NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 7 Jul 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously or below. Week 9 for Increment 7 is underway, and this is
Day 74 in space for the crew.

CDR Yuri Malenchenko initiated another operations and measurement
session of the Molniya-SM/LSO hardware from SM window #3, with the
French-provided EGE-1 laptop running the latest NORAD orbital
parameters. Once Yuri started the recording session, the payload will
work automatically until 5:00am EDT on 7/11 (Friday). [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.]

Malenchenko completed a scheduled search for a missing connector and
determined the length of the cable needed to connect a pressurized
commutation unit (BKG) of the intermodular radio link behind a Service
Module (SM) panel.

FE/SO Ed Lu conducted an IMS (inventory management system) audit of
on-board videocassettes, broken down in two tasks: a count of
general-use digital and 8mm videotapes, and a count of
payload-specific videocassettes. Data collected by the audit are
needed for upcoming Progress manifesting decisions.

After lunch (7:50am EDT), the crew performed a three-hour in-flight
maintenance (IFM) in the SM, replacing a relay unit in the VSB-1M
monoblock of the SM audio subsystem (STTS). Later, Malenchenko
activated the STTS for testing its VHF1 channel in its various
modes. [The “Voskhod-M” STTS provides for telephone communication
with users in the SM, FGB and U.S. segment (USOS), as well as with
users on the ground via VHF (very high frequency) channels selected by
an operator at the SM comm panel (PA). Also, buttons pushed at any of
the six comm panels in the SM allow access to any of three audio
channels, plus an intercom channel. The VSB-1M monoblock is an
integrated switching unit for selecting between primary and secondary
(backup) units of the VHF1 transmitter and receiver, and VHF2 simplex
and duplex receivers and transmitters. It has redundant interfaces to
the antenna feeder unit (AFU), the BRTS audio center, and the VSB
voice/telegraph signal separation unit.]

Both crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise program. Ed
Lu also performed the weekly maintenance of the TVIS treadmill (a
five-minute task usually done just prior to power-down or end of
exercise session), and later conducted the periodic (every other week)
inspection of the RED (resistive exercise device).

Yuri Malenchenko completed 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.

Yuri also conducted the daily routine maintenance of SOZh life support
systems, while Ed Lu prepared the daily IMS (inventory management
system) “delta” file for updating the IMS database and tackled the
regular daily status checkup of the autonomous Lab payloads.

At 4:25am EDT, the crew set up and conducted a 10-min. ham radio
session with young attendants at the Euro Space Center Space Camp in
Transinne, Belgium. [The Euro Space Center is a permanent exhibition
center devoted to space and located in the hilly Ardennes country-side
of Belgium. It also comprises a US-licensed Space Camp (120 beds)
where youngsters stay for a week to get “space training”.]

At 5:05am, Yuri Malenchenko was scheduled to set up and downlink a
televised greeting to participants, guests and organizers of “Space
Day” at the IX International Exhibit of Youth Science and Technology
Projects EXPO-Science 2003 at the All-Russia Exhibition Center in
Moscow. [The event, on 7/13 (Sunday), is commemorating the 65th
anniversary of the city of Korolev, and more than 80 foreign
organizations are expected to participate in the exhibit. Motto: “The
fate of the planet is in the hands of the young”.]

Malenchenko unstowed (from SM & FGB) the Russian MedOps SZM-MO-21
experiment “Ecosphera” for setup, charging of its power supply and
connecting the Kriogem-03 refrigerator, for tomorrow’s planned
microbial air sampling run. [The equipment, consisting of an air
sampler set, a charger, power supply unit, and incubation tray for
Petri dishes, determines microbial contamination of the ISS
atmosphere, specifically the total bacterial and fungal microflora
counts and microflora composition according to morphologic criteria of
microorganism colonies.]

Moscow continues to analyze data from the failed Klest-140ST-M
television camera mounted externally on the SM aft end, pointing
rearward (+X direction for SM). Upon activation during a recent
routine check, the electric circuit blew a fuse. A new test of the
camera is scheduled for 7/11 (Friday), using the same kind of fuse,
but on the backup circuit. According to Moscow, the potential need to
manufacture a new camera lends urgency to this activity. [Good
connectivity measurements by Malenchenko on 6/23 of the wiring, cable
network and connections to the SUBA (onboard equipment control system)
have been received and reviewed on the ground. This camera is
intended to be used for rendezvous and docking of the European ATV
(automated transfer vehicle) late next year at the SM aft port. If
the camera itself is failed, a new camera would need to be
manufactured, delivered on orbit and installed via an EVA/spacewalk at
an existing bracket on the aft end. Removal and replacement (R&R) of
the old camera is not considered practical since the EVA might
interfere with adjacent sensitive Kurs and other comm antennas.]

