Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 14 Apr 2004

By SpaceRef Editor

April 14, 2004

Filed under ISS, ISS On-orbit status, NASA HQ, US

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 14 Apr 2004 — http://images.spaceref.com/news/2004/Exp8_Foale_MSG.jpg

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below.

Before breakfast, both crewmembers completed another session of the bi-monthly (more or less) Russian medical experiment protocols Calf Volume Measurement (PZEh-MO-7) and Body Mass Measurement (PZEh-MO-8). FE Alexander Kaleri set up the MO-8 “scales” equipment and later broke it down and stowed it away. [Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference points, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures. For determining body ass in zero-G, where things are weightless (but not massless), the Russian IM “scales” measure the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring constants. By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the unknown mass (the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the crewmember’s mass is calculated by the computer and displayed].

Alex Kaleri also undertook the MBI-1 SPRUT-K experiment, part of Russian medical research on the distribution and behavior of human body fluids in zero gravity. The data were recorded on “Profilaktika” memory cards, along with yesterday’s hematocrit data and this morning’s body mass values. Afterwards, Laptop 3 was powered down. [Experiment requisites are the Sprut (“squid”) securing harness, skin electrodes (cuffs), and the payload Laptop for control and data storage. Electrode measurements are recorded at complete rest and relaxed body position. Assistance from the CDR is not required.]

Later in the day, Flight Engineer Kaleri set up the equipment for the Russian MedOps biochemical blood test MO-11, consisting of the Reflotron IV analyzer, with accessories, power supply and Reflotron IV kit. After setup, the instrument was deactivated and left fully configured at the work site until tomorrow morning. [Sasha will undergo the 2.5-hr. tests tomorrow (4/15), preceded by imbibing 250 ml of warm water or plain (unsugared) tea 20 minutes before taking the blood samples.]

CDR/SO Michael Foale performed the visual T+2d analysis of the Week 25 water samples, collected on 4/12 from the SRV-K hot tap and the EDV container of the water supply system (SVO-ZV) with the WMK (water monitoring kit). He then entered the microbiological data in the medical equipment computer. [The T+2 analysis uses incubated MCDs (microbial capture devices), SSK (surface sample kit) slides, and MAS (microbial air sampler) Petri dishes. T+5d analysis is not required. If Mike’s analysis showed colony growth above specified limits, he was to take digital documentary images.]

Both crewmembers supported a ground-commanded test of the Soyuz TMA-4 motion control system (SUD), using the second SUD string to pressurize both sections of the combined propulsion system (KDU) propellant tanks & pressurization tanks, followed by a hot fire test with the thrusters, as a checkout toward the spacecraft’s undocking on 4/29. TsUP/Moscow reported that everything went nominal. (See Update on He leak below). [KDU comprises both maneuver and attitude control engines of the Soyuz. For the test, which started at 4:50am EDT, station attitude was handed over to Russian thruster control at 5:04am, commanded to “free drift”, then to SUD test attitude. Attitude control was returned to the U.S. segment (USOS) at 5:50am. The CMG-3 thermo-lube test began 10 min. later (see below).]

In preparation for their return on Soyuz 7S, the two crewmembers conducted the standard fit check of the “Kazbeks”, the contoured shock absorbing seats in the Soyuz descent capsule (SA). This required them to don their Sokol pressure suits, get in their seats and use a ruler to measure the gap between the top of the head and the top edge of the structure facing the head. The results were reported to TsUP. (Last time done: 2/5/04). [Kazbek-U couches are designed to withstand g-loads during launch and orbital insertion as well as during reentry and brake-rocket-assisted landing. Each seat has two positions: cocked (armed) and noncocked. In the cocked position, they are raised to allow the shock absorbers to function during touchdown. The fit check assures that the crew, whose bodies gain in length during longer-term stay in zero-G, will still be adequately protected by the seat liners for their touchdown in Kazakhstan. The third passenger, Soyuz 8S Flight Engineer André Kuipers from Holland, will bring his own form-fitted seat liner.]

Mike Foale had an hour scheduled for gathering U.S. items to be stowed at a later date in the 7S Descent Module for return to Earth. The task was done with the help of a previously uplinked list of items and the IMS (inventory management system).

