Space Station On-Orbit Status 16 May 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously or below. End of week 2: The crew has now really settled in, and, as MCC-H uplinked this morning, “everyone is really happy with all operations.”
CDR Yuri Malenchenko conducted a one-hour inventory audit of Russian segment (RS) docking assembly (StA) accessories kits flown to date. [For the audit, Yuri looked for, and checked off, items such as hatch cranks, crank extensions, handles, clamps, wrenches, screwdrivers and valve plugs in the various RS modules (SM, FGB, DC-1, and Soyuz OM).]
FE/SO Edward Lu worked on EXPRESS Rack 4 (ER4), supporting POC/Huntsville (Payload Operations Center) in troubleshooting the rack’s ELC (ER4 laptop computer) which has been “hung up” for several days. [Ed’s help consisted in running a procedure to download ER4 laptop data to OCA and subsequently transmitting it on the comm channel to the ground for troubleshooting at POC.]
POC is currently working an issue with ER1, which has stopped communicating with its two autonomous payloads, SAMS (space acceleration measurement system) and MAMS (microgravity acceleration measurement system). [This has been seen before, and it is expected that rebooting the RIC (rack interface controller) later today will restore the ER1 laptop’s Ethernet connection.]
Later, Ed Lu completed, for the first time, his weekly task of filling out the FFQ (food frequency questionnaire), which keeps a log of his nutritional intake over time on the MEC (medical equipment computer).
Ed also performed the periodic transfer of accumulated data files from the CMS HRM (crew medical systems/heart rate monitor) to the MEC, then deleted them on the HRM. [Last time done: 5/9/03.]
Afterwards, he transferred storage files with exercise data from the TVIS and RED exercise equipment to the MEC via PCMCIA cards (personal computer memory card international association) for subsequent downlink to Earth.
The Science Officer set up the video hardware for recording imagery of his subsequent general MedOps PFE (periodic fitness evaluation), which checks up on blood pressure and electrocardiogram during programmed exercise on the CEVIS in the Lab. Readings were taken with the BP/ECG (blood pressure/electrocardiograph), and Malenchenko assisted his crewmate as CMO (crew medical officer). The video equipment was then stowed again. [BP/ECG provides automated noninvasive systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements while also monitoring and displaying accurate heart rates on a continual basis at rest and during exercise. The video is required for biomechanical evaluation of the subject and his equipment setup during data collection.]
Yuri and Ed performed their daily physical exercise program on the TVIS treadmill, RED expander, CEVIS cycle and VELO ergometer with load trainer. The crewmembers also performed calibration of the RED load settings. [This is done by each every 24,330 cycles and after cable replacements.]
An exploratory “surgery” (IFM, in-flight maintenance) on the two Flexpack canisters, removed from the RED on 5/9, is being considered for next week.
Malenchenko completed the regular periodic change-out of the urine receptacle and filter insert in the ASU toilet facility in the SM, disposing of the old units. [Last time done: 5/7/03.]
Today it was Ed Lu’s job to perform the daily routine maintenance of SOZh life support systems, prepare the daily IMS (inventory management system) “delta” file for updating the IMS database and check up on the status of the Lab payloads.
Meanwhile, CDR Malenchenko performed his regular daily monitoring and servicing of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (“Plants-2”) zero-G plant growth experiment. Today, he also collected plant samples by cutting them at the base of their stems and placing them in silica gel bags from the BIO-5 kit for return to Earth.
Yuri also had an IMS inventory tagup with ground specialists via S-band, to clear up questions regarding recent equipment movements and Soyuz 6S unloading activities.
Yesterday’s one-hour fire drill/OBT (on-board training) was judged a full success. [During the OBT, one of the CSA-CPs (compound specific analyzer-combustion products) was found to require battery replacement.]
The crew downlinked a congratulatory address to the Polytechnic Museum in Moscow, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the publication of the world’s first science paper on space flight. [The paper, entitled “Exploration of the Universe with Reaction Machines”, was written by Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky in 1896-1998 and published in May 1903 in Science Review magazine, Issue no. 5. The paper described the scientific principles of interplanetary flight and also contains ideas on liquid propellant rocket design, use of gyroscopes for automatic control of rocket flight, the use of solar energy for attitude control, and the use of electric thrusters. Hermann Oberth’s historic first book on space travel, the 92-page “Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen” (The Rocket into Planetary Spaces), appeared 20 years later. The ISS onboard library has several books by Tsiolkovsky, and his portrait hangs in the SM.]
Congratulatory greetings from the ISS were also sent down to the management and employees of the Izhevsk Motor Works/AXION Holding firm in Udmurtia Republic, on the occasion of its 70th birthday on 5/22, for having made “valuable contributions to the success of space exploration and to the benefit of all Russia.” [The company supplied instruments for ISS groundsite and onboard use.]
Both crewmembers again had an hour reserved on their schedule for ISS familiarization and adjustment to their new surroundings and activities.
