Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 20 Jun 2003

By SpaceRef Editor

June 20, 2003

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

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 20 Jun 2003 — iss

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

Starting at about 4:15am EDT, the crew dismantled the Kurs-A rendezvous and approach radar system of the 11P/Progress M1-10’s motion control and navigation system (SUDN), and removed it from the cargo drone, a three-hour job. These valuable components, which include the BTsVK onboard digital computer, will be returned to Earth for “recycling” (when Shuttle flights have resumed). [KURS-A is the active half of the Russian space program’s proven S-band radar system for automated flight, which measures relative motion parameters between Progress (or Soyuz) and the ISS during rendezvous operations, to enable the autopilot’s calculation of corrective impulses. There are two sets of KURS-A electronics (for redundancy) housed in a common container in the Cargo Module. The passive counterpart (KURS-P) of the system is on the Service Module (SM), with one antenna each at the tip of the two solar array wings.]

CDR Yuri Malenchenko performed a final checkup of the Rodnik line configuration between Progress 11P, the DC-1 docking compartment and the SM Rodnik tankage, then initiated the automated transfer of the potable water from the cargo ship to the ISS. [After the 6.5-hr. transfer, he will close down the activity, without disassembling the transfer hardware (scheduled for tomorrow).]

After his successful installation and test initiation of the NGL (Next Generation Laptop) machine yesterday, Science Officer Ed Lu today supported the first data collection and log file take of the automatic DOS program. [Ed’s recurring routine task is to remove the microdrive from the NGL and insert it in a SSC (station support computer) laptop for downloading and later downlinking via OCA comm, then return it to the NGL and restart the test program. The NGL, currently under zero-G assessment for the next three weeks, has a 2GHz Pentium-4 processor, a 60 GB hard disk drive (HDD), 1 GB RAM memory, a 2-hr. Li-Ion battery and a mass of less than 8 lbs.]

Malenchenko and Lu completed the mandatory 30-min. CBT exercise (computer-based training with video and audio) to refresh their Crew Medical Officer (CMO) proficiency. [Objective of today’s exercise, which is regularly scheduled once a month, was to re-familiarize the crew with airway obstruction management, i.e., review of suction device, nasal airway, intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) with endotracheal tube, and cricothyrotomy (incision to re-enable breathing air inflow).]

FE/SO Ed Lu completed his sixth weekly filling-out of the FFQ (food frequency questionnaire), which keeps a log of his nutritional intake over time on special medical equipment computer (MEC) software.

Ed also conducted the weekly transfer of accumulated exercise data files from the TVIS and RED workout equipment to the MEC via memory cards for subsequent downlink to Earth.

Afterwards, he transferred storage files from the CMS HRM (crew medical systems/heart rate monitor) to the MEC, then deleted them on the HRM. [Last time done: 6/13/03.]

Yuri completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system and prepared the daily IMS “delta” file, while Ed Lu conducted the regular status checkup of the autonomously running Increment 7 Lab payloads (PCG-STES01, SAMS, MAMS).

The CDR tagged up with the ground via S-Band to discuss IMS (inventory management system) updates. [At issue were usage and location of moist wipes & towels (now that Shuttle-transferred high-ethanol wipes are banned on board), and location identification for diverse items such as laptops, camcorder, and power supply.]

A 30-min. task of Ed Lu’s today was to reboot all onboard PCS (portable computer system) machines, a regular weekly maintenance activity.

Malenchenko 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.

The crew conducted another weekly inventory audit of the available CWCs (contingency water containers) and their contents. [Last time done: 6/13].

After the MCA (major constituents analyzer) failed an attempted full calibration on 6/10, the activity was repeated on 6/18, as reported, this time successfully. [The MCA had been functional after the failed full calibration, but its accuracy was reduced by 0.1%. The analyzer’s accuracy is now back to nominal. MCA measures critical partial pressures of cabin air components such as O2 and CO2.]

Both predicted conjunctions (close encounters) with space debris have “gone away”, i.e., moved out of the notification box, with no avoidance maneuvers required. [The first encounter is with Indian PSLV launch vehicle debris (object #27099), predicted for 10:40pm EDT tonight, the second with Electron 1 debris (object #19993) tomorrow morning at 8:23am EDT.]

Overnight, MCC-Moscow ran a test of the Russian OpsLAN (SUBA BSMM) network’s capability to downlink large file sizes via the SM BRTK-TVS television system, similar to downlinking files via U.S. OCA comm on Ku-band.

After yesterday’s standard leak checks on the propellant lines between the Progress 11P, DC-1 docking compartment and SM, TsUP/Moscow today commanded further preparations for the upcoming remotely-controlled fuel and oxidizer transfer activities. [Today’s procedures, during the Daily Orbit 5 (DO5) Russian ground site comm pass, called for de-inhibiting the pyrotechnic valve system of the SM ODU integrated propulsion system, closing FGB valves (to protect Zarya propellant lines from hydraulic shock after pyro valves open), firing the SM pyro valves for pressurizing the fuel and oxidizer tanks and lines in Progress 11P, re-opening FGB valves, and re-inhibiting the SM pyro valves.]

The crew performed their regular daily exercise regimen on TVIS treadmill, CEVIS cycle, RED expander and VELO bike with load trainer (for the CDR).

Yesterday’s “ISS status report” interview of Ed and Yuri by CBS News Television got excellent media coverage on the ground. [Quote from Science Officer Lu: “Spaceflight is important and I wouldn’t be here, Yuri wouldn’t be here, if we didn’t believe that. I think exploration in general is important and while this is a small step, I think this is a step that’s necessary for when we really do head out into the solar system. I think that is our destiny someday. It’s important that we look at these setbacks that we have, learn the lessons we need to learn from them, and move on. Because if you don’t have that spirit, and that’s a very unique spirit to Americans and Russians in particular, this spirit of moving on in adversity and exploration, then I think that is a bad sign if you just say OK, we’re packing up and we’re going home.”]

Today’s CEO (crew earth observation) targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark 200-year memorial locations, were Fort Mandan, ND (LEWIS & CLARK SITE: The ISS had two passes over this site, where the expedition spent the winter of 1804-5 and where Sacagawea and her husband joined the group. The site is near the present town of Stanton. Looking left of track and south of the large reservoir, Lake Sacagawea. Stanton is on the west bank of the Missouri near where it turns sharply from south to east), Pompey’s Pillar, MT (LEWIS & CLARK SITE: Looking right of track towards the Yellowstone River where it flows east northeastward from the city of Billings. This 200 foot high rock formation is on the south bank of the river near where, from the west, Interstate Highway 94 pulls to within half a mile of the river and then parallels it. Captain Clark’s dated signature is engraved in the stone here), and Three Gorges Dam, Yangtze River (while weather was less than ideal this pass, the crew otherwise had a pretty good view of this target area from XPOP attitude by looking left of track. With the floodgates closed, the river valley above the dam is now rapidly being inundated).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at
http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:54pm EST).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered On (18 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. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.

SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 28.5; 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) — 745.16; temperature (deg C) — 23.1 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 746.84; temperature (deg C) — 23.0; ppO2 (mmHg) — 172.2; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.3.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 747.04; temperature (deg C) — 30.6; shell heater temp (deg C) — 25.2, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 25.1.
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 13.8.

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available: 3803 kg (8384 lb) as of 6/19 [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.
S

M batteries: Battery #4 is disconnected; all other batteries (7) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #4 is disconnected (failed); all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Standby 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:

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).Management.
Solar Beta angle: -28.0 deg (magnitude increasing).

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, 6:25am EDT [= epoch]):