NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 8 September 2004

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

Update on Elektron:  The Russian oxygen (O2) generator is still off.   [The crew performed limited troubleshooting this morning for the ground to acquire diagnostic telemetry.  The problem this time is apparently not with bubbles in the BZh Fluid Unit but with the unit’s oxygen & hydrogen gas analyzer, which is a failure mode not seen before.  With Elektron off, ISS will reach the lower O2 limit in the cabin air in 7 days.  Beyond that, there is 62 lbs (28 kg) of O2 in Progress 15P, enough for 16 days.  There are also 84 SFOG (solid-fuel oxygen generator) “candles” on board, which would supply another 42 days’ worth of O2.  In short, total O2 margin is well above and beyond what is needed to make it to the next resupply date (Progress 16, on 11/26) and maintain redlines.]

Unrelated to the current Elektron/BZh-07 shutdown, work on the Elektron’s BZh Fluid Unit #5 started on schedule (~9:25am EDT).  The exploratory IFM (in-flight maintenance) on the older BZh from storage, intended to verify the unit’s function with the additional external micropumps, is planned for 5 hrs.  Afterwards, pre-IFM conditions will be restored and the unit restowed.   [During the R&R, Gennady Padalka is checking out fluid carryover indicators (transducers) for the external MNO & MNR micro compressors (using resistance testing), removal of gas bubbles from the electrolyte loop using a special external circulation device (UTs), removal of gas bubbles from the micropumps by flowing water through them, and activating them.  Besides the old BZh, Padalka’s setup in the Service Module (SM) includes a nitrogen purge unit (BPA-M) to pressurize the airtight BZh capsule (to 1.1-1.2 atm), the Elektron checkout console behind a wall panel, a hand pump, a pressure indicator, plus circuit hoses, cables and adapters.]

Earlier today, the CDR completed the second part of the current MBI-8 Profilaktika (“countermeasures”) fitness assessment series, today with the NS-01 bungee cord load trainer on the VELO (stationary bike) ergometer.  The third part tomorrow will consist of a blood test and use of the TVIS treadmill.   [This fitness test consists of four types of exercise, viz., neck tilting (back/forward), simultaneous forearm flexing, trunk extension, and trunk flexes.  Each type of exercise consists of a series of 15 motions repeated two times.  Load levels are selected by the ground and do not change from test to test.  Total duration of the test is 13 min.  Gas analysis, subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels, and blood test for lactate and Creatine Kinase levels were also performed as a part of this test, using the TEEM-100M gas analyzer, AccuSport analyzer, and Reflotron-IV blood analyzer.  Data were downloaded to the Russian payload laptop TP2 for storage on a PCMCIA memory card and also for transfer to the Cardiocassette-2000 data tape.  Use of the NS-01 load trainer, which combines anaerobic/muscle with aerobic/cardio training, is constrained during the exercise by ISS structural loads, allowing a medium speed (for large muscle groups) with one complete movement every 3 sec, i.e., 0.33 Hertz, and a high speed (for small muscle groups) with one complete movement every 2 sec, or 0.50 Hz).  The interval between series is 30 sec; the rest interval is 2 min when transitioning to the next exercise.]

Flight Engineer Fincke meanwhile conducted another monthly potable water sampling for in-flight chemistry/microbiology analysis (Week 18), using jointly approved Russian sampling procedures with the U.S. WS&A (water sampler & archiver) for collection and the WMK (water microbiology kit) for treatment/processing within 6 hours of the collection (done later today).  Sample analysis also includes processing water samples in the MWAK (microbial water analysis kit) for inflight coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli) detection.   [Results will be available after a two-day incubation period, in case of the MWAK after 4-6 days of incubation.  Samples were taken in the Service Module (SM) in four bags, two from the potable water SRV-K hot port and two from the EDV container of the SVO-ZV water supply system, with the first bag from each port a flush of the lines.  The second bag from each port was for the in-flight analysis and e.coli detection.  Last time done: 8/11.]
 

Fincke also deployed two passive FMK (formaldehyde monitoring kit) sampling assemblies in the Lab (below CEVIS) and SM (most forward handrail), to catch any atmospheric formaldehyde on a sampling substrate for subsequent analysis.  (Last time done: 8/11).

After switching filter bed #1 of the SM’s harmful impurities removal unit (BMP) to Regeneration cycle yesterday, Padalka today terminated the bake-out, moding the channel back to Purify.  Later, he initiated regeneration on filter channel #2.  [The regeneration of the air purifier filter beds is repeated every 20 days.  Each bakeout to space vacuum takes about 24 hours.]

