Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 Sep 2003

By SpaceRef Editor

September 26, 2003

Filed under ISS, ISS On-orbit status, NASA HQ, US

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 Sep 2003 — iss

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below.

After wake-up (2:00am EDT), post-sleep activities and breakfast, the crew spent several hours working in the DC-1 docking compartment and Service Module transfer compartment (SM PkhO) with inspection, checkout and preventive maintenance of the three Russian Orlan spacesuits (#12, #14, #23). There is one Orlan EVA scheduled during the upcoming Increment 8. [After activating the suits, Malenchenko and Lu inspected their interior condition for possible dryout requirement, performed simultaneous degassing of the Orlans and their BSS water loop interface units in DC-1 and PkhO, then degassed hoses and the TOU thermoelectric cooling unit in the PkhO, checked filters, and finally returned all spacesuits and equipment to their previous stowage locations. The tasks were supported by tagup with ground specialists during RGS comm “windows” on Daily Orbits 12-16.]

FE/SO Ed Lu did the visual T+2d analysis of Week 21 water samples, which he had collected on 9/24 from the SRV-K hot tap and the EDV container of the water supply system (SVO-ZV) with the WMK (water monitoring kit). He then entered the microbiological data in the MEC (medical equipment computer). T+5d analysis is not required. [If his analysis showed colony growth above specified limits, Ed was to take digital documentary images.]

CDR Yuri Malenchenko continued downlinking videotaped payload data from the TEKh-20 Plasma Crystal 3 (PK-3) experiment in the SM, today transmitting records obtained on 7/31. [The brief transmissions, via “Telescience” equipment to Russian ground sites (RGS), began on 9/10 and go on over several more TV downlink opportunities.]

Ed Lu conducted another inventory audit of the available CWCs (contingency water containers) and their contents, to keep track of onboard water supplies.

Lu also transferred accumulated water from the condensate collection tank in the Lab to a CWC, after flushing the CWC and preserving the flush water samples with the WMK (water microbiology kit) and WS&A (water sampler and archiver) for subsequent analysis.

Both crewmembers worked out according to their regular daily physical exercise program of 2.5 hrs on TVIS treadmill (aerobic), RED exerciser (anaerobic) and VELO cycle with load trainer.

The SO performed the periodic transfer of accumulated data files from the physical exercise equipment to the MEC (medical equipment computer) via PCMCIA memory card and RED log entries, for downlink on OCA comm.

Later, Ed also transferred the exercise data files of the wrist-band HRM (heart rate monitor) receiver stations to the MEC for downlink, then deleted them on the HRM.

Malenchenko set up the Russian video system for automated downlink (by time-tag commands on the SPP automatic daily timeline system) of the Progress 11P propellant line purging recorded previously. [The video recording of the 8/19 purging/venting of prop lines between Progress M1-10/11P and the DC-1 was downlinked on 9/9 but was received in MCC-M/TsUP in unsatisfactory condition. The transmission was to be repeated today at 12:46 pm EDT.]

Ed Lu conducted the standard 15-min. inspection and servicing of the food warmers in the galley (which is located in the SM). [He was to pay particular attention to the loose silicone noted on the thermostat wires during the last inspection (6/26), the absence of which is acceptable as long as the Teflon insulation remains intact. Food warmers, food trays, utensils, etc., are part of the food preparation hardware of the CSS (crew support systems). The food warmers are in recessed wells in the galley table which also has crew and equipment restraints. Besides the galley, the wardroom area also includes a potable water dispenser (for hot and ambient water for drink and food hydration), a trash container, and two refrigerators.]

The Science Officer performed the periodic cleaning of the VTR-1 (Video Tape Recorder #1) tape heads, after the ground had remotely activated the machine to enable the cleaning. It was subsequently deactivated again. [VTR head cleaning is required after 250 hours operational (power-on) time. It was not required for VTR-2, to prevent unnecessary wear on the heads.]

Malenchenko prepared the daily IMS delta file for automatic export/import to update the database and attended to the daily routine maintenance of the SM SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities). Yuri also conducted the weekly tagup with IMS specialists at MCC-M, discussing open issues concerning identification of items and storage locations.

The crew was commended for doing “an exceptional job” yesterday in evaluating the HRF Ultrasound (USND) payload, its potential limitations and the possibility for performing echocardiography specifically during exercise. [Ground specialists were pleased with successfully receiving imagery, obtaining a sufficient number of heartbeats required to complete cardiac analysis. This will help both future science and Med Ops teams.]

