NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 9 November 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.
Before breakfast and physical exercise, CDR/SO Chiao and FE Sharipov completed their first session of the Russian crew health-monitoring program’s medical assessment MO-9/Biochemical Urinalysis. The FE stowed the hardware afterwards. [MO-9 is conducted regularly every 30 days (and also before and after EVAs) and is one of five nominal Russian medical tests adopted by NASA for US crewmembers for IMG PHS (Integrated Medical Group/Periodic Health Status) evaluation as part of the “PHS/Without Blood Labs” exam. The analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus Urolux developed originally for the Mir program. Afterwards, the data were entered in the medical equipment computer (MEC)’s special IFEP software (In-Flight Examination Program).]
Later in the day, the crew completed their first PHS/Without Blood Labs exam and performed the clinical evaluation, each acting first as CMO (crew medical officer) and then as the examined subject. Afterwards, Leroy completed data entry/download for both of them in the IFEP, and then stowed the PHS hardware.
Subsequently, Sharipov also took his first session with the cardiological experiment PZEh MO-1 (Study of the Bioelectric Activity of the Heart at Rest), with Chiao assisting as CMO. [During the 30-min. test, the crew tagged up with ground specialists on a Russian ground site (RGS) pass on Daily Orbit 3 (2:04pm EDT) via VHF and downlinked data from the Gamma-1M ECG (electrocardiograph) for about 5-6 minutes.]
Continuing the long-term troubleshooting of the Russian ASN-M satellite navigation system, Salizhan worked on repairing the ASN feeder circuitry by removing and splicing cables with pliers, solder iron and PVC tape as insulation. Connectivity was then tested by measuring line resistance with the Elektronika multimeter (MMS-01). The activity was supported by tagup with ground specialists.
Leroy completed the microbial analysis of air and surface swab samples collected last week (11/5) with SSK (Surface Sampler Kit) on slides and MAS (Microbial Air Sampler) in Petri dishes at the T+5d incubation point (collection day counts as Day 1). Microbial specimen data were then loaded into the MEC and the analysis hardware taken down and stowed. [All samples taken to date have tested nominal. Because of downmass limitations imposed by the Shuttle stand-down, the SSK and MAS samples cannot be returned to the Microbiology Lab for further analysis on the ground but are discarded as wet trash after the analysis. Results were called down to MCC-H.]
The Science Officer conducted another BCAT-3 (Binary Colloid Alloy Test 3) science photography session, a repeat of the first run on 11/1. [Unexpected results were seen by the PI (Principal Investigator) on inspecting the previous Sample 1 & 2 photography, and it is suspected that more mixing is required. After setting up the SGSM (slow growth sample module) in the Lab MWA (Maintenance Work Area) at EXPRESS Rack 5 (ER5), Chiao conducted the video-recorded activity by homogenizing Sample 1 (with a magnet) and then photographing the sample at 100, 1,000, and 10,000 sec intervals. Photography at the 100,000 sec interval is scheduled for tomorrow. The images captured during the photo session are again being kept on PCMCIA memory cards until proper archiving on the ground is ensured.]
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In the Service Module (SM), Sharipov started the regeneration cycle on absorbent bed #2 of the BMP harmful impurities unit and switched channel #1 from its 24-hr regeneration process back to Purify mode. Because of this operation, the Elektron remains powered down until tomorrow. [The “bakeout” cycle for the filter beds is repeated every 20 days. Each bakeout to space vacuum takes about 24 hours.]
The FE also conducted the routine inspection of the SM’s SOZh environment control & life support system and later prepared the regular IMS (inventory management system) delta file for automated export to the ground for database updating and subsequent re-import via OCA.
At ~2:45am EST, the crew held a teleconference with ground specialists to review future EPO (Educational Payload Operations) demo activities.
At ~1:30pm, CDR Chiao conferred with ground specialists to discuss the subject of food rations, currently the pacing item in onboard consumables. [Food ration presently on board are joint Russian-American fare, i.e., intended for both CDR and FE. Containers with Russian food are being prepared on the ground. The plan is to deliver 27 containers with Russian food on 16P/Progress-351 in December, of which 25 containers will hold main rations, plus two so-called “Bonus” food containers with a large variety of delicious gourmet goodies such as omelet with chicken, Russian cheese, lamb, pike-perch in Baltika sauce, oatmeal with rose hips and almonds, and peach/black currant juice.]