Work continues at MCC-H in preparation for providing additional U.S. power to the RS next week via a third SNT (voltage and current stabilizer units, i.e., transformers) if another one of the eight 800A batteries in the SM fails. [Two storage units are already failed (#4 and #8), but there is still hope that a third degraded battery, #2, can be recovered by cycling and ROM (capacity restoration mode). An agreement has been reached between RSC-Energia (responsible for SM) and Khrunichev-SC (responsible for FGB) to use the remaining FGB spare battery in the SM, where it will replace either #4 or #8. Delivery of a new spare on 11P/Progress is TBD (to be decided).]
Last night’s total Lunar Eclipse was photographed from the ISS but the pictures turned out marginal due to poor viewing angles.
MCC-H is planning an EVA suit donning dry-run for the crew on 5/28, to provide Ed and Yuri with training experience for a two-man, no-IV spacewalk (just in case–no EVA is planned for Increment 7). Some preparatory checkout activities for the dry-run will be scheduled for Monday-Wednesday next week.
A new procedure has been approved which lowers the interval between EMU battery maintenance chargings from 85 days to 50 days.
For 5/21, MCC-H has scheduled an Increment 7 Payload Science Conference with SO Dr. Lu. Participants on the ground will include the Program Scientist, Lead Increment Scientist, NASA’s Chief Scientist, and others. Among the points to be discussed are an overview of Inc. 7 science, and science “outside of the box”.
Work on reboost planning continues. Moscow is making plans for a mid-June date for the first reboost maneuver and seeks NASA agreement. Final decision to be made by IMMT (ISS Mission Management Team) middle of next week.
Flight attitude continues to be XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane), with the P6 solar wings locked in directed “sun slicer” position, calculated for atmospheric drag reduction. [When the currently increasing solar Beta angle reaches 60 deg, attitude will be moded to YVV/”barbecue” to keep truss radiator motor temperatures under the limit of 75 degC. Attitude will return to XPOP when Beta decreases to 60 deg and below. Drag-reduction-bias angle of the solar arrays is such that their power generation is at least 11 kW on each of the two channels (2B and 4B).]
Today’s CEO (crew earth observations) targets, severely restricted by limited the use of the science window in the Lab due to the current XPOP attitude, were Lisbon, Portugal(nadir pass), Tornado damage, Midwest (Dynamic event: Swaths of downed trees and dead vegetation generated by recent tornados may be visible between clouds. Swaths should have appeared obliquely left of track in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, oriented ENE), Havana, Cuba (nadir pass), Los Angeles, California (excellent nadir pass. Crew was to try for the city in a minimum number of views. Then views of the whole Baja peninsula appeared right of track), and Guadalajara, Mexico (nadir pass).
CEO images can be viewed at the websites
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov
U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:50pm 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 (manual mode 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) — 27.8; ppO2 (mmHg) — data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) — data invalid.
- SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) — 751; temperature (deg C) — 20.7.
- FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) — 748; temperature (deg C) — 22.0.
- Node: Pressure (mmHg) — 745.16; temperature (deg C) — 23.8 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) — 747.04; temperature (deg C) — 22.5; ppO2 (mmHg) — 172.0; ppCO2 (mmHg) — 4.2.
- Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) — 747.14; temperature (deg C) — 31.1; shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a, ppO2 (mmHg) — n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) — n/a.
- PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a.
- PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) — n/a.
(n/a = data not available)
Propulsion System (PS):
Total propellant load available: 3576 kg (7884 lb) as of 5/8 [SM(774) + FGB(2550) + Progress(252)]. (Capability: SM — 860 kg; FGB — 6120 kg).
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
- Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B both “directed” (non-solar tracking) mode (“sun slicer” position, for drag reduction).
- SM batteries: Battery #4 is disconnected; battery #8 suspected failed; battery #7 in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode; battery #2 performs degraded.
- FGB batteries: Battery #2 is in “Cycle” mode; all other batteries (5) are in “Partial Charge” mode.
- Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Discharge 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 On (primary); PL-1 MDM is Off
- APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
- SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Being upgraded.
- SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Being upgraded.
Attitude Control Systems:
- 3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).
- State vector source — U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
- Attitude source — U.S. SIGI-2 (GPS)
- Angular rate source — RGA-2
Flight Attitude:
- XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = “sun-fixed” [yaw: 0.5 deg, pitch: -6.8 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist).
- Solar Beta angle: 53.0 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 at WS4, with KA power.
- POA: KA power on both strings.
- RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is Off; Cupola RWS is Off.
ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:16am EDT [= epoch]):
- Mean altitude — 389.6 km
- Apogee — 393.9 km
- Perigee — 385.4 km
- Period — 92.35 min.
- Inclination (to Equator) — 51.63 deg
- Eccentricity — 0.0006286
- Orbits per 24-hr. day — 15.59
- Solar Beta Angle: 53.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
- Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours — 85 m
- Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98) — 25605
- For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html