked good);
Removed RPCM (Remote Power Controller Module) S02B-D on the S0 truss and replaced it with a new unit. (Since the RPCM controls CMG-2 (Control Moment Gyroscope #2), circuitry had to be powered down and the CMG-2 removed from the steering law beforehand. After the successful R&R;, the spacewalkers attempted several times to reconfigure the Z1 patch panel, a pre-requisite for powering the new RPCM, but were unable to do so due to tough-to-reach connectors which could not be unmated. The patch panel reconfiguration currently remains incomplete, but there are no impacts to current operations);
Inspected the Z1 truss toolbox for MMOD (Micrometeoroid/Orbital Debris) damage and noticed several 'pits'. (Video imagery will be assessed by specialists);
Released Node-2 Port ACBM (Active Common Berthing Mechanism) launch locks in preparation for berthing the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) module 'Kibo' on Flight 1J next May;
Removed the remaining SPDM OTCM-2 (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator/ORU Tool Changeout Mechanism #2) thermal covers, reconfigured some of the wrist blankets and flaps, and inspected the Shoulder Roll joint of SPDM Arm #2 for possible MLI (Multi-Layered Insulation) interference. None was seen. (WVS (Wireless Video System) helmet cam video was also obtained for ground analysis.)
Additionally, two get-ahead tasks were completed: Additional Details: here....
Crew sleep/wake cycle today: Sleep 4:00am -12:30pm; wake 12:30pm -4:00am tomorrow. HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND!
After wakeup yesterday (~1:30pm EDT) and before breakfast, CDR Peggy Whitson completed another session with the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop, as suggested on her discretionary 'job jar' task list. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Peggy 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.) Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 23 of Increment 16. HAPPY EASTER! Congratulations, Shuttle & ISS crews: Five EVAs in a row, all successful. What a great Easter gift!
>>>>Today at ~7:43am EDT, the ISS, specifically its FGB module, completed 53,500 orbits of the Earth, having covered a distance of 2.25 billion kilometers (1.4 billion st.miles) in 3411 days. The 19,300 kg (42,600 lbs) Zarya ('Dawn') was launched on a Russian/Khrunichev Proton from Baikonur over nine years ago (11/20/1998) as the first element of the multi-national space station.<<<< Additional Details: here....
Underway: Week 23 of Increment 16. (Yesterday, 3/23, was the birthday of Wernher von Braun who would have turned 96.)
ISS crew sleep/wake cycle today: Sleep 3:15am -11:45am; wake 11:45am -11:00pm.
After wakeup yesterday, FE-2-16 Reisman had his third session with the biomed experiment INTEGRATED IMMUNE (Validating Procedures for Monitoring Crew member Immune Function), collecting dry saliva samples. (INTEGRATED IMMUNE protocol requires the collection to occur first thing post-sleep, before eating, drinking and brushing teeth, and all samples are stored at ambient temperature. Along with NUTRITION (Nutritional Status Assessment), IMMUNE samples & analyzes participant's blood, urine, and saliva before, during and after flight for changes related to functions like bone metabolism, oxidative damage and immune function to develop and validate an immune monitoring strategy consistent with operational flight requirements and constraints. The strategy uses both long and short duration crewmembers as study subjects. The saliva is collected in two forms, dry and liquid. The dry samples are collected at intervals during the collection day using a specialized book that contains filter paper, all stored at ambient temperature.) Additional Details: here....
ISS work cycle today: Sleep 11:00pm (last night) -7:30am; wake 7:30am (this morning) -5:30pm.
STS-123/Endeavour and ISS are flying in separate orbits again (Flight Day 15/16 for STS-123/1J/A)
After final preparations on both sides of the hatches (closed yesterday on ISS side at 5:51pm EDT), Endeavour undocked last night at 8:25pm, 29 min late, from PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter 2) after a total docked time of 11d 20h 36m. (For undocking, the station was turned from -XVV through ~180 deg to +XVV ZLV (+x-axis in velocity vector, z-axis in local vertical, i.e., flying Shuttle-leading again) at ~7:09pm, put briefly on free drift for the undocking, and then moded to 1J/A Stage attitude of +XVV TEA attitude. During pre-undock feathering & locking of the station's P6 solar arrays, latch #2 of the 2B BGA (Beta Gimbal Assembly) latched only at the third attempt, delaying the undocking by ~29 min.) Additional Details: here....
ISS crew is back on its regular work cycle: 2:00am - 5:30pm EDT.
For her VolSci (Voluntary Science) program today, CDR Peggy Whitson set up the SLAMMD (Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device) equipment on the HRF1 (Human Research Facility 1) rack, performed the scheduled checkout/control run and took a body mass measurement, documenting the activities with digital still & video imagery for ground evaluation and finally disassembling the equipment again. (SLAMMD provides an accurate means of determining the on-orbit mass of humans spanning the range from the 5th percentile Japanese female and the 95th percentile American male. The procedure, in accordance with Newton's 2nd Law of Motion, finds the mass by dividing force, generated by two springs inside the SLAMMD drawer, by acceleration measured with a precise optical instrument that detects the position versus time trajectory of the SLAMMD guide arm and a micro controller which collects the raw data and provides the precise timing. The final computation is done via portable laptop computer with SLAMMD unique software. To calculate their mass, crewmembers wrap their legs around a leg support assembly, align the stomach against a belly pad and either rest the head or chin on a head rest. For calibration, an 18-lbs. mass is used at different lengths from the pivot point, to simulate different mass values. Allowable crew mass range is from 90 to 240 lbs.) Additional Details: here....
STS-123/Endeavour returned to Earth last night after 15d 18h 11m in space, the longest Shuttle mission to ISS so far, touching down at KSC on the second opportunity at 8:39pm EDT, after 250 orbits & 6.6 million miles (first opportunity waived off due to cloud layer). (During the perfectly executed ISS 1J/AE mission, its seven-member crew conducted a record five EVAs, delivered & installed the JAXA JLP (Japanese Experiment Module Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section) and the Canadian SPDM Dextre, brought up new Expedition 16 crewmember Garrett Reisman and returned his predecessor Leopold Eyharts who spent 48 days in space (44 aboard the station). It was the 122nd flight of a Space Shuttle, the 25th Shuttle mission to visit the station, the 21st for Endeavour and the second of six Shuttle missions planned for 2008. Next up: STS-124/Discovery/1J on 5/25 with JAXA's JEM Pressurized Module 'Kibo', racks & the JEM RMS.) Additional Details: here....
(To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Garrett 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.)
FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko serviced the Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System), starting the "bake-out" cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The regen process was terminated before sleeptime, at ~4:30pm EDT. (Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. Filter bed 1 was regenerated yesterday.) Additional Details: here....
(To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Garrett 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.)
Also before breakfast, having reached the FD15 (Flight Day 15) mark in his flight, Reisman undertook his first session with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository, collecting blood and urine samples. (Acting as operator and CMO (Crew Medical Officer), CDR Whitson performed phlebotomy on Garrett, i.e., drew blood samples (from an arm vein) which were first allowed to coagulate in the Repository, then spun in the HRF RC (Human Research Facility/Refrigerated Centrifuge) and finally placed in MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). The RC was later powered off after a temperature reset to limit wear on the compressor, and cleaned. Garrett's urine samples were also placed in the MELFI. Background: NUTRITION is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight; this includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes. The Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile currently required on all U.S. Astronauts collects blood and urine samples preflight and postflight. NUTRITION expands this protocol by also capturing in-flight samples and an additional postflight sample. Furthermore, additional measurements are included for samples from all sessions, including additional markers of bone metabolism, vitamin status, and hormone and oxidative stressor tests. The results will be used to better understand the impact of countermeasures (exercise and pharmaceuticals) on nutritional status and nutrient requirements. The Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L), first started on two Mir crewmembers and then on all ISS US crews, nominally consists of two pre-flight and one post-flight analysis of nutritional status, as well as an in-flight assessment of dietary intake using the FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire). The current NUTRITION project expands MR016L testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by MELFI), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.) Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 24 of Increment 16. Flight Control to Crew: 'Everyone at the ATV-CC (as well as MCC-M and MCC-H) could not be more pleased with how Demo Day 1 went!'
