ISS Daily Summary Report – 03/21/13

New Status:
Marangoni Inside (MI) Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF): In preparation for the start of the experiment tonight, Flight Engineer (FE)-6 Tom Marshburn installed the sample cassette in the FPEF. The experiment will run through early July during crew sleep. Marangoni convection is the flow driven by the presence of a surface tension gradient which can be produced by temperature difference at a liquid/gas interface. The convection in liquid bridge of silicone oil is generated by heating the one disc higher than the other. Scientists are observing flow patterns of how fluids move to learn more about how heat is transferred in microgravity.

Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixture 3 (CSLM-3) Experiment:  Commander (CDR) Hadfield finished run #5 of 6 runs scheduled for return on SpaceX-2. CSLM-3 is a materials science investigation that studies the growth and solidification processes (i.e., coarsening) in lead-tin solid-liquid mixtures that contain a small amount of tin branch-like (dendrite) structures, some of which possess many arms. During sample heating, the growth at the tip of each dendrite continues over time, whereas side branches, behind the tip, develop during constant temperature conditions. By understanding how temperature and time control the growth of such dendrites, researchers hope to develop more efficient and economical means of producing higher quality products derived from the casting of molten metals.

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test (BCAT)-C1 Experiment: Hadfield initialized an additional run of BCAT sample 5 and also photographed the BCAT-C1 hardware setup from multiple viewpoints around the experiment. BCAT-C1 experiment studies nano-scale particles dispersed in liquid, known as a colloidal suspension, commonly found in such commercial commodities as paint, electronic polishing compounds and food products. These suspensions will have the unique property that the particles will phase separate (like oil and water) and the particles will self-assemble into crystals that interact strongly with light (like opal). Photographing these samples in microgravity allow the measurement of these processes while avoiding the effects of particle sinking due to gravity. This study will allow the development of new insights into this important material process.

On-Board Training (OBT) Dragon Release Review: In preparation for SpaceX-2 unberth scheduled for next Monday, March 25, Hadfield and Marshburn conducted a robotics release review. This OBT included Dragon release procedure and a review of communication and back-away and departure coordination.

Previous Status (3/20/13)
Amine Swingbed Payload Review:  Commander (CDR) Hadfield unstowed Amine from its temporary stowage configuration inside Express Rack 8 and placed it in the payload’s double locker chassis. Then he re-assembled the payload in its normal operating configuration. This task follows Kevin Ford’s troubleshooting activities earlier this month when he replaced the Amine gear box.  The hardware is not yet ready for nominal use.  Forward work includes a software upgrade and a bed off-gas and leak characterization.

Advanced Colloids Experiment (ACE)-1: Marshburn placed oil dispensers and a camera in the Auxiliary Fluids Container (AFC), mixed and installed the sample, and completed a session of this experiment. Advanced Colloids Experiment-1 (ACE-1) is the first in a series of microscopic imaging investigations of materials which contain small colloidal particles capable of remaining evenly dispersed and distributed within the material. This investigation takes advantage of the unique environment of the ISS to separate the effects induced by Earth’s gravity to examine flow characteristics and the evolution and ordering effects within these colloidal materials. Engineering manipulation and the fundamental understanding of materials of this nature aims to enhance the ability to produce, store, and manipulate materials which rely on similar physical properties.

Marangoni Inside (MI) Experiment:  Following yesterday’s core cleaning, Marshburn installed the Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF) in the MI Core and installed the MI Core in the MI Body. These checkout activities will continue through tomorrow. Marangoni convection is the flow driven by the presence of a surface tension gradient which can be produced by temperature difference at a liquid/gas interface. The convection in liquid bridge of silicone oil is generated by heating the one disc higher than the other. Scientists are observing flow patterns of how fluids move to learn more about how heat is transferred in microgravity.

Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM):  Mobile Servicing System (MSS) software, MSS 7.2, includes new functionality for the SPDM Backup Drive Unit {BDU). Commissioning of this functionality is planned to occur in three phases. Overnight Robotics Ground Controllers performed the first phase which focused on hazard control functionalities. The second phase will focus on mission success functionalities and the third phase will focus on joint control. The 2nd and 3rd phases will be performed at a later date.