Sasha Kaleri worked with the Matryoshka payload hardware, first preparing appropriate software (“1Dostel”) on the Wiener laptop, synchronized yesterday with the Matryoshka payload server (BSPN), then transferring collected sensor data from the BSPN to memory flash card in the laptop. The activity was supported by tagup with ground specialists via S-band. [Matryoshka collects radiation measurements in the SM and DC-1 docking compartment for studies of on-orbit radiation and long-term dose accumulation, using six SPD dosimeters deployed throughout the RS as well as in a spherical body-simulating Matryoshka-R “phantom” and a human torso model outside on the SM hull, mounted there during EVA-9. Note: Matryoshka is the name for the traditional Russian set of nestling dolls.]

The FE initiated battery charging for the Russian DVCAM (DSR PD-150P) digital camcorder. After ~2 hrs, charging was terminated and the process was started for the second DVCAM (DSR PD-1P), taking another two hours. Sasha then used the PD-150P camcorder for another video test recording for subsequent downlink, after Mike Foale’s LIV test downlink yesterday.

The CDR completed printing out the recently uplinked revised algorithm of medical ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) procedures, which was deferred on 4/5. [The two-page algorithm is a flow-chart of procedural logic steps for aiding a crewmember in a cardio-vascular emergency, designed for two-man crews.]

Mike attended to the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities). He also conducted the regular routine status checkup of autonomously running Increment 8 payloads in the Lab.

Sasha Kaleri worked on the SM’s SRVK water processing system, removing and replacing the BRPK-2 air/liquid condensate separator and pumping unit. [Because of an overfill fault message from the BRPK, the Russian SKV-1 air conditioner has operated intermittently in the last few days, requiring the CCAA (common cabin air assembly) in the Lab to collect condensate. SKV-1 was reactivated yesterday at 10:35am, and today’s replacement of the BRPK-2 may have solved or alleviated the problem. SKV-2 has been repaired but still remains to be test-activated. Note: CCAA condensate collection in the Lab was noted only after more time had passed than allowed by a Flight Rule that limits LTL (low temperature loop) operation to 8 hrs (to prevent free moisture build-up on the CCAA heat exchanger). LTL was then shut down immediately.]

Kaleri performed his routine maintenance on the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) payload with its Lada-4 greenhouse.

After CDR Foale set up the TV equipment for a PAO event, at 9:50am the crew engaged in an interactive televised conference with an interviewer (Chris Kridler) from Florida Today newspaper, followed by a downlinked TV message of greetings to this year’s Space Congress in Cape Canaveral, FL. [Questions from Florida Today were uplinked beforehand, “For Mike: It seems as if you’ve been on repair duty quite a bit. Is it hard to stay on top of the maintenance work on the station? Do you have any concerns about the station running out of spare parts? For example, the liquid unit on the Elektron was your last spare.”]

Science Office Foale received kudos this morning on having done a “great job” on the HEAT science payload yesterday, which he set up in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). [HEAT is one of three experiments of the ESA VC-6 (Visiting Crew 6) “Delta” science program that are performed on the USOS. Investigating heat transfer performance of grooved heat pipes and validating an existing hydraulic math model of the internal heat transfer process, it consists of a liquid ammonia (NH3) coolant heat pipe inside the EM and a kit with experiment accessories. Running unattended (but monitored), its results are being recorded in the MSG computer for downlink from the USOS. HEAT will be removed from MSG on 4/22 by VC/FE André Kuipers and its hardware discarded, perhaps in the 7S/Soyuz’ Orbital Module (OM).]

• Update on CMG-3: At ~6:00am EDT this morning, Control Moment Gyroscope 3 was disconnected from the attitude control loop (but continuing to spin) for the start of the scheduled spin bearing thermo-lube test, running through 4/17 (10:00pm). [During the test, each of the two bearings in turn will be exposed to the near-by EA (electronics assembly), believed to be the hottest spot on the CMG. By heating the bearings, it is hoped that lubrication delivery to the ball bearings will be stimulated. During this period, non-propulsive attitude control is handled by two CMGs (#2 & #4) in XPOP Momentum Manager. Any required handovers to RS thruster control will be automatic, but the crew can intervene with appropriate procedures if a handover is not successfully completed. See also yesterday’s status report.]

