MRPO Daily Status Report 3-19-03

GMT Date: 078

Calendar Date: 03/19/03

Increment: 6

Stage: 11A

Week 16

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

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

EXPRESS RACKS 1 and 4 (ER1 & ER4) are currently powered and supporting
payload operations, however both racks experienced an unplanned power
down earlier today. A communication problem between the Guidance, Navigation
and Control MDM and the Russian Segment caused the ISS to begin transitioning
to a survival mode and the automatic power down of ER1 and ER4. ER2,
ER3 & ER5 are currently powered down.

Evaluation of the MSG circuit breaker problem continues, and troubleshooting
procedures are being implemented. Thirteen sensor cables were disconnected
from MSG on day 59 and have been reconnected one at a time, to hopefully
isolate the troublesome circuit, but no anomalies have occurred. MSG
troubleshooting continued today and included powering the rack and subsystems
except for the recently replaced fan. No problems occurred during today’s
test. Further trouble-shooting is contingent on the results of an ESA
Control Board meeting 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 currently operating nominally in the quasi-steady mode. Earlier
today MAMS experienced a loss of power due to the unplanned power down
of ER1. MAMS was repowered after rack power was restored. 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.

Recovery of SAMS data flow is continuing following the unplanned power
down of ER1 and ER4 earlier today. Complete recovery of data flow from
the SAMS sensors in EXPRESS Racks is expected today. The SAMS sensor
in MSG is turned-off. SAMS data is also available on the acceleration
measurement web page.

STES-10 health and status data is nominal. Earlier today STES-10 experienced
a loss of power due to the unplanned power down of ER4. STES-10 was re-powered
after rack power was restored. After being re-powered, the crew reported
flashing lights on the STES control panel indicating a low battery warning.
Ground commanding corrected the status and the payload has been nominal
since.

Near-term Outlook:

Week 16 (3/17-3/23) – Planning for this week was based on approximately
22 hours of crew time for NASA payload operations. The crew will continue
preparations for the recently defined EVA now being planned for week
19. Further MSG trouble-shooting is contingent on the results of an ESA
Control Board meeting this Thursday.

Week 17 (3/24-3/30) – Preliminary planning for this week is being based
on approximately 2 hours of crew time for NASA payload operations. The
crew will continue preparations for the recently defined EVA now being
planned for week 19. Time can be allocated for MSG trouble-shooting if
it is needed.

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
ESEM Exchangeable Standard Electronic Module
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
MDM Multiplexer/Demultiplexer
MSG Microgravity Science Glovebox
OCR Operations Change Request
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