NASA/TM--97-206320

SAMS Acceleration Measurements on MIR

From September 1996 to January 1997

Milton E. Moskowitz and Kenneth Hrovat

Tal-Cut Company, North Olmsted, Ohio

Robert Finkelstein

Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Timothy Reckart

Tal-Cut Company, North Olmsted, Ohio

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Lewis Research Center

December 1997

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SAMS Acceleration Measurements on

Mir from September 1996 to January 1997

November 21, 1997

Milton E. Moskowitz

Tal-Cut Company

North Olmsted, Ohio

Kenneth Hrovat

Tal-Cut Company

North Olmsted, Ohio

Robert Finkelstein

NASA Lewis Research Center

Cleveland, Ohio

Timothy Reckart

Tal-Cut Company

North Olmsted, Ohio

[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 h

Abstract

During NASA Increment 3 (September 1996 to January 1997), about 5 gigabytes of acceleration

data were collected by the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) onboard the Russian Space

Station, Mir. The data were recorded on 11 optical disks and were returned to Earth on STS-81. During

this time, SAMS data were collected in the Priroda module to support the following experiments: the

Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment (MiSDE) and Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests (BCAT). This report

points out some of the salient features of the microgravity environment to which these experiments were

exposed. Also documented are mission events of interest such as the docked phase of STS-81

operations, a Progress engine burn, attitude control thruster operation, and crew exercise. Also included

are a description of the Mir module orientations, and the panel notations within the modules. This report

presents an overview of the SAMS acceleration measurements recorded by 10 Hz and 100 Hz sensor

heads. Variations in the acceleration environment caused by unique activities such as crew exercise and

life-support fans are presented. The analyses included herein complement those presented in previous

mission summary reports published by the Principal Investigator Microgravity Services (PIMS) group.
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

Abbreviations and Acronyms

BCAT

BKV-3

BTS

DMT

EORF

f

C

f

s

go

Hz

LeRC

Pg

MGBX

MIM

MiPS

MiSDE

MRD

PIMS

PSD

RCS

RMS

SAMS

STS

TSH

WWW

K, Yk, 7-k

X_,Y_,Z_

Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests

Vozdukh dehumidifier (Russian acronym)

Biotechnology System

Decreed Moscow Time (year day/hour:minute:second)

Enhanced Orbiter Refrigerator/Freezer

cutoff frequency (Hertz)

sampling rate (samples per second)

Acceleration due to Earth's gravity (9.81 m/s 2)

Hertz

Lewis Research Center

microgravity (1/1,000,000 of go)

Microgravity Glovebox

Microgravity Isolation Mount

Mir Payload Support

Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment

Microgravity Research Division

Principal Investigator Microgravity Services

power spectral density

reaction control system

root-mean-square

Space Acceleration Measurement System

Space Transportation System

triaxial sensor head

world wide web

X-, Y-, Z-Axis for unspecified SAMS sensor head.

X-, Y-, Z-Axis for SAMS TSH A

X-, Y-, Z-Axis for SAMS TSH B

X-, Y-, Z-Axis coordinate system for Mir Base Block.

ii
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 /

Table of Contents

Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ i

Abbreviations and Acronyms ..................................................................................................................... ii

°,,

Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................... m

List of Tables ...................................................................................................... ....................................... iv

List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ iv

Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... v

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1

2. Data Acquisition and Processing ........................................................................................................ 2

3. Mission Configuration ........................................................................................................................ 2

3.1 Mir Configuration ...................................................................................................................... 2

3.2 Mir Coordinate Systems ............................................................................................................ 2

3.3 Mir Attitudes .............................................................................................................................. 3

4. SAMS Triaxial Sensor Head Orientations and Locations .................................................................. 3

5. Experiments Supported ....................................................................................................................... 3

5.1 Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment (MiSDE) ........................................................................ 3

5.2 Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests (BCAT) ........................................................................................ 4

6. Data Analysis Techniques ................................................................................................................... 4

7. Microgravity Environment ................................................................................................................. 5

7.1 Progress Engine Burn ................................................................................................................ 5

7.2 Attitude Control Thrusters ......................................................................................................... 5

7.3 Crew Exercise ............................................................................................................................ 6

7.4 Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests (BCAT) ........................................................................................ 6

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.

9.

Life-Support Fans ...................................................................................................................... 8

Shuttle/Mir Docking .................................................................................................................. 9

Cyclic Broadband Behavior around 90-100 Hz ....................................................................... 10

Spectrogram Analysis of a 24 hour period .............................................................................. 10

Unknown Disturbances: TSH A (fc=100 Hz) .......................................................................... 11

Summary of Findings ....................................................................................................................... 13

References ........................................................................................................................................ 15

Appendices

A. Accessing Acceleration Data via the Internet ................................................................................ A-1

B. SAMS Color Spectrograms for TSH A .......................................................................................... B-1

C. SAMS Color Spectrograms for TSH B .......................................................................................... C-1

D. User Comment Sheet ..................................................................................................................... D-1

°°°

111
SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

List of Tables

Table

Table

Table

Table

1. Tabular representation of Mir module orientations .................................................................... 3

2. Compilation of SAMS Sensor head locations and orientations for various times during

NASA Increment 3 ................................................................................................................. 3

3. Quantification of Strong Spectral Components with BKV-3 Compressor ON ......................... 8

4. Quantification of Strong Spectral Components with BKV-3 Compressor OFF ........................ 8

List of Figures

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

Figure

1. SAMS data coverage for this mission .................................................................................... 17

2. Typical Mir configuration with docked Orbiter ..................................................................... 18

3. Mir module orientations ......................................................................................................... 19

4. Progress Engine Bum: SAMS TSH A (f-100 Hz) - Acceleration versus Time .................... 20

5. Progress Engine Bum: SAMS TSH B (f=10 Hz) - Acceleration versus Time ...................... 21

6. Progress Engine Bum: SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) - Color spectrogram .............................. 22

7. Progress Engine Burn: SAMS TSH B (f=l 0 Hz) - Color spectrogram ............................... 23

8. MiSDE Maneuvering Thruster Firing: SAMS TSH B (f=10 Hz) -

Acceleration versus Time .................................................................................................... 24

9. MiSDE Maneuvering Thruster Firing: SAMS TSH B (f=10 Hz) -

Color spectrogram .............................................................................................................. 25

10. MiSDE Crew Exercise test: SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) - Color spectrogram ...................... 26

11. MiSDE Crew Exercise test: SAMS TSH B (f=10 Hz) - Color spectrogram ........................ 27

12. MiSDE Crew Exercise test: SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) - Acceleration versus time ............. 28

13. MiSDE Crew Exercise test: SAMS TSH B (f=10 Hz) - Acceleration versus time ............... 29

14. Comparison of Power Spectral Densities for periods during BCAT operations

when the BKV-3 compressor was ON versus OFF ............................................................ 30

15. RMS Acceleration for BKV-3 Compressor Fundamental ...................................................... 31

16. Spectral deviation of Life-Support fan fundamental and second harmonic ........................... 32

17. STS-74 Docking: SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) - Color spectrogram ...................................... 33

18. STS-81 Docking: SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) - Color spectrogram ...................................... 34

19. Comparison of PSDs before and after STS-81 Docking: TSH A (f=100 Hz) ...................... 35

20. Comparison of two types of 90-100 Hz broadband disturbances: TSH A (f=100 I-Iz) ......... 36

21. 24 Hour Period: SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) - Color spectrogram ......................................... 37

22. 24 Hour Period: SAMS TSH B (f=10 Hz) - Color spectrogram ........................................... 38

23. Spectrogram of unidentified disturbances during BCAT operations ..................................... 39

24. RMS Accelerations for 40.2 < f < 50.0 Hz and 76.8 < f < 78.5 Hz showing start-up

and stop of unidentified disturbances ................................................................................. 40

iv
SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge a number of people who contributed time and effort to

provide information which was used in this report. We would like to acknowledge the SAMS group

(NASA LeRC) for providing the hardware, and for processing the data from the optical disks to

engineering units. John Blaha performed an exceptional job of operating the SAMS unit, as well as

keeping a logbook of some Significant acceleration events which occurred during his stay on Mir. The

NASA JSC POSA group's daily summaries proved to be an invaluable tool for our analysis of this data.

