Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 2 June 2003

By SpaceRef Editor

June 2, 2003

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

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 2 June 2003 — ISS

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below. Week 5 for Expedition 7.

Time again for the Russian medical experiment protocols PZEh-MO-7 (calf volume measurement) and PZEh-MO-8 (body mass measurement) for both crewmembers, before breakfast. CDR Yuri Malenchenko set up the MO-8 “scales” equipment and later broke it down and stowed it away.

Science Officer Edward Lu activated the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), without recurrence of last week’s incidence, then supervised another test run of the InSPACE (InSPACE (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions) experiment. During the session, some problem was encountered with video camera #2, and POC (Payload Operations Center) specialists are investigating. [Test 12 provided additional data at the lowest field strength for the mid-sized particles that are contained in CA005 (coil assembly 5). The current amplitude was set at 0.875 amps. The frequency parameters were also at the lowest settings with an initial frequency of 1.0 Hz, followed by 0.66 Hz at the second monitor activity].

CDR Yuri Malenchenko performed his second session of the Russian biomedical Pilot experiment (MBI-15) which uses a work table, ankle restraint system and control handles for testing piloting skill. [Last time done: 5/6]

Malenchenko also underwent a “refresher course” of the Russian MBI-8 “Profilaktika” (countermeasures) fitness session, scheduled for later in the Increment. Focus on today’s activity, supported by a tagup with a ground specialist, was on the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer and the Cardiocassette-2000 instrument. [MBI-8 includes electrocardiography (ECG) during physical exercise on the TVIS treadmill, identical to the MO-3 test performed on the treadmill in idling mode with free choice of speeds within a certain specified range. But in addition to the nominal MO-3 test procedure, MBI-8 requires use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer during the test, as well as blood testing to measure lactate and creatine kinase levels with the AccuSport equipment, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test. Gas analyzer and ECG data must then be transferred to Laptop 3 and prepared for later downlink via Regul-Packet comm.]

Over the weekend, crew and ground successfully recovered EMU battery discharge capability in the BSA (battery stowage assembly). Two EMU batteries were discharged nominally, and two more units will be discharged on 6/5 (Thursday).

Today’s crew schedule had a 1.5-hr. block reserved for FE/SO Ed Lu to conduct the planned Increment 7 audit of consumables on board. [Main objective of the activity is to help manifest planners to generate an accurate manifest for Progress 12P and subsequent resupply flights.]

Yuri Malenchenko completed his second regular (monthly) checkup of the DC-1 “Pirs” docking compartment’s 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: 5/2).

Yuri also conducted the periodic inspection of the BRPK-1 air/liquid condensate separator of the SM’s SRVK water processing system as well as his regular daily monitoring/servicing of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 zero-G plant growth experiment, checking water level in the Lada-2 greenhouse water container and the seed status.

Both crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise program, on TVIS treadmill, RED expander, CEVIS bike and on the Russian VELO cycle ergometer with load trainer. Ed Lu did the weekly TVIS maintenance.

Two new TVIS harnesses, hand carried to Moscow over the weekend, arrived there today. The devices, which are necessary to keep the crewmember properly positioned and in contact with the treadmill belt during workout in zero-G, are to be stowed on Progress 11P for launch next Sunday. [The harness currently being used by Lu and Malenchenko was found to be in degraded condition (but is safe to use), and what was thought to be a usable onboard spare turned out to be in worse condition.]

Malenchenko performed the daily routine maintenance of the SOZh environment control and life support system in the SM, later prepared the daily IMS inventory update file, and cleaned air duct fan screens in the SM. Meanwhile, Ed Lu did the regular status checkup of the autonomous Lab payload (PCG-STES010, SAMS, MAMS).

The 45-min. recalibration of the SM’s gas analyzer (IK0501) for CO2 partial pressure readings performed on 5/30 was successful. The readings now match more closely those of the U.S. MCA (major constituent analyzer). [IK0501 analyzes the air flow pumped through it for humidity (H2O), oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2), and converts its measurements into partial pressure values going to a monitoring laptop and, if they exceed limit values, to the caution and warning panel (PSS).]

Starting at 7:47am EDT and continuing for four consecutive orbits (DO 15, 1, 2 & 3) MCC-Moscow conducted tests of the Klest-M video camera system. [A Klest-M camera will be on the Progress 11P when it arrives on 6/11, to support the manual TORU backup docking mode, should it be required. In this case, the cargo ship’s motion would be manually controlled from the TORU control panel in the SM, using two hand controllers and a situational display of television signals (ISS image plus range, velocity, and relative angular position data) from the Progress-mounted Klest-M, shown on two monitors (VKU and Simvol-Ts).]

Weekly Science Update (Expedition Seven 4th):

GASMAP: Next health check is in mid-June.

Human Research Facility/Workstation (HRF WS): Continuing.

Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI): Waiting to begin operations.

Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS): SAMS is nominal and currently analyzing data in support of general characterization of the ISS acceleration environment.

Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System (MAMS): MAMS is nominal and currently analyzing data in support of general characterization of the ISS acceleration environment.

Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System (PCG-STES): PCG STES is operating nominally. The experiment has been running for over 4593 hours, considerably longer than was initially planned. This is due in no small part to the diligence of the crew in cleaning the filters, thus minimizing the temperature excursions. Material compatibility certification has been extended to 8/8/03, and testing will continue to extend the time to 365 days and beyond.

Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions (InSPACE): Testing has resumed this week. Tests with the mid-size particles should be completed followed by a coil exchange to the largest particle size sample.

Materials ISS Experiment (MISSE): In progress. Deployed outside. Nominal and collecting data.

Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM): Waiting to begin operations in July.

Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2): Waiting to begin operations.

Educational Payload Operations (EPO): The ground appreciated the crew’s offer of another “take” and will be sending them words about the dryrun.

Crew Earth Observations (CEO): No new imagery has been released for the ground to review since last week. However, the crew’s dramatic Anatahan Volcano image is on display on NASA’s Earth Observatory website.
Today’s CEO targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, also excluding any night target viewing, were Congo-Zimbabwe Biomass Burning (looking left and right of track as the ISS passed over western Zambia), SW Brazil biomass burning (Dynamic event. Fires and smoke palls have been making the news. Looking left and right of track for oblique views), High Central Andean Glaciers (nadir opportunity to document small ice caps on the tops of any tropical volcanoes under track), Taiwan Smog (looking right and left to document any sharp margins in the haze mass), Beijing, China (views right for the metropolitan region. Obliques for any haze buildup), Eastern Mediterranean Aerosol (conditions even better to document a haze event in the Adriatic Sea, between Italy and the Balkans), and Eastern Mediterranean Aerosol (nadir pass over the Po River valley. Looking south for obliques of the narrow Adriatic “channel”).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:45pm EST).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered On (20 amp mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (manual mode-5/day, mode-3/night). 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. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.
SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 26.9; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 21.4.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 23.3.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 745.8; temperature (deg C) — 24.3 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 747.54; temperature (deg C) — 23.1; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 747.64; temperature (deg C) — 30.5; shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.4, ppO2 (mmHg) — 171.9; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.1.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.2.
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 13.0.

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available: 3573 kg (7877 lb) as of 5/29 [SM(774) + FGB(2547) + Progress(252)]. (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 autonomous Autotrack (45 deg biased for drag reduction).
SM batteries: Batteries #4 is disconnected (failed); battery #5 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (6) are in “Partial Charge” mode (battery #2 is exhibiting degraded performance).
FGB batteries: Battery #4 is disconnected; 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. Being upgraded.
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Being upgraded.

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:

XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = “sun-fixed” [yaw: 0.5 deg, pitch: -6.8 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist).
Solar Beta angle: 31.9 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 at WS4, with KA power.
POA: KA power on both strings.
RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is Off; Cupola RWS is Off.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 5 :02am EDT [= epoch]):