ISS On-Orbit Status 3 Mar 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below. Space Day 100 for Expedition 6 (since launch on STS-113 on
11/23/02). It will be 100 days next Thursday, 3/6, since Station command
was transferred from Expedition 5’s Valery Korzun to Kenneth Bowersox.

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin, in the Russian segment (RS), had a "full
plate" today. First, in support of the on-going upgrading of the
Russian onboard computer system (BVS) to the new Vers. 7.01 software,
he enabled a command response test by MCC-M of the integrated control
panel (InPU) via S-band.

Budarin then was scheduled to install two new cables of the SUBA onboard
equipment control system in the SM, brought up by 10P/Progress-247, to
reconfigure control of both SKV-1 and SKV-2 air conditioners. [During
the actual connector matings and dematings on the systems, on MCC-M go-ahead,
both SKVs were powered down.]

Budarin also reconfigured the Russian Ethernet onboard comm/data network,
which is linked with the USOS OpsLAN (US segment/operations local area
network) through the FGB via SSC (station support computer) Router #1
laptop and coaxial cable. [Budarin’s replaced coax cables between RS
laptops (via the BRI SmartSwitch router) with more advanced "twisted
pair" cables and removed some older Ethernet network cables of its
stage 1 config.]

Subsequently, after Bowersox had upgraded the SSC Router 1 laptop to
the new software, he and Nikolai tested the reconfigured RS/USOS integrated
network,. [Their checkout featured a "Ping" interaction test
to check the connection between BRI-connected laptops and their links
with USOS laptops, and a print test to check printing from different
types of laptops to both printers.]

From the FGB, Budarin removed another no-longer-required electronics
block (M34-17, A9) of the SUD motion control system, then took digital
photographs of the exposed area for later downlink via OCA. [The images
are required to help establish the configuration of containers under
development for installation in these areas.]

Nikolai also installed three new SUBA cables on the SM command processor
system (BOK) to provide capability for automatic (autonomous) control
of the US matching unit for the Progress vehicle.

In the DC-1 "Pirs" docking module, Budarin performed the long-term/periodic
task of verifying the status of circuit breakers on the BVP panel and
fuses in the fuse box panel (BPP). Then, in the FGB module, he completed
the monthly preventive task of replacing the filter cartridges in the
PS1 and PS2 dust collectors of Zarya’s ventilation system.

Ken Bowersox set up and activated the IV-CPDS (intravehicular charged
particle directional spectrometer), for taking EVARM (EVA radiation monitoring)
background radiation readings in the cabin. After subsequent data transfer
to the computer, the equipment was stowed again.

Bowersox performed the scheduled monthly maintenance on the CSA-CP (compound
specific analyzer-combustion products) which involves one hour of unattended
air sample data collection time.

FE-2/SO Don Pettit continued his assistance in the ground’s MSG (microgravity
science glovebox) troubleshooting, which further explored the electrical
circuit anomaly by adding an additional power path. [Pettit again rotated
the rack in order to make the necessary connection on the MSG electronics
box. After Don’s activations, the ground conducted extensive commanding
and corresponding Ku-band telemetry checks. Purpose of these steps is
to systematically track down and pinpoint the root cause behind the recent
repeated PDC (power distribution controller) 12V and 5Vdc circuit breaker
trip.]

Pettit completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOSh life
support system (including ASU toilet system), while the CDR prepared
the regular IMS inventory delta file for downlink and performed the daily
Lab payload status checkup on the PCG-STES010 payload.

All crewmembers performed their normal daily physical exercise on TVIS
(treadmill with vibration isolation and stabilization), RED (resistive
exercise device), CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation) and
VELO cycle with load trainer. [Since CEVIS has currently a problem with
manual pre-selection of the loads required for the accelerated EVA prebreathing
protocol, preferred prebreathing method is either in-suit or via Airlock "camp-out".
However, CEVIS is still usable for general exercise.]

Bowersox and Pettit performed another session with the psychological
MedOps WinSCAT (Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool) experiment. [This
is a time-constrained questionnaire test of cognitive abilities, routinely
performed by astronauts aboard the ISS every 30 days before or after
the PHS (periodic health status) test or on special CDR’s, crewmember’s
or flight surgeon’s request.]

