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More Details for 2008-06-10

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Flight Day 11 (FD11) of STS-124/1J.

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.

For the biomed experiment INTEGRATED IMMUNE (Validating Procedures for Monitoring Crew member Immune Function), FE-2-17 Chamitoff drew his first venous blood sample, assisted by FE-2 Reisman, for return to Earth. (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.)

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

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

In the SM (Service Module), Volkov took the periodic readings of potentially harmful atmospheric contaminants with the CMS (Countermeasure System) component of the GANK-4M Real-Time Harmful Contaminant Gas Analyzer suite which uses preprogrammed microchips to measure H2CO (Formaldehyde, methanal), CO (Carbon Monoxide) and NH3 (Ammonia), taking one measurement per microchip. (CMS is a subsystem of the Russian SKDS Pressure Control & Atmosphere Monitoring System.)

Kononenko conducted the periodic (currently daily) checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways, including the passageways PrK (SM Transfer Compartment) -ATV, PrK -RO (SM Working Compartment), PkhO (SM Transfer Tunnel) -RO, PkhO -DC1, PkhO -FGB PGO, FGB PGO -FGB GA, FGB GA -Node-1. (This checkup 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).)

FE-2 Reisman deactivated the CGBA-5 (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus 5) incubator payload and removed its processed experiment contents for return to Earth. (After uncabling & opening CGBA-5 to access its interior, Garrett took out the Silica Garden Habitat and used Petri Dish, packed the items for return in a Ziploc bag, inserted a new Silica Garden Hab in the incubator and closed & recabled the payload for future ops.)

After yesterday's procedures review, Garrett & Greg completed packing frozen samples from MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS) dewars in Icepac DCBs (Double Cold Bags) for return on 1J. (Exposure of retrieved samples was to be minimized to prevent science warm-up/loss, and the DCB was stowed carefully in a Shuttle middeck locker.)

MS1 Karen Nyberg & MS4 Aki Hoshide had four hours reserved each for working in the Kibo JPM (Japanese Pressurized Module) to set up and check out the BDS (Backup Drive System) for the JEM RMS (Robotic Manipulator System) at the RMS console. (RMS nominal Configuration #1 was used for BDS stand-alone checkout (BDS Configuration #2 is used for MDP {Management Data Processor}, ACU {Arm Control Unit} or RIP {Remote Interface Panel} failure, and Config. #3 is used if the PDB {Power Distribution Box} fails). The RMS is a single-string system (i.e., no Channel A or B like the SSRMS), but BDS is available in the case of an anomaly, using power from an ISS UOP (Utility Outlet Panel) to provide a redundant means to control the MA (Main Arm) into a safe configuration. The BDS is external to the JEMRMS console (i.e., the crew interface) and is now mounted on the closeout panel at the right side of the JEMRMS Rack. Background: When not deployed, the JEMRMS is secured at the portside (outboard) end of the Kibo module with three HRMs (Hold & Release Mechanisms) which are opened or closed via a panel on the operator's console. The RMS MA is about 10 m long, with three booms connecting six joints (shoulder yaw, shoulder pitch, elbow pitch, wrist yaw, wrist pitch, wrist roll) and two cameras on the MA. An additional small, fine arm of 2 m length will be delivered on Mission 2J/A (STS-127). Primary function of the JEMRMS is to manipulate ORUs (Orbital Replaceable Units) and move them between the JEM Airlock, the EF (Exposed Facility) and the ELM-ES (Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section). EF & ELM-ES will be delivered on 2J/A.)

In the US A/L (Airlock), CDR Mark Kelly terminated the recharge process on the EVA/EMU batteries.

Kelly & Kononenko ended the N2 (nitrogen) transfer from the Shuttle to the ISS HPTs (High-Pressure Tanks) and tore down the transfer equipment.

Mark & Oleg also dismantled & removed the Node-2 oxygen supply line that was used to pipe O2 from the Shuttle to the ISS PBAs (Portable Breathing Apparatus) to support pre-EVA mask prebreathing for denitrogenation.

The FE-1 had another hour set aside on his schedule to look for a jumper cable which could not be located during the installation of VSPLESK ('Burst') science hardware on 5/27.

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

Kononenko reloaded the two VTRs (Video Tape Recorders) of the VDS (Video Distribution Subsystem) with fresh tapes after taking the existing tapes from the machines, labeling them and stowing them for return to MCC-Houston.

