ISS On-Orbit Status 21 Apr 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below.  Week 21 begins, and this is Day 149 for Expedition 6 (since STS-113 launch, 11/23/02).

The crew awoke to words of appreciation for the task list items tackled over the Easter weekend and a reminder of the activities ahead: a last big push until the handover to Expedition 7 next week, today being the last Monday that they will have the station all to themselves.  Arrival of 6S/Soyuz TMA-2 is expected next Monday (1:56am EDT).

After station inspection and morning hygiene, before breakfast and first exercise, all crewmembers underwent their last session of regular periodic Russian biomedical assessments MO-8 (body mass measurement, BMM) and MO-7 (calf volume measurement).  [FE-1 Nikolai Budarin set up the BMM mass measuring device, which uses calibrated springs to determine the subject’s mass in weightless space, and stowed it away after the tests, closing out the MO-7/MO-8 activities for Increment 6.  Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the ISOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference points, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures.]

Budarin performed the second experiment run of the Russian Plasma Crystal-3 (PK-3, Plazmennyi Kristall 3) payload, setting up the hardware and video recording.  The turbopump will be deactivated again in the evening.  [During the day, Budarin monitored the experiment, which today consisted of three parts: (1) study of particle agglomeration without plasma (25 min.; (2) study of solitary wave dispersion in structures at reduced pressure (20 min.); and (3) study of residual charge of small particles after termination of discharge (relaxation) at various pressures (40 min.).  Budarin also had to update one experimental procedure per results of the first experiment, using the time originally intended for coping the data to PCMCIA (portable computer memory card international adapter) card.]

This was the last day for the final round of the renal stone prevention experiment for Expedition 6, with FE-2/SO Don Pettit terminating his sample collections after breakfast and later stowing the equipment.  [The renal research, which investigates how to prevent kidney stone formation in zero-G, is a NASA/JSC program with Dr. Peggy Whitson as Principal Investigator (PI).]

As part of HRF (human research facility) historical documentation, the crew took digital photography of renal stone logbook entries and the outside/contents of pill packages used and unused (potassium citrate and placebo tablets).

Budarin performed the periodic preventive maintenance of the Group A ventilation fans in the Service Module (SM), which involves a checkout of the ventilators and a thorough cleaning of fan screens and flexible air ducts (last time done: 3/18/03).

Afterwards, he worked in the “Pirs” DC-1 docking module to change out its two PF1 & PF2 dust filters and cleaning the mesh screens of the V1 & V2 ventilator fans (last time done: 3/19/03).

CDR Ken Bowersox meanwhile busied himself in the SM, re-installing an accelerometer of the U.S. IWIS (internal wireless instrumentation system) behind one of the wall panels.  [After the Increment 5 crew had installed the acceleration sensor in the SM in September ’02, it was discovered that its mounting plate had come loose from the hull, floating behind the panel on its slack cable.  Sox reattached the device and secured it with strips of gray tape, then took digital photos for situational documentation.  IWIS uses radio-linked RSUs (remote sensor units) in Node, Lab and SM to take structural dynamics (vibratory) readings.  Ground engineers use these data of the IWIS accelerometers and strain gauges in the ISS modules to obtain acceleration (force) and strain (elongation) measurements during many dynamic activities, such as vehicle dockings and thruster firings.]

Pettit spent 5.5 hours of his birthday yesterday to start the troubleshooting on the ARCTIC-1 refrigerator/freezer.  [The failed equipment is now disassembled, and more hours are scheduled this week for Don to inspect the parts (which show considerable corrosion), then clean and reassemble the ARCTIC to see whether its functionality is restored, at least to some extent.]

Overnight, the ground commanded a VOA (volatile organics analyzer) calibration run, which lasted about 3.5 hrs., then began another 3.5 hrs. of sample collection.  With the VOA still active, Bowersox, after breakfast, collected air samples with the GSC (grab sample container), required to be done simultaneously with VOA.  He also deployed two passive FMK (formaldehyde monitoring kit) sampling badges in the Lab, which collect atmospheric formaldehyde on a sampling substrate for analysis in JSC laboratory facilities (last time done: 4/2/03).

The CGBA (commercial generic bioprocessing apparatus), running as a functional test, was deactivated and closed down.  Its performance since its activation on 4/7 has been nominal.

The EVARM (EVA radiation measurement) equipment was packed up and stowed.

Bowersox activated the HRF to download the latest PuFF data download to its PC.  Later, HRF PC and Rack were powered off again  [While no special breathing maneuvers were required any more, today’s HRF PC data downlink included one final PuFF activity, viz., archiving data files from Sox’s 3/20 PuFF session which had not been copied yet.  The ground now has a complete set of data files for this increment.]

With the planned InSPACE experiments done, the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) activities have come to an end.  [The glovebox has worked nominally all this time.  The original overcurrent failure has not recurred and remains unexplained.]

“Kolya” completed his regular daily 5-min. inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (“Plants-2”) plant growth experiment.  Later, he also performed the regular weekly inspection of the BRPK air/condensate separator.

