ISS On-Orbit Status 2/3/03<br /><br />All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously<br />or below.<br /><br />After yesterday's smooth liftoff of the Soyuz rocket with 10P/Progress M-47<br />at Baikonur (7:59:40am EST), the spacecraft is headed toward tomorrow's<br />rendezvous and docking with the ISS. [Test activities today included<br />activation and checkout of the on-board TV camera and TV transmitter<br />(Klest-M), the third course correction maneuver (DV3, 2.0 m/sec), followed<br />by trajectory measurements, systems monitoring, and checkout of the VHF<br />radio system for the TORU (teleoperator control system) backup approach and<br />docking system over Russian ground station #34 (RGS 34, Shelkovo).]<br /><br />Tomorrow's 10P docking under automatic "Kurs"-control, is set for 9:50am EST<br />(initiation of final approach: ~9:40am), with the remote control TORU system<br />switched to "hot backup". [At 8 km range, the Progress automated software<br />will activate the vehicle's headlight (docking is 4 min. after local sunset)<br />and switch radio beam angle to "narrow". If the subsequent automatic<br />approach/docking with Kurs fails, FE-1 Nikolai Budarin will take over with<br />the TORU system, performing station-keeping at 30 m range, then complete the<br />docking after ISS attitude has been moded to free drift (inertial hold).<br />Once ISS is in free drift, TORU ops must be conducted within 16 min.]<br /><br />At 3:00am EST this morning, in preparation for the docking, Budarin and CDR<br />Ken Bowersox began a two-hour "refresher" training course on the TORU<br />system. They were supported by a TORU specialist at MCC-Moscow. The training<br />included review of pertinent ODFs (operations data files), docking data, and<br />results of mathematical modeling of the approach, as well as consultations<br />with the ground trainer. [With the manual TORU mode, a crewmember located in<br />the SM performs necessary guidance functions in the event of a failure of<br />the automated Kurs rendezvous/docking system of a Progress cargo vehicle<br />(TGK). The ship's motion will then be controlled from the TORU control panel<br />with two hand controllers and a situational display of television signals<br />(ISS image plus range, velocity, and relative angular position data) from<br />the Progress-mounted Klest-M video camera, shown on two monitors (VKU and<br />Simvol-Ts).]<br /><br />FE-2/SO Don Pettit crew started another in-flight session of the PuFF<br />(pulmonary function in flight) experiment, activating the "huff and puff"<br />hardware, then performing its initial calibration and the standard test.<br />During the day, his two crewmates followed suit, with photo/video-recording<br />for historical documentation. Additional data were gained from an<br />abbreviated repetition of the test sequence. Pettit finally powered the PuFF<br />equipment down and stowed it. [Today's activity served the continuing<br />investigation of the effects of long-term micro-G exposure and EVAs on the<br />pulmonary (lung) function, laying the groundwork for future experiments<br />which are key to understanding and maintaining crew health. Each monthly<br />PuFF session involves five lung function tests. It utilizes the GASMAP (gas<br />analyzer system for metabolic analysis physiology) in the Human Research<br />Facility, along with a variety of other PuFF equipment such as a manual<br />breathing valve, flowmeter, pressure-flow module, pressure and volume<br />calibration syringes and disposable mouthpieces.]<br /><br />Nikolai Budarin prepared the RS (Russian segment) video system for automated<br />downlink of the videotape of the Plasma Crystal 3 (PK-3) experiment recorded<br />on 1/22. The downlink was then initiated by the Russian automated daily<br />timeline sequencer (SPP) over RGS.<br /><br />Afterwards, CDR Bowersox and Budarin worked on the TV system, configuring it<br />for live video transmission of the Progress docking to MCC-M/TsUP via U.S.<br />Ku-band. They then conducted a transmission test of the setup. [At crew's<br />choice, the approach of Progress from 1 km in to docking can also be<br />monitored with the U.S. ETVCG (external TV camera group), using the S1<br />outboard lower camera (CP3, camera port 3) and the Lab camera (CP13). Tilt<br />and pan angles were uplinked.]<br /><br />MCC-H has cleared the RPCM (remote power controller module) controlling the<br />Lab RWS (robotics workstation) components for operation, with the exception<br />of its RPC1 for VTR1 (video tape recorder #1)which is failed open. The<br />currently installed DCP (display and control panel) cable can be left<br />connected to the Lab RWS, and the RWS is supporting the video configuration<br />for docking coverage.<br /><br />Both Bowersox and Pettit performed the psychological MedOps experiment<br />WinSCAT (Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool). [This is a time-constrained<br />test of cognitive abilities that is routinely performed by astronauts aboard<br />the ISS every 30 days before or after the PHS test or on special CDR's,<br />crewmember's or flight surgeon's request.]<br /><br />Budarin conducted his daily routine checkup (and watering as required) of<br />the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2") plant growth experiment.<br /><br />Nikolai also checked up on the MO-21 "Ecosfera" air sampler and incubation<br />equipment, monitoring colony growths for atmospheric microbial analysis.<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 />Don Pettit took two ppCO2 (carbon dioxide partial pressure) readings with<br />the CDMK (CO2 monitoring kit) in the SM and Lab, one in the morning, one in<br />the evening. [These samplings are in support of an activity to resolve<br />discrepancies between ppCO2 readings in the SM by the SM gas analyzer and in<br />the USOS (U.S. segment) by the MCA (major constituents analyzer).]