MRPO Daily Status Report 09-23-02
GMT Date: 266
Calendar Date: 09/23/02
Increment: 5
Stage: UF2
Week 16
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 Friday to assist the dry-out process and the procedure is scheduled to be performed again tomorrow.
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-on today to support the second PFMI sample operation. All systems are nominal. MSG power will be turned-off tomorrow after the PFMI sample is removed.
The second PFMI science operation was successfully initiated after a minor problem with seating the sample, for good connectivity, was overcome. Video of the sample being processed is showing nominal operation. Video during the first PFMI operation last Friday provided unexpected observations, and in addition provided qualitative confirmation of the theory. The next PFMI run is scheduled for Monday, 9/30.
All SAMS sensors, in EXPRESS Racks and in the MSG, are operating nominally. 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 16 (9/23-9/29) – Planning for this week was 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.
Week 17 (9/30-10/6) – Preliminary planning for this week is being based on approximately 12 hours of crew time availability for NASA payload operations. The 9A Launch is planned for Wednesday, 10/2, and docking with the ISS on Friday, 10/4, to begin the Joint operations period. EVA-1 will occur on Saturday, 10/5. An additional PFMI run will be conducted, ADVASC samples and deactivation will occur, STES 8 will be deactivated and STES 7 will be activated.
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
