ISS On-Orbit Status, 18-07-2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 18 Jul 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below. Day 85 in space for the Increment 7 crew.

CDR Yuri Malenchenko performed the scheduled search for the missing cables
and T-connector for the Regul-OS antenna feeder unit (AFU) connection to the
antenna feed in the SM. The search for the cables and WE1 coupler was video
recorded for the ground. [The Regul equipment is being run in its old
configuration until the system can be upgraded.]

For FE/SO Ed Lu, it was another day with the MSG (Microgravity Science
Glovebox) and the installed CSLM-2 (Coarsening in Solid/Liquid Mixtures-2)
payload.. After activation of the rack, two vacuum vent tests with the
Lab's VES (vacuum exhaust system) were to be conducted on the MSG, which
subsequently was to be powered down again. [This was the first time a
payload used the VES, and the test was intended to verify that there are no
leaks in the MSG vent lines or in the CSLM-2 vacuum hose QDs (quick
disconnects) before long duration venting of the CSLM-2 sample chamber
begins. This activity required the use of the MSG conditioner box, to allow
a pressure decay test. The first part of the procedure checks for leaks
between the MSG Vent QD and the shutoff valve, the second part connects the
CSLM-2 vacuum hose and checked its leak tightness. Ed was to record several
millivolt readings for both parts and call them down to the ground for
evaluation.]

Ed Lu performed another weekly ppCO2 (carbon dioxide partial pressure) data
take from the new CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion products)
brought up on 11P. (Last time done: 7/11). [CSA-CP is a toxicology
monitoring device for early CO detection/warning and post-fire
decontamination. It also checks for hydrogen chloride (HCl) and other
combustion products and contaminants. Data takes are regularly collected
for downlink.] . Yuri Malenchenko completed the periodic functional closure
test of the Vozdukh CO2 removal system's emergency vacuum valves (AVK, last
time done: 6/23). [The AVKs are critical because they close the Vozdukh's
vacuum access lines in the event of a malfunction in the regular vacuum
valves (BVK) or a depressurization in the Vozdukh valve panel (BOA). Access
to vacuum is required to vent carbon dioxide during the regeneration of the
absorbent cartridges (PP). During nominal operation, the AVK valves remain
open.]

Yuri also started another regeneration cycle on the BMP harmful impurities
filtration system in the Service Module (SM), today switching absorbent bed
#1 to Regeneration mode. [The "bakeout" cycle in the filter beds is
repeated every 20 days. Each bakeout of the two filter beds to space vacuum
takes about 24 hours.]

Ed Lu transferred data files from the physical exercise equipment (TVIS and
RED) to the MEC (medical equipment computer) via memory card and RED log
entries, for downlink on OCA comm.

Later, he also performed the periodic transfer of accumulated data files
from the wrist-band HRM (heart rate monitor) receiver stations to the MEC
for downlink, then deleted them on the HRM.

Ed was scheduled to start a new round of troubleshooting on the failed
EMU/spacesuit (#3013), using the newly developed and uplinked procedure.
[By draining and filling the EMU backpack's water tanks, it is believed that
the postulated gas bubble in the tanks can be eliminated and with it the
coolant stoppage.]

On the operational PCS (portable computer system) laptops in the station, Ed
performed the regular once-a-week maintenance reboot.

MCC-H reported that the crew's work on the File Server (FS) transition to
the NGL (next generation laptop) and the SSC (station support computer)
laptop reloads were successful, restoring all functionality. This amounts
to a new LAN (local area network) for the USOS. [The crew commented
favorably on the magnitude of thespeed increasefor applications that access
the FS (the NGL, an IBM ThinkPad A31p, uses a Pentium IV/2 GHz
microprocessor). More NGLs are in the pipeline and they will be brought up
as soon as possible.]

The CDR conducted the daily routine maintenance of SOZh life support systems
(including toilet facility, food containers, water containers and solid
waste containers) and the preparation of the daily IMS (inventory management
system) update file, while the Science Officer attended to the regular
routine checkup of Increment 7 payloads running in the Lab.

Malenchenko had his weekly tag-up with IMS (inventory management system)
specialists at MCC-Moscow/TsUP. The continuing issue is to maintain the
timely update of the IMS database to reflect the real stowage situation on
board.

Yuri also performed his regular daily inspection of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2
("Plants-2") experiment which researches growth and development of plants
under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-2 greenhouse. [The experimental
seeds of two types of peas (a flagellate variety with reds flowers, up to 27
cm high, and an acacia-leaf variety with white flowers ,up to 20 cm high)
are planted between wicks in a root tray, with environmental control powered
on. Regular daily maintenance of the experiment involves monitoring of
seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if
necessary, and photo/video recording.]

The crew was thanked for their successful workon the Plug-in Plan (PiP)
audit on 7/14. [The information they called down was very helpful in
improving the ground's understanding of the onboard configuration, and
specialists are busy working onthe hardware labeling discrepancies which the
audit surfaced. A few follow-on questions were uplinked for this purpose.]

Today's CEO (crew earth observation) targets, no longer limited in the
current LVLH attitude and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark
200-year memorial locations, were Congo basin (Dynamic event. Weather
"remarkably clear". The crew was advised to take images looking left toward
the sunglint disc to show river patterns of the Congo River and its
tributaries), Congo-Zimbabwe Biomass Burning (ideal visibility for fires and
smoke plumes. ISS passed over Zambia's "Copper Belt" towns at nadir),
Angolan Biomass Burning (cloud structures offshore of the Namib Desert show
interesting linear shear lines. These could relate to daily wind fields
that are under active research. Crew trying oblique views left of track
towards the coast. Cloud masses related to these daily wind shifts are
poorly understood), Industrialized SE Africa (major "Santa Ana" wind event
taking place along the south coast of South Africa. Temperatures have
warmed locally to 80 deg in the middle of winter. Looking for fires with
smoke plumes blowing offshore. Otherwise, obliques left and right of the
Cape Mountain belt should have been spectacular), Lower Amazon River Basin
(looking left for detailed views of the shoreline and islands of the Amazon
River estuary), and Paraguay River basin, Paraguay (Dynamic event. Very
clear skies. Suggested sunglint images left of track to characterize
drainage patterns. ISS/CEO images of the major Beni River, southern
Bolivia, taken in the last couple of weeks, show major changes of river
pattern, in a 40-mile long stretch, compared with maps made from 30-year-old
data). 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/

ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 6:32am EDT [= epoch]): Mean altitude --
386.1 km Apogee -- 391.8 km Perigee -- 380.4 km Period -- 92.28 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg Eccentricity -- 0.0008438 Orbits per
24-hr. day -- 15.60 Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 60 m Revolutions
since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 26588 For more on ISS orbit and
worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html



--
----

Jacques :-)

Editor: www.spacepatches.info

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

"Greg D. Moore \(Strider\)" wrote in news:kRhSa.149620
:


"Agent Blue" wrote in message
...
"Jacques van Oene" wrote in
:

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

Why do they always start these things with that same stupid line?

"Everything is fine, unless it's not."

What idiot came up with that?

The one who was concerned with the alternative.

"Hmm, I wonder what isn't working that they DIDN'T list!"

This makes it clear the list is inclusive, not partial.

What list? No list is referenced.