ISS On-Orbit Status 25 Apr 2002

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously or below.   Day 539 of continuous station
occupancy.

Soyuz TM-34/4S launched from Baikonur Cosmodrom early this morning
(on time at 2:26am EDT) and is currently on its two-day chase after
the ISS.  At launch, the station was still somewhat behind the
launch site but overtook the spacecraft during its powered flight
ascent, and in the next orbit Soyuz passed below it.  The crew
may have been able to see the ascent from the Lab window, Node window
and SM windows 3-9.  Aboard Soyuz 4S: the visiting crew (VC3)
CDR Yuri Gidzenko, FE-1 Roberto Vittori, a former Italian Air Force
test pilot, and SFP Mark Shuttleworth of South Africa.  Vittori
is the first Italian astronaut to fly on a Soyuz and the third
European astronaut to visit the ISS. Docking at ISS is predicted for
4/27, at 3:52 am EDT (on NASA TV), with hatch opening at about 5:25
am.  Undocking of the "old" Soyuz TM-33 from the DC-1
Pirs module is scheduled seven days later, on 5/4 (Saturday), 8:20 pm
EDT.

The "Vladimir" account for SFP Shuttleworth was
successfully set up on the SSC file server, and MCC-H sent up a test
message overnight.  Email access on board the ISS for the SFP
will use the USOS SSCs (space station computers) with the assistance
and oversight of an ISS crewmember.  The SFP will also be able
to use the IP (Internet Protocol) telephone for a maximum of 15
minutes per day.

Before breakfast, Expedition 4 Commander Yuri Onufrienko completed
the Russian PZE MO-11 blood analysis test set up yesterday, assisted
by FE-2 Dan Bursch.  Blood samples were drawn with a pipette
directly from the subjectâs finger and immediately analyzed in the
Reflotron 4 blood chemistry analyzer. [The sophisticated
instrument uses measuring strips (reagent tabs) for determining
clinical blood parameters such as hemoglobin, glucose, bilirubin,
total amylase, uric acid, triglycerides, etc. The analyzer runs on 40
W of power, supplied by the SM electrical system.]

Later in the day, Onufrienko worked on the SM SOGS atmosphere
revitalization system, replacing the CO2 filter unit (BF) in its
IK0501 gas analyzer system, a periodic maintenance task.

Yuri also was scheduled to installed a new BPK condensate pumping
unit and its control panel (PUBPK) for the condensate water processor
(SRVK) on the SVO water supply system, but the activity was
deferred.

In both Lab and Node, FE-1 Carl Walz inspected the bacteria filters
of the AR (air revitalization) system, usually done in tandem with
smoke detector inspection/cleaning.  [Vendor recommendation
is to inspect the cabin bacterial filters every 90 days.]

Walz and Bursch completed removal of the failed U.S. MCA MSA
(major constituent analyzer/mass spectrometer assembly) and VGA
(verification gas assembly) in the Lab’s AR rack.  [The
systems will be returned to ground on UF-2 for refurbishment. A spare
VGA is already on orbit, and a new MSA will arrive on UF-2. Both
systems will be installed during the UF-2 stage.  The MCA MSA
has shown degraded performance, and the VGA was leaking.]

FE-2 Bursch conducted the periodic readiness inspection of the
FDS PBAs (fire detection and suppression/portable breathing
apparatus) gas masks and PFEs (portable fire extinguishers) in the
Node.  In conjunction with the inspection, he affixed new label
pockets with appropriate labels to the starboard PBA/PFE locker.

Later, Dan transferred accumulated TVIS/RED exercise data files to
the MEC (medical equipment computer).  In addition to the
regular exercise files of the three crewmembers, he also downloaded
eight data files from the 8A EVA prebreathe exercise sessions stored
on the PCMCIA (personal computer memory card international adapter)
of the CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation).

