ISS On-Orbit Status 1/28/03<br /><br />All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously<br />or below. Today 17 years ago, we lost the Shuttle "Challenger" with its crew<br />of seven: Dick Scobee, Michael Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith<br />Resnick, Greg Jarvis and Christa McAuliffe. Also sadly remembered: the loss<br />of Roger Chaffee, Ed White and Gus Grissom in the Apollo 1 fire, yesterday<br />36 years ago.<br /><br />Onboard the ISS, the crew began trash stowage on 9P/Progress M1-258,<br />accompanied by IMS (inventory management system) audit and video recording<br />of the activities with the U.S. Sony PD 100 DVCAM. The video recording was<br />downlinked at 12:20pm EST. Deorbit of the cargo ship is still set for next<br />Saturday, 2/1 (separation 10:59am EST, entry interface 2:47pm).<br /><br />The crew completed the scheduled fit check of the "Kazbeks", the three<br />contoured shock-absorbing seats in the Soyuz descent capsule (SA). This<br />required them to don their Sokol pressure suits, take their seats and<br />measure the gap between the top of the head and the top edge of the<br />structure facing the head with a ruler. The results were reported to MCC-M.<br />[The Kazbek-Us are designed to withstand g-loads during launch and orbital<br />insertion as well as during reentry and brake-rocket-assisted landing. Each<br />seat has two positions: cocked (armed) and noncocked. In the cocked<br />position, they are raised to allow the shock absorbers to function during<br />touchdown. The fit check assures that the crew, whose bodies gain in length<br />during longer-term stay in zero-G, would still be adequately protected by<br />the seat liners in case of an emergency return.]<br /><br />In the DC-1 "Pirs" docking module, FE-1 Nikolai Budarin performed the<br />regular (monthly) check-up on the circuit breakers (AZS) on the BVP amp<br />switch panel -- they should all be On -- and the 14 LEDs of the fuses in<br />fuse panels BPP-30 and BPP-36.<br /><br />FE-2/SO Don Pettit worked on EXPRESS rack 3, preparing its ARIS (active rack<br />isolation system) for testing with the new software load, adjusting the<br />snubbers (pin/cup) to prevent hyperextension of the shock absorber pushrods,<br />then calibrating the pushrods.<br /><br />This was the last day for the current round of the Renal Stone experiment<br />for Expedition 6, with Nikolai Budarin terminating his sample collections<br />after breakfast and later stowing the equipment. [The Renal research, which<br />investigates how to prevent kidney stone formation in zero-G, is a NASA/JSC<br />program with Dr. Peggy Whitson as Principal Investigator (PI).]<br /><br />Don Pettit reconfigured power and data cables for the EarthKAM payload, then<br />unstowed, set up and activated the EarthKAM system. [EarthKAM (Earth<br />Knowledge Acquired by Middle school students)) is using an ESC 460C<br />electronic still camera mounted at the Lab's down-facing window, equipped<br />with a 50mm lens (f1.4). Powered by 16Vdc from a 120 Vdc adapter, EarthKAM<br />takes pictures by remote operation from the ground, without crew<br />interaction. After its activation and checkout by the ground, it will be<br />available for Middle School-ers, who will submit image requests and conduct<br />geographic research. Currently, there are 27 middle schools slated to submit<br />requests, including 10 schools new to the program. The requests will be<br />uplinked in a camera control file to an SSC (station support computer)<br />laptop which then activates the camera at specified times and receives the<br />digital images from the camera's storage card on its hard drive, for<br />subsequent downlink via OPS LAN. Images are then immediately posted on the<br />Internet at<br />http://datasystem.earthkam.ucsd.edu/cgi-bin/datasys/ek_images_station which<br />already displays stunning imagery from previous EarthKAM flights on ISS. The<br />current EarthKAM run is the last as a small pressurized payload; next time<br />EarthKAM will operate from the WORF (window observational research<br />facility). Principal investigator is Dr. Sally Ride, UCSD (University of<br />California, San Diego).]<br /><br />Budarin completed his regular daily inspection of the Russian BIO-5<br />Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2") plant growth experiment.<br /><br />CDR Ken Bowersox performed the daily routine tasks of SOSh life support<br />systems maintenance and IMS delta file preparation for downlink, while<br />Pettit took the periodic CO2 (carbon dioxide) readings of the ACS<br />(atmosphere control and supply) in SM and Lab with the portable CDM (CO2<br />monitor).