Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 2 Jul 2003

By SpaceRef Editor

July 2, 2003

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

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 2 Jul 2003 — iss

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously.

FE/SO Ed Lu continued the latest round of periodic preventive
maintenance of Russian segment (RS) ventilation systems, today in the
“Pirs” DC-1 docking compartment where he cleaned the VD1 and VD2 air
ducts and the V3 ventilator fan screen.

Also in the DC-1, CDR Yuri Malenchenko completed his third regular
(monthly) checkup of circuit breakers (AZS) on the BVP amp switch
panel — they should all be On — and the 14 LEDs of the fuses in fuse
panels BPP-30 and BPP-36 (last time done: 6/2).

Malenchenko then tackled a major IFM (in-flight maintenance) on the
Service Module (SM) life support system (SOZh) when he removed and
replaced the catalyst cartridge (PKF) of the micropurification
filtration system (BMP). The PKF-T installation was photographed and
the images downlinked via S-band. [For the change-out, the ground
had to deactivate (later reactivate) the Elektron and the SKV air
conditioner and turn on (later turn off) real-time transmission from
the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system via S-band. The BMP
will remain off until completion of an additional maintenance
(replacement of the PKF-T’s electrical heater) scheduled for tomorrow
(4/3). The BMP maintains the level of potentially hazardous
atmospheric contaminants below Russian SMACs (spacecraft maximum
allowable concentrations) for specific contaminants, using low
temperature catalytic oxidation, with a combination of expendable and
regenerable sorbent beds. The catalyst cartridge, which was replaced
with an improved PKF-T type, uses an electrically heated catalyst to
remove CO (carbon monoxide) and H2 (hydrogen) from the cabin air,
where the air stream has combined downstream of the regenerable beds.
Russian SMAC for CO is 5 mg/cu.m. and the BMP removes 390 mg CO per
day.]

Ed Lu powered up the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), then
supervised another experiment session with the InSPACE (Investigating
the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions)
experiment. Afterwards, the MSG was powered down again. [Today’s run
was #30, the final InSPACE test planned for the near term. Using
coil assembly (CA) 006, the test was run at an initial field strength
of 1.2 amps and an initial frequency of 15 Hz. At the second monitor
activity, the electric field frequency was set at the highest level
selected to date (30 Hz), while current amplitude remained unchanged.
Yesterday’s test provided some of the best and most striking images to
date, especially in the right angle view which showed the structures
appearing as long, corrugated columns. Sweeping activity during the
second monitor indicated that some of the columns extended the width
of the vial. Extending the tests to include the larger particles and
higher frequencies has proven invaluable.]

In between his InSPACE monitoring periods, Ed Lu conducted other
tasks, such as the monthly inspection of the PBAs (portable breathing
apparatus) and PFEs (portable fire extinguishers). [There are a total
of five PBAs in the U.S. segment (USOS), two in the Node, two in the
Lab and one in the Joint Airlock (A/L). During the last audit, the
Node extension hose kit was not found. Ed was asked to check the Node
port PBA/PFE locker for this kit and, if found, move it to the Node
starboard PBA/PFE locker.]

Malenchenko continued the recently (6/25) initiated work on the
Russian Molniya-SM (GFI-10) geophysical experiment payload, to restore
the functionality of its VFS-3M video-photometric system. [Today’s
objectives were: assembly of the equipment, running an equipment test
and monitoring the measurements obtained, then disconnecting the
“Agat” display monitor and keyboard from the VFS
videophotospectrometer, taking data in automatic mode as commanded by
the SUBA (onboard equipment control system), and finally disassemble
the equipment. The Molniya VFS-3M is used for studying atmospheric,
ionospheric and magnetospheric electromagnetic interaction related to
storms and seismic activities, and Nikolai Budarin had attempted the
restoration of its VFS-3M already as early as 3/31.]

Ed Lu conducted another weekly inventory audit of the available CWCs
(contingency water containers) and their contents, to keep track of
onboard potable water supplies. [Last time done: 6/27].

The CDR performed the second part of the current MBI-8 Profilaktika
(“countermeasures”) fitness test series, today with the NS-01 load
trainer on the VELO (stationary bike) ergometer, and tagged up with
medical support personnel at MCC-Moscow/TsUP. Science Officer Lu
assisted. [This fitness test consists of four types of exercise,
viz., neck tilting (back/forward), simultaneous forearm flexing, trunk
extension, and trunk flexes. Each type of exercise consists of a
series of 15 motions repeated two times. Load levels are selected by
the ground and do not change from test to test. Total duration of the
test is 13 min. Gas analysis, subjective evaluation of physical
exertion levels, and blood test for lactate and Creatine Kinase levels
are also performed as a part of this test, using the TEEM-100M gas
analyzer, AccuSport analyzer, and Reflotron-IV blood analyzer.]

Yuri and Ed performed their daily physical exercise program on the
TVIS treadmill, RED expander, CEVIS cycle and VELO ergometer with load
trainer. The crew also performed the periodic calibration of the RED
load settings. [This is done by each every 24,330 cycles and after
cable replacements.]

The CDR completed the regular periodic inspection of the BRPK-1
air/liquid condensate separator in the SM.

Yuri also performed his regular daily inspection of the BIO-5
Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment which researches growth and
development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-2
greenhouse.

Malenchenko again conducted a session of the Russian Uragan
(“hurricane”) earth imaging program (GFI-8), using the Kodak DCS760
digital still camera with 800-mm lens where cloud cover did not exceed
30%. [Targets included the greatest agglomeration of European cities
(7 cities, with overlapping frames), Berlin-Potsdam, the Dnepr river
valley and the Don river floodplain, Kalmykia, shore lines and shelf
of the Caspian Sea, with focus on oil spots on the water, the Karakum
channel, and the Gindukusha mountains (Hindukush). The images were
stored on the removable hard disk drive (HDD) #4 of the French EGE-2
laptop.]

Early in the morning, Ed Lu performed the 24-hr. data registration of
the body-worn acoustic dosimeters deployed yesterday, along with a
third unit set up statically. Readings will again be taken tonight
before sleep time.

The SO conducted the daily routine maintenance of SOZh life support
systems and performed the regular status checkup of the autonomous Lab
payloads, while Malenchenko prepared the daily IMS (inventory
management system) “delta” file for updating the IMS database.

Yuri also tagged up with TsUP in an S-band-teleconference on IMS
(inventory management system) database issues. [Items for discussion
were the status of data logging/editing on Progress 11P unloading,
status of discarded equipment stowage and location of moved stuff,
missing elements of AK-1M and IPD air sampling equipment, and filing
of used underwear and napkins.]

Yesterday, PCU (plasma contactor unit) #2 was activated at 3:00pm EDT
for plasma environment characterization. It will remain in the
Xenon-discharge state for approximately 48 hours. This test is part of
a continuing effort to establish a relationship between the charging
hazard, ambient ionosphere conditions, and the flight configuration
while in LVLH attitude. [The PCU-2 test was also run in XPOP
attitude, from 5/16-6/6. PCU Xenon-emission current is the sum of the
electron currents collected from the ambient ionosphere by (1) the
high-voltage (160V) P6 solar arrays (when in ram position) and (2) via
low-voltage induction by the ISS structure moving through the
ionosphere. The currently used FPP (floating potential probe)
instrument data for determining the potential between ISS and the
ambient environment are very limited. A more advanced Floating
Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) will arrive on ULF-1. The present
PCU-2 characterization enables forward-work on extending and
validating the plasma charging model used by the ground for when the
FPMU is in place.]

MCC-H continues the 31hr. on-orbit thermal characterization test on
the station’s S-band system, String 1, which it started yesterday.
[The test involves powering BSP (baseband signal processor) and XPDR
(standard TDRSS transponder) heaters off and on again after some time,
to obtain temperature readings during various orbit times, including
recordings during LOS (loss-of-signal).]

