In the FGB, the crew conducted a periodic survey for microbial growths, using a special test tube kit for taking samples from thermal control system (STR) pipes, cable network (BKS) harness, the FGB hull, and gas-liquid heat exchanger (GZhT) outlets. The test tubes were then packed for return on Soyuz 6S.

POIC (Payload Operations & Integration Center)/Huntsville is anticipating about 11 hrs. of crewtime this week for science research.

FE/SO Ed Lu spent about 1.5 hrs with an on-board training (OBT) session in preparation for a new experiment, the CBOSS-FDI (Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System/ Fluid Dynamics Investigation), which he will start on Wednesday (9/24). [CBOSS is a stationary bioreactor system for the cultivation of cells aboard the ISS. FDI comprises a series of experiments aimed at optimizing CBOSS operations while contributing to the characterization of the bioreactor vessel (the Tissue Culture Module or TCM) in terms of fluids mixing techniques on orbit, which are essential to conduct cellular research in that environment.]

A new round of research activity on the HRF USND (Human Research Facility -- Ultrasound) equipment is scheduled for tomorrow. There is also the final run of the MSG PFMI (Microgravity Science Glovebox -- Pore Formation & Mobility Investigation) experiment coming up on Wednesday (9/24).

CDR Yuri Malenchenko unstowed a new Russian payload, the "Pille-ISS" hardware, setting up its ten radiation dosimetry sensors at specific locations in the SM, but encountering a delay due to a missing cable. The activity was supported by tagup with a ground specialist via S-band.

Malenchenko also began another round of monthly preventive maintenance of the Russian segment (RS) ventilation system, starting out with cleaning the Group A fans and grilles in the SM, then replacing the four SM dust collector filters (PF1-4) with new cartridges (last time done: 8/27).

After connecting the utility outlet panel (UOP)-to-display & control panel (DCP) power bypass cable for the robotics/MSS (mobile service system), Edward Lu and Yuri Malenchenko set up and reviewed the DOUG (dynamic operations ubiquitous graphics) software version for tomorrow's SSRMS/Robotics operations (deferred from 9/15). [DOUG is a periodically updated software program on the MSS (mobile service system) laptops that provides a birdseye-view graphical image of the external station configuration and the SSRMS (space station remote manipulator system) arm, showing its real-time location and configuration on a laptop during its operation. Purpose of tomorrow's crew proficiency ops: obtaining additional characterization of the SSRMS force & moment sensor (FMS). Available FMS data so far indicate fluctuations based on heating/cooling of the exposed EVA joint angle scale on the WR joint, a thin strip of exposed metal near the LEE/WR (Latching End Effector/Wrist Roll joint) interface. Data will be gathered during these operations to confirm this theory before work is begun to develop a thermal protection kit to cover this area. A joint OCAS (operator commanded auto sequence) will be performed to maneuver to the FMS sensitivity test start position. Then, another joint OCAS will point the LEE towards the sun and slowly rotate the wrist roll joint ±360 degrees. After that, the wrist will be reconfigured in single joint mode so the LEE/WR interface is shadowed by the wrist joint cluster, after which the ±360 deg roll is repeated. The session will end with a large joint OCAS maneuver to an MBS-PDGF-2 (Mobile Base System/Power & Data Grapple Fixture #2) pre-grapple config, followed by a grapple of MBS PDGF 2, followed by a base change by the ground for the next set of robotics operations.]

Ed Lu performed a scheduled photo survey of the Node's fire ports, focusing on their accessibility, and an inspection of fire equipment and critical valve and ventilation locations in the Node.

Ed also completed the regular routine status checkup of autonomous Lab payloads, while Yuri prepared the daily IMS delta file for automatic export/import to update the database, and took care of the daily routine maintenance of the SM SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities).

Both crewmembers worked out with their daily 2.5-h program of physical exercise, on TVIS treadmill, RED expander, and VELO cycle with load trainer, and Ed Lu performed the weekly TVIS maintenance/inspection. The crew was also requested to report any abnormalities exhibited by the RED to the ground.

MCC-Moscow has agreed to a postponement of today's scheduled charging of the Iridium satphone lithium/ion battery, pending further safety analyses. [MCC-Houston is tentatively considering to activate the Motorola-9505 in the U.S. segment (USOS), to check whether the current battery actually requires recharging. Prior to any decisions, such activation will first be evaluated for possible impacts of EMI (electromagnetic interference) radiation on the USOS and Russian segment (RS). Plans are also being finalized to certify and fly up a second set of batteries on Soyuz 7S.]

MCC-Moscow's attempt to bring SM battery #7 back on line has failed. [The battery had been discharged and left in storage for two weeks for recovery. When connected to its automated charge/discharge unit (ZRU) last Friday, it immediately tripped the ZRU's maximum charge limit sensor, turning the 800A unit off. Attempts of restarting the battery have not been successful to date. A test procedure for determining whether the problem is with the 800A or the ZRU is being developed, to be scheduled probably as early as this week.]

The Elektron electrolysis system, which was turned on last Thursday (9/18), has successfully been transitioned from 16 amperes to 24A performance mode.

The SKV-1 air conditioner is operating and supporting nominal atmospheric moisture level on board, currently producing 4.5 liters of water per day.

Over the weekend, the GPS-2 (Global Positioning System #2) showed a "failure" flag. The possible need for additional data before attempting a power cycle is being studied at present. Meanwhile, GPS-1 is still prime for ISS attitude and state vector data.

Early this morning, the MCA (Major Constituents Analyzer) in the Lab signaled an error code. The instrument was restarted and has recovered its full functionality.

Khrunichev/Moscow has requested crewtime for the removal of the second string of GNC (guidance, navigation & control, SUDN) and Kurs-A hardware from the FGB interior. The request is being evaluated for its priority placement on the crew schedule for the current and/or next Increment. [The task, which is estimated to take 12.5 hrs, includes photography of the emptied zones to update the documentation required for fabricating the containers intended for outfitting these new stowage areas.]

Tonight at ~7:06pm EDT, the ISS will maneuver from the current earth-oriented LVLH YVV (local vertical/local horizontal y-axis in velocity vector) back to sun-pointing XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane).

Today's CEO (crew earth observation) targets, taking into account the current LVLH attitude, and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark 200-year memorial locations, were Patagonian Glaciers (the north end of the site remains open for detailed views), Mt Kilimanjaro, Kenya (Dynamic event. Unusually clear weather in East Africa: looking right ~3 deg for this ice-capped mountain on the equator. The ground is monitoring the size of the ice cap closely. During the 20th Century 85% of the cap has melted away. At the present rate, the ice will have disappeared in 15 years. The most detailed views would be welcome), Nairobi, Kenya (good pass just north of the city: looking right ~1 deg), La Paz, Bolivia (this major Latin American city is elusivewe have seen no views of it in years), Amazon smoke (looking right for the source region of numerous fires in SW Amazonia, Brazil), and Melbourne, Australia (good pass over the metro area. Looking a touch right for the center of this port city at the head of the bay). CEO images can be viewed at the websites http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov.

See also the website "Space Station Challenge" at http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/.

You know you live on the ISS when... ...getting a new can opener requires a CDR and the coordination of several governments (upbeat uplink from Flight Control).

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:42am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 380.3 km
Apogee 384.0 km
Perigee -- 376.5 km
Period -- 92.1 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0005606
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.62
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 75 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 27620
For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html.