Russian ISS spacewalk preparations

• Preparations
• During
• After
• Hand signals

On this page is an example of the preparations required for an Orlan spacewalk from Pirs; this is taken from the daily ISS on-orbit status reports and describes the preparations for Expedition 9’s VKD on 3 August 2004. Each spacewalk is a bit different, but this will give you an idea of what is involved. Preparations start approximately a week beforehand. The photo at right shows replaceable elements in the Orlan’s backpack.

U.S. Eastern Daylight Times are mostly used in the reports. GMT/UTC is used on the ISS: EDT = GMT/UTC −4 hours. TsUP remains on Moscow Standard Time (GMT +3 hours) all year around. (Dates are in U.S. style: month/day.)

Symbols: ~ approximately; # number.

Preparations

22 July

In preparation for the upcoming Orlan EVA-10 (8/3) FE/SO Fincke retrieved a spare portable air repress bottle (BNP, БНП) from the “divan” of the Soyuz orbital module and installed it in the DC1 docking compartment’s instrumentation “corridor”. [This additional BNP is used as standard protection against the contingency of the repress valve to the corridor stuck Closed during the post-ingress repressurization of the DC1.]

Later, Fincke also installed a BNP air tank in the Service Module (SM, СМ)’s work compartment (RO, РО) repress lines.

The crew began unstowing and gathering the consumable/replaceable ORU elements for the Orlan-M suits to be used on 8/3. They also set up Laptop 9 with the Orlan/EVA training software. [As for EVA-9, the CDR will be wearing Orlan #25 (red markings) with BRTA, БРТА radio telemetry unit #13 installed, while the FE’s suit will be #26 (blue markings) with BRTA #18. Orlan ORUs (Orbital Replacement Units) are LiOH canisters (LP-9, ЛП-9), primary & backup oxygen tanks (BK-3, БК-3), moisture collectors, feedwater filters (FOR, ФОР), CO₂ measuring unit (IK, ИК) filter, filtration & separation units (BOS, БОС), and 825M1 akkumulyatoriy, аккумуляториы (storage batteries).]

Padalka and Fincke took turns in performing the mandatory Russian pre-EVA MedOps procedure MO-6 (hand-cycle ergometry), each providing pomosh’, помошь (assistance) to the other during the individual’s 30-min. test run. [Because previous cosmonauts have shown noticeable decrease in arm muscle tone, TsUP/IBMP (MCC-Moscow/Institute of Biomedical Problems, ЦУП/ИМБП) physical fitness experts have made the handgrip/arm tolerance test analysis (hand ergometry) a standard pre-Orlan EVA requirement. MO-6 today required the CDR, later the FE, to don the ECG (electrocardiogram) biomed harness, attach three skin electrodes and plug the harness into the PKO medical exam panel on the cycle ergometer. The exercise itself started after 10 seconds of complete rest, by manually rotating the cycle’s pedals, set at 150 W, backwards until “complete exhaustion”. It was supported by tagup with ground specialists.]

23 July

CDR Padalka and FE/SO Fincke then continued preparations for the upcoming EVA-10, searching for & gathering equipment/tools required for the excursion.

Afterwards, the crewmembers used a 3-hr. time slot for reviewing procedures and timeline of the EVA, supported by tagup with ground specialists at TsUP/Moscow. [Unlike EVA-9, the 6-hr. spacewalk on 8/3 (hatch open ~2:50 a.m. EDT/06:50 GMT) will take place on the Russian segment only (DC1 and SM). Its objectives include installation of protective devices on DC1 hatch circular handrail brackets and gap spanners between existing DC1 handrails, still imagery and replacement of a collection tray of the Kromka contamination experiment and of a removable materials sample cassette (SKK) on the SM, replacement of laser retro reflectors (LRRs) for ATV (automated transfer vehicle) docking with improved LRRs, installation of an internal Visual Video Target (VVT) and two antennas (WAS1 & 2) for the Proximity Communication Equipment (PCE) with their cabling, removal of a Platan-M detector unit, etc.]

25 July

• EVA tool configuring and video review – 7/26;
• MO-5, Orlan-M suit prep, water sep in PkhO and DC1 – 7/27;
• Orlan-M leak checks and telemetry checks – 7/28;
• EVA procedures review, 14P undock prep – 7/29;
• Orlan training run, battery charging, camera prep – 7/30;
• Progress 14P undocking – 7/30 (2:06 a.m. EDT/06:06 GMT);
• EVA timeline review – 8/1; OpsLan reconfig, etc. – 8/2;
• Orlan EVA-10 from DC-1 – 8/3 (hatch open: 2:50 a.m. EDT/06:50 GMT);
• EVA debrief, etc. – 8/4;

26 July

Most of today’s crew work hours were scheduled for EVA preparations, i.e., searching for and gathering equipment & tools required for the EVA-10 spacewalk on 8/3, bundling them on the standard Russian EVA integrated equipment carrier (KPU, КПУ). The activities are being supported by tagup with ground specialists and recorded on videotape, which is to be downlinked later in the day for review and discussion with the crew.

