Author Topic: Expedition 29 thread (September 16 - November 22, 2011)  (Read 69500 times)

Offline Space Pete

Cool video: Aurora Australis

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Offline stockman

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Re: Expedition 29 thread (September 16 - November 22, 2011)
« Reply #21 on: 09/21/2011 08:56 pm »
Cool video: Aurora Australis


Thanks for posting that.. that is absolutely VERY cool... :)
One Percent for Space!!!

Offline Space Pete

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 21/09/2011.

In the SM (Service Module), FE-4 Sergei Volkov performed a 4 hour IFM (Inflight Maintenance) on the EPS (Electrical Power System), removing & replacing the BUPT-1M current control unit (box A401) of the 800A battery #1. The old part was prepared for disposal on Progress M-10M/42P. [The battery's ZRU charge/discharge unit #1 was deactivated by TsUP/Moscow beforehand and reactivated later. Each of the eight 800A 28 Volt batteries in the SM (the FGB has six) has its own ZRU charge/discharge unit, which tracks 49 battery parameters and is designed to increase the operating life of the battery by setting up charging & discharging modes. Each ZRU is comprised of one battery current converter (PTAB), one PTAB current control unit (BUPT-1M), and three charge/discharge current integrators (MIRT-3). Before connecting the new BUPT, TsUP turned off the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system and VD-SU control mode.]

JAXA Marangoni Experiment:
The crew was advised of another Marangoni bridge building event tonight (11:00 PM-5:00 AM GMT), the 3rd in 24 planned bridge buildings in Increment 29/30. The experiment is performed in the Kibo JPM during crew sleep (since the liquid bridge to be formed is sensitive to g-jitter), 4 days/week at most and 24 runs in total. After the liquid bridge has been formed, the ground imposes a temperature gradient on it to produce Marangoni convection. The crew, which will be informed regularly, has been asked to avoid any disturbances in this timeframe. Even disturbances in other modules can be transmitted and cause the liquid bridge in JPM to break up, resulting in science loss.

FGB Refueling:
The propellant transfer from the Progress M-10M/42P tanks via the DC-1 (Docking Compartment-1) to the FGB (Functional Cargo Block) long high-pressure fuel and oxidizer tanks (BVDG for the UDMH fuel, & BVDO for the NTO oxidizer) on 09/20 was successfully performed, transferring 170 kg of fuel & 102 kg of oxidizer.
« Last Edit: 09/21/2011 09:04 pm by Space Pete »
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Offline Space Pete

Some more cool ISS videos:

ISS pass over Southern California to Hudson Bay


Pass over Eastern Asia to Philippine Sea and Guam
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Offline AnalogMan

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Re: Expedition 29 thread (September 16 - November 22, 2011)
« Reply #24 on: 09/21/2011 09:32 pm »
Cool video: Aurora Australis


Thanks for posting that.. that is absolutely VERY cool... :)

Agreed!  It was shown on today's main UK BBC midday news broadcast (maybe other bulletins as well).
« Last Edit: 09/21/2011 09:33 pm by AnalogMan »

Offline Space Pete

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 22/09/2011.

MDM Issue:
Yesterday during MSRR (Material Science Research Rack) activation, the primary PL MDM-1 (Payload | Multiplexer/Demultiplexer-1) computer unexpectedly failed, switching to Diagnostic State. The ground configured PL MDM-2 as primary PL MDM [essentially by renaming iAPS (improved Automated Payload Switch) files], and MDM-2 is currently successfully supporting payload ops. Preliminary analysis indicates that the computer failure was caused by a task overrun which occurred when the MSRR was added as a 7th LRT (Low Rate Telemetry) user. PL MDM-1 has meanwhile been checked out OK and is being used as backup for PL MDM-2.
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Offline Space Pete

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 23/09/2011.

After yesterday's emptying of the WSTA (Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly) into an EDV-U container to reduce TOX2 (Toxicity Class 2) risk, CDR Mike Fossum today tackled the major IFM (Inflight Maintenance) of removing & replacing the failed FCPA (Fluids Control & Pump Assembly) in WRS (Water Recovery System) rack 2 in Node 3 (location Deck 4). The work was broken out in rotating the rack down to gain access (~25 min), removing the failed FCPA and replacing it with the spare (~40 min each), and closing out the worksite (~45 min.) [The R&R (Removal & Replacement) required careful demating & remating of 6 electrical connectors and numerous fluid QDs (Quick Disconnects), plus affixing connector caps on the failed unit. Since the FCPA contains TOX2 fluid (pretreated urine, sulfuric acid H2SO4 & chromic acid CrO3), Mike had to wear proper PPE (Personnel Protective Equipment), i.e., safety goggles, dust mask and nitrile gloves.]
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Offline jacqmans

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Re: Expedition 29 thread (September 16 - November 22, 2011)
« Reply #27 on: 09/24/2011 08:33 am »
Report #JE11-052

SOUTH TEXAS STUDENTS TO CALL SPACE STATION

WASHINGTON -- Students in Edinburgh, Texas, will make a special call to the International Space Station and Expedition 29 Commander Mike Fossum on Tuesday, September 27.

