ISS On-Orbit Status, 16-07-2004

ISS On-Orbit Status 16 July 2004


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

Update on SM cooling pump failu The failed pump panel of the Russian
segment's internal cooling system was successfully replaced with a new unit.
After reviewing a five-page list of instructions uplinked overnight, CDR
Gennady Padalka deinstalled the failed SPN pump panel at the 4SPN1 work site
of the Service Module (SM)'s no. 2 internal cooling loop (KOB-2) and
replaced it with a spare of new design, delivered on Progress 13P. The new
pump panel was then tested successfully from the controlling laptop, and
KOB-2 returned to nominal operation. [Each of the two thermal loops
(KOB-1 & KOB-2) has two pump panels, each of which has two pumps hard welded
to it. The automatic command algorithm does not allow a panel to run on
only one of them, thus failure of one pump effectively fails the entire
panel. The replacement today used a new design with individually
replaceable pumps, so that a pump failure will not require swap-out of the
entire SPN. The other SPNs will in the future also be replaced with the new
design.]

Update on US EMU spacesuit troubleshooting: A 27-page procedure for
removing, disassembling and inspecting the water pump of EMU (extravehicular
mobility unit) 3013 was uplinked overnight. The task, estimated to take 4
hrs of crewtime, is scheduled for Mike Fincke on Monday (7/19). EMU 3005
meanwhile will retain its integrity for the time being. Today, Mike was
provided with a CBT (computer-based training) video for review over the
weekend. He also had time scheduled for printing out the procedural
instructions and gathering the tools required for the EMU activity.
[Monday's round of troubleshooting is intended to determine what might be
keeping the impeller of the suit's water pump from rotating. One possible
cause could be particle contamination jammed in the very tight radial
clearance of the rotor, but there may be other things as well, which Mike's
investigation hopefully will reveal. The impeller is connected to the
electric pump motor by a magnetic coupling.]


Update on Russian software upgrading: In support of the ongoing
troubleshooting of the failed uploading of the new Russian SM 7.02 software
(reported yesterday), CDR Padalka today downloaded data dumps (images) from
the SM's TVM (Terminal Computer) and TsVM (Central Computer) system to the
Central Post computer #1 (KTsP-1) for review on the ground. As currently
planned, Moscow will re-attempt the 7.02 upload to TVM and TsVM next Tuesday
(7/20) morning.

The crew spent several hours to continue the time-consuming task of stowing
excessed equipment and trash in Progress-249/14P for disposal. As of last
night, they had completed prepacking 37 of the 39 items on the 14P US trash
packing list. [Food containers will be gathered and stowed closer to 14P
hatch closure time. The only item not expected to be ready for disposal is
the failed Node LHA (lamp housing assembly), which still needs to be
removed. If there isn't enough time for that prior to 14P undock, it will
become a trash candidate for 15P.]

Both crewmembers in turn took their third periodic On-Orbit Hearing
Assessment (O-OHA) test, a NASA environmental health systems examination to
assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures. [The O-OHA audiogram 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 not later than about Flight Day 14 for each new
Expedition and is then performed once per month.]

FE/SO Fincke performed the regular once-a-week maintenance reboot on the two
operational PCS laptops and the restart of the OCA comm router laptop (every
two weeks).

Gennady conducted the routine maintenance of the SM's life support system
(SOZh) and also prepared the daily IMS "delta" file update, which had been
added to the discretionary Russian task list.

At the Lab RWS (robotics work station), Mike disconnected the UOP-DCP
(utility outlet panel-to-display & control panel) bypass power cable used
yesterday for the MSS (mobile service system) video camera characterization.
[During the ground-commanded activity, it was discovered that one of the
SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System)'s tip elbow lights is not
working (the second one is OK). This could be due to either a
circuitry/logic problem or a burnt-out bulb. Full redundancy can be
restored by swapping out the camera with an existing on-board spare during a
future EVA.]