At ~7:42am, PLT Ham & CDR Kelly initiated another periodic waste water dump from the Orbiter, the fifth since mission start. One additional water ventings is scheduled. (After attitude control handover from ISS to Shuttle at 7:32am, the ISS/Shuttle stack was maneuvered from the current TEA (Torque Equilibrium Attitude) to the proper attitude (nozzles facing retrograde) for the venting from PWRs (Payload Water Reservoirs) & CWCs (Contingency Water Containers) and returned later to TEA. Attitude control was returned to ISS momentum management at ~10:25am.)

Reisman, slated for return on the Discovery on 6/14, and Chamitoff, who replaces him as ISS FE-2, had 3-4 hours remaining for standard joint 'handover' activities.

Kelly & Ham had a final five hours reserved to finish up on Shuttle/ISS cargo transfers, with a tagup with ground specialists and calldown of transfer status at ~11:45am. (As of this morning, the crews were 98% complete on resupply transfers, 81% complete on return cargo, and 87% complete overall. The remaining transfers were completed today (with no margin left).)

The ISS crew completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the CEVIS cycle ergometer (FE-1, FE-2, FE-2-17), TVIS treadmill (CDR, FE-1), RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-2) and VELO bike with bungee cord load trainer (CDR). Day 4 of CEVIS physical exercise for Greg Chamitoff.

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

At ~2:10pm EDT, STS-124 Mission Specialist Garrett Reisman & ISS Flight Engineer Greg Chamitoff will be participating in three live interactive PAO TV interviews, with NBC News (Tom Costello), KGO Radio (Gil Gross), and FOX News Radio (Holly Hickman).

Volkov & Kononenko are scheduled for their regular periodic PMCs (Private Medical Conferences) via S- & Ku-band audio/video, Sergey at ~6:17pm, Oleg at ~6:32pm.

At ~7:22pm, just before sleep time, Oleg will again set up the Russian MBI-12 SONOKARD (Sonocard) payload and start his fourth experiment session, using a sports shirt from the SONOKARD kit with a special device in the pocket for testing a new method for acquiring physiological data without using direct contact on the skin. Measurements are recorded on a data card for return to Earth. Sergey will start his third MBI-12 session tomorrow evening. (SONOKARD objectives are stated to (1) study the feasibility of obtaining the maximum of data through computer processing of records obtained overnight, (2) systematically record the crewmember's physiological functions during sleep, (3) study the feasibility of obtaining real-time crew health data. Investigators believe that contactless acquisition of cardiorespiratory data over the night period could serve as a basis for developing efficient criteria for evaluating and predicting adaptive capability of human body in long-duration space flight.)

The traditional Crew Farewell ceremony is timelined for ~3:57pm EDT, followed by air duct removal and hatch closure at ~4:10pm, handled on the ISS side by Volkov, Kononenko and Chamitoff. (Afterwards (~4:30pm), Kelly & Ham switch attitude control authority of the mated stack from ISS CMG TA (Control Moment Gyroscope Thruster Assist) mode to Orbiter control and conduct the standard one-hour leak check on the ODS (Orbiter Docking System).)

Discovery is scheduled to undock from ISS tomorrow morning at 7:42am, shortly after local midnight to ensure good lighting for the subsequent flyaround (starting at 8:16am, about 9 min after local sunrise), for a total docked time of 8d 17h 39m. After a one-orbit flyaround for photo imaging at 400-600 ft, first separation burn of Discovery will be at 9:12am. Landing is set for Saturday, 6/14, nominally at KSC at 11:02am EDT. If so, total mission duration for STS-124/1J will have been 13d 18h. Garrett Reisman's total time in space will be 95d 8h 34m, with ~89d on board ISS.

Planning for Russian EVA-20: Houston & Moscow teams are beginning work on the requirements & activities needed to support the next Russian spacewalk, to be conducted by Volkov & Kononenko in Orlan suits from the 'Pirs' DC1 Docking Compartment on 7/10 (current tentative date). RSC-Energia indicated this morning that in addition to the originally planned payload tasks the spacewalkers will also conduct an inspection of the Soyuz 16S spacecraft (behind thermal covers) in support of the on-going investigation of the Soyuz TMA-11/15S entry anomaly.

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