ISS On-orbit Status 10 Dec 2002
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below.
After further evaluation of all aspects, the Stage EVA scheduled for Thursday was postponed from 12/12 to some time in late January (typically 1/20). None of its timelined tasks are particularly time-critical at this time. [The schedule is being planned such that the spacewalk will be completed before arrival of the next Progress, 10P, which could deliver the new parts for the MSG (microgravity science glovebox). If so, MSG then will have priority for the remaining Expedition 6 increment. Part of the current replanning involves the move of the MT (mobile transporter) on 12/12 from its current position at WS7 (worksite 7) on P1 back to WS4 on S0, to minimize the risk of MMOD (micrometeoroid/orbital debris) damage to its TUS (trailing umbilical system) cables. This risk will be traded off against the risk of moving the MT without EVA support, should it be required, and the “thermal clock” constraint on the MT.]
To fill the schedule gap of the cancelled EVA, work originally planned for later in Increment 6 or even for Expedition 7 is being pulled forward where possible. Planning for the new EVA date includes adjusting originally scheduled PFEs (physical fitness evaluations), new radiation exposure predictions, necessary sleep cycle shifting, and other preparations.
After wakeup this morning at 3:00am EST, the crew started their first in-flight session of the PuFF (pulmonary function in flight) experiment. While CDR Ken Bowersox reviewed the CBT (computer-based training) lesson, FE-2/SO Don Pettit set up and activated the “huff and puff” hardware, followed by its initial calibration. All three crewmembers then are to perform the standard test throughout the day. Pettit finally will power it down. [Today’s activity met the monthly requirement of this test in the continuing investigation of the effects of EVA and long-term micro-G exposure on the pulmonary (lung) function. This lays the groundwork for future experiments which are key to understanding and maintaining crew health. Each monthly PuFF session involves five lung function tests. It utilizes the GASMAP (gas analyzer system for metabolic analysis physiology) in the Human Research Facility, along with a variety of other PuFF equipment such as a manual breathing valve, flowmeter, pressure-flow module, pressure and volume calibration syringes and disposable mouthpieces.]
Yesterday’s successful installation of the metal autoclaves of the ZCG (Zeolite crystal growth) experiment in EXPRESS Rack 2 (ER2) furnace by Bowersox prepares the payload for its first activation next week.
Bowersox performed routine maintenance on the CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion products), which is performed once every 30 days (to conserve battery life) and involves running the instrument for one hour unattended data collection. [The CSA-CP is a passive cabin atmosphere monitor which provides quick response capability during a combustion event (fire). Its collected data are stored on a logger.]
During a Russian comm pass at 6:15am EST, FE-1 Nikolai Budarin worked on the SM’s IK0501 gas analyzer, setting up the IGZ analyzer unit for an O2 (oxygen) readings calibration/correction by the ground. [The device analyzes the air flow pumped through it for humidity (H2O), oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2), and converts its measurements into partial pressure values going to a monitoring laptop and, if they exceed limit values, to the SM‚s caution and warning panel (PSS).]
Budarin also terminated the 24-hr. regeneration cycle for adsorbent bed #2 of the BMP harmful impurities filtration unit. Both filter channels are now back in Purify mode.
All crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise on TVIS treadmill, RED resistive device and VELO cycle with load trainer, and Pettit performed routine inspection on the RED and the periodic retightening of its bolts (if necessary).
Don Pettit completed the daily routine tasks of IMS inventory delta file preparation for downlink and Lab payload status checkup, while Budarin did the regular SOSh life support systems maintenance.
Yesterday’s failure of the Vozdukh CO2 scrubber, caused by a burned out fuse, showed almost the same “signatures” experienced before during 11A, failing in regeneration mode for both BVK vacuum valve packages. [After checking wiring for a possible short, recovery attempts will first restart the system from the initial condition with the restart plan used before and wait for the next shutdown. Initial condition would then not be reestablished, and both BVK vacuum valve units will be checked for failure. Most suspected failure point is the BVK-1 package; if so, it will be replaced with an onboard spare.]
To substitute for Vozdukh, the Lab CDRA (carbon dioxide removal assembly) was activated yesterday and has meanwhile operated nominally for over 17 hours, bringing ppCO2 (CO2 partial pressure) in the station down to 2.5 mmHg.
The “survival mode” PPL (pre-positioned load) software files uplinked on 12/6 with new “load shed” tables, to account for new loads of the S1 and P1 truss avionics, were found to be missing four commands (out of over 200). [Thus, in a load shed situation, three RPCMs (remote power controller modules), controlling heaters, would remain open, amounting to only about 100W. At this time, no procedures change is required.]
The Russian-proposed YVV (y-axis in velocity vector) or “barbecue” flight attitude has been checked out by MCC-H experts and found acceptable. If approved, it would be used from 12/20-12/26, to relieve thermal conditions for Progress during the high Beta angle period.
Today’s targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were L. Nasser, Toshka Lakes; Egypt (nadir pass over the new Toshka lakes just west of Lake Nasser. These new lakes which change by the month as water is pumped into the basins from Lake Nasser), Jet Stream Cloud, Sahara Desert (Dynamic Event. Well formed, relatively unusual linear jet stream cloud stretches from Dakar to N Egypt. Position of the jet marks subsiding air on the north side, and rising wetter air to the south. The energy and visibility of this jet stream is being enhanced by the southward approach of the big storm over Spain), La Paz (Nadir pass; ESC [electronic still camera]. This city occupies the east-side edge of the high Andes plateau, a short distance southeast of easy-to-see Lake Titicaca), High Central Andean Glaciers (exciting possibilities exist for use of handheld cameras in documenting the rapid decline of tropical ice fields on volcanoes and the highest mountain Andean ranges), Tuamotu Archipelago (crew was to shoot islets close to nadir for coral reef mapping project), Chicago, Illinois (nadir pass; ESC), Salt Lake City, Utah (nadir pass; ESC), Baker Island (nadir pass. At 1.4 sq miles, this island is 2.5 times the size of The Mall in D.C. Its coral reefs and surrounding 200-nm exclusion zone enhance its importance), Howard Island (just west of Baker Island. Shots required for global reef mapping project).