Dr. Stanislav Ryaboukha (RSC/Energia) has once again proved to be a very important asset, given his

knowledge of the Mir station and much of the onboard equipment. Gene Liberman was invaluable for

his Russian-to-English skills (both verbal and written). We would like to thank Julio Acevedo (NASA

LeRC, SAMS-Mir Project Manager) for his continuing efforts to keep SAMS recording on Mir, and for

insuring that PIMS has access to the Russian experts. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the SAMS

unit aboard Mir for joining the 500,000,000 - mile club, for traveling half a billion miles (and counting)

during its time on Mir.

V

SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

1. Introduction

The NASA Microgravity Research Division (MRD) sponsors microgravity science experiments on

several carriers, which include the Shuttle Orbiter and the Mir Space Station. The MRD sponsors the

Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) at the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) to

support microgravity experiments with microacceleration measurements. The LeRC Principal

Investigator Microgravity Services (PIMS) project supplies principal investigators of microgravity

science experiments and other experiment personnel with data to support the evaluation of the effects of

microgravity on their experiments. PIMS also provides science experiment personnel with the special

composition and magnitudes of on-orbit events such as exercise periods, equipment operation, reaction

control system (RCS) jet firings, etc. to assist in the scheduling of the operation of their microgravity

science experiments.

In 1994, a SAMS unit [1] was installed on the Mir Space Station to support U.S. and Russian

microgravity experiments by measuring the microgravity environment during experiment operations.

Previous reports [2-6] have summarized and evaluated the SAMS data acquired during the period from

September 1994 to September 1996.

During the period from September 1996 to January 1997, the SAMS primary function was to support

two experiments: Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests (BCAT) and the Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment

(MiSDE). SAMS data were recorded during the operations of both BCAT and the MiSDE. Included in

the data SAMS recorded in support of MiSDE and/or BCAT are mission events that are of interest in

characterizing the microgravity environment of the Mir, such as:

- Progress engine burn

- Attitude control thruster firing

- Crew exercise

- Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests

- Life-support fans

- Shuttle/Mir docking

- Cyclic broadband behavior

This report provides an overview of the SAMS data recorded during the period from September 1996 to

January 1997.

Appendix A describes the procedures that users should follow to access SAMS data via anonymous

FTP, over the internet. Appendix B (available on the CD-ROM and WWW) contains plots of the SAMS

TSH A (100 Hz) sensor head data, and Appendix C (available on the CD-ROM and WWW) contains

plots of the SAMS TSH B (10 Hz) sensor head data. Appendix D contains a user comment sheet, which

users are encouraged to complete and return to the authors.

This entire report is also available on the attached CD-ROM and on the WWW in PDF format.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 2.1 or higher will be neccasary to open and/or print these files.
SAMSACCELERATIONMEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

2. Data Acquisition and Processing

As noted in previous reports [2°6], the SAMS unit on Mir is connected to two triaxial sensor heads

(TSHs) with different cutoff frequencies and sampling rates. TSH A has a cutoff frequency of 100 Hz,

and a sampling rate of 500 samples per second. TSH B has a cutoff frequency of 10 Hz, and a sampling

rate of 50 samples per second. During NASA Increment 3, the SAMS unit was turned on periodically to

record microgravity accelerations in support of MiSDE and/or BCAT.

Eleven optical data disks were returned to Earth on STS-81, marking the completion of NASA

Increment 3 in January 1997. These data were processed by the SAMS project at LeRC and placed on a

NASA LeRC file server (beech.lerc.nasa.gov) to make them available to users. Appendix A of this

report provides instructions for accessing these data.

SAMS data coverage for this mission is shown in Figure 1. It should be noted that for January 15

and 17 of 1997 (DMT 1997 days 15 & 17), the MiPS time synchronization was offby 23 hours, 54

minutes, and 30 seconds (almost 1 day). Therefore, the SAMS data which appears to be from days 16

and 18 are really from days 15 and 17. The data is still valid, but care must be taken when looking at the

time.

3. Mission Configuration

3.1 Mir Configuration

Mir is a third generation Russian Space Station with roots that date back to 1971 space stations that

could not be resupplied or refueled. The Salyut Stations of the late 1970s to early 1980s were

predecessors to the Mir Station [7]. The Mir has been in orbit since February 1986 [8], and in the years

since then, modules have been added until the Mir reached its present configuration of six modules. The

current Mir Space Station consists of the Mir core module, the Kvant, Kvant-2, Kristall, Spektr

(currently depressurized and uninhabitable), and Priroda Modules; it measures more than 107 feet in

length with the docked Progress-M and the Soyuz-TM spacecraft and is about 90 feet in width across the

modules [9]. Figure 2 shows a typical configuration of the Mir Space Station during the time covered by

this report.

3.2 Mir Coordinate Systems

The Mir Space Station's basic coordinate system is that of the base module coordinate system that is

shown in Figure 2. Each of the modules of the Mir station has its own coordinate system, which is based

upon its orientation with respect to the Mir Core Module. The determination of the coordinate system is

made by a simple procedure. If you "stand" in any module, such that your feet are on the floor, and you

are facing towards the transitional node of the Base Block, then the coordinate system of that module is

defined by the right hand rule, such that the direction you are facing is +Xmoauw the direction from your

feet to your head is +Y_,,,au_,,and the direction from your left to right is +Zdu w Figure 3 shows a

graphical representation of these coordinate systems for the nominal Mir configuration (consistent with

that shown in Figure 2). Table 1 shows a tabular representation of Figure 3.

2
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 71

Table 1: Tabular representation of Mir module orientations

+XB +Zgsistan -XKvant +Ygvant-2 "Zorir_a -Yspek,r

+Ya -Ygristail +Y,,:v+., -XKvant+2 -Yp_,,.._ -{- Xspek.tr

+Zn -{-X K.nslall -Zgvant +ZKvanl- 2 -Xprm_da "{-Zspektr

3.3 Mir Attitudes

The orientation attitudes of the Mir Space Station during the period from September 1996 to January

1997 are not known at this time. It is known, however, that the Mir attitude control jets are fired

periodically to reorient Mir.

4. SAMS Triaxial Sensor Head Orientations and Locations

The SAMS TSHs are mounted to either the Mir structure or to an experiment. The TSHs can also be

moved to other locations as required. Table 2 shows the TSH orientations and locations for the times

during NASA Increment 3.

Table 2: Compilation of SAMS Sensor head locations and orientations for various times during

NASA Increment 3

l)ate_ 1) 117" 1996 l).v II,Muh" 1"_'11 7"'411 !I

17 June 1996

27 November 1996

169

332

Priroda

Priroda

MIM

X_^=+Z_o_

Yh,A=+Xpn,oa.

Zb.^=+Y_

BTS

Xh.^=-Y_,,k

Yb.^=+X_

Z_.^=+Z_,_,

MGBX

X_=+Y_,,o_

Y_ =-X_

Z_ =+Zr.,o,.

MGBX

x_ B=+Yp,,.o_

Y_ =-X_o_

Z_ =+Z_,.

5. Experiments Supported

5.1 Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment (MiSDE) [ 10]

In order to mitigate the risks associated with the construction of the International Space Station,

researchers will use the results from MiSDE to characterize the loads on the Mir Space Station and to try

to determine how the Mir structure responds to vibration forces.
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 Ii

5.2 Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests (BCAT) [11]

BCAT enabled researchers to study the long-term behavior of binary colloidal alloys without being

subjected to the gravitational forces that ground-based experiments experience. Binary colloidal alloy

crystals take longer to form than single particle crystals. This long-duration Mir mission enabled

researchers to process samples designed for both rapid, and slow growth. The slow growth regions of

these crystal alloys have not been previously investigated in a long-term orbital mission.

6. Data Analysis Techniques

SAMS data are generally presented and plotted in one of several forms for evaluation: acceleration

versus time, power spectral density (PSD) versus frequency, and spectrogram (PSD versus frequency

versus time). The form used depends on what aspect of the data is of interest.