From his voluntary 'job jar' task list, after wakeup and before breakfast FE-2 Garrett Reisman completed his third session with the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Garrett 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.) Additional Details: here....
As suggested on his voluntary 'job jar' task list, after wakeup and before breakfast FE-2 Garrett Reisman completed his fourth session with the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Garrett 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.) Additional Details: here....
They also changed the battery of SFP (Space Flight Participant) Yi So-yeon's Actiwatch and initialized the unit for her. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, crewmembers wear a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by them as well as their patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days.)
FE-1 Malenchenko began his activities with the routine checkup of DC1 (Docking Compartment) circuit breakers and fuses. (The monthly checkup in the 'Pirs' DC1 looks at AZS circuit breakers on the BVP Amp Switch Panel (they should all be On) and the LEDs (light-emitting diodes) of 14 fuses in Fuse Panels BPP-30 & BPP-36.) Additional Details: here....
Yi So-yeon, the South Korean SFP (Space Flight Participant), will participate in the experiment. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, crewmembers wear a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by them as well as their patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days.)
Also upon wake-up, CDR Whitson started Part 2 (of 5) of the periodic acoustic measurement protocol by recording post-sleep data of the crew-worn acoustic dosimeters, later deploying the dosimeters statically in Node-2, COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory), and SM (Service Module) near the Central Post for the duration of the day. (Acoustic data must be taken twice per Increment, each time for the duration of the 16-hour crew workday.) Additional Details: here....
SM hooks were closed at 10:56am. The docking was essentially a repeat of Demo Day 2 except for the final approach from S41 (~12m) to Contact and Hooks Closed. (The 19-ton unmanned ATV maneuvered from a holding position 39 km behind the ISS and conducted a 4-hour staged approach with several stops at reference points for checks. It autonomously computed its own position through relative GPS (Global Positioning System) data, comparing with GPS data received from ISS, and in close range it used VDM (Videometer) lasers pointed at LRRs (Laser Retroreflektors) on the SM for distance & orientation determination relative to its target. Final approach was at a relative velocity of 7 cm/s and with an accuracy of better than 10 cm. The cargo transport, which remains docked for the next four months, is delivering 1,150 kg of dry cargo, including food, clothes and equipment as well as two original manuscripts handwritten by Jules Verne and a 19th Century illustrated edition of his novel 'From the Earth to the Moon'. The cargo also includes 856 kg of propellant, 270 kg of drinking water and 21 kg of oxygen, to be transferred to the SM.) Additional Details: here....
This included conducting a 30-min OBT (Onboard Training) procedures review for Docked ATV Operations,
Completing a one-hour leak check of the SM PrK (Service Module Transfer Compartment)/ATV vestibule interface,
Preparing the necessary equipment for the first ingress (including GSC (Grab Sample Container), IPD-CO air sampler for CO (Carbon Monoxide), AK-1M air sampler, a manual sampling pump, goggles, a dusk mask, an A-2 air scrubber filter, etc.)
Donning the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) i.e.,safety goggles, dust mask) (keeping PPE on until after ATV closeout operations and egress),
Opening the hatches for partial ingress (~6:20am EDT),
Installing the QD BZV (quick disconnect screw clamps) of the SSVP docking & internal transfer mechanism to rigidize the coupling,
Taking copious air samples from the ATV interior, and
Starting the air scrubber, equipped with an FPP electronic/EMI interference filter, to run for about 8h 20m with hatches closed.
For the second ingress, scheduled tomorrow (Saturday, 4/5, at ~4:00am EDT), the air scrubbing in the ATV will make the PPE unnecessary. ATV1 will then be readily accessible to the crew for nominal operations. Also scheduled for tomorrow is an ATV thruster test. Additional Details: here....
Having passed Day 180 of her flight, Dr. Peggy Whitson began her fourth session with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository, for which she had to forego exercising and food intake for eight hours. Today's protocol consisted of two blood draws (for Serum & Heparin). Later, the CDR set up the equipment for the 24-hour urine collections which start with the first void early tomorrow morning and continue through Sunday morning. (Acting as operator, CMO (Crew Medical Officer)Garrett Reisman performed phlebotomy on Peggy Whitson, i.e., drawing blood samples (from an arm vein) which was first allowed to coagulate in the Repository for 20-30 minutes, then spun in the HRF RC (Human Research Facility/Refrigerated Centrifuge) and finally placed in MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). The RC was later powered off after a temperature reset to limit wear on the compressor, and cleaned. Background: NUTRITION is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight; this includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes. The Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile currently required on all U.S. Astronauts collects blood and urine samples preflight and postflight. NUTRITION expands this protocol by also capturing inflight samples and an additional postflight sample. Furthermore, additional measurements are included for samples from all sessions, including additional markers of bone metabolism, vitamin status, and hormone and oxidative stressor tests. The results will be used to better understand the impact of countermeasures (exercise and pharmaceuticals) on nutritional status and nutrient requirements. The Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L), first started on two Mir crewmembers and then on all ISS US crews, nominally consists of two pre-flight and one post-flight analysis of nutritional status, as well as an in-flight assessment of dietary intake using the FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire). The current NUTRITION project expands MR016L testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by MELFI), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.) Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 25 of Increment 16.
Having passed Day 180 of her flight, Dr. Peggy Whitson ended her fourth session with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository by collecting a final urine sample upon wakeup for storage in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). The sampling kit was then stowed away. (The current NUTRITION project is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight. It includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes, expanding the previous Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L) testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by MELFI), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.) Additional Details: here....
This morning at 4:49am EDT, Progress M-63/28P successfully undocked from the ISS. All separation burns went off nominally, and the deorbit burn followed at 7:50am for destructive reentry over the Pacific Ocean. This freed the DC1 Docking Compartment port for Soyuz TMA-12/16S docking on 4/10 at ~9:02am. (For the undocking, ISS attitude control was handed over to Russian MCS (Motion Control System) at ~2:55am and returned to U.S. momentum management at ~5:45am, still in earth-fixed LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal). During the undocking, the station was in free drift for ~9 min. Structural response data were taken by MAMS (Microgravity Acceleration Measuring System) and the external truss-mounted SDMS (Structural Dynamic Measurement System). The undocking was preceded at ~4:15am by a temporary shutdown of the amateur radio equipment in the FGB (Ericsson) & SM (Kenwood) to prevent radiofrequency interference with the departing Progress vehicle.) Additional Details: here....
