XA/EVA Project Office Weekly Activity Report June 6, 2001
Orlan NBL Run
On Thursday May 31, 2001, two Orlan-HL training suits were being utilized in the NBL to develop procedures for a potential EVA to repair the SSRMS. Near the end of the run, NBL divers noticed bubbles emanating from the shoulder area of the Orlan-M-HL suit. Review by the Suit Engineer on duty led him to believe that there was a crack in the pressurized structure of the hard upper torso. To eliminate the potential of harm to the test subject, the Suit Engineer decided to stop the run. Bubble tests verified that the Orlan-M-HL pressurized volume was leaking through a crack. This crack is along a weld that holds a non-structural flange in place. Inspections of Orlans at JSC have shown similar cracks in the same areas of each suit. It is currently believed that the method used to lift and suspend the Orlan suits at JSC may be a contributing factor to the generation of these cracks. At this time, no Orlans are being used for human testing at JSC. NASA materials and structures specialists reviewed material samples from the welds and the HUT structure and determined a low probability of crack propagation. NASA representatives have been working closely with Zvezda, the suit manufacturer, to ensure they understand the cracks and the current status of the suits at JSC and on orbit. Zvezda has verified the flight suits on-orbit are a different configuration and are safe for the EVA planned for June 8, 2001.
CETA/MT System Interface to ISS Element:
The EVA Project Office supported Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM’s) and splinter meetings with the International Space Station Program (ISSP), Boeing, Mission Operations Directorate, and Engineering Directorate representatives. The effort was productive in highlighting additional areas of concern in the overall system level qualification and acceptance test and verification (T&V) approach to date. Recommendations were presented to a special combined session of the ISS T&V Control Panel and VSIP on Tuesday, June 5, 2001, with final recommendations and forward work to be presented at the ISS Vehicle Control Board on Monday, June 11, 2001. EVA Project Office and Engineering support will be required for at least two additional TIM’ s in a similar effort with the MBS/SSRMS group and the outboard Truss Segments.
Hydrazine Detection Hardware
The Hydrazine detection hardware, which has been used on Shuttle since STS-102/5A.1, has been adapted for use on ISS. To use the hardware on ISS, an adapter has been developed to interface with the ISS airlock and the hardware is being certified to ISSP requirements. To date, the requirements document has been signed, all drawings have been released and the flight hardware has been fabricated. The certification paperwork is expected to be closed and the hardware delivered to USA by Monday, June 11, 2001, in time for shipment to KSC.
7A.1 EVA Status
Several 7A.1 EVA assessments are in work which include determining what EVA hardware is required if 7A.1 launches prior to 7A, and what additional training is required if the SSRMS joint remove and replace is added to the manifest. Approximately five mid-deck locker equivalents (MLE’s) of EVA hardware will have to be manifested on 7A.1 if it launches before the Airlock on 7A. Three SSRMS joint R&R development NBL runs will be performed in order to define timelines for the 7A.1 EVA. An additional five NBL timeline runs with the 7A.1 EVA crew have been scheduled to allow for proper crew training on this specific task.
Original signed by:
G. Allen Flynt
Acting Manager
