Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 15 November 2004

By SpaceRef Editor
November 15, 2004
Filed under , , ,
NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 15 November 2004
http://images.spaceref.com/news/iss.18.jpg

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.   Underway: Week 4 of Increment 10.

Before breakfast and exercise, FE Salizhan Sharipov completed his third session with the periodic Russian MedOps test “Gematokrit” (MO-10), measuring red cell count of the blood.   [The blood samples were drawn from a finger with a perforator lancet, then centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the M-1100 kit’s minicentrifuge, and its hematocrit value was read off the tubes with a magnifying glass.  It is a well-known phenomenon of space flight that red blood cell count (normal range: 30-45%) tends to go down over time.  After the exam, the data were saved in the IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program) on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer), and Sharipov stowed the equipment.]

Previous Reports

ISS On-orbit Status [HQ]
ISS Status [JSC]
Shuttle Processing [KSC]

Afterwards, still without breakfast, Sharipov also took the MBI-1 SPRUT-K test, part of Russian medical research on the distribution and behavior of human body fluids in zero gravity.  Supported by Russian laptop 3 (LP3), the data were recorded on Profilaktika memory cards, along with this morning’s hematocrit data and Mondays body mass values.  Afterwards, LP3 was powered down.  [Experiment requisites are the Sprut (“squid”) securing harness, skin electrodes (cuffs), and the payload computer for control and data storage.  The Penguin suit or Braslet-M cuffs, if worn, have to be taken off first.  Electrode measurements are recorded at complete rest and relaxed body position.  Assistance from the CDR or FE-10 was not required.]

Later in the day, the FE completed his first session of the MO-5 MedOps protocol of cardiovascular evaluation during graded exercises on the VELO cycle ergometer, assisted by Leroy Chiao as Crew Medical Officer.   [The assessment uses the Gamma-1 ECG equipment with biomed harness, skin electrodes and a blood pressure and rheoplethysmograph cuff wired to the cycle ergometer’s instrumentation panels.  For the graded exercise, Salizhan worked the pedals after a prescribed program at load settings of 125, 150, and 175 watts for three minutes each.  All measurements were recorded and telemetered during Daily Orbit 16 to TsUP, where a specialist controlled the workout.]

For today’s Ultrasound session (ADUM, Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Micro-G) the crew again set up the equipment, including video and electronic still cameras, after which the operator, CDR Chiao with headset and VOX mike, performed Scan C activities on the subject, FE Sharipov.  Later, Salizhan deactivated the hardware, cleaned the scanheads and performed stowage and closeout.  Scan A activities will be performed tomorrow.   [The session required prior HRF (Human Research Facility) and video tape recorder (VTR) activation by the ground, followed by power-up of the HRF computer and the ADUM hardware and software by the crew.  Using the CMRS (crew medical restraint system) for strapping down the subject and electrodes for ECG (electrocardiogram) recording, scans were taken of the FE, their images recorded and the scanning & post-scan activities videotaped and still-photographed for downlink.]

Sharipov later worked on the SM EPS (Service Module electrical power system), removing the failed #1 storage battery and replacing it with a spare 800A.  The ZRU charge/discharge unit #1 was deactivated by TsUP/MCC-Moscow beforehand and later reactivated.  Battery #1 is currently being conditioned in Cycle mode.  This restores the full set of eight SM batteries to operation.

In preparation for important upcoming SNFM (Serial Network Flow Monitor) operations scheduled on 11/17, Chiao familiarized himself with the SNFM system by reviewing SNFM OBT (onboard training) material.

After the ground had powered down the AAA TCCS (avionics air assembly/trace contaminant control system) in the Lab’s AR (air revitalization) rack earlier in the day, the crew undertook a thorough inspection and cleaning of the AAA fan subsystem.

Sharipov continued photo documentation of Russian segment (RS) wall panels, today in the SM module.

Salizhan also tagged up with an SVO water supply system specialist for an update on the water situation in the SM “Rodnik” water tank #2.

The FE worked on the Russian laptop 2 (#6093), using the Norton Ghost 5.1d application from a floppy disk to “ghost” (Russian: “clone”) its hard disk drive with vers. 7.02 software.

