Status Report

ISS On-Orbit Status 27 Feb 2003

By SpaceRef Editor
February 27, 2003
Filed under , ,
ISS On-Orbit Status 27 Feb 2003
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All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below.  Space Day 96 for Expedition 6.

In the Station’s Russian segment, today’s upgrading of the onboard computer system (BVS) to the new version 7.01 software was deferred after the initial loading of the KTsP-1 Central Post Computer 1 (for the TVM Terminal and TsVM Central Computer systems as well as four US-21 matching units) ran into a problem.  Ground specialists want more time for analysis.

Nikolai Budarin performed routine maintenance on the SM toilet system (ASU), replacing its E-K pretreat container with a new unit. [E-K contains five liters of pre-treat solution, i.e., a mix of H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), CrO3 (chromium oxide, for oxidation and purple color), and H2O (water).  The pre-treat liquid is mixed with water in a dispenser (DKiV) and used for toilet flushing.]

Budarin also started the regeneration cycle in filter bed #1 of the BMP micropurification unit, an important part of the SM’s atmosphere revitalization system (SOGS).  Channel #2 remains in Purify mode.  The 24-hr. “bakeout” process of the reusable adsorbent beds is repeated every 20 days.

CDR Ken Bowersox worked in the FGB “Zarya” module, cleaning the ventilation screens on seven interior closeout panels.

FE-2/SO Don Pettit stepped in again to assist in the ground’s MSG (microgravity science glovebox) troubleshooting.  [He started out by stowing MSG video cables and equipment until all troubleshooting for the rack is complete, then temporarily stowed the MLC (MSG laptop computer) to enable rotation of the rack.  After rotating the MSG facility down to access its electronics box at the rear, Pettit was to disconnect thirteen of eighteen cables from the rack, to eliminate many 12V and 5V power paths from numerous MSG sensors.  Next, the rack was to be rotated upright again and power applied to it in “Main ON” for a minimum of two hours while the MLC captured all data for downlinking after the testing.  Purpose of these steps is to isolate and pinpoint the root cause behind the recent repeated PDC (power distribution controller) circuit breaker trip.]

CDR Ken Bowersox supported the scheduled interim checkout of the cardiac defibrillator, requested by MCC-H after Flight Surgeons had noticed noise in the ECG (electrocardiogram) tracings recorded during the regular monthly checkout.  The checkout was ground-commanded via S-band.  [The onboard defibrillator is normally checked out by the ground every 60 days and as needed.]

Bowersox also performed the planned troubleshooting of the Foot (foot/ground reaction forces during space flight).  [During the last Foot session, six of eight data channels were not recorded, and ground engineers were afterwards unable to duplicate the failure.  A new procedure was uplinked for testing the same hardware used by Sox for the last Foot session, with additional steps added to check the number of channels recorded before and after start of recording.  This may indicate whether the problem is with the hardware or software.]

In support of the ongoing Renal (Kidney) Stone experiment, Don Pettit took digital photographs of the Renal log book entries and pill pallets’ exterior labels and contents for downlink to the ground as sensitive data, thus saving vital space for science downmass on Soyuz 5S.

Ken Bowersox recorded his weekly HMS FFQ (health maintenance systems/food frequency questionnaire), a special software log on the medical equipment computer to track nutritional intake.  Don Pettit had already completed his turn as a “job jar” task list item.

Closing another item on the optional task list, Bowersox has checked out both Epson printers in the U.S. segment to verify their firmware versions.  [This confirmed that only the Lab SSC (station support computer) printer needs to have its firmware upgraded after completion of the SM Ethernet reconfiguration next week (3/3).  Crew support will be required in these US/Russian joint procedures to connect the U.S. SSC OpsLAN to the Russian SmartSwitch router (SSR, Russian: BRI) in the SM.]

Bowersox yesterday also completed the periodic hatch seal inspection in the Node (forward, aft starboard), Lab (aft) and Joint Airlock, in support of ACS (atmospheric control system) maintenance.

Pettit completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOSh life support system, and the CDR prepared the regular IMS inventory delta file for downlink.

All crewmembers performed their normal daily physical exercise on TVIS, RED, CEVIS and VELO with load trainer.

MCC-H reported to the crew that the new Rev. 3 software was successfully tested for S-band and Ku-band TDRS Autotrack functionality.  This should provide better communications coverage with less operator intervention.

At 5:21am EST, amateur radio operator Don Pettit chatted with students of Hochwald Gymnasium in Wadern/Saarland, Germany, during a 10-min. ham radio pass.  [Hochwald Gymnasium Wadern is a large high school with about 1100 students of ages 10 to 19 years, plus 60 teachers, with special focus on new media and communications techniques.]

Today’s targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were Sea of Azov Ice (this large, shallow bay is mostly cut off from the northern Black Sea and is subject to winter icing.  With the current break in the weather, the crew was to look right of track to document water conditions), Lake Superior Ice (the crew was to use this break in the weather to document the extent and distribution of ice in this, the largest of the Great Lakes, looking right of track), Seattle, Washington (although the city may not have been visible this pass, the crew was to look right of track down the spine of the Cascades to visually document the lack of snow pack there during this El Nino Winter), and Lake Nasser, Toshka Lakes; Egypt (ISS photography of this target is used to monitor the surprising development and spread of these man-made lakes in the desert west of the Nile. Looking right of track with good illumination for seasonal changes in water conditions as the weather continues to warm up here).
CEO images can be viewed at the website
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:10pm 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 (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 Regeneration 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) — 26.7; ppO2 (mmHg) — 183.0; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 2.4 (suspect).
  • SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.4.
  • FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 22.3.
  • Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 741.98; temperature (deg C) — 24.0 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  • U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 744.21; temperature (deg C) — 21.9; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
  • Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):  Pressure (mmHg) — 744.31; temperature (deg C) — 21.1; shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.3, ppO2 (mmHg) — 167.2; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.1.
  • PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.2
  • PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 12.7

        (n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):  

  • Total propellant load available [SM(820) + FGB(2753) + Progress(576)] — 4149 kg (9147 lb) as of 2/27/03.  (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:  All batteries (8) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
  • FGB batteries:  All batteries (6) 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): 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 Control Systems:

  • 3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).
  • State vector source — Russian
  • Attitude source — Russian
  • Angular rate source — 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:  -43.2 deg (magnitude decreasing).

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 MBS PDGF2 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, 7:05am EST [= epoch]):

  • Mean altitude — 391.0 km
  • Apogee — 399.2 km
  • Perigee — 382.8 km
  • Period — 92.38 min.
  • Inclination (to Equator) —  51.63 deg
  • Eccentricity — 0.0012128
  • Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.59
  • Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 130m
  • Solar Beta Angle — -43.2 deg (magnitude decreasing)
  • Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ‚98)  — 24389
  • For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see
  •  http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html

SpaceRef staff editor.