Expedition 30 thread (November 22, 2011 - April 27, 2012)

[robertross]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 14/02/2012.

Burbank, Don Pettit & Andre Kuipers joined up for a 30-min review of uplinked material dealing with the unusual rates (motions) exhibited by ISS as recorded by instruments of the MCS (Motion Control System). Proposed crew activities will support an ongoing ground investigation of possible causes, and will attempt to mitigate the phenomena, by responding to uplinked crew poll questions, avoiding possible inputs like stronger push-off & landing loads, certain cyclic motions, exercise grounded to ISS main structure, etc. [Unusual rates were first noticed in February 2010 via SAMS (Space Acceleration Measurement System) sensors. An unusual rate is defined by an oscillatory LVLH (Local Vertical/Local Horizontal) rate exceeding 0.003 deg/s with a period of 2.75- 4 sec. Structural Life assessments account for VELO exercise (all other exercise are assumed isolated) and some crew push-off/landing load cycles. Since Soyuz TMA-03M/29S docking, rate limit threshold has been exceeded dozens of times, far more than previous increments, and structures teams on the ground are concerned that ISS structural life may be shortened if this trend continues.]

I think this deserves to be pointed out, for future reference (it also helps me remember).

It will be interesting to see where the excesses are coming from - this could be important for future exploration missions (since exercise will play a critical role in long-duration missions, and if this is part of the reason, additional mitigation might be required)

[Chris Bergin]

Video of R2 shaking hands with Commander Dan Burbank!

[John44]

Expedition 30 - ESA In-Flight Event - February 14 - Germany Language
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7313

Expedition 30 - Spacewalk Overview
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7318

Interview with Robonaut's Deputy Project Manager
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7319

Expedition 30 - Robonaut Shakes Hands
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7322

Interview with EVA Flight and Increment Manager Part 1 and 2
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7323

[Space Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 15/02/2012.

CDR Dan Burbank continued the checkout and activity session with Robonaut, picking up where he left off yesterday by performing the deferred checkout of force sensors by pushing on each forearm in multiple directions and manipulating the fingers while the ground evaluated the data. [This was followed by the "Strong Man" maneuver with different velocities and accelerations, at the conclusion of which Dan had the opportunity to shake hands with Robonaut and perform the first ever handshake in space between a humanoid robot and an Astronaut. Today’s schedule then called for Dan to rotate the waist back to face Robonaut overhead and to conduct Free Space activities. These maneuvers were to demonstrate repeatability, further exercise the waist joint and also demonstrate finger dexterity by performing sign language to say "Hello World". Following the maneuvers, the ground was to verify the camera identification numbers and then proceed with power-down.  Robonaut was then to be disassembled with Don Pettit's help and stowed back in the rack, concluding its checkout.]

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-030

NEW JERSEY EDUCATION CONSORTIUM HOSTS LIVE CHAT WITH SPACE STATION ASTRONAUTS

WASHINGTON -- Students and educators from Sussex County, N.J., will
gather at Newton High School on Wednesday, Feb. 22, to further their
space studies by speaking live with Expedition 30 Commander Dan
Burbank and Flight Engineer Don Pettit aboard the International Space
Station. The Earth-to-space communication will take place at 10 a.m.
EST and be broadcast live on NASA Television.

The students participating in the event range from kindergarten
through 12th grade. They represent the Newton, Andover Regional and
Green Township school districts in Sussex County, all of which are
part of the Tri-District Curriculum Consortium. U.S. Rep. Scott
Garrett (R-NJ) is expected to join the group for this special event.

Reporters wanting to attend the event must contact Mary Decker at
[email protected] or 973-383-7392, ext. 230, by noon Tuesday, Feb.
21. Newton High School is located at 44 Reyerson Ave. in Newton.

The students participated in a variety of space-focused science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational
initiatives in preparation for the space station downlink. They also
designed a special patch to commemorate their interaction with the
orbiting astronauts.

This in-flight education downlink is one in a series with educational
organizations in the United States and abroad to improve STEM
teaching and learning. It is an integral component of NASA's Teaching
from Space Program, which promotes learning opportunities and builds
partnerships with the education community using the unique
environment of space and NASA's human spaceflight program.

