Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 28 April 2004

By SpaceRef Editor

April 28, 2004

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

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 28 April 2004 — iss.21.jpg

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Last full day of docked operations for Expeditions 8 and 9.

Update on EVA Planning for RPCM R&R: CMG-3 and -4 are both performing nominally. Planning is underway for the EVA to replace the failed Remote Power Controller Module (RPCM) S02B-D of CMG-2. Today, the IMMT (ISS Mission Management Team) decided to wait with the EVA until after Progress 14P arrival, based on a launch currently predicted for 5/25 (or a few days thereafter, as long as there is no violation of the solar Beta angle range desired for the EVA). Moscow will be provided more information on the U.S. EMUs (extravehicular mobility units) and relevant ISS-9 crew training to enable a final joint decision on spacesuits (EMUs or Orlan-Ms). [In favor of EMU are such points as (1) DC1-based EVA requires more gas (~30 lbs) than from “Quest” Airlock; (2) TDRS provide nearly constant comm coverage; (3) crew training did not include translation from DC1 to the S0 truss worksite; but (4) crew training generically includes RPCM replacement. Speaking for Orlan: (1) Crew has two new suits; (2) crew is trained for Orlan/DC1.]

Update on CMG Planning: As reported yesterday, a new flight attitude strategy has been adopted in order to preserve CMG bearings by foregoing the higher-than-desired CMG gimbal rates required for transitioning to XPOP mode. It will leave the station in the current earth-oriented LVLH XVV attitude (local vertical/local horizontal, x-axis in velocity vector, i.e., station flying “head-on”) until 5/5, eliminating an XPOP period planned at that time. On 5/5, ISS will turn slowly to LVLH YVV (y-axis in velocity vector, i.e., station flying “sidewise”) until 5/18. [While XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) is desirable from a BGA (Beta Gimbal Assembly) conditioning perspective, specialists have found that skipping this single XPOP period is admissible from structures & mechanics (thermal) aspects, provided XPOP attitude can be regained on ~5/18.]

Update on Soyuz 7S Helium Leaks (no change): As reported before, tomorrow’s deorbit burn of the 7S/Soyuz-213 will be nominal except for the precautionary step of not firing the pyro valves (PK1, PK2) that are normally opened to interconnect the two mutually redundant helium pressurization manifolds of the KDU combined propulsion system (which combines 300 kgf thrust main engine, the fourteen 13.3 kgf translation thrusters, and the twelve 2.7 kgf attitude control thrusters). [The undocking will be performed “manually” on segment 1 of the prop pressurization system (which has the larger leak) and the subsequent deorbit burn on manifold 2. As a backup, 7S has also sufficient overhead (“ullage”) pressure in its tanks for oxidizer (NTO,) and fuel (UDMH) for “blowing down” the props to the engine for the deorbit burn.]

Handover activities between Michael Foale, Alexander Kaleri, Gennady Padalka and Michael Fincke continued on schedule.

ESA reported near completion of and “very good” results from the European “Delta” science program by VC6 FE André Kuipers, fully coming up to pre-flight expectations. The excellent cooperation of Russian and US crews with Kuipers was credited for this success, and their efforts received special ESA commendations. Way to go! [All investigations have provided “good science”, except for the heatpipe experiment HEAT, due to its reported inability to establish full thermal coupling with the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) cold plate. HEAT may be rerun at a later date, if better thermal coupling can be achieved. Anomalies (without losing science) were also encountered with the electronics of the two European KUBIK incubators, and ground studies will determine if the incubators, to be left on board, will be repaired with new electronics or disposed of. Particularly outstanding results were reported for ARGES, which may see further activity in micro-G in the future. After activating the MSG rack, Kuipers removed ARGES from the MSG for stowage in the Node, then powered the rack down.]

André’s work today, his FD10, focused on wrap-up/close-out activities of GRAPHOBOX, Seeds in Space, SAMPLE, BugNRG, CIRCA, ETD, TUBUL, and the MUSCLE and MOP questionnaires. Stowing of recordings and biological samples on board the Soyuz 7S Descent Module (BO) began today and will by finished tomorrow. In addition, on his optional task list Kuipers again had the activities of documenting his work photo/videographically and taking pictures of Holland during suitable overflight passes.