Separations from second & third stage were nominal. Orbit was attained at L+ 8:45 min at an altitude of ~202 km (perigee ~189.6 km/apogee ~230.1 km, downrange ~520 km, velocity ~7.50 km/s). Antennas and solar arrays deployed nominally at orbit insertion. 16S has a planned two-day rendezvous profile, to aim for docking on Thursday, 4/10. (At orbit insertion, Soyuz unfolded two solar arrays, four Kurs antennas, one TORU/Rassvet-M antenna and one telemetry antenna. Later, the crew activated antenna heaters, set the maneuver mode, turned on the RKO orbit radio tracking system, started leak checks, etc. Two orbit adjustment burns of ~5 min duration each were executed this morning, DV1 (~25.55 m/s) at ~10:57am, DV2 (~14.27 m/s) at ~11:50am, both with the SKD main engine. After the two-day "chase", supported by several more midcourse burns, 16S will dock at the DC1 Docking Compartment on 4/10 at ~9:02am EDT.) Additional Details: here....
(FD1 activities yesterday included the first two maneuver burns, DV1 (10:57am) & DV2 (11:50am), both with the SKD main engine. FD2 activities, started yesterday afternoon with Soyuz crew wakeup at ~4:05pm on Orbit 12, include systems & crew health status reports to TsUP, preparation of the Soyuz Habitation Module (SA) workspace, building attitude for and executing the DV3 burn, placing Soyuz back in its sun-spinning "barbecue" mode (ISK), and swapping CO2 absorption cartridges (LiOH) in the BO. Afterwards, the crewmembers will put on their Sokol suits and PKO biomed harnesses, transfer to the SA, activate its air purification system (SOA) and close the hatch to the Descent Module (BO). After activation of the active Kurs-A system on Soyuz and of the passive Kurs-P on the Service Module (SM), with a short Kurs-A/P test and several additional adjustment burns during automated rendezvous, station fly-around to align with the DC1 Docking Compartment will begin tomorrow at ~8:37am at ~400m range, followed by station keeping at ~160m (~8:46am) and docking at the DC1 port at ~9:02am. Volkov & Kononenko will replace Expedition 16 CDR Whitson & FE-1 Malenchenko. FE-2 Dr. Garrett Reisman remains on the station, joining Expedition 17 until early June when he is replaced by U.S. Astronaut Gregory E. Chamitoff on STS-124/1J. So-Yeon Yi, the 30-year old biotechnologist student from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology) and South Korea's first astronaut, will return with Peggy & Yuri on 4/19 in Soyuz TMA-11/15S.) Additional Details: here....
Work period will shift again tomorrow (6:20am -5:50pm) and on 4/12 (2:10am -5:40pm).
Yest kasaniya! Soyuz TMA-12/16S docked smoothly at the DC1 port at 8:57am EDT, five minutes ahead of time, with Expedition 17 crewmembers CDR Sergei Volkov and FE-1 Oleg Kononenko, plus Korean SFP (Spaceflight Participant) So-Yeon Yi, 14th Visiting Crewmember (VC). After about 1.5 hrs spent in Soyuz on pre-transfer activities, the crew opened hatches, followed by crew transfer, the traditional joyful welcome event and the installation of the BZV QD (quick disconnect) clamps by Volkov and Kononenko at ~12:10pm. (After successful "kasaniya" (contact), automatic "sborka" (closing of Soyuz & DC1 port hooks & latches) took place shortly thereafter (~9:07am) while ISS was in free drift. Attitude control authority had been handed over to the Russian MCS (Motion Control System) at ~5:25am and was returned to US CMG control at ~10:05am. For the 16S docking, Russian thrusters were disabled during Soyuz volume pressurization and clamp installation; they were afterwards returned to active attitude control (~12:30pm). Before hatch opening, the crew performed leak checks of the Soyuz modules and the Soyuz/ISS interface vestibule. They then doffed their Sokol suits and set them up for drying (~1:05pm), deactivated the Atmosphere Purification Unit (BOA) in the Descent Module (SA), replaced the Soyuz ECLSS LiOH cartridges, equalized Soyuz/ISS pressures, and put the spacecraft into conservation mode on ISS integrated power.) Additional Details: here....
The crew's work/sleep cycle shifted again, from yesterday's wakeup at 5:00am to 6:20am EDT (sleeptime tonight at 5:50pm, from 9:30pm). Work period will shift again tomorrow (to 2:20am -5:50pm).
Aboard ISS, the E16/E17 crew rotation/handover period went underway with full activity schedules for all six residents involved.
CDR-17 Sergei Volkov and FE-1-16 Yuri Malenchenko conducted a communications test between the two docked Soyuz vehicles (15S/16S), checking out comm systems both via hard-line mode (MBS) and S-band, and VHF mode on two channels, including the ground (TsUP-Moscow). (The test was also intended to provide multi-segment comm procedure training. Systems were reconfigured to nominal mode afterwards.) Additional Details: here....
Today Russia observes Denj Kosmonavtov (Cosmonauts Day) and the world Yuri's Night -- celebrating Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin's pioneering flight into space 47 years ago. And NASA is observing the 27th anniversary of STS-1, the first Space Shuttle mission to orbit. (Yuri was accepted into the cosmonaut unit in 1960, at age 26. After his historic 108-min. flight around the Earth in 'Vostok 1', which ended with a parachute ejection at 7 km altitude over a farm field near the city of Engels in Saratov Oblast (province), he was promoted to unit leader. Seven years later, on March 27, 1968, Yuri died with a flight instructor in a fighter jet crash. Chief Designer of the thusly inaugurated Soviet human space program was Sergey Pavlovich Korolev. Exactly 20 years later, John Young and Bob Crippen took the Columbia into space for a test mission lasting 2 days 6 hours 20 minutes 52 seconds.) Additional Details: here....
Sunday. Ahead: Week 26 of Increment 16.
The crew's work/sleep cycle again was adjusted slightly, from yesterday's wakeup at 2:20am to 2:10am EDT (sleeptime tonight at 5:40pm). Tomorrow, work period will be adjusted by 5 min (to 2:15am -5:45pm).
Aboard ISS, the E16/E17 crew rotation/handover period went underway with full activity schedules for all six residents involved. Whitson, Volkov, Malenchenko and Kononenko had several hours crewtime between them for dedicated CDR/CDR & FE/FE handover activities. In addition, there are 'generic' handovers where crewmembers are scheduled together to complete various designated standard tasks. Additional Details: here....
Underway: Week 26 of Increment 16.
The crew's work/sleep cycle again was adjusted slightly, from yesterday's wakeup at 2:10am to 2:15am EDT (sleeptime tonight at 5:45pm). Tomorrow, work period will again be adjusted by 5 min (to 2:20am -5:50pm).
Aboard ISS, the E16/E17 crew rotation/handover period went underway with full activity schedules for all six residents involved. Whitson, Volkov, Malenchenko and Kononenko had several hours crewtime between them for dedicated CDR/CDR & FE/FE handover activities. In addition, there are 'generic' handovers where crewmembers are scheduled together to complete various designated standard tasks. Additional Details: here....
Day 188 in space for Peggy & Yuri.
The crew's work/sleep cycle again was adjusted slightly, from yesterday's wakeup at 2:15am to 2:20am EDT (sleeptime tonight at 5:50pm). Tomorrow, work period will again be adjusted by 5 min (to 2:15am -5:45pm).
Aboard ISS, crew rotation/handover activities continued for all six residents involved. Whitson, Volkov, Malenchenko and Kononenko had several hours scheduled between them for dedicated ('functional') CDR/CDR & FE/FE handover activities; in addition, there are 'generic' handovers where crewmembers are scheduled together to complete various designated standard tasks. Additional Details: here....
Day 189 in space for Peggy & Yuri.
