ISS On-Orbit Status 15 Mar 2002

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

On this day (Ides of March), the crew was commended on their great job yesterday performing the external radiator survey with the SSRMS/Canadarm2.

CDR Yuri Onufrienko worked in the Progress 6P, deinstalling and removing an LKT local temperature switching unit (“commutator”) with its read-only memory, a part of the expendable cargo ship’s onboard BITS telemetry system, for eventual return to Earth. Later in the day, he and FE-1 Carl Walz returned to the Progress for more deinstallation work, this time the US-21 matching units (third-tier computers for C&C interfacing with the SM). Removal of the salvaged parts had to be done with careful timing since MCC-Moscow had to command powerdown of the LKT before its removal and later of the BITS before Yuri could pull the plug on the US-21 container.

Walz and FE-2 Dan Bursch completed a session of CMO OBT (Crew Medical Officer’s onboard training) with the Advanced Cardio Life Support (ACLS) system. [The computer-based training course provides the crewmembers a re-familiarization with the RSP (respiratory support pack), Defibrillator, and ALSP (advanced life support pack), which contains emergency medical instruments and supplies for initial care and stabilization of a critically ill crewmember. The compact disk includes video lessons on oxygen respiratory support, use of cardiac defibrillation, endotracheal intubation, and intravenous fluid infusion].

Onufrienko removed and replaced the CO2 filter/absorber assembly in the SM’s ÊIK0501 gas analyzer, which he had monitored in the recent past. [Besides CO2, the system also measures O2 (oxygen), H2O (water) and H2 (hydrogen) automatically, along with the flow rate of the air flow being pumped through it by a micro fan. Replacement of the individual filter units is a periodic maintenance task; for the CO2 unit it is expected once in 37 days.]

After a change in flight attitude, at 1:19 pm and 2:53 pm EST, resp., the fuel and oxidizer transfer lines of the SM were opened for venting and purging with nitrogen, then vacuum. Location of the vent openings is on the SM’s rear propulsion module (AO). The plumbing, running along the length of the Russian segment, is designed to transfer propellants between the FGB storage/tanker module and the tanks of the Progress cargo ship at the aft end. CDR Onufrienko observed the venting from a port-side window and taped the event with the LIV video camera #2 for later evaluation on the ground. A special protective baffle had been installed on the external fuel vent, in order to reduce the particle flow as much as possible, and Onufrienko was advised to assess the effluents of both fuel and oxidizer for particle dispersion (snow particles and individual ice fragments) in terms of quantity, size, velocity and direction, as well as changes in flow rates over venting duration.

The venting was also video-recorded by the SSRMS tip elbow camera, which was moved from the CupRWS (cupola robotics workstation) and the CupAVU (cupola artificial vision unit) over the Prime SSRMS string. The views were taped on the VTR2 recorder for later downlink. After the venting, Walz and Bursch were also scheduled to perform another “fast” LEE (latching end effector) checkout on the SSRMS if time permitted, similar to the one conducted yesterday.

An updated IMS (inventory management system) audit list was uplinked to the crew, in the continuing effort to consolidate, identify excess items, and relocate items in preparation for the planned teardown of two racks, one each in the Node and Lab. The audit/cleanup concerns CTB (cargo transfer bag)-packed stuff such as office supplies, photo/TV equipment, relocation items, and CheCS items. For protection of sensitive Russian KURS radar rendezvous system components during return on 8A, the plan is to use MAGs (maximum absorption garments) of the crew as packing material. The crew was also advised to remove all previously installed radiation-protection “bricks” (or their individual slabs) from the SM sleep quarters and other nonapproved locations (which excludes the temporary sleep station, TeSS, in the Lab) and to prepare them for return on UF-2. [The HDPE (high density polyethylene) bricks are composed of two slabs 15 x15 inches Êand 1 in. thick, resulting in 2 in. thickness and a surface each of 15×15 in. There was some concern on the Russian side regarding “bremsstrahlung” secondary radiation].

The interior of the TeSS is currently being radiation-monitored with the TEPC (tissue equivalent proportional counter). Its occupant, Dan Bursch, was advised to put up a little while longer with the spatial constraint due to the instrument until enough data are gathered to make an accurate assessment.

In response to ground inquiry, the crew determined that the J120 connector in the Lab can be accessed without removing TeSS [during flight 8A, the connector will have to be demated to provide an additional safety inhibit for EVA patch panel (J400) operations, and it will save much time that TeSS removal proved not necessary].

As reported previously, pictures taken from Shuttles over the past several missions indicate potential damage to the channel 4B (i.e., port-side) solar array wing (SAW). Specifically, they show panel deformation and possible tearing of the FCC (flat circuit connector) about a third of SAW length from the outboard edge toward the station. Since there is concern about other potential damage on the arrays, as well as impacts to the planned array retractions on Flights 12A.1 and 13A, MCC-H is developing a procedure to have the crew perform a complete photographic survey of both solar arrays (2B and 4B) using the DCS 760 digital still camera (that can be enhanced and analyzed on the ground). The best view for the 4B wing is probably from the DC-1 forward/port window #12, and for the 2B either from SM window #2 or #13. The crew was asked for some feedback on locations, lighting, viewing angles etc. to help in putting together the best plan for the photo/TV analysis. The ground is also considering using the SSRMS cameras, but DCS photographs could provide some early insight into other anomalies.

