XA/EVA Project Office Weekly Activity Report November 15, 2001

STS-108/UF-1 EVA Delta COFR2:

A Delta EVA COFR2 was conducted to review the EVA readiness for STS-108/UF-1 installation of the Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) blankets. This review was held because the content of the EVA was decided at SORR, and after the EVA Project Office COFR2. Two major items were discussed, the first was worksite access, with the second being solar array positioning. For worksite access, all affected organizations agreed that with the remaining NBL run and some minor changes to the existing plan, the crew would be ready to perform the blanket installation task. For solar array positioning, safety reported that they were working on a plan to allow the motor to stay energized during the EVA. This plan was in agreement with the ops community desire for the motor to remain powered.

MT Energy Absorber

The Mobile Transporter Energy Absorbers (MT EA) have been assembled and are undergoing Certification and Acceptance Testing. Current schedule supports completion of these activities to support a December 3, 2001 delivery to KSC. To date the MT EA has passed the Life Cycle and Thermal Tests, with a Vibration Test being the only major test remaining. Vibration Test is scheduled to be complete by Friday, November 16, 2001. At the completing of vibration testing the certification documentation will be finalized and the hardware shipped to KSC for integration.

ISS-3 EVA #3 (RS EVA #4)

The Increment 3 crew performed their third scheduled EVA on Monday, Nov 12. During the initial depress of DC-1, a leak at the DC-1/PXO hatch was observed. Mikhail Tyurin (IVA crew) reopened the hatch, wiped the seals, and re-secured the hatch, which resolved the problem. Vladimir Dezhurov (EV1) and Frank Culbertson (EV2) accomplished all planned objectives during the EVA. Planned objectives included connection of high and low frequency passive Kurs connections, inspection and photography of the partially deployed port Service module solar array, Strela checkout, and the installation of a tether between the egress ladder and Service module to assist translation. Functional tests performed on the passive Kurs system indicated that they are functioning nominally, the connections mated via EVA were successful. The initial results of the solar array inspection indicate that a mission nut and connecting rod at the base of the array are responsible for the partial deployment. The unofficial time for the EVA is 5 hours and 6 minutes.

EMU ISS Logistics

The EVA Project Office participated in a Tiger Team to determine potential options that could be used to solve an EMU logistical concern relative to Increment 4 ISS crew sizing. This team presented their findings/options to the 11/8/01 Joint Program Requirements Control Board (JPRCB). The four options which were presented to the JPRCB were: 1) Contingency EVA’s performed by a Shuttle IVA crewmember on 9A, 2) Launch three EMU’s on flight 9A, 3) Hard Upper Torso (HUT) Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) changeout during docked 9A operations, and 4) Leave four EMU’s on Station between flights 8A and 9A. The Shuttle contingency EVA, if required, would be performed by one of the IVA crewmembers. Approximately 60 hours of EVA contingency training will be added to this crewmember’s training schedule to accommodate this option. The programs decided on option 4 as the primary path to address this concern.

G. Allen Flynt

Manager