Acceleration versus time plots are used to display the microacceleration levels recorded by the

SAMS sensor head. These data could then be used by experiment personnel to correlate time-specific

experiment results with the measured microgravity environment. This form of data display gives the

most time-accurate representation of the microgravity environment.

A plot of the interval average acceleration in units of g versus time gives an indication of net

accelerations which last for a number of seconds equal to or greater than the interval parameter. Shorter

duration, high amplitude accelerations can also be detected with this type of plot. However, the exact

timing and magnitude of specific acceleration events cannot be extracted, a plot of the interval rootmean-square acceleration in units of g versus time gives a measure of the oscillatory content in the

acceleration data. For the period of time considered, this quantity gives an indication of the timeaveraged power in the signal due to purely oscillatory acceleration sources.

Power Spectral Density (PSD) calculations and plots are used to examine and display the frequency

content of SAMS data during relatively short periods of time (on the order of seconds to minutes).

Analysis times may be chosen based upon some specific event or experimental run. The mathematics

used to transform the time-domain SAMS data to the frequency domain are described in [12].

The PSD has units of (units of original function)VHz. For SAMS data, these units are g2/Hz. This

method for computation of the PSD is consistent with Parseval's Theorem, which states that the RMS

value of a time signal is equal to the square root of the integral of the PSD across the frequency band

represented by the original signal [ 11]:

XRM S = x 2(t)dt = PSD(f)clf

4
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBE R 1996 TO JANUARYI 1997 II

Spectrograms are analogous to 3-dimensional plots, but in this instance the third dimension is color,

so all the data can be presented on a 2-dimensional plot. Spectrograms can be used to evaluate how the

microgravity environment varies in intensity with respect to both the time and frequency domains. A

description of how data are manipulated to produce a spectrogram is contained in [12].

7. Microgravity Environment

7.1 Progress Engine Burn

As part of the Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment (MiSDE), the SAMS unit was activated to

record a firing of the Progress vehicle's engine, while the vehicle was docked to Mir. Firings of the

Progress engine have been used in the past to raise Mir's altitude [6], as well as to perform specific

experimental objectives, as was the case with this firing. Figures 4 and 5 show 1 second interval

averages of SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz), and TSH B (f=10 Hz) data, respectively. These figures indicate

that the primary result of this firing was an acceleration in the +Zh, A, and +Zh. B directions. Using Table 1

and 2, it may be seen that the transformations for both of these directions yield an acceleration in the -X B

direction. This is consistent with a Progress vehicle docked to the Kvant module, as is illustrated in

Figures 2 and 3. Both of the acceleration plots show a dc-offset of approximately 400 lag. The duration

of this firing was just under 6.5 minutes.

Figures 6 and 7 show color spectrograms of the SAMS TSH A and TSH B data, respectively. Notice

the increased signal strength in the period from t=l 1 to t=17 minutes. Specifically, there is an increase

in the acceleration magnitude around the structural mode frequencies (approximately at 0.5, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0,

1.3, 1.9, and 4 Hz). Excitation of structural modes is a common occurrence when acceleration

disturbances such as thruster firings and exercise occur. The cause for the second excitation of structural

modes (between t=27 and 32 minutes) is unknown.

7.2 Attitude Control Thrusters

In addition to the engines on the Progress vehicle, the Mir station also has attitude control thrusters,

which are used for attitude maintenance. These thrusters were fired on 30 December 1996 as part of the

Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment (MiSDE) tests. Figure 8 shows a plot of acceleration versus time

for SAMS TSH B (f=10 Hz), for a time period spanning the event. The acceleration peaks visible on

the Xh.Band Yh.8 axes around t=26, 27, 28, 30, and 33 minutes in the plot are believed to be caused by the

thruster firings. The cause for the acceleration increase at t=19 minutes, and subsequent decrease at

t=34 minutes is unknown.

Figure 9 shows a color spectrogram of the same time period. Notice the increase in overall energy in

the t=19 to 34 minute region, as well as the broadband increases (vertical stripes tending towards red)

which occur at times coincident with the data peaks noted above. The cause for the frequency

excitations at 1.38, 2.42, 3.11, 3.60, 4.06, 4.90, 5.40, 6.18, 7.29, 7.86, 9.63 Hz are unknown. These may

be related to a "firing frequency" within the thruster system (i.e. if the thrusters are pulsed, as has been

seen on the Shuttle Orbiter). Their source, however, is unknown.

5
SAMSACCELERATION MEASUREMENTSONMIR FROM SEPTEMBER1996TO JANUARY 1997

The appearanceof someof thesedisturbancefrequencies(particularlythe2.42and4.90Hz signals)

resemblescrewexercise.However,this isunlikely,as[13] doesnotmentionthatexerciseshouldbe

performedduringthisMiSDE experiment.No explanationfor thissimilarity canbeofferedat thistime.

7.3 Crew Exercise

SAMS was activated to record the acceleration environment which resulted during a crew exercise

period as another part of the Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment (MiSDE) tests. Since the MiSDE

tests were designed to gain insight into the Mir structure, and the impact of a variety of activities on the

structure, exercise (running on a treadmill) is an effective way to excite the vehicle's structural modes so

that they may be studied.

For this test, SAMS was located in the Priroda module (as shown in Table 2). The treadmill exercise

was performed in either the Base Block, or the Kristall module. Figures 10 and 11 show color

spectrogram plots of SAMS TSH A and B data, respectively, for a time period encompassing this test.

Notice the increased magnitude of structural mode resonance (0.67, 0.85, 1.07, 1.36 and 1.88 Hz)

around t=6 to t=25 minutes in these plots. This structural excitation is a consequence of the crew

member's exercise. Also notice the 2.7, 4.0, and 4.3 Hz signals which alternately appear and disappear

between t=7 and t=21 minutes in the plot. It is believed that these result from higher exertion levels (i.e.

faster running). The "off" times for these signals could indicate the use of the expander devices, or of a

primary exercise frequency which is very close to one of the excited structural modes of the station.

A plot of acceleration versus time may be seen in Figures 12 and 13 for SAMS TSH A and B,

respectively. Figure 13 shows the acceleration signal's periodicity quite clearly in all three axes. Such

regular periodicity is indicative of treadmill-type exercise. Since the SAMS unit was located in a

module other than that where the exercise was conducted, SAMS is recording the response in Priroda to

treadmill exercise conducted in either the Base Block, or in the Kristall module. It is important to stress

that these measurements are the results of the exercise which were transmitted (via a structural path) to

the SAMS sensor head locations.

7.4 Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests (BCAT)

The formation of binary colloidal crystal alloys is inherently slow. The Mir space station provides

the opportunity for studying the long-term behavior of binary colloidal alloys in a reduced gravity

environment. The reduced-gravity environment offers investigators the ability to study these materials

while the effects of sedimentation and buoyancy are minimized. This experiment consisted of placing a

number of colloidal alloy samples (covering a wide range of concentrations) into the BCAT apparatus

housed in the microgravity glovebox (MGBX) facility, which is located on the 200-plane of the Priroda

module.

6
SAMSACCELERATIONMEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER1996TO JANUARY 1997

Thesesampleswereallowedto processfor days,while still photographsof thesesamplesweretaken

periodicallyto documentanychangesin appearance[14,15]. DuringNASA Increment3, theSAMS

recordedover190hoursof accelerationdatain supportof theBCAT. Theserecordingsspannedthe

majority of DMT 1996274/18:30through285/20:30.Duringthistime,SAMSTSH A (f = 100Hz)

wasmountedto theMicrogravityIsolationMount (MIM), 400-plane,andSAMSTSH B (f= 10Hz)

wasmountedto theunder-sideof theMicrogravityGlovebox(MGBX), 200-plane,in thePriroda

module.

