NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 14 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.
Soyuz TMA-5/9S (no. 215) launched last night on time (11:06pm EDT) with no issues. Orbit was attained at L+ 9 min. as planned and all deployment events (antennas, solar arrays, docking probe) were nominal and on time, automatically upon booster separation sensor signal. A computer glitch caused a delay of the first two orbit correction maneuvers. Expedition 10+1 is on its way to the ISS, with docking set for 10/16 at 12:25am EDT. [During the Orbit 3 RGS (Russian ground site) pass, portions of the maneuver plan settings for correction burns DV1 and DV2 were not received by the onboard computer, due to a temporarily badly aligned gain pattern of the spacecraft’s telemetry antenna. In addition, the Molniya relay satellite link was unexpectedly lost. TsUP/Moscow immediately cancelled the entire maneuver plan and uplinked the backup command load. The DV1 and DV2 maneuvers were delayed from Orbits 3 & 4 to Orbits 4 & 5 (over RGS). Because the magnitude of each of the burns was adjusted to compensate for the slip, 9S docking time remains unaffected. Investigation of the glitch continues to ensure there are no other probable cause versions or future impacts.]
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Aboard the ISS, the crew worked on the Russian Kentavr (Centaur) garments, doing fit-checks and adjusting them for their individual sizes. The suits are kept in the habitation module of the Soyuz TMA until undock day. The activity was supported by a tagup with ground specialists via S-band. [The Russian Kentavr garment is a protective anti-g suit ensemble to facilitate the return of a long-duration crewmember into the Earth gravity. Consisting of shorts, gaiters, underpants, jersey and socks, it acts as countermeasure for circulatory disturbance, prevents crewmember from overloading during descent and increases orthostatic tolerance during post-flight adaptation. Sizing consists of adjusting lacing on the outer side of the shorts and on the inner side of the gaiters to achieve a tight fit.]
Padalka and Fincke also set up and tested the Soyuz relay video network for routing video coverage of the docking & crew arrival from the Russian segment (RS) to US segment Ku-band assets via IBM A31p ThinkPad SSC (station support computer). This is the first time the A31p NGL (Next Generation Laptop) is being used for converting the video. Except for some minor snags during the setup, the test was completely successful.
Time again for noise measurements on board the station, prior to arrival of the three additional “noisemakers”. Mike Fincke collected the measurements throughout the interior and later downloaded them to the MEC (medical equipment computer). [Using the Russian Shumomer instrument, audio readings were taken at 13 locations in the Lab, 4 locations in the Node, 3 locations in the Joint Airlock, 7 locations in the Functional Cargo Block (FGB), 11 locations in the Service Module (SM), and 3 locations in the DC1 Docking Compartment. In addition, five measurements were taken at crew’s choice at their perceived loudest locations.]
The crew also conducted routine air sampling in the cabin, which is standard practice before each new crew arrival. [Padalka first used the Russian AK-1M sampler in the SM and FGB. Then, checking for CO (carbon monoxide), he took air samples in the SM with the IPD-CO Draeger tubes sampler. Air samples were also collected by Fincke with the GSC (grab sample container, #1054) at the center of the Lab, then with the new Dual Sorbent Tube (DST), instead of the old SSAS (Solid Sorbent Air Sampler), in the center of the Lab and SM. Photos were taken of the DST activities. (Last time done: 9/9).]
The FE completed the regular once-a-week maintenance reboot on the operational PCS laptops and the restart of the OCA comm router laptop (every two weeks).
Gennady performed the daily routine inspection of the SM’s SOZh life support system, including the weekly inspection of the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator apparatus as well as the periodic checkout of the IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways and FGB-to-Node tunnel (last time done: 8/18). He 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.
At ~6:30am, the CDR held his weekly IMS tagup with ground specialists, discussing open issues concerning identification of equipment and storage locations for IMS updating. [Today’s topics included the generation of a hardware trash list with quantities and locations of easily removable load-balancing items (that were installed behind the Soyuz Descent Module headrests for ISS-1 and ISS-4 crews to ensure nominal operation of the seat shock absorbers at landing), and a hard drive stowage kit.]
Padalka transferred the accumulated data files of his BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) plant growth experiment to the Packet laptop for subsequent downlink to the ground via Regul comm.
Mike restored the stopped stabilizer gyroscope of the TVIS treadmill to nominal operation by locating and tightening a connection that had come loose. [The discovery of the slightly loose plug was made only after he unsuccessfully went through an uplinked troubleshooting plan that had been developed last night by TVIS engineers.]
With the treadmill fully restored, the crew completed their regular daily aerobic/anaerobic workout regime on TVIS and RED exerciser.
Gennady took the monthly sensor readings of the Pille-MKS radiation dosimetry experiment that 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 are called down or downlinked via Regul Paket/Email or OCA. (Last time done: 9/24).
The overhead GLA (General Luminaire Assemblies) lighting unit in the Node, which had been reported on 10/10 as “dim”, failed this morning entirely. The crew was given the Go to replace the bulb unit (LHA, lamp housing assembly) or, if this doesn’t work, the ballast (BBA, baseplate ballast assembly).
Yesterday, the FE successfully completed the EMU/spacesuit cooling circuit flushing and sampling procedure with no issues. A 200ml sample was obtained from the Airlock and is in negotiation to be returned on Soyuz 8S. Additionally, Mike performed a water flush on EMU 3011 and reported good flow. Telemetry indicated that the water temperature decreased as expected. Since there was insufficient time to flush EMU 3013, considered a “get-ahead” task, the activity will be performed next week during the joint mission as an effective handover activity.
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 Fires, S. Queensland, Australia (Dynamic Event. Numerous fires in the region are producing small smoke plumes. Looking to the right of track as ISS passed over the eastern coast of Australia), Uruq Bani M’arid, Saudi Arabia (this overpass provided an opportunity for high resolution oblique photography of this wildlife preserve. Looking to the right of track for the preserve, which is bounded by a mountain range to the west and sand plains to the east), Mt. St. Helens, Washington (Dynamic Event. Steam emissions continue at the volcano and fresh lava has been extruded in the summit crater), and Dust Storm, W. Africa (Dynamic Event. Satellite imagery and ground station reports indicate that significant dust is blowing off western Africa into the Atlantic Ocean. Looking to the left of track for dust plumes leaving the continent in the general vicinity of Cape Verde).
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.
Ahead for Soyuz 9S:
- 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) — 26.2; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 761; temperature (deg C) — 20.7.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 772; temperature (deg C) — 25.0.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 761.7; temperature (deg C) — 23.9 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 763.6; temperature (deg C) — 22.5; ppO2 (mmHg) — 174.2; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.9.
- 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 #6 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&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, 12:04am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 361.6 km
- Apogee height — 367.8 km
- Perigee height — 355.3 km
- Period — 91.77 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0009277
- Solar Beta Angle — -48.4 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.69
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 112 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 33708
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.