Both crewmembers are also scheduled to work on the EVA support panels (POV, ПОВ) in the Russian segment to set them up and check them out for the training run and EVA, Mike in the Service Module Transfer Compartment (SM PkhO), Gennadii in the DC1. Tomorrow’s activities will concentrate on suit preparation and “degassing” of the Orlan BSS water/gas separation systems at both locations. [The CDR will be wearing Orlan #25 (red markings) with BRTA radio telemetry unit #13 installed, while the FE’s suit will be #26 (blue markings) with BRTA #18.]

27 July

The crew completed another MO-5 MedOps session of Cardiovascular Evaluation During Graded Exercises on the VELO cycle ergometer, a pre-Orlan EVA requirement. Each crewmember in turn assisted the other as CMO (crew medical officer). [The assessment uses the Gamma-1 ECG equipment with biomed harness, skin electrodes and a blood pressure and rheoplethysmograph cuff wired to the cycle ergometer’s instrumentation panels. For the graded exercise, the crewmember works the pedals after a prescribed program at load settings of 125, 150, and 175 watts for three minutes each. All measurements are recorded for downlink to TsUP. Today’s sessions were timed such that they could be supported by tagup with specialists during Russian ground site (RGS) passes.]

Continuing their preparations for the 8/3 spacewalk, the crew activated and inspected the Orlan suits. Each crewmember gathered, laid out, and installed the replaceable components (OTA) and auxiliary gear for their particular skafandr suits. The activities were supported by tagup with ground specialists. [Assembled were portable primary & backup O₂ tanks (BK-3), LiOH canisters (LP-9), primary & backup oxygen tanks (BK-3), moisture collectors, KVO liquid cooling garments, ShL-10 headsets (шлемофон, shlemofon) GP-10K gloves, BK-10 undergarments, socks, filters for feedwater lines (FOR), CO₂ measuring unit (IK) filter, filtration & separation units (BOS), IK Orlan measurement unit, BOS degassing pump, 825M1 akkumulyatoriy (storage batteries), etc.]

Other pre-EVA tasks performed by Padalka and Fincke today included the “degassing” (water separation) of the Orlan BSS water/gas separation systems in the Service Module Transfer Compartment (SM PkhO) and in the DC1 docking compartment/airlock, setup & checkout of communications for the Orlans and BSS interface units, and setting up the gear required for the excursion.

Both crewmembers also worked on the EVA support panels (POV) in the Russian segment (RS) conducting function tests of the hatch KVDs (pressure equalization valves, PEVs) via the POVs – Mike in the SM PkhO, Gennadii in the DC1.

28 July

EVA-10 preparations are continuing throughout the day, starting with leak checks and valve functionality tests on the suits and their BSS interface units, supported by tagup with ground specialists.

Today’s pre-EVA ops also include pressure checks of the primary & backup oxygen tanks (BK-3), and function tests of the hatch KVDs (pressure equalization valves, PEVs) via the POVs (EVA support panels), both in the Service Module Transfer Compartment (SM PkhO) and in the DC1 docking compartment. This is to back up an earlier checkout of these vital elements.

Further, the crew will test the Russian BETA-08 ECG (electrocardiogram) lead cable belts, worn under the Orlan-M suits, for their function, using the Gamma-1M medical complex.

After setting up communications links, the crew performs checks on Orlan and BSS telemetry, voice, and biomedical parameter transmission.

29 July

Continuing preparations for EVA-10 on 8/3, the crew also worked on their Orlan-M suits, today filling the DIDBs (disposable in-suit drink bags) and installing them in the suits. Afterwards, Padalka and Fincke equipped the suits with their consumable/replaceable ORU elements. [Orlan ORUs are LiOH canisters (LP-9), primary & backup oxygen tanks (BK-3), moisture collectors, feedwater filters (FOR), CO₂ measuring unit (IK) filter, filtration & separation units (BOS), and the newly charged 825M1 storage batteries.]

