Well, pass on our thanks for being so accessible to the space flight fans :thumbup:
I made sure to pass along my thanks! Twitter is a really great tool to connect with space folks!
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From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 20/09/2010:
FE-2 Tracy Caldwell-Dyson & FE-6 Shannon Walker joined forces to relocate the CHeCS (Crew Health Care System) RSR (Resupply Stowage Rack) from rack bay LAB1O5 (Lab Overhead 5) to LAB1D4 (Lab Deck 5).
FE-4 Doug Wheelock had ~2.5 hours set aside for IFM (Inflight Maintenance) preparatory to the arrival of the PMM on STS-133/ULF-5 in November, installing a power jumper for the PMM Mod Kit.
Wheels also cleared out rack bay NOD2D5 (Node 2 Deck 5) for the CQ-3 (Crew Quarters-3) relocation from JPM1D3 (JPM Deck 3) by relocating stowed cargo bags.
In COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory), Tracy restored the stowage to its original state before the temporary cargo removal to allow MARES (Muscle Atrophy Resistive Exercise System) Commissioning. [Restored were front stowage bags from bays D1 & D2 to their original positions at O3 (Overhead 3), O4, D3 (Deck 3) & D4.]
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Roscosmos PAO: "ISS Cosmonauts Study Polymer Production Methods".
On Sept. 20, Russian crew members of the International Space Station have a rather tough schedule. This day, the cosmonauts are preparing for the landing scheduled for Sept. 24, and perform different experiments.
Biotechnology is the main activity in the today’s scientific program of the crew. Among the experiments, there is Membrane, which is devoted to studying production methods of porous polymers with proper structures. These materials can be used as filters, membranes, sorbents. The polymers are grown in special tubes in microgravity.
Flight engineer Fiodor Yurchikhin today will work with the first kit of the experiment, and continue with the second one tomorrow. On Wednesday, he will accommodate the kits in the Soyuz TMA-18 vehicle for return early in the morning on Sept. 24.
Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Kornienko go on with physical training to restore muscles and adjust themselves for gravity after the long-term mission.
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Roscosmos PAO: "About 20 Air Force Craft to Maintain Soyuz TMA-18 Crew Safety During Descent".
Return of the ISS-24 crew will be supported by about 20 helicopters and airplanes, and 250 people, official of Russian Air Force Vladimir Brik told RIA Novosti.
The Air Force trainied yesterday in Kazakhstan in order to prepare for landing of the Soyuz TMA-18 with three crew – Alexander Skvortsov, Mikhail Kornienko and Tracy Caldwell Dyson early in the morning on Sept. 24. The capsule is expected to land at 08:55 a.m. Moscow time, North East from Kazakhstan’s Dzheskazgan.
On the ground, expert groups from Rosaeronavigation, GCTC, RSC-Energia, IBMP doctors, NASA and other entities will wait for the crew in several expected landing spots.
According to Brik, Russian Air Force will also support the launch of the Soyuz TMA-01M crew vehicle to occur on Oct. 8 from Baikonur.
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Roscosmos PAO: "Gagarin's Launch Pad Prepared for Human Space Launch".
Soyuz TMA-01M launch campaign continues at Baikonur. The vehicle with three crew members onboard is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station on Oct. 8.
TSENKI’s subsidiary- Yuzhny Space Center carries out prelaunch processing at pad 1 of the space port- Gagarin’s launch pad.
In parallel, the equipment of filling station 31 is being prepared for further prop tanking into the Soyuz propulsion system.
Baikonur’s pad 1 - the site used to launch Soyuzes – is the most famous launch pad in the world. R-7 blasted off from here on Oct. 4 to loft the first satellite, and Yury Gagarin also started his world-first space mission from pad 1, opening the ear of human space exploration.
The facility was built in 1955 – 1957. More than 100 human space vehicles, first Moon, Mars, Venus stations flew from pad 1.
This launch pad is used intensively until now. Up to 10 rockets of Soyuz-U and Soyuz-FG type are launched from this facility to orbit Soyuz-TMA crew and Progress cargo vehicles to the International Space Station.
