ISS On-Orbit Status 1/17/03<br /><br />All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously<br />or below. With yesterday's spectacular launch of STS-107/Columbia,<br />near-Earth space is now populated by ten humans plus a menagerie of other<br />nice Earth creatures (rats, fish, silkworms, spiders, ants and bees).<br /><br />Wake and sleep times aboard ISS are back to the standard 1:00am-to-4:30pm<br />EST cycle.<br /><br />For FE-1 Nikolai Budarin, work started off with the daily routine inspection<br />of the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 plant growth experiment.<br /><br />With CDR Ken Bowersox, Budarin then uninstalled and removed the SUDN (motion<br />control and navigation system) Kurs-A rendezvous and approach radar system<br />from the Progress M1-258 (9P), a three-hour chore. These valuable components<br />will be returned to Earth and "recycled".<br /><br />Later, at 1:00pm (Daily Orbit 15 & into DO1), Budarin, with TsUP support,<br />conducted the 30-min. space-to-space (wireless) TORU test, i.e., between the<br />TORU control station in the Service Module (SM) and the Progress M1-258<br />cargo ship. [TORU is the manually teleoperated backup approach and docking<br />system for the automated Progress ships. It will be on "hot standby" during<br />the upcoming arrival of Progress M-247 (10P).]<br /><br />The originally scheduled TVIS treadmill active/passive experiment by Sox and<br />Don was deferred to some future date after the crew voiced concern over<br />possible excessive bungee loading by the planned activity. To resolve this<br />issue, ground engineers, flight surgeon and crew need more time for review<br />and analysis. [The objective of the test is to gather motion data while<br />crewmembers are running and walking on the treadmill at varying loads,<br />speeds and power configurations. These data will enable specialists to<br />determine differences in leg motions that occur while TVIS is in motorized<br />(active) and non-motorized (passive) mode. The experiment is to be set up<br />with video camcorders and special photogrammetric targets on and around the<br />TVIS for subsequent analysis of the imagery.]<br /><br />FE-2/SO Don Pettit conducted the monthly maintenance of the CEVIS (cycle<br />ergometer with vibration isolation), examining the wire rope isolators for<br />damage.<br /><br />CDR Bowersox powered up the EXPRESS Rack 5 (ER5) laptop computer, before the<br />ground initiated ER5 power for the subsequent loading of new software on the<br />PC and the RIC (rack interface controller). Laptop and ER5 were later<br />powered down again. [Bowersox retrieved the RIC software from OCA and<br />started the RIC loading, which then proceeded automatically, after which he<br />was again needed to complete the activity. This was the first of five ER and<br />laptop software upgrades. ER5 is not equipped with ARIS (active rack<br />isolation system), which simplified the procedure somewhat.]<br /><br />Don Pettit worked with the TOCA (total organic carbon analyzer), initiating<br />reagent mixing for the upcoming TOCA water sample analyses. [TOCA is a water<br />quality monitoring instrument for determining concentrations of total<br />organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, total carbon, pH value and<br />conductivity in water.]<br /><br />Pettit also set up the two CDMs (carbon dioxide monitor) sensors with new<br />batteries and stowed the old batteries. The CDMs were then used by Sox and<br />Don during their TVIS exercise, to measure the CO2 in the atmosphere near<br />the exercise device. [One CDM was statically deployed near the treadmill,<br />the other was attached to the exercising crewmember.]<br /><br />Nikolai Budarin initiated the 24-hr. regeneration mode of filter cartridge<br />#1 of the BMP micropurification system, a subsystem of the SM's atmosphere<br />revitalization system. Absorbent bed #2 remains in Purify mode.<br /><br />The discharge of two EVA batteries initiated yesterday was terminated, and<br />the process was started on the remaining pair. [EVA battery discharging is<br />currently accomplished by depleting the storage units with the running<br />EMU/suit fans. In the future, the discharging will be done with the BCA<br />(battery charger assembly).]<br /><br />The daily routine tasks of SOSh life support system servicing and IMS<br />inventory update file preparation were completed by Budarin, while Bowersox<br />performed the daily status checkup of autonomous Lab payloads.<br /><br />Continuing the necessary sync-up between on-orbit stowage and the<br />ground-kept IMS (inventory management system) database, additional questions<br />were uplinked by TsUP for another 20-min. IMS tagup with the crew, conducted<br />today at 8:35am via S-band.<br /><br />At 6:30am, MCC-H conducted a full ("zero"-) calibration of the MCA (major<br />constituents analyzer). After the calibration run, which took about 20<br />minutes, the crew closed the MCA oxygen valve (HV02) manually.<br /><br />At 12:35pm, the crew downlinked a PAO message of greetings to the opening of<br />the 31st Russian National Space Competition in Korolev near Moscow on 1/21.<br />The two-day Finale of the student competition is dedicated to the 40th<br />anniversary of the first group space flight (Vostok-5/Vostok-6). [The<br />competition has become a tradition and has been held annually since 1971 to<br />encourage children's creative abilities, to support talented youth, and help<br />educate Russia's intellectual elite. Sponsors are the Soyuz Russian National<br />Youth Aerospace Association, the Ministry of Education of the Russian<br />Federation, Rosaviakosmos, the Moscow City Government, the Moscow Region<br />Government administration, the Khrunichev Space Center, and RSC Energia in<br />Korolev. The finale is attended by over 250 participants from 42 Russian<br />cities, (including Baikonur), as well as from Belarus and Ukraine. The jury<br />consists of cosmonauts, scientists, rocket-space technology engineers, and<br />representatives from the major aerospace university departments in Moscow.]<br /><br />The Russian Vozdukh CO2 removal machine is again down (pump failure). The<br />U.S. CDRA (CO2 removal assembly) in the Lab was started up last night (after<br />a power cycle of its controlling LSYS MDM) and is operating.<br /><br />A depressurization alarm by one of three rapid depress sensors in the SM<br />last night was identified as a false sensor indication. The associated<br />software algorithm worked correctly, and affected subsystems were recovered.