Yuri Onufrienko and Carl Walz set up the TV configuration for Ku-band
downlink of television during EVA and Soyuz/Progress arrival and
departure.  The hookup of the SSRMS/Canadarm2 camera system was
then tested with ground support, which included MSS (mobile service
system) power up and VDS (video distribution system) auto routing.
[The system will cover the Soyuz TM-34 arrival on Saturday,
transmitting a color image both on the Lab RWS (robotics workstation)
and on the ground (MCC-H plans to power up the Lab RWS so the crew
can view the Soyuz arrival).]

FE-1 Walz collected the FMK (formaldehyde monitoring kit) badges
deployed 24 hours earlier in the Lab and SM, while FE-2 deactivated
the SSAS (solid sorbent air sampler) units in Lab and SM.
 [SSAS is used for collecting time-integrated samples of the
cabin atmosphere for ground-based analysis of VOCs (volatile organic
compounds) via tubes containing mixed-sorbent beds for trapping VOCs
in the air samples. The SSAS units are powered by four C-size
internal batteries.]

CDR Onufrienko meanwhile deactivated and relocated the TEPC
(tissue equivalent proportional counter) radiation instrument in the
SM to wall panel 110.  [With the detector mounted on this
panel, the associated IV-CPDS (intravehicular charged particle
directional spectrometer) must be at least two feet away, powered
from an outlet located suitably.]

Yesterday morning, at 4:05 am EDT, the PL-2 MDM (payload-2
computer) failed by switching itself to "Diagnostics" mode
after a reboot of EXPRESS Rack 4 (ER4). The Redundancy Management
process in the supervisory C&C MDM (command and control computer)
brought up the PL-1 MDM to Primary and powered off PL-2. Subsequently
MCC-Houston repowered PL-2 and performed several data dumps to
investigate, then turning PL-2 MDM off again. The exact cause cannot
be determined due to the data loss when the computer was off.
Reconfiguration to support payload operations on the PL-1 MDM have
been completed.  While health and status data were impacted, no
payload science data were lost.

Dan Bursch completed another BPS (biomass production system)
harvesting and "busy bee" (Payload Ops) pollination
session.  No video was required today for his harvesting of
wheat plants in PGC1 (plant growth chamber #1).  The harvest
includes any root tissue that Dan could collect for wheat and
Brassica plants, taking care taken to prevent the
release of any particulate matter. The harvested plants were then
wrapped in foil and placed in the ARCTIC freezer for return on
UF-2.

POC (Payload Operations Center) is planning one last troubleshooting
activity for EXPPCS (Experiment of the Physics of Colloids in Space),
given up some time ago. Prior to activating the payload, the crew is
to verify that cables are connected between EXPPCS and ER2 Lockers #3
and #4 for power, and Locker #8 for data/comm.  They are also to
confirm that appropriate circuit breakers and power switches are
On.

Following the transfer of 14 CWCs (collapsible water containers) with
"technical" (treated) water on flight 8A, there is now
ample technical water on board. Potable water, however, has limited
shelf life and is therefore considered a valuable resource.  For
best use of the available water and to provide adequate empty CWCs
for UF-2, MCC-H uplinked water-tracking instructions for priority
usage of filled containers currently on board, in the usage
categories of flushing, the Elektron electrolysis unit, hygiene and
imbibing.

A number of QDs (quick disconnects) on air/gas hose connections may
not have been properly torqued down on the ground, making them
susceptible to possibly coming apart during use.  Appropriate
instructions for tightening them to the required torque values were
uplinked and the activity was placed on the crew’s "job
jar" task list. [Involved are two QDs on the Airlock TCS CCAA
(thermal control system/common cabin air assembly), one QD on the Lab
window IPC (internal pressure cover), and two QDs on a gas trap fill
fixture in the Lab.]

At 5:28 am, Carl Walz conducted a ham radio exchange with two
French schools in Arles, France, the Ecole Louis Pergaud and the
Lycee Jeanne d’Arc.  The chat was conducted in English, and the
students had submitted pre-collected questions. The amateur radio
hookup had originally been scheduled for 4/22 but did not succeed.