As seenin thefirst 37figuresofAppendixB [16,17],themicrogravityenvironmentduringBCAT

operationsin the0.01to 100Hz rangewasdominatedby theomnipresentlife-supportequipment

disturbancesin the40to 45Hz andthe80to 90Hz ranges.Occasionally,asambienthumidity

conditionsdictated,theBKV-3 compressor,partof adehumidifiersystemin theCoreModule, was

turnedon. Thisimpartssignificantdisturbancesata fundamentalfrequencyof approximately24Hz

alongwith its 2 nd - 4 th harmonics. As a means of displaying the relative distribution of the energy with

respect to frequency for these disturbances, Figure 14 shows PSDs which were computed using Welch's

method [18] for times when the BKV-3 compressor was on (the red trace) and for times when it was off

(the blue trace), over the majority of the period spanning DMT 1996 274/18:30 through 285/20:30. The

traces shown are comprised of the spectral averages of PSDs computed approximately every minute for

the times when the compressor was on (spectral average of 3,101 intervals) and when the compressor

was off (spectral average of 6,816 intervals). The row of arrows at the bottom of the plot point to the

BKV-3 compressor's signature (spectral peaks at about 24, 48, 72, and 96 Hz on the red trace). Further

information about the BKV-3 compressor may be found in [6].

It is also interesting to note that in Figure 14, the microgravity environment below about 20 Hz or so

is somewhat less intense for the compressor-off intervals (blue trace) than for the compressor-on

intervals (red trace). This is due primarily to the fact that, for these intervals, the compressor was

running only during periods when the crew was awake. Crew activity tends to heighten the response in

this region of the spectrum (below 20 Hz or so). Another difference between the PSDs appears at around

80 Hz. The compressor-on PSD shows more of a heightened response spread over frequencies in the

79.5 to 81.5 Hz range. This is attributable to a rogue spectral peak that wanders within this range while

the compressor is running. Figure 15 of Appendix B [16,17] shows the start-up of this activity just after

DMT 1996 278/09:10, and Figure 33 of Appendix B [16,17] clearly shows this rogue spectral peak

riding just above 80 Hz, and stopping as the compressor cycles off just after DMT 1996 284/19:40. The

exact cause of this disturbance is unknown other than it is somehow tied to the BKV-3 compressor

operation. Another interesting trait of the BKV-3 compressor is the periodicity of its intensity. Figure

15 shows that the RMS acceleration of this disturbance varies with a period of approximately 92 minutes

(6 cycles in 9.2 hours), which is nearly the orbital period of Mir [19]. The fundamental frequency does

not vary significantly during this time, only the intensity in the 23.9 to 24.4 Hz region.

7
I SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 Ii

In order to quantify the contribution of the primary microgravity disturbance sources during BCAT

operations, the PSDs shown in Figure 14 were integrated over some frequency ranges of interest. The

results of these calculations are tabulated below. Table 3 shows values calculated when the BKV-3

compressor was on, and Table 4 for when it was off. The first column in these tables specifies the

frequency band considered. The second column displays the gRMSvalue for the band. The third column

shows the mean-square acceleration for the band (the square of the second column), the fourth column

shows the percent contribution for the given frequency band to the overall mean-square acceleration

value in the 0.01 to 100 Hz range and the fifth column shows the disturbance source. The frequency

range for the last row of each table is the remainder of the spectrum not accounted for in the previous

five rows.

Table 3. Quantification of strong spectral components with BKV-3 Compressor ON:

0.01 - 100.00 2.86e-03 8.16e-06

23.84 - 24.31 1.32e-03 1.74e-06

47.71 - 48.42 6.33e-04 4.00e-07

71.99 - 72.60 1.87e-04 3.51e-08

96.14 - 96.68 1.69e-04 2.84e-08

39.51 - 40.41 2.09e-03 4.35e-06

balance in 0.01 - 100 1.26e-03 1.60e-06

100.00

21.38 BKV-3 compressor

(fundamental)

4.90 BKV-3 compressor

(2nd harmonic)

0.43 BKV-3 compressor

(3rd harmonic)

0.35 BKV-3 compressor

(4th harmonic)

53.34 Life-support fans

19.60

Table 4. Quantification of strong spectral components with BKV-3 Compressor OFF:

0.01 - 100.00 2.42e-03 5.88e-,06 100.00

23.84 - 24.31 1.34e-05 1.78e- 10 <0.01 Ambient

47.71 - 48.42 1.93e-05 3.74e-10 <0.01 Ambient

71.99 - 72.60 3.21e-05 1.03e-09 0.02 Ambient

96.14 - 96.68 9.55e-05 9.12e-09 0.16 Ambient

39.51 - 40.41 2.10e-03 4.40e-06 74.91 Life-support fans

balance in 0.01 - 100 1.21e-03 1.46e-06 24.91
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 II

7.5 Life-Support Fans

Note from Tables 3 and 4, the large contributions of the life-support fans around 40 Hz to the overall

microgravity environment. Reference [6] has shown that the signal in the 40 Hz region is comprised of a

number of discrete frequency contributions. This suggests there are a number of fans, all operating in a

narrow frequency region. These fans were on for the duration of BCAT operations. On occasion, the

fundamental frequencies and 2 _ harmonics deviate from their nominal values of about 40 and 80 Hz,

respectively. An example of these spectral deviations is shown in Figure 16. It is not known what

caused these variations, but changing loads on the station's power system may play a role.

7.6 Shuttle/Mir Docking

Previous PIMS Mission Summary Reports have documented the microgravity environment of the

Shuttle/Mir complex, with data being recorded in the Kristall module of Mir [4,5,6], and in the

SPACEHAB double module of the Shuttle Atlantis [20]. The docking of Atlantis during STS-81

provided the opportunity to record the docking event while the SAMS unit was located in the Priroda

module of Mir. The change in the environment due to the docking of the shuttle is markedly different in

the Priroda module, as compared with that previously recorded in the KristaU module.

Figure 17 shows a color spectrogram of SAMS data, acquired in the Kristall module during the

STS-74 docking of Atlantis. Notice the appearance (hard-dock around t=22 minutes) of a red/yellow

horizontal line at 17 Hz, and the yellow signature in the 20-22 Hz region, which turns on and off. These

disturbance sources are the 17 Hz dither of the Orbiter's Ku-band communication antenna, and the

Enhanced Orbiter Refrigerator/Freezer (EORF) located in the forward middeck locker. This plot shows

that acceleration disturbances on one vehicle (Atlantis) can be transferred to the other vehicle (Kristall

module of Mir). In addition to these higher frequency disturbances, also notice the change in structural

modes (under about 5 Hz) around t=22 minutes. These new modes are a result of two independent

vehicles forming a single vehicle, once the hard-mate was established. It should be noted that the

Shuttle docks into the KristaU module's docking adapter, and the SAMS unit was located in the Kristall

module for this data acquisition (i.e. the contact point and recording locations were close together).

Figure 18 shows a similar color spectrogram (created with the same spectrogram parameters), but

this data was recorded in the Priroda module, and supported the STS-81 docking of Atlantis. The hardmate of the two vehicles occurred around t=26 minutes into this plot. Notice the addition of a 3.75 Hz

signal around t=26 minutes into the plot. The spectrogram shows an apparent absence of the 17 Hz and

20-22 Hz signals after the hard-mate of the vehicles.

9
SAMSACCELERATION MEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

Figure 19 shows a comparison of PSDs computed for the period prior to the docking (DMT 1997

015/06:35:30 - 015/06:54:30, red trace), and after the docking event, while the vehicles were docked

(DMT 1997 015/07:01:30 - 015/07:20:30, blue trace). Both of these periods are 19 minutes in length,

and spectral averaging [ 18] was used to compute these PSDs. Notice that the "while docked" trace

shows a 17 Hz peak that is not shown in the "before docked" trace. Also evident in this figure is the

broadband increase in the 2-11 Hz region after the hard-mate was established. Notice that the PSD

shows some structural mode shifts and additions, due to the Orbiter. The comparison of the PSD traces

is a more precise method by which the microgravity environment of the Shuttle/Mir complex may be

distinguished from that of the Mir station itself.

Comparing the data from the two dockings, it may be seen that the microgravity disturbance

additions due to the Shutde Atlantis are more noticeable in the Kristall module than in the Priroda

module. This conclusion is not unexpected, as it seems obvious that a location farther from a

disturbance source will register the source at a lower level.

To help quantify this conclusion, typical levels recorded aboard the Shuttle for the Ku-antenna dither

range from 40-100 gg_tsin the 16.92 - 17.12 Hz region. The STS-74 docking transferred 61.2 lXg_stO

the SAMS recording location in KristaU. The STS-81 docking transferred 0.5 _tg_a s to the SAMS

recording location in Priroda.

