ISS On-Orbit Status, 07-05-2004

ISS On-Orbit Status 7 May 2004

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted
previously or below. Today in 1610 (394 years ago), Galileo discovered the
"Galilean" moons of Jupiter --- Io, Europa and Ganymede.

"Telephone and Telegraph Day" on board (it's also Russia's Communications
Workers Day): The crew performed a major 3-hr. routine maintenance job on
the RS (Russian segment)'s STTS telephone/telegraph subsystem, including its
audio paths and intercom stations. As part of the activity, conducted every
6 months, CDR Gennady Padalka and FE/SO Michael Fincke also tested VHF
receivers, conducted an inventory audit of headsets and cables with
push-to-talk units, and finally returned the STTS to its nominal config for
report to MCC-M. [The "Voskhod-M" STTS enables telephone communications
between the Service Module (SM), FGB, Docking Compartment (DC-1) and U.S.
segment (USOS), and also with users on the ground over VHF channels selected
by an operator at an SM comm panel, via STTS antennas on the SM's outside.
There are six comm panels in the SM with pushbuttons for accessing any of
three audio channels, plus an intercom channel. Other modes of the STTS
include telegraphy (teletype), EVA voice, emergency alarms, Packet/Email,
and TORU docking support. Last time done: 11/3/03.]

Mike Fincke completed the periodic one-hour inspection of emergency lighting
power sources (ELPS) in the Node. [There are three ELPSs in "Unity", two
in the Lab, and one ELPS in the Airlock.]

In the "Quest" Airlock (A/L), Fincke terminated the regeneration process on
the first two Metox (metal oxide) carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorbent canisters
started yesterday (#7, #15). [Regeneration of the two remaining cans, #19
& #21, commences tomorrow.]

The FE also was scheduled to terminate the recharging of the first badge of
EMU NiMH batteries (if all has gone well with the deeply discharged NiMHs),
reconfigure the controlling SSC laptop and start the BSA (battery stowage
assembly) discharge cycle on them, which takes twice as long as the
charging. Afterwards, the SSC (station support computer) was to be
reconfigured to nominal ops. [Work on this first of two sets will continue
through 5/11, with the second round beginning on 5/12 to run through 5/17.]

Fincke took the regular periodic reading of the cabin air's current CO2
partial pressure (ppCO2) in the SM, Lab, and A/L using the U.S. CDMK (CO2
monitor kit) for calldown to MCC-Houston (along with the battery status) for
use in trending analyses. [During Metox regeneration in the A/L, the
estimated CO2 influx into the atmosphere is 3 lbs, a very small amount that
is not expected to raise CO2 level high enough to endanger the crew or break
any flight rule limits (which would require the crew to leave A/L if its
ppCO2 content exceeds 10 mmHg).]

Working at the SM Central Post (TsP), Gennady ran a performance checkout on
the Russian Laptop 1 (LT1), with the help of the two TsP computers (KTsP-1 &
KTsP-2), and LT's 2 and 3. [Laptop 1 is the former U.S. SSC2 (#6075), an
IBM ThinkPad 760XD, working now with KTsP-1.]

Systems monitoring of the Soyuz TMA-4 crew return vehicle (CRV) continues.
Twice today, the CDR took routine spacecraft parameter readings (Form 03) in
the vehicle for calldown to TsUP/Moscow.

Mike Fincke conducted the daily leak check of the Lab window's inter-pane
space ("Volume D"), using the "Aeolus" scopemeter with pressure probe.
[Background & Update: Past readings, dating back to March, have found a
steady leak rate of ~27 Torr (0.52 psi) per day from the cabin into Volume
D. The current pressure checks will continue until 5/21, after which Fincke
is to perform leak checks on the pressure test equipment itself, followed by
a detailed ULD (ultrasound leak detector) window inspection (to determine if
the tiny leaks found previously with the ULD are venting to Volume D or
possibly directly to space). Next will be a fit check of the new protective
box coming up on Progress 14P over window ports C & D, and finally
installation of the new U-jumper flexhose and protective shield, plus any
procedure developed meanwhile for fixing the pinhole leaks.]

The crew completed their daily 2.5-hr. physical exercise program on TVIS,
RED exerciser and VELO cycle with load trainer. [Engineers continue to
investigate the crew-reported problems with the TVIS control panel (resets
to zero in motorized mode). While diagnostics is underway, Mike and Gennady
are using the treadmill in passive mode, but with VIS (vibration isolation
system) active.]