Specialists are also analyzing today and tomorrow the pictures taken by the Science Officer of the successful CBOSS-FDI (Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System/Fluid Dynamics Investigation) run on 9/24. [Purpose of CBOSS-FDI is to evaluate various protocols of mixing in a Tissue Culture Module (TCM) to optimize future mixing operations and to facilitate interactive science with the console staff and PIs (Principal Investigators). TCMs are used as the container for cell cultures grown both on orbit and on the ground. Successful growth of the cell cultures depends on the availability of nutrients to the cells. Incomplete inoculation and mixing could result in some cells receiving insufficient nutrients, and could potentially leave a “clump” of cells, or in the current experiment beads, near the inoculation port.]

The HSG (Houston Support Group) at MCC-Moscow today is running a three-hour command communications simulation/test during which HSR (Houston Support Room) DEC Alpha systems have no access to mission data. There are no impacts to MCC-M or MCC-H.

Today’s CEO (crew earth observation) targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Patagonian Glaciers (two passes. Southern ice fields were clear. Crew was to try for glaciers on the less photographed west [Pacific] side of the Andes), Macau, China (nadir pass), Guangzhou, China (looking a touch right on the Pearl River estuary), Xianggang (Hong Kong), China (looking a touch right on the coast), Cape Town, South Africa (nadir pass), Johannesburg, South Africa (nadir pass), South Asia dust storm (Dynamic event. Major dust event in the region of the earth with the greatest number of dust storms each year. Looking left against the sea, shooting obliques. Dust was reported far inland as well. Varying the exposure [to overexpose slightly] is an effective method to reveal dust loading over land surfaces where contrasts are reduced), Lower Amazon River Basin (ideal sunglint pass with views of the whole estuary), Saharan Dust (Dynamic event. Dust in the central Atlantic: shooting obliques left and right. Outblows of this magnitude transport dust to the western hemisphere every month of the year. Crew was asked to include cloud masses to help confirm location and look direction), High Central Andean Glaciers (looking for ice capped glaciers near nadir), and Lima, Peru (nadir pass).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites

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

You know you live on the ISS when…
…your used food packages could be peddled on EBay for $5000 each. (Upbeat uplink from Flight Control).

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:46pm EDT).

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):

Elektron O2 generator is powered On, 24A (air also being supplied by Progress 12P). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in Manual Mode 5/3). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is off. BMP Harmful Impurities unit: absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.

SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 27.6; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 761; temperature (deg C) — 21.6.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 756; temperature (deg C) — 24.0.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 753.43; temperature (deg C) — 24.4 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 755.32; temperature (deg C) — 24.8; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 753.43; temperature (deg C) — 30.1; shell heater temp (deg C) — 26.1, ppO2 (mmHg) — 152.1; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.3.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.9
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 13.9.

(n/a = data not available)

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in AutoTrack mode (solar tracking, with 45 deg bias for drag reduction).
SM batteries: Battery #7 has been replaced and is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (7) are in “Partial Charge” mode (battery #1 is degraded).
FGB batteries: Battery #6 is disconnected; all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Standby mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is back-up, and C&C-3 is in standby.
GNC-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup.
INT-2 is operating; INT-1 is Off.
EXT-2 is On (primary), EXT-1 is Off (both now upgraded to R3).
LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
PL-2 MDM is Off; PL-1 MDM is Operational.
APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available: 3922 kg (8646 lb) as of 9/18 [SM(755) + FGB(2815) + Progress M(352) + Progress M-1(0)]. (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).
State vector source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Angular rate source — RGA-1

Flight Attitude:

XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = “sun-fixed” [yaw: 0.5 deg, pitch: -9.0 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist).

Communications & Tracking Systems:

FGB MDM-1 is powered Off; FGB MDM-2 is operational.
All other Russian communications & tracking systems are nominal.
S-band is operating nominally (on string 2).
Ku-band is operating nominally.
Audio subsystem is operating nominally (IAC-2 is prime).
Video subsystem operating nominally.
HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.

Robotics:

SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF #2/LEE A, with Keep Alive (KA) power on both strings.
MBS: KA power on both strings.
MT: latched and mated at WS4.
POA: KA power on both strings.
RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is On (DCP connected); Cupola RWS is Off.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:39am EDT [= epoch]):