<br /><br />The reworked MSG PDC (microgravity science glovebox power distribution<br />controller) is expected at Huntsville tonight for integrated systems<br />testing. The recertified unit needs to be in Moscow by 1/23 latest, along<br />with the ESEM3 (exchangeable standard electronic module 3). The last<br />airplane for Baikonur leaves Moscow on 1/24. Progress 10P will be sealed up<br />on 1/25.<br /><br />Progress 10P launch remains set for 2/2, with docking on 2/4 after the<br />standard two-day ascent/rendezvous template. There is to be no special Kurs<br />test before the arrival. If 10P is launched on the backup day, 2/3, the<br />ascent/rendezvous will take three days, for prop efficiency. Progress 9P,<br />currently docked to the SM aft end, will be separated and jettisoned on 2/1.<br /><br />Yesterday's readiness review for the major software transition in February<br />went well. When approved, the new loads are to be uplinked on 2/6, and<br />transition begins on 2/10.<br /><br />Today's targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were<br />Industrialized SE Africa (looking for smog buildup--especially right of<br />track towards the Witwatersrand complex), Cape Town, South Africa (good<br />pass. The city lies on Table Bay at the north end of the peninsula, on the<br />slopes of Table Mountain), Palmerston Island atoll (nadir pass over this<br />enclosed reef [11 km diameter]. Dry land amounts to six tiny islets along<br />the reef [highest point on one of these is The Mountain at 6.8 m]. Detailed<br />views needed for mapping project of the productive parts of the reef<br />system), Falkland Islands Plankton (Dynamic event. Looking left and right of<br />track for a large bloom stretching north from the Falklands to the River<br />Plate. Clear weather and your many high latitude passes allow repeat<br />photography of this phenomenon, to show change with time).<br /><br />CEO images can be viewed at the website<br />http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov<br /><br />U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:54pm EST).<br /><br />Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):<br />Elektron O2 generator is powered On (16 Amp mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is<br />Off (failed vacuum pump). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is On. TCCS (trace<br />contaminant control subsystem) is off. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is<br />operating. BMP Harmful Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1 in Regeneration<br />mode, bed #2 in Purify mode.<br /><br />SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 753; temperature (deg C) -- 24.0;<br />ppO2 (mmHg) -- 165.8; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.8 (suspect).<br />SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --<br />18.8.<br />FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752; temperature (deg C) -- 22.3.<br />Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 745.80; temperature (deg C) -- 23.7 (shell); ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- 168.9; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.1.<br />U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 748.05; temperature (deg C) -- 22.6; ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a;<br />Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 748.05, temperature (deg<br />C) -- 21.9; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.6, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a.<br />PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 25.1<br />PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 12.7<br />(n/a = data not available)<br /><br />Propulsion System (PS): Total propellant load available (SM + FGB +<br />Progress) -- 3689 kg (8133 lb) [as of 1/16/03].<br /><br />Electrical Power Systems (EPS):<br />Both P6 channels fully operational. Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 2B and BGA 4B<br />both in Autotrack (sun-following) mode.<br />SM batteries (as of 3am): Battery #7 is off line (failed); battery #8 is in<br />"Cycle" mode; all other batteries (6) are in "Partial Charge" mode.<br />FGB batteries (3am): Batteries #3 is offline (failed); all other batteries<br />(5) are in "Partial Charge" mode.<br />Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode.<br /><br />Thermal Control Systems:<br />Air conditioner SKV-1 is On, SKV-2 is Off.<br /><br />Command & Data Handling Systems:<br />C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is back-up, and C&C-3 is in standby.<br />GNC-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup (new patches loaded on both).<br />EXT-2 is On (primary), EXT-1 is off.<br />LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.<br />PL-2 MDM is On (primary); PL-1 MDM is off (diagnostic<br />APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.<br />SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Lane 1 is<br />down (as of 11/14).<br />SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.<br /><br />Attitude Source:<br />3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).<br />State vector -- U.S. SIGI-1<br />Attitude -- U.S. SIGI-1<br />Angular rates -- U.S. RGA-1<br /><br />Flight Attitude:<br />XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = "sun-fixed" [yaw: -178.0 deg,<br />pitch: -6.0 deg., roll: 0 deg]), CMG/Thruster Assist Momentum Management).<br />Solar Beta Angle: 25.4 deg (magnitude increasing).<br /><br />Communications & Tracking Systems:<br />FGB MDM-1 is powered Off; FGB MDM-2 is operating.<br />All other Russian communications & tracking systems are nominal.<br />S-band is operating nominally.<br />Ku-band is operating nominally.<br />Audio subsystem operating nominally.<br />Video subsystem operating nominally.<br />HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.<br /><br />Robotics:<br />SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at Lab PDGF with Keep Alive (KA) power on both<br />strings.<br />MBS: KA power on both strings.<br />MT: latched at WS4, with KA power.<br />POA: KA power on both strings.<br />RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is Off; Cupola RWS is Off.<br /><br />ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:50am EST [= epoch]):<br />Mean altitude -- 389.7 km<br />Apogee -- 393.5 km<br />Perigee -- 386.0 km<br />Period -- 92.35 min.<br />Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg<br />Eccentricity -- 0.00056<br />Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.59<br />Altitude loss -- 160 m (mean) in last 24 hours<br />Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 23749<br /><br />For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see<br />http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html