ISS On-Orbit Status, 09-04-2004

ISS On-Orbit Status 9 Apr 2004

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

FE Alexander Kaleri concluded Part 3 of his current MBI-8 Profilaktika
("countermeasures") fitness test series, first with the usual blood tests
(to determine lactate and creatine kinase levels in the blood with the
AccuSport equipment), then by a physical exercise session on the TVIS
treadmill, supported by tagup with a ground specialist. CDR Foale was
available to assist as CMO (crew medical officer) as required. (Last time
done: 3/17) [The TVIS test is identical to the MO-3 test performed on the
treadmill in idling (non-motorized) mode with free choice of speeds within
certain specified ranges (idle/walk/slow run/moderate run/fast
run/walk/recovery). In addition to the nominal test procedure, MBI-8/Part 3
calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas analyzer during the test, the blood
lactate measurements, and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels
(using the "Borg Perceived Exertion Scale", viz., 10 steps from "very. very
light" over "hard" and "very hard" to "maximum") during the test. At the end
of the creatine kinase tests, the results were logged, copied from
Cardiocassette-2000 recording to OCA for downlink, and reported to the
ground.]

Continuing the current round of monthly Russian Segment (RS) air ventilation
systems preventive maintenance, Kaleri worked one hour in the
Funktsionalnyi-Grusovoi Blok (FGB) for a cleanup of the protective mesh
screens of its central ventilation fans (TsV1 & TsV2). The fans were powered
off for the task by ground command, later turned on again. (Deferred from
3/15)

CDR/SO Michael Foale completed the fifth and final imaging session of the
BCAT-3 (Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3) experiment, photographing the sample
sequentially with the Kodak 760 digital still camera and then stowing it,
with the data stored on a PCMCIA 1GB micro drive. Afterwards, the BCAT MWA
(maintenance work area) hardware was disassembled and stowed.

The Science Officer also transferred ~8 hours worth of FOOT (Foot/Ground
Reaction Forces during Space Flight) science data from his final session on
4/7 to the HRF (human research facility) downlink list and started the
downlink process on the HRF PC. [The files were pulled down by ground
command from POIC (Payload Operations & Integration Center) over a period of
~5hrs. Afterwards, the HRF was turned off again.]

Alex Kaleri downlinked log files transferred on 4/6 to the "Wiener" power
laptop from the Russian payload computer (BSMM) and Matryoshka payload
server (BSPN). The S-band downlink was supported by tagup with a ground
specialist.

Kaleri also completed the regular task of transferring data files from the
physical exercise equipment to the MEC (medical equipment computer) via
memory card and RED log entries, for downlink on OCA comm. Afterwards, he
performed the periodic transfer of accumulated data files from the wristband
HRM (heart rate monitor) receiver stations to the MEC for downlink, then
deleting them on the HRM.

Later, when the MEC was no longer occupied, Mike Foale used it for
performing two activities on the U.S. TEPC (tissue equivalent proportional
counter), which has been having irregularities. [First, Mike checked out
all spectrometer & detector connectors of the instrument to confirm that
they are undamaged and securely mated. Then, in the evening, he initiated a
nominal data transfer to the MEC, which takes ~12 hours. The data files will
be useful in determining the integrity of the data coming down on S-band &
Ku-band via data dump commanded from the ground. They will also aid in the
continuing investigation of the current TEPC anomalies.]

The FE conducted the periodic functional open/close test of a spare
emergency vacuum valve (AVK) of the COA (atmosphere purification system)
Vozdukh carbon dioxide (CO2) removal system. He then restowed the valve
assembly behind a Service Module (SM) panel. [The AVKs are critical
because they close the Vozdukh's vacuum access lines in the event of a
malfunction of the regular vacuum valves (BVK) or a depressurization in the
Vozdukh valve panel (BOA). Access to vacuum is required to vent CO2 during
the regeneration of the absorbent cartridges (PP). During nominal operation,
the AVK valves remain open.]

Sasha Kaleri pulled the previously discarded Liquid Unit-5 (BZh-5) of the
Elektron O2 generator from storage and re-installed its pressure setting
device, which had been removed on 1/9/04. [This is in preparation for the
upcoming attempt to restore the BZh-5 to operation by bypassing its two
internal micropumps with a new external pump package to be delivered on
Soyuz 8S on 4/21. If successful, this IFM (in-flight maintenance) would
yield a spare Elektron BZh for the station, as backup to the current BZh-7.]