7.7 Cyclic Broadband Behavior around 90-100 Hz

While the SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) sensor head was located on the MIM locker front door, a

cyclical broadband disturbance source was recorded in the 90-100 Hz frequency range. The color

spectrogram (Figure 2 in Appendix B [16,17]) shows this disturbance clearly. Notice the recurrent

changes from signal type 1 (green and yellow) to signal type 2 (yellow and red). A comparison PSD

may be seen in Figure 20, showing PSDs computed from separate 20-minute intervals, plotted on the

same graph. Notice that signal type 1 is more intense in the 90-95 Hz region, and signal type 2 is louder

in the 95-100 Hz region. This switching in the signals is seen throughout the data recorded in the MIM

location, and may also be seen in [6]. When the sensor head was relocated to the BTS location and data

recorded (see Figure 38 in Appendix B [16,17]), there is no further evidence of either of these two signal

types. This lack of evidence could be due to the short recording times at the BTS location (typically 30-

60 minutes in duration) obscuring the event of interest.

Since this cyclic behavior continues throughout crew sleep periods, it is unlikely that it is related to

activity of the MIM facility (as the facility would have most likely been turned-off during sleep periods).

Given the constant-on nature of these two signals, it is possible these are related to a life-support or

similar "always on" system on Mir (or more specifically, in Priroda). If so, then their lack of appearance

at the BTS location (assuming that the short recording times didn't prohibit their detection) suggests that

the acceleration transfer path does not include the BTS panel. This is a prime example of how

accelerations may transfer to one location, but not to another.

10
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

7.8 Spectrogram Analysis of a 24 hour period

The microgravity environment of a vehicle in a low-Earth orbit (such as Mir) is a complex

phenomenon. Many factors can introduce acceleration disturbances, such as experiment operations, life

support equipment and crew activity. Other contributions to the overall environment include

aerodynamic drag, gravity gradient and rotational effects of the craft's motion around the Earth. These

other contributors (all in the low-frequency regime) are not accurately measured by SAMS, and are

excluded from further discussions.

Since the higher-frequency disturbances (equipment operation, crew activity, etc.) are not all active

at the same time (not all of the on-board experiments are powered-up at the same time), the higherfrequency acceleration regime is very dynamic, and is dependent upon what equipment is operating at

any given time. For this reason, no single day's worth of data can truly represent the total environment,

but the analysis of the accelerometer data with respect to day-to-day operations can yield a number of

interesting observations.

Figures 21 and 22 show SAMS color spectrograms for a 24 hour period (DMT 1996 277/00 -

278/00), for TSH A (f=100 Hz), and TSH B (f=10 Hz), respectively. Note that the colorbar limits for

these two plots are not the same, so a direct color-to-color comparison would be invalid. Some features

to note (some of which have been discussed p/'eviously in this report) include the BKV-3 compressor

(24 Hz and harmonics), life-support systems (40 Hz and harmonics), structural modes (most noticeable

in the frequency regime below 2 Hz), crew exercise (the specific frequencies depends on crew member

and type of exercise, but usually causes increased structural mode excitation), and the unknown cyclic

broadband behavior in the 90-100 Hz region.

Figure 21 shows that the BKV-3 compressor was turned-on a little after 10 am (DMT), and was

turned-off a little before 7 pm (DMT). Other features to note are the crew exercise between the DMT

hours of 12 - 14 and between 18 - 20. These two periods (afternoon and evening) of exercise, and the

multiple exercise activities within each period (3 distinct activities for the first period, and 2 activities for

the second period) show that each crew member may exercise multiple times in a single 24-hour period.

Figure 22 shows a significantly quieter low-frequency environment between hours 0 - 8 (DMT 1996

277/00 - 277/08). This time period corresponds with crew sleep, when microgravity disturbances caused

by crew-supervised experiments, and crew activity in general, are minimal to non-existent. Although

this quieter period may also be seen in Figure 21, Figure 22 shows it much more clearly, since this figure

concentrates the focus on the frequency regime below 10 Hz. Some disturbances are seen in Figure 22

which are not believed to be typical of the Mir microgravity environment. These include the ramping

frequency from 6 Hz at DMT 1996 277/00:00 to 10 Hz at DMT 1996 277/02:30, and the 7.5 and 8 Hz

traces from DMT 1996 277/10 - 277/18. All of these signals are of unknown origin.

11
SAMSACCELERATIONMEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

7.9 Unknown Disturbances: TSH A (f=100 Hz)

The correlation of accelerometer data with known events can be a difficult task, especially with

little-to-no timeline information. Even detailed timeline information is not always sufficient, as

experiment-induced acceleration disturbances are not necessarily all concentrated during turn-on and

turn-off times. Further, timelines usually list only experiments, but not power cycling to Mir systems

(such as life-support fans, dehumidifiers, CO 2 removal systems, etc.). As exact information is virtually

impossible to obtain, the origin of many microgravity disturbances remains unknown. This section will

attempt to characterize some (but not all) of these unknown events.

Figure 7 in Appendix B [16,17] shows two events of unknown origin. The first is an unusually large

number of broadband disturbances (vertical yellow and/or red stripes) between DMT 1996 276/09:40

and 276/11:20. The second is a signal which starts around 65 Hz at DMT 1996 276/10:20, and

decreases exponentially until it disappears at 57 Hz around DMT 1996 276/12:08.

Figure 22 in Appendix B [16,17] shows two unknown signals. The first starts around 70 Hz at DMT

1996 280/08:20, and decreases to approximately 56 Hz when data recording ceased shortly after DMT

1996 280/11:00. The second signal begins around 42 Hz, and increases to 45 Hz in the time period from

DMT 280/09:30 through the end of data recording. Since these signals start at different times, they are

believed to be independent phenomenon, and not directly related to each other. Of course, if they are

different aspects of a single operation or experiment, then they could be related, but having different

origins.

Figure 23 in Appendix B [16,17] shows a signal which appears to be recording similar to the lower

frequency signal mentioned above. The signal is present at 42 Hz when data is turned-on around DMT

1996 282/10:45, and increases in frequency to 45 Hz, when it abruptly ceases around DMT 1996

282/11:30.

Figure 24 in Appendix B [16,17] shows a signal starting at DMT 1996 282/17:05 around 98 Hz.

This signal slowly increases to just over 100 Hz, and abruptly stops at DMT 1996 282/18:35. The

sudden appearance of this signal is coincident with a "slight deviation" in a known life-support

frequency around 44 Hz, showing along with a "'slight deviation" in its harmonic around 84 Hz. The

initial appearance of this signal looks similar to compressor turn-on signals which have been previously

studied by the PIMS group [6,21,22]. The turn-off of this signal appears to correspond with another

(similar looking) "slight deviation" in the 44 and 88 Hz signals. This 98-100 Hz signal may be related to

the life support systems (due to the coincident turn-on and turn-off times), but no definite conclusions

can be reached at this time.

Figures 32, 33, and 35-37 in Appendix B [16,17] show a signal of unknown source which varies

from about 79 to 81 Hz. The signal seems to stem from the 80 Hz life-support fan harmonic, and seems

to only be active during active periods of the BKV-3 (24 I-lz water dehumidifier) compressor. For

example, variations in the 80 Hz signal begin with the start of the 24 Hz BKV-3 pump in Figure 32, and

abruptly cease with the end of the BKV-3 use in Figure 33. Similar on-off correlation may be seen by

analyzing Figures 32-37 in Appendix B [16,17]. It is possible that this 79-81 Hz variable signal is a

harmonic of a signal in the 40 Hz region.

12
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 II

Figure 49 in Appendix B [16,17] shows a number of intermittent disturbances in the 85-93 Hz

region. In fact, these signals have been intermittent in much of the previously recorded data (Figures 38-

49), although the gaps are much more noticeable in Figure 49 due to the longer duration of this data

period. These signals are of unknown origin, but have only appeared in the SAMS data recorded at the

BTS location (panel 122), and not from the data recorded at the MIM location (400 plane). Whether or

not this disturbance is localized is unknown, but it appears that there is no transmission path from the

source to the sensor head at the MIM location.