The crew's work/sleep cycle again was adjusted slightly, from yesterday's wakeup at 2:20am to 2:15am EDT (sleeptime tonight at 5:45pm). Tomorrow, work period will be adjusted again (to 2:00am -12:00pm).
Aboard ISS, crew rotation/handover activities continued for all six residents involved. Whitson, Volkov, Malenchenko and Kononenko had several hours scheduled between them for dedicated ('functional') CDR/CDR & FE/FE handover activities; in addition, there are 'generic' handovers where crewmembers are scheduled together to complete various designated standard tasks. Additional Details: here....
Day 190 in space for Peggy & Yuri.
Yesterday, Peggy Whitson set a new US endurance record of 374 days for the longest cumulative time spent in space, held before by Mike Foale (heading the list: Sergei Krikalev with 803 days).
With undocking time on 4/19 approaching, the ISS crew went on an irregular sleep/wake cycle:
Wake #1 this morning: 2:00am - 10:00am EDT;
'Nap': 10:00am - 2:00pm
Wake #2: 2:00pm - 1:00am (4/18)
Tomorrow:
Sleep: 1:00am - 12:30pm
Wake for E16/E17: 12:30pm - 4:45am (4/19) - E16 departs @ 1:06am
Saturday: Additional Details: here....
Day 191 in space for Peggy & Yuri.
Last day before Soyuz 15S undocking, with the ISS crew on an irregular wake/sleep cycle:
Sleep: 1:00am - 12:30pm EDT;
Wake-up: 12:30pm - 4:45am (4/19); E16 departs @ 1:06am
Sleep time for E17: 4:45am - 2:00am (4/20)
The E16/E17 crew rotation/handover period is running down. Whitson, Volkov, Malenchenko and Kononenko are completing their joined crewtime for dedicated ("functional") CDR/CDR & FE/FE handover activities plus "generic" handovers where crewmembers are scheduled together to complete various designated standard tasks. Additional Details: here....
Expedition 17 Crew: CDR Sergei Volkov, FE-1 Oleg Kononenko, FE-2 Garrett Reisman. "Yest posadka! (We have Landing!) Welcome back home, Yuri Malenchenko, Peggy Whitson and So-Yeon Yi! After 192 days in space (190 docked to ISS), Soyuz TMA-11/15S, carrying two-thirds of the Expedition 16 crew plus the South-Korean SFP, landed successfully this morning at ~4:30am EDT in the steppes of Kazakhstan, with the crew in excellent condition. The landing in Kazakhstan was approximately 450 km west of the prime landing area in the 'ballistic mode' zone. (The 15S undocking sequence was initiated on 4/19 with the command to open the Soyuz hooks at 1:03 am EDT. 15S separated from ISS at 1:06 am using the docking system springs. Three minutes after initial separation an automatic separation burn was performed by the Soyuz vehicle. A 4 min 18 sec de-orbit burn was initiated at 3:40 am EDT. During descent, the 15S vehicle guidance system down-moded to a ballistic entry mode. The satisfactory condition of the crew was confirmed by 15S CDR Yuri Malenchenko when he made contact with TsUP-Moscow via the 15S Iridium satellite phone. Russian SAR (Search & Rescue) helicopters from the ballistic staging area, including a NASA crew surgeon, reached the crew approximately 30 minutes after landing, and reported the crew to be in good health. The crew was transported to Kustenai, Kazakhstan via helicopter and departed for Star City, arriving at approximately 1:00pm EDT, where they were received by a welcoming NASA delegation headed by Christopher Scolese, Michael Ryschkewitsch, and William Gerstenmaier. Post-flight analysis of data from the descent module systems will be conducted after the module is returned to Moscow.) Additional Details: here....
Crew wake/sleep cycle has 'normalized', Today's wakeup - 2:00am, sleeptime - 5:30pm EDT.
First activity this morning for FE-2 Reisman was to start on his FD30 (Flight Day 30) session with the NASA/JSC experiment NUTRITION w/Repository. Reisman completed the all-day session, collecting urine samples for 24 hrs (to continue through tomorrow morning) and blood samples (for Serum & Heparin). (Garrett performed self-phlebotomy, i.e., drew his blood samples (from an arm vein) which were first allowed to coagulate in the Repository, then spun in the HRF2 RC (Human Research Facility 2/Refrigerated Centrifuge) and finally placed in MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). The RC was later powered off after a temperature reset to limit wear on the compressor, and cleaned. Background: NUTRITION is the most comprehensive in-flight study done by NASA to date of human physiologic changes during long-duration space flight; this includes measures of bone metabolism, oxidative damage, nutritional assessments, and hormonal changes. The Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile currently required on all U.S. Astronauts collects blood and urine samples preflight and postflight. NUTRITION expands this protocol by also capturing in-flight samples and an additional postflight sample. Furthermore, additional measurements are included for samples from all sessions, including additional markers of bone metabolism, vitamin status, and hormone and oxidative stressor tests. The results will be used to better understand the impact of countermeasures (exercise and pharmaceuticals) on nutritional status and nutrient requirements. The Clinical Nutritional Assessment profile (MR016L), first started on two Mir crewmembers and then on all ISS US crews, nominally consists of two pre-flight and one post-flight analysis of nutritional status, as well as an in-flight assessment of dietary intake using the FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire). The current NUTRITION project has expanded MR016L testing in three ways: Addition of in-flight blood & urine collection (made possible by MELFI), normative markers of nutritional assessment, and a return session plus 30-day (R+30) session to allow evaluation of post-flight nutrition and implications for rehabilitation.) Additional Details: here....
All old parts were discarded as trash. The KTO waste container is being kept for ~7 days. The activity was supported by ground specialist tagup. (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.)
In the US Lab, after inspecting, activating & configuring the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility, FE-2 Reisman initiated a new series of vacuum draws on the sample chamber by opening the vent and vacuum valves in preparation for CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2) experiment ops on 4/24. After configuring the EMCS for water reservoir replacement, Reisman then replaced the water reservoirs on both rotors and set EMCS switches to allow ground commanding of the facility. The setup was photo documented. (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.) Additional Details: here....
(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.) Additional Details: here....
(The blood samples were drawn from a finger with a perforator lancet, then centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the M-1100 kit's minicentrifuge, and its hematocrit value was read off the tubes with a magnifying glass. It is a well-known phenomenon of space flight that red blood cell count (normal range: 30-45%) tends to go down over time. After the exam, the data were saved in the IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer), and Kononenko stowed the equipment.) Additional Details: here....
MSG was later powered down from its A31p laptop (~8:30am EDT). (CSLM-2 examines the kinetics (e.g., growth rate) of 'competing' particles within a liquid matrix. During this process, small particles shrink by giving up atoms to larger particles, causing the larger particles of tin, suspended in a liquid comprised of molten lead/tin alloy ('matrix'), to grow in size ('coarsen'). This study defines the mechanisms and rates of coarsening that govern the manufacture with metals from turbine blades to dental amalgam fillings.) Additional Details: here....
The crew performed the regular weekly three-hour task of thorough station cleaning. ("Uborka", usually 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.) Additional Details: here....
First thing in the morning, FE-2 Garrett Reisman worked in the JLP (Japanese Experiment Module Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section), performing the periodical status & shell temperature check from the MKAM (Minimum Keep-Alive Monitor) panel and calling down the temperatures via S-band.
