Status Report

ISS On-Orbit Status 28 Mar 2003

By SpaceRef Editor

March 28, 2003

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

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

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin worked another session with the geophysical GFI-1 “Relaksatsiya” (“relaxation”) payload, performing a spectral calibration of the instrument for the “Fialka” experiment. After reconfiguring the Russian payload laptop 3 for the activity, Budarin destowed five payload kits and installed the ultraviolet (UV) camera with spectrometer unit at Service Module (SM) window #9. [Relaksatsiya deals with the study of the chemoluminescent chemical reactions and atmospheric light phenomena that occur during high-velocity interaction between the exhaust products from space vehicles and the atmosphere at orbital altitude and during the entry of space vehicles into the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Today’s Fialka (“violet”) run used the (known) spectra of the Moon and stars for payload calibration. For the proper pointing, station attitude, still in XPOP, was commanded to Hold from 4:30am-5:10am EST.]

In the morning, the crew performed the mandatory periodic 1-hr. fire drill/OBT (on-board training). This was a US-led event but specialists were standing by in both MCCs (Houston and Moscow) for crew comments/questions. The exercise was preceded by an inspection of all onboard PFEs and PBAs (portable fire extinguishers & portable breathing apparatus) by CDR Bowersox. The last fire drill was performed on 1/2/03. [Objectives of the exercise are (a) to review fire response procedures (FRPs) and all incorporated actions for the case of a software-detected fire; (b) to practice crew communication and coordination necessary to perform emergency FRPs; (c) to ensure familiarization with support equipment (Compound Specific Analyzer/Combustion Products [CSA-CP], PBAs and PFEs) used in FRPs; and (d) to ensure familiarization with PCS/laptop displays and automatic software response associated with a fire scenario. The exercise, which does not actually use any fire equipment, involved all three crewmembers stationed in the SM. After the OBT, the crew was to provide answers to debrief questions, at the end of the exercise if time allows, or during the evening DPC (daily planning conference) or email them to the Capcom).]

The crew began early preparations for stowing discarded cargo on 10P/Progress M-47, using an uplinked deorbit manifest showing items, part numbers, and location in the Progress, supported by the IMS (inventory management system. [Part of the demanding task is photo and video recording of activities for evaluation by the ground prior to Progress undock. The U.S. DVCAM was used for recording the ops. For proper stability & control of the fully automated spacecraft, operating on pre-stored command algorithms, it is crucial that during Progress loading the CG (center of gravity) and mass moments of inertia of the ship remain within prescribed limits. Image records are also helpful for maintaining the IMS (inventory management system).]

Bowersox conducted an inventory audit of the available CWCs (contingency water containers), recording any changes in CWC status over the last few days on a cue card for calldown to MCC-H. [Potable water isn’t the only concern here. Enough “technical” water needs to be kept in reserve besides drinking water in case of unexpected recharge requirements for the ITCS (internal thermal control system). In order to maintain good chemistry in the cooling loops, technical water for ITCS does not contain the minerals that are added to potable water for its safe use.]

Afterwards, Bowersox concluded this week’s water sampling by visually analyzing the MCD (microbial capture device) samples for their T+2 days reading. His microbiological analysis data were then transferred to the MEC (medical equipment computer). The T+5 days WMK (water microbiology kit) analysis has been deleted as not required.

Flight Engineer Budarin performed a checkout of the IP-1 airflow sensors which are installed in the various hatchways of the Russian segment (RS).

Nikolai also did his regular daily inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (“Plants-2”) plant growth experiment. Later, he performed the periodic checkup of the BRPK air/condensate separator.

FE-2/SO Don Pettit completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities) and prepared the daily IMS inventory delta file, while Sox conducted the regular payload status checkup in the Lab.

After transferring data files from the HRM (heart rate monitor) to the MEC (medical equipment computer), Bowersox deleted them on the HRM. After the transfer, the CDR transferred the accumulated TVIS/RED/CEVIS files to the MEC, all for subsequent downlink to the ground.

