NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 14 July 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. Today 90 years ago, Robert H. Goddard was granted the first patent for a liquid-fueled rocket. 39 years ago today, NASA’s Mariner 4 sent back the first 22 Mars close-ups during its 6100-mi. flyby of the Red Planet.
CDR Padalka performed the third and last part of the current MBI-8 Profilaktika (“countermeasures”) fitness assessment series, first with the usual blood tests (to determine lactate and creatine kinase levels in the blood with the AccuSport equipment), then by a physical exercise session on the TVIS treadmill, supported by tagup with a ground specialist. Mike Fincke was available to assist as CMO (crew medical officer) as required. (Last time done: 5/28) [The TVIS test is identical to the MO-3 test performed on the treadmill in idling (non-motorized) mode with free choice of speeds within certain specified ranges (idle/walk/slow run/moderate run/fast run/walk/recovery). In addition to the nominal test procedure, MBI-8/Part 3 calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer during the test, the blood lactate measurements, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels (using the “Borg Perceived Exertion Scale”, viz., 10 steps from “very very light” over “hard” and “very hard” to “maximum”) during the test. At the end of the creatine kinase tests, the results were logged, copied from Cardiocassette-2000 recording to OCA for downlink, and reported to the ground.]
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FE/SO Fincke conducted the first payload operations session with the Foam (Viscous Liquid Foam–Bulk Metallic Glass) experiment, starting with setting up the digital camera for documentary (historical) photography, then using the soldering iron in the MWA CS (Maintenance Work Area Containment System) to heat the first three Foam units. [Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are a relatively new class of material with enormous potential, since solid foams are the best materials to make large, stiff structures with high strength-to-weight ratio and considerably reduced thermal conductivity of the metal allow, a highly desired trend. A BMG is a viscous undercooled liquid alloy at temperatures above the glass transition. On ISS, BMG samples are foamed (with the soldering iron inside the MWA CS), in order to allow study of the foam microstructure formed in the absence of gravity-induced sedimentation and liquid drainage.]
Padalka worked at the prime Central Post (TsP) work area on the first step of the major software (s/w) upgrade of the Russian segment (RS), which dominates the schedule this week. [Gennady first replaced the current Laptop 1 (LT1, #6075) with the new one (#6092) loaded with the SM 7.02 s/w upgrade, then extracted the two MSD (mass storage device) cartridges from the primary Central Post computer (KTsP1) and replaced them with new MSDs delivered on Progress 14P. Afterwards, on Go from Moscow, the link between LT1 and KTsP12 was tested and LT1 then powered off.]
In support of the 7.02 s/w upload, scheduled for tomorrow, TsUP/Moscow at 7:03am EDT restarted the RS TVM (Terminal Computer system) to reintegrate all three subsets into the mutually redundant set, still on the old s/w version (7.01). Before the reboot, the Elektron O2 generator, SKV-1 air conditioner and BMP harmful impurities filtration unit were powered off and reactivated afterwards. The also-required TsVM (Central Computer) restart had already been completed on 7/8. [TVM had been running on only two of its three lanes since 11/22/03 when string 1 dropped out of the set.]
TsUP conducted a test to verify the functionality of the thermal loop #2 (VGK2-2) replaceable pump panel (SPN) installed yesterday by Padalka in the FGB.
Starting after lunch (9:00am), the crew performed the standard Russian task of dismantling the Kurs-A rendezvous and approach radar system of the current Progress cargo ship (#249/14P)’s motion control and navigation system (SUDN), and removed it from the cargo drone, a three-hour job. These valuable components, which include the BTsVK onboard digital computer, will be returned to Earth for “recycling” (when Shuttle flights have resumed). [KURS-A is the active half of the Russian space program’s proven S-band radar system for automated flight, which measures relative motion parameters between Progress (or Soyuz) and the ISS during rendezvous operations, to enable the autopilot’s calculation of corrective impulses. There are two sets of KURS-A electronics (for redundancy) housed in a common container in the Cargo Module. The passive counterpart (KURS-P) of the system is on the Service Module (SM), with one antenna each at the tip of the two solar array wings.]
On the EarthKAM system at its current location in the Node, Mike changed the lens of the Kodak ESC 460C electronic still camera, going from 50mm to the 180mm-lens configuration.