Both crewmembers, after their TVIS use, performed the weekly maintenance on
the treadmill, with inspection of its wire ropes (dampers) for signs of
fraying.

Padalka completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM's SOZh life
support system and prepared the daily inventory "delta" file for updating
the IMS (inventory management system) database, while Fincke conducted the
regular routine checkup of autonomous Increment 9 payloads.

Both crewmembers again had about 30 min. each for general station
familiarization and acclimatization, as is standard daily rule for the first
two weeks after starting station residency.

At 10:50am EDT, the crew supported a taped PAO TV event, with Mike Fincke
downlinking greetings to a commencement ceremony at the University of North
Dakota in Grand Forks on 5/15.

Update on Unscheduled EVA: Preparations continue per schedule milestones in
yesterday's (5/6) status report. After the 5/10 NBL underwater sim, the
5/19 dry run, the 5/21 SSRMS robotics ops, and subsequent procedural
discussions with the crew, the final timeline will be uplinked on 6/8 for
crew review, two days before the EVA. An EMU spacewalk on 6/10 (may be as
late as 6/16) will probably have to be performed without OBS (operational
biomedical instrumentation system), i.e., without getting the crewmember's
heart rate and ECG (electrocardiogram) trace during the spacewalk. This is
permissible by flight rule as long as pre-EVA medical checks of the crew are
successful. The OBS hardware currently on board cannot be tested to verify
if its current-limiting capability is still active (to prevent electrical
shocks). Appropriately ground-verified OBS units could be manifested on
Progress 14P if Russian medical specialists consider biomedical insight
during the EVA a necessity.

Today's CEO targets, in the current LVLH attitude no longer limited by
flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, except
for the shutter closure and condensation-prevention plan (limited to 90 min.
in 24 hours), were Salamat Basin Fans, Chad (general views of this unusual
region were requested, mainly right of track. The Salamat rivers are highly
mobile [as are all fan rivers] and sometimes drain into the Chad basin [as
today] and sometimes into the Congo basin. Unraveling the detail of this
flat, large region is best done from low Earth orbit. Prior river courses
are easy to map from photographs [impossible to do from existing maps]),
Johannesburg, South Africa (nadir pass over the center of the Wi****ersrand.
The scattered white angular patches, known locally as "mine dumps," are the
spoil heaps from 120 years of gold mining), Pinacates Biosphere, Sonora,
Mexico (the unusual vegetation associations in this lava field are of great
interest, and may be best mapped remotely. The lava field lies close to the
Gulf of California coastline, and is recognizable for its black color in the
generally light yellow desert landscape of northernmost Mexico), Lima, Peru
(looking a touch left for the urban region of Lima and Callao, its port
city. The center of Lima is about ten km inland and is the main object of
interest), and Tuamotu Archipelago (ISS passed along the axis of this double
line of atolls. There was opportunity between popcorn cumuli to see many,
for detailed mapping of surrounding reefs).

CEO images can be viewed at the websites.


http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

See also the website "Space Station Challenge" at


http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of today, 12:44pm EDT).

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):

Elektron O2 generator is On. Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On. U.S. CDRA CO2
scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating.
SM Gas Analyzer has been calibrated and is used for ppO2 & ppCO2 monitoring.
MCA (major constituents analyzer) is in Life Extending Mode (LEM). 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 panel mods completed
4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20). SFOG slot#2 fan suspect (not usable).


SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) --
25.4; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 153.7; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 2.2;
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --
20.7.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756; temperature (deg C) -- 22.0.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 744.52; temperature (deg C) -- 22.2 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 746.64; temperature (deg C) -- 24.6; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 746.94; temperature (deg
C) -- 18.5; shell heater temp (deg C) -- n/a, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2
(mmHg) -- n/a.


(n/a = data not available)


PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- n/a
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- n/a.

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B
both in Directed position (blind, dual-angle mode with "night glider"/"sun
slicer" drag reduction sweep, non solar-tracking).
SM batteries: Battery #6 is off line; battery #4 is in Cycle mode (RTs);
all other batteries (6) are in "Partial Charge" mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off-line (capacity restoration mode, ROM); all
other batteries (5) are in "Partial Charge" mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 is in Standby mode; PCU-2 is in Standby mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is backup, and C&C-3 is in standby.
GNC-2 MDM is prime; GNC-1 is backup.
INT-2 is operating; INT-1 is Off.
EXT-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 is Off.
LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
PL-1 MDM is Off; PL-2 MDM is Operational.
APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string 1
dropped out 11/22/03).
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string #3
dropped out 10/22/03).
FGB MDM-1 is Off (failed, 11/21/03); MDM-2 is Operational.

