MRPO Daily Status Report 3-11-03

GMT Date: 070

Calendar Date: 03/11/03

Increment: 6

Stage: 11A

Week 15

Payloads currently on-board ISS:
BSTC, CGBA, CSLM-2, InSPACE, MAMS, MSG (facility), PFMI, SAMS, STES-10, SUBSA
and ZCG.

Status:
MAMS, SAMS and STES-10 continue nominal, basically unattended, operations.
BSTC, CGBA, CSLM-2, InSpace, PFMI, SUBSA and ZCG are inactive. MSG is in
a trouble-shooting mode.

EXPRESS RACKS 1 and 4 (ER1 & ER4) are powered and supporting payload
operations. ER2, ER3 & ER5 are currently powered down.

The MSG circuit breaker problem is continuing to be evaluated and troubleshooting
procedures are being implemented carefully. Thirteen sensor cables were
disconnected from MSG on day 59, leaving five sensors connected that
were verified to cause no problem with MSG powered. The disconnected
cables are now being reconnected one at a time to try to isolate the
connection that is causing an MSG circuit breaker to trip. Prior to today,
seven cables were reconnected and powered with no anomalous results.
Two additional cables were reconnected today (total of 14 sensors connected)
with no anomalous results. Reconnection of two additional cables is planned
tomorrow.

InSpace Coil assemblies may need to be inspected again prior to beginning
test operations if it becomes feasible to install the payload in the
MSG.

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

PFMI hardware removal from the MSG is contingent upon success of MSG
trouble-shooting.

All SAMS sensors in EXPRESS RACKS are operating nominally. The SAMS
sensor in the MSG is currently turned-off. SAMS data is also available
on the acceleration measurement web page.

STES-10 health and status data is nominal. STES-10 is configured with
diffusion-controlled chambers that require no crew operation activities.

Near-term Outlook:

Week 15 (3/10-3/16) – Planning for this week was based on approximately
10 hours of crew time for NASA payload operations. The crew will continue
preparations for a newly planned EVA during week 17. Two ground commanded
reboosts of the ISS to a higher orbit are planned. Time is allocated
on five days of this week to continue MSG trouble-shooting.

Week 16 (3/17-3/23) – Preliminary planning for this week is being
based on approximately 22 hours of crew time for NASA payload operations.
The flight crew will continue preparations for the newly planned EVA
during week 17. Time is being allocated on four days of this week to
continue MSG trouble-shooting.

M. Vlasse, PhD, DSc
PSR Increment Scientist

ACRONYMS:

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
CGBA Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus
ER1 EXPRESS RACK 1
ER2 EXPRESS RACK 2
ER3 EXPRESS RACK 3
ER4 EXPRESS RACK 4
ER5 EXPRESS RACK 5
GSM Gas Supply Module
InSPACE Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates
MAMS Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System
MSG Microgravity Science Glovebox
PAO Public Affairs Office
PFMI Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation
PGB Plant Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus
PSR NASA Code U Physical Sciences Research Division
RIC Rack Interface Controller
SAMS Space Acceleration Measurement System II
SPD NASA Code U Space Products Development Division
STES Protein Crystal Growth – Single Thermal Enclosure System
SUBSA Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules
ZCG Zeolite Crystal Growth