Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 May 2004

By SpaceRef Editor

May 26, 2004

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

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 26 May 2004 — iss

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

Progress 14P (M-249) is closing in for tomorrow morning’s rendezvous and docking. Capture at the Service Module (SM) aft end port is scheduled for 9:55am EDT. [Maneuver burn DV3 was performed this morning at 9:25am. Maneuver burn DV4 burn will be tomorrow morning at ~7:44 am, followed by Progress Kurs-A activation and self-test, then DV5 burn at ~8:30am. Klest TV camera and floodlight are turned on at 8 km (~9:07am). As Kurs-A and Kurs-P (on SM) confer and “compare notes”, three successive braking burns lead into flyaround mode (400 m), stationkeeping (170 m), final approach (~9:47am), and docking (~9:55am).]

For monitoring the initial hard docking of 14P at the SM, PPL (pre-positioned load) files in both MDM computers on the S0 truss will turn on the SDMS (Structural Dynamic Measurement System), to acquire data from at least two minutes prior to three minutes after the hard docking, for later downlink via a data (memory) dump.

In the station, FE/SO Michael Fincke reconnected the UOP-DCP (utility outlet panel-to-display & control panel) bypass power cable at the Lab RWS (robotics workstation) and launched the DOUG (Dynamic Operational Ubiquitous Graphics) software for today’s robotics activities. The crew then performed the scheduled proficiency session with the SSMRS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) Canadarm2. Everything went very well, with no issues. [With Fincke operating as M1 and Padalka as M2, primary objective of the ops was to maneuver the SSRMS into the planned position for viewing the Orlan EVA (currently planned for 6/16). Secondary objectives include survey of the expected EVA translation paths to the RPCM R&R (remote power controller module removal & replacement) worksite, LEE (latching end effector) checkout, andLight Assembly checkout. The ops included two JOCAS (joint operator commanded auto sequence) maneuvers.]

Fincke undertook his first monthly (Week 4) potable water sampling for in-flight chemistry/microbiology analysis, using jointly approved Russian sampling procedures with the U.S. WS&A (water sampler & archiver) for collection and the WMK (water microbiology kit) for treatment/processing within 6 hours of the collection. Sample analysis also includes processing water samples in the MWAK (microbial water analysis kit) for inflight coliform bacteria detection. Results will be available after a two-day incubation period, in case of the MWAK after a 4-6 days of incubation. [Samples were taken in the SM at the potable water SRV-K hot port and from the EDV container of the SVO-ZV water supply system, using new media syringes sent up on 13P. Last time done: 4/12.]

The FE/SO used the EHS SSK (environmental health systems/surface sample kit) to perform surface sample swabs in Lab, SM and Node for cultivation. [SSK sampling is done once per month for the first three months that a module is on orbit and once every three months thereafter. Bacterial and fungal samples are taken at two locations in each module. The colony growth on the sampling slides will be analyzed after five days of incubation.]

Fincke also employed the MAS (microbial air sampler) kit to collect air samples in Lab, Node and SM for bacterial and fungal analysis. [As for the SSK, the sampling analysis is done once per month for the first three months, and once every three months thereafter. Bacterial and fungal air samples are taken at two locations in each module. The colony growth on the sampling slides will be analyzed after five days of incubation in Petri dishes. For onboard visual analysis of media slides from SSK, MCDs (microbial capture devices) from WMK, coliform detection bags from MWAK, and Petri dishes from MAS, the crew has a procedure for visual inspection of samples for bacterial and fungal colony growths after appropriate incubation periods.]

Air sample collection in the Russian segment (RS) was also done by Padalka, first using the IPD Draeger tubes to check for CO (carbon monoxide) and NH3 (ammonia), then the AK-1M air constituents sampler in the SM and FGB.

