NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 25 February 2005

SpaceRef note: This NASA Headquarters internal status report, as presented here, contains additional, original material produced by SpaceRef.com (copyright © 2005) to enhance access to related status reports and NASA activities.

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

With Leroy Chiao standing by for safety, flight controllers on the ground today successfully completed Phase 2 of the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) ground control commissioning. There were no anomalies. [The MSS (Mobile Service System) had remained operational overnight in readiness for today’s activities which included placing the Canadarm-2 into the final position approximately 5 ft from the Lab PDGF (Power & Data Grapple Fixture), using FOR OCAS (frame of reference {i.e., x,y,z instead of joint angle values} operator commanded auto sequence) maneuvers. The CDR monitored the robotarm’s movement and was prepared to execute an emergency stop if necessary.]

Progress-351/16P is all buttoned-up and almost ready to go. [Several hours today were used by the crew to prepare the automated transport vehicle for Sunday’s undocking (11:08am EST).]

After stowing the last items for disposal and arranging them to maintain proper mass distribution for flight control equilibrium, Sharipov dismantled and removed the Progress’ LKT local temperature sensor commutator (TA251MB) of the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system and its PZU-1M (ROM, read-only memory) unit, now no longer required and to be reused in the future.

Next, after activating 16P Salizhan disassembled the air duct in the hatchway to the SM PkhO (Service Module Transfer Compartment). The crew then removed the threaded quick-disconnect (QD) screw clamps of the SM docking & internal transfer system (SSVP), which rigidized the mating surfaces. [The interface was visually inspected and video-recorded with the U.S. DVCAM to make sure that there is no damage to the cords, snap hooks or rings on the latches and to the slots for the clamps in the SSVP’s internal flanges. Before PrK/SU hatch closure, the interface video was downlinked via Ku-band for ground inspection.]

At ~8:35am EST, Salizhan closed the hatches between Progress and SM, followed by depressurization of the transfer tunnel (“vestibule”) for the purpose of leak checking. [SM thrusters were disabled and automatic handover to the Russian segment (RS) was inhibited prior to the QD clamps removal. They were re-enabled after completed interface leak check. At ~10:10am, charging of the Progress’ primary and backup buffer batteries from SM power was to be activated as required. After their recharge, the Progress power system (RB) will be isolated from the SM power buses, providing the cargo ship with autonomous power for the undocking and post-undock flight phase, which is planned to comprise about ten days of ops.]

Continuing the current round of the periodic preventive maintenance of RS ventilation systems, the FE spent ~50 min. in the DC1 docking module to replace the PF1 & PF2 dust collector cartridges and clean the V1 & V2 fans and screens. [Last time done: 12/20/04.]

CDR Chiao had several hours set aside to work on the non-certified EMU (extravehicular mobility unit) #3005 in the U.S. Airlock (A/L), installing its new pump rotor along with the new shim delivered on 16P. [Background: Before any U.S. spacewalks from “Quest” A/L can be approved, all EMUs currently on orbit will be brought back to Houston to complete the ongoing failure investigation. Objective of today’s water pump installation in #3005 is to protect it and the PLSS (portable life support system) from contamination by leaking water during the return, because the failure of the close-tolerance EMU water pumps has been traced to internal contamination from both inorganic and organic sources, compounded by minute dimensional changes (length growth) of the impellers due to epoxy adhesive de-bonding. Inorganic materials such as nickel, silicon and iron oxide (rust) are believed to have originated from the corroded A/L SPCU HX (service, performance & checkout unit heat exchanger) that will be replaced with a new unit to be delivered on 17P next week. Organic (microbial) biomass contamination stems from soft goods and metabolic excretions (e.g., sweat). New hardware will be launched on LF-1 (STS-114/Discovery) to assure improved cleanliness of the cooling loop. As a consequence, the decision has been made to conduct the LF-1 EVAs from the Shuttle airlock, with the ISS A/L to be on standby as contingency ingress site.]

FE Sharipov worked on the Russian VELO ergometer bicycle to replace four worn-out rollers in its bungee-cord force loader (NS-1).

Leroy continued the PCS/SSC (Personal Computer System/Station Support Computer) conversion which he started last week (2/18) when he began converting the old SSC-1 into the MEC (medical equipment computer). Today, he concluded that task and converted the previous MEC into a PCS. [Laptop Management Background: Unlike the 760XD SSCs, the A31p PCS laptops, having Criticality 1 function, are required to have a functional rechargeable battery and, since they are portable, a strain relief attachment for their 1553 cable connector. The SSC-1 has no rechargeable battery, unlike the old MEC, but could be converted to MEC function, which needs no battery. The new PCS is now a much needed spare, and a second PCS spare will be produced later by similarly switching and converting the battery-equipped EXPRESS Rack 3 (ER3) laptop and the SSC Router.]