Along with André, Alex Kaleri and Mike Foale worked in the Soyuz BO to stow return equipment, based on an uplinked list of instructions. [For proper stability and control of the crewed vehicle during deorbit and reentry, operating on pre-stored autopilot command algorithms, it is important that center of gravity (CG) and mass moments of inertia of the ship remain within prescribed limits. Mainly for this reason, the discarded foam packing material from Progress 13P was disallowed for disposal in the Soyuz Orbital Module but will be on 13P instead.]

Among the return items transferred by Sasha to the BO was the battery-driven BTKh-12 “Bioekologiya” payload. [BTKh-12 investigates the effects of cosmic rays, instantaneous radiation and flows of heavier charged particles on microbiological objects used in the Russian national economy, in an attempt to get high-performance strains of microorganisms for manufacturing petroleum biodegradants, means of plant protection, and exopolysaccharide used in the oil industry.]

Padalka meanwhile completed his daily sessions of the Russian Fluorestsentsiya (“Fluorescence”) experiment using the FORREY apparatus, again being photographed by Kaleri during the activity with the Nikon D1. Begun on 4/22, the experiment was closed out today.

Of the photography resulting from the U.S. BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test 3) experiment sessions, the ground found three pictures to be out of focus. Redoing them is being considered.

Gennady Padalka was scheduled for another 55 min. for general familiarization with the station, while Mike Fincke had a two-hour slot for this purpose, to catch up with his future CDR.

For Sasha Kaleri, it was time to complete the second of two final training sessions in the “Chibis” ODNT suit as part of his preparations for returning into gravity. Since there was no telemetry downlink, his vital body readings were again obtained with the Tensoplus sphygmomanometer. A tagup with ground specialists via S-band supported the run, and Mike Foale assisted as CMO. [The below-the-waist reduced-pressure device ODNT (US: LBNP) in the “Chibis” garment provides gravity-simulating stress to the body’s cardiovascular/circulatory system for reestablishing the body’s orthostatic tolerance (e.g., the Gauer-Henry reflex) after the six-month stay in zero-G. Sasha’s ODNT protocol today consisted of first downing 150-200 milliliters of water or juice, followed by a sequence of progressive regimes of reduced (“negative”) pressure, set at -20, -25, -30 and -35 mmHg for five minutes each, then at -25, -30,and -35 mmHg, 10 minutes in each mode, and at -30 mmHg for 5 min, while shifting from foot to foot at 10-12 steps per minute. The body’s circulatory system interprets the pressure differential between upper and lower body as a gravity-like force pulling the blood (and other liquids) down.]

CDR-9 Padalka continued the current round of monthly preventive maintenance on Russian segment (RS) air ventilation systems, today working 1.5 hrs. in the Funktsionalnyi-Grusovoi Blok (FGB) for another cleanup of the VT7 fan screens of the SOTR (thermal control system) gas-liquid heat exchangers (GZhT4).

Gennady also performed air specimen collection in the Service Module (SM) with the Russian AK-1M sampler, then stowed the sampler in one of the air sample kits to be returned tomorrow on Soyuz-213.

FE-9 Mike Fincke performed the daily leak check of the Lab window’s inter-pane volume, using the “Aeolus” scopemeter with pressure probe. The pressure this morning had risen to 143.3 Torr (mmHg). [This is consistent with the steady leak rate of ~27 Torr/day (from the cabin into the interstitial volume) noted in March.]

Later, Padalka worked on the Elektron O2 generator, conducting the periodic replenishing of its water supply for electrolysis. Elektron is running OK. [In this recently revised procedure, intended to prevent gas bubbles from getting into the BZh liquid unit, the KOV thermal loops’ EDV container is refilled with purified water from the multifiltration/purification column unit (BKO) and the air/liquid separator unit (GZhS) while checking for any air bubbles in the EDV (and, if visible, estimating their number). Thus, the water, coming from the container via the water supply system’s BP pump unit, first has to pass through the BKO and GZhS before it is introduced into the BZh.]