An unidentified sequence of events took place around the following times: DMT 1996 276/01,

278/01,284/21,284/23, and 285/17. Figure 23 is representative of this series of events. As seen, five

strong disturbances at approximately 40.6, 42.2, 43.8, 45.4, and 47.1 Hz started at about DMT 1996

276/00:46:42 and lasted for slightly less than 40 minutes. These are somewhat variable in frequency and

are accompanied by a pair of strong disturbances at about 77.5 Hz that appear just before the 20 minute

mark and just after the 50 minute mark, lasting for approximately 1.5 minutes each, and separated by

about 32 minutes.

As shown in Figure 24, when the 5 disturbances in the 40.2 to 50 Hz range are present, the g_s level

in this frequency range more than doubles, going from about 430 I.tgv.Msto about 1,100 ggRMS" Similarly,

when the brief disturbance at around 77.5 Hz is present, the g_s level in the 76.8 to 78.5 Hz range

increases by nearly six times, going from about 68 lagr_ s to about 400 ggPa_s" The origin of these

disturbances is as yet unknown, but the start times relative to crew sleep periods suggest unattended

operations (i.e. they occur during crew-sleep periods).

One other significant unknown appears at least 8 times during the time frame from DMT 1996

274/18:30 to 285/20:30. It is a transitory spectral peak at about 19 Hz and is seen in Figure 4 of

Appendix B [16,17], starting just before DMT 1996 275/15:00. It has a nominal duration of about 4.5

minutes and the RMS acceleration imparted is 40-50 lagv.MSin the 19.3 to 19.6 Hz frequency range.

8. Summary of Findings

This report presents analyses of the SAMS data recorded on the Mir Space Station from September

1996 to January 1997. During NASA Increment 3, the SAMS supported both MiSDE and BCAT.

The firing of the Progress vehicle engine while the vehicle was attached to Mir produced

accelerations in the +Zh. A, and +Z_ directions of approximately 400 lag for the 6.5 minute duration of the

engine bum. Both Zh-axes correspond to the -X s axis.

During the Mir attitude control thruster firing in support of MiSDE, acceleration peaks exceeding

1000 lag were seen, primarily, on the Xh,Band Yh.s plots. A color spectrogram of this event showed an

increase in overall during this event.

13
SAMSACCELERATION MEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER1996TO JANUARY 1997

A color spectrogramof crewtreadmillexerciseshowedthatanumberof structuralmodesbelow2

Hz wereexcited.Also, frequenciesof 2.7,4.0,and4.3Hz appearedanddisappeareduringtheexercise

period. Thesefrequenciesareassumedto becausedby fasterrunningonthetreadmill. Plotsof

accelerationversustimeclearly showtheperiodicity of theaccelerationsignalsin all threeaxes.This

regularperiodicity is indicativeof treadmill-typeexercise.

DuringBCAT operations,themicrogravityenvironmentin the0.01to 100Hz rangewasdominated

by life-supportequipmentdisturbancesin the40 to 45Hz and80to 90Hz ranges.Occasionally,when

ambienthumidityconditionsdictated,theBKV-3 compressor, which is part of the Core Module

dehumidifier system, turned on. Compressor operation results in significant disturbances at a

fundamental frequency of about 24 Hz along with disturbances at the 24 and 4 _ harmonics.

The docking of STS-81 provided the opportunity to record the event with the SAMS installed in the

Priroda module instead of in the KristaU module as had been done during previous missions. The color

spectrogram of the STS-81 Shuttle/Mir docking shows that a disturbance of 3.75 Hz occurred,

coincident with the hard-mate of the vehicles. The spectrogram did not show the appearance of the

17 Hz dither of the Orbiter's antenna or the LSLE R/F frequency of 20-22 Hz. A PSD plot of before and

after docking shows the presence of a weak 17 Hz signal, as well as increased amplitudes in the 2-11 Hz

region after the hard-mate. Under some circumstances, a PSD plot comparing the environment before

and after an event may reveal information about the microgravity environment that a color spectrogram

does not readily show.

When the SAMS TSH A sensor head was attached to the MIM locker front door, a cyclical

broadband disturbance in the 90-100 Hz was clearly seen in color spectrograms. As was shown using a

PSD plot, the 90-100 Hz range was divided into two signal types: signal type 1 was more intense in the

90,95 Hz region, and type 2 was more intense in the 95-100 Hz region. When the sensor head was

moved to the BTS location, neither signal type was in evidence. This suggests that either the recording

at the BTS location was not of sufficient duration to observe this disturbance, or the BTS panel was not

in the transfer path of the disturbance. The latter being true would illustrate how acceleration

disturbances can be measured at one location, but not another.

The color spectrogram of a 24-hour period showed that low frequency disturbances were

significantly less intense during the crew sleep period than during crew awake periods. The 24 Hz

frequency and harmonics of the Mir BKV-3 compressor and the 40 Hz frequency and harmonics of Mir

life-support systems are clearly seen. Previous analyses of SAMS data have shown these disturbances to

be present in the Kvant, Kristall, and Priroda modules, and it is believed that these disturbances occur

station-wide. PIs with experiments that are sensitive to microgravity disturbances at these frequencies

should use caution about running such experiments on Mir without vibration isolation.

14
SAMSACCELERATIONMEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER1996TO JANUARY 1997

Correlatingaccelerometerdatawith knowneventscanbea difficult task,duein part to alackof

detailedtimelineinformation. However,detailedtimelineinformationis notthewholesolution,as

timelinesusuallylist experimentstartandstoptimesonly,andnot powercyclingto Mir on-board

equipmentandsystems.On thisMir mission,a numberof disturbancesof unknownorigin were

recordedby theSAMSTSHA sensorhead.A significantdisturbancewasobservedat 19Hz. All of

thesedisturbanceshavebeenexamined,andin somecasespossibleoriginsof thedisturbancehavebeen

suggested.As datafrom futuremissionsareexaminedanddatafrom pastmissionsre-examined,

solutionsto thesepuzzlesmaybecomeapparent.

9. References

[1] DeLombard, R. and Finley, B. D. (Sverdrup Technology, Inc.): Space Acceleration

Measurement System Description and Operation on the First Spacelab Life Sciences

Mission. NASA TM-105301, 1991.

[21 DeLombard, R. and M. J. B. Rogers: Quick Look Report of Acceleration Measurements on

Mir Space Station during M-16. NASA TM-106835, 1995.

[3] DeLombard, R., S. B. Ryaboukha, M. Moskowitz, K. Hrovat: Further Analysis of the

Microgravity Environment on Mir Space Station during Mir-16. NASA TM-107239, June

1996.

[41 DeLombard, R., K. Hrovat, M. Moskowitz, and K. McPherson: SAMS Acceleration

Measurements on Mir from June to November 1995. NASA TM-107312, September 1996.

[5] DeLombard, R.: SAMS Acceleration Measurements on Mir from November 1995 to March

1996. NASA TM-107435, April 1997.

[61 Truong, D., M. Moskowitz, K. Hrovat, and T. Reckart: SAMS Acceleration Measurements

on Mir from March to September 1996. NASA TM-107524, August 1997.

[7] URL: http://shuttle-mir.nasa.gov/ops/mir

[8] URL: http://shuttle.nasa.gov/sts-81/orbit

[9] URL: http:l/shuttle-mir.nasa.gov/shuttle-n'fir/opslmir/mirdesc.html

[10] URL: http:/_shutt_e-mir.nasa.g_v/shutt_e-mir/science_shuttrr_r/shutn_lr/exp_fls_issmisde.htm_

[11] URL: http:llshuttle.nasa.gov/sts-79/orbitlpayloadsllife/rrflcbcat.html

[12] DeLombard, R.: Compendium of Information for Interpreting the Microgravity Environment

of the Orbiter Spacecraft. NASA TM-107032, August 1996.

15
SAMSACCELERATION MEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER1996TO JANUARY 1997

[13] Radiogram #2848, uplinked to crew.

