ISS On-Orbit Status 11 Apr 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below.  Space Day 139 for Expedition 6 (since STS-113 launch on 11/23/02).

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin conducted another session with the Russian MedOps cardio experiment MO-1 (Study of the Bioelectric Activity of the Heart at Rest), with Don Pettit assisting as CMO (crew medical officer). [During the test, the data of the Gamma-1M ECG (electrocardiogram) were recorded for later downlink.]

Budarin also performed more preventive maintenance in the FGB, today replacing its ten smoke detectors (IDZ-2), which have reached the end of their certified lifetime.  They are subunits of the FGB fire detection and suppression system (SPOPT).  [The FGB has nine IDZs in the instrumentation cargo compartment (PGO) and one in the pressurized adapter (GA), docked to PMA-1 (pressurized mating adapter 1) and the Node.  These 184 x 130 x 102 mm units work by first ionizing air molecules inside their charge chamber with a small amount of radioactive material and then measuring the conductivity of the air.  Air conductivity is reduced if it contains smoke particles, and the detectors trip at preset conductivity levels.  Last replacement of the 10 IDZs was on 5/13/02 by Yuri Onufrienko, and one of the units had been removed since then due to failure.]

CDR Kenneth Bowersox and FE-2/SO Don Pettit successfully conducted the second Robotics operation this week.  [Their operations began at about 10:45am with the “fast checkout” of the Tip LEE (latching end effector) which could not be performed yesterday because the needed SSRMS redundant string was unpowered due to power constraints.  They then executed a ten-step single joint maneuver to move the arm into position to grapple MBS PDGF1 (mobile base system power & data grapple fixture #1), after which SSRMS switched its “base” from the current Lab PDGF to MBS PDGF1 for subsequent performance of a series of LEE operations to complete remaining LEE OCRs (on-orbit checkout requirements).  As final task, the arm was maneuvered to the FMS (force moment sensor) data gathering position #2.  This placed theTip LEE in a specific orientation which provides desired lighting conditions to collect FMS data.  The latter were collected by the ground at ops completion.]

Nikolai Budarin worked on the Russian payload laptop 3, terminating the cycling process of its two batteries, first one, later the other.

FE-2/SO Don Pettit activated the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) for a second day of operations with the InSPACE (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions) payload, today running tests 26 and 25.  [Purpose of InSPACE is to obtain basic data on magnetorheological (MR) fluids, a new class of “smart materials” or controllable fluids which can provide a quiet, rapid-response interface between mechanical components and electronic controls.  This makes them interesting for new brake systems, seat suspensions, robotics, clutches, airplane landing gear and vibration damping systems.  The experiment studies the formation of three-dimensional microstructures from the small magnetic particles in these fluids under the influence of pulsed magnetic fields inside the experiment coil assemblies, in which the MR fluid is contained in small precision rectangular borosilicate glass vials.]

VTR-2 (video tape recorder #2) is experiencing problems with playback. VTR-1 was used for recording today‚s InSPACE ops.  VTR-2 troubleshooting is underway.

CDR Kenneth Bowersox performed a lens change on the EarthKAM system at the Lab window, going from 50mm to the 180mm-lens configuration. [EarthKAM deactivation and stow is scheduled for 4/14 (Monday) and re-setup and activation for 4/25 (Friday).  EK images can be viewed on the Internet at
http://datasystem.earthkam.ucsd.edu/cgi-bin/datasys/ek_images_station .]  

The Russian Flight Engineer performed more observation and photography with the Russian GFI-8 Uragan (“hurricane”) program, as cloud cover permitted, using the Nikon D1 digital camera (f400 and f800 lens).  Images from the CompactFlash card were later to be downlinked via Regul packet mail.  [Areas of interest today were cities in northern Iraq (to record environmental damages caused by burning oil wells), the Kara Kum canal, long-range shots of the main Karatau fault, Irtysh River flood plain, Central Altai mountains, Kolka glacier north of Kazbek volcano, Chirkeisk reservoir, and the Temirtau pits.]

Pettit switched EMU batteries for capacity-preserving discharge, terminating the process on the first and initiating it on the second battery.

Bowersox meanwhile worked a lengthy task on the cardiac defibrillator system which required troubleshooting.  [Using a UOP (utility outlet panel) power source and a voltage/current scopemeter, in part 1 of the IFM (in-flight maintenance) he was to determine if the defibrillator is leaking current from its battery when not in use.  Part 2 of the procedure was then to ascertain if the defibrillator’s battery charger is functioning properly.]

Budarin terminated the bake-out/regeneration cycle for adsorption bed #2 of the BMP micropurification unit and switched it back to Purify mode.  Both BMP channels are now again running in this mode.  [The regeneration of the air purifier filter beds is repeated every 20 days.  Each bakeout to space vacuum takes about 24 hours.]