Mike Foale had two hours reserved for Soyuz 7S pre-packing activities for
NASA items, using an uplinked list of equipment approved for return to Earth
in the Soyuz DM (descent module). [The 7S down-cargo identified at this
time totals 52.7 kg mass and 90.0 liters volume. Return cargo is classified
as Station Status Monitoring, Russia, NASA, Japan, Holland, and ESA items.
There are about 10 NASA return items, e.g., a crew personal dosimeter, DST
dual sorbent tubes (6) with reference kit, water samples, 24 FMK
(formaldehyde monitoring kit) badges with reference kit, GSC (grab sample
container) with April samples, 16 local radiation dosimeters, etc.]

Sasha Kaleri performed the regular once-a-week maintenance reboot on the
operational PCS laptops and also restarted the OCA comm router laptop (every
two weeks).

Mike conducted the regular routine status checkout of autonomously running
Lab payloads, while Sasha took care of the daily routine technical
maintenance of the SM's SOZh environment control & life support system,
incl. ASU toilet equipment, and prepared the daily IMS (inventory management
system) "delta" file for automatic export/import to update the database.

Earlier in the day, the FE had his regular IMS (inventory management system)
and cargo accommodations conference with ground specialists via S-band,
today addressing potentially available FGB stowage volume to support
finalization of the cargo delivery plan for Soyuz 8S.

Sasha also collected the periodic CO2 partial pressure reading in the SM and
Lab using the U.S. CDMK (CO2 monitor kit), for calldown to MCC-Houston
(along with the battery status) for use in trending analyses.

The crew conducted a transmission/coverage test of a planned PAO address to
the residents of the city of Engels, Saratov Province, for downlink on
Cosmonautics Day, 4/12 (Monday). [The Engels region in Saratov Oblast
became a part of Russian cosmonautics history when on April 12, 1961, Yuri
Gagarin landed on his parachute here on a farm field, after having ejected
from the Vostok-1 capsule at 7 km altitude in concluding his 100-min. orbit
flight as the world's first human in space. Today called Gagarin Field, the
landing site is attracting a growing number of visitors every year on this
holiday. It is located about 1500 km west of Baikonur's longitude (then
called Tyuratam), i.e., Yuri's orbit was not completely "closed",
geographically speaking.]

At 4:25am EDT, the crew downlinked greetings from ISS during the by-now
traditional annual comm pass with the participants of the XIVth Aerospace
Festival for Ulyanovsk schoolchildren. [The festival is sponsored by the
Soyuz All-Russian Young Aerospace Association (VAKO). VAKO President is
Alexander A. Serebrov, a former Soyuz/Mir cosmonaut (Soyuz TM-17, 1993).]

Preparations continue on the ground for the CMG-3 (control moment gyroscope
3) lubrication test scheduled for next week (4/14-17). [In order to
characterize the solar effect in the intended heating of the CMG-3's gimbal
bearings from an electronic box, the gimbal angles of the failed CMG-1 would
be changed on 4/11-12 such that sun-induced temperatures can be measured
with a CMG thermistor. Preparations are also addressing the two-CMG
operation for ISS attitude control during the testing period.]

Safety experts have approved (and uplinked) revised crew emergency
procedures for the eventuality of ammonia (NH3) release from the HEAT
experiment, which is part of the "Delta" science program of VC-6 (Visiting
Crew 6). [HEAT deals with the investigation of heat transfer performance of
grooved heat pipes in microgravity. The HEAT experiment module, with a
liquid NH3 coolant heat pipe inside, was delivered on Progress-260/13P and
stowed in the Node. It will be performed in the MSG (Microgravity Science
Glovebox) in the U.S. Lab. If NH3 is released, safety procedures call for
donning PBAs (personal breathing apparatus), retreating from the affected
module to "safe haven" behind the closed Node aft hatch, and performing
atmosphere analysis until the air is safe again.]