Gennady performed his first round of the Russian MBI-8 “Profilaktika” (preventive health maintenance) fitness test series, today on the VELO stationary bike ergometer. [There will be two more tests, one with the NS-1 Load Trainer tomorrow, the other with the TVIS treadmill on 5/28. Test procedure is identical to the Russian MO-5 assessment, but in addition to the nominal procedure, it calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer, measurement of the lactate level in the subject’s blood with the AccuSport device, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test. Results are entered on a log sheet. TEEM and ECG (electrocardiograph) data are transferred to the borrowed U.S. SSC6 IBM 760XD laptop, also on a tape cassette (“Cardiocassette-2000”), and prepared for later downlink via Regul-Packet comm. The lactate levels were called down to specialists standing by at TsUP.]

The CDR terminated the bake-out cycle on the BMP micropurification system’s channel 2, moding the channel back to Purify. This restored both filter beds to Purify mode. [The regeneration of the air purifier filter beds is repeated every 20 days. Each bakeout to space vacuum takes about 24 hours.]

After yesterday’s SNFM (Serial Network Flow Monitor) file downlink and data capture, Mike today deactivated the EXPRESS Rack 5 laptop (ER5 ELC). ER2 will be powered off from the ground tomorrow.

Gennady attended to the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities). He also conducted the periodic checkout of the IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS hatchways and FGB-to-Node hatchway (last time done: 4/13).

The regular jobs of inventory management system (IMS) “delta” file downlink preparation and Increment 9 autonomous payload status checkup were today on the crew’s discretionary task list. [“Job jar” task requests from the ground have to be cleared at the WPR (weekly planning review). They are activities that by their nature are not critical “crew must perform” tasks, but that can be done at the crew’s discretion. If an activity must be executed, it has to be scheduled on the regular timeline plan.]

On Padalka’s Russian task list, he today found the regular periodic cleaning of the two air ducts in the DC1 “Pirs” compartment.

Mike Fincke completed his daily physical exercise program, today one hour on CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation) and RED resistive exerciser. Gennady’s exercise was part of his MBI-8 session.

At 1:15pm, the crew supported an interactive PAO audio exchange with CBS Radio (Bill Harwood), via S-band.

Starting at 5:00am EDT this morning and running for six hours, MCC-H and its support group in Moscow (HSG) conducted another BCC (backup control center) dry run in test mode, with no involvement of the ISS crew or vehicle.

The Orlan EVA to remove & replace the failed RPCM (Remote Power Controller Module) on the S0 truss is now tentatively scheduled for 6/16.

Today’s CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets, limited in 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 Hyderabad, India (nadir pass), Muglad Basin Fans, Sudan (oblique general views both sides of track will be the most useful in assembling the detailed swaths the crew provided recently), Rome, Italy (nadir pass. Looking inland from the small Tiber River delta for the city center), and Lower Amazon River Basin (nadir pass for a mapping swaths of island shorelines).

CEO images can be viewed at the websites.

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at

http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of today, 1:23pm 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 On (SM panel mods completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20; currently running). SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).

SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 26.1; ppO2 (mmHg) — 159.5; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.3;
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 747; temperature (deg C) — 19.8.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 756; temperature (deg C) — 22.0.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 754.07; temperature (deg C) — 23.9 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 755.42; temperature (deg C) — 24.5; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 755.62; temperature (deg C) — 24.8; shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.

(n/a = data not available)

PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a.

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in Autotrack (solar-tracking), with drag reduction bias (2B @ -32.5 deg, 4B @ 32.5 deg.)
SM batteries: All batteries (8) are on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #5 is off line; battery #3 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (4) 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&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): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string 1 dropped out 11/22/03).
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string #3 dropped out 10/22/03).
FGB MDM-1 is Off (failed, 11/21/03); MDM-2 is Operational.

Propulsion System:

Total propellant load available: 3436 kg (7575 lb) as of 5/20/04; [SM(552) + FGB(2884) + Progress M-1(0)]. (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

2 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2’s RPC-17 failed 4/21/04).
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 (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.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:39am EDT [= epoch]):