Status Report

NASA On-Orbit Status 14 May 2004

By SpaceRef Editor
May 14, 2004
Filed under , , ,
NASA On-Orbit Status 14 May 2004
iss.21.jpg

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. ‘Iorana! (look below for “Rapa Nui”).

The crew completed loading 13P/Progress-260 at the Service Module (SM) aft end with disposable cargo, supported by IMS (inventory management system) barcode tracking, and packing it onboard according to previously uplinked instructions. [Thanks to their diligence on this activity yesterday, 13P packing is essentially complete, – ahead of schedule.  The disposal manifest comprises 84 different equipment types, including filled waste bags, discarded hardware parts, used-up batteries, foam material, etc.  Instructions emphasize the need for proper restraining of the stowed items to prevent shifting during 13P departure on 5/24.]

CDR Padalka prepared equipment assembly and work area for the Russian biomedical “Pilot” experiment (MBI-15), which requires a work table, ankle restraint system and control handles for testing piloting skill.  The experiment was then conducted by both crewmembers.  Gennady later deactivated, disassembled and stowed the Pilot-P gear. [FE/SO Mike Fincke performed three flight control modes (fixed, slow and fast free-flyer), each one five times, after checkout and calibration of the control handles.  Results were later reported to the ground.  A new software package for MBI-15 will be delivered on Progress-249/14P on 5/27.]

On the HRF (Human Research Facility), the Science Officer set up and took a training session on the ADUM (Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity) experiment’s On-board Proficiency Enhancer (OPE) in preparation for next week’s body scanning activities. [Mike used the ADUM OPE compact disk on the HRF PC/laptop, focusing on anatomy and probe positioning as key to obtaining quality data.  On 5/6, he had transferred necessary files from the OCA comm machine to the HRF PC via a PuFF (Pulmonary Function in Flight) Flash RAM card and installed the new Vers. 2 software.]

Gennady Padalka deactivated the IK0501 gas analyzer (GA) in the SM and exchanged its BF carbon dioxide (CO2) filter assembly with a new unit (#33) from the FGB (replaced last: 4/3).  GA was reactivated and the spent BF stowed for return to Earth.  [IK0501 is an automated system for measuring CO2, O2, and H2O in the air as well as the flow rate of the gas being analyzed.]

Fincke performed the daily leak check of the Lab window’s inter-pane space (“Volume D”), using the “Aeolus” scopemeter with pressure probe.  Today’s pressure reading was 480mm Torr (mmHg), or 9.3 psi.

Padalka conducted another sensor reading of the “Pille-MKS” radiation dosimeter, which has ten sensors placed at various locations in the RS (Russian segment; port cabin window, starboard cabin window, ASU toilet facility, control panel, etc.).  Pille dosage values will be called down or downlinked via Regul Paket/Email.

The FE terminated the recharge of the final set of two NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries started 5/12 in the Airlock BSA (battery stowage assembly).

Gennady prepared the daily “delta” file for updating the IMS (inventory management system) database(s), while Mike completed the daily maintenance of the SM’s SOZh life support system, including the routine replacements in the ASU toilet system, and did the regular status checkup of autonomous Increment 9 payloads.

CDR Padalka conducted the weekly IMS (inventory management system) tagup with ground specialists, discussing open issues concerning identification of equipment and storage locations for updating the IMS database. [Today’s topics focused on straightening out and updating stowage locations of items shown by IMS as stowed on board Soyuz TMA-4/8S and/or specific ISS locations.]

Operation of EarthKAM is in its Day 3, with the system’s Kodak ESC 460C camera at its SM window remotely commanded from the ground. [61 schools & over 3,680 students are currently using EarthKAM (EK).  The 180mm lens installed by Fincke yesterday is producing stunning 6detail.  With the previous 50mm lens, a total of 479 pictures were captured, and 530 images have been downlinked.  Images are posted on the EK website  ( http://www.earthkam.ucsd.edu ).  EarthKAM deactivation and stow is on tomorrow’s schedule.]

The crew completed their daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS, RED exerciser and VELO cycle with load trainer, which today was recorded on video to support biomechanical evaluation of the exercising crewmember and assessment of the on-orbit setup of equipment during data collection. [While the CDR recorded a normal single-camera video with the machine’s skirt off, Fincke used two cameras to capture both a full body view and a close-up of the control panel so engineers can observe any anomalous speed dropouts if they occurred again.]

After thorough testing it was determined that SM battery #6 is no longer able to hold a charge.  The 800A unit has been taken off line and declared failed.  Its replacement with a spare is under consideration for next week.

At 10:00am EDT, the ground began the final round of the four-day remotely commanded transitioning of four MDM computers on the S0 truss element to new software (s/w). [Activities today consisted of powering up the backup EXT MDM (EXT-1) and loading it with s/w version R4, then swapping it with the primary EXT-2 computer, which now is the backup MDM again.  This set the EXTs up for the RPCM replacement EVA on 6/10, during which EXT-2 will lose power when its controlling Lab DDCU (dc-to-dc converter unit) LA2A is powered down.]