30 July

Today’s crew activities centered on the Russian Orlan-M suit training. After breakfast (2:10 a.m./06:10 GMT), the crew removed the ventilation air duct extending from the SM through the DC1 docking compartment/airlock to make room for the subsequent suited exercise, and then set up communications links for it. Donning of the EVA gear began at ~4:30 a.m./08:30 GMT, after Orlan systems checks and testing of the BSS interface system, with the crewmembers assisting each other during the ingress in the Orlans and closure of their backpacks. [The CDR again is using Orlan #25 (red markings) with BRTA radio telemetry unit #13 installed, while the FE’s suit is #26 (blue markings) with BRTA #18.]

Next came functionality & leak checking of the suits and their BSS controls, preliminary fit checks at 0.4 at (5.9 psi) suit pressure, and one hour of testing/training of suited mobility and translation. Egress from the Orlans was around 6:30 a.m./10:30 GMT, followed by a two-hour period of post-training closeout activities. [To evaluate Orlan sizing for Mike Fincke during translation exercise in the DC1, TsUP had recommended him to perform specific EVA-10 operations, such as removing the Kromka-3 tablet from the KPU tool carrier, positioning himself along one of the DC1 and unstow a winged knob from the Kromka container in the KPU.] FE/SO Mike Fincke continued preparations for the spacewalk by starting (later terminating) charging of four NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries for the helmet lights (batteries ##1009, 1016, 1018, 1020). His EVA preps today also involved unstowing and configuring the Nikon F5 digital still camera to be used during the spacewalk.

1 August

Wakeup today was at 2:00 a.m. EDT/06:00 GMT. Sleep cycle will be adjusted for the EVA-10 spacewalk tomorrow night as follows: Wakeup tomorrow morning – 2:30 a.m./06:30 GMT for a short day, with sleep at 9:00 a.m./13:00 GMT. Second wakeup – 5:30 p.m./17:30 GMT tomorrow evening, for a very long working day, ending with bunk time at 3:00 p.m./15:00 GMT on Tuesday, 8/3.

Gennadii Padalka completed the daily routine inspection of the SM’s SOZh life support system, including the periodic inspection of the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator apparatus.

At ~8:10 a.m. EDT/12:10 GMT, the crew has an hour reserved for an in-depth review of the EVA-10 timeline, including a tagup with TsUP ground specialists. [Hatch closure between SM PkhO (Service Module Transfer Compartment) and DC1 (Pirs Docking Compartment) is set for Tuesday morning (8/3) at ~1:30 a.m./05:30 GMT, followed by Orlan ingress (1:40 a.m./05:40 GMT) and start of 30-min prebreathe at ~2:22 a.m./06:22 GMT. DC1 will then be depressurized, first to 15 mmHg (Torr) for subsequent leak checking, then to full vacuum and EV 1 hatch opening at ~3:14 a.m./07:14 GMT. The spacewalk is expected to last until hatch closing at ~8:56 a.m./12:56 GMT. DC1 will then be repressed with air from the SM atmosphere, first to 260 mmHg for leak checks, then final repress. Orlan-M suits will be doffed at ~9:27 a.m./13:27 GMT and hatch to SM opened at ~9:45 a.m./13:45 GMT.]

2 August

Crew activities today focused on final preps for tonight’s Orlan spacewalk (EVA-10). Wakeup was slipped by 30 min. to 2:30 a.m. EDT/06:30 GMT. Sleep cycle began only 6.5 hrs later, at 9:00 a.m./13:00 GMT. Second wakeup is tonight at 5:30 p.m./21:30 GMT, followed by a delayed sleep time at 3:00 p.m./19:00 GMT tomorrow, 8/3.

Both crewmembers made final preparations on their Orlan-M suits and EVA tools/equipment to be taken out tonight. These preps included:

• Filling & installing the DIDBs (disposable in-suit drink bags), postponed from 7/29;
• Equipping both Orlans (in pocket on left calf) with a Pille-MKS radiation sensor. [These sensors, A0307 & A0309, were removed from their exposure locations in the RS after recording their dose measurements; a third sensor, A0310, was placed in the SM cabin for background readings. [Pille has ten sensors normally situated at various locations in the RS (port cabin window, stbd cabin window, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.). Dosage values are called down or downlinked via Regul-Paket/Email or OCA.], and
• Installing freshly charged NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries in the EHIP (EMU helmet interchangeable portable) lights, borrowed from U.S. EMUs and jerry-rigged on the Orlans.