Sharipov also completed the regular daily maintenance/inspection of the SM’s environment control & life support systems (SOZh), while Leroy prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) Delta file for export/import to the IMS databases.

The crew performed their regular daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, RED exerciser, and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer.

Afterwards, the CDR downloaded TVIS and RED exercise data files to the medical equipment computer (MEC), and then performed the weekly TVIS maintenance, a five-minute task done usually just prior to power-down or end of exercise session.

A full calibration of the U.S. MCA (major constituents analyzer) was to be conducted by ground commanding at ~1:20pm EST.

Over the weekend, the primary PL-2 MDM (Payload MDM #1 computer) was switched over to PL-1 because of a communication error with PL-2.  At this time, PL-1 is still prime, with PLD-2 a good backup.  

Preparations are underway at TsUP/Moscow for the reboost coming up on Wednesday.  For contamination proytection, the external SM window covers have been closed.

Update on RPC-4 trip:  Troubleshooting of the tripped RPCM (remote power controller module) LA2A3B_C continues at MCC-H.  The RPCM’s major loads, CEVIS bike and SSC9 Client laptop, are still powered off.  They will be reconnected to other power strips after they have been exonerated as causes of the 22 amps short circuit that tripped RPC-4.

Update on SIGI GPS2 upgrade:  Because of the continuing failure of the guidance, navigation & control computer (GNC MDM) to incorporate attitude data from the newly upgraded SIGI-2 (space integrated GPS/inertial navigation system), tomorrow’s scheduled SIGI-1 upgrade with the R2 firmware has been postponed.   [While state vector solutions from SIGI-2 are good, as indicated by comparison with SIGI-1 and Russian data, specialists are continuing today to assess the attitude output performance and to verify the full set of memory parameters against the ground configuration in the test facility.  On 11/17, ISS will be transitioning to LVLH attitude following the planned reboost maneuver, and the new attitude will then provide a different environment in which to characterize the firmware performance.  Meanwhile, both SIGI-1 and Russian attitude sources remain available.]

Update on Soyuz/Neptune control panel issue:  The issue concerning highly inaccurate pressure readings on the Soyuz TMA-5’s “Neptune” Integrated Control Panel (InPU) on Day 2 of the 9S free-flight phase is closed.  At the time of the report InPU-1 was On and the second display, InPU-2, was Off.   A test by the crew on 11/10 confirmed that both InPU sets need to be activated in order to display accurate data.  TsUP is updating the procedure accordingly.

Upcoming Key Events: 

  • Current station attitude of sun-pointing XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) will be maintained until 11/16. 
  • Station reboost will follow on GMT 11/17 (backup opportunity 11/18).
  • Soyuz relocation is scheduled for 11/29 (“no earlier than”), preceded by a hot-fire test of its thrusters on 11/27. 
  • Progress 15P is scheduled for undocking and destructive reentry on 12/22.
  • Progress 16P launch: 12/23; docking: 12/25 (GMT).

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 10 crew visit:

Expedition 10 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.

U.S. & Russian Segment Status  (as of yesterday, 5:41pm EST)

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 Off.  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 (failed).  SKV-2 is Off (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).

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

  • Both P6 channels fully operational.  BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in Autotrack mode (suntracking).  Set today to +44deg (2B) and -44 deg (4B) angle for drag reduction.
  • SM batteries:  Battery #1 was replaced and is in “Cyucle” mode; all other batteries (7) 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 On; PL-2 MDM is Off (backup).
  • 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: 3951 kg (8710 lb) as of 11/12/04;  [SM(552) + FGB(3399) + Progress M(0)].  (Capabilities: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).  Note: Progress propulsion propellants for non-ISS use are not included.

  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 11/17.

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.

ISS Location NOW

Full Size/Update
Real Time ISS TrackerMore Links

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 6:34am EST [= epoch]):

  • Mean altitude — 355.0 km
  • Apogee height — 361.7 km
  • Perigee height — 350.3 km
  • Period — 91.66 min.
  • Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
  • Eccentricity — 0.0008445
  • Solar Beta Angle — 17.9 deg (magnitude decreasing)
  • Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.71
  • Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 50 m
  • Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 34208

 

ISS Altitude History

Apogee height Mean AltitudePerigee height

ISS Altitude History

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.

SpaceRef staff editor.