<br /><br />At 10:05am EST, MCC-M/TsUP began with the scheduled vacuum purge of the<br />Progress 9P fuel (ZUG) and oxidizer (ZUO) lines, to vent prop residuals in<br />the plumbing between Progress and SM into space. [Fuel purge (unsymmetrical<br />dimethyl hydrazine, UDMH) began at 10:10am, oxidizer purge (nitrogen<br />tetroxide, N2O4) at 11:40am, for about 13 minutes. Planned video recording<br />of the oxidizer line venting was cancelled.]<br /><br />Later in the day, Nikolai Budarin set up the Russian MO-21 "Ecosphera" air<br />sampler and incubation equipment, for atmospheric microbial air sampling<br />scheduled for tomorrow, and started recharge of its power supply unit.<br />[MO-21 determines microbial contamination of the ISS atmosphere,<br />specifically the total bacterial and fungal microflora counts and microflora<br />composition according to morphologic criteria of microorganism colonies.]<br /><br />All crewmembers performed their daily physical exercise, and Bowersox<br />completed the weekly checkup of the TVIS treadmill (a time and date check<br />done just prior to powerdown or end-of-session).<br /><br />MCC-M/TsUP was scheduled to conduct a data transmission test to the onboard<br />central computer system via the FGB "Komparus" command and measuring system<br />(KIS).<br /><br />The crew was complimented on the Node starboard hatch window installation<br />which they completed successfully over the weekend. [The leak rate was<br />calculated to be less than six thousandth cubic centimeter per second, well<br />within leak rate specifications. The go-ahead was given to tear down the VAJ<br />(vacuum access jumper) leak check equipment and to close up the porthole<br />frames with a blind gland.]<br /><br />A 72-hour leak check on the high-pressure side of the newly (1/18) replaced<br />O2 regulator in the Airlock to the PCA (pressure control assembly) was<br />successfully concluded today. The regulator is sealing correctly.<br /><br />The S1 radiator clearance check on 1/27, which included TRRJ (thermal<br />radiator rotary joint) rotation, observed with the SSRMS video camera, was<br />completed, showing "great clearance": an ample distance of 14 inches between<br />the deployed S1 radiator panel and the P6 starboard radiator at closest<br />approach.<br /><br />Temperatures of the ETCS NTA (external thermal control system/nitrogen tank<br />assembly) on the P1 truss have increased satisfactorily, leveling off at<br />about 0 degC. [Checkout of the four NTA valves was successful; they all<br />opened and are working correctly. Thus, the failure of the two Loop B<br />heaters is a heater issue, not one of the entire assembly. Analysis<br />continues on all expected flight attitudes between now and 12A.1, to ensure<br />safe hardware temperatures.]<br /><br />An RPCM (remote power controller module) in the Lab, controlling Airlock<br />equipment, has tripped. Preliminary data indicate no overcurrent event,<br />which could have blown the fuse, but further analysis is needed to determine<br />whether it is an RPC issue or a downstream-equipment issue. The RPCM is<br />expected to be reset soon.<br /><br />Avionics specialists have delivered all software products for the upcoming<br />command and control software upgrade. The new software will be available on<br />orbit in May.<br /><br />U.S. and Russian contamination experts have finally agreed on a joint water<br />venting protocol, now ready for signing by both sides. [It allows the U.S.<br />to use a six-day window after Progress 10P docking for nonpropulsive<br />venting, without expending any maneuver propellants. No venting will be done<br />when a Russian docking port is open. We also can vent nonpropulsively from<br />±YVV/"Barbecue" attitude, when required at solar Beta angles larger than<br />60 degrees. Discussions are also getting underway between both sides on<br />increasing condensate water collection on the Russian segment and its proper<br />certification. Pending necessary improvements to the Russian SRV-K water<br />processor system, after 10P, U.S. water processing by the Russian Elektron<br />should also be resumed.]<br /><br />Yesterday's SM/Kurs rendezvous test for the Progress 10P docking on 2/4 was<br />successful. The test involved a new procedure, which uses only one (#1) of<br />the two Kurs antennas mounted at the tips of the two Service Module (SM)<br />solar wings. [The second antenna, on wing #2, is operational but functions<br />only intermittently. Antenna selection is done automatically by the Kurs<br />avionics, and yesterday's test showed that the docking can be performed with<br />only the #1 antenna, made possible by the current LVLH flight attitude which<br />has the #1 solar wing always pointed to the approaching vehicle. In case of<br />Kurs failure, the old manual TORU backup mode continues to be available.]