Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 18 Jun 2004

By SpaceRef Editor

June 18, 2004

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

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 18 Jun 2004 — iss

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

Early in the morning the crew completed the MO-5 MedOps session of Cardiovascular Evaluation During Graded Exercises on the VELO Cycle Ergometer, a pre-Orlan EVA requirement, deferred-from-yesterday. Each crewmember in turn assisted the other as CMO (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, the crewmember works the pedals after a prescribed program at load settings of 125, 150, and 175 watts for three minutes each. All measurements are recorded for downlink to TsUP. Today’s sessions were supported by tagup with specialists during Daily Orbit 3.]

CDR Padalka continued the systematic checkout/evaluation of the Russian SKV-2 air conditioner in the SM that he started on 5/24, on the NOK-2 thermal loop. [The on-going draining of the condensate collection tank with non-running SKV-2 was monitored throughout the day for potential air bubbles by observing the water flow in the transparent plastic line (MOK) used for the evacuation, followed by another collection and observation with the air conditioner running, after which time operations will be switched back to SKV-1.]

FE/SO Fincke printed out the latest uplinked EVA procedures document, and the crew spent ~2 hrs with an in-depth review of procedures and timeline for the Orlan EVA next week (6/24). [Uplinked material covers EVA 9 Final Procedures, CMG Patch Panel Work, Notes & Reminders, EVA “Cribsheet”, and numerous pictures.]

Fincke also continued preparations for the spacewalk by topping off the NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries’ charges. [Viz., ##1005, 1018 & 1015 for the PGT (pistol grip tool), and ##1009, 1016, 1018 & 1020 for the EHIP (EMU helmet interchangeable portable) lights.]

Padalka uploaded new software on the BVS Onboard Computer Complex. [Working on the Service Module’s Central Post (SM TsP), he first set up the KTsP-2 computer and its Laptop 2, then downloaded the KTsP-2’s file systems. Subsequently, the new s/w Version 07.02 was transferred from a CD in Laptop 2 via KTsP-2 to the BVS (which involves TsVM/Central Computer, TVM/Terminal Computer, US-21 & US-22 matching units, as well as the FGB’s MDM and US matching unit). The activities were supported by tagup with TsUP specialists on S-band.]

Gennady also completed the periodic servicing task of changing out ASU toilet system equipment, then checked out the ASU. [Replaced with new units were the U-receptacle (MP) and filter insert (F-V). The old items were stowed for disposal.]

The daily routine maintenance on the SOZh life support system was performed by Mike, who also did the regular routine status checkup of autonomous Lab payloads (PCG-STES010).

The CDR took the monthly sensor readings of the “Pille-MKS” radiation dosimetry experiment, which 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: 5/14).

Mike Fincke conducted the regular once-a-week maintenance reboot on the three currently operating PCS (portable computer system) laptops. He also transferred the Lab RWS (robotic work station) PCS laptop to the FGB, with Russian power supply and cables from stowage, in preparation for next week’s EVA. [Since hatches between the U.S and Russian segments will be closed during the spacewalk, the transfer is necessary to maintain the minimum PCS availability required by Flight Rule.]

The FE also performed the biweekly reboot of the OCA comm router PC.

The crew completed their daily physical exercise program on CEVIS cycle, TVIS treadmill, RED (resistive exercise device), and VELO ergometer with load trainer, supplemented today by the MO-5 cardiovascular test.

The Vozdukh CO2 removal system suffered a brief failure of its BVK-1 vacuum valve yesterday, causing the machine’s status indication to toggle several times between “Failed” and “Operational”. Padalka manually configured the valve to the proper position and switched Vozdukh from Automatic to Manual mode, thus keeping it operational. Ground teams in Moscow are assessing the data. [After the incident, the crew was asked to check Vozdukh cables for scuffing or rubbing together. Nothing anomalous was found. The regular BVK vacuum valves are backed up by AVK emergency vacuum valves that close the Vozdukh’s vacuum access lines in the event of a malfunction in the BVKs or a depressurization in the Vozdukh valve panel (BOA). Vozdukh had BVK trouble before (last in 2003).]

Liquid waste transfer to Progress 14P was completed yesterday. [Following the routine repressurization of the cargo ship’s Rodnik water tank bladders, Padalka went ahead with the urine transfer from the wastewater collection unit as a get-ahead task for today. The contents of ten EDV-U containers were pumped into the tanks, five EDVs per tank.]

FE Fincke’s troubleshooting of the EXPRESS Rack 5’s utility drawer yesterday was successful. The ER5 drawer, which had been jammed closed since Increment 7, is now unstuck.

The ITCS (internal thermal control system) in the Lab was successfully transitioned from Single LT (low temperature) to Dual Loop Mode yesterday by ground commanding. Purpose is to check out and monitor the system in this configuration for one week before the crew implements the TCS configuration required for unmanned operation on EVA day. [To protect against the event of a rapid leak in one of the two loops (LTL/low temperature loop, MTL/moderate temperature loop), string 1 of critical electronics in the Avionics Rack will be connected (“jumpered”) to the LTL, set to a higher temperature setpoint, which essentially creates two MTLs. This way, even if one loop loses all of its coolant in a worst-case leak, the other active thermal loop is still cooling one string of critical avionics.]

Remote Power Controller (RPC) #17 on the S0 truss remains closed (i.e., functioning), and the CMG-2’s EA (electronics assembly) is still providing data.

Tomorrow night starting at 9:59pm EDT, ISS will be maneuvered to LVLH XVV attitude (local vertical/local horizontal, x-axis in velocity vector, i.e. “bow forward”).

Today’s CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo 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 Assam, NE India (pass over the NE tip of India. Conditions appeared poor for photography), Internal waves, Vietnam (looking right along the southern coast of Vietnam), Tigris-Euphrates, Turkey (pass over the center of the site. Looking right and left and shooting mapping series along the major rivers where all the developments are taking place), Baghdad, Iraq (nadir pass), Nasser, Egypt (researchers still need detailed images to document Lake Nasser water level at this high-water phase), and Lisbon, Portugal (nadir pass).

CEO images can be viewed at the websites.

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at

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

U.S. & Russian Segment Status (as of today, 12:26pm 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 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 On, SKV-2 is Off (SM panel mods completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20; is now functioning again). SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).

SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 26.5; ppO2 (mmHg) — 147.4; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.7.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.4.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 756; temperature (deg C) — 22.3.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 747.71; temperature (deg C) — 23.5 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 749.56; temperature (deg C) — 24.5; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 749.67; temperature (deg C) — 24.2; 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 on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #5 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): 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: 4002 kg (8823 lb) as of 6/10/04; [SM(552) + FGB(2811) + Progress M(639)]. (Capabilities: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

2 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2’s RPC-17 failed 4/21/04).
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 6/16 (for the standard solar array efficiency test).

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, 7:35am EDT [= epoch]):