Mike Fincke had his daily workout on the RED exerciser (anaerobic, muscle & strength training, axial bone loading) and CEVIS cycle ergometer (cardio & muscle). Gennady’s MBI-8 activity on the treadmill substituted for his regular workout. The FE also performed the regular monthly CEVIS maintenance (consisting mostly of an examination of the wire rope isolators for damage).
At ~1:35pm, Gennady prepared and set up the gear for the periodic Russian MO-10 “Hematokrit” testing scheduled for tomorrow (last time done: 5/18). It measures the hematocrit (red cell mass) value of the blood (as a well-known phenomenon of space flight, red blood cell mass {normal range: 30-45%} tends to go down over time). Also scheduled for tomorrow: another session of the MBI-1 SPRUT-K experiment test, part of Russian medical research on the distribution and behavior of human body fluids in zero gravity.
Fincke was thanked for his work yesterday on gathering US items for trash disposal on Progress 14P, which made it possible for the ground to update the trash packing list.
The FE performed the regular routine status checkup of autonomous Lab payloads, currently consisting of PCG-STES010 (Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System #10), while Padalka conducted the routine maintenance of the SM’s life support system (SOZh) and the preparation of the daily “delta” file for updating the IMS (inventory management system) database(s).
The MCA (major constituents analyzer) was turned on remotely, first to perform a “zero” calibration, then (~6 hrs. later) to conduct full calibration measurements in the Node (values see below). At 12:34pm, MCA was returned to semi-dormant LEM (life extending mode). [Crew support before and after the calibration consisted of opening and closing the manual oxygen valve (HVO2).]
At 12:40pm EDT, Michael Fincke supported an interactive 20-min. TV (Ku- & S-band) interview with the Boston Globe Magazine (Ken Gordon).
For Russian PAO, the crew downlinked a message of congratulations to the Internal Security Department at Baikonur to its 10th
anniversary. [“… You provided escort to us from the first day of our arrival at Baikonur, ensuring security during our preparations for launch, and we very greatly appreciate this.”]
Update on EMU spacesuit troubleshooting: Correction: the “SCOF” mentioned in yesterday’s Update really stands for “Secondary Oxygen Package Checkout Fixture”. Shame on me.
Expedition 9 Flight Crew Plans can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/
Today’s CEO (crew earth observation) photo 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 River morphology, Lower Amazon River (ISS’s NE track followed the N shore of the estuary. Investigators look to fill out the fairly complete north-side set of images already acquired this increment), and Internal waves, Amazon River mouth (looking left for any packets of internal waves generated by the shelf off the Amazon River. These packets can be seen 800-1400 km from the coastline and are most often seen propagating northeastward [convex to the NE]. Looking left near the sunglint point).
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.
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.
U.S. & Russian Segment Status (as of today, 1:05pm EDT)
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
- Elektron O2 generator is On (16A, =lowest setting). 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 Off, SKV-2 is Off (SM panel mods completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20; is still considered failed). SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).
- SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 24.8; ppO2 (mmHg) — 169.0; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.0.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 19.8.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 756; temperature (deg C) — 20.7.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 749.6; temperature (deg C) — 22.4 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — 171.2; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.5.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 751.4; temperature (deg C) — 24.7; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 751.5; temperature (deg C) — 24.8; shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- (n/a = data not available)
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
- Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in directed position (Dual angle/”blind” mode, non solar-tracking, biased for drag reduction).
- SM batteries: Battery #5 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (7) are on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
- FGB batteries: Battery #4 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): 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:
- Total propellant load available: 3928 kg (8660 lb) as of 7/1/04; [SM(552) + FGB(2772) + Progress M(639)]. (Capabilities: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).
Attitude Control Systems:
- 3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2’s RPC-17 failed 4/21/04; was replaced 6/30/04).
- State vector source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
- Attitude source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
- Angular rate source — RGA-1
Flight Attitude:
- LVLH XVV (local vertical/local horizontal = “earth-fixed”: z-axis in local vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9 deg, roll: 0 deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management, until 6/28, following the EVA.
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.
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ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:29am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 359.7 km
- Apogee height — 363.8 km
- Perigee height — 355.6 km
- Period — 91.7 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.6306 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0006061
- Solar Beta Angle — 68.1 deg
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.70
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 65 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 32260
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.
