NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 6 Aug 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below.
By late last night, all systems affected by yesterday’s transition into “survival mode” power-down were fully recovered, and final cleanup steps are completed. ISS is operating nominally on RS (Russian segment) primary thermal loop KOB-1, as investigation of the anomaly continues. [The full recovery includes payloads such as EXPRESS Rack 1 (ER1), ER4, MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), MAMS (Microgravity Accelerations Measurement System), PCG-STES (Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System) and the Ku-band receiver.]
At 10:45am EDT, CDR Yuri Malenchenko and FE/SO Ed Lu went through an OBT (on-board training) drill reviewing quick-response procedures (the Warning [or “Pink”] Book) for a (simulated) loss-of-power scenario. [Objectives of the exercise: (a) review Lab truss contingency jumper installation procedures and all associated actions for the case of loss of a power channel, (b) practice communication and coordination between crew and MCC necessary to restore power to equipment on the external truss, and (c) ensure familiarity with Lab truss contingency jumpering, including determining what other equipment is required for jumper routing. The crew was asked to route, but not install, the W1-LAB truss contingency jumper and provide feedback on the OBT, the jumper location and the route.]
Earlier in the day, the crew performed the mandatory OBT emergency egress drill for the case of cabin depressurization. [Objectives of this Russian-led exercise were to (a) exercise and review depress response procedures, (b) practice crew coordination,(c) review questions and crew comments on the ODF (operations data file) and ISS hardware, and (d) ensure familiarity with emergency books storage location. The exercise, which followed a scripted scenario and did not require actual manipulation of hardware, took about 1.5 hrs. For the case of an onboard fire and for emergency descent, there are other mandatory emergency drill OBTs.]
Malenchenko initiated another operations and measurement session with Molniya-SM/LSO hardware from SM window #3, with the French-provided EGE-1 laptop running the latest NORAD orbital parameters (TLEs, two-line elements). Once Yuri started the recording session, the payload will work automatically until 11:00am EDT on 8/9 (Saturday). [Objective of Molniya-SM, similar to the French LSO experiment, is to record storm phenomena and other related events in the Earth’s equatorial regions. The experiment is controlled from the French 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.]
Science Officer Lu activated the MSG (microgravity science glovebox) for more work with the CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid/Liquid Mixtures-2) experiment. Sample processing is now underway. [Ed terminated vacuum venting of the sample chamber and initiated sample processing in SPU-6 (sample processing unit #6), which has been reprogrammed to process for 48 hours. Due to this reprogramming, Ed Lu was asked to call down the humidity and soak length parameters displayed on the ECU (electronic control unit) during CSLM activation. SAMS (Space Acceleration Measurement System) hardware is not operational at this time (a troubleshooting plan is in work), and SAMS hardware was therefore not activated during CSLM activation.]
In the morning, Ed Lu performed the last of the five currently scheduled acoustic dosimeter operations. [He took noise measurements recorded by the three statically deployed dosimeters during the crew’s sleep over the past 8 hours. The hardware was then stowed for future use.]
The CCAA (common cabin air assembly) air conditioner in the Airlock was activated by remote control from the ground. Later, Ed Lu reconfigured its internal air circulation system by moving the flexible ventilation duct to provide conditioned air flow for IMV (intermodular ventilation).
The station’s cabin atmosphere is periodically repressurized with fresh oxygen from Progress 10P O2 tanks, which held 50 kg of the gas. Repress to 170 mmHg oxygen partial pressure (ppO2) is performed by the crew by cycling a valve when ppO2 has decreased to 160 mmHg. [Repress was not required today. The Elektron oxygen generator is currently off, to conserve its service life, and the cycling relies on the U.S. MCA (major constituents analyzer) or CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion products) instruments to measure the 10mmHg pressure difference.]
The ground performed a “zero” calibration on the MCA, which requires no crew action.
Yuri Malenchenko was scheduled to conduct another 30-min. equipment search, this time for a cable to connect the Russian payload laptop 3 to the RBS power outlet for the GFI-1 Relaksatsiya (“relaxation”) experiment scheduled for 8/11. [There is only one suitable cable on board.]