Daily routine systems tasks were completed by Carl (Lab payload
status checks, IMS delta file prep), and Dan (SOSH life support
system maintenance).

All crewmembers performed their regular daily physical exercise on
TVIS, RED and CYCLE.

Earth target areas for the U.S. CEO program today were E.
Mediterranean Dust/Smog (as the ISS left the Libyan coast and
crossed the southern Mediterranean, the crew was to record any
S-moving smog from the Adriatic. The central Peloponnesus, the
Corinth Canal and Athens were along track. Of interest:
urban-industrial aerosols over Greece, the Aegean and along the
Dardanelles. Weather may have prevented photographing the Sea of
Marmara and the Bosporus), Moroccan Dust Blow (Dynamic
Event:  Dust is now streaming from Morocco seaward over the
Canary  Islands. Predictions are that the event will continue
through the time the ISS is entering this area. Photos to left of
track, over the Canaries, are needed to document the thickness and
extent of Saharan dust), Cuban Fires (Dynamic Event:
 ISSl passed from the western Yucatan Peninsula across the
southernmost Gulf of Mexico. Cuba [right of track, distant] is
plagued by fires along the entire length of the island. Crew should
have been able to see the smoke pall that is apparent in satellite
data. Smoke thickness and transport direction(s) are of
interest), E. Sierra Watershed Lakes (as ISS crossed
the Central Valley of California, the crew was to record water levels
in any streams or lakes. Sierra Nevada snowpack and high-country
lakes are also a concern. Mono Lake was left of track
 specialists on the ground are monitoring recovery of this lake
following the recent prohibition of pumping water from there to
populous Southern California), Canadian Rocky Mountains
(weather should have been clear over the eastern Rockies
 crew was asked to look right of track and record the extent of
snowpack and glaciers. Ice may also remain on some of the higher
lakes).

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 2:20 pm EDT
today):

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and
Thermal Control (TCS):
Elektron O2 generator is Off.  Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is ON in
MANUAL cycle mode #5 (vacuum pump failed).  U.S. CDRA CO2
scrubber is Off.  BMP Harmful Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1
in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode.

SM Working Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 758,
temperature (deg C) — 26.7, ppO2 (mmHg) — 152.5, ppCO2 (mmHg) —
2.6.
SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 762,
temperature (deg C) — 20.8.
FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 756, temperature (deg C)
— 22.7.
Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 752.16, temperature (deg C) —
22.5 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 754.11, temperature (deg C)
— 25.4, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):  Pressure (mmHg) — 753.91,
temperature (deg C) — 23.3; shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.3, ppO2
(mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 21.2
PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 17.6

(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
Autotrack mode.
SM batteries: Battery #2 is in cycle mode; all other batteries (7)
are in “partial charge” mode.
FGB: Battery #1 is offline; 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 On (repaired). SKV-2 is Off.

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.
LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
PL-1 MDM is operational; PL-2 MDM on Standby.
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:
All Russian communications & tracking systems are
nominal.
S-band is operating nominally.
Ku-band is operating nominally.
Audio subsystem operating nominally.
Video subsystem operating nominally.
MCOR (medium-rate communications outage recorder) is
non-operational.

Robotics:
SSRMS/Canadarm2 at Progress viewing position, with Keep Alive
power on both strings.
RWS (robotics workstations) are Off.
Troubleshooting continues on SSRMS Prime string Wrist Roll (WR)
joint.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:11 am EDT):
Mean altitude — 393.3 km
Apogee — 397.9 km
Perigee — 388.7 km
Period — 92.4 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.000681
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.58
Altitude decrease  250 m (mean) in last 24 hours
Solar Beta Angle:  -35 deg (magnitude increasing)
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 19580
Current Flight Attitude — LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal =
“earth-fixed”: z-axis in local vertical, x-axis in velocity vector
[yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9 deg., roll: 0 deg]).

For more on ISS orbit and naked-eye visibility dates/times,
see
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html