Status Report

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 6 Jun 2003

By SpaceRef Editor
June 6, 2003
Filed under , ,
NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 6 Jun 2003
iss

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

CDR Malenchenko continued the current maintenance cycle on the RS (Russian segment) ventilation system, today starting out with removal and replacement of the two PS1/PS2 dust collector filters in the FGB (funktsionalnyi-grusovoi blok) air ventilation system, disposing of the old filters (last time done: 5/1).  In the FGB, he also cleaned the protective mesh screens of the TsV ventilation fans and the removable screens of its three GZhT gas-liquid heat exchangers (last time done 5/8).

FE/SO Ed Lu configured the MSS (mobile service system) video system for the upcoming SSRMS (space station remote manipulator system) camera viewing test, which will be using both the analog ISS VTR (video tape recorder) and the digital Sony V10 VTR.  [The viewing test supports the development of methods to inspect (and repair if necessary) Shuttle orbiter TPS tiles and RCC (reinforced carbon-carbon) elements on orbit utilizing ISS assets for viewing/mapping of the orbiter surface.  Prior to its docking, at the “Rbar” position underneath the station, the orbiter would perform a 360-degree pitch-over maneuver to expose its entire surface (top/bottom) to the ISS for video and still photography.  Tomorrow’s first test is to view known ISS targets with the external cameras under similar lighting conditions experienced by the orbiter at Rbar.  Targets selected for the viewing test are the MISSE (Materials ISS Experiment) at the Airlock endcone and the starboard EVA toolbox #1.]

Continuing preparations for the Progress 11P docking next Wednesday, Yuri Malenchenko conducted a test of the TORU teleoperator control system between the Service Module (SM) and the docked Progress 10P at 9:45am EDT.  Progress thrusters were inhibited and not involved.  [TORU is the manual mode through which Malenchenko can perform necessary guidance functions from the SM in the event of a failure of the “Kurs” automated rendezvous and docking (AR&D) of the Progress.  He would control the cargo ship’s motions from a control panel, viewing the approach to the ISS via the Klest-M television camera mounted on the Progress.  Remote TORU control from the ground is not available.]

Malenchenko performed inspection of the QD (quick disconnect) screw clamps of the SM’s docking and internal transfer mechanism (SSVP), where Progress M-247 is linked up.  The threaded clamps rigidize the mating surfaces.

Also in preparation for the docking (which will be at the DC-1 docking compartment), the CDR transferred a bag containing the active docking assembly (ASA-G) from DC-1’s central spherical section to the FGB module.

In a tagup with IMS (inventory management system) specialists, Malenchenko discussed his task assignment of locating 14 “missing” items compiled on an uplinked list, such as batteries, a camera bag, digital camcorder, etc.  Also discussed were Soyuz-212/6S-delivered items and their stowage locations on board the ISS.
 
The NASA Science Officer performed another one of the weekly inventory audits of the available CWCs (collapsible water containers) and their contents.  [Last time done: 5/29]. 

He also completed an audit/checkup of CWC US/RS adapter hoses.  Then, in preparation for the 11P docking, he repacked GSC (grab sample container) units, to prevent any mix-up of used/expired and fresh GSCs.  [All used and unused GSCs were to be stowed in a Return-to-Houston bag.]

Malenchenko conducted his regular daily inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) experiment which researches growth and development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-2 greenhouse.

Later, Yuri completed the regular weekly checkout of the IP-1 air flow sensors which are installed in the various RS (Russian segment) hatchways and the hatchway between FGB and Node.

Ed Lu completed his fourth weekly filling-out of the FFQ (food frequency questionnaire), which keeps a log of his nutritional intake over time on special MEC software.

Lu also conducted a PEP (portable emergency provisions) audit, verifying that PFEs (portable fire extinguishers), PBAs (portable breathing apparatus), QDMs (quick-don masks) and the oxygen extension hose tee kit are all free of damage, to ensure their functionality.  He also recorded the serial numbers/bar codes and locations of the PEP equipment.

Yesterday’s EMU battery discharge initiation by Ed Lu with the SSC6 laptop was unsuccessful, and MCC-H suspects a communications problem with SSC6.  Ed swapped to SSC4 and successfully initiated discharge on the two remaining charged EMU batteries.  The discharge was completed today.