Yuri also performed the periodic inspection and tightening of the QD (quick disconnect) screw clamps of the SM’s docking and internal transfer mechanism (SSVP), where 10P/Progress M-247 is linked up.
Regular daily routine tasks were performed by the CDR (SOZh life support system maintenance; inventory management system [IMS] delta file preparation) and the SO (Lab payload status checkup).
Ed Lu conducted a review of tomorrow’s scheduled EPO (Educational Payload Operations) activity demonstration. [The activity will demonstrate the use of tools in space, such as IVA drill driver, EVA pistol grip tool (PGT), high-torque locker tool and torque wrench, clamp and bracket kit, leak repair kit, body restraint tether use, maintenance work area, tool restraints, etc. The resulting video will be used to supplement NASA educational materials, as well as be featured at NASA education websites.]
Malenchenko continued his seventh session of the Russian Uragan (“hurricane”) earth imaging program (GFI-8), using the Kodak DCS760 digital still camera with 800-mm lens where cloud cover did not exceed 30%. [Targets included the Khazar field on the Cheleken Peninsula, areas of former Syr-Darya and Amu-Darya river inflows into the Aral Sea, Karaganda pits, the Katun river valley, Lake Teletskoye, the cities of Stavropol and Elista, industrial cities with smoke pollution such as Orsk, Mednogorsk and others on the Ural River bank and to the north on the mountain slopes. The images were stored on the removable hard disk drive (HDD) #4 of the French EGE-2 laptop.]
Yuri also completed another photography session for the Diatomeya ocean observations program, using the DVCAM 150 digital video camera and the Nikon-F5 electronic still camera with 80-mm lens. [Today’s observations again presented an opportunity to investigate bioproductive waters in the Northern Atlantic and its surrounding seas (Caribbean, Mediterranean and Black Sea) which are being actively researched by ships.]
Both crewmembers worked out in their daily 2.5-h program of physical exercise, on TVIS treadmill and RED expander, and Ed Lu took care of the monthly maintenance of the TVIS.
At 11:35am EDT, both crewmembers participated in an interactive televised educational event with students at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), where student summer employees were given the unique opportunity to interact directly with the Expedition 7 crew as well as with the lead flight director and NASA’s Chief Scientist. The event was part of NASA’s Teaching From Space Program. [A list of planned student questions was prepared and uplinked to Ed and Yuri beforehand.]
At 12:10pm, the ISS crew and the NASA Chief Scientist, Dr. Shannon Lucid, held a payload science conference via S-band, with IPM (Increment Payload Manager) and POM (Payload Operations Manager), to discuss the changes in the ISS Science Overview Plan.
At 12:45pm, Ed Lu set up and conducted a ham radio session with students at Neston Primary School in Corsham, England. [Neston, a village primary school for boys and girls aged four to eleven years, with a population of about 150 pupils, has developed in 2002-03 a space-oriented educative program covering several disciplines, from literacy to geography, science and history.]
PCU-2 (Plasma Contactor Unit #2), switched to discharge mode yesterday, was returned to standby. PCU-1 was then activated to discharge (of Xenon gas), to continue characterization of the plasma environment. characterization. This test is part of a continuing effort to establish a relationship between the charging hazard, ambient ionosphere conditions, and the current flight configuration.
MCC-M is continuing the checkout tests of the newly installed Russian ASN-1 satellite navigation antenna system which has encountered technical problems. Today’s tests, during Daily Orbits 2 and 3, were conducted with the ASN-1 in “GPS-only” mode.
At 10:00am, MCC-H performed the second part of the transition of the S1 and P1 truss segment MDMs to software version R2, today finishing off with S1-2 and P1-2 computers. [The new software adds TCS (thermal control system) capability required for Mission 12A.1 and thus has no significant impacts to the crew or their procedures for the duration of Increment 7. While some C&W (caution & warning) annunciations are expected during this process, the ground will do everything necessary to keep them suppressed.]