[ 14] http:__shutt_e-rrdr.nasa.g_v_shutt_e_mir/science/shuttmir/m22n3_br__hure/micr_gra.htm_

[ 15] http:/_shutt_e-r_r.nasa.g_v_shutt_e-rnir/science/shuttmir/shutnf1r/micr_exp.htm

[16] http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/WWW/MMAP/PIMS/HTMLS/MS Rs/MIR_3/MIR_3.html

[17] Moskowitz, M., K. Hrovat, R. Finkelstein, T. Reckart: SAMS Acceleration Measurements on

Mir from September 1996 to January 1997. NASA TM-206320, November 1997.

Attached CD-ROM.

[18] Rogers, M. J. B., K. Hrovat, K. McPherson, M. Moskowitz, T. Reckart: Acceleration Data

Analysis and Presentation Techniques. NASA TM-113173, September 1997.

[19] http://www.osf.hq.nasa.gov/mir

[20] Rogers, M.J.B., M. Moskowitz, K. Hrovat, T. Reckart: Summary Report of Mission

Acceleration Measurements for STS-79. NASA CR-202325, March 1997.

[21] Hakimzadeh, R., K. Hrovat, K. McPherson, M. Moskowitz, M.J.B. Rogers: Summary Report

of Mission Acceleration Measurements for STS-78. NASA TM-107401, January 1997.

[221 Rogers, M.J.B., R. DeLombard: Summary Report of Mission Acceleration Measurements

for STS-65. NASA TM-106871, March 1995.

16
SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

.. _ _LT.'5--55--.- .........................

00:00

Day (d/m/y)

268 (24/9/96)

274 (30/9/96)

.....................

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276 (2l_!_0__/96)

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Legend: I_ SAMS TSH A & B recorded • • • STS docked with Mix

Figure 1. SAMS data coverage for this mission.

17
SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

Z B

X B

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®

1) U.S. Space Shuttle

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4) Kvant II module: scientific

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18
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 |

ZPr°gress YPriroda

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Figure 3. Mir module orientations.

19
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 b

rI,_dA. 100.0m DMT Start at 361/12:00:57.378 Mtg-1996

f_ 500.0 _amples pet" _ S/k_MS Coordumtes

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Figure 4. Progress Engine Burn: SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) Acceleration versus Time.

20
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 II

HeadB, 10.0rlz DMT Start at 361/12:00:57.378 MIR-1996

f_= 50.0 samples per _:¢cond SAMS Cooldinates

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21
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24
SAMSACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

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I SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 II

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28
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 Ii

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29
SAMSACCELERATIONMEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

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I

Appendix A: Accessing Acceleration Data via the Internet

SAMS data are available over the internet from the NASA LeRC file server "beech.lerc.nasa.gov".

Previously, SAMS data were made available on CD-ROM, but distribution of data from current (and

future) missions will be primarily through this internet file server.

SAMS data files are arranged in a standard tree-like structure. Data are first separated based upon

mission. Then, data are further subdivided based upon some portion of the mission, head, year (if

applicable), day, and finally type of data file (acceleration, temperature, or gain). Effective November 1,

1996, there has been a minor reorganization of the beech.lerc.nasa.gov file server. There are now two

locations for SAMS data: a directory called SAMS-SHUTTLE and a directory called SAMS-MIR.

Under the SAMS-SHUTTLE directory, the data are segregated by mission. Under the SAMS-MIR

directory, the data are segregated by year. The following figure illustrates this structure.

pub

I I I I

SAMS-SHU'ITLE OARE SAMS-MIR USERS UTILS

MIR_1995 MIR_1996 MIR_1997

!

i i I I

MIR_1996_l MIR_1996_2 MIR_1996_3 MIR_1996_30

I

I I I

readme.doc summary.doe heada

I

I

gain

I

headb

I I I

awhere.doc year1996 ainterva.doc

I

I I I

day 125 day 1.27 day 128

I I

accel temp

t i

axr12723.16r avr12723.16r azr12723.16r

The SAMS data files (located at the bottom of the tree structure) are named based upon the contents

of the file. For example, a file named "axm00102.15r" would contain head A data for the x-axis for day

001, hour 02, file 1 of 5. The readme.doc files give a complete explanation of the file naming

convention.

Data access tools for different computer platforms (MS-DOS, Macintosh, SunOS, and MSWindows) are available in the/pub/UTILS directory.

A-1
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

The NASA LeRC beech file server can be accessed via anonymous File Transfer Protocol (ftp), as

follows:

1) Open an ftp connection to "beech.lerc.nasa.gov"

2) Login as userid "anonymous"

3) Enter your e-mail address as the password

4) Change directory to pub

5) List the files and directories in the pub directory

6) Change directories to the area of interest

7) Change directories to the mission of interest

8) Enable binary file transfers

9) Use the data file structures (described above) to locate the desired files

10) Transfer the desired files

If you encounter difficulty in accessing the data using the file server, please send an electronic mail

message to "pims@lerc.nasa.gov". Please describe the nature of the difficulty and also give a

description of the hardware and software you are using to access the file server. If you are interested in

requesting specific data analysis or information from the PIMS team, also send e-mail to

pims@lerc.nasa.gov or call the PIMS Project Manager, Due Truong at (216) 433-8394.

A-2
SAMSACCEI_ERATIONMEASUREMENTSON MIR FROM SEFD-_MBER1996TO JANUARY 1997

Appendix B: SAMS Time Histories and Color Spectrograms TSH A

The Principal Investigator Microgravity Services (PIMS) group has further processed SAMS data to

produce the plots shown here. This appendix presents power spectral density versus frequency versus

time (spectrogram) plots of SAMS TSH A (f=100 Hz) data.

Color spectrograms are used to show how the microgravity environment varies in intensity with

respect to time and frequency. These spectrograms are provided as an overview of the frequency

characteristics of the SAMS data. Each spectrogram is a composite of 6 hour's worth of data. The time

resolution used to compute the spectrograms seen here is 16.384 seconds. This corresponds to a

frequency resolution of 0.0610 Hz.

These data were collected at 500 samples per second, and a 100 Hz lowpass filter was applied to the

data by the SAMS unit prior to digitization. Prior to plot production, the raw SAMS data were

compensated for gain changes, and then de-meaned. De-meaning was accomplished by analyzing

individual sections with a nominal length of 30 minutes. Since this de-meaning operation operates on

time periods longer than the plot's time resolution, an artificial dc component may be seen in the

extreme lower frequency regime of these spectrograms. Since these are data processing artifacts, the

low frequency regime (f<0.05 Hz) should be ignored. Users who are interested in further details for

either of these operations are encouraged to contact the PIMS group.

Power Spectral Density versus Frequency versus Time Calculations

In order to produce the spectrogram image, Power Spectral Densities were computed for successive

time intervals (the length of the interval is equal to the time resolution). For the PSD computation, a

Hanning window was applied. In order to combine all three axes into a single plot to show an overall

level, a Vector-Magnitude (VM) operation was performed. Stated mathematically:

VM k = _/PSD_k + PSD2yk + PSD_,.

By imaging the base 10 logarithm (log_0) magnitude as a color and stacking successive PSDs from

left to right, variations of acceleration magnitude and frequency are shown as a function of time. Colors

are assigned to discrete magnitude ranges, so that there are 64 colors assigned to the entire range of

magnitudes shown.

The colorbar limits are chosen in order to maximize the data value and visibility in a given set of

spectrogram plots. Data which fall outside of these limits will be imaged as either the highest or lowest

magnitude, depending on which side they have saturated. For this report, less than 1% of the total points

lie below the lower limit, and less than 1% of the total points lie above the upper limit. If an area of

interest seems to be saturated, care should be taken in that the actual values may lie above or below the

color mapping shown on the plot.

B-1
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 h

Due to the nature of spectrograms, care should be taken to not merely read a color's numeric value as

being the acceleration magnitude that is present at a given frequency. In order to get this type of

information, the PSDs must be integrated between two frequencies. These frequencies (lower and

upper) form the band of interest. The result of this integration is the g_s acceleration level in the

[f_ow_, f,,m-_] band. The PIMS group is able to provide this type of analysis on a per-request basis.

