ISS On-Orbit Status 18 Mar 2003

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

CDR Ken Bowersox and FE-2/SO Don Pettit again spent several hours supporting troubleshooting of the failed ITCS MTL (internal thermal control system/moderate temperature loop).  Resolution of the problem is temporarily on hold.  [During the water filling/priming of the replacement PPA (pump package assembly) accumulator, the fill quantity, as shown by the movement of the accumulator bellows, did not respond to pressure changes in the system as expected.  However, this morning the crew got the green light to press ahead with filling and subsequent installation of the PPA in the LAB-1 rack.  When powered up afterwards, an unexpected signature was noticed which appears to indicate a failed-open, i.e., leaking, check valve.  The issue is currently under assessment, and troubleshooting is on hold until after the Russian software transition is complete.  The ITCS continues in single-loop mode (LTL, low temperature loop), with a nominally working LTL pump.  In case of its failure, leaving the USOS (U.S. segment) without internal cooling, a contingency plan is in place for controlled load shedding to reduce heat production, i.e. power-down of a larger number of RPCMs (remote power controller modules) in the USOS.  In this event, ISS flight attitude would be moded to “XPOP tumble”, until 3/28.]

In the Service Module (SM), FE-1 Nikolai Budarin continued to reconfigure the Russian OpsLAN network, viz., incorporating the “telescience” payload into it, supported by tag-up with a ground specialist.  [This involved, first, the installation of a number of cables to connect the TMO data exchange transformer (unit FL-001) to onboard power, then linking the TMO to the BRI SmartSwitch, the BSMM array matching unit laptop and the TVS television subsystem, with concurrent reconfiguring of the TVS connection of the PK-3 Plasma Crystal “telescience” payload.  Later in the day, Budarin installed a hard disk drive (HDD) in the TMO FL-001.]

Transition of the SM’s Terminal and Central computers  (TVM and TsVM) to the new software version 7.01 began on schedule.  The procedure, largely controlled by TsUP “launching” pre-loaded cyclograms during Daily Orbits 14, 15, 1 & 2, started early in the morning and is planned to take 9-10 hours.  [To support the transition, ISS flight control was moded to CMG-only at 9:10am EST, to be returned to CMG-TA (thruster assist) at 3:45pm.  Systems deactivated for the process include Vozdukh, Elektron, SKV-1 air conditioner, and BMP micropurifier.  Yesterday, the two computers were restarted successfully on all three lanes (subsets), running the old vers. 5.04 software, and each is being reloaded today with the new software on lane #3 first.  After a test (verifying checksums), lanes #1 and #2 are then restarted, and an exchange program is launched to execute the software 7.01 transfer to them, followed by more checkups.  Both TVM and TsVM should be ready for reboot in operational mode (RRP) by 3:20pm EST.]

USOS GNC (guidance, navigation & control) is working nominally on its new software patches.  GPS (global positioning system) and RGA (rate gyro assembly) are prime for navigational source data, i.e., attitude, attitude rates, and state vector (position, velocity).  The configuration is good to support the 7.01 transition.

In the SM, Nikolai Budarin changed out the CO2 filter unit (BF) in the IK0501 gas analyzer, an automated system for measuring CO2, O2, and H2O in the air as well as the flow rate of the gas being analyzed (replaced last: 2/5).

Later, after obed/lunch (8:00am), Nikolai completed the monthly preventive maintenance on the SM air ventilation system, today cleaning Group A fans and grilles.

Don Pettit continued his support of the ongoing MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) troubleshooting.  All E-Box connectors have been remated, but identification of the fault remains elusive.  The next step, starting today, is restoration of MSG to its nominal operational configuration, pausing between steps for ground commanding/evaluation.  This will continue for the next few days as time permits around the ITCS/MTL troubleshooting.  [Today’s activities included a laptop reconfiguration, followed by powered facility runs with sequential adding of MSG MLC (MSG laptop computer) and a powered video drawer.  Seven short-duration on-board activities were planned, with associated ground commanding between each on-board activity.]

The next Foot (foot/ground reaction forces during space flight) experiment activities have slipped by a day due to the MTL/PPA R&R.  EMG (electromyography, i.e., muscular electric signals) calibration for Foot and the subsequent day-long experiment run is scheduled for tomorrow, and Ken Bowersox today unstowed, set up and prepared the payload equipment for it.