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

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



To follow Twitter updates from Burbank and Pettit, visit:

http://twitter.com/AstroCoastie

and

http://twitter.com/Astro_Pettit

[John44]

Expedition 30 - Russian EVA-30 - February 16
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7328

Video available in flash and MP4 download (3 GB)

[Space Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 16/02/2012.

With initial assist by Don Pettit, André Kuipers deployed the MARES (Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System) hardware in the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) from stowed configuration and installed its associated laptop. Later, André configured the cabling and went on testing the rigidity of the MARES VIF (Vibration Isolation Frame) using a mechanical dynamometer. This was followed by executing a specific battery charge process and an integrity test of the MARES HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and the spare disk. [The configuration involved setting up the connections between the PIU (Power Interface Unit) and the J02 UIP (Utility Interface Panel) at Forward 3 and then to MARES, plus installing the EPM (European Physiology Module) laptop and its connection to the MARES pantograph connectors for Ethernet and power. Afterwards, MARES and laptop were powered off.]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 17/02/2012.

After yesterday's Part 1 of MARES (Muscle Atrophy Resistive Exercise System) Commissioning, FE-5 André Kuipers today completed Part 2, consisting of MARES functional test, battery discharge, disassembly/disconnect & stowage, assisted by Dan Burbank, plus copying the log files to downlink laptop. [For the MARES VIF (Vibration Isolation Frame) realignment, Andre loosened, then retightened bolts on the three VIF guides A, then repeated yesterday's VIF rigidity test using a mechanical dynamometer. Afterwards, the EPM (European Physiology Module) laptop was disconnected from the MARES Pantograph and reconnected to the EPM Rack for file copying. MARES was then disassembled and stowed, concluding the commissioning.]

In final close-out activities after EVA-30, Anatoly Ivanishin worked in DC-1 (Docking Compartment-1) to re-integrate the Progress M-14M/46P (#414) cargo ship, docked at the port, with the ISS by:
• Conducting a leak check on the DC-1/46P vestibule
• Opening the DC-1/SU & SU/46P hatches and installing the QD (Quick Disconnect)
  screw clamps (BZV) of the docking & internal transfer mechanism (SSVP) to rigidize the
  coupling
• Deactivating the cargo ship
• Installing the ventilation/heating air duct
• Dismantling the docking mechanism (StM, Stykovochnovo mekhanizma) between the
  cargo ship and DC-1

Conjunction Advisory:
Flight controllers are monitoring a conjunction with Object 29423 (Chinese CZ-4B DEB) with a TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on 2/19 at 9:02 PM GMT. Currently predicted radial miss distance of this object is ~430m. The decision point (Go/NoGo for maneuver data Cyclogram development) is tomorrow (2/18) at 9:32 PM GMT, for a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) on 2/19 (Sunday) at 9:02 PM GMT, if required.

Pete's note: TCA and DAM times are the same, so one is obviously an error.

[Fuji]

@Astro_SPDM

This was a great week for space robots. While Robonaut shook hands with the crew, I demonstrated a new feature...
...that will help make my contact operations more efficient.

When I'm far from structure, my software uses a feature called "line tracking" that ensures my arms only move along the path they should.

When I'm going to make contact with hardware, my software gives me a sense of touch to ensure I don't push too hard.

This week, I demonstrated a new ability to switch between those two ways of controlling my motion without stopping.

[AnalogMan]

I have learned that RRM operations with the SPDM will begin March 6th-8th.

Have seen real-time ground support for these Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) operations currently noted as follows:

Mar 5, 17:30 to Mar 6, 13:00
Mar 6, 19:00 to Mar 7, 13:00
Mar 7, 19:00 to Mar 8, 13:00

(all times GMT/UTC)

[rdale]

Today's WPC at http://www.kevin-cohen.com/nsf/iss/iss_20120218-070000-004.wav

[Space Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 18/02/2012.