Later Reisman continued his support of the CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures 2) experiment in the activated MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) facility, initiating another evacuation sequence in preparation for final experiment operations scheduled Wednesday (4/30). (Evacuation activities consisted in closing vacuum vent valves, checking for acceptable humidity levels, and opening the SPU (Sample Processing Unit) water valve to initiate unattended vacuum prep, followed later by closing the SPU water valve, checking again for humidity levels in the sample chamber, and opening the vent valve and vacuum valve to initiate a vacuum draw on the sample chamber. The steps were later repeated for another SPU. 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.) Additional Details: here....
The separation & reconnection of hydraulic lines required several leak checks during the IFM. The activities were supported by tagup with ground specialists via S-band and photo documented. (The SKV-2 shut down yesterday morning due to high temperature, but the compressor R&R; had already been scheduled for some time.)
With the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system's still disconnected at the SKV-2 and the Elektron ST-64 current stabilizer (BD-SU control mode remaining active), FE-1 Kononenko replaced the ST-64 with a spare unit to check out the latter's operability. Later, Sergey & Oleg reconnected the BITS2-12, and the Elektron was restarted in 32A mode by the ground, with Kononenko monitoring the external temperature of its secondary purification unit (BD) for the first 10 minutes of operations to ensure that there was no overheating. The activities were supported by tagup with ground specialists via S-band. (When the FE-1 disconnected the BITS2-12 telemetry connector at the ST-64, an 'SM Elektron Catastrophic Failure' alarm alerted the crew but was quickly identified by TsUP-Moscow as having been generated by erratic data caused by the cable disconnection. The message was unexpected since it had not annunciated previously in ground tests of the R&R.;) Additional Details: here....
At ~5:20pm EDT, just before sleep time, CDR Volkov will start his first overnight MBI-12 session. (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.) Additional Details: here....
Also: Labor Day in Europe.
Upon wake-up, CDR Volkov terminated his first MBI-12 SONOKARD experiment session, started last night, 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.) Additional Details: here....
(Support equipment in the SSVP kits includes handles, caps, screwdrivers, extenders, quick-disconnect clamps, wrenches, etc.)
FE-1 Oleg Kononenko serviced the Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System), starting the "bake-out" cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The regen process will be terminated tonight at ~5:15pm EDT. (Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. Filter bed 1 was regenerated yesterday. In order to assist in atmosphere scrubbing after last Tuesday's (4/29) Freon-218 spill from the SKV-2 air conditioner, the BMP's regeneration cycle was moded to 5 days instead of the regular 20 days.) Additional Details: here....
To provide cooling for the ground-commanded activation of the U.S. CDRA (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly), FE-2 Reisman begun his workday by connecting the regular ITCS LTL (Internal Thermal Control System/Low Temperature Loop) coolant jumper connection to the LAB1D6 rack. (CDRA activation took place at 4:00am-5:15am EDT. The CDRA will operate over the weekend. Deactivation will occur when ppCO2 drops to 2.5 mmHG. Deactivation will be Sunday evening or early Monday morning.)
The crew conducted the regular weekly three-hour task of thorough house 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. Additionally, as part of the weekly cleaning, Malenchenko performs an inspection of structural elements, cables and instruments behind SM panels for moisture.) Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 3 of Increment 17.
Flight Engineer Kononenko conducted the routine maintenance of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM, including ASU toilet facilities systems/replaceables and the weekly collection of the toilet flush (SP) counter and water supply (SVO) readings for calldown to TsUP. (Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists of replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers, replacement of an EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine container, replacement of the KOV EDV at the SKV-2 air conditioner for the Elektron-intended water, and processing U.S. condensate water as it becomes available in a filled CWC from the Lab humidifier.) Additional Details: here....
>>>Today 47 years ago (1961), the first U.S. Astronaut, Navy Commander Alan 'Big Al' Shepard Jr., launched into a suborbital flight of 15 minutes duration, reaching an altitude of 116 miles. This restored faith in the U.S. space program only 23 days after the Soviet space program launched Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into orbit around the planet.<<<
FE-2 Reisman supported the Japanese CW/RW (Cell Wall/Resist Wall) experiment in the MSG EMCS (Microgravity Science Glovebox/European Modular Cultivation System), removing and relocating EC1 (Experiment Container 1) and EC2 on Rotor A and Rotor B. (CW/RW operates in the EMCS facility in eight special ECs (Experiment Containers) which Garrett recently (3/30) installed on the centrifuges of the facility. The EMCS rack contains two rotating centrifuges, Rotor A & Rotor B, which can support a wide range of small plant & animal experiments under partial gravity conditions.) Additional Details: here....
(Today's measurements were taken with the AU-1, Kelvin-Video, Iva-6A & TTM-2 instruments near welds along SM (Service Module) structural rings and near the shell ring in the FGB for subsequent downlinking via BSR-TM channel. At the FGB pressurized shell ring, the two cosmonauts also inspected structural elements, equipment, and cable bundles for moisture, mold, or evidence of corrosion. The BAR-RM data are being used for experimenting with ISS leak detection based on environmental data anomalies (temperature, humidity, and ultrasound emissions) at possible leak locations, in order to develop a procedure for detecting air leakage from ISS modules. The payload uses a remote infrared thermometer (Kelvin-Video), a thermohygrometer (Iva-6A), a heat-loss anemometer/thermometer (TTM-2), an ultrasound analyzer (AU-1), and a leak detector (UT2-03) to determine physical background signs of loss of ISS pressure integrity which could be indicative of leaks in the working compartments of the station. Measurements are taken in specific zones in SM PkhO, FGB and DC1, both with lights, fans & ASU pump turned on and off.) Additional Details: here....
The regen process will be terminated before sleeptime, at ~4:55pm EDT. Regeneration of bed #2 follows tomorrow. (Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. In order to assist in atmosphere scrubbing after the Freon-218 (Khladon) spill from the SKV-2 air conditioner on 4/24, the BMP's regeneration cycle was moded to 5 days instead of the regular 20 days.)
CDR Volkov continued the current outfitting of the FGB with new stowage enclosures delivered by the ATV1 (Automated Transfer Vehicle 1), built in Russia to provide more efficient stowage spaces behind FGB panels and improve airflow/circulation. (Today's outfitting involved two more containers transferred in pieces from ATV stowage and their installation in the FGB zones 26 (panel 416) & 23B (panel 414), with bonding straps used for 23B.) Additional Details: here....
(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.)
The FE-1 serviced the Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System), starting the "bake-out" cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The regen process will be terminated tonight at ~5:15pm EDT. (Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. Filter bed 1 was regenerated yesterday. In order to assist in atmosphere scrubbing after the Freon-218 spill from the SKV-2 air conditioner on 4/29, the BMP's regeneration cycle was moded to 5 days instead of the regular 20 days.) Additional Details: here....
FE-2 Reisman began the day with the periodic (monthly) CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer-Combustion Products) maintenance/checkout, today changing out the battery on the prime unit. (The CSA-CP is a passive cabin atmosphere monitor that provides quick response capability during a combustion event (fire). Its collected data are stored on a logger. After replacing the battery with a new one (#1119), Garrett zero-calibrated the instrument (to eliminate drift in the combustion sensors), then redeployed the prime unit at the SM (Service Module) Central Post.) Additional Details: here....
The crew performed the regular weekly three-hour task of thorough station cleaning. ("Uborka", usually 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.) Additional Details: here....
From the US voluntary 'job jar' task list, after wakeup and before breakfast, FE-2 Reisman downloaded the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment data from his Actiwatch to the HRF-1 (Human Research Facility 1) laptop. (To monitor his sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Garrett wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout this week, for the last time. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days.) Additional Details: here....
(To monitor his sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Garrett wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout this week, for the last time. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days.)
