ISS On-Orbit Status, 11-11-2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 11 Nov 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below.

FE Alexander Kaleri continued the latest maintenance cycle on the Russian
segment (RS) ventilation system, today cleaning the protective panel vent
grilles of the FGB air ventilation system. He also changed out the FGB's
two dust filters (PF1 & PF2).

CDR/SO Michael Foale conducted the first Increment 8 thirty-day
functionality ("health") test of the HRF GASMAP (Human Research Facility/Gas
Analyzer System for Metabolic Analysis Physiology). Last time done: 10/7.
[After unstowing, cabling and powering up the equipment, Ed let it run for 2
hrs. in standby mode to warm up, then performed a health check and
reconfigured the system for a 2-3-hr. low power rundown prior to shutdown.
Afterwards, the GASMAP was deactivated, disconnected and stowed again. The
checkout used PuFF software along with GASMAP, in order to provide data for
the ISS Environment Monitoring folks at MCC.]

Both crewmembers in turn took the periodic on-orbit hearing assessment
(O-OHA) test, a NASA EHS (environmental health systems) examination to
assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures. [The O-OHA test involves
minimum audibility measurements for each ear over a wide range of
frequencies and sound pressure levels, with the crewmembers using
individual-specific Prophonics earphones, Bose ANC headsets and the SLM
(sound level meter). To conduct the testing, the experimenter is supported
by special "EarQ" software on the MEC (medical equipment computer). The
baseline test is required for about Flight Day 14 for each new Expedition
and is then performed once per month. Last time done: 10/8.]

Mike Foale engaged in a teleconference with TsUP/Moscow specialists to
discuss the performance of the LDI-11 laser range finder during the recent
approach & docking of Soyuz TMA-3 on 10/20. [Typical questions asked by the
ground during Orbit 28400 were, What was the condition of the blister window
in the Orbital Module during the flight and range-finding? Was there any
local fogging on the internal surface or between the panes? How well could
you see USOS lights in sunset? How well could you see USOS lights and
illuminated SM test area in the eclipse? Etc.]

The CDR conducted the regular weekly TVIS treadmill inspection, including
its wire ropes. The scheduled RED (resistive exercise device) inspection
was postponed to 11/14 (tentatively), in order to accommodate a task
concerning checkingdefibrillator battery voltage

In continuation of an activity started by Foale last week (11/6), he
conducted a checkup of the defibrillator battery charge, by measuring open
circuit voltage of battery #1007. [This measurement is required for the
ground to verify that the required two "good" batteries for the
defibrillator are in place after they normalizefrom charging.]

Both crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise program (2.5 hrs.)
on TVIS treadmill, CEVIS cycle ergometer, and RED anaerobic exerciser.

TVIS exercise data files were downloaded by Alex Kaleri to the MEC (medical
equipment computer), as its standard procedure whenever more than four
sessions have been performed since last.

After Expedition 7 crewmembers provided some search locations, the Increment
8 crew was able to locate the "lost" RED canisters that are to be installed.
The canister swap has been rescheduled for tomorrow (11/12).

Foale transferred and rearranged resupply items for the HRF FOOT (Human
Research Facility -- foot/ground reaction forces during space flight)
experiment from the E318 FOOT kit into other kits for ease of use during
experiment operations.

Sasha Kaleri performed the regular weekly inspection of the BRPK
air/condensate separator of the SRV-K water processing system, performed the
daily routine maintenance of the SOZh life support system (including ASU
toilet facilities) and also readied the IMS inventory system for the daily
automated export/import of updates.

The Flight Engineer called down the "ad hoc" O2 partial pressure of the
cabin air. [O2 data for trending analyses by the ground are collected daily
by the crew with the U.S. CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion
products).]

Sasha also took weekly CO2 readings with the CDMK (carbon dioxide monitoring
kit) and called down data and CDMK battery status.

Mike Foale set up the video equipment for recording today's EPO (Educational
Payload Operations) activity, which consisted of a demonstration of Newton's
Laws with EVA tools and flight features. Video and voice of the block demo
were downlinked in real time via Ku- and S-band for later use in educational
products.

The CDR also conducted a checkout of the SPHERES BBT (Synchronized Position
Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites -- Beacon and Beacon
Tester), including documentary recording with the Lab camcorder video setup.
For equipment checkout, Mike used the BBT to check the infrared and
ultrasound environment.

Foale today worked on the hard drive repair for the SAMS (space acceleration
measurement system), whose ICU (interim control unit) laptop did not
properly boot up after it locked up on 10/24. This activity had been
postponed from the original scheduled date of 11/4 because of the
longer-than-expected PMA-2 stowage transfers. [Planned for today were
partition repair on the laptop's HDD (hard disk drive) and cleaning of the
SAMS filter. Today's procedure was separated into two parts because the
unattended portion of partition repair may take a while.] FE Kaleri
replace an emergency gas mask in the SM, swapping IPK-1 #3 with #4 from FGB
stowage. IPK-1 #3 was stowed and its location entered in the IMS.

