NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 13 October 2004
SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2004) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted
previously or below.
At Baikonur/Kazakhstan, all is set for Soyuz TMA-5/9S launch after its crew
received final clearance for launch early today. [Leroy Chiao, Salizhan
Sharipov and Yuri Shargin will arrive at Site 254 shortly after 5pm EDT to
begin suiting up for the subsequent bus ride, at ~8:30pm, to the launch pad.
The Soyuz launcher will be fueled when the crew boards the spacecraft
capsule, with Chiao in the left seat as Soyuz Flight Engineer, Sharipov in
the center seat as Soyuz Commander and Shargin in the right seat as ISS
Flight Engineer. Liftoff of the three-stage Soyuz is set for 11:06:26pm EDT
for the 9-minute ascent to orbit. Major subsequent events for Flight Day 1
see below.]
Aboard ISS, CDR Gennady Padalka conducted the second preliminary training
session in the “Chibis” LBNP suit (lower body negative pressure; Russian:
ODNT) for his return to gravity, assisted by FE/SO Mike Fincke. [“Chibis
is the Russian below-the-waist reduced-pressure device designed to provide
gravity-simulating stress to the body’s cardiovascular/circulatory system.
The suit forms an airtight seal around the waist and applies suction to the
lower body. Gennady’s preparatory training today consisted of first
imbibing 150-200 milliliters of water or juice, followed by a sequence of
progressive regimes of reduced (negative) pressure, set at -15, -20, and -30
mmHg (Torr) for five minutes each while shifting from foot to foot at 10-12
steps per minute, while wearing a sphygmomanometer to measure blood
pressure. The body’s circulatory system interprets the pressure
differential between upper and lower body as a gravity-like force pulling
the blood (and other liquids) down. It prepares the crewmember’s
orthostatic tolerance (e.g., the Gauer-Henry reflex) after Gennady’s
six-month stay in zero-G. Chibis data and biomed cardiovascular readings
are recorded. The Chibis suit (not to be confused with the Russian Pinguin
suit for spring-loaded body compression, or the “Kentavr” anti-g suit worn
during reentry) is similar to the U.S. LBNP chamber (not a suit) used for
the first time on Skylab in 1973/74, although it appears to accomplish its
purpose quicker due to the exercise made possible by it.]
Afterwards, in preparation for VC-7 (Visiting Crewmember #7) Yuri Shargin,
Padalka set up the work area for Shargin’s diverse VC-7 experiments during
his 8-day stay on the station. [For the BIO-10 Intercellular Interaction
experiment, he set up the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox). Other
experiment gear was prepared in the Russian segment (RS) at suitable power
outlets (PBS). PCMCIA memory cards were retrieved from stowage for Neurocog
and Cardiocog, etc.]
As part of VC-7 preparations, Gennady also performed a checkout of the
Russian “Kriogem-03” refrigerator behind Service Module (SM) panel 229A,
visually inspecting the seals on its chamber cover and housing to identify
possible deformation, then photographing the seals for downlink via Regul or
OCA.
Fincke floated for ~2.5 hrs in the U.S. Airlock (A/L), working on the EMU
(extravehicular mobility unit) cooling unit by collecting a 200 ml water
sample, then flushing and again sampling the unit. [For the activity,
MCC/Houston remotely activated the A/L CCAA (common cabin air assembly) air
conditioner beforehand, while TsUP/Moscow temporarily turned off the 400.1
MHz one-watt transmitter of the GTS (global timing system). After task
completion, CCAA was deactivated and GTS commanded back on.]
Mike also deployed two passive FMK (formaldehyde monitoring kit) sampling
assemblies in the Lab (below CEVIS) and SM (most forward handrail), to catch
any atmospheric formaldehyde on a sampling substrate for subsequent
analysis. (Last time done: 9/8).
The CDR worked on the Russian laptop 2 (TP2), first installing a special HDD
(hard disk drive, “Foto-HDD-04”) slated for return on Soyuz 8S, then copying
all images from memory cards used for photo imagery onto the HDD. The job
took several hours, and afterwards the Flash cards were erased and
reformatted in the Nikon D1 digital camera for reuse.
On the HMS (Health Maintenance Systems) “Tonopen” ocular pressure meter,
Fincke replaced its four 1.5V silver oxide batteries with new ones delivered
on Progress 15P.