Other Station preparations by Mike Fincke for the 6-hr. spacewalk included:

• Configuring the EPS (electrical power system) as required for USOS/RS (U.S. segment/Russian segment) module isolation for EVA;
• Reconnecting the UOP (utility outlet panel) bypass power cable at both Lab and Cupola RWS DCPs (robotics workstation/display & control panels);
• Setting up two Sony PD100 camcorders in the Lab and Node for situational awareness during the spacewalk; and
• Configuring the Ethernet OpsLAN (Operations Local Area Network) for the RS/USOS hatch closure, and subsequent reopening after the EVA.

Gennadii meanwhile shuttered SM windows #6 & #8 with their external covers to protect them from accidental contact during the spacewalk on the RS.

The CDR also disconnected the new Sputnik-SM Kenwood D700 amateur radio station to protect the spacewalkers from inadvertent antenna RF emission.

Shortly before sleep time (9:00 a.m.), the CDR once more broke out the Urolux equipment, setting it up for the Russian biochemical urine test (PZE MO-9), a standard requirement before and after Orlan-suited activities (in this case post-EVA). [The MO-9 analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus Urolux developed originally for the Mir program.]

>>> EVA-10 Look-ahead: Hatch closure between SM PkhO (Transfer Compartment) and DC1 is set for early tomorrow morning (8/3) at ~1:30 a.m. EDT, followed by Orlan ingress (1:40 a.m.) and start of 30-min prebreathe at ~2:22 a.m. DC1 will then be depressurized, first to 15 mmHg (Torr), for subsequent leak checking, then to full vacuum and EV 1 hatch opening at ~3:14 a.m. Unlike EVA-9, the ~6-hr. spacewalk tonight takes place on the RS (DC1 and SM). Its objectives include (a) installation of protective devices on DC1 hatch circular handrail brackets and gap spanners between existing DC1 handrails, (b) still photography and replacement of a collection tray of the Kromka-3 contamination experiment and of a removable materials sample cassette (SKK) on the SM, (c) replacement of laser retro reflectors (LRRs) for ATV (automated transfer vehicle) docking with improved LRRs, (d) installation of an internal Visual Video Target (VVT) and two antennas (WAS1 & 2) for the Proximity Communication Equipment (PCE) with their cabling, (e) removal of a Platan-M detector unit, etc. The spacewalk is nominally expected to last ~5h 42m, with hatch closing at ~8:56 a.m. DC1 will then be repressed from the SM cabin air, first to 260 mmHg for leak checks, then to final 752 mmHg. Orlan-M suits will be doffed at ~9:27 a.m. and hatch to SM opened at ~9:45 a.m. tomorrow morning.

The Station continues to fly in LVLH XVV attitude (local vertical/local horizontal – X-axis in velocity vector, i.e. bow forward), until tomorrow morning (00:45 a.m.), shortly before the EVA-10.

During the spacewalk

3 August

Today’s Orlan EVA-10 by CDR Padalka and FE/SO Fincke was yet another great success for Expedition 9. Spending 4.5 hours outside the Russian segment (RS), the two spacewalkers swapped out experiments and installed new hardware associated with Europe’s ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle). All objectives were accomplished in much less time than expected. [After DC1 airlock hatch opening at 06:58 GMT, 16 min. earlier than planned, Padalka and Fincke proceeded to the aft end of the Service Module (SM). There they replaced the SKK-2 materials exposure experiment with SKK-3 and the Kromka-2 contamination-monitoring device with Kromka-3. They also installed an internal VVT (Visual Video Target) and two antennas (WAS1 & 2) for the PCE (Proximity Communication Equipment) with their cabling, disconnected a cable from a failed outside camera (which will be replaced in the future), replaced three LRRs (Laser Retro Reflectors) for the ATV with newer, improved versions, installed a three-dimensional LRR instead of three older LRRs and removed a Platan-M materials exposure unit.

On returning to the Station, they brought back six old LRRs, Kromka-2, SKK-2 and Platan-M. During the spacewalk, when the U.S. CMGs approached their momentum saturation level (a condition that had been expected) the ISS was temporarily placed in free drift. Later, with the spacewalkers keeping a safe distance, SM thrusters fired to desaturate the CMGs, which afterwards resumed Station attitude control for improved S-band comm. DC1 hatch closure occurred at 11:58 GMT, after 4 h 30 min. This was the 55th EVA in support of ISS assembly/maintenance, the 30th from the Station itself, the fifth for Gennadii Padalka and the third for Mike Fincke.]