Bowersox and Pettit spent time at the RWS (robotics workstation) reviewing
the DOUG (dynamic operations ubiquitous graphics) software setup for
tomorrow’s operations with SSRMS/Canadarm2. The arm is currently based
on PDGF1 (power and data grapple fixture #1) on the MBS (mobile base
system), with its Tip LEE (latching end effector) grappled to PDGF2.
[SSRMS operations tomorrow and on 3/6 will be used to perform surveys
of the S1 and P1 truss segments. On S1, seven RBVM QD (radiator beam
valve module quick disconnect) thermal covers and the zenith S0-S1 interface
will be inspected. On P1, two RBVM QD thermal covers and the port SVS
(space vision system) target array will be inspected. After the S1 survey
tomorrow, SSRMS will remain grappled to the Lab PDGF. If there is sufficient
time, the MBS PDGF 1 may be released and the arm maneuvered to the P1
RBVM survey position; if time does not allow it, the SSRMS reconfig for
the P1 survey will occur on 3/6. Analysis (in the absence of telemetry
data) has indicated that at least one thermal cover/bootie on the P1
RBVM appears to be not correctly positioned. If booties are not properly
in place, the resulting higher temperatures over longer periods could
potentially degrade the ammonia QD seals underneath.]

On POC (Payload Operations Center) request, Don Pettit powered up the
HRF (Human Research Facility) and activated the GASMAP (gas analyzer
system for metabolic analysis physiology) in standby mode. [This gives
the GASMAP ion pump time to scrub out extra helium accumulated during
the recent PuFF sessions.]

Yesterday the onboard C&W (caution & warning) system reported
the loss of subset 1 of the Service Module (SM) TsVM Central Computer
system, reducing redundancy in the Russian systems, with the other two
lanes functioning OK. [All three U.S. C&C MDMs (command & control
computers) are nominal, and since the primary C&C is in sync with
the primary subset #2 of TsVM, no action was required from ground or
crew for the USOS C&DH (command & data handling) system at this
time. The SM’s TVM Terminal Computer has also been operating on two of
three subsets since last year. Both TsVM and TVM are to be reinitialized
with the new software on all three subsets this week, TVM tonight during
crew sleep, TsVM tomorrow night.]

The software patch to correct the RGA (rate gyro assembly) "data
staleness" problem was uplinked to both GNC (guidance, navigation & control)
MDMs yesterday. While running overnight, unexpected control torques were
observed in the ISS attitude control subsystem (ACS) due to stale RGA
data. This anomaly was not observed prior to the patch installation.
The motion control system (MCS) is now again using Russian attitude,
angular rate, and state vector (position, velocity) data to preclude
any anomalous RGA data propagating through the system.

Progress thruster test burns/reboosts are scheduled for next week. Manifold
1: 3/11; manifold 2: 3/13. Delta-V ~1m/sec each.

Today’s targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were Ganges
River Delta (good viewing conditions should have continued at this time
of the crew’s pass west of this complex delta target. They were to use
the long lenses to document subtle details of the vegetation and land
use patterns, especially near the coast), Nairobi, Kenya (the Kenyan
capital was too far off nadir for useful views this pass. However, just
a few seconds SE, to the left of track, the crew was to try once more
for details of the small ice fields and glaciers atop Mount Kilimanjaro),
and Eastern Mediterranean Smog (weather was "iffy" this pass,
but the crew may have been able to document heavy smog over the Aegean
Sea and eastern Turkey. As the ISS tracked over Greece, they were to
look obliquely left of track towards the NE to detect smog from a number
of source regions).

CEO images can be viewed at the website:
http://eol.jsc.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 (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 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)
— 27.6; ppO2 (mmHg) — 174.5; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 2.2 (suspect).
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C)
— 21.1.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 22.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 741.34; temperature (deg C) — 24.0 (shell);
ppO2 (mmHg) — 166.5; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.9.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 743.30; temperature (deg C) — 22.2; ppO2
(mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 743.40; temperature (deg
C) — 21.0; shell heater temp (deg C) — 21.7, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2
(mmHg) — n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 25.8
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 14.0
(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-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.
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): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Lane
1 is out of the set (as of 3/2/03).

Attitude Control Systems:
3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).
State vector source — Russian
Attitude source — Russian
Angular rate source — Russian.

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: -25.1 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 — -25.1 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