CDR Volkov completed the periodic servicing of the active Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System) by starting the "bake-out" cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #1 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The regen process will be terminated before sleeptime, at ~5:15pm EDT. Regeneration of bed #2 follows tomorrow. (Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. In order to assist in atmosphere scrubbing after the Freon-218 (Khladon) spill from the SKV-2 air conditioner on 4/24, the BMP's regeneration cycle was moded to 5 days instead of the regular 20 days.) Additional Details: here....
(To monitor his sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, the Flight Engineer wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout this week, for the last time. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days.)
For the Russian Sleep study, FE-1 Oleg Kononenko terminated his second MBI-12 SONOKARD experiment session upon wake-up 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. CDR Sergey Volkov in turn will start his second overnight MBI-12 session tonight. (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.) Additional Details: here....
Ascent was nominal, all appendages (antennae & solar arrays) deployed nominally, and the vehicle reached orbital insertion at 4:31:41pm. Corrective maneuvers DV1 & DV2 were conducted as per plan at 8:12:27pm (delta-V 22.62 m/s) and 8:50:36pm (23.71 m/s). 29P is scheduled to dock to the ISS FGB nadir port tomorrow evening (5/16) at 5:37pm. Congratulations, Baikonur! (The cargo ship will deliver more than 2.3 tons of various supplies to the ISS, including oxygen, water and food supplies, propellant, a new Sokol KV-2 spacesuit, consumables, scientific hardware and equipment. The spacecraft was injected into a reference near-earth elliptical orbit with 51.65 ° inclination, min/max altitudes of 193.9/245.9 km and 88.57 min revolution. Onboard systems are operating as designed as the 'chase' is on.) Additional Details: here....
All Progress systems operated nominally from Automated Rendezvous start. (Launched on 5/14 (4:22:56pm EDT), the 29P resupply drone delivered about 2.5 tons (4657 lbs) of cargo for the ISS crews, including propellants (~770 lbs) for the Russian thrusters, fresh water (~925 lbs), oxygen and air (~100 lbs), food, and dry cargo (~2850 lbs), i.e., spare parts, repair gear, life support and science experiment hardware.)
Since the time of docking was the crew's regular bedtime, their work/sleep cycle was shifted this morning by 3.5 hrs, i.e., wakeup - 5:30am EDT, sleep - 9:00pm. (Tomorrow: Wakeup - 5:30am; sleep back at 5:30pm) Additional Details: here....
Due to last night's extended duty after the Progress 29P arrival (5:39pm EDT), the crew had an additional 3.5 hrs sleep time this morning, i.e., wakeup - 5:30am EDT; sleep time tonight is back at the regular 5:30pm.
For the ongoing US Sleep study, currently on his voluntary 'job jar' task list, FE-2 Garrett Reisman downloaded the SLEEP (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) experiment data after wakeup and before breakfast from his Actiwatch to the HRF-1 (Human Research Facility 1) laptop. (To monitor his sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, the Flight Engineer wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout this week, for the last time. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days.) Additional Details: here....
FE-2 Reisman meanwhile spent 2.5 hrs in the US Airlock (A/L) completing the previously initiated EVA tool configuration in preparation for the STS-124/1J spacewalks.
Later, Reisman used the G1 video camcorder to take documentary footage of the EVA tools in their final configuration and the current state of the A/L, including mini workstations and contents of the ORU bags to be used, for review by EVA specialists on the ground.
With the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) powered up and the VDS (Video Distribution Subsystem) configured by ground commanding, the FE-2 conducted the pre-launch checkout of the RWS (Robotics Workstations). Additional Details: here....
Later, the pumping equipment was dismantled and the activities were closed out. (After hooking up the plumbing connecting the 29P water tanks with the SM Rodnik tankage, the water was transferred at first in self-flow (under its own tank pressure), then using a compressor pump via a GZhS gas/liquid separator, to remove air bubbles in the water. The subsequent filling of the empty Progress tanks with urine will be scheduled later.)
After CDR Volkov prepared the auditory test equipment, he, FE-1 Kononenko & FE-2 Reisman took the periodic O-OHA (on-orbit hearing assessment) test, a 30-min. NASA environmental health systems examination to assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures, using a special MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop application. It was the second session for the three crewmembers. (The O-OHA audiography test involves minimum audibility measurements for each ear over a wide range of frequencies (0.25-10 kHz) and sound pressure levels, with the crewmembers using individual-specific Prophonics earphones, Bose ANC headsets and the SLM (sound level meter). To conduct the testing, the experimenter is supported by special EarQ software on the MEC, featuring an up/down-arrow-operated slider for each test frequency that the crewmember moves to the lowest sound pressure level at which the tone can still be heard. The baseline test is required not later than about Flight Day 14 for each new Expedition and is then generally performed once per month. Note: There have been temporary hearing deficits documented on some U.S. and Russian crewmembers, all of which recovered to pre-mission levels.) Additional Details: here....
The regen process will be terminated before sleeptime, at ~5:15pm EDT. Regeneration of bed #2 follows tomorrow. (Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods. In order to assist in atmosphere scrubbing after the Freon-218 (Khladon) spill from the SKV-2 air conditioner on 4/24, the BMP's regeneration cycle was moded to 5 days instead of the regular 20 days.)
Volkov & Kononenko spent another 2 hrs working jointly on cargo transfers & stowage from Progress 29P, tracking the moves in the IMS (Inventory Management System). Additional Details: here....
(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.) Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 6 of Increment 17.
The CDR conducted the routine daily servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the SM, including the weekly collection of the toilet flush (SP) counter and water supply (SVO) readings for calldown to TsUP. (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.)
Sergey also gathered weekly data on Total Operating Time & 'On' durations of the Russian POTOK-150MK (150 micron) air filter unit of the SM's SOGS air revitalization subsystem for reporting to TsUP. Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 6 of Increment 17.
FE-2 Garrett Reisman worked on the EDR (European Drawer Rack) in the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory), installing a restraint on the EDR seat track for the PCDF EU (Protein Crystallization Diagnostic Facility Electronic Unit). Later, the PCDF EU was activated by the ground with crew support.
Afterwards, Reisman performed the periodical status and shell temperature check In the JLP (Japanese Experiment Module Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section) from the MKAM (Minimum Keep-Alive Monitor). Additional Details: here....
Later, Reisman deactivated the COL EDR (European Drawer Rack) and PCDF EU (Protein Crystallization Diagnostic Facility Electronic Unit), concluding with some close-up imaging using the COL's VCA1 (Video Camera Assembly 1).
In preparation for the subsequent VSPLESK installation (which required turning off the BITS2-12 Onboard Telemetry Measurement System), FE-1 Kononenko supported TsUP-Moscow in deactivating the Elektron O2 generator. As part of the standard deactivation process the Elektron was purged with N2 (nitrogen), controlled from laptop. (Elektron will be reactivated on 5/29.) Additional Details: here....
CDR Sergey Volkov in turn will start his third overnight MBI-12 session tonight. (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.) Additional Details: here....
(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.) Additional Details: here....
(Garrett collected three 450 mL samples (for postflight microbial analysis) and two 750 mL samples (for postflight chemical analysis) from each of three ports (SRV-K hot, SRV-K warm, SVO-ZV) for return on STS-124/1J. The small amounts of water used for flushing the equipment were later reclaimed from the flush bag.)
CDR Volkov serviced the Russian BMP (Harmful Impurities Removal System), starting the "bake-out" cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #2 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. The regen process will be terminated tonight at ~5:15pm EDT. Filter bed #1 was regenerated yesterday. (Regeneration of each of the two cartridges takes about 12 hours and is conducted only during crew awake periods.) Additional Details: here....