FE/SO Lu conducted the weekly transfer of accumulated data files with exercise data from the TVIS and RED exercise equipment to the MEC via PCMCIA cards (personal computer memory card international association) for subsequent downlink to Earth.  Afterwards, he transferred storage files from the CMS HRM (crew medical systems/heart rate monitor) to the MEC, then deleted them on the HRM.  [Last time done: 5/31/03.]

Malenchenko completed the regular preparation of the daily IMS inventory “delta” file and the daily routine maintenance of the SM’s SOZh environment control and life support system.

Overnight (11:15pm EDT), MCC-H switched the PCU-2 (plasma contactor unit #2) remotely back to Standby mode.  [PCU-2 has been on Discharge since 5/16, for characterization of its performance, viz., its Cesium emission current, at exit from orbital eclipse (Earth’s shadow) under rapidly changing exit latitudes, as is the case from late May to early June.  PCU emission current is the sum of the electron currents collected from the ambient ionosphere by (1) the high-voltage (160V) P6 solar arrays (when in ram position) and (2) via low-voltage induction by the ISS structure moving through the ionosphere.  The currently used FPP (floating potential probe) instrument  data for determining the potential between ISS and the ambient environment are very limited.  A more advanced Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) will arrive on ULF-1.  The PCU-2 characterization of the past two weeks enables forward-work on extending and validating the plasma charging model used by the ground for when the FPMU is in place.]

NASA has teamed up with several educational institutions to commemorate the adventures of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark whose famous expedition two hundred years ago gathered vital information about America’s previously undocumented land, resources and native inhabitants while facing unknown elements.  There are several parallels between the Lewis and Clark expedition and the ISS, and the Crew Earth Observations (CEO) target list will include locations that “track” the Lewis and Clark expedition.  See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at
http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

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, also excluding any night target viewing, were Congo-Zimbabwe Biomass Burning (crew was asked to shoot fires and smoke, left and right of track.  Okavango River delta [green triangular swamps] just left of track.  Glint opportunity. Shooting nearby complex river patterns after this, also left of track), Angolan Biomass Burning (opportunity to document aerosol “exhaust” zone over the central Angolan coastline:  wind direction and smoky atmosphere are appropriate.  Looking right towards the coast.  Experts enthusiastic for first views of this phenomenon), Beijing metropolitan region (opportunity for a shot of the whole Beijing-Tianjin region.  Left of track 1-3 degrees), Lake Nasser, Egypt (sun glint opportunity to shoot both Lake Nasser and the new lakes just beyond), Eastern Mediterranean Aerosol (visibility in Venice is down to 2-6 miles.  Looking left for smog in the Po River valley and right for views of the smog mass in the Adriatic Sea), and Lower Amazon River Basin (weather improving.  Looking right of track to document coastlines of this vast estuary).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:15pm EST).

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):

  • Elektron O2 generator is powered On (20 amp mode).  Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (manual mode-5/day, mode-3/night).  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) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
  • SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 21.4.
  • FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 21.7.
  • Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 745.16; temperature (deg C) — 23.5 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — 171.8; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.0.
  • U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 746.74; temperature (deg C) — 23.2; ppO2 (mmHg) — 171.6; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.0.
  • Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):  Pressure (mmHg) — 746.84; temperature (deg C) — 28.4; shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.1, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) –n/a.
  • PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 25.2.
  • PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) — 16.1.

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

  • Total propellant load available: 3573 kg (7877 lb) as of 5/29 [SM(774) + FGB(2547) + Progress(252)].  (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 autonomous Autotrack (45 deg biased for drag reduction).
  • SM batteries:  Batteries #4 is disconnected (failed); all other batteries (6) are in “Partial Charge” mode (battery #2 is exhibiting degraded performance).
  • FGB batteries:  Battery #4 is disconnected; all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
  • Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 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-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. Being upgraded.
  • SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Being upgraded.

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: 0.5 deg, pitch: -6.8 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist).
  • Solar Beta angle:  13.7 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-1 (internal audio controller #1) being analyzed after self-test error.  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 at WS4, with KA power. 
  • POA: KA power on both strings.
  • RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is Off; Cupola RWS is Off.

ISS Orbit  (as of this morning, 2:51am EDT [= epoch]):

  • Mean altitude — 389.8 km
  • Apogee — 394.2 km
  • Perigee — 385.4 km
  • Period — 92.35 min.
  • Inclination (to Equator) —  51.63 deg
  • Eccentricity — 0.0006535
  • Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.59
  • Solar Beta Angle — 13.7 deg (magnitude decreasing)
  • Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 110 m
  • Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98)  — 25930
  • For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html

SpaceRef staff editor.