Don Pettit performed the daily routine maintenance of the SOZh life support system (including the ASU toilet facility) and prepared the daily IMS (inventory management system) “delta” file for updating the IMS database, while Sox conducted the periodic Lab payload status checkup.

Bowersox and Pettit conducted another IMS (inventory management system) audit, today focusing on so-called yellow-tagged items, for which they had tagged up with MCC-H experts on 3/28 to discuss safety and other inventory details.  [Yellow caution tags designate onboard equipment for which the safety certification process for the U.S and/or Russian segments has not been completed.]

The crew also continued their preparations for the upcoming handover activities to the Expedition 7 crew on 4/28-5/3 and their own return on Soyuz TMA-1 on 5/4.

All crewmembers performed their daily physical exercise program on the RED resistive trainer, CEVIS cycle ergometer and TVIS treadmill.

Routine maintenance tasks completed by the crew over the weekend from the “job jar” task list included the regular inspection of bacteria filters (BFs) and smoke detectors (SDs) in the “Quest” Airlock, “Destiny” Lab and “Unity” Node.  Also included is an R&R (removal and replacement) of a utility outlet panel (UOP) in the Node, if required for the Node’s BFs and SDs.

At 2:15pm EDT, Don Pettit was scheduled for a ham radio pass with an amateur radio group of Cowichan Secondary School in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada, one of four secondary schools serving the Cowichan Valley school district.  The students had provided a list of questions for the crew ahead of time.  [“How does the body know that it is time to go to sleep when there is no day or night?”; “Being in space is such an awe-inspiring experience; which life lessons have kept you on track to achieve your stellar status?”]

At about 12:00pm EDT, MCC-H began uplinking the R3 software upgrade to the backup EXT MDM (external systems computers), which will be transitioned to Primary.  Tomorrow afternoon, after operating the new software overnight, the second we will finish off by loading the other (now backup) EXT MDM.  There is no crew action required for the transition.  [The step-up is required to support P3 and P4 truss installation on Mission 12A operations.  After uploading the R3 files on the EEPROM (electrically erasable reprogrammable read-only memory) of the EXT-2 MDM, this backup computer will be rebooted from EEPROM, thus running on R3, and subsequently switched to Primary.  The procedure will be repeated tomorrow for the new backup MDM.  Final configuration will be EXT-2 MDM powered up and in Primary running R3, while EXT-1 is powered off, with R3 loaded in EEPROM. The new functionality remains inhibited until truss activation procedures on 12A.]

MCC-Moscow has taken SM battery #4 out of the set of eight to conduct stand-alone operations with it.  [The unit is prematurely exhibiting reduced capacity, before having reached the end of its guaranteed lifetime.  As demonstrated in the past, cycling 800A units in stand-alone configuration can possibly restore them to “almost original performance”.  In case of an emergency, MCC-M has spare batteries for the FGB on board, which can be used in the SM.  Also, a new spare will reportedly be manifested on the next Progress (11P) or on 12P.]

Launch preparations for 6S at Baikonur remain on schedule.  Rollout of the Soyuz launcher plus spacecraft will take place next Thursday (4/24).  Launch of 6S is currently still set for 11:54pm EDT on 4/25 (Friday night).

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) targets, currently restricted by limited the use of the science window in the Lab including near-vertical targets from the city target list due to the current XPOP attitude, were Casablanca, Morocco (nadir pass; ESC [electronic still camera]), Yucatan biomass burning (Dynamic event.  Numerous fires reported in the Gulf-facing slopes of the high country of southern Mexico.  Large smoke clouds have accumulated, some drifting north, some southwest into the Pacific through the narrow isthmus.  Looking nadir, left and right), and Central Europe (Dynamic event.  Clear skies should persist under an eastward-drifting high pressure system).
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 12:46pm EST).

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

• Elektron O2 generator is powered On (32 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) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 27.8; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.
• SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 21.6.
• FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 23.0.
• Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 741.98; temperature (deg C) — 23.5 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — 164.2; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.0.
• U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 743.91; temperature (deg C) — 22.4; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
• Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):  Pressure (mmHg) — 744.01; temperature (deg C) — 23.7; shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.0, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 23.9
• PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 12.9

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

• Total propellant load available: 3668 kg (8086 lb) as of 4/17/03 [SM(774) + FGB(2642) + Progress(252)].  (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 Autotrack (sun-following).
• SM batteries:  Battery #2 is in “Cycle” mode; battery #4 is disconnected, in stand-alone ops (see above); all other batteries (6) 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 (both being upgraded to R3, see above).
• 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: 0.5 deg, pitch: -8.8 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.
• Solar Beta Angle: -39.5 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 in troubleshooting).
• 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, 6:43am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude  392.4 km
• Apogee — 396.8 km
• Perigee — 388.0 km
• Period — 92.40 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) —  51.63 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0006475
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.58
• Solar Beta Angle:  -39.5 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 100 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98)  — 25215
• For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html