Padalka continued the current round of the monthly preventive maintenance of
RS air ventilation systems (SOTR) by finishing the cleaning of “Group B”
ventilation fans in the SM, including a checkout of the ventilators and a
thorough cleaning of fan screens and flexible air ducts.
Gennady also completed his periodic routine inspection of the BIO-5
Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment which researches growth and development
of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-5 greenhouse.
At ~4:05pm EDT, Mike Fincke is scheduled for another on-orbit debrief
session with ground experts, today on the subject of logistics and
maintenance (L&M).
Padalka conducted the routine inspection/maintenance of the SM’s environment
control & life support system (SOZh) and also prepared the regular IMS
(inventory management system) delta file for automated export to the ground
for database updating and subsequent re-import via OCA.
Fincke meanwhile did the regular routine status checkup of the autonomous
PCG-STES010 (Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System)
payload in the Lab (done every Monday, Wednesday and Friday).
Mike printed out and reviewed the new procedures for setting up data routing
for passing photo/video coverage from the RS to the U.S. Ku-band assets via
IBM A31p ThinkPad SSC (station support computer), in preparation for Soyuz
9S arrival on 10/16.
Both crewmembers had time reserved for preparing their return on
Soyuz-214/8S on 10/23.
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The crew completed their daily 2.5-hr. aerobic/anaerobic workout program on
CEVIS cycle ergometer, RED exerciser and VELO cycle with bungee cord load
trainer.
Working off the Russian discretionary task list, Padalka conducted another
run of the Uragan earth-imaging program, using the Kodak 760 DSC (digital
still camera) with 800mm-lens. [Today’s task featured imagery of the Volga
Delta with the Port of Olia, Jarkuduk, the United Arab Emirates coastline,
and Mt. Etna, Sicily.]
Early this morning, while exercising on the TVIS treadmill Mike Fincke
experienced a shutdown of the TVIS stabilizer gyroscope. Troubleshooting
efforts, supported by the ground, were unsuccessful in spinning up the gyro.
The crew was told to stand down on TVIS exercise until further notice and to
use alternative exercise tomorrow while the issue is being assessed.
At 4:37pm, the U.S. primary power systems solar array wings (SAWs) will be
set by ground command to a drag-reduction bias of 42.5 deg for BGA (Beta
gimbal assembly) 2B and -42.5 deg for BGA 4B. [These bias settings are
used in XPOP attitude for solar Beta angles between 50 and 45 deg; and 47.0
deg (2B) & -47.0 deg (4B) for Betas smaller than 45 deg. Bias means that
the wing panels are not facing directly into the sun, in order to minimize
orbital drag from the remaining atmospheric density.]
Today’s CEO (crew earth observation) photo targets, in the current XPOP
attitude limited by flight rule constraints for use of the Science Window,
which is only available for use for ~1/4 of each orbit when it is in trail
(not facing into “ram” direction), were Internal waves, Vietnam (this pass
provided an opportunity for internal wave photography near the
East-Southeast coastline. Looking to the right of track for the sunglint
point), Amazon River mouth, W. Atlantic Ocean (weather is clear off the
Amazon River mouth for internal wave photography. Looking to the right of
track and slightly behind for the sunglint point),and Mt. St. Helens,
Washington (Dynamic Event. The volcano is currently producing steam plumes
that are clearing the crater rim. Clear weather provides an opportunity for
high-resolution oblique photography of the plumes [if present] during this
pass. Looking to the right of track for the volcano.
CEO images can be viewed at these websites:
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:
To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 9 crew visit:
- http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-9/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.
Expedition 9 Flight Crew Plans can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/
Previous NASA ISS On-orbit Status Reports can be found here. Previous NASA Space Station Status Reports can be found here. Previous NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Reports can be found here. A collection of all of these reports and other materials relating to Return to Flight for the Space Shuttle fleet can be found here.