It was Gennady’s turn today to perform the daily routine maintenance of the SOZh environmental control & life support systems in the SM, while Fincke prepared the daily “delta” file for updating the IMS (inventory management system) databases and conducted the standard routine status checkup of autonomous Lab payloads. [The SAMS (space acceleration measurement system) shut down early today but was later restored to nominal ops.]

Foale, Fincke and Padalka completed their daily exercise program on TVIS treadmill (aerobic, bone impact loading, neurosensory), CEVIS cycle ergometer (cardio & muscle), and RED exerciser (anaerobic, muscle & strength training, axial bone loading). Kaleri’s ODNT activity substituted for his regular workout.

Gennady had another training session for “Uragan” earth observations on his discretionary task list, requesting him to use the Kodak 760 electronic still camera with 400mm and 800mm lenses at SM windows #6-8 to make observations and take imagery selected targets. [Uplinked target designations included the Northernmost and largest of the Nicobar Islands, the islands of Sumatra and Java (with the city of Djakarta), the city of Grenoble in the Alps, Cannes, Nice and Monaco on the Mediterranean, islands in the straights between Corsica and Italy, Rome, the Vesuvius volcano, Greece (country of Summer Olympics ’04), the island of Crete, the coast of Africa, and the Western shore of the Red Sea.]

Onboard resources continue to be monitored carefully. All supplies (water, N2, O2, food, propellant, TVIS bearings, RED canisters) are tracking close to predictions. [About 116 kg of propellant were consumed during the week to support the CMG-3 lubrication test, transfer to CMG attitude control, Soyuz 8S docking, and two desats associated with the CMG-2 RPCM failure.]

The U.S. CDRA (CO2 removal assembly) continues to run smoothly, without issues.

The U.S. CCAA (common cabin air assembly) also continues to operate smoothly. The Lab condensate collection tank was again offloaded today. [With only one of two Russian SKV air conditioners running (SKV-2 is still down), the CCAA collects humidity at the rate of ~3.6 lbs/day, storing it in the Lab condensate tank, which is periodically offloaded to a CWC (contingency water container) for transfer to the RS as flush water or processing in the BRPK water processor.]

Tonight at 8:52pm EDT, the RS will transition to refueling mode, and at 10:27pm propellant transfer will commence from the four refueling tanks of Progress 13P to the FGB tankage, through the SM prop system, to last about 1-1.5 hrs. [Prior to the transfer, the FGB prop transfer system will be prepared and the SM tanks configured to feed attitude control thrusters until FGB tanks are configured for thruster feeding. Maximum amounts to be transferred are 300 lbs fuel (UDMH, unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine) & 300 lbs oxidizer (NTO, nitrogen tetroxide) oxidizer.]

After yesterday’s successful 3-hr. Soyuz descent training exercise, Kaleri, Kuipers and Foale, with TsUP concurrence, reported “ready” for returning on 7S.

7S/Soyuz TMA-3 (Expedition 8 + 1) flight plan (per VVO plus TsUP comm this morning):

Soyuz/DC-1 Hatch Closing — 4/29, 1:35pm EDT (Moscow DMT: 4/29, 8:35pm)
Undocking (phys. sep.) — 4/29, 4:52pm EDT (Moscow DMT: 4/29, 11:52pm)
Deorbit Burn (start) — 4/29, 7:20pm EDT (Moscow: 4/30, 2:20am)
Landing — 4/29, 8:11pm EDT (Moscow DMT: 4/30, 3:11am; 6 min. after Astana sunrise (3:05am DMT).

U.S. and Russian Segment Status

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 On. 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 On, SKV-2 is Off (SM panel mods completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20). SFOG slot#2 fan suspect (not usable).

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in Dual Angle mode (non-solar tracking, set at 80 deg sweep).
SM batteries: All batteries (8) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off-line (capacity restoration mode, ROM); all other batteries (5) are 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 back-up, 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.
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: 3787 (8349 lb) as of 4/23/04; [SM(755) + FGB(2373) + Progress M-1(659)]. (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

2 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2 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:

LVLH XVV (local vertical/local horizontal = “earth-fixed”: z-axis in local vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9 deg, roll: 0 deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.

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, 7:14am EDT [= epoch]):