Starting yesterday and running through 8/10, MCC-H and POC (Payload Operations Center) are conducting a Ku-band 150 MBPS (megabytes per second) evaluation test, during which the IP Phone and OCA transfer capabilities are temporarily out of service. [Currently, MCC-H and POC use the 50 Mbps capability of Ku-band. The purpose of this test is to demonstrate that the ISS Ku-band 150 Mbps and 75 Mbps can be effectively utilized for future day-to-day operations.]
MCC-H will perform a “warm” re-start of the Command Server tonight at 11:06pm, during a 20 min. LOS (loss-of-signal) period. [This should correct a problem found with the command system while performing some data dumps on 8/4 (Monday).]
Today’s CEO (crew earth observation) targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark 200-year memorial locations, were Kinshasa, Zaire (possible opportunity for this usually cloudy capital city. The visual cue is Stanley Pool, an easy-to-see widening in the Congo River, with Kinshasa on the south side and tiny neighboring capital city of Brazzaville on the north side [Kinshasa is larger than the entire country of Rep. of Congo on the north side of the river]), Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Halicarnassus is the modern Turkish port of Bodrum [between Rhodes and Ephesus]. The mausoleum stood for 16 Centuries until 1494 when crusaders from Malta took most of it apart to build a great castle which still stands, with polished stones of the mausoleum identifiable in the walls), Colossus of Rhodes (in the port of Rhodes, at the NE tip of the island. Looking right of track), Sao Paulo, Brazil (looking right of track. Sao Paulo lies inland from its port city of Santos. About 25 million people live in the metro area), Algiers, Algeria (nadir pass, on the coast), Rome, Italy (looking a touch right of track, inland from the coast), Northern Europe (Dynamic event. An unusually large cloud free area exists, from the French coast to Belarus), Havana, Cuba (nadir pass), Ed’s Hill, N.I., New Zealand (looking a touch right on the coast), Los Angeles, California (nadir pass), Las Vegas, Nevada (nadir pass), and Mouth of Bad River, Fort Pierre (LEWIS & CLARK SITE: The Bad River is a small, meandering stream that enters the Missouri River from the southwest, just opposite from Pierre, SD. Here the expedition first encountered tension and potential hostility in meetings with the Lakota Indians. Nadir pass).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at
U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 12:05pm EST).
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
- Elektron O2 generator is powered Off. Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in Manual Mode 5/3). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is operating. 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 Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C) — 27.4; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 19.8.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 748; temperature (deg C) — 22.0.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 739.44; temperature (deg C) — 22.4 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — 165.3; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.6.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 741.58; temperature (deg C) — 23.4; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 741.79; temperature (deg C) — 22.4; shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.5, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 23.6
- PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 20.2.
(n/a = data not available)
Propulsion System (PS):
- Total propellant load available: 3646 kg (8038 lb) as of 7/31 [SM(774) + FGB(2872) + Progress M(0) +Progress M-1(0)]. (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
- Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in directed position (blind, dual-angle mode with drag reduction, non solar-tracking).
- SM batteries: Battery #5 is off line (Capacity Restoration mode, ROM); all other batteries (7) are in “Partial Charge” mode. Batteries #1and #3 showing degraded capacity.
- FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off line; battery #6 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (4) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
- Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Discharge 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-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup.
- INT-1 is operating; INT-2 is Off.
- EXT-2 is On (primary), EXT-1 is Off (both now upgraded to R3).
- LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
- PL-2 MDM is Off; PL-1 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.
Attitude Control Systems:
- 3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).
- 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: -10 deg, pitch: -9.4 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist). Management.
- Solar Beta angle: 8.1 deg (magnitude decreasing).
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.
- Audio subsystem is operating nominally (IAC-2 is prime).
- Video subsystem operating nominally.
- HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.
Robotics:
- SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF #1 with Keep Alive (KA) power on both strings.
- MBS: KA 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, 7:50am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 384.9 km
- Apogee — 390.5 km
- Perigee — 379.2 km
- Period — 92.25 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0008329
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.61
- Solar Beta Angle — 8.1 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 100 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 26885
- For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see
- http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html