NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 28 September 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.
Update on Elektron : Using the new configuration set up with the vacuum valves of the BMP micropurification unit instead of the faulty ZLVK valve (see 9/27 Status), the Elektron machine was successfully activated yesterday (9:18am EDT) in 32 amps and was intentionally deactivated 90 min later (10:51am). During that period it was also run at 64 amps twice for two minutes each time for data takes. The crew then disconnected the H2 line upstream of the BMP’s AVK-5 valve to resume normal BMP ops, with Channel 1 starting in regeneration today. They also performed additional syringe water flushes of the ZLVK, during which more debris came out of it, and the ZLVK valve was successfully closed at 11:09am. The crew then plugged the open end to provide an additional seal. Moscow will stand down on Elektron work for the next two days while the BMP regen takes place and will resume Elektron work on Thursday (9/30), attempting then to run it that whole day in the BMP config. In the interim Moscow plans to ask the crew to periodically cycle the ZLVK to keep it working. (Flight Control to Crew: “We agree…oxygen is very good stuff.”)
With the crew’s return to Earth gravity now just three weeks away, CDR Padalka had his second orthostatic endurance assessment session with the Russian Chibis suit, conducting the MedOps MO-4 “Hemodynamics” exercise protocol in the below-the-waist reduced-pressure device. FE/SO Fincke assisted his Komandir as CMO, and the one-hour session was supported by tagup with a ground specialist via VHF. (First time done: 7/23, after ~12 weeks in zero-g). [The device applies suction to the lower part of the body and legs, thereby exerting specific functional loadings to test the body’s adaptation to prolonged exposure to microgravity. Chibis data and biomed cardiovascular readings are recorded. The Chibis suit (not to be confused with the Russian Pinguin suit for spring-loaded body compression, or the “Kentavr” anti-g suits used during reentry) is quite similar to the U.S. LBNP (lower-body negative pressure, Russian: ODNT) device used for the first time on Skylab in 1973/74, although it appears to accomplish its purpose quicker.]
Later, Gennady upgraded the Russian payload laptop 3 with new firmware, by first saving its data in a second laptop (LT 1, #6091), then transferring the new 7.02 BVS (SM computer system) load to laptop 3 and finally restoring laptop 3 data from the temporary #6091 backup storage. The work was supported by tagup with ground specialists.
The CDR also continued the current round of periodic preventive maintenance of Russian segment (RS) ventilation systems. In the SM, he first replaced the four dust collector filters (PF1-4), stowing the old units for return to Earth, then cleaned Group A ventilation fans.
Afterwards moving into the DC1 docking module, Gennady cleaned the VD1 & VD2 air duct filters, replaced the PF1 & PF2 dust collector cartridges, and cleaned the V1 & V2 fans and screens.
As mentioned above, Padalka worked on the Russian BMP harmful impurities removal system, starting the “bake-out” cycle to vacuum on absorbent bed #1 of the regenerable dual-channel filtration system. [Regeneration of each bed takes about 24 hours.]
The CDR tagged up with the ground on Khladon (= Freon) coolant temperature regulation in the SKV-2 air conditioner.
Mike Fincke had 2.5 hrs. set aside for the first round of gathering and preparing used US equipment for disposal on Progress-250/15P.
The FE also conducted the inventory/audit of food containers on board that had been added to his “job jar” task list last week, in preparation for the Expedition 10 crew.
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Previous Reports ISS On-orbit Status [HQ] |
Padalka terminated the last run of the Molniya-SM/LSO (GFI-10) geophysical experiment started on 9/21, by first deactivating the two French computers EGE 1 and EGE 2, the LSO 06 instrument and the Russian RBS power outlet, then disassembling the equipment and stowing it. [Molniya-SM/LSO automatically records storm phenomena and other related events in the Earth’s equatorial regions. The experiment is controlled from the EGE-1 laptop, loaded with orbital sighting predictions using an up-to-date NORAD tracking TLE (two-line element) provided by NASA. Objective of LSO was to study rare optical phenomena occurring in the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere, so-called “sprites” (i.e., puzzling glow phenomena observed above thunderstorm clouds). LSO was originally part of Claudie Haigneré’s French “Andromeda” payload package of taxi mission 3S that could not be performed as planned during Increment 4 due to an ISS flight attitude conflict.]
Fincke conducted an internal photo survey of the ISS.
For the Uragan earth-imaging program listed today on his discretionary task list, Padalka again had a number of opportunities for using the Kodak 760 DSC (digital still camera) with 800mm-lens from SM windows #9, now available again in LVLH attitude, on selected targets of interest. [Today’s targets were the city of Jarkuduk, the Nurek hydro engineering complex, the Rogun hydro power plant, the Toktogul Reservoir, and imagery of sand storms over the Aral Sea (if any) and the cities of Karaganda and Temirtau.]
The station continues flying in earth-oriented LVLH (local vertical/local horizontal) attitude until the next maneuver to XPOP on 9/30.
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 restrictions on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, were Aerosols, Ganges River Basin (clear weather was predicted along the Himalayan front for aerosol photography. Images of plumes contrasted against the mountain front to the right of track will be particularly useful), Internal waves, SE Newfoundland (a predicted clear weather slot east of Newfoundland provided an opportunity for internal wave photography. Looking to the right of track and slightly behind the station for the sunglint point), and Reefs, Tuamotu-Austral Islands (this pass provided an opportunity for high-resolution photography of the central Austral reef. These images will be used to update reef maps and assess reef health).
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, 1:02pm EDT)
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
- Elektron O2 generator is Off. Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On. U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is On. SM Gas Analyzer has been calibrated and is used for ppO2 & ppCO2 monitoring. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is Off. 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; new replaceable condensate removal line installed on 9/9). SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).
- SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 740; temperature (deg C) — 26.3; ppO2 (mmHg) — 144.7; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.4.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 741; temperature (deg C) — 19.5.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 744; temperature (deg C) — 21.0.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 745.8; temperature (deg C) — 22.1 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 747.5; temperature (deg C) — 23.0; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 747.7; temperature (deg C) — 22.0; 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 directed position (dual angle/blind mode, non solar-tracking, biased for drag reduction).
- 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 failed, C&C-2 is backup, and C&C-3 is prime.
- GNC-1 MDM (vers. R4) is prime; GNC-2 (vers. R4) 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: 4109 kg (9059 lb) as of 9/22/04; [SM(552) + FGB(3557) + Progress M(0)]. (Capabilities: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).
Attitude Control Systems (ACS) :
- 3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2s RPC-17 failed 4/21/04; was replaced 6/30/04).
- State vector source — RS
- Attitude source — RS
- 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.
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, 3:00am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 363.1 km
- Apogee height — 369.8 km
- Perigee height — 356.4 km
- Period — 91.81 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0009973
- Solar Beta Angle — -21.3 deg (magnitude increasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.68
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 95 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 33451
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.
