ISS On-Orbit Status, 13-11-2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 13 Nov 2003

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

Today's crew timeline was dominated by the removal and replacement (R&R) of
10 DS-7A smoke detectors of the "Signal-VM" fire detection system in the
Russian segment (RS). During the R&R a false fire alarm went off, which
required subsequent "clean-up" and restoration activities by the ground in
both segments. [The R&R was necessarily accompanied by system
deactivations/reactivations (such as the Elektron O2 generator and the
BITS2-12 onboard telemetry system's VD-SU control system mode) from the
ground plus local demating/remating of the telemetry (TMI) signal connectors
by the crew. The new DS-7As were transferred from their FGB stowage, and
the old units prepared and stowed for disposal. The false fire alarm was
set off when the newly installed onboard software did not respond properly
to inhibit commands from TsUP/Moscow since expected commensurate changes in
the algorithm apparently were not incorporated in the new software version.]

CDR Michael Foale conducted an inventory audit of onboard office supplies,
to help determine manifesting requirements of such supplies on Progress 13P.
[The audit consisted of three parts: (1) identification of selected office
supplies (e.g., flight pens, rubber gloves, gray tape, printer cartridges)
and their quantities; (2) consolidation of two (of three) destowed "printer
pantry" containers as a get-ahead for an upcoming rack consolidation; (3)
crew judgment on whether office supply quantities currently manifested on
13P are sufficient to support both Increment 8 and Increment 9 prior to 14P
arrival.]

Mike Foale powered up the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) for
troubleshooting its ECB (experiment control board), by taking resistance and
continuity readings with the "Pilobolus" scopemeter. Afterwards, MSG was
powered down again. [After the activation, MSG ESEMs (exchangeable standard
electronic modules) were turned on by the ground, followed by visual
inspection and facility activation by the crew prior to conducting the
payload ops. The objective was to determine why the ECB works
intermittently when enabled via ground commanding. Foale tested the
resistors in the ECB board to see if they are performing properly, with the
MSG laptop computer (MLC) completely booted up to ensure that it was ready
to capture the facility Health & Status data.]

On the SAMS ICU (space acceleration measurement system interim control
unit), Mike replaced the suspected battery #6131 with a lithium-ion battery
(#6084) taken from the SSC7 laptop. A fresh battery (#1037) from stowage
was installed in the SSC7 instead.

Kaleri conducted the weekly 15-min. IMS (inventory management system) tagup
with IMS specialists at MCC-M, today discussing open issues concerning
identification and location of some items not returned on Soyuz TMA-2/6S and
other IMS aspects.

CDR Foale performed a "zero" calibration procedure of the CSA-CP (compound
specific analyzer-combustion products) on both units, required periodically
to re-set the gas analyzer's sensors to the "zero" value. He then took
sensor readings for call-down of O2, CO, HCl, and HCN partial pressures,
plus battery status for both units.

FE Alexander Kaleri completed the changeout of the RED (resistive exercise
device) canisters, which replaced cans #1009 & #1010 with #1001 & #1003.
Later in the day, after the daily exercise program, Mike Foale conducted the
monthly inspection of the RED, which involves re-tightening of the bolts as
required. On a bi-monthly schedule, the squat harness of the machine, with
canister cords and accessory straps, is also part of the periodic
inspections.

Instructions were uplinked for the crew for a special inspection of the TVIS
treadmill prior to its use today. The task, related to some engineering
concern regarding the operations of the TVIS flywheel case foot knob, was
supported by the ground for advising on continuation of the daily exercise
protocol or temporary stand-down from it, depending on the TVIS condition.
As it turned out, the TVIS checked out OK, and the crew was given the Go to
continue regular exercise.

FE Kaleri's schedule today called for setting up, configuring, and
conducting Part 1 of the Russian MBI-8 "Profilaktika" (preventive health
maintenance) experiment. Since the Russian VELO cycle ergometer is
currently broken (IBMP/Moscow is working the issue, with actual
troubleshooting expected next week), Kaleri used the U.S. TVIS treadmill for
conducting the test sequence. [Today's MBI-8 test, under loads, involves
four types of exercise, each one consisting of a series of 15 motions
repeated twice. Total test duration:13 minutes. The test is similar to the
MedOps MO-3 test, except that it uses the TEEM-100M gas analyzer during
exercise operations, blood lactate determination and subjective load
assessment. The experiment is supported by the payload laptop 3, with
Aerograph and Kardiokassetta-2000 software residing on its hard disk drive.]

Sasha Kaleri completed deployment of the "Pille-MKS" radiation dosimeter and
its control panel in the SM, with its ten sensors placed at various
locations (port cabin window, starboard cabin window, ASU toilet facility,
control panel, etc.). Pille measurements were downloaded at ~9:15am EST via
S-band. A tagup with a TsUP specialist via VHF supported the activity.

The FE conducted the daily routine maintenance of the SM's SOZh life support
system (including ASU toilet facilities) and updated the IMS "delta" file
for updating the inventory databases.

The crew is regularly supporting the Renal Stone prevention experiment by
taking the test medication (either potassium citrate or placebo tablets) at
dinnertime until the next sample collection phase.