Also on 7/11, MCC-M plans to conduct a test of the Russian Regul radio
control and communications system which is used for two-way voice
comm, digital command/program information and telemetry transmission.
[The antenna to be tested is located on SM solar array #4, which will
be deactivated for the occasion. Ensuring that the Regul cabling is
operational is important for its planned subsequent swap with Kurs
system cabling during one of the next EVAs, which also will involve
one of the Strela cargo cranes (GSt) mounted on the DC-1. The swap
appears necessary since TsUP is having problems with the current Kurs
cabling, which is showing intermittent signal loss.]

Last Friday (7/4), MCC-H completed its long-duration on-orbit thermal
characterization test on the station’s S-band/string 1 subsystem
(started on 6/30). [The test involved powering BSP (baseband signal
processor) and XPDR (standard TDRSS transponder) heaters off and on
again after some time, to obtain temperature readings during various
orbit times, including recordings during LOS (loss-of-signal). The
objective was to correlate actual temperatures with thermal
engineering models which were found to “underpredict” real thermal
conditions. Results of phases 1 and 2 of the testing agree well with
current analytical predictions. Phase 3 data are still under study.]

In response to a crew report that the pull cords of the two RED
(resistive exercise device) canisters are of unequal length following
the recent IFM, ground specialists are now recommending
re-installation of the cables, possibly as early as 7/9 (Wednesday).

After a transient error message on the primary PMCU (power management
controller unit) computer over the weekend, MCC-HG performed a data
dump which is currently being evaluated. The PMCU is operating
nominally. [The message was probably caused by a brief glitch in the
G&NC MDM (guidance, navigation & control computer) while processing
data during TDRS satellite switching.]

Troubleshooting of Ed Lu’s EMU on the ground is continuing at MCC-H at
low priority. [During a suit don/doff demo on 5/28, Ed Lu ran into a
problem with his LCVG (liquid cooling ventilation garment), for which
he couldn’t establish cooling water flow. The exercise was
terminated, and the issue is still being looked at on the ground with
simulation runs. The spacesuit in question is presently considered
nonfunctional, but it is one of three EMUs on board, and the other two
are functional.]

MCC-M reports that the R&R of the catalyst cartridge (PKF) in the SM’s
micropurification filtration system (BMP) on 7/2 by Malenchenko was
not successful. Because of a problem with the correct installation of
the filter, the system was not activated (contrary to previous report
on 7/2). The subsequent replacement of its heater unit on 7/3 was
also unsuccessful, since it did not fit in place. The BMP remains
operational but is not as efficient as intended. Its operation in the
degraded condition is currently being evaluated.

The degraded power situation in the Russian segment is continuing
unchanged. Of the eight SM batteries, #4 is off line and will
probably be replaced tomorrow with the only remaining spare from the
FGB. Batteries #1, #2 and #3 are operating with reduced capacity.
Appropriate power balancing with USOS and load shedding plans are in
place. Two more 800A accumulators will be manifested on the next
Progress cargo ship (12P).

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:45pm EST).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered On (16 amp mode). 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 (unit is off).
RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.

• SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 742; temperature (deg C)
  — 26.6; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.

• SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C)
  — 20.9.

• FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — n/a.
• Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 741.34; temperature (deg C) — 22.8 (shell);
  ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.

• U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 743.81; temperature (deg C) — n/a; ppO2
  (mmHg) — 169.5; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.6.

• Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 743.60; temperature
  (deg C) — n/a; shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.5, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a;
  ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.

• PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 19.9
• PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 22.5.
• (n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

• Total propellant load available: 3803 kg (8384 lb) as of 6/26
  [SM(774) + FGB(2447) + Progress M(182) +Progress M-1(400)].

• (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/triple-angle mode, non
  solar-tracking, drag reduction).

• SM batteries: Battery #4 is disconnected (failed 6/16); battery #7 is
  in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (6) are in “Partial Charge”
  mode. Batteries #1, #2 and #3 showing degraded capacity.

• FGB batteries: Battery #3 is offline; battery #1 is in “Cycle” mode;
  all other batteries (4) 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.
• 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:

• LVLH -YVV (local vertical/local horizontal = “earth-fixed”: z-axis in
  local vertical, -y-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9.3
  deg, roll: 0 deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.

• Solar Beta angle: 20.0 deg (magnitude increasing).

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 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, 7:22am EDT [= epoch]):

• Mean altitude — 386.9 km
• Apogee — 392.5 km
• Perigee — 381.4 km
• Period — 92.29 min.
• Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
• Eccentricity — 0.000819
• Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.60
• Solar Beta Angle — 20.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
• Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 80 m
• Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 26417
• For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times,
  see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html