Status Report

ISS On-Orbit Status 20 Feb 2003

By SpaceRef Editor

February 20, 2003

Filed under ISS On-orbit status, NASA HQ, US

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below. Day 89 in space for Expedition 6.

Early in the morning, all crewmembers performed part 2 of the MedOps PHS (periodic health status) assessment, collecting blood samples for analysis with the U.S. PCBA (portable clinical blood analyzer) and the Russian MO-10 “Hemokrit” equipment. [Taking turns as test subject and CMO (crew medical officer), the crew was free to do these activities in whatever order they chose, as long as they were completed before breakfast and before the first exercise session. While PCBA analyzes total blood composition, MO-10 particularly measures the hematocrit (red blood cell mass) value of the blood (as a well-known phenomenon of space flight, red blood cell mass {normal range: 30-45%} tends to go down over time). Later in the day, the crew also took the PHS subject evaluation exam. All data, including from MO-10, PCBA, PHS, and yesterday’s MO-9 urinalysis, were entered in the IFEP (in-flight examination program) on the MEC (medical equipment computer). After the PHS data registration, FE-2/SO Don Pettit stowed all hardware.]

R3 Transition: After a one-day delay, uploading of the new CCS (command & control software) revision R3 began at about 9:00am EST, involving over 1100 CCS and DDCT (display definition configuration table) files uplinked last week to SSMMUs (solid-state mass memory units). [Loading was executed in a specific sequence of steps: first, CCS R3 into the standby and backup C&C MDMs (command & control multiplexer/demultiplexers); second, INTSYS R2 into the backup INT MDM; third, GNC (guidance, navigation & control) R3 into the backup GNC MDM; and fourth, version 12A.011 s/w into two PCS (personal computer system) laptops, which were then to be rebooted by the crew. The actual step-up (transition) to the new software is scheduled for tomorrow, with Saturday (2/22) as a backup day. All issues from Tuesday’s aborted upload, generally associated with checksum errors caused by new file sizes, were verified via ground testing, are fully understood and were corrected. Ground testing has also identified the problem with the failed PCS software load as a simple hang-up due to an undisplayed prompt, which was easily corrected.]

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin continued preventive maintenance on the Service Module (SM) air ventilation system, today cleaning Group A fans and grilles.

Budarin then deactivated the gas analyzer (GA) in the FGB module and exchanged its carbon dioxide (CO2) filter assembly (BF) with a new unit. GA was reactivated and the spent BF stowed for disposal.

Afterwards, Nikolai moved to the Soyuz TMA-1 crew return vehicle, checked out the ventilation system air duct in the Descent Module to verify airflow, then activated the Soyuz gas analyzer. It will be left on for the next four days and then powered off on 2/24 (Monday).

Since Vozdukh and MCA (major constituents analyzer) are working nominally and the flow between modules appears to be more uniform since the recent IFM (in-flight maintenance), Flight Surgeon and ECLSS (environment control and life support system) personnel have deleted the requirement for the twice-daily CO2 sampling by the crew with the CDMK (CO2 monitoring kit).

After Don Pettit was unable on 1/17, after multiple attempts, to complete the TOCA (total organic carbon analyzer) water sampler reagent mixing, engineers and toxicology experts have now determined that the TOCA is unrepairable and no longer viable. A new TOCA will be flown as manifest space allows, but for the remainder of Expedition 6, the crew will not be scheduled for any further TOCA activities.

CDR Ken Bowersox and Don Pettit conducted a scheduled inventory audit in the Joint Airlock (A/L). [Specific tasks included locating and inventorying the contents of CTBs (cargo transfer bags), inspecting various EVA equipment and tools, reporting on available number of fluid QD SPDs (quick disconnect spool positioning devices), inspecting PRDs (payload retention devices), inventorying EVA lights, etc.]

In the Lab module, Bowersox collected samples from unknown debris/deposits discovered on the starboard CCAA (common cabin air assembly) air conditioner vent and on the GLA (general luminaire assembly) lighting fixture, for subsequent analysis on the ground. The deposits were then cleaned from all surfaces with wipes and deionized water.

Pettit prepared the daily IMS database update file for export/downlink, and Bowersox performed the regular routine maintenance of the SOSh life support system, while Budarin completed the periodic inspection of the BRPK air/condensate separator of the SRV-K water processing system.

Budarin conducted a consumables audit of the Russian SGO health maintenance system, verifying availability and location of a large number of EDV water container and KTO solid waste container components, as well as individual trash bags.

At 9:50am EST, the crew participated in two live TV media interviews, with National Public Radio (NPR, Scott Simon) and CBS Radio Network (Peter King, Bill Harwood), about nine minutes each per client. The station residents again were outstanding.

As an item on their task list, the crew was asked, at their leisure, to provide an inventory of two TVIS treadmill kits, both holding assorted spare parts.

A conjunction (close encounter) with the TRMM satellite (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, object #25063) is predicted for tomorrow night (Friday, 2/21). Time of closest approach (TCA) is 9:25 pm EST. With a currently estimated overall miss distance of 14.12 km, there is no threat at this time and no avoidance maneuver required. Will be monitored closely through TCA.

Today’s targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were Eastern Mediterranean Dust and Smog (a strong storm center was moving into the western Med. By the time of this pass, storm winds should have picked up dust over Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. As the crew approached the Libyan coast, they were to try for oblique views left of track), Eastern Mediterranean Dust and Smog (this second pass over northern Italy and the Adriatic Sea offered a particularly good opportunity to document smog over the industrialized Po River Valley, looking left of track as ISS approached the Italian coast), Chicago, Illinois (crew was to use this pass over “Chicagoland” to look left of track up Lake Michigan and its eastern shore for ice buildup in bays and lake-effect snow patterns), Salt Lake City, Utah (Salt Lake City was at nadir this pass, but the crew may have gotten some good mountain snow pack views of the Wasatch Range either side of track and the compact Uinta Mountains to the right of track), and Tessina, Italy (although Tessina was probably not visible, this pass offered yet another look at the smog of the Po River Valley, but this time to the right of track).
CEO images can be viewed at the website
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:30pm 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 (auto mode). 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) — 753; temperature (deg C) — 26.5; ppO2 (mmHg) — 183.1; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 2.2 (suspect).
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.7.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 21.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 745.80; temperature (deg C) — 23.9 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 748.15; temperature (deg C) — 22.0; ppO2 (mmHg) — 170.2*; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.8*;
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 748.25; temperature (deg C) — 21.4; shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.5, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.8
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 11.6

(n/a = data not available)

(* = sample location currently unavailable until completion of R3 s/w upload on 2/20)

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available [SM(811) + FGB(2777) + Progress(576)] — 4164 kg (9180 lb) as of 2/14/03. (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 auto track (sun following) mode.
SM batteries: Battery #6 is in “Cycle” mode (freshly installed); all other batteries (7) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off line; battery #6 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (4) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

C&C-3 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is back-up, and C&C-1 is in standby.
GNC-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup.
INT-2 is operating; INT-1 is in standby.
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 (diagnostic
APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Lane 1 is out of the set (as of 11/14/02).
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.

Attitude Source:

3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).
State vector — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Angular rates — U.S. RGA-1

Flight Attitude:

XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = “sun-fixed” [yaw: 0 deg, pitch: -8.8 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG/Thruster Assist Momentum Management).
Solar Beta Angle: -62.5 deg (magnitude decreasing).

Communications & Tracking Systems: