NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 20 August 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.
Yesterday’s station reboost went off as planned. [Progress 15 thrusters initiated the translational maneuver at 9:24pm EDT during crew sleep, burning for 5 min 15 sec and producing a delta-V of 1.33 m/s (4.4 ft/s), which resulted in a mean altitude increase of 2.4 km (1.5 mi.). Orbit values for this morning see below.]
Before breakfast and physical exercise, CDR Gennady Padalka underwent his first Russian blood chemistry analysis test PZE MO-11, assisted by FE/SO Michael Fincke as Crew Medical Officer (CMO) when required. The exam was performed with the kits and accessories of the Reflotron-4 blood analyzer unstowed and readied yesterday. [Earlier Reflotron versions were already flown on Mir. For the test, Padalka imbibed 250 ml of warm water or plain (unsugared) tea, after which fresh blood was drawn from his finger with an Autoclix mini-lancet and a pipette. Clinical data were then determined from the collected sample. Using various reagent tabs, the blood was tested for such parameters as hemoglobin, glucose, bilirubin, amylase, uric acid, triglycerides, urea, creatinin, cholesterol, etc. The tubes with blood samples were temporarily kept cool for the subsequent (post-breakfast) analysis. Reflotron-4 uses 40 W of power, supplied by the Service Module’s (SM) electrical system.]
Mike Fincke meanwhile continued unloading and inventorying of Progress 15 cargo. [All IMS (Inventory Management System) updates have been made up to the items to be imported in yesterday’s latest delta file from MCC-Houston.]
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To update the onboard “Warning” books with latest changes, Mike unstowed the two copies and incorporated uplinked changes, both in form of change-out pages and P&I’s (pen-and-ink changes).
The FE also performed the initial checkout of the new RSP (Respiratory Support Pack) that arrived on 15P, including transferring cue cards from the old to the new unit. [The old RSP was yellow-tagged (“not for use”) and marked “Return to Houston”.]
Gennady meanwhile transferred new Matryoshka-R equipment, consisting of six SPDs and a Phantom unit, from Progress 15 and deployed it in the Russian segment (RS). [Matryoshka automatically takes measurements in the SM and DC-1 docking compartment for studies of on-orbit radiation (spatial and depth distribution) and long-term dose accumulation, using six passive SPD dosimeters deployed throughout the RS as well as in a spherical body-simulating “Phantom” unit as well as a human torso model outside on the SM hull, mounted there during EVA-9.]
The CDR also took care of the regular inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment that researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-5 greenhouse. [The experimental seeds of two types of peas (a flagellate variety with reds flowers, up to 27 cm high, and an acacia-leaf variety with white flowers, up to 20 cm high) are planted between wicks in a root tray, with environmental control powered on. Regular daily maintenance of the experiment involves monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, and photo/video recording.]
At ~2:14am, the U.S. MCA (major constituents analyzer) with its heater was activated by ground command for another “zero” calibration run performed several hours later (9:25am) in order to ensure valid readings. The MCA was subsequently returned to LEM (life extending mode) to conserve the life of the ion pump of the mass spectrometer’s vacuum chamber.
With the MCA measurements as reference, at 10:05am Mike calibrated the two CSA-CPs (compound specific analyzer-combustion products) #1015 & #1016 by “rezeroing” them, then took data readings for O2 (oxygen), CO (carbon monoxide), HCN (hydrogen cyanide), HCl (hydrogen chloride), as well as battery “ticks” for calldown. [#1015 is designated prime, #1016 backup. The old #1010 has been stowed for return to Houston.]
Fincke also took the periodic reading of the cabin air’s current CO2 partial pressure in the SM and Lab, using the U.S. CDMK (CO2 monitor kit), for calldown (along with the battery status) for use in trending analyses.
Gennady performed the periodic replenishing of the Elektron’s water supply for electrolysis, filling the KOV thermal loops’ EDV container with purified (deionized) water from the BKO multifiltration/purification column unit. [The procedure, currently under study for possible improvement, was specially designed to prevent air bubbles from getting into the BZh liquid unit where they could cause micropump impeller cavitation and Elektron shutdown, as numerous past times. In the procedure, the EDV water is drawn from the BKO and the air/liquid separator unit (GZhS) while the crewmember checks for any air bubbles in the EDV (and, if visible, estimates their number).]
In preparation for next week’s EMU/spacesuit repair activities, the FE started recharge of EMU batteries #2047 and #2048 (outside their regular 50-day maintenance cycle) in the U.S. Airlock’s BSA (battery stowage assembly). Mike also printed out and reviewed the detailed troubleshooting procedures uplinked recently for the EMU pump R&R.
Gennady completed the daily routine inspection of the SM’s SOZh life support system (including replacement of ASU toilet facility inserts), while Mike prepared the regular IMS “delta” file for export/import to the IMSA databases and also conducted the routine status checkup of the autonomous PCG-STES010 (Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System) payload in the Lab (done every Monday, Wednesday and Friday).
Working from the Russian task list, the CDR performed another session with the Uragan (“hurricane”) earth-imaging program, using the Kodak 760 DSC (digital still camera) with 800mm-lens from SM windows. [Today’s targets for his photo imagery were the village of Grushevskoe, the city of Grozny, the Cherkeyskoye water reservoir, and the Khazar oil field.]
Olympic Update: JSC/PAO was informed by the International Olympic Committee’s Producer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies that the crew’s downlink message for the opening ceremonies was viewed in the Stadium at the conclusion of the Parade of Athletes to a standing ovation from the 72,000 in attendance. Jacques Rogge, the President of the IOC, was “impressed and appreciative” that NASA was able to provide the message for them. All in all, a “gold medal” performance!
Major upcoming events:
- ISS Reboost2 — 8/24 (delta-V = 2.2 m/s);
- EVA-11 — 9/3;
- Soyuz 9S launch — 10/9;
- Soyuz 9S dock — 10/11;
- Soyuz 8S undock/land — 10/19;
- Soyuz 9S relocate — 11/18;
- Progress 16P launch — 11/24.
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.
Today’s CEO photo targets, in the current LVLH attitude no longer limited by Flight Rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, except for the shutter closure and condensation-prevention plan (limited to 90 min. in 24 hours) were Jorhat, Assam, India (this overpass put the ISS close to the Assam region, left of track. There was some cloud cover, but conditions should have been favorable for good photography), Lake Eyre (clear weather over Australia afforded a rare nadir view of this lake. Researchers are particularly interested in the presence of water in the lake bed), and Iguazu City, Argentina (this city is an emerging trading center for South America and this overpass provided an excellent nadir view of the urban area. Change in land cover/land use patterns here are quite dynamic and good baseline imagery is needed to quantify these changes).
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.
U.S. & Russian Segment Status (as of today, 1:25pm EDT)
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
- Elektron O2 generator is On (19A). 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 still considered failed). SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).
- SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 738; temperature (deg C) — 25.6; ppO2 (mmHg) — 164.0; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.7.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 736; temperature (deg C) — 19.8.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 744; temperature (deg C) — 22.7.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 738.2; temperature (deg C) — 21.9 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 740.2; temperature (deg C) — 24.8; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 740.4; temperature (deg C) — 22.6; shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- (n/a = data not available)
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
- Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in directed position (dual angle/”blind” mode, non solar-tracking, biased for drag reduction).
- SM batteries: All batteries (8) are on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
- FGB batteries: Battery #3 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 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): 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: 4432 kg (9771 lb) as of 8/19/04; [SM(552) + FGB(3516) + Progress M(441)]. (Capabilities: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).
Attitude Control Systems (ACS):
- 3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2’s RPC-17 failed 4/21/04; was replaced 6/30/04).
- State vector source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
- Attitude source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
- Angular rate source — RGA-1
Flight Attitude:
- LVLH XVV (local vertical/local horizontal = “earth-fixed”: z-axis in local vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -7.2 deg, roll: 0 deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.
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 (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.
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ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:45am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 358.1 km
- Apogee height — 363.3 km
- Perigee height — 352.9 km
- Period — 91.7 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0007745
- Solar Beta Angle — -13.8 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.70
- Mean altitude gain in last 24 hours — 2300 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 32841
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.