• Update on Soyuz KDU Helium Leak: While the 7S thruster test itself was nominal this morning, both KDU manifolds again exhibited their leaks after their pressurization. Leak rate has increased. [The leak in manifold #2 was observed first prior to 7S docking last October; manifold #1’s leak was first reported during the thruster test shortly before EVA-9 last February. The “microleak” that originally leaked from ~20 atm to zero in 10 days, this morning took only an estimated 4 minutes. Moscow is investigating the increased leak rate and assessing the impact to Soyuz operations.]

• Update on Soyuz TMA-4/8S: At Baikonur, the 8S prime crew (Gennadi Padalka, Michael Fincke, André Kuipers) and backup crew (Salizhan Sharipov, Leroy Chiao, Gerhard Thiele) conducted an inspection of Soyuz TMA-4 inside the payload fairing installed in a berth in the processing facility. The two crews also reviewed the equipment kits that are to be delivered to and returned from orbit on-board Soyuz TMA.

Current 8S (Expedition 9 + 1) flight plan:
Launch — 4/18, 11:19pm EDT (Moscow: 4/19, 7:19am; Baikonur: 4/19, 9:19am)
Docking — 4/21, 1:03am EDT (Moscow: 4/21, 9:03am)
Hatch Opening — 4/21, 2:25am EDT (Moscow: 10:25am).

Current 7S (Expedition 8 + 1) flight plan:

Hatch Closing — 4/29, 1:34pm EDT (Moscow: 4/29, 9:34pm; Astana: 4/30, 12:34am)
Undocking — 4/29, 4:49pm EDT (Moscow: 4/30, 12:49am; Astana: 4/30, 3:49am)
Deorbit Burn — 4/29, 7:18pm EDT (Moscow: 4/30, 3:18am; Astana: 4/30, 6:18am)
Landing — 4/29, 8:09pm EDT (Moscow: 4/30, 4:09am; Astana: 4/30, 7:09am.

Today’s CEO targets, limited in XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the science window, which is available for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in “ram”), were Typhoon Sudal (DYNAMIC EVENT: Looking right of track for dramatic, high oblique views of this early season Category 4 storm system), Tunis, Tunisia (the Tunisian capital city is located near a small gulf on the north coast, just left of track on this pass), Yangtze River Delta (looking left of track to document changes in this delta system during the spring’s high water levels, noting the extent of sediment plumes), Lisbon, Portugal (trying to capture the Portuguese capital in a single frame. As ISS approached the coast from the SW, the crew was advised to look just right of track), Kabul, Afghanistan (the Afghan capital is difficult to spot, situated in a high mountain valley), Kanha National Park, India (ISS had a good, fair weather pass to map this national park area as it experiences encroachment and deforestation of its surroundings from population pressures), and Pinacates Biosphere (ISS had a good nadir pass in clear weather to map this distinct, volcanic feature located just inland from the northern end of the Gulf of California).

CEO images can be viewed at the websites.

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at

http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of today, 2:03pm 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 on Standby (ready in dual-bed mode). TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating. SM Gas Analyzer has been calibrated and is used for ppO2 and ppCO2 monitoring. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is in Life Extending Mode (LEM). BMP Harmful Impurities unit: absorbent bed #1 in Regeneration 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 TBD). SFOG slot#2 fan suspect (not usable).

SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 25.6; ppO2 (mmHg) — 160.3; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.7;
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 761; temperature (deg C) — 19.8.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 772; temperature (deg C) — 23.3;
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 760.43; temperature (deg C) — 24.5 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 761.79; temperature (deg C) — 25.1; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 761.99; temperature (deg C) — 31.0; 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 Autotrack (solar-tracking, “sun slicer”, i.e., drag reduction-biased by 47 deg).
SM batteries: All batteries (8) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #6 is off-line (capacity restoration mode, ROM); all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 is in Standby mode; PCU-2 is in Manual mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is back-up, 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.
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: 3884 kg (8563 lb) as of 4/8/04; [SM(755) + FGB(2470) + Progress M-1(659)]. (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02).
State vector source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
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 4/14.

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, 8:08am EDT [= epoch]):