MRPO Daily Status Report 3-6-03

GMT Date: 065

Calendar Date: 03/06/03

Increment: 6

Stage: 11A

Week 14

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 carefully implemented. Thirteen sensor cables were
disconnected from MSG last Friday, 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. Yesterday,
the second sensor cable was reconnected (total of 7 sensors connected
currently) and MSG power was turned-on for several hours. No problem
occurred so additional add-back sensor cable procedures will be implemented
Friday.

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. A SAMS sensor will be relocated
for a short term test of a cycle ergometer operation while hard mounted
to the US Lab during week 16. 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 14 (3/3-3/9) – Planning for this week was based on approximately
7 hours of crew time for NASA payload operations. MSG trouble-shooting
is continuing during this week.

Week 15 (3/10-3/16) – Preliminary planning for this week is being based
on approximately 1 hour of crew time for NASA payload operations. A SAMS
sensor will be mounted on a cycle ergometer to assess the effects of
operating a hard mounted cycle on the micro-gravity environment. The
crew will spend much of this week preparing for a newly planned EVA during
week 16.

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