ISS On-Orbit Status 12 Nov 2002
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below. A day of rest for the crew as the ground is busy rearranging daily schedules due to Sunday’s postponement of STS-113/11A launch (to NET 11/28, late evening).
After wakeup at 11:00am EST, shifted back by 1:30h, CDR Valery Korzun and FE-2 Sergei Treschev performed another close inspection of the hull and shell of the SM Working Compartment for moisture, residue, and pitting behind several panels and the TVIS treadmill in the “floor pit”. [If there was accumulated residue, they were to describe color and state (solid, crumbly, powdery), and use wipes to remove it. The depth of any pits were to be measured (using chewing gum). Early this year (March), accumulations of mildew-like contaminants were discovered on the SM inner hull, and 10 samples were taken for analysis, six for Moscow and four for Houston. The last inspection was performed by Treschev on 10/25/02.]
Also added for today was a task in the Russian segment involving restoration of condensate evacuation from the SKV-2 air conditioner by flushing the IK condensator-evaporator wicks with water.
CDR Korzun conducted two TV-downlink sessions of video footage of the Elektron oxygen production system (video imaging after the recent installation of an experimental SNZh liquid level sensor). The Elektron is running (32 amps).
Later today, FE-1/SO Peggy Whitson is scheduled to perform the regular TVIS gyroscope inspection, and Treschev and Korzun later will do the weekly TVIS maintenance.
Instructions were uplinked for the air sampling routine before STS-113 docking, in the Shuttle after hatch opening but before air duct installation, and in the SM five to six hours after ISS-Endeavour air duct installation. The Russian AK-1M and IPD Draeger tube air samplers are to be used.
FE-2 Treschev completed the daily routine maintenance of the SOSh life support system, while Peggy Whitson performed the regular off-day Lab payloads status checkup.
Because the ISS crew is out of drinks, permission was given for them to use Russian drinks delivered for Expedition 6. If other Exp. 5 food rations are also getting short, Exp.6 provisions can be used as well.
Peggy Whitson offered to conduct another PFMI (pore formation and mobility investigation) in the MSG (microgravity science glovebox) while awaiting 11A. However, POC (Payload Operations Center) decided it would be best for the MSG to be left in the configuration for the next payload (InSpace), which has a limited shelf-life. Also, the PD (Payload Developer) team wants to minimize the cycles on PFMI cable mating/demating and handling of the thermal chamber. The remaining eight PFMI samples are hard-scheduled to be performed during one setup on Increment 6.
The reload/reboot of the EXPRESS Rack 4 RIC (rack interface controller) yesterday worked well, and communications to the controlling PC/laptop have been re-established. Peggy was thanked for her work with ER2 and ER4.
EarthKAM is operating nominally and has begun to take photos for the school children.
The crew will also perform their scheduled daily physical exercise.
Sleep period begins at 2:30am EST tomorrow morning, to extend until 11:00am.