In preparation for the upcoming EVA, a lighting fixture (LHA, lamp housing assembly) in the A/L Equipment Lock (E/L) will have to be replaced with an LHA scavenged from the Lab module.  Mike Fincke was asked to name his preference on which LHA to use. [In the adjacent A/L Crew Lock (C/L) there is currently only one lighting fixture working, and in the Lab two LHAs are failed (or blinking, resp.).]

Today’s CEO targets, in the current LVLH attitude no longer limited by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, except for the shutter closure and condensation-prevention plan (limited to 90 min. in 24 hours), were Tropical cyclone Juba, Indian Ocean (Dynamic event. This storm has strengthened and is now designated a Category 1 storm.  Looking left for the center of this compact storm, which is moving south), Easter Island, eastern Pacific (Nadir pass.  Easter Island is over 2,000 miles from the nearest population centers [Tahiti and Chile], making it one of the most isolated places on Earth.  A triangle of volcanic rock in the South Pacific, it is best known for the giant stone monoliths, known as “moai”, that dot the coastline.  Easter Island was named by Admiral Roggeveen, who came upon the island on Easter Day in 1722.  Today, the land, people and language are all referred to locally as Rapa Nui [for more on this language — or perhaps even to speak it — go to http://www.netaxs.com/~trance/phrases.html .]), Patagonian Glaciers (the E side of the ice fields should have remained clear for detailed views of the many smaller glaciers.  Detailed research on altitudes of the ice surfaces shows that almost every glacier has lost more volume by thinning in the last 20-30 years than it has by the tongue melting backwards), and Ascension Island, Atlantic Ocean (Joao de Nova discovered this uninhabited island on 25 March 1501.  Islanders have been celebrating the 500th anniversary. Today Ascension Island has a transient population of about 1000, mainly British and American employees of communications companies).

CEO images can be viewed at the websites.

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at

U.S. and Russian Segment Status  (as of today, 1:41pm EDT).

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):

  • Elektron O2 generator is On.  Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On.  U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off.  TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating.  SM Gas Analyzer has been calibrated and is used for ppO2 & ppCO2 monitoring.  MCA (major constituents analyzer) is in Life Extending Mode (LEM).  BMP Harmful Impurities unit: absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode.  RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On, SKV-2 is Off (SM panel mods completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20).  SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).
  • SM Working Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 25.3; ppO2 (mmHg) — 155.0; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.5;
  • SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.7.
  • FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 755; temperature (deg C) — 21.4.
  • Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 748.34; temperature (deg C) — 22.7 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  • U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 750.47; temperature (deg C) — 24.7; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  • Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):   Pressure (mmHg) — 750.57; temperature (deg C) — 25.7; shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  •         
  • (n/a = data not available)
  • PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a
  • PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a.

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

  • Both P6 channels fully operational.  BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in Directed position (blind, dual-angle mode with “night glider”/”sun slicer” drag reduction sweep, non solar-tracking” 2B @ 235 deg, 4B @ 125 deg.)
  • SM batteries:  Battery #6 is off line (failed); battery #8 is in Cycle (RTs) mode; all other batteries (6) are on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
  • FGB batteries:  Battery #2 is off line; all other batteries (5) are on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
  • Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 is in Standby mode; PCU-2 is in Standby mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

  • C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is backup, and C&C-3 is in standby.
  • GNC-2 MDM is prime; GNC-1 is backup.
  • INT-2 is operating; INT-1 is Off.
  • EXT-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 is Off (backup).
  • LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
  • PL-1 MDM is Off; PL-2 MDM is Operational.
  • APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
  • SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string 1 dropped out 11/22/03).
  • SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string #3 dropped out 10/22/03).
  • FGB MDM-1 is Off (failed, 11/21/03); MDM-2 is Operational.

Propulsion System:

  • Total propellant load available: 3725 (8212 lb) as of 5/5/04;  [SM(693) + FGB(2373) + Progress M-1(659)].  (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

  • 2 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2’s RPC-17 failed 4/21/04).
  • State vector source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
  • Attitude source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
  • Angular rate source — RGA-1

Flight Attitude:

  • LVLH YVV (local vertical/local horizontal = “earth-fixed”: z-axis in local vertical, y-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -90 deg, pitch: -9 deg, roll: 1.7 deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.

Communications & Tracking Systems:

  • FGB MDM-1 is powered Off; FGB MDM-2 is operational.
  • All other Russian communications & tracking systems are nominal.
  • S-band is operating nominally (on string 2).
  • Ku-band is operating nominally (may require a mask).
  • Audio subsystem is operating nominally (IAC-1 is prime, IAC-2 is off).
  • Video subsystem operating nominally.
  • HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.

Robotics:

  • SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at Lab PDGF/LEE A, operational on redundant string, off on prime.
  • MBS: KA (keep alive) power on both strings. 
  • MT: latched and mated at WS4. 
  • POA: KA power on both strings.
  • RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is On (DCP connected); Cupola RWS is Off.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 7:11am EDT [= epoch]):

  • Mean altitude — 360.6 km
  • Apogee — 368.0 km
  • Perigee — 353.2 km
  • Period — 91.75 min.
  • Inclination (to Equator) —  51.63 deg
  • Eccentricity — 0.0010993
  • Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.69
  • Mean altitude loss last 24 hours — 73 m
  • Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98)  — 31302

For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times, see
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html

SpaceRef staff editor.