Author Topic: Expedition 30 thread (November 22, 2011 - April 27, 2012) (Read 159154 times)

Space Pete · « **Reply #60 on:** 12/07/2011 09:34 pm »

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 07/12/2011.

JEMRMS Demos:
JAXA/SSIPC (Space Station Integration & Promotion Center/Tsukuba) yesterday successfully ground-commanded two Demos with the JEMRMS (Japan Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System), mounted external to the Kibo JPM, the first Demo a wrist roll exercise, the second one a movement of the entire arm.

Fuji · « **Reply #61 on:** 12/07/2011 11:08 pm »

Quote from: Space Pete on 12/07/2011 09:34 pm

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 07/12/2011.

JEMRMS Demos:
JAXA/SSIPC (Space Station Integration & Promotion Center/Tsukuba) yesterday successfully ground-commanded two Demos with the JEMRMS (Japan Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System), mounted external to the Kibo JPM, the first Demo a wrist roll exercise, the second one a movement of the entire arm.

Demo 1 and Demo 2 imeges.

anik · « **Reply #62 on:** 12/08/2011 07:09 am »

Reboost of ISS orbit is planned tomorrow at 19:50 UTC (dV = 1.3 m/s, dT = 81.5 s, dH = 2.3 km) by Zvezda engines.

Space Pete · « **Reply #63 on:** 12/08/2011 05:52 pm »

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 08/12/2011.

Conjunction Notification:
Flight controllers are tracking a low-concern conjunction with Object 24286 (Pegasus rocket body) on Saturday, 12/10, at ~1:25 PM GMT, approximately 17.5 hrs after the reboost on Friday. This conjunction is of low concern for both the post-reboost and no-reboost trajectories for the ISS, being completely outside the larger screening box used by MCC-H for the reboost screening (2 km x 25 km x 25 km). The object is very well tracked and has a similar decay rate as ISS. Developments will be monitored and updates provided as needed.

John44 · « **Reply #64 on:** 12/08/2011 09:11 pm »

Expedition 30/31 - Crew Departure for Baikonur, Kazakhstan Ceremony at Star City, Russia
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7236

Space Pete · « **Reply #65 on:** 12/09/2011 06:17 pm »

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 09/12/2011.

Amine Swingbed Deferral:
Yesterday's planned assembly & checkout of the Amine Swingbed hardware by CDR Dan Burbank could not be completed. During assembly, Dan had difficulties aligning and attaching the Controller unit to the Swingbed vacuum outlet. The purpose of the activity was to verify that the Amine Swingbed was not damaged during launch, compromising the sorbent bead containment, and to purge the ammonia that has built up within the hardware during its storage. Because assembly of the hardware took longer than planned and the ground commanding was sequenced at a specific time for commanding coverage, Ground controllers were not able to complete the commanding activities that needed to take place prior to the crew starting the bead check. Also, erroneous data from the Swingbed payload caused a false fire advisory in the US Lab. The hardware was partially disassembled and temporarily stowed in the PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module). Specialists will develop a forward plan to complete the checkouts. [Background: The Amine Swingbed is a prototype of the CO2 and moisture control technology to be used in the Orion MPCV (Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle). It consists of two multilayer sorbent beds in one unit, with a single valve to alternate (“swing”) them between adsorbing from cabin air and desorbing to space vacuum. The system pulls air from the ISS atmosphere, dries it (and heats it) with a desiccant wheel, cools it back down, scrubs most of the CO2 and remaining water vapor out, then reheats the scrubbed air, rehumidifies it (and recools it) with the desiccant wheel, then returns the air to the cabin. Periodically (every 6 - 30 min) the sorbent beds are swapped to expose the freshly vacuum-desorbed bed to the process stream and start regenerating the CO2-laden bed. During bed swap transitions, additional air is saved by equalizing the bed about to be vented with a compressor-evacuated volume. This will be the first test of the Amine Swingbed payload. Its purpose is to determine if a vacuum-regenerated amine system can effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the ISS atmosphere using a smaller more efficient vacuum regeneration system. A similar technology (amine-based pressure swing adsorption) was used on the Shuttle Extended Duration Orbiter, in the form of the RCRS (Regenerative Carbon Dioxide Removal System). The Amine Swingbed payload uses an amine with a significantly greater capacity for CO2 than the RCRS. Amines are organic compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with two “lone pair” electrons. They are derivatives of ammonia (NH3) wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms (H) have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group. Important amines include amino acids, biogenic amines, trimethylamine, and aniline. Inorganic derivatives of ammonia are also called ammonia, such as chloramine (NClH2).]