STS-124/Discovery (ISS-1J) lifted off right on time (5:02pm EDT) with all systems performing nominally, for ISS rendezvous on Monday (6/2), to dock at ~1:54pm EDT. At launch, the ISS was off Halifax/Canada, at 42.8 deg N Lat, 57.6 deg W Long. The Orbiter is carrying the seven-member crew of CDR Mark Kelly, PLT Ken Ham, MS1 Karen Nyberg, MS2 Ron Garan, MS3 Mike Fossum, MS4 Akihiko Hoshide & MS5 Greg Chamitoff. Chamitoff will replace ISS Flight Engineer 2 Garrett Reisman who returns on 6/14 (nominal) with STS-124. STS-124 is the 123rd space shuttle flight, the 35th flight for Discovery, the 26th flight to the station and the third Shuttle flight in 2008. Its primary payload, the largest so far, is the 32,000-lbs, 36.7-ft long JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module) with its RMS (Remote Manipulator System). We are off to another great mission! (The eighth crewmember on board is a stow-away: Buzz Lightyear.) Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 7 of Increment 17.
Aboard ISS, the shifted wake/sleep cycle began this morning at 6:32am EDT, with sleep time tonight at 10:02pm. (Setting the crew up for tomorrow's docking.)
STS-124/Discovery (ISS-1J) continues its catch-up flight for the FD3 docking at ~1:54pm, to begin ISS Stage 1J. (Catch-up rate ~480 nmi. per revolution of ~91.5 min.). (Hatch opening expected at ~3:10pm, followed by Safety Briefing (~4:02pm), Soyuz seat liner transfer (for the Reisman/Chamitoff exchange), and preparations for the first spacewalk, EVA-1, by EV1 Fossum & EV2 Garan on 6/3, preceded by their overnight Campout tomorrow night in the Airlock (A/L) for denitrogenation/pre-breathe. Objectives of the nominal 14-day mission: Delivering & installing the JAXA Kibo laboratory, delivering new ISS-17 crewmember Greg Chamitoff, bringing Garrett Reisman back home and conducting a total of three EVAs. Landing will nominally be at KSC on FD15 (6/14) at ~11:02am EDT. OMS Anomaly: During ascent, the left OMS (Orbital Maneuvering System) secondary TVC (Thrust Vector Control) positions failed to null in both pitch and yaw, most likely due to a failure in its (independent) power supply. Left OMS is now parked, aligned through EOM CG (End-of-Mission Center-of-Gravity). Remaining on-orbit OMS burns will be single-engine using right OMS only. The deorbit burn will be dual-engine using the (active) primary TVC of the left OMS.) Additional Details: here....
Flight Day 3 (FD3) of STS-124/1J. ISS crew work cycle today: wake 6:32am EDT; sleep 10:02pm.
STS-124/Discovery docked smoothly at the PMA-2 (Pressurized Mating Adapter-2) port at 2:03pm EDT, nine minutes behind timeline, in darkness (orbital sunset ~1:23pm), after successfully completing the RPM (R-Bar Pitch Maneuver) in daylight at ~1:08pm and arriving at +V-Bar (straight in front of ISS) at ~1:11pm. The station now hosts ten occupants again as Mission 1J is underway. (The combined crew is comprised of ISS CDR Volkov, FE-1 Oleg Kononenko, FE-2 Garrett Reisman, STS CDR Mark Kelly, PLT Ken Ham, MS1 Karen Nyberg, MS2 Ron Garan, MS3 Mike Fossum, MS4 Akihiko Hoshide (Japan), and MS5/FE-2-17 Greg Chamitoff who replaces Reisman as FE-2, as the latter returns on Discovery as MS-5.) Additional Details: here....
ISS crew work cycle remains unchanged: wake 6:32am EDT; sleep 10:02pm. Welcome to Expedition 17, Greg Chamitoff!
Mission 1J's EVA-1 was completed successfully by Mike Fossum & Ron Garan in 6h 48min, accomplishing all its objectives. (During the spacewalk, Fossum (EV1) & Garan (EV2) -
released an SRMS (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System) elbow camera launch lock,
supported the transfer of the OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) from ISS to Shuttle RMS (~1:45pm),
checked out MCAS RTL (Mobile Servicing System Common Attach System/Ready-to-Latch) operation (in preparation for ULF-2),
prepared Node-2 port ACBM (Active Common Berthing Mechanism) for the installation of the JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module) laboratory,
opened Node-2 the nadir hatch window cover (in preparation for ULF-2),
prepared the JPM for installation, i.e., disconnected/stowed an LTA (Launch-to-Activation) cable, removed Passive CBM contamination covers, and released the JPM forward window launch lock (~4:10pm)
inspected the 'Datum A' surface of the Starboard SARJ (Solar Alpha Rotary Joint),
performed a Stbd SARJ cleaning test using a scraper, wipes and a special grease, and
re-installed the Stbd SARJ TBA-5 (Trundle Bearing Assembly #5) ~4:42pm.
Official start time of the spacewalk was 12:22pm EDT, about 50 minutes behind the timeline (due to an issue with Fossum's 'Snoopy' comm cap), and it ended at 7:10pm. Total EVA duration (PET = Phase Elapsed Time) was 6h 48min. It was the 109th spacewalk for ISS assembly & maintenance and the 81st from the station (59 from Quest, 22 from Pirs, plus 28 from Shuttle) totaling 499h 35min, the first for Expedition 17 and the 10th so far this year. After today's EVA, a total of 139 spacewalkers (107 NASA astronauts, 21 Russians, and 11 astronauts representing Japan-1, Canada-4, France-1, Germany-2 and Sweden-3) have logged a total of 687h 57min outside the station on building, outfitting and servicing. It was the 131st spacewalk involving U.S. astronauts. Today was also the 43rd anniversary of the first US EVA, by Ed White on Gemini 4 (June 3, 1965).) Additional Details: here....
ISS crew work cycle remains unchanged: wake 6:32am EDT; sleep 10:02pm.
Arigato Gozaimasu! Congratulations, JAXA! There is Hope in space! At ~5:09pm EDT, the JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module) of the JEM 'Kibo' laboratory complex was opened and ingressed by Aki Hoshide and Karen Nyberg for the first time, joined later by the rest of the crew who clearly enjoyed the voluminous super laboratory. (Kibo is permanently attached at the Node-2 (Harmony) portside hatch since last night.)
FE-1 Oleg Kononenko performed the periodic (currently daily) checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS (Russian Segment) hatchways, including the DC1-to-Soyuz tunnel, and the FGB-to-Node passageway. (This is especially important when the ventilation/circulation system has to cope with a larger crew on board, currently ten persons, and one of the two Russian SKV air conditioners off (SKV-1).) Additional Details: here....
ISS crew work cycle remains unchanged: wake 6:32am EDT; sleep 10:02pm.
Crew activities aboard the ISS today centered on three major areas: (1) The second 1J spacewalk, (2) activation of the JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module) Kibo, and (3) preparations for tomorrow's relocation of the JLP (Japanese Logistics Pressurized Module).
Mission 1J's EVA-2 was completed successfully by Mike Fossum & Ron Garan in 7h 11min, accomplishing all its objectives. (During the spacewalk, Fossum (EV1) & Garan (EV2) - Additional Details: here....
ISS crew work cycle shift begins with an earlier sleeptime: wake 6:32am EDT; sleep 9:32pm (Shuttle crew remaining at 10:02pm).