The crew performed their regular daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS treadmill, RED exerciser and VELO cycle with bungee cord load trainer.
Afterwards, Chiao downloaded TVIS and RED exercise data files to the MEC (medical equipment computer), currently six times a week to support early review on the ground.
Over the weekend, the crew found water behind the SKV-1 air conditioner in the SM, after which the machine was turned off and the SKV-2 was activated. Initial assessment by TsUP/Moscow is that a malfunctioning valve is limiting condensate collection by the SRVK condensate water processor. Further investigations are underway at TsUP. [Also, over the last few days during SKV-1 operation ~3 lbs. of condensate were collected in the U.S. Lab by the portside CCAA air conditioner (common cabin air assembly); nominally, with a crew of two all condensate is collected in the SM. Normally each SKVB is activated at least once a month to keep the internal lines lubricated. SKV-1 was turned on for that purpose on 11/4. On 11/6 TsUP noticed from an increase in cabin humidity that SKV-1 was not processing water. It was confirmed that all downstream valves were properly configured. The water detected by the crew between SKV-1 and the SM structure around the vicinity of the compressor tail end was a result of condensation, not of a leak in the system.]
During yesterday’s inspection of the SM hull behind specific wall panels and under the TVIS for moisture, deposits and corrosion, Sharipov reported that the areas were mostly clean, with only some dust and some small “crevasses” on the edges of the shell but none on the actual pressure shell. Salizhan used a wet towel to clean some dust from the surfaces and pipes and took numerous photographs to be downlinked for analysis by Russian specialists.
Yesterday’s BCC (Backup Control Center) dry run by ground personnel was only partially successful. [HSG (Houston Support Group) had difficult establishing a nominal connection to both the real-time and PPCP (Pre-Planned Command Package) command ports, and TsUP reported that the file management function was not working. Another BCC dry run will be scheduled for tomorrow (11/10) to test the command connections one more time prior to the “real” checkout on 11/11.]
Salizhan was thanked by POIC (Payload Operations & Integration Center) for his feedback yesterday during the analysis of the crew’s first ADUM (Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Micro-G) sessions. His comments will be incorporated into future on-orbit ultrasound activities.
Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) photo targets, limited currently by non-availability of the science window during 11/8-11/12 due to SSRMS operations, were Patagonian Glaciers, S. America (ISS passed over the southernmost end of the Patagonian glacier fields, which provided an opportunity for detailed photography of glacial features. Looking to the left of track along the eastern mountain slopes for linear debris ridges produced by glaciers. These debris features, or moraines, are present parallel to bounding valley walls [medial and side moraines] and at the terminus points of glaciers [terminal moraines]), Internal waves, Patagonian Shelf (this overpass provided an opportunity for photography of internal waves along the southeastern coastline of South America), and Internal waves, New Zealand (weather was predicted to be clear over northern New Zealand for internal wave photography. Looking to the left of track for the sunglint point; it was located to the northwest of North Island.
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 10 crew visit:
- http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-9/ndxpage1.html at NASA’s Human Spaceflight website.
Expedition 10 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.
Upcoming Key Events:
- Current station attitude of sun-pointing XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane) will be maintained until 11/16.
- Station reboost will then follow on 11/17 (backup opportunity 11/18).
- Soyuz relocation is scheduled for 11/29 (no earlier than), preceded by a hot-fire test of its thrusters.
- Progress 15P is scheduled for undocking and destructive reentry on 12/22.
- Progress 16P launch: 12/23; docking: 12/25 (GMT).
U.S. & Russian Segment Status (as of yesterday, 5:00pm EST)
- 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 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).
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
- Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both in Autotrack mode (suntracking), biased to 42.5 deg (2B) and -42.5 deg (4B) for drag reduction.
- SM batteries: Battery #5 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (7) are on line in “Partial Charge” mode.
- FGB batteries: Battery #6 is off line; battery #1 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (4) 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: 3951 kg (8710 lb) as of 11/4/04; [SM(552) + FGB(3399) + 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 11/17.
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 Location NOW |
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:14am EST [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 357.1 km
- Apogee height — 362.7 km
- Perigee height — 351.4 km
- Period — 91.68 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.64 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0008413
- Solar Beta Angle — 33.7 deg (magnitude decreasing)
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.71
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 440 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. 98) — 34114
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.
