NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 8 Sep 2003
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below. Begin of Week 19 of Increment 7, and Day 136 for the crew’s stay in space.
After station inspection and morning hygiene, before breakfast and first exercise, CDR Yuri Malenchenko and FE/SO Edward Lu underwent another session of the periodic Russian biomedical assessments of Body Mass Measurement/BMM (PZEh-MO-8) and Calf Volume Measurement (PZEh-MO-7). (Last time done: 8/26). [Malenchenko set up the BMM “scales”, which uses calibrated springs to determine the subject’s mass in weightless space, and stowed it away after the tests. Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the ISOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference points, to provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures.]
Ed Lu began another round of EMU (extravehicular mobility unit) battery maintenance, initiating recharge on batteries #2032 and #2033 in the BSA (battery stowage assembly). The charging is expected to last about 24 hours. Batteries for helmet light and PGT (pistol grip tool) are not included in the maintenance.
Yuri Malenchenko deactivated the Service Module’s (SM) IK0501 gas analyzer (GA) and replaced its carbon dioxide (CO2) filter assembly (BF) with a new unit. GA was reactivated and the spent BF stowed for disposal (replaced last: 7/29). [IK0501 is an automated system for measuring CO2, O2, and H2O in the air as well as the flow rate of the gas being analyzed.].
The Science Officer conducted the fifth 30-day functionality (“health”) test of the HRF GASMAP (Human Research Facility/Gas Analyzer System for Metabolic Analysis Physiology). Last time done: 8/12. [After unstowing, cabling and powering up the equipment, Ed let it run for 3 hrs. in standby mode, then performed a health check and reconfigured the system for a 2-hr. low power rundown. Afterwards, about 6 hrs. after power-up, the GASMAP was deactivated, disconnected and stowed again.]
Malenchenko performed Part 2 of troubleshooting/checkout of the ham radio packet module timelined for today (originally on the Russian task list). [Part 2 of the task consisted of power-cycling the ham radio system from the FGB and establishing packet comm above the US and Russia territories. The restart and power-cycling of the packet module was to be conducted over the ground stations in the continental US, where this procedure will be followed by the ham operators on the ground.]
Yuri also cycled the batteries of Russian laptop #2, discharging and recharging them for maintenance.
Ed prepared the daily IMS delta file for automatic export/import to update the database and performed the regular routine status checkup of the autonomous Lab payloads, while Yuri took care of the daily maintenance of the SM SOZh life support system (including ASU toilet facilities).
At 12:29pm EDT, the crew downlinked a message for the 54th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), 9/29-10/5, in Bremen, Germany. The greetings from the ISS will be shown at the opening session of the Congress.
The crew began with Progress 12P unloading and cargo transfers, to continue over the next few days. An updated list was uplinked to support the transfer and stowage operations.
Among the cargo items brought up by 12P are several European experiments for ESA astronaut Pedro Duque after his arrival with Soyuz TMA-3/7S on 10/20. The Spaniard will be performing a number of physical science, human physiology, biology and education experiments. [Experiment equipment delivered for the Spanish mission includes PROMISS-2 (study of fundamental processes underlying protein crystallization) and three life sciences experiments, viz., NEUROCOG (study how humans perceive space, what role the sensory information of sight, balance, motion and position plays in this, and how human perception is affected by weightlessness), CARDIOCOG (study of changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of humans in zero-G), and BMI (monitoring changes in blood pressure rhythms over 24 hours). Also included are WINOGRAD, a European student experiment, already active, which investigates differences between the growth of Winogradski columns in weightlessness and on Earth (a Winogradski column is a colony of different types of bacteria in which the waste products of one bacterium serve as nutrients for another and vice versa, as is found on Earth in pond or lake water, requiring only light for photosynthesis), and a biology activation unit for the ROOT and GENE experiments.]
Both crewmembers worked out with their daily 2.5-h program of physical exercise, on TVIS treadmill, RED expander, and VELO cycle with load trainer.
