ISS On-Orbit Status, 08-07-2004

ISS On-Orbit Status 8 July 2004


All ISS systems continue to function nominally except those noted previously
or below. Day 1314 of permanent human station residency, and Day 2058
since first ISS launch (FGB).

Before "savtrak" (breakfast) and physical exercise, Padalka and Fincke
completed another session of the Russian crew health-monitoring program's
medical assessment MO-9/Biochemical Urinalysis. CDR stowed the hardware
afterwards. [MO-9 is conducted regularly every 30 days (and also before
and after EVAs) and is one of five nominal Russian medical tests adopted by
NASA for US crewmembers for IMG PHS (Integrated Medical Group/Periodic
Health Status) evaluation as part of the "PHS/Without Blood Labs" exam. The
analysis uses the sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus "Urolux"
developed originally for the Mir program. Afterwards, the data were entered
in the medical equipment computer (MEC)'s special IFEP software (In-Flight
Examination Program).]

Gennady also conducted his fourth session with the European "Neurocog"
experiment (still on board from Pedro Duque's VC5 "Cervantes" program last
October). Today's activities again focused on virtual rotation in free
floating and fixed position passages while recording EEG
(electroencephalogram). The exercise was videotaped, like the previous one
two days ago. [Assisted by FE Fincke, Padalka first activated the EGE-2
computer, then equipped himself with the Halley head electrodes. After
doing the virtual turns passages in fixed state (subject strapped down) and
free-floating in zero-G called for by the Neurocog protocol, he downloaded
the EEG data to a PCMCIA memory card for subsequent return to Earth, and
dismantled the equipment.]


The crew conducted the second part of the current ADUM/Advanced Diagnostic
Ultrasound in Micro-G protocol, for which Fincke first set up the equipment
before becoming the subject for today's "Scan B" abdominal scanning
performed by Gennady as operator, supported by reference pictures uplinked
last night. Afterwards the hardware was deactivated; the scan heads were
cleaned and stowed as part of closeout operations. [After activation of
the HRF (Human Research Facility) and the video tape recorder (VTR) by the
ground early in the morning, Mike powered up the HRF computer and the ADUM
hardware. The abdominal scans of Fincke, who had to fast for ~6 hrs and
drink ~350 ml of clear fluid about one hour prior to scan start, were again
medically supported from the ground (POIC, Payload Operations & Integration
Center) via privatized video and VOX S/G. The data were also recorded, and
the scanning and post-scan activities were videotaped and still-photographed
for downlink. The ADUM files from yesterday and today were sent down after
the activity.]

The Science Officer performed the visual T+2d analysis of the Week 10 water
samples, collected on 5/6 from the SRV-K hot tap and the EDV container of
the water supply system (SVO-ZV), with the WMK (water monitoring kit).
Subsequently, Mike also did another microbial analysis for inflight coliform
bacteria (Escherichia coli) detection on samples collected during Week 4
(T+44d). He then entered the microbiological data in the medical equipment
computer. [The analyses use incubated MCDs (microbial capture devices), SSK
(surface sample kit) slides, and MAS (microbial air sampler) Petri dishes.
If Mike's analysis showed colony growth above specified limits, he was to
take digital documentary images.]

Fincke performed the 30-min. checkout of the MedOps cardiac defibrillator, a
periodic routine task that is scheduled as soon as possible from Expedition
start and every 60 days thereafter. [For the checkout, the defib is
connected to the 120V outlet, equipped with its battery, today #1008, and
then allowed to charge, for about five seconds, to a preset energy level
(e.g., 100 joules). After the button-triggered discharge, a console
indicator signals success or failure of the test. The pacing signal was to
be downlinked via S-band for 1.5 min.]

In support of today's payload ops with EXPRESS rack 5 (ER5), Fincke powered
up the rack's laptop and assisted with its remote activation from the
ground. For the next 10 hrs, POIC/Huntsville tracked the power and thermal
resources of the ER during its operations. This included another run of the
SNFM (Serial Network Flow Monitor) for a 3-hr. untended autocapture of LAN-1
science network "bridged" data traffic during the day. Mike then shut ER5
down again.

Continuing the current round of regular monthly preventive maintenance of RS
air ventilation systems that he had started yesterday in the FGB, the CDR
today worked an hour on the Service Module (SM)'s air ventilation system to
replace its four dust collector filters (PF1-4) and discard the old units.

After this morning's MO-9 biochemical urinalysis test, FE Fincke set up the
equipment for part 2 of the MedOps PHS (periodic health status) assessment,
which tomorrow will collect blood samples for analysis with the U.S. PCBA
(portable clinical blood analyzer) and the Russian MO-10 "Hemokrit"
equipment. [Preparations included an electronic function test and control
analysis on the PCBA, unstowing the AMP (ambulatory medical pack), changing
out the batteries of the automatic blood pressure cuff, activating the MEC
(medical equipment computer) laptop and opening the IFEP (in-flight
examination program) on MEC. The PHS is performed every 30 days by each
crewmember and two weeks before landing or as clinically indicated.]