After repressurizing the DC1 airlock, the crew opened hatches and reentered the SM. ISS total pressure at this time was about 725-727 mmHg (Torr). According to US/Russian agreement, the compensation for atmosphere losses after the EVA was to be carried out from the US tanks, requiring ~15 kg of nitrogen (N₂) to compensate for air losses. [This brought total pressure back to 750 mmHg, with an oxygen (O₂) content of 22,8%. This post-EVA-10 total pressure provides the required conditions to carry out EVA11 next month. Progress-15 air reserves, after its arrival, shall be used to compensate for atmosphere losses after EVA11, using up the entire amount of air reserves of ~20 kg.] Earlier this “morning”, after wakeup at 6:05pm last night, Padalka and Fincke took another MO-9 urine biochemistry test. A second session with the Urolux equipment was conducted by both crewmembers after the EVA. The CDR then stowed the gear.

Also before the EVA, Mike Fincke reconfigured the U.S. ITCS (internal thermal control system) in the Lab for unmanned operation. [The procedure left String 1 of critical USOS flight electronics be cooled by the LTL (low temperature loop) pump and the string 2 cooled by the MTL (moderate temperature loop) pump. This is done so that an MTL failure does not cause a complete loss of cooling to all USOS avionics.]

Meanwhile, Gennadii Padalka made final preparations in the DC1 and SM PkhO compartments.

After the EVA, Padalka reactivated ISS systems, including restored the DC1 and other RS modules to pre-EVA conditions. He powered up the new Sputnik-SM “Kenwood D700” amateur radio station and reconfigured onboard comm systems for non-EVA activity. All RS systems were to be restored to pre-EVA conditions.

At ~15:50 GMT Mike began reopening of the USOS transfer hatches from the RS, viz., the hatches between Lab and Node, between Node and Lab, Node Stbd (towards the Airlock), and between Node and PMA. Subsequently, the FE will restore the TCS and the OpsLAN.

Bunk time begins later this afternoon at 2:00 p.m./18:00 GMT, to extend till 2:00 a.m./06:00 GMT tomorrow morning, to return the crew to their nominal sleep cycle.

At 11:24 a.m./15:24 GMT, the Station maneuvered from LVLH XVV (local vertical/local horizontal – X-axis in velocity vector, i.e. bow forward) to XPOP (X-axis perpendicular to orbit plane), pitch: 0.8 deg, yaw: −8.0 deg, roll: 0 deg.

Zap!

One potential hazard for spacewalkers while outside is electrical shocks! The ISS’s surface needs to be grounded, as described in this OOR extract:

At 1:20 p.m., both PCUs (plasma contactor units) on the Z1 truss were turned on to Discharge Mode. The PCU is the best currently available means to prevent charge buildup (“static electricity”) on spacecraft structures which accumulates on them when high-voltage photovoltaic arrays (or ion thrusters, electrodynamic tethers, etc.) are operating in space. The station’s two PCUs emit a stream of charged xenon atoms (ions) into space, representing a “ground” to the environment, which prevents large charges from building up on the structure. They are activated for EVAs to prevent potential hazard of arcing damage or electrical shocks, although past measurements have indicated that EVA workers are in no danger of electrical shocks and discharges. The measurements have shown that the PCUs reduce the already low voltage by 3-5 volts.

After the spacewalk

4 August

After yesterday’s successful EVA-10 and a sleep period that ended this morning at 2:00 a.m. EDT, the crew worked post-spacewalk tasks on their Orlan-M spacesuits, checking the water quantity in the cooling water bladders, with refills as required, and removing the BK-3 oxygen (O₂) tanks from the backpacks and the batteries from the BRTA radio telemetry units. Gennady collected the radiation measurements taken by the “Pille-MKS” dosimeter sensors in the two Orlan suits and the static background monitor in the Service Module (SM). The three sensors were then deployed at their regular positions in the Russian segment (RS). [“Pille” has ten sensors normally situated at various locations in the RS (port cabin window, stbd cabin window, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.). Dosage values are called down or downlinked via Regul Paket/Email or OCA.] The CDR set up the Orlan battery-charging unit (ZU-S), then initiated discharge of the two 825M3 Orlan backpack batteries for storage. Padalka set up each of the spacesuits for drying, in turn. Afterwards, the Orlans and their BSS interface control units were returned to their storage in the DC1 docking compartment.

5 August

As additional post-EVA tasks, Padalka terminated the discharging of the 825M3 Orlan backpack batteries, removed the spare portable air repress bottle (BNP) from the DC1 docking compartment’s instrumentation “corridor” and returned the BNP to its storage place in the “divan” of the Soyuz orbital module. [This additional BNP was used as standard safeguard against the contingency of the repress valve to the corridor stuck Closed during the post-ingress repressurization of the DC1.]

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