Crew activities aboard the ISS today centered on three major areas: (1) JLP (JEM Logistics Pressurized Module) relocation, (2) JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module) Kibo outfitting, and (3) start of JEM RMS (Robotic Manipulator System) activation & checkout.
JLP was successfully installed at its final location on the Kibo JPM at 4:04pm EDT. (After JLP/Node-2 vestibule demating and depressurization, MS1 Nyberg and FE-2-17 Chamitoff used the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) to grapple, unberth, transfer and reberth the JLPon Kibo's overhead port (1st stage capture 3:54pm, SSRMS wrist limped 3:58pm, 2nd stage capture with all 16 bolts 4:04pm). Karen, Greg & Aki Hoshide then latched the JPM overhead hatch via ratchet & crank handle, pressurized the connecting vestibule partially and initiated the standard vestibule gross leak check, later configuring the gear for the usual overnight fine leak check. After the installation, ISS attitude was maneuvered to the new TEA (Torque Equilibrium Attitude) which the addition of the JLP has changed. JLP was delivered on orbit by STS-123/Endeavour and docked at the Node-2 zenith port on 3/14.) Additional Details: here....
ISS crew work cycle shifted another 30 min to the left: wake-up 6:02am EDT; sleep 9:02pm (Shuttle crew 30 min later: 9:32pm).
Crew activities aboard the ISS centered on three major areas: (1) Initial deployment of JEM RMS (Japanese Experiment Module Robotic Manipulator System) activation & checkout, (2) JLP (JEM Logistics Pressurized Module) post-relocation outfitting (Part 1), (3) Preparations for EVA-3 & EV1/EV2 Campout.
Before breakfast, FE-2 Reisman & FE-2-17 Chamitoff collected a 'wet' saliva sample (the third for Greg) for the biomed experiment INTEGRATED IMMUNE (Validating Procedures for Monitoring Crew member Immune Function). (IMMUNE protocol requires the collection to occur first thing post-sleep, before eating, drinking and brushing teeth, and all samples are stored at ambient temperature. Along with NUTRITION (Nutritional Status Assessment), INTEGRATED IMMUNE samples & analyzes participant's blood, urine, and saliva before, during and after flight for changes related to functions like bone metabolism, oxidative damage and immune function to develop and validate an immune monitoring strategy consistent with operational flight requirements and constraints. The strategy uses both long and short duration crewmembers as study subjects. The saliva is collected in two forms, dry and liquid. The dry samples are collected at intervals during the collection day using a specialized book that contains filter paper. The liquid saliva collections require that the crewmember soak a piece of cotton inside their mouth and place it in a salivette bag; there are four of the liquid collections during docked operations.) Additional Details: here....
Ahead: Week 8 of Increment 17.
ISS crew work cycle shifted another 30 min. to the left: wake-up 5:32am EDT; sleep 8:32pm (Shuttle crew 30 min later: 9:02pm).
Crew activities aboard the ISS centered on three major areas: (1) Spacewalk #3 (EVA-3), (2) more JLP (JEM Logistics Pressurized Module) outfitting, and (3) sample collections from Kibo air & surfaces plus Node-2 ITCS coolant.
Mission 1J's EVA-3 was completed successfully by Mike Fossum & Ron Garan in 6h 33min, accomplishing all its objectives.
(During the spacewalk, Fossum (EV1) & Garan (EV2) - Additional Details: here....
Underway: Week 8 of Increment 17.
ISS crew work cycle shifted another 30 min. to the left: wake-up 5:02am EDT; sleep 8:02pm (Shuttle crew 30 min later: 8:32pm).
Crew activities aboard the ISS addressed five major areas: (1) IWIS Dedicated Thruster Firing, (2) JEM RMS Final Deployment, (3) R&R; of two A/L BCMs (Airlock Battery Charger Modules), (4) JLP/JPM vestibule final outfitting plus JLP ingress, (5) crew media conference & photo.
For the biomed experiment INTEGRATED IMMUNE (Validating Procedures for Monitoring Crew member Immune Function), FE-2 Reisman collected a 'wet' saliva sample before breakfast while FE-2-17 Chamitoff collected his first dry saliva samples, five times during the day. (IMMUNE protocol requires the collection to occur first thing post-sleep, before eating, drinking and brushing teeth, and all samples are stored at ambient temperature. Along with NUTRITION (Nutritional Status Assessment), INTEGRATED IMMUNE samples & analyzes participant's blood, urine, and saliva before, during and after flight for changes related to functions like bone metabolism, oxidative damage and immune function to develop and validate an immune monitoring strategy consistent with operational flight requirements and constraints. The strategy uses both long and short duration crewmembers as study subjects. The saliva is collected in two forms, dry and liquid. The dry samples are collected at intervals during the collection day using a specialized book that contains filter paper. The liquid saliva collections require that the crewmember soak a piece of cotton inside their mouth and place it in a salivette bag; there are four of the liquid collections during docked operations.) Additional Details: here....
JAXA/Japan to IMMT: 'Arigato Gozaimasu! This flight was 100% successful for the Kibo elements. Thank you to everyone involved for the excellent support in preparation and execution of this mission!'
ISS crew work cycle (now including Greg Chamitoff) shifted another 30 min. to the left: wake-up 4:32am EDT; sleep 7:32pm (Shuttle crew 30 min later: 8:02pm, now including Garrett Reisman).
Crew activities aboard the ISS stack addressed five major areas: (1) Waste water dump from the Orbiter, (2) installation of JEM RMS Backup drive system, (3) PAO event, (4) Crew Sayonara, (5) hatches closing & ODS leak check. Additional Details: here....
ISS crew wake-up shifted another 30 min. to the left (4:00am EDT), and CDR Sergey Volkov, FE-1 Oleg Kononenko and FE-2 Gregory (Taz) Chamitoff will go to bed two hours earlier tonight (~5:30pm) to move their circadian cycle back to the nominal schedule.
For the Russian Sleep study, FE-1 Oleg Kononenko terminated his fourth MBI-12 SONOKARD experiment session upon wake-up 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. CDR Sergey Volkov in turn will start his fourth overnight MBI-12 data take tonight. (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.) Additional Details: here....
Off-duty day for the crew (except for necessary maintenance and voluntary tasks).
Russian Holiday: Russia Day, established by Boris Yeltsin to celebrate national unity after the Russian parliament in 1990 formally declared its sovereignty.
ISS crew sleep cycle returned to the nominal schedule of 2:00am - 5:30pm EDT.
Upon wake-up, Sergey Volkov terminated his 4th MBI-12 SONOKARD experiment session for the long-term Russian sleep study, 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.) Additional Details: here....
STS-124/Discovery returned to Earth this morning after 13d 18h 13min in space, touching down at KSC on the first landing opportunity at 11:15am EDT, after 217 orbits & 5.7 million miles. (During the ISS 1J mission, executed with stellar perfection, its seven-member crew conducted three EVAs, delivered & installed the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) Kibo with its RMS (Robotic Maneuvering System), brought up new Expedition 17 crewmember Gregory Chamitoff and returned his predecessor Garrett Reisman who spent 95d 8h 47m in space (with ~89d on board ISS). It was the 123rd flight of a Space Shuttle, the 26th Shuttle mission to visit the station, the 35th for Discovery and the 69th landing at KSC. Welcome back, Discovery! Next up: STS-125/Atlantis on 10/8, on Service Mission 4 (SM4) to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).) Additional Details: here....