Power situation in the RS has degraded. Ground specialists in Houston
and Moscow are carefully watching the issue, but at this time it is
not marginal as yet. Appropriate power balancing and load shedding
plans are in place. [Of the eight 800A storage batteries in the SM,
one is completely unusable (#4), and three more units (#1, #2, and #3)
are showing reduced capacity (i.e., inability to fully charge).
Currently, in LVLH attitude, peak loads on the USOS solar arrays 2B
and 4B are 17.5 kW (9.1 & 8.4, resp.), and the RS is supplied with 1.9
kW from each, via SNTs (voltage & current stabilizers/transformers)
#22 and #23. Should further deterioration require an additional SNT
(#21 from 4B), shell heaters in A/L, PMA-1 and Lab would be turned
off, with no MSG activity permitted and HRF (human research facility)
ops curtailed. Should the SM require even more power from an
additional SNT (#24 of 2B) and the FGB from an additional ARCU
(American-to-Russian converter unit), all USOS shell heaters would be
turned off, no payload ops are permitted and 2B/4B margins would be
reduced to 300/600 watts.]

Today’s CEO targets, no longer limited in the current LVLH attitude
and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark 200-year memorial
locations, were Istanbul, Turkey (looking a touch right. The city
lies on both sides of the Bosporus strait), Tigris-Euphrates, Turkey
(many new dams have been constructed in the upper Euphrates in the
mountains of southern Turkey: most lay just left of track. As soon as
water is impounded, populations begin irrigating new fields in the
immediate vicinity, and road and airfield installations spring up),
Baghdad, Iraq (looking left for a view of the entire cityscape),
Kuwait City, Kuwait (looking a touch left), Great Falls, MT (LEWIS &
CLARK SITE: The Missouri River drops more than 400 feet in ten miles
here. The explorers spent more than a month here in June-July 1805,
and noted the value of this site for hydro-power generation. Now the
Ryan Dam occupies the site. The site lies on the river, at the city of
Great Falls, where the highway crosses the river, all at nadir), Fort
Mandan, ND (LEWIS & CLARK SITE: The expedition spent the winter of
1804-5 here, and Sacagawea and her husband joined the group. The site
is near the present town of Stanton. Nadir pass: looking on the south
side of the large reservoir, Lake Sacagawea. Stanton is on the west
bank of the Missouri near where the river turns sharply from south to
east), Chicago, IL (nadir pass), and Dallas, TX (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. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:48pm EST).

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control
(TCS):

Elektron O2 generator is powered On (16 amp mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in Manual Mode 3/5). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is operating. BMP Harmful Impurities unit: absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode (unit is off). RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.

SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 26.4; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.7.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 22.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 742.25; temperature (deg C) — 22.2 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — 171.2; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.6.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 745.12; temperature (deg C) — 23.4; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 745.22; temperature
(deg C) — 25.0; shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.1, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.1
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 19.5.

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available: 3803 kg (8384 lb) as of 6/26
[SM(774) + FGB(2447) + Progress M(182) +Progress M-1(400)].
(Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and
4B both in AutoTrack.
SM batteries: Battery #4 is disconnected (failed 6/16); battery #7 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (6) are in “Partial Charge” mode. Batteries #1, #2 and #3 showing degraded capacity. FGB batteries: Battery #3 is offline; all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode. Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Discharge 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-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup.
INT-1 is operating; INT-2 is Off.
EXT-2 is On (primary), EXT-1 is Off (both now upgraded to R3).
LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
PL-2 MDM is Off; PL-1 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.

Attitude Control Systems:

3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).
State vector source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Angular rate source — RGA-1

Flight Attitude:

LVLH -YVV (local vertical/local horizontal = ‘earth-fixed’: z-axis in local vertical, -y-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9.3 deg, roll: 0 deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management. Solar Beta angle: -5.55 deg (magnitude decreasing).

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.
Audio subsystem is operating nominally [IAC-1 (internal audio controller #1) being analyzed after self-test error. IAC-2 is prime.]
Video subsystem operating nominally.
HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.

Robotics:

SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF #1 with Keep Alive (KA) power on both strings.
MBS: KA 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, 7:34am EDT [= epoch]):