On ADVASC (Advanced Astroculture), Bursch completed the first plant tissue sampling from the growth chamber, after POIC had powered it down and terminated water flow. Comprehensive analysis of ADVASC science/health & status data as well as images showed that the mustard plants have been developing slower than expected. Bursch was therefore instructed to harvest only three of the plants (indicated in an uplinked photo). ADVASC was then reactivated. The next condensate, nutrient and gas samplings have been “job jar” task-listed for the weekend (but not sooner than two hours after tissue sampling) and “hard-scheduled” for 3/18.

On PCG-STES007 (Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System 7), ÊDan activated another cylinder (#9), while Yuri conducted the regular daily Lab payload status check, IMS “delta” file preparation, SOSH life support systems inspection, and TEPC power-cycling.

Today’s target areas for the crew earth observations (CEO) program were E. Mediterranean Dust and Smog (smog transported from source areas in Northern Italy and Greece accumulates in the basin of the E Med., left and right of track. Smog from these sources has been known to reach the Tigris-Euphrates valley. Oblique view angles were best for capturing aerosols), Lake Nasser, Toshka Lakes (land use change in the desert along the west margin of the Nile delta is rapidly proceeding. Cairo is at the base of the delta, left of track. Sun glint opportunity, also left of track, to reveal irrigation canal complexes, especially along the east side of the delta), Industrialized SE Africa (skies clearing and high pressure setting in: oblique views for fires/smoke [biomass is dry due to low rainfall] and smog [esp. around the string of Witwatersrand gold-mining cities] immediately left of track. Then immediately right of track the highlands of the small country Lesotho [8000-10,500 feet above sea level]. Of interest: documenting lower aerosol loadings over the highlands [where it is usually very clear] versus higher loadings over the lower surrounding plateaus), and Eastern United States (panoramic views [with Earth’s limb] and local views of cities for smog generation. Crew to look left and right for oblique views along the Appalachian Mts. which may show differing levels of atmospheric haze in the mountains compared with lower country on either side).

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 2:16 pm EST today):

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

• Elektron O2 generator is On (16 Amps mode, lowest possible setting). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is ON in MANUAL cycle mode #5 (vacuum pump failed). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is in Standby.
  
• BMP Harmful Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, #2 in Purify mode.
  
• SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 761, temperature (deg C) — 26.9, ppO2 (mmHg) — 158.4, ppCO2 (mmHg) — 2.6.
  
• SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 762, temperature (deg C) — 20.1; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  
• FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 756, temperature (deg C) — 22.7; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  
• Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 754.07, temperature (deg C) — 23.2 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  
• U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 756.33, temperature (deg C) — 25.2, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
  
• Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 756.03, temperature (deg C) — 22.0; shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.6, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  
• PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.3.
  
• PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 16.9.
  

(Note: Partial pressures ppO2 and ppCO2 in U.S. segment (USOS) not available because MCA [major constituent analyzer] is failed and in Extended Life mode [= a state that preserves mass spectrometer vacuum but produces no pp data]).

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

• Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 2B in Autotrack mode, BGA 4B in Directed (“parked”) position at 125 degrees.
  
• SM batteries: all batteries (8) in “partial charge” mode.
  
• FGB battery #6 is in ROM (capacity restoration mode); all other batteries (5) are in “partial charge” mode.
  
• Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Standby mode.
  

Thermal Control Systems:

• Air conditioner SKV-1 is Off (Freon leak). SKV-2 is On (turned off briefly for Progress matching unit removal).
  

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 back-up.
  
• LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
  
• 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): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.
  

Communications Systems:

• S-band is operating nominally.
  
• Ku-band is operating nominally.
  
• Audio subsystem operating nominally.
  
• Video subsystem operating nominally.
  
• MCOR (medium-rate communications outage recorder) operating nominally.
  

Robotics:

• SSRMS/Canadarm2 at PMA-3 clearance position (out of Soyuz emergency escape trajectory zone), with Keep Alive power on both strings.
  
• RWS (robotics workstations) are Off.
  

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:36 am EST):

• Mean altitude — 394.7 km
  
• Apogee — 397.5 km
  
• Perigee — 391.9 km
  
• Period — 92.5 min.
  
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
  
• Eccentricity — 0.0004129
  
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.57
  
• Altitude decrease — 200 m (mean) in last 24 hours
  
• Solar Beta Angle: +8.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
  
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 18942
  
• Current Flight Attitude — LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal = “earth-fixed”: z-axis in local vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -7 deg., roll: 0 deg]).
  

For more on ISS orbit and naked-eye visibility dates/times (freshly updated to account for the reboost) check out
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html