NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 7 October 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.
In the FGB, CDR Padalka replaced IMU microaccelerometers with new units.
Padalka also prepared equipment assembly and work area for the Russian biomedical “Pilot” experiment (MBI-15), which requires a worktable, ankle restraint system and control handles for testing piloting skill. The experiment was then conducted by Gennady, who later deactivated, disassembled and stowed the Pilot-P gear. [MBI-15 is using a new software package, delivered on Progress-249/14P on 5/27.]
Both crewmembers completed their third (and last) 48-hr. inflight diet logging session for the BIOPSY (Effect of Prolonged Space Flight on Human Skeletal Muscle) experiment. Similarly to the Renal (kidney stone prevention) experiment in the past, nutrition consumption is recorded three times a day, this time in a spreadsheet via the crewmembers handheld PDA. [One of the human systems most affected by extended stays in space is the neuromuscular system. Past space missions have shown weightlessness can cause deterioration of muscle fiber, nerves and physical strength. The BIOPSY experiment investigates the reductions in limb muscle size, force and power at the cellular level that are induced by microgravity. This research will determine how long it takes for micro-G to affect skeletal muscles, so predictions can be made regarding muscle changes that may occur on a roundtrip flight to Mars. To help establish the cellular effects of weightlessness, biopsies are taken from the calf muscle (gastronemius) and foot-flexing muscle (soleus) 45 days before launch, and again immediately upon return to Earth. MRI (magnetic resonance imagery) also is taken of the calf muscle 90 and 30 days before launch, and again one and 21 days after return to Earth.]
FE/SO Mike Fincke worked on the CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation) to install a new control panel, the CCC (CEVIS contingency controller), which came up on Progress 15P.
Gennady transferred the accumulated acoustic measurement data that he had acquired with the Russian Shumomer instrument last month to the MEC (medical equipment computer) for subsequent downlinking. The sound level readings document the effects of Padalka’s installation of ventilator mounting mufflers on 9/15. [The newly delivered cylindrical disk-shaped vibration isolator cartridges were designed for installation on five fans of the Service Module (SM) ventilation system, located behind wall panels, viz. panel 307 (VPO5 and VPO6), 129 (VPO10), 131 (VPO11), 130 (VPO12) and 126 (VSZP-1).]
At 9:40am EDT, Mike and the ADUM (Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Micro-G) ground team held their post-session analysis, to discuss last Tuesday’s successful bone scans (Scan Z) on each other via teleconference. This was the last ADUM session for Expedition 9.
The crew conducted the periodic (monthly) functional closure test of a spare emergency vacuum valve (AVK) for the Vozdukh CO2 removal system. [The AVKs are critical because they close the Vozdukh’s vacuum access lines in the event of a malfunction in the regular vacuum valves (BVK) or a depressurization in the Vozdukh valve panel (BOA). Access to vacuum is required to vent carbon dioxide (CO2) during the regeneration of the absorbent cartridges (PP). During nominal operation, the AVK valves remain open.]
The CDR serviced the Matryoshka radiation payload by clearing its folders in the Matryoshka server (BSPN) from the Russian Wiener laptop (using a program called ShellForKE) for new measurements from the radiation monitoring equipment. The procedure had to be timed with Matryoshka deactivation between comm passes.
Fincke performed the long-scheduled air pressure check of PMA-3 (Pressurized Mating Adapter 3) from the Node, after attaching the ISA (internal sample adapter) equipment to the MPEV (manual pressure equalization valve) in the Node hatch. On 9/15, Mike was unable to unfasten the cap of the PPRV (Positive Pressure Relief Valve) on the hatch by hand. [PMA-3 should be at a vacuum but has not been entered for three years. Since the cap has never been loosened, use of a special tool, the FFTD (fluid fitting torque device), is required to overcome the initial torque (estimated at 800 in-lbs), which Mike used this time.]
Gennady disconnected the SMMK sensor of the Russian METEOROID (TEKh-5) experiment from the payload unit. TEKh-5 registers particle impacts on the external surface of the Service Module.
Both crewmembers continued preparations of 8S/Soyuz-214 for return, scheduled for Saturday, 10/23 (Eastern time).
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.
Padalka transferred the accumulated data files of his BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (“Plants-2”) plant growth experiment to the Packet laptop for subsequent downlink to the ground via Regul comm.
The FE completed the routine inspection of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system and prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for automated export to the ground for database updating and subsequent re-import via OCA.
Padalka once more broke out the “Urolux” equipment, setting it up for the Russian PZE MO-9 biochemical urine test tomorrow. [The MO-9 analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus Urolux developed originally for the Mir program.]
At 3:40pm, the crew had their regular (once every two weeks) teleconference with the JSC Astronaut Office (Kent Rominger), via S-band S/G.
Yesterday, the crew successfully performed EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) 3005 pump inlet filter and gas trap removal & replacement. The old gas trap was triple bagged for return to Houston for analysis. It had residual water in it that will be assessed once returned. The pump inlet filter was also bagged for return to Houston.
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.
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.
U.S. & Russian Segment Status (as of today, 1:14pm EDT)
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 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 On. 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) — 757; temperature (deg C) — 26.9; ppO2 (mmHg) — 162.4; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.8.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.9.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 24.3.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 753.4; temperature (deg C) — 22.9 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 754.7; temperature (deg C) — 22.9; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 754.9; temperature (deg C) — 26.6; 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: Battery #2 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (7) 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 prime, and C&C-3 is backup.
- 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 9/30/04; [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 – US SIGI-1 (GPS)
- Attitude source – US String 1
- Angular rate source — RGA-1
Flight Attitude:
- XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = sun-fixed [yaw: 0..5 deg, pitch: -9.0 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist) until 10/15.
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, 6:57am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 362.3 km
- Apogee height — 368.7 km
- Perigee height — 355.9 km
- Period — 91.79 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0009509
- Solar Beta Angle — -56.1 deg (magnitude increasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.69
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 103 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 33595
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.