<br /><br />Pettit also conducted the periodic inspection of the RED (resistive exercise<br />device), including retightening of its bolts (if required).<br /><br />Budarin completed the daily routine maintenance of the SOSh life support<br />system in the SM, while Bowersox did the Lab payload status checkup and the<br />preparation of the daily IMS (inventory management system) delta file for<br />auto export. The inventory update, requested by MCC-M radiogram, was based<br />on equipment transfers performed last week.<br /><br />All crewmembers conducted their regular daily physical exercise regimen, on<br />TVIS treadmill, CEVIS cycle and VELO bike with load trainer.<br /><br />Yesterday, C&C-1 MDM (command and control multiplexer/demultiplexer #1)<br />experienced a failure to "diagnostic" state. The computer was reinitialized<br />and is currently operating nominally in "standby" state. C&C-2 isin<br />"primary" state and C&C-3in "backup" state; both are operating nominally.<br />[Initial data dumps have revealed that this was due to a known software<br />condition called an "ADA exception". The dumps are being analyzed to<br />determine what specifically caused this failure.]<br /><br />To familiarize the crew with the upcoming software upgrade of the onboard<br />C&C, GNC (guidance, navigation and control) and INT (internal) MDMs as well<br />as PCS (portable computer system) computers with the next-revision software,<br />a detailed step-up plan was uplinked. [After a Russian software patch (5.04)<br />has rendered the SM compatible with Revision 3 (R3) C&W (caution and<br />warning) events, the uploads of the U.S. computers will take place between<br />2/6 and 2/12. A second Russian patch (7.01) will then be uploaded by MCC-M<br />into the SM Central Computer (TsVM) and Terminal Computer (TVM) systems. The<br />uplink process has been tested in three dry-runs, one formal test, and one<br />MCT (mission config test). The plan uses a 24-hour check-out procedure after<br />loading the backup MDMs before transitioning them to Primary; this will then<br />be followed by a 24-hour check-out period on the Primary MDMs before loading<br />the remaining MDMs).]<br /><br />Today's targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were Rangoon,<br />Burma (a touch left of nadir; ESC [electronic still camera]), Irrawaddy<br />River Delta, Burma (ideal near-nadir sun glint opportunity to capture detail<br />of waterways in the delta, where coastlines are shifting all the time),<br />Nairobi, Kenya (nadir pass; ESC), Patagonian Glaciers (the crew's recent<br />success in getting glacier tongues from the cloudy west side of the southern<br />Andes encouraged the ground team to ask for more during this slightly less<br />cloudy periodon the west side), and Bogotá, Colombia (a touch right of<br />track; ESC).<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 2:00pm EST).<br /><br />Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):<br />Elektron O2 generator is powered On (32 Amp mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is<br />On. U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is On. TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem)<br />is operating. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is operating. BMP Harmful<br />Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode. RS<br />air conditioner SKV-1 is Off; SKV-2 is Off.<br /><br />SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 753; temperature (deg C) -- 25.4;<br />ppO2 (mmHg) -- 160.5; 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) -- 22.0.<br />Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742.62; temperature (deg C) -- 22.5 (shell); ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.<br />U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 745.02; temperature (deg C) -- 22.7; ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a;<br />Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 745.02; temperature (deg<br />C) -- 20.7; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 21.1, ppO2 (mmHg) -- 164.4; ppCO2<br />(mmHg) -- 6.1.<br />PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.6<br />PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 17.2<br />(n/a = data not available)<br /><br />Propulsion System (PS): Total propellant load available [SM(820) + FGB(2898)<br />+ Progress(0)] -- 3718 kg (8197 lb) as of 1/30/03. (Capability: SM -- 860<br />kg; FGB -- 6120 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); all other batteries (7) are<br />in "Partial Charge" mode.<br />FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off line; battery #2 is in "Cycle" mode; all<br />other batteries (4) are in "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-2 MDM is prime, C&C-3 is back-up, and C&C-1 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 />out of the set (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 (GPS)<br />Attitude -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)<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/TA (thruster assist) momentum management).<br />Solar Beta Angle: 1.7 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, but VTR1 is off.<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, 6:23am EST [= epoch]):<br />Mean altitude -- 387.0 km<br />Apogee -- 390.8 km<br />Perigee -- 383.1 km<br />Period -- 92.30 min.<br />Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.64 deg<br />Eccentricity -- 0.0005689<br />Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.60<br />Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 200 m<br />Solar Beta Angle -- 1.7 deg (magnitude decreasing)<br />Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 24014<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