---------- Post added 21st Sep 2010 at 09:54 PM ---------- Previous post was 20th Sep 2010 at 11:16 PM ----------
From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 21/09/2010:
With the protective shutters of the JPM, Lab and Cupola windows closed, CDR Alexander Skvortsov prepared for Soyuz TMA-18/22S undocking next Thursday evening by spending an hour in the 22S Descent Module (SA) supporting a ground-commanded checkout of the Soyuz MCS (Motion Control System SUD, Mode 2/"Docked") which included pressurization of the KDU (Combined Propulsion System) Section 2 and Tank 2, a test of the pilot's translational hand controller (RUD), and a hot firing of the DPO braking thrusters (7:51 AM to 8:17 AM GMT). DPO lateral thrusters were not fired. [For the RST (rasstjkovkoy/undocking) test, station attitude was handed over to Russian thruster control at 7:30 AM GMT, commanded to free drift at 7:51 AM, then back to LVLH (Local Vertical Local Horizontal) XVV (X-axis in Velocity Vector) attitude. The one-minute firing started on Daily Orbit 2 during an RGS (Russian Groundsite) pass. Attitude control was returned to the USOS at 8:18 AM GMT.]
Afterwards, FE-4 Doug Wheelock spent several hours in Node 2, installing a rack grounding strap in the D5 (Deck 5) location and making other necessary preparations in support of tomorrow's scheduled relocation of the CQ-3 (Crew Quarters-3) rack from JPM1D3 (JPM Deck 3) to NOD2D5 (Node 2 Deck 5).
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Some great photos of the MARES commissioning are now up at the
Expedition 24 Image Gallery (see pages 24 & 25).
Hi-res version.
Hi-res version.
Hi-res version.
Hi-res version.
Hi-res version.
---------- Post added 22nd Sep 2010 at 12:18 AM ---------- Previous post was 21st Sep 2010 at 11:51 PM ----------
RIA Novosti: "Soyuz spacecraft upgrade ups payload by 70 kg".
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From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 22/09/2010:
FE-2 Tracy Caldwell-Dyson removed the "bump-out" structural elements on the Portside & Overhead CQs (Crew Quarters) in Node 2, in preparation for the subsequent CQ-3 installation by FE-4 Doug Wheelock.
Wheels, in parts assisted by FE-6 Shannon Walker, transferred the CQ-3 rack from JPM1D3 and installed it in NOD2D5. [Wheels had made necessary preparations in Node 2 yesterday.]
With ISS command now being transferred from Alexander Skvortsov to Douglas Wheelock for Increment 25, beginning this week, and Fyodor Yurchikhin remaining aboard as the sole Russian cosmonauts, Alexander & Fyodor, at ~2:00 PM GMT, signed two copies of the formal Russian handover protocol document certifying RS (Russian Segment) handover/acceptance, including the contents of Progress M-05M/37P (#405), currently docked at DC-1 Nadir, and Progress M-07M/39P (#407), docked at SM Aft. [The first copy remains on ISS, the second copy will be returned to the ground on Soyuz TMA-18. "We, the Undersigned, have executed this Protocol to the effect that Skvortsov Alexander Alexandrovich, a crew member in charge of ISS RS E23/24, handed over and, Yurchikhin Fyodor Nikolayevich, a crew member in charge of ISS RS E24/25 accepted the ISS RS, including:- operation specifics, - onboard systems and hardware anomaly report,- Progress 405 and Progress 407 items (per IMS data)."]
The traditional "Change of Command" ceremony is scheduled later today, at ~9:05 PM to 9:20 PM GMT, with all crewmembers, officially marking the transfer of the baton from Increment 24 to Increment 25. [The official "count" for I-25 begins on Monday 27/09 (GMT 270).]
Soyuz TMA-18/22S Descent Timeline Overview:
If everything proceeds nominally, the return to Earth of the TMA-18 spacecraft tomorrow, 23/09, will proceed along the following approximate event sequence (all times GMT):
- ISS attitude control handover to RS --- 12:30 AM.
- ISS to free drift for undocking --- 1:31 AM.
- Undock command --- 1:32 AM.
- Separation springs action/physical sep (delta-V ~0.12 m/sec) --- 1:35 AM.
