NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 30 October 2003
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously or below
Before breakfast, both crewmembers completed their first session of
the periodic Russian medical experiment protocols PZEh-MO-7 (calf
volume measurement) and PZEh-MO-8 (body mass measurement). FE Alex
Kaleri set up the MO-8 “scales” equipment and later broke it down and
stowed it away. [Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the
IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using
the knee and lower foot as fixed reference points, to provide a rough
index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of
countermeasures. For determining body ass in zero-G, where things are
weightless (but not massless), the Russian IM “scales” measure the
inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a mass
driven by two helical metering springs with known spring constants.
By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the unknown mass
(the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the
crewmember’s mass is calculated by the computer and displayed].
Still before breakfast, Kaleri underwent the periodic Russian MedOps
test MO-10 “Gematokrit”, which determines the red blood cell count
(hematocrit) of his blood. Science Officer Mike Foale assisted by
performing the blood draw from his finger with a perforator lancet.
[The samples were then centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the
M-1100 kit’s minicentrifuge and its hematocrit value was read off the
tubes with a magnifying glass. The samples were packed for return.
It is a well-known phenomenon of space flight that red blood cell
count (normal range: 30-45%) tends to go down over time, probably as a
function of (rich) oxygen partial pressure in the onboard atmosphere.]
The two crewmembers had an hour scheduled for station familiarization
and acclimatization, as is standard daily rule for the first two weeks
after starting station residency.
In the SM, Sasha completed the periodic servicing task of changing out
ASU toilet system equipment. [This involved two receptacles (PR &
MP), four hoses, a T-connector, an elbow fitting, an indicator and a
filter insert (F-V). A drawing was uplinked to facilitate component
identification. The old units were stowed for disposal.]
Both crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise program on
TVIS treadmill and VELO cycle with load trainer.
Foale performed the weekly and monthly TVIS maintenance/inspection as
well as the scheduled maintenance of the RED.
At the medical equipment computer (MEC) in the Lab, the CDR set up the
new software for the heart rate monitor (HRM) and installed it in the
laptop.
Foale completed his first weekly filling out of the FFQ (food
frequency questionnaire), which keeps a log of his nutritional intake
over time on the MEC.
Mike’s planned file downloading on the (human research facility)
rack’s RIC (rack interface controller) laptop was deferred.
The Primary C&C MDM (command & control computer) was transitioned to
Standby today by ground commanding to load it with the same PPLs
(prepositioned loads) and patches that were loaded to the two other
C&C MDMs yesterday.
Sasha performed his regular weekly inspection of the BRPK
air/condensate water separator system. He also conducted the routine
technical maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life
support system, incl. the toilet equipment (ASU), and prepared the
daily IMS “delta” file for automatic export/import to update the
database.
Mike conducted the regular weekly inventory audit of the available
CWCs (contingency water containers) and their contents, to keep track
of onboard water supplies.
In support of ground simulator camera model validation, MCC-H
remote-controlled the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System)
and MBS (Mobile Base System) mast cameras. Downlinked video will be
used to more closely match upthe simulator camera eye points with the
real hardware. [Power-up was planned for about 10:00am to restore
Keep Alive (KA) power to the Prime string of the SSRMS, followed by
camera controlling from 3:20pm – 5:50pm. The MSS (Mobile Service
System) was then to be turned off by the ground.]
An enhancement (strengthening) of the continuing energetic solar
particle event arrived yesterday afternoon at ~4:00pm EST (the
strongest event since 14 years). Flux levels from GOES satellite are
rapidly increasing, and have the potential to stay elevated for 24-72
hours. In addition, we are currently experiencing a large geomagnetic
storm, which will have the effect of enhancing those areas of the
vehicle orbit, which are susceptible to increased exposures. New
projected times of the passage through high geomagnetic latitude for
today were uplinked (subject to some variation based on changes in the
environment and to be updated as appropriate as the event continues).
During these periods, the crew stays in the higher-shielded locations,
viz., the aft end of the SM and the TESS (temporary sleep station) in
the Lab.
Due to the high-energy solar event that started on 10/28, the MSS is
required by Flight Rule (FR) to be powered off on the Prime string,
remaining on Keep Alive (KA) power on the redundant string. But the
FR also specifies that SSRMS and MBS thermal constraints take
precedence over ionization radiation constraints (because if a heater
should fail while in the single string KA config, the element
corresponding to the failed heater will fall below its thermal
survival limits and will be damaged). To provide temperature insight
while not exposing the system at higher radiation risk, a compromise
was developed which places the MBSin dualstring KAduring periods the
ISS is shielded from energetic Solar Proton Events, and go to single
string KA prior to entering orbital periods when ISS is exposed to
high radiation levels.
The increased solar activity also increases orbital drag, causing
currently a somewhat larger altitude loss of the ISS.
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, and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark
200-year memorial locations, were Lake Nasser, Toshka Lakes, Egypt
(changes continue in Egypt’s far south, west of Lake Nasser, in the
New Valley development. Twenty million people are expected to be
resettled around the new lake located nearest to Lake Nasser, and new
agricultural fields can be seen along its shores. Other new lakes
further out in the desert were unintended: These water bodies fill
shallow depressions whose connection to the first lake was not known
from the relatively crude maps available at the time of planning.
Images are needed to update existing views that document the expansion
of both lakes and agricultural lands), Dallas, Texas (good opportunity
to see the whole metroplex at nadir and just right of track), and
Wildfires, Southern California (Dynamic event: Thirteen fires in four
counties. Fire-related deaths are up to 16, with 2000 homes
destroyed. Firefighting conditions improved briefly as hot Santa Ana
winds changed to cooler onshore flow with occasional rain. Variable
winds today are worsening conditions. Smoke plumes are heading SE
towards Mexico. Recent pictures of thick smoke plumes from Increment
7 are being prepared for NASA’s popular Earth Observatory website (see
below), which displays a weekly astronaut picture).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at
http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/
U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:47pm EDT).
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
- Elektron O2 generator is powered On, 17A. Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in Manual Mode 5/3). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Operating in single-bed mode after failure/shutdown. TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is off (in Life Extending Mode). 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) — 27.3; ppO2 (mmHg) — 161.0; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.7.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 767; temperature (deg C) 20.9.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 772; temperature (deg C) — 22.7.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 761.7; temperature (deg C) — 23.6 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 763.4; temperature (deg C) — 24.2; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 763.5; temperature
- (deg C) — 27.8; shell heater temp (deg C) — 23.9, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 25.0
- PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 13.7.
(n/a = data not available)
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
- Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and
- 4B both in Directed Position (non-suntracking).
- SM batteries: Battery #8, formerly known as #7, is off (still in slot #8); all other batteries (7) are in “Partial Charge” mode (batteries #1 and #3 are degraded).
- FGB batteries: Batteries #1 is off; 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-2 MDM is prime, C&C-1 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-1 MDM is Off; PL-2 MDM is Operational.
- APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
- SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational; string #2 dropped out 9/26.
- SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational; string #3 dropped out 10/22.
Propulsion System:
- Total propellant load available: 3856 kg (8501b) as of 10/23 [SM(755) + FGB(2749) + 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:
- LVLH YVV (y-axis in velocity vector, i.e. flying “sidewise”) [yaw: -90 deg, pitch: -8.9 deg., roll: 1.8 deg]), with CMG Momentum Management.
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, IAC-1 is suspect).
- 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 afternoon, 3:17pm EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 379.5 km
- Apogee — 383.9 km
- Perigee — 375.1 km
- Period — 92.1 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0006529
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.63
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 150 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 28141
- For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html