<br /><br />Launch of Progress 10P (M-247) is still set for Sunday, 2/2 (7:59am EST),<br />with docking on 2/4 (9:48am). The two parts for the MSG (microgravity<br />science glovebox) are on board the resupply ship.<br /><br />Today's targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were<br />Patagonian Glaciers (glaciers that lie on the west side of the southern<br />Andes are less well photographed due to greater cloudiness. Trying for<br />Pacific-side glacier tongues in cloud holes under present relatively clear<br />conditions. The handheld imagery on these two ice fields is now the best<br />archive on the region that exists in terms of coverage and detail), Saharan<br />dust outblow (Dynamic Event. Major dust pall is hundreds of miles wide,<br />streaming west into the Atlantic. Looking right for the southern dust<br />margin, and then ~2-3 min later looking left for the northern margin near<br />the Moroccan coast. Wide views [mapping series] of the full extent of the<br />phenomenon are requested), La Paz (looking right on the major western lip of<br />the high desert plateau for this large city, which lies both on the high<br />plateau and cascades down into a major canyon on the Andean flank), and<br />Biomass burning, Australia (Dynamic Event. Look right to document the large<br />smoke pall that has developed from the major fires in SW Australia. Obliques<br />and slight overexposure help to capture the more subtle aerosol loadings<br />(underexposure captures the denser, core areas of the dust mass).<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 1:45pm 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 />On. U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant control<br />subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is operating. BMP<br />Harmful Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify<br />mode. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.<br /><br />SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 753; temperature (deg C) -- 24.8;<br />ppO2 (mmHg) -- 169.3; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 2.5 (suspect).<br />SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --<br />19.8.<br />FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752; temperature (deg C) -- 21.7.<br />Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 745.8; temperature (deg C) -- 22.9 (shell); ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.<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) -- 22.0; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.1, ppO2 (mmHg) -- 165.4; ppCO2<br />(mmHg) -- 5.9.<br />PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 23.1<br />PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 17.7<br />(n/a = data not available)<br /><br />Propulsion System (PS): Total propellant load available (SM + FGB +<br />Progress) -- 3669 kg (8089 lb) [as of 1/23/03]. (Capability: SM -- 870 kg;<br />FGB -- 6160 kg).<br /><br />Electrical Power Systems (EPS):<br />Both P6 channels fully operational. Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 2B and BGA 4B<br />both in "blind" dual-angle mode (directed position).<br />SM batteries: Battery #7 is off line (failed); battery #2 is offline; all<br />other batteries (6) are in "Full Charge" mode.<br />FGB batteries (3am): Battery #2 is offline; all other batteries (5) are in "<br />Partial Charge" mode.<br />Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode.<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-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 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 11/14/02).<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 />LVLH TEA (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local<br />vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9.1 deg, roll: 0<br />deg]), CMG/Thruster Assist Momentum Management).<br />Solar Beta Angle: 22.6 deg (magnitude decreasing).<br /><br />Communications & Tracking Systems:<br />FGB MDM-1 is powered Off; FGB MDM-2 is operational.<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 MBS PDGF2 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, 9:42am EST [= epoch]):<br />Mean altitude -- 387.8 km<br />Apogee -- 392.5 km<br />Perigee -- 383.2 km<br />Period -- 92.31 min.<br />Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg<br />Eccentricity -- 0.0006821<br />Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.60<br />Altitude loss -- 250 m (mean) in last 24 hours<br />Solar Beta Angle -- 22.6 deg (magnitude decreasing)<br />Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 23922<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