- Separation burn #1 (15 sec, ~0.63 m/sec) --- 1:38 AM.
- ISS maneuvers to Relaxation experiment attitude --- 3:48 AM.
- Deorbit Burn start (delta-V 115.2 m/sec) --- 4:04:23 AM.
- Deorbit Burn complete --- 4:09:44 AM.
- Tri-Module separation (140 km alt) --- 4:29:15 AM.
- ISS maneuvers to duty attitude --- 4:32 AM.
- Atmospheric entry (99.5 km alt, with ~170 m/sec) --- 4:32:22 AM.
- Entry Guidance start (80.5 km alt) --- 4:33:57 AM.
- Max G-load (34.5 km alt) --- 4:38:49 AM.
- Parachute deploy command (10.8 km alt) --- 4:40:44 AM.
- 22S Landing (DO1) --- 4:55:44 AM GMT; 7:55:44 AM Moscow DMT; 10:55:44 AM local Kazakhstan; (loc. 47deg 22min N, 69deg 35min E).
- ISS attitude control handover to US --- 5:10 AM.
[Note: Kazakhstan time = GMT+6h; = EDT+10h. Moscow DMT = EDT+7h.]
What the Soyuz TMA-18 crew will experience during their reentry/descent on Thursday evening:
- For the reentry, Alexander Skvortsov, Mikhail Kornienko & Tracy Caldwell-Dyson will wear the Russian Kentavr anti-G suit under their Sokol suits. [The Kentavr garment is a protective anti-G suit ensemble to facilitate the return of a long-duration crewmember into the Earth gravity. Consisting of shorts, gaiters, underpants, jersey and socks, it acts as countermeasure for circulatory disturbance, prevents crewmember from overloading during descent and increases orthostatic tolerance during post-flight adaptation. Russian crewmembers are also advised to ingest fluid-electrolyte additives, viz., three sodium chloride tablets during breakfast and after the midday meal, each time with 300 ml of fluid, and two pills during the meal aboard Soyuz before deorbit.]
- Before descent:
o Special attention will be paid to the need for careful donning of the medical belt with sensors and securing tight contact between sensors and body.
o During preparation for descent, before atmosphere reentry, crewmembers settle down comfortably in the Kazbek couches, fasten the belts, securing tight contact between body and the seat liner in the couch.
- During de-orbit:
o Dust particles starting to sink in the Descent Module (SA) cabin is the first indication of atmosphere reentry and beginning of G-load effect. From that time on, special attention is required as the loads increase rapidly.
o Under G-load effect during atmosphere reentry the crew expects the following experience:
. Sensation of G-load pressure on the body, burden in the body, labored breathing and speech. These are normal sensations, and the advice is to "take them coolly". In case of the feeling of a lump in the throat, this is no cause to "be nervous". This is frequent and should not be fought. Best is to "try not to swallow and talk at this moment". Crew should check vision and, if any disturbances occur, create additional tension of abdominal pressure and leg muscles (strain +abdomen by pulling in), in addition to the Kentavr anti-G suit.
. During deployment of pilot parachute (0.62 & 4.5 square meters), drogue chute (16 sq.m.) and main (518 sq.m.) chutes the impact accelerations will be perceived as a "strong snatch". No reason to become concerned about this but one should be prepared that during the parachutes deployment and change ("rehook") of prime parachute to symmetrical suspension, swinging and spinning motion of the SA occurs, which involves vestibular (middle ear) irritations.
- It is important to tighten restrain system to fasten pelvis and pectoral arch. Vestibular irritation can occur in the form of different referred sensations such as vertigo, hyperhidrosis, postural illusions, general discomfort and nausea. To prevent vestibular irritation the crew should "limit head movement and eyes movement", as well as fix their sight on motionless objects.
- Just before the landing (softened by six small rocket engines behind the heat shield):
o Crew will be prepared for the vehicle impact with the ground, with their bodies fixed along the surface of the seat liner in advance. "Special attention should be paid to arm fixation to avoid the elbow and hand squat" (instruction). Landing speed: ~9.9 m/sec.
