ISS On-Orbit Status 6 Dec 2002

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

After wake-up at 4:00am EST, the crew continued the current kidney stone
prevention research round. CDR Ken Bowersox started his turn, reviewing
the Renal OBT (on-board training) disk, then initiating his food and fluid
intake log. FE-1 Nikolai Budarin had his second day of the regimen, which
required him to collect urine samples in the course of the day besides
diet logging. For FE-2/SO Don Pettit, sample collection ended this morning.
After each collection, the sample ID is scanned with the BCR (bar code
reader) and the sample then stowed.

Don Pettit ran into a few problems yesterday during the upgrade/loading
of the HRF (human research facility) system, but as of this morning he
encountered no issues during HRF autoload, using another procedure with
new "watchdog" timer inhibit settings. [Pettit set up each loading
activity, after which the software loaded automatically, involving the
RIC (rack interface controller) serial card, the 1553 card, and the HRDL
(high rate data link) card. Afterwards, an Ethernet connection was established
and the PC (portable computer) was reset for the ground to update rack
configuration files to the EMU.]

The crew conducted the mandatory two-hour computer-supported emergency
egress readiness drill, with both Russian and US specialists standing
by if the crew had any questions or comments. The rule is that the emergency
egress exercise should be performed by every new station crew once within
seven days after departure of the previous crew. [Purpose of the OBT is
to familiarize the station residents with the locations of emergency equipment
and the position of valves used in emergency situations, to work through
the Russian Segment (RS) deactivation procedures, and to develop crew
emergency joint measures. Crewmembers were to verify ISS readiness for
emergency response by performing specific actions such as inspection of
all translation paths to the Soyuz CRV, currently docked at the DC-1 "Pirs"
docking module, and determination of any obstructions that would hinder
an emergency egress, inspection of all vehicle hatchways and determination
if hatchways can be easily cleared in the event of an emergency, reviewing
and discussing methods to disconnect air-ducts that run through Russian
hatches (without disconnecting any permanent hardware), determining the
accessibility of all communications panels and hardware, of all emergency
equipment, of specific ports, instruments and kits, and confirming that
specific valves are in the expected configuration. The exercise is usually
topped off by a debrief with the ground.]

All crewmembers again had an hour scheduled for ISS familiarization and
acclimatization, called for as daily rule for the first two weeks after
Shuttle departure.

FE-2 Pettit was scheduled to perform an audit of available CWCs (contingency
water containers).

CDR Bowersox today completed the daily routine servicing tasks of SOSh
life support systems maintenance, IMS inventory update file preparation,
and Lab payload status checkup. [The latter is scheduled once per day
on Monday, Wednesday and Friday when the ZCG (Zeolite crystal growth)
payload is not operating, and every day (Monday through Sunday) when ZCG
is operating.]

CSA (Canadian Space Agency) reported that yesterday’s thermal calibration
of the SSRMS (space station remote manipulator system) was very successful,
yielding good data for thermal trending analyses. [The Lab RWS (robotics
workstation) and SSRMS are now powered down, and the RWS DCP (display
and control panel) bypass power cable was to be disconnected at the crew’s
convenience.]

Yesterday’s PFEs (physical fitness evaluations) were all performed successfully
on the CEVIS (cycle ergometer) in manual mode, with entirely satisfactory
results. The plan is to use CEVIS in manual mode next week for the EVA
pre-breathe protocol, keeping the "camp out" mode as backup.
[For this latter procedure, the spacewalkers wait out their mandatory
denitrogenation period while "camped out" in the Joint Airlock
(A/L), breathing pure O2 at reduced pressure (10.2 psi). This process
requires considerable more time for "washing" the harmful N2
gas from tissue and blood, then pre-breathe with exercise.]

Bowersox reconfigured the PHA (pre-breathe hose assembly) for use of
station O2 (oxygen). During 11A, the PHA was used for Shuttle O2.

Yesterday’s dry-run checkout of the two EMU/spacesuits went well, and
both suits are ready for next week’s spacewalk. Analysis of the failed
biomed cabling showed that it does not carry enough energy to provide
an ignition source. However, it is not planned to use biomedical instrumentation
during the EVA on 12/12 (Thursday).

Bowersox and Budarin installed the REBA (rechargeable EVA battery assembly)
in the EMUs and checked out the REBA powered suit hardware, i.e., the
helmet video cameras. Later, they initiated recharging of the EMU batteries.
The batteries need about 48 hours to recharge and must be fully charged
prior to the EVA.

A preliminary timeline summary of the Stage EVA has been prepared and
uplinked to the crew for review. [Currently planned tasks for the 6-hr.
spacewalk include a reconfiguration of the P1 SFU (squib firing unit)
back to its launch condition, releasing ten launch locks on the P1 radiator
beam (five zenith, five nadir), inspection of the radiator beam and observing
its deployment, installation of a light fixture on a CETA (crew and equipment
translation aid) cart, cleaning the Node nadir CMB (common berthing module),
and installation of a CETA tool box.]

Assuming on-schedule repair/rebuilt of the PDC (power distribution controller)
and ESEM3 (exchangeable standard electronic module 3) of the inoperative
Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) rack, Moscow was advised by Houston
of a possible forthcoming request to manifest the two electronics boxes
on Progress 10B. The spacecraft, already at Baikonur, is currently slated
for launch on 2/2/03.

Last night, the IAC (internal audio controller) transitioned several
times from channel 2 to channel 1. A data dump is planned for further
analysis.

Except for CMG-1 (control moment gyro #1), which is failed, U.S. CMGs
continue to operate nominally. The slightly higher current seen on CMG-4’s
spin motor rotor at Shuttle departure is now recognized as an "expected
condition", related to minor change in lubrication state.

New PPL (pre-positioned load) software with "survival" settings
was approved for immediate upload to the station, incorporating loads
for S1 and P1 truss avionics.

RSC-Energia reported that Russian industry has developed a new type of
CO2 absorber cartridge, based on the type currently used in the Soyuz
spacecraft but modified for the Service Module (SM). [Ten batches are
available, and one is already on board, delivered by Progress 9P but remaining
in closed condition. The certified lifetime of the current cartridges
is being extended, and the expiration date of the new batches at present
is 2006. The new purification cartridges (PO) are metallic cylinders containing
two contaminant filters with lithium hydroxide (LiOH) as absorbent between
them. In nonworking status, the cartridges are closed by plugs, one each
at inlet and outlet, to preserve operating life. ]

Discussions are continuing on the best method to obtain clear photography
of the SM solar array #2 with the portside Kurs-P antenna and its high-frequency
feeder cable along the array. [First choice at present is to attempt it
with a 35-mm handheld camera during next week’s EVA. Other options are
shooting with a digital long-lensed camera from a SM sleep compartment
window, and using the video cameras on the SSRMS robotarm.]

Sleep period begins at 7:30pm EST.

Landing of STS-113/Endeavour has been called off again for today, third
day in a row. Tomorrow (12/7), there are four landing opportunities: at
KSC at 2:37pm and 4:15pm, at Edwards at 5:45pm and 7:22pm (all times EST).
Current weather forecasts are favorable. For Sunday, the last day (EOM+4),
there also are four opportunities, two each at KSC and EDW.

Today’s targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were Aerosols,
SE Africa (excellent pass along the line of the Great Escarpment of southeast
Africa. To show different densities of aerosol at different altitudes,
crew was to shoot the plateau, the high mountains [>8000 feet near
nadir] and the coastal plain. Oblique views reveal aerosols best), Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia (nadir pass; ESC [electronic still camera]), Patagonian Glaciers
(southern of the two Andean ice sheets remains clear, at nadir. Crew to
shoot any crevasse patterns in the central sheet and detail of crevasses
and brown moraine streaks within glaciers tongues around the edges), Mt
Etna volcano, Sicily (Dynamic Site. Snowy volcano with recent dark ash
layer may have been visible between cloud), Costa Rica cloud patterns
(Dynamic Site. The narrow Central American landmass disturbs easterly
wind flow, generating cloud patterns which are now becoming understood.
Strong winds of the present dry season generate a different set of clouds.
Higher cloud base levels, possibly due to global warming, have resulted
in fewer fog days in local cloud forests: this reduced moisture may explain
recent extinction of the golden toad), Navassa Island, Caribbean Sea (crew
was asked to shoot coral reefs around this 3.5-mile-long island), Puebla,
Mexico (nadir pass; ESC. Looking a touch right of track at the foot of
the green forested slopes of Popocatepetl Volcano), Mexico City, Mexico
(nadir pass; ESC. Looking a touch left of track at the foot of the green
forested slopes of Popocatepetl Volcano), American Samoa (coral reef mapping
is the purpose of acquiring images of these islands, which have an area
about the same as Washington D.C.),and Jarvis Island (detailed views of
coral reefs were requested for mapping project. Views with these lenses
reveal small "coral head" features associated with the greatest
productivity and biodiversity. Image resolution from most high satellite
images is too low for this mapping objective).

CEO images can be viewed at the website
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 4:45am 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, cycle time 10 min). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off.
TCCS is operational. BMP Harmful Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1 in
Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode.

SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 762; temperature (deg C) —
24.1; ppO2 (mmHg) — 140.4; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 2.5.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 761; temperature (deg C) —
19.1.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 756; temperature (deg C) — 21.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 754.70; temperature (deg C) — 23.0 (shell);
ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 756.73; temperature (deg C) — 24.9; ppO2
(mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 756.84, temperature (deg
C) — 24.8; shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.1, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2
(mmHg) — n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.7
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 17.2
(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS): Total propellant load available (SM + FGB + Progress)
— 3792 kg (8360 lb) [as of 12/5/02].

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
Both P6 channels fully operational. Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 2B and
BGA 4B both in dual-angle mode (directed position)..
SM batteries: All batteries (8) are in "Partial Charge": mode.
Data are static.
FGB batteries: Batteries #4 is off line; all other batteries (5) are in
"Partial Charge" mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 is in Standby; PCU-2 is in Standby.

Thermal Control Systems:
Air conditioner SKV-1 is Off; SKV-2 is Off.

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 (new patches loaded on both).
EXT-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 is off.
LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
PL-1 MDM is On (primary); PL-2 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 down.
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.

Attitude Source:
3 CMGs on-line.
State vector — U.S. SIGI-1
Attitude — U.S. SIGI-1
Angular rates — U.S. RGA-1 (from RS attitude)

Communications & Tracking Systems:
FGB MDM-1 powered off; FGB MDM-2 is operating.
SM Comm panels 1 and 4 are failed; backup circuits are nominal.
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.
MCOR (medium-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: at WS7, 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, 7:27am EST [= epoch]):
Mean altitude — 396.4 km
Apogee — 398.7 km
Perigee — 394.1 km
Period — 92.5 min.
Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
Eccentricity — 0.0003371
Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.57
Solar Beta Angle — -3.0 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Mean Altitude Loss in last 24 hrs. — 180 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 23084
Current Flight Attitude LVLH TEA (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed":
z-axis in local vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch:
-9.1 deg, roll: 0 deg]) until December 14, then XPOP.

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