ISS On-Orbit Status 3 Apr 2003

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

At 3:55am EST, still in general XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) orientation, the station maneuvered to a specific test attitude, after which, at 4:15am, motion control was handed over to the Russian segment (RS) for the subsequent efficiency test of the Service Module (SM) and FGB solar arrays.  Control returned to the U.S. CMGs (control moment gyroscopes) after 5hr 40 min, at 9:55am, and ISS maneuvered back to XPOP TEA (torque equilibrium attitude).  [The periodic Russian efficiency testing keeps track of the energy-output performance of the photovoltaics over time under the degrading effects of the space environment (mostly from ultraviolet radiation and atomic oxygen).]

FE-2/Donald Pettit collected the static noise dosimeters after 8 hrs of acoustic sleep measurements, recorded their accumulated data and stowed the instruments

Later in the day, Pettit unstowed the joint US/Russian sound level meter (SLM) hardware and took readings at 41 different locations in the Lab, Node, Airlock, FGB, Service Module (SM) and Docking Compartment (DC-1), following instructions uplinked recently for the current Week 18.  The noise data were then transferred to the MEC (medical equipment computer), and the SLM equipment was stowed.  [Last SLM survey taken: 2/14/03]

Before breakfast, FE-1 Nikolai Budarin concluded his current MBI-8 “Profilaktika” (countermeasures) fitness session, today conducting the blood test part, measuring lactate and creatine kinase levels with the AccuSport equipment, and the physical exercise on the TVIS treadmill.  [The TVIS test is identical to the MO-3 test performed on the treadmill in idling mode with free choice of speeds within a certain specified range.  In addition to the nominal test procedure, it calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer during the test, the blood measurements, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test.  Gas analyzer and ECG (electrocardiograph) data were transferred to Laptop 3 and prepared for later downlink via Regul-Packet comm.]

Budarin performed another deployment check of the IP-1 airflow sensors which are installed in the various RS hatchways.  [Last check done: 3/28.]

Nikolai also performed inspection and tightening of the QD (quick disconnect) screw clamps of the SM’s docking and internal transfer mechanism (SSVP), where Progress M-247 is linked up.

CDR Ken Bowersox and the Russian flight engineer worked another consumables and “pantry” audit, today inventorying on-board personal hygiene items, using updated instructions uplinked earlier.  [In FGB and SM, they collected sanitary-hygiene items (SLG, dry and moist towels, napkins and wipes) to be used first, stowing them behind a suitable panel, then those with an expired shelf life, which they prepared for disposal in Progress.]

Budarin completed his regular daily inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (“Plants-2”) plant growth experiment.

Bowersox prepared the data from the seventh Foot (foot/ground reaction forces during space flight) session yesterday (4/2) and transferred the file for subsequent downlink to MCC-H.

The daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities) was today assigned to Budarin, while Pettit prepared the daily IMS inventory delta file.  Nikolai also performed the periodic inspection of the BRPK air/condensate separator of the SRVK water processing system.

In preparation for next week’s (4/8) spacewalk and preceding positioning of the SSRMS (space station remote manipulator system) for situational-awareness viewing, the crew conducted a software review of the DOUG (dynamic operational ubiquitous graphics) application.  [DOUG is a sophisticated program on a standalone PC at the robotics workstation which provides a birdseye-view graphical image of the SSRMS, showing its real-time location and configuration on the display during its operation.]

MCC-H uplinked helpful instructions for the EVA tool retrieval “get-ahead” task during next week’s spacewalk, specifying bags and stowage configurations for accommodating and transferring the numerous tools.

Sox and Don filled out their weekly FFQ (food frequency questionnaire), a special software log on the MEC (medical equipment computer) to track nutritional intake.

After the recurring transfer of accumulated data files from the HRM (heart rate monitor) to the MEC (medical equipment computer), for subsequent downlink to the ground, Sox deleted them on HRM.

MCC-M/TsUP conducted another 20-min. IMS (inventory management system) tagup with the crew via S-band, to discuss disposition and location of specific items for clarification of the updated IMS database.

The crew downlinked a message of greeting to the participants of the Fifth International Science/Technical Conference in Russia.  [“We hope that the findings shared at this conference will find appropriate practical application in space flight preparation and operation.”]

At 10:55am EST, the crew engaged in an interactive exchange (S-band/audio only) with the National Public Radio (NPR) program “All Things Considered”.  [The event on this third most listened-to radio program in the U.S., carried by about 600 stations nationally with a weekly audience of more than 10 million, lasted about 20 minutes.]

Coming up:  Tomorrow (4/4), at 7:59am EST, first of two “stand-alone” reboosts by Progress M-247.  Est. delta-V: 1.8 m/s; altitude increase: 3.1 km (1.9 miles).

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) targets, currently restricted by flight rule constraints limiting the use of the science window in the Lab, were Industrialized SE Africa (good pass parallel with SE coast of South Africa.  This is the exit zone for polluted air masses from the subcontinent.  Crew was to try to document any smog plumes going out into the southern Indian Ocean.  Researchers are most interested in actual visuals of this recently discovered phenomenon), Patagonian Glaciers (weather remained clear: crew was to look especially for glacier tongues on the W side of the Andean ice fields), Mekong River delta (excellent sun glint detail for acquiring delta coast detail), Delhi region, India (Dynamic event: Sun glint opportunity left of track of the highly enigmatic stream patterns in the Delhi region.  Sanskrit literature suggests that Delhi’s river [the Yamuna] flowed SW into the Arabian Sea 4000 years ago [instead of SE into the Ganges].  Glint views are the most accurate and detailed mapping method for remnant stream patterns), Angolan Biomass Burning (looking left and right for early-season burning.  Crew was also asked to try for sun glint views of the major wetlands along the upper Zambezi River, left of track), Southeast Sudan wetlands (Dynamic event. Extremely remote wetlands [in civil-war-torn southern Sudan] on the lowlands at the foot of the Ethiopian mountains.  Looking left for sun glint opportunity), and Eastern Mediterranean Dust (dust predicted again off north Africa [E coast of Libya/W coast of Egypt] in advance of the big storm entering the western Mediterranean).
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 12:45pm EST).

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

• Elektron O2 generator is powered On.  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) — 740; temperature (deg C) — 29.0; ppO2 (mmHg) — 183.1 (suspect); ppCO2 (mmHg) — 2.4 (data suspect).
• SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.0.
• FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 23.3.
• Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 738.16; temperature (deg C) — 23.4 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — 165.6; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.3.
• U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 740.07; temperature (deg C) — 22.5; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
• Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):  Pressure (mmHg) — 740.17; temperature (deg C) — 21.1; shell heater temp (deg C) — 21.5, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 25.8
• PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 16.6

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

• Total propellant load available [SM(774) + FGB(2746) + Progress(474] — 3994 kg (8805 lb) as of 4/3/03.  (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 Autotrack (sun-following).
• SM batteries:  All batteries (8) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
• FGB batteries:  Battery #2 is in “Cycle” mode; 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:  21.0 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 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, 3:59am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 388.6 km
• Apogee — 394.2 km
• Perigee — 383.1 km
• Period — 92.33 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) —  51.63 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0008156
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.60
• Solar Beta Angle:  21.0 deg (magnitude decreasing)
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 200 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98)  — 24933
• For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html