- After landing:
o Crew should not get up quickly from their seats to leave the SA. They were advised to stay in the couch for several minutes and only then stand up. In doing that, they should limit head and eyes movement and avoid excessive motions, proceeding slowly. Their body should not take up earth gravity in the upright position too quickly.
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International Partners Discuss Space Station Extension And Use.
The International Space Station partner agencies met Tuesday, Sept. 21, by videoconference to discuss continuation of space station operations into the next decade and its use as a research laboratory.
The Multilateral Coordination Board (MCB) meeting included senior representatives from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The MCB meets periodically to ensure coordination of station operations and activities among the partners.
The MCB was pleased to learn that the government of Japan has approved continuing space station operations beyond 2016. Coupled with the approval of the government of the Russian Federation for continuation to 2020, this progress is indicative of the strength of the station partnership and the successful use of station.
ESA and CSA are working with their respective governments to reach consensus about the continuation of the station. NASA also is continuing to work with the U.S. Congress to complete the necessary procedures to extend station operations consistent with the presidential budget request.
The MCB also noted the benefits to future exploration beyond low-Earth orbit through enhanced station research, technology development and other opportunities.
Each partner agency reaffirmed its commitment to gaining the maximum return from station with increasing the operational efficiency. On-going research with potential societal impacts includes:
-- NASA and the National Institutes of Health recently announced three new biomedical experiments using the station's unique microgravity facilities to improve human health on Earth. The experiments will use the station to study how bones and the immune system weaken in space as part of NIH’s new BioMed-ISS program.
-- CSA will focus its life science research program on mitigating health risks associated with spaceflight. More specifically, these health experiments and activities will monitor crew health and deliver health care on space missions, develop exercise, etc.
www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng
-- ESA just started a fluid physics experiment in the Microgravity Science Glovebox onboard the station's Columbus module that is of high interest to material scientists. The experiment uses advanced optical diagnostics to investigate the transformation of particles to aggregates due to density fluctuations in a mixture. The ESA experiment demonstrates a new capability to reverse and fine-tune the aggregation process; such control may yield a significant potential impact on fabrication of micro-structured materials such as photonic crystals.
www.esa.int/spaceflight
-- Roscosmos continues experimental programs aimed at human’s adaptation to future long-term expeditions. Effects of the flight conditions on the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and bones are being carefully investigated in dedicated medical experiments. Other research being conducted includes plantation of wheat and vegetables followed by genetic, microbiological and biochemical tests of plants.
www.federalspace.ru
-- Japan's externally mounted X-Ray camera monitors more than 1,000 X-ray sources in space, including black holes and neutron stars. The instrument scans the entire sky in X-ray wavelengths and downlinks data to be distributed through the Internet to research groups around the world. Since last October, it has issued more than 50 alerts for the X-ray transient phenomena.
www.mext.go.jp/english
All of the partners also recognize the key role of the space station in inspiring students around the world to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. More than 30 million students have participated in human spaceflight though communications downlinks and interactive experiments with station astronauts.
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The Huntsville Times: "Army astronaut today becomes first to command International Space Station".
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Price too high on space module for hire.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has received few requests from private corporations wanting to lease space in the research module Kibo on the International Space Station, with the high cost thought to be a major reason for the lack of interest.
Under a pricing system introduced by JAXA in June last year, corporations can pay 5.5 million yen per hour to have astronauts from Japan, the United States or other nations carry out scientific experiments or other activities in Kibo.
JAXA expected to receive commissions for 10 to 30 hours per year, but orders have fallen well short of that, the agency said.
Since JAXA began leasing space in Kibo in September 2008, just four commercial operations have been conducted in the module.
They include the shooting of TV commercials for chewing gum and cameras, and a project that involved keeping seeds in space for several months and later distributing them to children on Earth.
The agency plans to work out measures to expand commercial use of the module, and will consult various companies in the near future.
At first, JAXA employed a bidding system, offering set usage periods for purchase by companies via auction.
However, it changed to a first-come-first-serve, hourly rate system after hearing from industrial circles that the bidding system was difficult to work with.
The seeds-in-space project is the only one to have been commissioned since the hourly rate was introduced, and astronauts have been left with nothing to do.
"Amid a deep recession, 5.5 million yen per hour might've been too expensive," a JAXA official said.