During a Russian ground site (RGS) pass on Daily Orbit 2, Nikolai completed another session with the Russian MedOps cardio experiment MO-1 (Study of the Bioelectric Activity of the Heart at Rest), with Don Pettit assisting as CMO (crew medical officer). [During the test, transmittal of the Gamma-1M ECG (electrocardiogram) signal to the ground was required for about 5-6 minutes.]

Bowersox worked on the EXPRESS rack 2 (ER2), installing the ARIS (active rack isolation system) snubber cup isolators which mechanically dampen rack motion. [Before the installation, ARIS was verified by the ground in “Idle” mode and then commanded off. After the installation, Sox shut off the ER2 laptop computer, and the ground completed ER2 power-down by opening RPCs (remote power controllers), configuring the RFCA (rack flow control assembly) and the RIC (rack interface controller), etc.]

Science Officer Pettit received thanks from POC (Payload Operations Center) for his hard work and helpful suggestions in support of the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) science operations, scheduled to begin with the InSPACE payload on 3/31 (Monday).

At 1:30pm, Bowersox and Pettit were scheduled to tag up with ground specialists to discuss safety and other inventory details of yellow-tagged items, deferred from 3/26. [Yellow caution tags designate onboard equipment for which the safety certification process for USOS (U.S. segment) or RS has not been completed.]

Yesterday, working from the task list, Bowersox and Pettit filled out their weekly FFQ (food frequency questionnaire), a special software log on the MEC to track nutritional intake.

All crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise program on RED (resistive exercise device), TVIS (treadmill with vibration isolation and stabilization), CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation), and VELO bike with load trainer.

Yesterday’s live TV downlink by the crew for the educational event with students at the Region 12 Education Center in Waco, TX, thrilled the kids and again drew rave reviews from observers.

The crew held their regular weekly teleconference with the Flight Director at MCC-H.

TsUP/MCC-M considers the SM’s gas analyzer (GA) oxygen partial pressure (ppO2) measurements as not trustworthy and does not plan GA recalibration, due to concerns with the calibration sample. [The crew will continue using the CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion products) for daily ppO2 measurements while Moscow investigates the adequacy of the Lab MCA (major constituents analyzer) for ppO2 analysis. Also, MCC-M continues to investigate the accuracy of ppCO2 measurements from the SM GA.]

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) targets, currently restricted by flight rule constraints limiting the use of the science window in the Lab, were Mekong River Delta
(looking left for detailed shots of the great delta. Study of the migration of islands in large deltas is a new aspect of river geology. Handheld images are a highly appropriate means for such documentation), Industrialized SE Africa (high atmospheric pressure is holding aerosols near the ground. An ideal pass near the highest mountains in the subcontinent which should have allowed visible documentation of layering in the atmosphere, with denser aerosol loadings at the lowest altitudes),Angolan Biomass Burning (early dry-season burning may be starting in these dense savanna forests), and High Central Andean Glaciers (these small targets are many, and few have been photographed in the detail needed to document change. Tropical glaciers are sensitive indicators of changes in temperature and precipitation and have attracted much attention with respect to climate change and El Niño perturbations).
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 1:45pm EST).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered On (24 Amp). 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) — 745; temperature (deg C) — 26.7; ppO2 (mmHg) — 183.1 (suspect); ppCO2 (mmHg) — 2.3 (data suspect).
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.9.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 22.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 738.8; temperature (deg C) — 23.1 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 740.67; temperature (deg C) — 22.4; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 740.78; temperature (deg C) — 21.0; shell heater temp (deg C) — 21.5, ppO2 (mmHg) — 165.3; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.1.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 23.9
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 12.3

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):
Total propellant load available [SM(774) + FGB(2746) + Progress(474] — 3994 kg (8805 lb) as of 3/27/03. (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 Directed Position (278 deg & 82 deg) to minimize aerodynamic drag.
SM batteries: Battery #5 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (7) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #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 TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.
Solar Beta Angle: 44.3 deg (magnitude decreasing).

Communications & Tracking Systems: