MRPO Daily Status Report 09-20-02

GMT Date: 263

Calendar Date: 09/20/02

Increment: 5

Stage: UF2

Week 15

Payloads currently on-board ISS:
ADVASC, BSTC, InSPACE, MAMS, MEPS, MSG (facility), PFMI, SAMS, StelSys, STES-8, SUBSA and ZCG. InSpace will not operate during this increment.

Status
: MRPO payloads ADVASC, MAMS, SAMS and STES 8 continue nominal, basically unattended, operations. BSTC, MEPS, StelSys, SUBSA and ZCG operations have been successfully completed.

EXPRESS RACKS 1 and 4 (ER1 & ER4) are powered and supporting payload operations. ER2 is powered to support ARIS adjustments. ER3 is installed in the US Lab and will be checked out later. ER5 was checked out during Increment 4 and powered down.

ADVASC is down-linking nominal health and status data. The payload has been configured for plant and seed pod dry-out. The crew performed fluid removal procedures today to assist the dry-out process.

MAMS is operating nominally in the quasi-steady mode. HiRAP is turned-off. MAMS data is available on the acceleration measurement web page.

MSG power was turned-off today after removal of the first PFMI sample. All systems operated nominally. MSG power will be restored Monday to support the next PFMI run.

The first PFMI science operation was successfully conducted yesterday and the sample was removed and stowed today. The payload system operated nominally and excellent video of the sample operation was received on the ground. PI is reviewing video to establish parameters for next run. The next PFMI run is scheduled for Monday, 9/23.

All SAMS sensors, in EXPRESS Racks are operating nominally. The SAMS sensor in the MSG operated nominally during the period when MSG was operating and is currently turned-off. SAMS data is also being posted to the acceleration measurement web page.

STES-8 is down-linking nominal health and status data. Four of the six growth chambers remain activated.

Near-term Outlook:

Week 15 (9/16-9/22) – Planning for this week was based on approximately 9 hours of crew time availability for NASA payload operations. The crew is continuing to review plans for 9A joint operations, perform 9A pre-packing activities and prepare Progress 8 for undock in week 16.

Week 16 (9/23-9/29) – Preliminary planning for this week is being based on approximately 6 hours of crew time availability for NASA payload operations. Progress 8 will undock on Tuesday, 9/24. Progress 9 launch is planned on Wednesday, 9/25, and docking on Sunday, 9/29. The crew will perform EVA preparation activities including practicing robotic arm procedures. One PFMI sample run is scheduled during this week.

M. Vlasse, PhD, DSc
MRPO Increment Scientist

ACRONYMS:

ADVASC – Advanced Astroculture
ARIS–Active Rack Isolation System
BCSS — Biotechnology Cell Science Stowage
BSTC– Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (General status information on this payload will include coverage of the following items of support equipment: BTR, BCSS and GSM)
BTR — Biotechnology Refrigerator
ER1– EXPRESS RACK 1
ER2 — EXPRESS RACK 2
ER3 – EXPRESS RACK 3
ER4 – EXPRESS RACK 4
ER5 – EXPRESS RACK 5
EVA – Extra-vehicular Activity
GSM — Gas Supply Module
InSPACE- Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates
ISS – International Space Station
MAMS — Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System
MEPS – Microencapsulation Electrostatic Processing System
MSG – Microgravity Science Glovebox
PFMI – Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation
SAMS — Space Acceleration Measurement System II
STES – Protein Crystal Growth – Single Thermal Enclosure System
SUBSA – Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules
ZCG – Zeolite Crystal Growth