Propulsion System:

Total propellant load available: 3725 (8212 lb) as of 5/5/04; [SM(693) +
FGB(2373) + Progress M-1(659)]. (Capability: SM -- 860 kg; FGB -- 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

2 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2's RPC-17 failed 4/21/04).
State vector source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Angular rate source -- RGA-1

Flight Attitude:

LVLH YVV (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local
vertical, y-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -90 deg, pitch: -9 deg, roll: 1.7
deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.

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 (may require a mask).
Audio subsystem is operating nominally (IAC-1 is prime, IAC-2 is off).
Video subsystem operating nominally.
HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.

Robotics:

SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at Lab PDGF/LEE A, operational on redundant string,
off on prime.
MBS: KA (keep alive) power on both strings.
MT: latched and mated at WS4.
POA: KA power on both strings.
RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is On (DCP connected); Cupola RWS is
Off.

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 8:34am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 361.0 km
Apogee -- 368.3 km
Perigee -- 353.6 km
Period -- 91.76 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0010972
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.69
Mean altitude loss last 24 hours -- 95 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 31193

For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times,
see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html



--
---------------------------

Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted
previously or below. Today in 1610 (394 years ago), Galileo discovered the
"Galilean" moons of Jupiter --- Io, Europa and Ganymede.

"Telephone and Telegraph Day" on board (it's also Russia's Communications
Workers Day): The crew performed a major 3-hr. routine maintenance job on
the RS (Russian segment)'s STTS telephone/telegraph subsystem, including its
audio paths and intercom stations. As part of the activity, conducted every
6 months, CDR Gennady Padalka and FE/SO Michael Fincke also tested VHF
receivers, conducted an inventory audit of headsets and cables with
push-to-talk units, and finally returned the STTS to its nominal config for
report to MCC-M. [The "Voskhod-M" STTS enables telephone communications
between the Service Module (SM), FGB, Docking Compartment (DC-1) and U.S.
segment (USOS), and also with users on the ground over VHF channels selected
by an operator at an SM comm panel, via STTS antennas on the SM's outside.
There are six comm panels in the SM with pushbuttons for accessing any of
three audio channels, plus an intercom channel. Other modes of the STTS
include telegraphy (teletype), EVA voice, emergency alarms, Packet/Email,
and TORU docking support. Last time done: 11/3/03.]

Mike Fincke completed the periodic one-hour inspection of emergency lighting
power sources (ELPS) in the Node. [There are three ELPSs in "Unity", two
in the Lab, and one ELPS in the Airlock.]

In the "Quest" Airlock (A/L), Fincke terminated the regeneration process on
the first two Metox (metal oxide) carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorbent canisters
started yesterday (#7, #15). [Regeneration of the two remaining cans, #19
& #21, commences tomorrow.]

The FE also was scheduled to terminate the recharging of the first badge of
EMU NiMH batteries (if all has gone well with the deeply discharged NiMHs),
reconfigure the controlling SSC laptop and start the BSA (battery stowage
assembly) discharge cycle on them, which takes twice as long as the
charging. Afterwards, the SSC (station support computer) was to be
reconfigured to nominal ops. [Work on this first of two sets will continue
through 5/11, with the second round beginning on 5/12 to run through 5/17.]

Fincke took the regular periodic reading of the cabin air's current CO2
partial pressure (ppCO2) in the SM, Lab, and A/L using the U.S. CDMK (CO2
monitor kit) for calldown to MCC-Houston (along with the battery status) for
use in trending analyses. [During Metox regeneration in the A/L, the
estimated CO2 influx into the atmosphere is 3 lbs, a very small amount that
is not expected to raise CO2 level high enough to endanger the crew or break
any flight rule limits (which would require the crew to leave A/L if its
ppCO2 content exceeds 10 mmHg).]

Working at the SM Central Post (TsP), Gennady ran a performance checkout on
the Russian Laptop 1 (LT1), with the help of the two TsP computers (KTsP-1 &
KTsP-2), and LT's 2 and 3. [Laptop 1 is the former U.S. SSC2 (#6075), an
IBM ThinkPad 760XD, working now with KTsP-1.]