Chiao also worked on the onboard file server laptop, cleaning up the event log, copying files for downlink and attempting another manual backup (“ghosting”). [The file server continues to perform well without any crashes in the past few days. However procedures are in place in case the crashes that occurred last week happen again. An earlier attempt by Leroy to perform a manual backup was not successful, which could have been due to the drive being full.]

Salizhan performed the periodic (weekly) replenishing of the Elektron system’s water supply for electrolysis, his 15th, filling the KOV thermal loops EDV container with water from SM Rodnik tank #2 (BV2). [The procedure is specially designed to prevent air bubbles from getting into the BZh liquid unit where their pressure spikes, from collapsing, could cause micropump impeller cavitation and Elektron shutdown, as happened numerous times in the past.]

With both VTRs (video tape recorders) currently nonfunctional (exhibiting “jitter”), Chiao performed another head cleaning on VTR-1, using a special cleaning tape, to allow troubleshooters on the ground to assess the effect of the cleaning (after vs. before). The jitter remained, and new plans will be developed for VTR recovery.

Salizhan performed the routine daily inspection of the SOZh environment control & life support system in the SM, including the regular maintenance of the ASU toilet facilities and the weekly inspection of the BRPK air/liquid condensate separator. [The ASU’s flush counter (SP), which allows tracking of toilet water usage, has stopped functioning. There is a spare unit on board, and TsUP will schedule an R&R.]

The FE also prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for export/import to the IMS databases.

Working off the Russian discretionary task list, Sharipov performed the regular daily inspection of the Rasteniya/Lada-5 greenhouse equipment. [Rasteniya (“plants”)-2 studies growth and development of plants (peas) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-5 greenhouse. New Rasteniya-2 gear will be delivered by 17P next week, this time involving radish and lettuce seeds.]

Also called out on the “job jar” list for Salizhan for today was the downlinking of protocol files from the EGE-2 laptop via U.S. OCA assets for ground assessment of the Russian “Sigma” application. [“Sigma” is an orbital mechanics (“ballistics”) navigation program for computing the station’s ground track on the Earth.]

The crew performed their regular daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS, RED exerciser, CEVIS cycle and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer. [Salizhan’s daily protocol currently prescribes a four-day microcycle exercise with 1.5 hr on the treadmill and one hour on VELO (today: Day 4 of a new set).]

Leroy then transferred the daily TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC for downlink, as well as the daily wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) data, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium.

At ~1:50pm EST, the crew held their standard (once every two weeks) teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office (Kent Rominger), via S-band S/G, followed later, at ~2:50pm, by the regular (nominally weekly) teleconference with the ISS Flight Director at MCC-Houston.

Yesterday’s repressurization of the cabin air with 16P oxygen and air used up all gases remaining in the Progress. ISS pressure was increased by about 12 mmHg/Torr to a total pressure of 753 Torr, with an O2 content of 22.4%, according to onboard sensors.

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the science window, which is available for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in ram), were Piton de La Fournaise, Reunion (Dynamic Event. This massive shield volcano erupted last week, producing new lava flows. One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Piton de La Fournaise frequently reworks its flanks with new lava. The volcano forms the SE portion of the island of Reunion [to the right of track]. Detailed oblique photography of the volcano will be useful for mapping the location and extent of new lava flows), and Internal waves, Patagonian Shelf (weather was predicted to be mostly clear over Patagonia for internal wave photography. Looking to the left of track along the shoreline for the sunglint point. Interesting wave patterns may have been visible in embayments along the coastline).

CEO photography can be viewed and studied at the websites:

• http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
• http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov
• http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/AstronautPhotography/

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:

• http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 10 crew visit:

• http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-10/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.

Expedition 10 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.

Upcoming Key Events:

• Progress M-51 (16P) undocking — 2/27 (11:08am EST);
• Progress M-52 (17P) launch — 2/28 (2:09pm EST);
• Progress M-52 (17P) docking — 3/2 (3:15pm EST);
• EVA-13 — 3/25;
• Soyuz TMA-6 (10S) launch — 4/15 with Expedition 11 (CDR Sergei Krikalev,
• FE/SO John Phillips);
• Soyuz TMA-5 (9S) undocking — 4/25 with Exp. 10 crew (after 193 days on orbit, 191 days on board ISS);
• LF1 (STS-114) — NET 5/12;
• Progress M-53 (18P) launch — 6/10;
• ULF1.1 (STS-121) — NET 7/10;
• Progress M-54 (19P) launch — 8/24;
• Soyuz TMA-7 (11S) launch — 9/27.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:12am EST [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 358.1 km
• Apogee height — 361.1 km
• Perigee height — 355.2 km
• Period — 91.70 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.65 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.0004345
• Solar Beta Angle — 27.1 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.70
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 75 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 35812

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.