NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 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.
Last night’s station reboost went off as planned. [Progress 15 thrusters initiated the maneuver at 8:32pm EDT during crew sleep, burning for 9m 40s to produce a delta-V of 2.44 m/s (8.0 ft/s) vs. 2.45 m/s planned, resulting in a mean altitude increase of delta-h = 4.4 km (2.7 mi.). Since it was an apogee burn, perigee height was raised (by 5 km), lowering eccentricity (“ellipticity”) to 0.000539, i.e., achieving a closer-to-circular orbit (e = 0). Orbit values for this morning see below.]
CDR Padalka completed the scheduled replacement of three warranty-expired IDZh-2 smoke detectors in the DC-1 “Pirs” docking compartment with new units (#106, #114, #117) delivered on Progress. [For the duration of the R&R, power and fire detection mode were disabled. The old units were stowed for disposal, with storage locations reported to TsUP-Moscow. The smoke detectors work with electro-induction, i.e., by first ionizing air molecules in the detector chamber with radioactive material, then measuring their electric conductivity (which would be reduced if the air contains smoke particles). Last time replaced: 9/14/03.]
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While in the DC-1, Gennady started another round of periodic preventive maintenance of Russian segment (RS) ventilation systems by replacing the filter inserts of the PF1 & PF2 dust collectors in its air duct system and cleaning the protective mesh screens of the V1 & V2 ventilator fans.
FE/SO Fincke meanwhile changed out cartridges in the four dust collector filters (PF1-4) of the Service Module (SM)’s air circulation system, discarding the old units. He also performed preventive maintenance by inspecting and cleaning ventilators and grilles of the Group A fans in the SM, then serviced Group B ventilators in the PkhO/Transfer Compartment air duct (grilles VAP-1 & -2, VPO-2 thru -6, VN-1 & -2).
Later, the crew continued preparations for next week’s EVA-11, today readying tools and equipment that they will take out. The activities were supported by tagup with EVA specialists via S-band and video-covered for ground review.
On the BRP-M potable water heater in the SM, Padalka collected water samples from the hot and tepid water taps (there is no cold drinking water aboard ISS) in stowage bags for return on Soyuz 8S. [The BRP-M collects purified water from the SRVK-2M condensate water processor and heats it to 80-95 degC, in the process sterilizing (“pasteurizing”) it for safe ingestion by the crew.]
Afterwards, Gennady performed routine IFM (in-flight maintenance) on the SRVK-2M, removing its multifiltration unit (BKO), which has reached its service life limit. The old BKO was replaced with a new unit and stowed for deorbiting in Progress 15 (last time replaced: 7/12). [BKO contains five purification columns to rid the condensate of dissolved mineral and organic impurities and has a service lifetime of ~450 liters throughput. The water needs to be purified for proper electrolysis in the Elektron O2 generator.]
The CDR completed the regular periodic task of transferring the accumulated data files of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) plant growth experiment to the Packet laptop for subsequent downlink to the ground via Regul comm. He also photographed the plants, saving the digital images on the laptop.
Mike Fincke conducted the daily routine inspection of the SM’s SOZh life support system (including replacement of ASU toilet facility inserts), while Gennady later prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) “delta” file for automated export to the ground for database updating and subsequent re-import via OCA.
Both crewmembers completed their daily 2.5-h program of physical (aerobic & anaerobic) exercise, on TVIS treadmill, RED resistive expander (using the newly installed SchRED canisters) and VELO cycle ergometer with load trainer.
At 3:30pm, the crew is scheduled to have their regular (once every two weeks) teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office (Kent Rominger), via S-band S/G.
The Elektron O2 generator suffered yet another air-bubble-caused shutdown yesterday and was nominally restarted by the crew. [The exploratory IFM (inflight maintenance) on the older Liquid Unit #5 (BZh-5) that TsUP specialists are preparing is now tentatively scheduled for the week of 9/6.]
The camera characterization tests on the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) and MBS (Mobile Base System) performed by the ground yesterday were successful. “Good data” were collected for analysis, to improve future robotics ops.
Yesterday’s DTO (detailed test objective) to verify the new Timeliner’s command & control (C&C) function was executed successfully. [The automated Timeliner sequencer system, which significantly lowers the workload in the performance of mission or process control operations, was originally developed by MIT’s Draper Laboratory for NASA to emulate the timelines for onboard crew procedures followed by the crew of a Space Shuttle mission; it has been in use since 1982. In 1992, NASA selected the Timeliner tool as the User Interface Language (UIL) for Space Station “Freedom” and later for ISS, to be executed on the station’s real-time C&C and Payload Control computers.]
With ECLSS (environment control & life support systems) specialists from both sides in agreement, flight controllers are planning to perform an ISS cabin atmosphere repressurization with air from Progress 15 tankage next Wednesday (9/1), to a total pressure level of 760-765 mmHg (Torr).
Late next month, ground engineers will run a week-long reconditioning procedure and capacity measurements on the U.S. P6 segment’s IEA (integrated electronic assembly) storage batteries, with no crew activity required. [Nickel hydrogen batteries can develop and display “memory loss” resulting in a temporary loss of capacity that should be periodically erased by cycling all material by fully discharging and recharging cells (reconditioning). Each of the two P6 solar array wings (2B & 4B) has three such batteries, and their reconditioning will be performed in a pre-selected order, during a solar Beta angle range for the station of +40 to -40 deg to assure longer night periods for discharging the batteries.]
Update on ISS mass determination: Data collected by TsUP during the reboost on 8/20 for calculating an accurate value for ISS mass deviated sufficiently from expected values to require further analysis by Moscow and probably a second test during the next reboost, scheduled for mid-September.
Expedition 9 Flight Crew Plans can be found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/
Major upcoming events:
- EVA-11 — 9/3 (hatch open 12:50pm EDT);
- 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 Internal waves, Aegean Sea (clear weather provided a good opportunity to capture internal wave features. The sunglint point was to the left and forward of the station’s descending pass), Subglacial river patterns, Libya (the overflight provided an opportunity for an oblique view of fossil subglacial riverbeds exposed by erosion. Looking to the right of track approximately 2-3 degrees. The oblique view will be useful for orientation of later opportunities for detailed imagery of the subglacial riverbeds), and Internal waves, Bahamas (weather is clear to the north of Cuba and conditions are good for internal waves. The sunglint point was to the left of track and slightly ahead of the ISS.)
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, 12:49pm EDT)
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
- Elektron O2 generator is On. 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 Off, 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) — 26.4; ppO2 (mmHg) — 160.9; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.4.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 736; temperature (deg C) — 20.9.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 744; temperature (deg C) — 23.3.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 737.5; temperature (deg C) — 23.8 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 739.2; temperature (deg C) — 24.6; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 739.4; temperature (deg C) — 22.7; 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 Autotrack (solar-tracking, “sun slicer”, i.e., drag reduction-biased by 47 deg angle (2B: +47, 4B: -47).
- SM batteries: All batteries (8) are on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
- 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. Will go to XPOP tonight.
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.
- 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, 7:41am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 361.7 km
- Apogee height — 365.3 km
- Perigee height — 358.0 km
- Period — 91.8 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.000539
- Solar Beta Angle — 12.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.60
- Mean altitude gain in last 24 hours — 4160 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 32936
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.
