Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 23 Sep 2003

By SpaceRef Editor

September 23, 2003

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

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 23 Sep 2003 — iss

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below. Week 21 is underway for Expedition 7.

CDR Yuri Malenchenko spent 2.5 hrs. with a new round of the Russian MBI-8 “Profilaktika” (countermeasures) fitness test series, today starting with the VELO (stationary bike ergometer). FE/SO Edward Lu assisted. (Last time done: 7/29) [Tomorrow, Day 2, the test will be performed on the Load Trainer, followed by the blood analysis part on Day 3 (Thursday). The test is identical to the Russian MO-5 assessment, but in addition to the nominal test procedure, it calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer, measurement of the lactate level in the subjectís blood with the AccuSport device, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test. Results were entered on a log sheet. TEEM and ECG (electrocardiograph) data were transferred to Laptop 3 via PCMCIA memory card and prepared for later downlink via Regul-Packet comm.]

Malenchenko completed the periodic (monthly) functional closure test of the Vozdukh CO2 removal system’s emergency vacuum valves (AVK, last time done: 8/22). [The AVKs are critical because they close the Vozdukh’s vacuum access lines in the event of a malfunction in the regular vacuum valves (BVK) or a depressurization in the Vozdukh valve panel (BOA). Access to vacuum is required to vent carbon dioxide (CO2) during the regeneration of the absorbent cartridges (PP). During nominal operation, the AVK valves remain open.]

Yuri Malenchenko reviewed the HRF USND (Human Research Facility/Ultrasound) experiment procedures, to prepare himself for assisting in the scanning session scheduled for 9/25 (Thursday). [Primary goal today was for Yuri to review the USND reference picture and the new CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation) cautionary notes and ECG (electrocardiograph) cable deployment procedure. In setting up of the USND keyboard and monitor plus Ed’s required restraints, Yuri has to make sure that he can see the monitor, reach the keyboard and hold the ultrasound probe on the subject’s chest during Ed’s exercise on the bike.]

The crew completed the scheduled proficiency operation with the Canadian SSRMS (space station remote manipulator system), exercising the MSS (mobile service system) equipment to gather additional characterization of the SSRMS force & moment sensor (FMS) for testing the suspected dependency of FMS data on the temperature of the exposed EVA joint angle scale on the WR (wrist roll) joint.

The Science Officer deployed passive formaldehyde monitoring kit (FMK) sampling badges in the Lab and SM, to catch any atmospheric formaldehyde on a sampling substrate for analysis in JSC laboratory facilities (last time done: 8/27). He also unstowed and activated the SSAS (solid sorbent air sampler) in the center of the Lab.

Lu completed his 19th weekly filling-out of the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which keeps a log of his nutritional intake over time on special medical equipment computer (MEC) software.

Ed Lu performed another NGL (next generation laptop) A31p ThinkPad test with the MS NetMeeting for Video Teleconferencing application, connecting to the ground via S-band and Ku-band. [The on-orbit test used a SONY camera (DSR-PD100A) as a video input device (rather than video tape as before) and a BOSE headset with mike (Aviation X ANC, AHC-02) for the audio portion.]

CDR Malenchenko prepared the daily IMS delta file for automatic export/import to update the database. He also took care of the daily routine maintenance of the SM SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities).

FE/SO continued his photo survey of fireport and critical equipment accessibility for ground evaluation, today in the “Quest” Airlock and “Destiny” Lab.

Ed Lu worked out with his daily 2.5-h physical exercise program on CEVIS and RED (resistive exercise device). He also performed the monthly inspection of the RED bolts, tightening them as required, while Yuri subsequently transferred the accumulated TVIS and RED data files to the MEC (medical equipment computer) for eventual downlink.

At 1:45pm EDT, the crew supported a 20-min. interactive PAO/educational TV event with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA, answering previously uplinked student questions. [The event was hosted on the ground by Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at MIT and former NASA astronaut.]

After the apparent “systems error” received by the GPS-2 (Global Positioning System #2) over the weekend, which the GNC MDM (guidance, navigation & control computer) interpreted as “failed”, GPS-2 was successfully power-cycled, clearing the apparent hardware fault and beginning to produce nominal attitude and state data within 64 minutes.

Today’s CEO (crew earth observation) targets, taking into account the current LVLH attitude, and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark 200-year memorial locations, were Patagonian glaciers (Northern ice field still visible. Looking mainly right of track), Congo-Zimbabwe Biomass Burning (looking left and right for fires in the dense Savanna forests of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This pass included a sun glint opportunity of Lake Malawi to the left of track), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (looking left of track, on the mainland beyond the Spice islands of Zanzibar and Pemba), Khartoum, Sudan (nadir pass. Looking in the acute angle between the White and Blue Niles for this earth-colored city), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (nadir pass), and Lower Amazon River Basin (nadir pass. Looking right and left at the coastlines).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at
http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

>>> You know you live on the ISS when…
…..reporters call you at the house to ask how you like it. (Upbeat uplink from Flight Control).

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 2:00pm EDT).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered On, 24A (air also being supplied by Progress 12P). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in Manual Mode 5/3). 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) — 26.7; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.9.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 22.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 749.89; temperature (deg C) — 23.8 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 751.08; temperature (deg C) — 23.2; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 751.18; temperature (deg C) — 28.7; shell heater temp (deg C) — 25.9, ppO2 (mmHg) — 149.5; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.3.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 23.9
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 23.4.

(n/a = data not available)

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in AutoTrack mode (solar tracking, with 45 deg bias for drag reduction).
SM batteries: Battery #2 is in “Cycle” mode; battery #7 is on line, pending evaluation of charging; all other batteries (6) are in “Partial Charge” mode (battery #1 is degraded).
FGB batteries: Battery #6 is disconnected; 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-2 is operating; INT-1 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.

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available: 3922 kg (8646 lb) as of 9/18 [SM(755) + FGB(2815) + Progress M(352) + Progress M-1(0)]. (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

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).

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-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, 6:42am EDT [= epoch]):