Mike started another maintenance cycle on EMU batteries #2045 & #2046 by initiating their 20-min. recharge in the Airlock’s BSA (Battery Storage Assembly), then stored them in the A/L after resetting their 50-day clock.  Afterwards, the SSC (station support computer) laptop used in DOS mode for the automated procedure was reconfigured for nominal ops.

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

In addition, the CDR completed the routine inspection of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system, while Mike Fincke prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for automated export to the ground for database updating and subsequent re-import via OCA.  He also attended to the routine status checkup of the autonomous PCG-STES010 (Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System) payload in the Lab (done every Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

Mike performed his daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on RED (resistive exercise device) and CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation), while this morning’s VELO exercise for the MBI-8 protocol took care of Gennady’s daily workout.

Afterwards, the FE conducted the monthly maintenance of the CEVIS, which is mostly concerned with an examination of the wire rope isolators for damage.

A new job added to Gennady Padalka’s discretionary Russian task list is the installation of additional enclosure frames behind wall panels in the FGB (area 25B), after first setting up the worksites.  These enclosures prevent cargo items in the FGB stowage areas from floating around freely.   [The enclosures are assembled from components in a kit delivered by an earlier Progress.  Enclosed areas are identified as 25A, 25B, 28A & 29.]

With Increment 9 drawing to a close, the time has come for the highly useful in-flight crew debriefings, whereby ground-collected questions in various categories are uplinked for S/G (space-to-ground) discussions between ground specialists and the crew.  The first debrief, on Flight Crew Equipment, was completed yesterday.  Upcoming are debriefs on Safety (9/10), Onboard Information Technology (9/13), and Communications & Tracking (9/14).

Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, limited in the current XPOP attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the science window, which is available for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in ram), were Smoke Plume, Central South America (Dynamic Event.  Weather and aerosol satellite data indicate a probable large smoke plume in central South America extending from Brazil to Uruguay.  There were two opportunities today for photography of the plume), Cubango Fan, SE Angola (this megafan was just discovered using Shuttle radar data.  The ISS pass provides an excellent opportunity for oblique visible wavelength photography of the fans.  There is currently no good handheld imagery for this fan), and Internal waves, Tuamotu Archipelago (weather continues to be clear over the archipelago for internal wave photography. The sunglint point was to the east of the central archipelago).

CEO images can be viewed at these websites:

• http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
• http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

See also the website “Space Station Challenge” at:

• http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

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.

Major upcoming events:

• Reboost — 9/22 (phase angle correction for 9S)
• Soyuz 9S launch — 10/9 (w/Leroy Chiao, Salizhan Sharipov, Yuri Shargin);
• Soyuz 9S dock — 10/11;
• Soyuz 8S undock/land — 10/19 (w/Gennady Padalka, Michael Fincke, Yuri Shargin);
• Soyuz 9S port relocate — 11/18;
• Progress 15P undock — 11/23;
• Progress 16P launch — 11/24;
• EVA-12 — 12/28;
• Progress 16P undock — 1/29/05;
• Progress 17P launch — 1/30/05;
• EVA-13 — 2/21/05;
• Shuttle/LF1 launch — NET 3/6/05;
• Shuttle/LF1 undock — NET 3/16/05.

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, 1:31pm EDT)
 
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):

• Elektron O2 generator is Off.  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 Off.  BMP Harmful Impurities unit: absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Regenerate mode.  RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On. SKV-2 is Off (SM panel mods completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20; is still considered failed).  SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).
•  
• SM Working Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 740; temperature (deg C) — 25.7; ppO2 (mmHg) — 160.7; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 3.5.
• SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) — 741; temperature (deg C) — 20.1.
• FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) — 744; temperature (deg C) — 23.0.
• Node:  Pressure (mmHg) — 740.1; temperature (deg C) — 24.4 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) — 741.5; temperature (deg C) — 23.8; ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
• Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):   Pressure (mmHg) — 741.7; temperature (deg C) — 28.2; 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 Autotrack (solar-tracking, “sun slicer”, i.e., drag reduction-biased by 47 deg angle (2B: +47, 4B: -47).
• SM batteries:  Battery #8 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 prime, C&C-2 is backup, and C&C-3 is in standby.
• GNC-2 MDM is prime; GNC-1 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: 4408 kg (9718 lb) as of 9/8/04;  [SM(552) + FGB(3388) + Progress M(468)].  (Capabilities: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems (ACS):

• 3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2’s RPC-17 failed 4/21/04; was replaced 6/30/04).
• 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: 180.5 deg, pitch: -6.9 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist) until 9/2 for EVA-11, then back to XPOP until next reboost (9/22).
•  

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.

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.