At 10:40am EST, the crew downlinked two messages of greetings and
congratulations from the ISS via S- and Ku-band for the opening of a
National Air and Space Museum (NASM) exhibit at Dulles International Airport
and for the Centennial of Flight celebrations by NASA in December.

Transfer of stowage equipment to the areas in back of the Lab ZSR (zero-G
storage racks) yesterday has proceeded well, but by the end of the allotted
time only about two thirds of what was planned was completed. [Two
additional hours will be scheduled next week to complete unblocking the five
fire access ports, of which two are currently free (defined to allow
insertion of either the CSA-CP or the CDM carbon dioxide monitor).]

As a late-added task, Foale was requested to inspect PBA (portable breathing
apparatus) #1012 in a Node starboard locker, which, from on-orbit images,
still has a locking pin in place. As this defeats the functionality of the
PBA bottle, Mike was to remove the pin, using tools if required. He also
was to extend the inspection to the other two PBAs (in the Lab) and pull
their pins if still in place.

At MCC-H, a software change in ground control computers was implemented to
correct a software glitch that in the past occasionally caused loss of
command and telemetry function. The system has now operated on it OK since
last Monday (11/10).

A questionnaire was uplinked for the crew to record, over time, their
perceptions of light flashes (anomalous phosphenes) during orbital
operations. [Astronauts have observed anomalous phosphenes as "light
flashes" as far back as the first space missions. The light flashes, seen
particularly with closed eyes, are sudden, unexpected and short perceptions
of light in any shape, color or characteristic that can appear in the visual
field while in space. The study will involve an anticipated sample of
approximately 50 ISS crewmembers who have consented to it. The information
expected to be obtained from the questionnaire will be highly valuable in
the short and long-term monitoring and understanding of the effects of space
on human brain functions as well as in the design and planning of new
experiments in the ISS.]

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, wereAngolan Biomass Burning (looking left towards the Angolan
coast in this sector where aerosols most commonly exit the subcontinent.
Good offshore flow is transporting the aerosols. Oblique views, preferably
showing the margin of any aerosol mass, are requested),Cape Town, South
Africa(nadir pass. Although the mountains behind the city are protected
from development, urban sprawl has expanded to surround Table Mountain and
its spurs. The city has developed furthest eastward onto the flat
country),High Central Andean Glaciers(looking for any near-nadir ice-capped
volcanoes on the high Andean plateau. There are hundreds of volcanoes in
Peru. Measurements of ice pack area are being undertaken by many
researchers),Palmerston Island (the only true atoll in the Southern Cooks
Islands, Palmerston is seven miles across. The atoll is mainly awash but
the surface rises locally to make six small, tree covered
islands),Melbourne, Australia(lighting conditions are improving for
photography over Australia. Nadir pass over this city that lies at the head
of Port Philip Bay), andPatagonian Glaciers(the southern part of the site
remains clear. Crew was asked to shoot smaller glacier tongues).

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 1:24pm EST).

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
Elektron O2 generator is powered On, 18A. Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in
Manual Mode 5/3). U.S.

CDRA CO2 scrubber is on Standby (ready in dual-bed mode). TCCS (trace
contaminant control subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents
analyzer) is off (in Life Extending Mode). 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 Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) --
26.7; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 157.8; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.9.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 761; temperature (deg C) --
20.0.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756; temperature (deg C) -- 23.0.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 745.16; temperature (deg C) -- 24.6 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 746.94; temperature (deg C) -- 24.3; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 747.04; temperature (deg
C) -- 28.4; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 25.0, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2
(mmHg) -- n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 25.6
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 11.0

(n/a = data not available)

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B
both in Autotrack mode (suntracking).
SM batteries: Battery #8, formerly known as #7, is still in slot #8 for
troubleshooting; all other batteries (7) are in "Partial Charge" mode
(batteries #1 and #3 are degraded).
FGB batteries: Batteries #1 is off; all other batteries (5) are in "Partial
Charge" mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Standby mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

C&C-2 MDM is prime, C&C-1 is back-up, and C&C-3 is in standby.
GNC-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup.
INT-2 is operating; INT-1 is Off.
EXT-2 is On (primary), EXT-1 is Off (both now upgraded to R3).
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): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (all lanes
reintegrated 11/5).
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational; string #3
dropped out 10/22.

Propulsion System:

Total propellant load available:3734 kg (8232 lb) as of 11/6 [SM(755) +
FGB(2627) + Progress M(352) + Progress M-1(0)]. (Capability: SM -- 860 kg;
FGB -- 6120 kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

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

Flight Attitude:

LVLH YVV (y-axis in velocity vector, i.e. flying "sidewise") [yaw: -90 deg,
pitch: -8.9 deg., roll: 1.8 deg]), with CMG 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.
Audio subsystem is operating nominally (IAC-2 is prime, IAC-1 is suspect).
Video subsystem operating nominally.
HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.

Robotics:

SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF #2/LEE A, with Keep Alive (KA) power on
both strings.
MBS: KA 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 yesterday afternoon, 3:57pm EST [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 376.1 km
Apogee -- 380.4 km
Perigee -- 371.8 km
Period -- 92.1 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0006425
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.64
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 28424
For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html



--
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Jacques :-)

Editor: www.spacepatches.info