Reboost:
After handover of attitude control authority to the Russian MCS (Motion Control System) at 6:05 PM GMT, a one-burn reboost of the ISS will be performed today at 7:50 PM GMT using the two KD engines of the SM’s ODU (Integrated Propulsion System) for a burn duration of 1m 22s and a planned Delta-V of 1.05 m/s. Return of attitude control to US CMGs (Control Moment Gyroscopes) is scheduled for 8:40 PM GMT. The newly incorporated US SIGI (Space Integrated GPS/Inertial Navigation System) accelerometers will be used for the 2nd time for closed loop guidance of the reboost. Purpose of the reboost is to set up proper phasing for Soyuz TMA-03M/29S launch & rendezvous.

anik · « **Reply #66 on:** 12/10/2011 07:11 am »

Yesterday's reboost of ISS orbit was successfull.

Space Pete · « **Reply #67 on:** 12/10/2011 09:33 pm »

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 10/12/2011.

ISS Reboost Update:
A one-burn reboost of the ISS was performed yesterday as planned at 7:50 PM GMT using the two KD engines of the SM’s ODU (Integrated Propulsion System) for a burn duration of 1m 22s, achieving a Delta-V of 1.33 m/s (planned: 1.3 m/s), increasing mean altitude by 2.36 km (planned: 2.3 km). After the burn, ISS was at 393.1 km mean altitude, with 413.4 km apogee height and 372.8 perigee height. The purpose of the reboost, the 2nd of 2, was to set up proper phasing for the Soyuz TMA-03M/29S launch & rendezvous. This was also the 2nd time the US SIGI (Space Integrated GPS/Inertial Navigation System) accelerometers were used for closed loop guidance of the reboost, and all worked well. The reboost was within 3% of the target burn, i.e., an excellent performance. After the reboost, SM thrusters were again connected to the FGB propellant tanks to handle attitude control and desaturation firings.

Space Pete · « **Reply #68 on:** 12/11/2011 08:44 pm »

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 11/12/2011.

CUCU Testing:
Ground-commanded loopback testing of CUCU (COTS UHF Communications Unit), to be used for the first SpaceX Dragon Demo in February next year, took place via S-band on 12/09 & 12/10 between 11:00 PM GMT and 3:00 AM GMT, performing transmit/receive tests between CUCU 1a and CUCU 1b. The goals of these tests were (a) to prove communications functionality over combinations of CUCU strings and ISS antennas as proved through demonstrating very low (<1e-05) BER (Bit Error Rate) in at least one transmit power setting, (b) to gather data that could potentially distinguish whether behaviours observed in the prior day's tests are indicative of CUCU-internal issues or issues with cabling or connectors downstream of CUCU transmitters, and (c) to characterize CUCU performance as a function of transmit power.

AnalogMan · « **Reply #69 on:** 12/13/2011 01:25 pm »

Appears to be more JEMRMS activity coming up soon. JEMRMS Ground Control Demo-3 (parts 1 & 2) are pencilled in for 20 December 0705Z - 1345Z and 21 December 0710Z - 1030Z.

AnalogMan · « **Reply #70 on:** 12/13/2011 01:52 pm »

Looks like there is ground support activity for the EPIC X2_R10 software transition currently pencilled in for 30 December.

Space Pete · « **Reply #71 on:** 12/13/2011 08:14 pm »

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 13/12/2011.

Conjunction Advisory:
NASA/MCC-H is tracking a conjunction with Object 31894 (another Fengyun 1C satellite debris) with TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on Friday (12/16) at 12:17 AM GMT. The conjunction is currently classified as Medium Concern, primarily because of the smaller radial miss and larger uncertainties on the object. The latest update has moved the object outside the conjunction notification box, but due to the large uncertainties, NASA continues to gather tracking data on the object before standing down completely from Debris Avoidance operations.

Space Pete · « **Reply #72 on:** 12/13/2011 08:27 pm »

ISS Commander Sends Holiday Greetings

Send a Holiday greeting to the ISS crew here:
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/postcard

Life_Support_32 · « **Reply #73 on:** 12/14/2011 01:55 am »

Quote from: AnalogMan on 12/13/2011 01:52 pm

Looks like there is ground support activity for the EPIC X2_R10 software transition currently pencilled in for 30 December.

Remember that the X2_R10 is more a hardware transition than a software transition. The ground support activity on 12/30 is to actually transition the Backup C&C, which will have the EPIC cards installed, up to Primary. That will leave the Primary and Backup on EPIC and the Standby C&C still on the old cards.

AnalogMan · « **Reply #74 on:** 12/14/2011 08:49 am »

Quote from: Life_Support_32 on 12/14/2011 01:55 am

Quote from: AnalogMan on 12/13/2011 01:52 pm
Looks like there is ground support activity for the EPIC X2_R10 software transition currently pencilled in for 30 December.