At 2:30pm EDT, Mike Fincke is scheduled to discuss onboard experiment
operations in a 15-min. payload teleconference with the ISS Program
Scientist (Don Thomas), Increment 9 Lead Scientist (Janice Voss) and
Increment 9 Lead Payload Operations Director (POD, Lamar Stacy).

The crew completed their daily 2.5-hr. physical workout program on TVIS
treadmill, RED resistive exerciser and VELO ergometer with load trainer, and
Mike performed the periodic (every other week) inspection of the RED.

Expedition 9 Flight Crew Plans can be found at
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/timelines/

Today's CEO (crew earth observation) 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
Patagonian Glaciers (unusual clearing on the Pacific side of the southern
Andes. Crew was asked to shoot any small glacier tongues near nadir), Sao
Paulo, Brazil (nadir pass over this gargantuan city. Margins stretch left
and right of track), and Caracas, Venezuela (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, 1:17pm EDT)

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):

Elektron O2 generator is On (16A, =lowest setting). 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) -- 752; temperature (deg C) --
24.6; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 164.4; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.4.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --
19.3.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752; temperature (deg C) -- 21.3.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 747.7; temperature (deg C) -- 22.5 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 749.9; temperature (deg C) -- 25.0; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 750.1; 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)

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 #7 is in "Cycle" mode; all other batteries (7) are on
line in "Partial Charge" mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #4 is off line; all other batteries (5) 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): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.
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 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, 6:51am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 359.6 km
Apogee height -- 363.7 km
Perigee height -- 355.4 km
Period -- 91.7 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0006139
Solar Beta Angle -- 60.1 deg
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.70
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 62 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 32291



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

"Jacques van Oene" wrote ...
ISS On-Orbit Status 16 July 2004
Update on US EMU spacesuit troubleshooting: A 27-page procedure for
removing, disassembling and inspecting the water pump of EMU
(extravehicular
mobility unit) 3013 was uplinked overnight.

Why a 27 page proceedure? How can replacing a pump be that complex? Or is it
one instruction per page with really big letters? Is there any way to see
one of these lavathan documents so we can get some apreciation of how
difficult it is to work in space?

Otherwise ISS sounds more and more like a particularly buggy version of
microsoft windows. I can't help but wonder if some of these problems
shouldn't have been solved during that $100B R&D programme, and if they
hadn't already been solved by the russians.

John

"John" wrote in
news
"Jacques van Oene" wrote ...
ISS On-Orbit Status 16 July 2004
Update on US EMU spacesuit troubleshooting: A 27-page procedure for
removing, disassembling and inspecting the water pump of EMU
(extravehicular
mobility unit) 3013 was uplinked overnight.

Why a 27 page proceedure? How can replacing a pump be that complex? Or
is it one instruction per page with really big letters?

I don't know about ISS procedures, but shuttle malfunction procedures are
laid out as flowcharts. They get long and complex because the procedures
often have many branches. In practice, for a given scenario, the crew only
takes one branch at each decision point, and therefore only performs a
fraction of the procedure.

Also, mechanical procedures usually have illustrations of the hardware
involved. This is especially the case if the hardware in question was
originally designed not to be crew-serviceable.


--
JRF

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

"Jorge R. Frank" wrote:

"John" wrote in
news
"Jacques van Oene" wrote ...
ISS On-Orbit Status 16 July 2004
Update on US EMU spacesuit troubleshooting: A 27-page procedure for
removing, disassembling and inspecting the water pump of EMU
(extravehicular mobility unit) 3013 was uplinked overnight.

Why a 27 page proceedure? How can replacing a pump be that complex? Or
is it one instruction per page with really big letters?

I don't know about ISS procedures, but shuttle malfunction procedures are
laid out as flowcharts. They get long and complex because the procedures
often have many branches. In practice, for a given scenario, the crew only
takes one branch at each decision point, and therefore only performs a
fraction of the procedure.

Also, mechanical procedures usually have illustrations of the hardware
involved. This is especially the case if the hardware in question was
originally designed not to be crew-serviceable.

Also, these procedures often have lengthy cautions/warnings/notes
incoporated into them, and also cover the *complete* process from
cracking the suit to testing it.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.