Systems monitoring of the Soyuz TMA-4 crew return vehicle (CRV) continues.
Twice today, the CDR took routine spacecraft parameter readings (Form 03) in
the vehicle for calldown to TsUP/Moscow.

Mike Fincke conducted the daily leak check of the Lab window's inter-pane
space ("Volume D"), using the "Aeolus" scopemeter with pressure probe.
[Background & Update: Past readings, dating back to March, have found a
steady leak rate of ~27 Torr (0.52 psi) per day from the cabin into Volume
D. The current pressure checks will continue until 5/21, after which Fincke
is to perform leak checks on the pressure test equipment itself, followed by
a detailed ULD (ultrasound leak detector) window inspection (to determine if
the tiny leaks found previously with the ULD are venting to Volume D or
possibly directly to space). Next will be a fit check of the new protective
box coming up on Progress 14P over window ports C & D, and finally

Ahh not much science here. Full time job just lkeeping the starion running
HAVE A GREAT DAY!

(bob haller) wrote:
Ahh not much science here. Full time job just lkeeping the starion running

Ahh... Not much reading comprehension here, or deliberate ignorance.
(With you it's hard to tell the difference.)

If you read *all* the reports, you do see science being done. Not as
much as could be done, but that surprises no one with the wit to
relaize that the station is incomplete and running with a skeleton
crew.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

Ahh... Not much reading comprehension here, or deliberate ignorance.
(With you it's hard to tell the difference.)

I merely pointed out THIS report was all housekeeping activities. I DO realize
a limited amount of science does occur,.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!

bob haller wrote:
Ahh not much science here. Full time job just lkeeping the starion running
HAVE A GREAT DAY!


But that is science. And it is far more productive than watching crystals
grow. It is all about learning how systems performs in space (electronics
etc), what sort of maintenance can and cannot be done, how it can be done etc.
It is about learning to live not only in 0 g, but in isolation for extended
periods of time with limited uplift (expecially now that shuttle is grounded).


It is that experience that will allow humankind to build ships and train crews
to go on extended journeys. It may not be rocket science, but every small
experience in fixing stuff help builds knowledge of how to work in space.

Soldering electronics, knowing how to organise a workspace when you
disassemble stuff (how to deal with screws for instance) is stuff that is very
valuable for humankind in the future. It may not cure cancer, but there are
very important baby steps, especially for NASA whose astronauts had always
been told they couldn't fix stuff in space, while the Russians have always had
to fix their stuff in space.

bob haller wrote:
I merely pointed out THIS report was all housekeeping activities. I DO realize
a limited amount of science does occur,.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!

It is funny that Foale had some experiment to study air bubbles in a
container. Meanwhile, the russians have been doing experiemnts on this via the
Elektron oxygen generator which fails due to formation of bubbles.

Who will find the solution ? The guys who do an experiment to watch a bubble
in a glass once, or the guys who try various solutions to the bubble problem
in Elektron ?

Ideally, they should have built Elektron out of glass so they could see what
happens inside.

rk wrote:
OK, I missed it, who told them "they couldn't fix stuff in space" and when?

Most of the stuff was designed to be *replaced* in space, not fixed. I
remember hearing Petit on Space-to-Ground discussing with ground controllers
the issue of trying to fix the broken coolant pump. He was convinced he could
take it apart, ground said that it had not been designed to be "field
serviceable". He eventually got permission to try.

(bob haller) wrote:

Ahh... Not much reading comprehension here, or deliberate ignorance.
(With you it's hard to tell the difference.)

I merely pointed out THIS report was all housekeeping activities.

Sadly, that's not what you did.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

John Doe wrote:

It is funny that Foale had some experiment to study air bubbles in a
container. Meanwhile, the russians have been doing experiemnts on this via the
Elektron oxygen generator which fails due to formation of bubbles.

Who will find the solution ? The guys who do an experiment to watch a bubble
in a glass once, or the guys who try various solutions to the bubble problem
in Elektron ?

Who knows? Maybe the Russians find a specific solution to their
specific problem. Maybe the PI for Foale's experiment finds a general
solution that leads to a specific fix for Elektron.

There is no predicting in advance.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

(bob haller) writes:

Ahh not much science here. Full time job just lkeeping the starion running

You're stating the obvious. It was known that a three man ISS crew
does little science. A two man crew spends the vast majority of its
time keeping the station running.

Jeff
--
Remove "no" and "spam" from email address to reply.
If it says "This is not spam!", it's surely a lie.