Pettit conducted the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh life support system, including ASU toilet facilities, while Budarin prepared the daily IMS inventory delta file.

Nikolai performed his daily status check on the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (“Plants-2”) plant growth experiment in the SM.

All crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise program on RED (resistive exercise device), TVIS (treadmill with vibration isolation and stabilization), and VELO with load trainer.  Don performed the weekly routine maintenance on the treadmill, and Sox conducted the bi-weekly inspection of the RED after his resistive exercise session.  CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation) control panel continues failed.

At 10:40am, Bowersox and Pettit fielded media questions in two live TV press interviews of about 10 minutes each, with WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN, and the Silverton, OR, Appeal Tribune.

Lab ppCO2 (carbon dioxide partial pressure) level this morning was 4.2 mmHg.  Vozdukh CO2 scrubber in the SM is deactivated for the duration of the Russian software transition.  CDRA (CO2 removal assembly) in the Lab was later powered up by MCC-H.

Vozdukh’s failure last Friday (3/14) was due to a damaged power cable, as suspected.  After repair by the crew (there was no spare on board), the system was back up in operation on Saturday.  A set of spare cabling is now being prepared for launch on 11P/Progress.

Moscow has reported the results of the two Progress thruster dynamic tests last week.  The first test reboost on 3/12, with the #2 thruster manifold, was perfectly nominal.  However, the firing on 3/14 of the suspected #1 manifold showed the same abnormal signature as it did during the original reboost on 2/11 (ref. also Status Report 2/14).  [The burn spent nearly equal amounts of fuel and oxidizer (8 kg ea.), indicating an oxidizer underuse of 30% from the nominal.  Thrust was only 70% of nominal.  There will be a report by the investigating Commission.  As of now, the major reboost in April will be on manifold #2 only, with #1 to be used solely in an emergency.  The burn will use up all remaining Progress fuel (unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, UDMH), but it is still to be decided whether the left-over oxidizer (nitrogen tetroxide, N2O4) will be transferred to the ISS or jettisoned with the vehicle.]

The Stage EVA2 by Bowersox and Pettit is now set for 4/8 (Tuesday).  On the day before, the GNC MDM will receive a software load to support one of the tasks planned for the spacewalk (the CMG patch panels reconfiguration at the Z1 truss).

The prop savings (if any) incurred from the recent period of “night glider” attitude (U.S. solar array wings feathered on the night side to reduce aerodynamic drag) are being determined at present.
 
Today’s targets for the CEO (crew earth observations) program (no Cities at Night included until LVLH attitude) were Dakar, Senegal(shooting left of track to document Dakar in morning sunlight), Lower Amazon River Basin (crew was asked to image the islands in the Amazon river to help detect change in size), and Plankton off S. Argentina (Dynamic Event: Document any visible plankton, right or left of track.
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 1:32pm EST).

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

• Elektron O2 generator is powered Off.  Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is Off.  U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is On.  TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating.  MCA (major constituents analyzer) is operating.  BMP Harmful Impurities unit: both filter beds are off.  RS air conditioner SKV-1 is Off; SKV-2 is Off.
• SM Working Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — n/a; temperature (deg C) — 23.9; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 21.2.
• FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 22.0.
• Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 741.34; temperature (deg C) — 24.2 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 743.60; temperature (deg C) — 22.2; ppO2 (mmHg) — 167.1; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 5.3;
• Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):  Pressure (mmHg) — 743.70; temperature (deg C) — 21.1; shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.1, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.5
• PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 12.9

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

• Total propellant load available [SM(786) + FGB(2746) + Progress(490)] — 4022 kg (8867 lb)as of 3/13/03.  (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

• Both P6 channels fully operational.  Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 2B and 4B both in Autotrack (sun-following).
• SM batteries:  All batteries (8) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
• FGB batteries:  Batteries #2 is off line; all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
• Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

• C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is back-up, and C&C-3 is in standby.
• GNC-2 MDM is prime; GNC-1 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:

• XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = “sun-fixed” [yaw: -179.0 deg, pitch: -8.8 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG Momentum Management).
• Solar Beta Angle:  43.0 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).
• HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.

Robotics:

• SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at Lab 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, 7:56am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 390.8 km
• Apogee — 396.4 km
• Perigee — 385.1 km
• Period — 92.37 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) —  51.63 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0008354
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.59
• Solar Beta Angle:  43.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 155 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98)  — 24686
• For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html