Soyuz 9S (Expedition 10+1) flight plan (Leroy Chiao, Salizhan Sharipov, Yuri Shargin):
Flight Day 1 (all times EDT):
- Tonight @ 11:06pm: Launch (L), when ISS at 316 deg phase angle
- L+1min53sec: Escape rocket jettison (~49 km altitude)
- L+1:58: First stage (four strap-on boosters) separation (49 km altitude)
- L+2:37: Launch shroud jettison
- L+4:47: Second stage (core) separation (167 km altitude)
- L+4:57: Third stage lower skirt jettison
- L+8:45: Third stage shutdown (orbital insertion, ~202 km altitude, 7.5 km/s velocity)
- L+8:48: Third stage separation (S)
- 11:15pm: At S+8 sec: deployment of 2 solar arrays, 4 Kurs-A antennas, 1 radio antenna (Rassvet-M VHF-2), 1 telemetry antenna (onboard measurement syst.)
- 12:23am: Orbit 2 begins
- 1:13am: TsUP issues Soyuz flight vector (position, velocity data)
- 1:52am: Orbit 3 begins
- 2:41am: First maneuver burn (DV1) by main propulsion engine
- 3:20am: Orbit 4 begins
- 3:20am: Second maneuver burn (DV2) by main propulsion engine
- 4:50am: Orbit 5 begins
- 5:30am: Crew doffs/stows Sokol suits
- 6:10am: Orbit 6 begins
- 6:10am: Crew sleep begins
- 4:05pm: Crew sleep ends.
Ahead:
- Start ISS Flyaround — 10/15 (Fri), 11:58pm; range ~405m;
- Start Stationkeeping — 10/16 (Sat), 12:07an; range ~160m, below;
- Final Approach — 10/16, 12:15:31am;
- Docking — 10/16, 12:25am.
U.S. & Russian Segment Status (as of today, 1:33pm 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 On. SM Gas
- Analyzer has been calibrated and is used for ppO2 & ppCO2 monitoring. MCA
- (major constituents analyzer) is On. BMP Harmful Impurities unit: absorbent
- bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is
- Off. SKV-2 is On (SM panel mods completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed
- 4/20; new replaceable condensate removal line installed on 9/9). SFOG slot
- #2 fan suspect (not usable).
- SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 763; temperature (deg C) —
- 26.6; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 761; temperature (deg C) —
- 20.9.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 756; temperature (deg C) — 23.7.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 761.7; temperature (deg C) — 24.7 (shell); ppO2
- (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 763.1; temperature (deg C) — 23.0; ppO2
- (mmHg) — 172.1; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.8.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 763.3; temperature (deg C)
- — 23.8; shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg)
- — n/a.
- (n/a = data not available. ppO2 & ppCO2 readings from MCA)
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
- Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B
- both in Autotrack mode (suntracking), biased to 42.5 deg (2B) and -42.5 deg
- (4B) for drag reduction.
- SM batteries: All batteries (8) are on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
- FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off line; battery #2 is in “Cycle” mode; all
- other batteries (4) 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&DH)
- C&C-1 MDM is failed, C&C-2 is prime, and C&C-3 is backup.
- GNC-1 MDM (vers. R4) is prime; GNC-2 (vers. R4) 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): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.
- SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.
- FGB MDM-1 is Off (failed, 11/21/03); MDM-2 is Operational.
Propulsion System (PS):
- Total propellant load available: 4083 kg (9001 lb) as of 10/7/04; [SM(552)
- + FGB(3531) + Progress M(0)]. (Capabilities: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).
Attitude Control Systems (ACS):
- 3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2s RPC-17 failed 4/21/04;
- was replaced 6/30/04).
- State vector source – US SIGI-1 (GPS)
- Attitude source – US String 1
- Angular rate source — RGA-1
Flight Attitude:
- XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = sun-fixed [yaw: 0..5 deg, pitch:
- -9.0 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist) until 9S docking on
- 10/16.
Communications & Tracking Systems (C&T):
- 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.
- 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.
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ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 11:17am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 361.7 km
- Apogee height — 367.9 km
- Perigee height — 355.5 km
- Period — 91.78 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0009227
- Solar Beta Angle — -51.6 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.69
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 105 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 33692
ISS Altitude History
Apogee height — Mean Altitude — Perigee height
For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html. In addition, information on International Space Station sighting opportunities can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ on NASA’s Human Spaceflight website. The current location of the International Space Station can be found at http://science.nasa.gov/temp/StationLoc.html at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Additional satellite tracking resources can be found at http://www.spaceref.com/iss/tracking.html.