The event, which includes a video link with Fossum, will be broadcast live on NASA Television at 10:10 a.m. CDT. One thousand middle school students are expected to participate, including fifth through eighth grade students from Fossum Middle School in McAllen, Texas, which was named after the astronaut. Fossum is originally from McAllen.

The event, hosted by the University of Texas-Pan American, is part of the Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week, a program designed to encourage South Texas students, many of whom are Hispanic, to study science, engineering, technology and mathematics.
Journalists are invited to attend.
The in-flight education downlink is part of a series with educational organizations in the United States and abroad to improve teaching and learning in STEM subjects. It is an integral component of Teaching From Space, an agency education program that promotes learning opportunities and builds partnerships with the education community using the unique environment of space and NASA's human spaceflight program.

The exact time of the downlink could change. For the latest NASA TV schedule, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about NASA's education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station   

Jacques :-)

Offline Space Pete

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 24/09/2011.

CDR Mike Fossum reconfigured the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) from feeding the internal EDV-U container to supplying the UPA (Urine Processor Assembly) directly for processing. [After yesterday's R&R (Removal & Replacement) of the failed FCPA (Fluids Control & Pump Assembly), the ground was not able to reactivate the UPA, and it remains in shutdown over the weekend. The current thinking is that the problem is due to an override issue rather than a connection or other hardware issue. Usually when the UPA is deactivated, the WHC is configured to use an internal EDV. However, to conserve EDVs, Mike today temporarily integrated the WHC with the UPA.]
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Offline Space Pete

Now this is very interesting - I hope it's not another Soyuz quality issue... ::)

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 25/09/2011.

FE-4 Sergei Volkov had 4 hours set aside for an extensive job on the Soyuz TMA-02M/27S, first moving the air duct in the SA (Descent Module) out of the way, then performing a meticulous inspection and documentary photography of the screws used on the SA's structural ring near the two SOTR/TCS (Thermal Control System) fluid connectors (two M6 screws), possibly left inadvertently behind on each connector, which were supposed to be removed before the launch. The presence of these screws may cause off-nominal separation of the SA & BO (Orbital Module). [After the recent (09/16) landing of Soyuz TMA-21/26S, temporary screws were discovered on the SA structural ring near the SOTR fluid connectors which did not belong there. This can be explained by the change in vehicle processing procedure after the vehicle was damaged last year while in transit to Baikonur, with some work then performed not at the plant but at Baikonur. To be safe, it was decided to conduct a thorough inspection of temporary fasteners on all spacecraft, including the current 27S vehicle, to ensure safe conditions for a nominal landing.]
« Last Edit: 09/25/2011 05:37 pm by Space Pete »
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Offline robertross

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Re: Expedition 29 thread (September 16 - November 22, 2011)
« Reply #30 on: 09/25/2011 11:17 pm »
Now this is very interesting - I hope it's not another Soyuz quality issue... ::)

Seems that way though...yikes.

Offline JimO

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Re: Expedition 29 thread (September 16 - November 22, 2011)
« Reply #31 on: 09/26/2011 01:41 pm »
Seems that way though...yikes.

Interfax just moved a report based on the NASA site: "Soyuz Spaceships to Be Checked For Temporary Fasteners - NASA"

Seems like a prudent step based on a discovered Soyuz launch prep foul-up at Baykonur.
 
It could have led to improper separation of the Descent Module from the Orbital Module. At the same landing phase,  pyro failures twice messed up DM separation from the Service Module not long ago, leading to nose-first entry and then a ballistic entry [and MIGHT have led to much, MUCH worse]. This time, the module separation (DM and OM)  may not have been as serious, had it occurred, because aero forces would have torn them loose soon enough -- maybe?
 
If THESE temporary screws were left installed, what OTHER screws might there have been that ALSO should have been removed -- but may not have been? If there are any, they might not be inspectable from inside the current Soyuz.
 
Bottom line. Yet ANOTHER "human error" during launch prep at Baykonur, that threatened malfunction of the most recently landed Soyuz vehicle [with Garan aboard]. It SEEMS like a one-time oversight based on unique processing changes required by the Soyuz vehicle damage in transit -- but then, OTHER anomalies could similarly lead to OTHER kinds of procedurel errors, might they not?

Why do they keep slipping through?

Offline robertross

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Re: Expedition 29 thread (September 16 - November 22, 2011)
« Reply #32 on: 09/26/2011 01:54 pm »
Seems that way though...yikes.

Interfax just moved a report based on the NASA site: "Soyuz Spaceships to Be Checked For Temporary Fasteners - NASA"

Seems like a prudent step based on a discovered Soyuz launch prep foul-up at Baykonur.
 