Today’s Planned Tasks
· SM ПСС (Caution & Warning Panel) Test / Manual Controls [РСУ],  [Complete] 
· Reboot Laptop RS2(1) / Onboard Computer System (БВС)
· Reload Laptop RSS1, RSS2 / r/g 1009  [Complete] 
· SDGR – Experiment Procedure Review  [Complete] 
· G1 Camcorder Setup and Start Downlink  [Complete] 
· MI-FPEF Setup  [Complete] 
· CSLM2. Crew SPU Exchange  [Complete] 
· IMS Update  [Complete] 
· WRS Water Sample Analysis
· CSLM2. SPU Exchange  [Complete] 
· BCATC1 – Setup and Photography of Samples  [Complete] 
· BCATC1 – Installation of Photography SW  [Complete] 
· Preparation steps prior to R&R of Manual Shut Off Valve (РЗК) КВ2 on SM RODNIK Panel  [Complete] 
· Tagup with specialists / r/g 1850,  [Complete] 
· ON MCC GO Demate БВ2 Water Valve Telemetry Connector. Tagup with specialists (S-band) / r/g 1850,  [Complete] 
· MI – Connect video cables between FPEF and IPU  [Complete] 
· CSLM2 – Activation in the required mode
· R&R of Manual Shut Off Valve (РЗК) 17К.8841-0А КВ2 КВ2 on RODNIK Panel r/g 1850,  [Complete] 
· G1 Closeout Ops  [Complete] 
· European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) Degas Module Replacement  [Complete] 
· ON MCC GO Mate БВ2 Water Valve Telemetry Connector. Tagup with specialists (S-band) / r/g 1850, [Complete] 
· Preparation steps after replacement of Manual Shut Off Valve (РЗК) КВ2 on RODNIK Panel r/g 1850,  [Complete] 
· Setting up hardware for TV coverage in standard definition  [Complete] 
· Crew Prep for PAO/ r/g 1858  [Complete] 
· DRAGON Transfer Ops  [Complete] 
· TV Session (Ku + S-band) / r/g 1858
· СОЖ Maintenance
· SM Ventilation System Preventive Maintenance. Group А  [Complete] 
· SDGR – Replaceable Container Transfer  [Complete] 
· TOCA 2 Data Recording  [Complete] 
· ISS – HAM Radio Session  [Complete] 
· DRAGON Cargo Operations Tagup  [Complete] 
· DRAGON Undocking OBT (Simulation with SW)  [Complete] 
· DRAGON – Undocking Ops Review  [Complete] 
· BCATC1 – Intervalometer Change  [Complete] 
· CWC Audit  [Complete] 
· CSLM2 – Vacuum Vent Stop [Complete]
· URISIS Hardware Setup [Complete]
· Closing USOS Window Shutters [Complete]
· P/TV Playback Start [Complete]
· CSLM2 – Vacuum Vent Start [Complete]
· BCAT Reminder [Complete]
· P/TV Playback Stop [Complete]

Task List
· CEO ops  [Complete] 
· SSC data gather (FE-6)
· SSC data gather (CDR)  [Complete] 
· WHC EDV R&R
· WHC KTO Replace
· Roscosmos Report
· Uragan photo
· CSL client reload
· Checs rack reorg
· EVA decal update
· IFM-caps/plugs sort
· ISS ext survey – JEM
· ISS ext survey – MRM
· ITCS hardware consolidate
· IWIW photo
· P/TV contacts clean
· SpX-2 CD xfer

Ground
· Nominal Commanding

Three-Day Look Ahead:
Friday, 3/22: OBT ISS emergency sim, CUCU CCP c/o, Alloy, Reaction
Saturday, 3/23:  Crew day off, CSLM2 sample processing, Reaction
Sunday, 3/24: SpX-2 hatch close, N2 CPA install, T2, CEVIS overview

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

Component Status
Elektron Off
Vozdukh On
[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”) On
[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”) Off
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab Standby
Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 Operate
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab Failed
Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Operate
Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Process
Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Standby