Afterwards, Nikolai removed two “Klest” TV cameras and their light units from the descent module of the Soyuz TMA-1/5S. [The cameras are not required for the return of the Expedition 6 crew, and their removal increases 5S downmass (d/m) capability for science payloads.  US allocation will be about 4 kg, against a d/m request of 13 kg.]

Bowersox conducted another inventory audit of the available CWCs (collapsible water containers) and their condition.

Sox also took care of the regular daily maintenance of the SOZh life support system in the SM, while Don prepared the daily inventory update file for downlink to the IMS (inventory management system) database.

The two U.S. crewmembers completed their weekly FFQs (food frequency questionnaires) on  the MEC (medical equipment computer), which keep a running account of their nutritional intake.

Budarin completed his regular daily 5-min. inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (“Plants-2”) plant growth experiment.

All crewmembers performed their regular daily physical exercise program on RED, TVIS and VELO with load trainer.

At 4:40am EDT, the crew engaged in a live-TV downlink for a press conference with Russian media assembled at TsUP for tomorrow’s Russian festive holiday (Cosmonautics Day, 4/12).  [Media represented at the press conference were six television channels, three radio stations, three news agencies, two trade magazines and two newspapers.  Also present, on a time-permitting basis, were CNN (USA), Times (UK), ARD (Germany) and Fuji (Japan).]

A conjunction with the TRMM satellite (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, object #25063) is predicted for three consecutive orbits beginning 4/13 (Sunday) at 8:31pm EDT.  The TRMM has been encountered before, last time on 2/21/03.  The conjunction is being monitored closely to determine possible need for a DAM (debris avoidance maneuver).

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) targets, including near-vertical targets from the city target list due to the current LVLH attitude, were Cape Town, South Africa (nadir pass; ESC [electronic still camera]), Johannesburg, South Africa (nadir pass; ESC), Alexandria, Egypt (nadir and a touch right; ESC), Tigris-Euphrates, Turkey (new lakes are being built on the upper Euphrates just right of track.  Irrigation patterns surrounding the new lakes are expanding fast), High Central Andean Glaciers (thunderstorms have moved north:  crew was to try for detailed views of volcano-top ice pack.  Looking near nadir both sides of track.  The 400mm lens was ideal for documentation of ice area in the effort to detect change as numerous tropical ice fields melt back), Tucson, Arizona (nadir pass; ESC), Albuquerque, New Mexico (nadir pass; ESC), Ice on eastern Lake Superior (Dynamic event:  accumulation of ice in the downwind bays at the east end of Lake Superior), Newfoundland ice (Dynamic event:  continued good weather should reveal the marked accumulation of sea ice against the west side of the Newfoundland peninsula.  Crew looking nadir and west) and American Samoa (shooting detail of the surrounding coral reefs. American Samoa is the center of Polynesia in the triangle Hawaii-Tahiti-New Zealand).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:55pm EST).

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

• Elektron O2 generator is powered On (24 Amp Mode).  Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (manual mode 5).  U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off.  TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating.  MCA (major constituents analyzer) is operating.  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) — 735; temperature (deg C) — 27.4; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.
• SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 19.5.
• FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 759; temperature (deg C) — 19.6.
• Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 742.62; temperature (deg C) — 21.9 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 744.51; temperature (deg C) — 22.2; ppO2 (mmHg) — 168.9; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 2.2;
• Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):  Pressure (mmHg) — 744.61; temperature (deg C) — 22.8; shell heater temp (deg C) — 23.4, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.6
• PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 21.1

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

• Total propellant load available: 3798 kg (8373 lb) as of 4/10/03 [SM(774) + FGB(2670) + Progress(354)].  (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

• Both P6 channels fully operational.  BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in dual-angle “directed” mode (eclipse drag reduction configuration, “night glider”).
• SM batteries:  Battery #5 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (7) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
• FGB batteries:  Battery #5 is disconnected; all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
• Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode (after the EVA)

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-1 is operating; INT-2 is Off.
• EXT-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 is Off.
• LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
• PL-2 MDM is On (primary); PL-1 MDM is Off
• APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
• SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Being upgraded.
• SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Being upgraded.

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-2

Flight Attitude:

• LVLH TEA (local vertical/local horizontal = “earth-fixed”: z-axis in local vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9.1 deg, roll: 0 deg]), with CMG/ TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management).
• Solar Beta Angle: -13.4 deg (magnitude increasing).

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.
• Ku-band is operating nominally.
• Audio subsystem operating nominally.
• Video subsystem operating nominally (VTR1 is operable again; VTR2 troubleshooting in work).
• HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.

Robotics:

• SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF with Keep Alive (KA) power on both strings.
• MBS: KA power on both strings.  
• MT: latched at WS4, with KA power.  
• POA: KA power on both strings.
• RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is Off; Cupola RWS is Off.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 7:48am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 393.2 km
• Apogee — 398.1 km
• Perigee — 388.4 km
• Period — 92.42 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) —  51.63 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0007152
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.58
• Solar Beta Angle:  -13.4 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 140 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98)  — 25060
• For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html