TsUP/Moscow was today scheduled to conduct the regular periodic FGB solar
array efficiency test (last time done: 4/3/03). [The periodic Russian
efficiency testing keeps track of the energy-output performance of the
photovoltaics over time under the degrading effects of the space environment
(mostly from ultraviolet radiation and atomic oxygen). Since the test
requires the full power output of the solar arrays and the FGB itself does
not have sufficient loads for drawing it, the U.S. side today increased
loads on U.S. RACUs (Russian-to-American converter units) up to 1200 W,
increasing and decreasing in steps of ~200 W each two minutes.]

The crew reported that three of seven stem adaptors identified in this
weekend's procedures for the Renal Stone experiment were broken. These
adaptors attach to the UCDs (urine containment devices) to facilitate Renal
Stone operations. The collection activities scheduled over the weekend were
completed. [This is not considered a threat to the activities during the
rest of the Increment, as there are many other adaptors on board.]
Yesterday's PAO with veteran Skylab crewmembers was very successful. The
veteran astronauts, who were assembled at MSFC to commemorate the 30th
anniversary of the launch of the last Skylab mission, asked many question of
the ISS crew.

The PCS (portable computer system) laptop in the Joint Airlock (A/L) failed
over the weekend. The crew swapped out the hard drive in the A/L PCS with
the last spare on board. Additional on-board spare drives will be updated
with current PCS software in the near term.

The Russia Services Group (RSG) has requested a one-hour time slot any day
this week to perform testing of the replacement mission router PC at
TsUP/Moscow. The primary router failed on 11/7, and the backup router was
brought on line.The failed router has been replaced and needs to be tested
to verify operability. [When switching from one router to the other during
the test period (i.e., from the new prime router to the backup routerto
allow testing of the new one, thenback to the new prime after thetest),
there will be an interruption of mission data services.]

Today's CEO (crew earth observation) targets, limited in the current XPOP
attitude by flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science
window, and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark 200-year memorial
locations, were Industrialized SE Africa haze (looking right for views along
the sub-continental escarpment, with different smog/smoke concentrations on
the higher plateau versus the lower coastal plain), Lower Amazon River Basin
(nadir pass over the Amazon estuary. Looking left and right for detailed
views), Mamore River, N Bolivia (Dynamic event. Looking left into the
sun-glint disc to document present positions of this major river on its
floodplain. Scattered evidence from ISS-7 shows significant changes in the
positions of meanders occurred in less than 15 years [published on NASA's
"Earth Observatory" website on 14 June, 2003]. This unexpectedly fast rate
of change suggests more thorough documentation of the Mamore River is called
for. Glint views reveal high levels of detail), Patagonian glaciers (views
of glacier tongues on both sides of the Andes are available on this pass
over the northern ice field. Smaller glacier tongues are requested.
Detailed handheld images have even revealed crevasse patterns. Crevasse
patterns indicate the style of ice flow in glaciers, most of which are
believed to be moving more rapidly now than in the prior tens of thousands
of years), and Patagonian Glaciers (second opportunity. Views on the less
cloudy, desert side of the Andes are available).

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/



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

Jacques :-)

Editor: www.spacepatches.info

Jacques van Oene wrote:
ISS On-Orbit Status 11 Nov 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below.


[snip]

Foale today worked on the hard drive repair for the SAMS (space acceleration
measurement system), whose ICU (interim control unit) laptop did not
properly boot up after it locked up on 10/24. This activity had been
postponed from the original scheduled date of 11/4 because of the
longer-than-expected PMA-2 stowage transfers. [Planned for today were
partition repair on the laptop's HDD (hard disk drive) and cleaning of the
SAMS filter. Today's procedure was separated into two parts because the
unattended portion of partition repair may take a while.]


[snip]


The PCS (portable computer system) laptop in the Joint Airlock (A/L) failed
over the weekend. The crew swapped out the hard drive in the A/L PCS with
the last spare on board. Additional on-board spare drives will be updated
with current PCS software in the near term.


The Airlock PC is the one used to conduct Battery Discharges, if I'm not
mistaken.

[snip]

Also, I recall a problem with a laptop on the EarthKAMS experiment.

Doesn't it seem like PC's are failing at a higher rate onorbit? Maybe
too many Cosmic Rays? Will Houston be calling Redmond for tech support?

Hmmm...

stmx3 wrote in
:

Jacques van Oene wrote:
ISS On-Orbit Status 11 Nov 2003

The PCS (portable computer system) laptop in the Joint Airlock (A/L)
failed over the weekend. The crew swapped out the hard drive in the
A/L PCS with the last spare on board. Additional on-board spare
drives will be updated with current PCS software in the near term.

Doesn't it seem like PC's are failing at a higher rate onorbit? Maybe
too many Cosmic Rays? Will Houston be calling Redmond for tech
support?

More likely IBM or Sun. These sound like hardware problems, and the PCS
laptops run Solaris, not Windows.

--
JRF

Reply-to address spam-proofed - to reply by E-mail,
check "Organization" (I am not assimilated) and
think one step ahead of IBM.

Doesn't it seem like PC's are failing at a higher rate onorbit? Maybe
too many Cosmic Rays?

Given how many PC's are on the station, and that they've been there
for up to 6 years, I'm not sure I'd jump to the conclusion that the
failure rate is high. It might be, but I don't think we have enough
info to conclude that.

In addition to cosmic rays, there is the issue of airflow (that is,
the lack of convection).