It could have led to improper separation of the Descent Module from the Orbital Module. At the same landing phase,  pyro failures twice messed up DM separation from the Service Module not long ago, leading to nose-first entry and then a ballistic entry [and MIGHT have led to much, MUCH worse]. This time, the module separation (DM and OM)  may not have been as serious, had it occurred, because aero forces would have torn them loose soon enough -- maybe?
 
If THESE temporary screws were left installed, what OTHER screws might there have been that ALSO should have been removed -- but may not have been? If there are any, they might not be inspectable from inside the current Soyuz.
 
Bottom line. Yet ANOTHER "human error" during launch prep at Baykonur, that threatened malfunction of the most recently landed Soyuz vehicle [with Garan aboard]. It SEEMS like a one-time oversight based on unique processing changes required by the Soyuz vehicle damage in transit -- but then, OTHER anomalies could similarly lead to OTHER kinds of procedurel errors, might they not?

Why do they keep slipping through?

Because we ARE human?  ;)

I would not want to lay blame on the Russians on any perceived actions, but knowing some of NASA history leads me to believe that pressure to keep pushing things out and doing the 'status quo' leaves one complacent. Lessons learned here are that (hopefully) going forward: procedures are put in place to verify critical steps. In this case, it could be as simple as coloured fasteners put in a plastic box where the fasteners that come off have to be accounted for visually.

Offline Space Pete

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 26/09/2011.

Soyuz 27S Inspection Update:
FE-4 Sergei Volkov's inspection yesterday of the Soyuz TMA-02M/27S SA (Descent Module) structural ring showed that the structure appeared nominal, without the two temporary screws which had been discovered on Soyuz TMA-21/26S after the landing, instead of having been removed before launch.
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Offline Space Pete

From Dextre via Twitter:

I had a great day today. I felt a little tingle as the team powered me up on my prime power channel for a power load test...tomorrow I'll power up on my redundant power channel for another test. The tests aren't to test my systems, but to instead test the load on the ISS batteries and power equipment.

As you see, I have two power channels. This ensures that even if one fails, I can keep moving to get the job done or safely parked. Although my strings are called "prime" and "redundant", its not like I'm always using the prime string and only using the redundant one when something goes wrong. In fact, the naming was completely arbitrary, and on any given day I use whichever string the power guys prefer in order to balance the loading on the ISS power channels. Hope you enjoyed your MSS robotics lesson for the day!
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Offline Space Pete

Expedition 29 Crew Profile



Expedition 29/30 Mission Overview
« Last Edit: 09/30/2011 09:20 pm by Space Pete »
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Offline Space Pete

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 27/09/2011.

SAW Power Testing:
Yesterday, MCC-H initiated a two-day SAW (Solar Array Wing) maximum power output test, to improve the fidelity of maximum power output calculations. [Channels 3B, 4B, 1A, and 2A were tested yesterday, with the performance test intentionally scheduled during the autumnal equinox, with a test data collection of +/- 5 minutes from orbital noon. Robotics ground controllers powered the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System), MBS (Mobile Base System), SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) and MT (Mobile Transporter) equipment on the 4B power channel in support of the battery testing. Upon completion of the test, the system was returned to its keep-alive power configuration. System performance was nominal. Today, channels 4A, 1B, 3A, and 2B are being tested, with Robotics loads turned on again.]

Conjunction Alert:
Flight controllers are tracking a conjunction with Object 29394, Japanese H-2A Rocket Body, a repeating conjunction with TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on 09/29 (Thursday) at 8:55 AM GMT. The other close approaches, currently outside the notification box, are 1-rev earlier and 1-rev later. This particular conjunction has very favorable miss distance geometry and is not thought at this time to pose a high risk. However, due to the relatively small miss distances and its repeating nature, the conjunction is classified as of Medium concern at this time. The major decision points will occur tonight and tomorrow morning. If required, a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) would be conducted on 09/29 at about 6:37 AM GMT (est.)
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Offline Space Pete

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 28/09/2011.

Conjunction Alert:
Flight controllers are tracking a new conjunction, with Object 23335 (S/L-4 Rocket Body), a repeating conjunction with two TCAs (Times of Closest Approach) tomorrow, 09/29 (Thursday), at 7:02 PM and 8:34 PM GMT (which are still moving around). Although the miss distances have moved out on some of the revs, one or more of them still could pose a risk to ISS. The current geomagnetic storm (which affects atmospheric density) is starting to subside, so it is hoped that the data will begin to stabilize prior to hitting the DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) planning milestones. The decision timeline for preparing maneuver data (the cyclogram) will be this afternoon at 7:32 PM GMT, for a DAM on 09/29 at 4:44 PM GMT (est.).
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Offline Space Pete

"Word on the street" is that a DAM will be performed, which will be combined with the October 5th ISS reboost.
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Offline anik

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Re: Expedition 29 thread (September 16 - November 22, 2011)
« Reply #39 on: 09/29/2011 09:09 am »
The reboost will be performed today at 16:45 UTC by Zvezda module engines (dV = 2.7 m/s, dT = 169 s, dH = 4.7 km).

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