Later today, Moscow is scheduled to conduct the standard firing tests of the Progress approach and attitude control thrusters (DPO), after last week’s (9/4) installation of the electronic US-21 matching unit in the Progress vehicle, which connects its motion control and DPO systems to the SM so that they can be commanded by the latter’s computer system (BVS),. [Station attitude will be handed over from USOS to the Russian segment MCS (motion control system) for the tests at 3:55 pm EDT, conducted from the SM MCS via the US-21. Thruster manifold #1 (four jets) will be tested first with brief bursts at 6:06 pm and 6:09pm, followed by manifold #2 (four jets) at 7:31pm and 7:35 pm. Afterwards, control authority will be returned to the U.S. CMGs for Momentum Management in XPOP. The tests are used to determine which thruster manifold will be considered the primary one for reboosting and debris avoidance burns.]
Before sleep time tonight, the CDR will set up the test equipment for the periodic Russian MO-10 “Hematokrit” testing scheduled for tomorrow. [MO-10 measures the hematocrit (red cell mass) value of the blood (as a well-known phenomenon of space flight, red blood cell mass {normal range: 30-45%} tends to go down over time).]
Last Friday’s (9/5) troubleshooting of RPCM (remote power controller module) Z14B-A on the Z1 truss by the ground was successful, exonerating it in its operation with the power converter units (transformers) in the FGB (ARCU #53) and SM (SNT #21). The RPCM has been reset and returned to normal operational status. [The module’s RPC-1 had indicated an overcurrent trip (i.e., a “blown fuse”) on 8/20.]
The crew was instructed that the U.S. CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion products) instrument’s ppO2 (oxygen partial pressure) readings should not be relied upon for determining O2 repressurizations from Progress 12P’s gaseous O2 tank.
TsUP/Moscow reported that the next O2 repress won’t be done until shortly before arrival of the Soyuz 7S crew. In the meantime, the cabin atmosphere will be refreshed with air from 12P, to raise nitrogen partial pressure (ppN2). [N2 is an inert gas used for O2 dilution in the breathing air. It does not get used up by the human metabolism and has no effect on it (except in case of dysbarism (“bends” or caisson sickness) during too-rapid decompressions.]
The checkout of EMU #3005 last Friday was judged successful. Data are still being analyzed, but the spacesuit has been declared ready to support EVA.
The failed battery #2 in the SM is slated for removal and replacement next week (9/17). [Three spare 800A’s were delivered by Progress 12P (two for the SM, one for the FGB).]
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 Lake Nasser, Toshka Lakes, Egypt (nadir pass over these important sites. Looking left and right), Lisbon, Portugal (nadir pass), Chicago, Illinois (looking a touch south for the urban region stretched along the south side of Lake Michigan), Marietta, Ohio (LEWIS & CLARK SITE: Nadir pass. Marietta is noted as the oldest settlement on the Ohio River. It is located about ten miles upriver from Parkersburg, West Virginia where the Muskingum River enters from the north and the Ohio makes a large meander north. In the summer of 1803, on their way to St. Louis, Lewis and Clark stopped here since it was one of the few settlements they encountered on their way west), Moundsville, W. VA. (LEWIS & CLARK SITE: Looking a touch left on the Ohio River at a major bend. Lewis stopped near present day Moundsville, West Virginia, to view “a remarkable artificial mound of earth” called the Indian Grave. He described it as being 700 paces from the river situated on a small hill in a large bottom. It was 310 feet in circumference at the base and 65 feet high), Denver, Colorado (nadir pass), Dallas, Texas (looking a touch left), Amazon smoke (Dynamic event. Looking left and right for numerous fires and a smoke pall that has evolved at the height of this burning season), and Jarvis Island reef (looking a touch left for this coral reef located on the equator).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at
http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/
U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:46pm EDT).
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
- Elektron O2 generator is powered Off (O2 being supplied by Progress 12P). 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) — 28.0; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.0.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 752; temperature (deg C) — 24.0.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 739.44; temperature (deg C) — 23.4 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 741.28; temperature (deg C) — 23.1; ppO2 (mmHg) — 162.6; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.0.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 741.48; temperature (deg C) — 26.8; shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.2, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 24.5
- PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — 15.6.
(n/a = data not available)
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
- Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in AutoTrack mode (solar tracking).
- SM batteries: Battery #2 is failed and off; battery #7 is in Discharge mode; all other batteries (6) are in “Partial Charge” mode (battery #1 is degraded).
- FGB batteries: Battery #1 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-2 is operating; INT-1 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.
Propulsion System (PS):
- Total propellant load available: 3998 kg (8814 lb) as of 9/4 [SM(755) + FGB(2891) + Progress M(352) + Progress M-1(0)]. (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).
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: -9.0 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist).
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.