Plot gaps (if any exist) are shown by either white or dark blue areas on the page. Care should be

taken to not mistake a plot gap (represented by a blue vertical band) with a quiet period. If a plot gap

exists for an entire plot (or series of successive plots), a comment is placed on the page to let the user

know there is a gap in the data. These "No data are available" comments will not show exact times for

which the data are not available, but will only indicate missing plots.

Contacting PIMS

To request additional analysis or information, users are encouraged to send an e-mail to

pims @lerc.nasa.gov, or FAX a request to (216) 433-8660.

B-2
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997

Appendix C: SAMS Time Histories and Color Spectrograms TSH B

The Principal Investigator Microgravity Services (PIMS) group has further processed SAMS data to

produce the plots shown here. This appendix presents power spectral density versus frequency versus

time (spectrogram) plots of SAMS TSH B (f=10 Hz) data.

Color spectrograms are used to show how the microgravity environment varies in intensity with

respect to time and frequency. These spectrograms are provided as an overview of the frequency

characteristics of the SAMS data. Each spectrogram is a composite of 6 hour's worth of data. The time

resolution used to compute the spectrograms seen here is 40.960 seconds. This corresponds to a

frequency resolution of 0.0244 Hz.

These data were collected at 50 samples per second, and a 10 Hz lowpass filter was applied to the

data by the SAMS unit prior to digitization. Prior to plot production, the raw SAMS data were

compensated for gain changes, and then de-meaned. De-meaning was accomplished by analyzing

individual sections with a nominal length of 60 minutes. Since this de-meaning operation operates on

time periods longer than the plot's time resolution, an artificial dc component may be seen in the

extreme lower frequency regime of these spectrograms. Since these are data processing artifacts, the

low frequency regime (f<0.05 Hz) should be ignored. Users who are interested in further details for

either of these operations are encouraged to contact the PIMS group.

Power Spectral Density versus Frequency versus Time Calculations

In order to produce the spectrogram image, Power Spectral Densities were computed for successive

time intervals (the length of the interval is equal to the time resolution). For the PSD computation, a

Hanning window was applied. In order to combine all three axes into a single plot to show an overall

level, a Vector-Magnitude (VM) operation was performed. Stated mathematically:

VM k=_PSD2 +PSD2y,+PSD_ .

By imaging the base 10 logarithm (log 10) magnitude as a color and stacking successive PSDs from

left to right, variations of acceleration magnitude and frequency are shown as a function of time. Colors

are assigned to discrete magnitude ranges, so that there are 64 colors assigned to the entire range of

magnitudes shown.

The colorbar limits are chosen in order to maximize the data value and visibility in a given set of

spectrogram plots. Data which fall outside of these limits will be imaged as either the highest or lowest

magnitude, depending on which side they have saturated. For this report, less than 1% of the total points

lie below the lower limit, and less than 1% of the total points lie above the upper limit. If an area of

interest seems to be saturated, care should be taken in that the actual values may lie above or below the

color mapping shown on the plot.

C-1
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 II

Due to the nature of spectrograms, care should be taken to not merely read a color's numeric value as

being the acceleration magnitude that is present at a given frequency. In order to get this type of

information, the PSDs must be integrated between two frequencies. These frequencies (lower and

upper) form the band of interest. The result of this integration is the gRuS acceleration level in the

t[f_o*cr'fum_ ] band. The PIMS group is able to provide this type of analysis on a per-request basis. J

Plot gaps (if any exist) are shown by either white or dark blue areas on the page. Care should be

taken to not mistake a plot gap (represented by a blue vertical band) with a quiet period. If a plot gap

exists for an entire plot (or series of successive plots), a comment is placed on the page to let the user

know there is a gap in the data. These "No data are available" comments will not show exact times for

which the data are not available, but will only indicate missing plots.

Contacting PIMS

To request additional analysis or information, users are encouraged to send an e-mail to

pims@lerc.nasa.gov, or FAX a request to (216) 433-8660.

C-2
[ SAMS ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS ON MIR FROM SEPTEMBER 1996 TO JANUARY 1997 /

Appendix D: User Comment Sheet

We would like you to give us some feedback so that we may improve the Mission Summary Reports.

Please answer the following questions and give us your comments.

1. Do the Mission Summary Reports fulfill your requirements for acceleration and mission information?

Yes No. If not why not?

Comments:

2. Is there additional information which you feel should be included in the Mission Summary Reports?

Yes No. If so what is it?

Comments:

3. Is there information in these reports which you feel is not necessary or useful?

Yes No. If so, what is it?

Comments:

4. Do you have intemet access via: ( _ )ftp ( _ )WWW (

already accessed SAMS data or information electronically?

Yes No

Comments:

)gopher ( )other? Have you

Completed by: Name:

Address:

Telephone

Facsimile

E-mail addr

Return this sheet to:

Duc Truong

NASA Lewis Research Center

21000 Brookpark Road MS 500-216

Cleveland, OH 44135

or

FAX to PIMS Project: 216-433-8660

e-mail to: pims@lerc.nasa.gov.

D-1


REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE FormApprov_

OMB No. 0704-0188

put_c mp(xt_g burdenfor this ¢oaentionof informationis estimated to average 1 hour per response,includingthe time lot reviewing instrtctions,searchingmdstingdata sources,

_g_g and maintainingthe data needed, and COml:)k_ngand rev_ew_tgthe collectionof information. Send comments regardingthis burdenestimateor any other aspect of this of infocm_ion,includingsuggsetionsfor reducingthis burden, to WashingtonHeadquartersServices, Directoratefor Infomlation Operatiensand Repo¢ts,1215 Jefferson

Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington.VA 22202,.4302. and to the Office of Management and Budget,PaperworkReductionProject(0704-0188), Washington. DC 20503.

1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED

December 1997 Technical Memorandum

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS

SAMS Acceleration Measurements on MIR From September 1996

to January 1997

6. AUTHOR(S)

Milton E. Moskowitz, Kenneth Hrovat, Robert Finkelstein, and Timothy Reckart

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lewis Research Center

Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191

9. SPONSORING/MONITORINGAGENCYNAME(S)ANDADDRESS(ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, DC 20546-0001

WU-963-60-0D-00

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

REPORT NUMBER

E-11015

10. SPONSORiNG/MONITORING

AGENCY REPORT NUMBER

NASA TMm97-206320

11. SUPPLEMENTARYNOTES

Robert Finkelstein, NASA Lewis Research Center; Kenneth Hrovat, Milton E. Moskowitz, and Timothy Reckart, Tal-Cut

Company, 24831 Lorain Road, Suite 203, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070. Responsible person, Robert Finkelstein, organization code 6727, (216)433--5274.

12a. DISTRiBUTION/AVAiLABILITY STATEMENT

Unclassified - Unlimited

Subject Categories: 18, 20, and 35 Distribution: Nonstandard

This publication is available from the NASA Center for AeroSpace Information, (301) 621-0390,

12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE

l& ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)

During NASA Increment 3 (September 1996 to January 1997), about 5 gigabytes of acceleration data were collected by the

Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) onboard the Russian Space Station, Mir. The data were recorded on 11

optical disks and were returned to Earth on STS-81. During this time, SAMS data were collected in the Priroda module to

support the following experiments: the Mir Structural Dynamics Experiment (MiSDE) and Binary Colloidal Alloy Tests

(BCAT). This report points out some of the salient features of the microgravity environment to which these experiments

were exposed. Also documented are mission events of interest such as the docked phase of STS-81 operations, a Progress

engine burn, attitude control thruster operation, and crew exercise. Also included are a description of the Mir module

orientations, and the panel notations within the modules. This report presents an overview of the SAMS acceleration

measurements recorded by 10 Hz and 100 Hz sensor heads. Variations in the acceleration environment caused by unique

activities such as crew exercise and life-support fans are presented. The analyses included herein complement those

presented in previous mission summary reports published by the Principal Investigator Microgravity Services (PIMS)

group.

14. SUBJECT TERMS

Microgravity environment; SAMS; Shuttle; Orbiter; MIR; NASA increments;

Acceleration measurement

17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION l& SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF REPORT OF THIS PAGE OF ABSTRACT

Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified

15. NUMBER OF PAGES

58

16. PRICE CODE

20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT

NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89)

Presc_bed by ANSI Std. Z39-18

298-102