Safety personnel have also cleared the "Delta" program's experiment ARGES,
which collects plasma density measurements in micro-G using
radial-resolution emission spectroscopy on 20 high-intensity discharge (HID)
lamps filled with xenon, mercury and iodides of various metals, also
delivered on 13P and stowed in the Node.

Yesterday's Flight Readiness Review (FRR) for 8S Launch/7S Return/Increment
9 at NASA/JSC showed no major issues and cleared both Soyuz vehicles and ISS
for flight. [Increment 9 begins with Soyuz 8S launch on 4/18 (EDT, CDT)
and extends until 8S undock on 10/19, for a total time on orbit of 183 days
(181 days onboard ISS). Expedition 9 crewmembers are Gennady Padalka (CDR) &
Mike Fincke (FE/SO). There are two Russian Orlan-EVAs planned for Increment
9, on 7/22 and 8/24. As currently planned, the onboard science program will
include 20 U.S.-sponsored experiments and 39 experiments in the Russian
Segment. The VC-6 "Delta" program for the 9-day joint phase consists of 22
experiments, plus two conducted in the Soyuz during free flight. ]

The 8S crew returned yesterday to Star City's GCTC (Gagarin Cosmonaut
Training Center) from spending time at Baikonur/Kazakhstan for fit checks on
capsule, seat liners, suits, etc. Following the standard Soyuz launch
template, the spacecraft was fueled today and will undergo upper stage
assembly tomorrow through 4/15. Mating of the upper stage to the Soyuz-U
launcher takes place on 4/16, followed by rollout & launch pad ops
(including propellant loading) through 4/18. Launch remains at 11:18pm EDT
on 4/18, with docking on 4/21 at 1:00am. [For latest status check
http://www.energia.ru/english/index.html .]

Today's CEO (Crew Earth Observations) targets, limited in XPOP attitude by
flight rule constraints on the use of the science window, which is available
for only ~1/4 of each orbit when not facing forward (in "ram"), were
Khartoum, Sudan (the Sudanese capital is situated at the confluence of the
White and the Blue Nile Rivers), Dakar, Senegal (this city sprawls over the
slopes Africa's westernmost promontory), Rome, Italy (sunny Italy may have
stayed so just long enough for the crew to spot the Eternal City), Caracas,
Venezuela (crew was to take advantage of the early morning pass [few clouds]
to view of the Venezuelan capital. Looking just left of track and inland
from the coast), Bahamas (400mm-lens: Only fair weather cumulus clouds are
expected for the time of the ISS pass. Using the long lens for near-nadir
views of details of the coral reef structures of these islands), and Red
River Valley Flooding (DYNAMIC EVENT: Seasonal flooding from snow and ice
melt is being reported in North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba, especially
in the Red River Valley. Looking left of track this pass for views of this
event. As the crew proceeded a bit further east and looked back, sun glint
enhanced views may also have been possible). 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, 1:14pm 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 on Standby (ready in dual-bed mode). TCCS (trace contaminant
control subsystem) is operating. SM Gas Analyzer has been calibrated and is
used for ppO2 and 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 TBD). SFOG slot#2 fan
suspect (not usable).


SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) --
26.1; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 160.2; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.7;
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 761; temperature (deg C) --
19.9.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756; temperature (deg C) -- 23.0;
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 757.88; temperature (deg C) -- 24.5 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 759.76; temperature (deg C) -- 24.9; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 759.97; temperature (deg
C) -- 26.2; 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 Autotrack (solar-tracking, "sun slicer", i.e., drag reduction-biased
by 47 deg).
SM batteries: Battery #6 is in "Cycle" mode; all other batteries (7) are in
"Partial Charge" mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #6 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 back-up, 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: 3884 kg (8563 lb) as of 4/8/04; [SM(755) +
FGB(2470) + Progress M-1(659)]. (Capability: SM -- 860 kg; FGB -- 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02).
State vector source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Angular rate source -- RGA-1

Flight Attitude:

XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = "sun-fixed" [yaw: 0.5 deg,
pitch: -9.0 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist), until 4/14.

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, 7:27am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 364.4 km
Apogee -- 371.8 km
Perigee -- 356.9 km
Period -- 91.83 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0010995
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.68
Mean altitude loss last 24 hours -- 110 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 30753

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