ISS On-Orbit Status, 30-10-2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 30 October 2003

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

Before breakfast, both crewmembers completed their first session of the
periodic Russian medical experiment protocols PZEh-MO-7 (calf volume
measurement) and PZEh-MO-8 (body mass measurement). FE Alex Kaleri set up
the MO-8 "scales" equipment and later broke it down and stowed it away.
[Calf measurements (left leg only) are taken with the IZOG device, a
custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over the calf, using the knee and lower
foot as fixed reference points, to provide a rough index of deconditioning
in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures. For determining body ass in
zero-G, where things are weightless (but not massless), the Russian IM
"scales" measure the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory
motion of a mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring
constants. By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the unknown
mass (the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a known mass, the
crewmember's mass is calculated by the computer and displayed].

Still before breakfast, Kaleri underwent the periodic Russian MedOps test
MO-10 "Gematokrit", which determines the red blood cell count (hematocrit)
of his blood. Science Officer Mike Foale assisted by performing the blood
draw from his finger with a perforator lancet. [The samples were then
centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the M-1100 kit's minicentrifuge
and its hematocrit value was read off the tubes with a magnifying glass.
The samples were packed for return. It is a well-known phenomenon of space
flight that red blood cell count (normal range: 30-45%) tends to go down
over time, probably as a function of (rich) oxygen partial pressure in the
onboard atmosphere.]

The two crewmembers had an hour scheduled for station familiarization and
acclimatization, as is standard daily rule for the first two weeks after
starting station residency.

In the SM, Sasha completed the periodic servicing task of changing out ASU
toilet system equipment. [This involved two receptacles (PR & MP), four
hoses, a T-connector, an elbow fitting, an indicator and a filter insert
(F-V). A drawing was uplinked to facilitate component identification. The
old units were stowed for disposal.]

Both crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise program on TVIS
treadmill and VELO cycle with load trainer.

Foale performed the weekly and monthly TVIS maintenance/inspection as well
as the scheduled maintenance of the RED.

At the medical equipment computer (MEC) in the Lab, the CDR set up the new
software for the heart rate monitor (HRM) and installed it in the laptop.

Foale completed his first weekly filling out of the FFQ (food frequency
questionnaire), which keeps a log of his nutritional intake over time on the
MEC.

Mike's planned file downloading on the (human research facility) rack's RIC
(rack interface controller) laptop was deferred.

The Primary C&C MDM (command & control computer) was transitioned to Standby
today by ground commanding to load it with the same PPLs (prepositioned
loads) and patches that were loaded to the two other C&C MDMs yesterday.

Sasha performed his regular weekly inspection of the BRPK air/condensate
water separator system. He also conducted the routine technical maintenance
of the SM's SOZh environment control & life support system, incl. the toilet
equipment (ASU), and prepared the daily IMS "delta" file for automatic
export/import to update the database.

Mike conducted the regular weekly inventory audit of the available CWCs
(contingency water containers) and their contents, to keep track of onboard
water supplies.

In support of ground simulator camera model validation, MCC-H
remote-controlled the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) and
MBS (Mobile Base System) mast cameras. Downlinked video will be used to
more closely match upthe simulator camera eye points with the real hardware.
[Power-up was planned for about 10:00am to restore Keep Alive (KA) power to
the Prime string of the SSRMS, followed by camera controlling from 3:20pm -
5:50pm. The MSS (Mobile Service System) was then to be turned off by the
ground.]

An enhancement (strengthening) of the continuing energetic solar particle
event arrived yesterday afternoon at ~4:00pm EST (the strongest event since
14 years). Flux levels from GOES satellite are rapidly increasing, and have
the potential to stay elevated for 24-72 hours. In addition, we are
currently experiencing a large geomagnetic storm, which will have the effect
of enhancing those areas of the vehicle orbit, which are susceptible to
increased exposures. New projected times of the passage through high
geomagnetic latitude for today were uplinked (subject to some variation
based on changes in the environment and to be updated as appropriate as the
event continues). During these periods, the crew stays in the
higher-shielded locations, viz., the aft end of the SM and the TESS
(temporary sleep station) in the Lab.

Due to the high-energy solar event that started on 10/28, the MSS is
required by Flight Rule (FR) to be powered off on the Prime string,
remaining on Keep Alive (KA) power on the redundant string. But the FR also
specifies that SSRMS and MBS thermal constraints take precedence over
ionization radiation constraints (because if a heater should fail while in
the single string KA config, the element corresponding to the failed heater
will fall below its thermal survival limits and will be damaged). To
provide temperature insight while not exposing the system at higher
radiation risk, a compromise was developed which places the MBSin dualstring
KAduring periods the ISS is shielded from energetic Solar Proton Events, and
go to single string KA prior to entering orbital periods when ISS is exposed
to high radiation levels.

The increased solar activity also increases orbital drag, causing currently
a somewhat larger altitude loss of 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, were Lake Nasser, Toshka Lakes, Egypt (changes continue in
Egypt's far south, west of Lake Nasser, in the New Valley development.
Twenty million people are expected to be resettled around the new lake
located nearest to Lake Nasser, and new agricultural fields can be seen
along its shores. Other new lakes further out in the desert were
unintended: These water bodies fill shallow depressions whose connection to
the first lake was not known from the relatively crude maps available at the
time of planning. Images are needed to update existing views that document
the expansion of both lakes and agricultural lands), Dallas, Texas (good
opportunity to see the whole metroplex at nadir and just right of track),
and Wildfires, Southern California (Dynamic event: Thirteen fires in four
counties. Fire-related deaths are up to 16, with 2000 homes destroyed.
Firefighting conditions improved briefly as hot Santa Ana winds changed to
cooler onshore flow with occasional rain. Variable winds today are
worsening conditions. Smoke plumes are heading SE towards Mexico. Recent
pictures of thick smoke plumes from Increment 7 are being prepared for
NASA's popular Earth Observatory website (see below), which displays a
weekly astronaut picture). 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 1:47pm EDT).

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


Elektron O2 generator is powered On, 17A. Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in
Manual Mode 5/3). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Operating in single-bed mode
after failure/shutdown. 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) --
27.3; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 161.0; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.7.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 767; temperature (deg C) 20.9.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 772; temperature (deg C) -- 22.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 761.7; temperature (deg C) -- 23.6 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 763.4; temperature (deg C) -- 24.2; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 763.5; temperature
(deg C) -- 27.8; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 23.9, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a;
ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 25.0
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 13.7.

(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 (non-suntracking).
SM batteries: Battery #8, formerly known as #7, is off (still in slot #8);
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): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational; string #2
dropped out 9/26.
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational; string #3
dropped out 10/22.

Propulsion System:

Total propellant load available: 3856 kg (8501b) as of 10/23 [SM(755) +
FGB(2749) + 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 this afternoon, 3:17pm EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 379.5 km
Apogee -- 383.9 km
Perigee -- 375.1 km
Period -- 92.1 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0006529
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.63
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 150 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 28141
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

In article ,
Jacques van Oene wrote:
ISS On-Orbit Status 30 October 2003

....
in zero-G and effectiveness of countermeasures. For determining body ass in
zero-G, where things are weightless

.... oh my! Perhaps that is where all the fat goes, in zero-G!

Nick

[snip]
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 28141
[snip]

Ooops! 10/30 & 10/29 Revolutions (28141) is same as 10/25 (28141).