After yesterday's Part 2 of MARES (Muscle Atrophy Resistive Exercise System) Commissioning, FE-5 Andre Kuipers today relocated items removed in preparation of MARES deployment back to their original locations on the COL (Columbus Orbital Laboratory) deck rack front. [This included all bags, the MARES (Dynamometer, MARES EPM HD (European Physiology Module | Hard Drive), WS2 Ethernet cable, Ziploc bag with 3 connector caps and the mainbox.]

Conjunction Update:
Flight controllers continue to monitor a conjunction with Object 29423 (Chinese CZ-4B DEB) with a TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on 2/19 at 9:02 PM GMT. The conjunction is currently considered of Low Concern. The decision point (Go/NoGo for maneuver data Cyclogram development) is tonight (2/18) at 9:32 PM GMT, for a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) tomorrow (2/19) at 9:02 PM GMT, if required.

[anik]

DAM is not required.

[Space Pete]

From Dextre via Twitter:

Legs (SSRMS) got a little workout today! The ROBOs moved her over to the Cupola windows so the astronauts could take photos of her "B" end effector. They took pictures of the "A" end effector several weeks ago. The photos are just to make sure there hasn't been any wear and tear after so many years on orbit, assembling ISS. The photos will also help make sure Legs is good to go for (hopefully) many, many more years on orbit. Later this week I'll join in the fun and help survey the Russian solar arrays.

[Space Pete]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 20/02/2012.

CDR Dan Burbank used a D2Xs digital camera to take high-resolution close-up photographs of the SSRMS LEE (Space Station Remote Manipulator System | Latching End Effector) parked outside the Cupola in bright sunlight to clearly show the effector's snare cables for later analysis by Robotics engineers, to establish a baseline of the state of the LEE snares for long term life trending.

[arkaska]

Surprised they still use the old D2Xs when then have D3/D3s/D3x onboard.

[robertross]

Surprised they still use the old D2Xs when then have D3/D3s/D3x onboard.

Perhaps for more exacting image comparisons, as the original images were likely done on the D2X. Also, they may not need the extra resolution. And, if they are planning to phase out the D2X (unknown), then get as much life out of the D2X as possible before hand.

[Nicolas PILLET]

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 12/02/2012.

ISS Power Loss Update:
The power loss on Channel 3B (i.e., essentially all of solar array 3B) was caused by a POR (Power On Reset) on a major DCSU (Direct Current Switching Unit). This shifted loads upstream to BCDUs (Battery Charge & Discharge Units) and tripped all of the BCDU fuse-type RBI (Remote Bus Isolator) switches.

I have two questions :

1. What is a POR ? I don't understand clearly the signification of "Power On Reset". Is it a signal which orders DCSU to switch off current ?

2. Will fuse-type RBI have to be changed ?

Thanks !

[robertross]

1. I'm not 100% sure, but it sounds like pushing a spring-loaded pushbutton (like a horn) that just cycles the power.

2. The RBIs are relays (and in that case would only need to be reset via software):

From the EPS training manual on L2 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=6841.0)

"The DCSU is primarily a collection of six high-powered switches whose nominal
powered state is closed, to route power between the source during sunlight (the
solar arrays), the source during darkness (the batteries and their regulators), and
the downstream users of this power. The switches are called RBIs and they can
allow power to flow in either direction."

"DCSU Remote Bus Isolators
The DCSU RBIs are bidirectional, mechanical contactors (electromechanical relays), which transfer power between other EPS components and the DCSU primary bus.This bidirectional capability means that power can flow either way, allowing the DCSU to route power to the SSU during eclipse and transfer power to/from the batteries. RBIs will trip in overcurrent conditions, and can be opened or closed via CDH commands. After channel activation, the nominal position of all DCSU RBIs is CLOSED. The RBIs will remain closed unless a fault occurs, channel power down is required, or maintenance activity is required."

[Nicolas PILLET]

Thank you robertross.
So, why the NASA report speaks about "fuse-type RBIs" ?

[robertross]

Thank you robertross.
So, why the NASA report speaks about "fuse-type RBIs" ?

They must have really meant 'circuit breaker'

Not the first time there have been mis-spellings on reports from PAO or these updates