Remember that the X2_R10 is more a hardware transition than a software transition. The ground support activity on 12/30 is to actually transition the Backup C&C, which will have the EPIC cards installed, up to Primary. That will leave the Primary and Backup on EPIC and the Standby C&C still on the old cards.

Thanks for that. How long will the system be kept in this mixed configuration before the remaining old cards are replaced (I know at one time this was going to be around 7-days)?

Space Pete · « **Reply #75 on:** 12/14/2011 05:43 pm »

The X2_R10 (EPIC) transition will occur from 27th Dec – 5th Jan.

The X2_R11 (required for SpaceX demo due to MSS 7.1) transition will occur from 15th Jan - 1st Feb.

The PEP_R10 (increases the number of active payloads) transition will occur in NET February.

Space Pete · « **Reply #76 on:** 12/14/2011 05:48 pm »

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 14/12/2011.

Conjunction Advisory:
NASA/MCC-H is tracking a conjunction with Object 31894 (another Fengyun 1C satellite debris) with a TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on Friday (12/16) at 12:17 AM GMT. The conjunction is currently classified as Medium Concern, primarily because of the smaller radial miss and larger uncertainties on the object. The latest update has moved the object outside the conjunction notification box, but due to the large uncertainties, NASA continues to gather tracking data on the object. If required, a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) would have to be performed tomorrow at ~9:59 PM GMT, with Go/NoGo decision to be made tomorrow morning (~12:47 AM GMT).

Note: Interfax quotes an MCC-M source as saying this conjunction is not a concern - Chinese satellite fragment will fly far from ISS - MCC

Space Pete · « **Reply #77 on:** 12/15/2011 10:10 pm »

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 15/12/2011.

CDR Dan Burbank spent several hours in the US Lab with the Robonaut equipment, first going through a procedures review, then assembling the robot payload. The planned operation and checkouts of Robonaut joints and force sensors in the arms & fingers were cancelled due to a fault message, with no time left for troubleshooting. Robonaut was disassembled, uncabled and restowed in its M-03 Bag. Further activities with Robonaut will not be scheduled until January. [PPFS (Portable Pulmonary Function System) hardware, which had been moved out of the way, was restored to nominal position.]

GHF Checkout:
JAXA reported yesterday that the extensive checkout of the GHF (Gradient Heating Furnace) payload on the Kobairo Rack in the Kibo JPM (JEM Pressurized Module), which began on 12/01, was successfully concluded. Checkouts for an experiment will start on 12/17 (Saturday).

Conjunction Update:
Latest tracking data show that the conjunction with Object 31894 (another Fengyun 1C satellite debris) with TCA (Time of Closest Approach) Saturday at ~12:17 AM GMT will have a large miss distance (~105 km) and an unofficial PC (Probability of Collision) of Zero. NASA Flight Controllers continue to monitor the object.

SpaceX Dragon Update:
CUCU (COTS UHF Communication Unit) test sessions for the Dryden Radio Frequency (RF) checkout with the upgraded CUCU on ISS were conducted last night and the night before. A backup capability, with better line-of-sight visibility, exists today. This is in support of the SpaceX Demo Launch planned currently for 02/07 next year. The SpaceX Dragon capsule will deliver pressurized and unpressurized cargo to ISS after launch from Cape Canaveral and then reenter for splashdown off the coast of California. If launched on 02/07, Fly-under will follow on 02/09, Berthing via SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) on 02/10 and Unberth at 02/23 (work is underway to deconflict Dragon activities from the Russian EVA scheduled for 02/14). Eight demonstration objectives are defined for this mission and documented in Flight Rules. For Rendezvous & Berthing there will be a hold point at both 30m and 10m, with Go/No-go decision. The ISS crew starts monitoring at 1000m and takes action starting at 200m. Dragon has multiple abort capabilities, each made up of 2 types of burns - large delta-V aligned with X-axis and small delta-V in any body direction.

psloss · « **Reply #78 on:** 12/15/2011 11:11 pm »

Quote from: Space Pete on 12/15/2011 10:10 pm

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 15/12/2011.
.
.
.
SpaceX Dragon Update:
...
If launched on 02/07, Fly-under will follow on 02/09, Berthing via SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) on 02/10 and Unberth at 02/23...

Good info here, so the plan is FD3 for the first set of demos and (if all goes well) FD4 for terminal rendezvous, capture, and berthing.

bolun · « **Reply #79 on:** 12/16/2011 12:46 pm »

Article about André Kuipers and some blogs to follow André´s work and life.

http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEM45I8XZVG_index_0.html

PromISSe misson´s blog

http://blogs.esa.int/promisse/

André’s blog (Dutch)

http://blogs.esa.int/andre-kuipers

André’s blog (English)

http://blogs.esa.int/andre-kuipers/?lang=en