The CDR completed the routine maintenance of the SM's SOZh environment
control & life support system, which today included the regular weekly
inspection of the BRPK air/condensate water separator system, while Mike
Fincke prepared the regular IMS "delta" file for IMS database update.

An uplink of new software patches for the Node MDM
(multiplexer/demultiplexer, computer) was scheduled for later today. The
upload will be supported by the crew with hard disk "ghosting". This will
help establishing an early PCS computer capability in the event that the C&C
(command & control) MDMs are not available.

Update on EMU troubleshooting: The crew was commended on yesterday's "nice
work", during which they ran power usage (amperage) tests on the failed
EMU/spacesuits #3013 and #3005. Since the testing was performed during an
LOS (loss-of-signal) period, current data, valve settings and flow data for
both suits were downlinked later and are presently being studied.
Preliminary indications are that the water pump in each suit is indeed not
working, as originally suspected. [To verify operation of the impeller in
each EMU backpack pump, motor current draw was monitored. A slightly higher
than normal amp draw indicated that the impeller, which is magnetically
coupled to the motor, was not turning in both suits. Other observations,
such as the lack of coolant flow, supported the preliminary diagnosis. More
invasive troubleshooting steps are being planned.]


Update on TsVM reintegration: Yesterday's reboot of the Russian segment
(RS) Central Computer (TsVM) system to re-integrate all three lanes into the
redundant set was successful. This restart was done ahead of the upgrade
restart of TsVM and TVM (Terminal Computer) scheduled for 7/14.

For the upcoming RS software transition to the upgrade version SM 7.02, both
MCCs are making preparations for their respective segments, with MCC-Houston
intend on maximizing S-band coverage during the transition process.
According to current planning, the software transition will take place from
7/14 to 7/16.

Propellant transfer activities from Progress 14P to the ISS are scheduled
for 7/13. The cargo ship brought 865 kg props to the station.

Departure of 14P then follows on or about 8/2, just before the next Russian
spacewalk, EVA-10, now scheduled for 8/3. Until then, both sides will work
hard on updating the existing Flight Rules to the new conditions of a
two-man Orlan EVA encountered with EVA-9B.

Today's CEO (crew earth observations) photo 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 Lower
Amazon River Basin (weather was predicted to be "as clear as it gets", with
fair-weather cumulus. To help fill out the crew's long data acquisition of
the lower Amazon and its estuary, images of the north coast of the estuary
are still needed. Shooting obliques looking right for this SW-trending
feature. Obliques can be corrected to document changes coast/island shape
and morphology), and Patagonian Glaciers (gap in winter storm trains should
allow views of the drier east slopes of the Andes. Prior efforts have
yielded good images of all major glacier tongues. Images of the smaller
glacier tongues are still needed. Nadir pass).

CEO images can be viewed at these websites:


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

See also the website "Space Station Challenge" at:


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

To view the latest photos taken by the expedition 9 crew visit:


http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/.../ndxpage1.html at
NASA's Human Spaceflight website.

U.S. & Russian Segment Status (as of today, 12:56pm 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 Off, SKV-2 is Off (SM panel mods
completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20; is still considered failed).
SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).


SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- n/a; temperature (deg C) --
25.6; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 177.0; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.1.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --
20.7.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756; temperature (deg C) -- 21.0.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752.8; temperature (deg C) -- 22.7 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 754.5; temperature (deg C) -- 24.8; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 754.7; temperature (deg
C) -- 24.2; 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 directed position (Dual angle/"blind" mode, non solar-tracking,
biased for drag reduction).
SM batteries: Battery #4 is in "Cycle" mode; all other batteries (7) are on
line in "Partial Charge" mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #4 is off line; battery #2 is in "Cycle" mode; all
other batteries (4) are on line 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 (backup).
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): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.
FGB MDM-1 is Off (failed, 11/21/03); MDM-2 is Operational.

Propulsion System:

Total propellant load available: 3928 kg (8660 lb) as of 7/1/04; [SM(552) +
FGB(2772) + Progress M(639)]. (Capabilities: SM -- 860 kg; FGB -- 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

3 CMGs are on line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2's RPC-17 failed
4/21/04; was replaced 6/30/04).
State vector source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Angular rate source -- RGA-1

Flight Attitude:

LVLH XVV (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local
vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9 deg, roll: 0
deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management, until 6/28,
following the EVA.

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, 4:43am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 360.0 km
Apogee height -- 364.0 km
Perigee height -- 356.0 km
Period -- 91.7 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.6301 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0005954
Solar Beta Angle -- 66.3 deg
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.70
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 40 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 32164



For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times,
see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html. In addition,
information on International Space Station sighting opportunities can be
found at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ on NASA's Human
Spaceflight website. The current location of the International Space Station
can be found at http://science.nasa.gov/temp/StationLoc.html at NASA's
Marshall Space Flight Center.


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

Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info