ISS On-Orbit Status, 17-02-2004

ISS On-Orbit Status 17 Feb 2004

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

Onboard sleep cycle continues with a 9:00pm wakeup and 12:30pm bedtime.
Foale and Kaleri reported that they have well adapted to the 4-hr. shift and
are quite happy with it.

The crew spent several hours in the DC-1 docking compartment on preparations
of Orlan spacesuit equipment for the Soyuz ingress demonstration scheduled
for 2/19 (Thursday). Main focus was on EVA support systems configuration
and checkout, communications setup, leak checks and valve functionality
tests. All tasks were satisfactorily completed. [For the duration of these
activities, MCC-H reconfigured Space-to-Ground/audio capability to allow the
crew to talk with the ground from inside the DC-1. After Kaleri had checked
out the EVA support panel (POV) in the DC-1 airlock, the crew activated and
visually inspected the two Orlan-M suits #14 (blue) for Foale and #23 (red)
for Kaleri, along with their BRTA radio telemetry units. Wearing their
medical instrumentation belts, they tested comm and biomedical telemetry via
the BSS interface system for vital signs and equipment monitoring, with
alarm signals from the BSS rerouted to the POV panels in the DC-1 and
Service Module (SM). Suit consumables (such as filters, LiOH cans and
batteries) were installed and auxiliary equipment prepared and installed,
such as the BK-3 oxygen (O2) tanks. The suits were preliminarily
fit-checked in size (height), the latter to be repeated under reduced
airlock pressure. The Orlans and their BSS interface control units were
checked out for proper air/water separation of their cooling system and
tested for leaks of their reserve bladders. The activities were supported
by tag-ups with ground specialists.]

The ground has successfully activated the Elektron oxygen generator, and it
is now running nominally on 32 amps. [Background & ppO2 management: After
all attempts at restoration of nominal operation failed in the last three
days, Russian specialists changed the cycling of the buffer tank that
adjusts the amount of condensate sent through the unit. This in effect
changed the hydraulic resistance of the water supply line, raising water
pressure and thereby mitigating the machine's sensitivity to the small
pressure variations that caused the pump shutdowns. Running now smoothly on
the primary pump, the Elektron, according to TsUP/Moscow, appears to have
been "cured", at least for the moment. In the 32A mode, it can raise cabin
air ppO2 (oxygen partial pressure) by 1 mmHg per day. To correct the
currently reduced ppO2 of 155 mmHg, as measured by the MCA (Major
Constituents Analyzer, today activated briefly for this purpose) along with
total pressure, an O2 repress from Progress 13P of 5-8 mmHg is planned.
Should the Elektron fail again before the EVA-9, two represses, totaling
15-16 mmHg, would be required.]

The crew continued cargo transfers from the Progress, assisted by a detailed
Russian & US transfer/unpack list and the IMS (inventory management system).

Mike Foale conducted the daily routine maintenance on the SOZh life support
system, comprising the water supply equipment, food supply subsystem (SOP),
and sanitary hygiene equipment (SGO). [Maintenance generally consists of
inspection of fluid lines/connections and filter replacement.]

Alex Kaleri broke out the "Urolux" equipment and set it up for his and
Mike's next session with the Russian biochemical urinalysis test (PZE MO-9),
on tomorrow's schedule for both crewmembers. Also scheduled for tomorrow
for them is their second session with the MO-5 MedOps protocol of
cardiovascular evaluation during graded exercises on the VELO cycle
ergometer.

At 4:55am EST, Foale and Kaleri downlinked a live non-interactive TV message
to the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, via Ku- and S-band.

The crew worked out according to their regular daily physical exercise
program on TVIS treadmill and CEVIS cycle (aerobic), VELO ergometer with
force loader and RED exerciser (anaerobic).

The 2.5-in. long FOD (foreign object debris) observed floating away from the
ISS on 2/15 has been identified by Moscow, thanks to the ID number visible
on it, as an eyebolt from the Progress 13P starboard solar array's holddown
mechanism. There are four of these bolts on the Progress, and also on
Soyuz, and it is not clear at this time how it came lose and if other pieces
were also separated. [The eyebolts engage in hooks to keep the folded arrays
fastened down during launch and ascent. They are no longer needed after the
arrays are released by pyrotechnic charge and deployed by spring force, but
they should remain attached to the vehicle structure.]

To support the debris analysis, Sasha powered up the SSRMS (Space Station
Remote Manipulator System) after wakeup last night at 9:00pm, for the ground
to remotely control it overnight through a survey of the Progress and Soyuz
solar array wing tips with the tip elbow (TE) and Base Elbow (BE) camera, as
far as their field of view allowed. [SSRMS can view Soyuz' port and
starboard arrays, but only the port array on Progress, whose out-of-sight
starboard array happens to be the FOD's origin.] The Russian SKV-2 air
conditioner, with its new coolant line connected by the crew on 2/13, has
not yet been tested. [After its installation, the new line, with its larger
bend, was found to be in direct contact with station structure, which in the
longer term could lead to its damage due to vibration. Any further testing
or other SKV-2 activity has been deferred until after the EVA-9.]

SKV-1, on thermal loop #1 (KOV-1) continues to operate, but at an efficiency
level which has increased the load on the U.S. CCAA dehumidifier (common
cabin air assembly). As a result, the Lab collection tank has currently
accumulated about 72 lbs of condensate, approaching the tank limit of 100
lbs which will require offloading of its contents to a CWC (collapsible
water container). [Offloading to CWC takes up about two hours crewtime
(one person), on an already crammed timeline. Current SKV-1/KOV-1 operation
results in ~2 lbs of U.S. condensate per 24-hr. day, which rises to 6
lbs/day if SKV-1 is off. Moscow was asked to run their SKV-1/KOV-1 system
in maximum collection mode to help avoiding this crewtime "hit" prior to the
EVA.]

On 2/19, as preparation for the EVA-9, MCC-H will conduct a test of the
ability to send commands to the USOS (U.S. segment) through RS (Russian
segment) assets. Purpose of testing this contingency configuration is (a)
to provide proficiency to ground controllers in the event it is required
during the spacewalk, and (b) to acquire data on command-link "latency",
i.e., the time lag between command uplink and command execution, given that
in a worst-case situation the command has to "queue up" on the RS server,
loaded with interfering Russian signals.

Moscow reports that yesterday's MCS (motion control system) test on Soyuz
TMA-3/7S was successful. It also certified the berthing thrusters for a
redocking. [The test, on manifold #2 of the KDU integrated propulsion
system, was also intended for checking the line with the helium leak between
the He pressurization tanks and the prop tanks of the KDU, which had been
observed during the flight of 7S on 10/18-20/2003. The line, which had
leaked down to zero since then, was successfully purged with He yesterday
but now is again exhibiting its gradual pressure drop. The test did not
yield further insight into the root cause of the leak, which still allows
functionality of the affected string 2, although manifold #1 will be used as
primary string. The latter remains ready for undocking & deorbit, and there
are also sufficient He and prop for undocking & deorbit in the closed-off
manifold #2.]

Last night's repeat of the checkout of the BCC (backup control center),
rescheduled from 2/12, was successfully completed. Purpose of the periodic
dry-run is to demonstrate BCC functionality and provide proficiency training
for HSG (Houston Support Group) personnel at the TsUP/Moscow HSR (Houston Su
pport Room). [The 2/12 BCC C/O was only partially successful and was not
completed. BCC utilizes the HSG command server and telemetry server. In
last night's test mode, HSG (as BCC) sent a single not-for-uplink PPCP
(preplanned command packet) to MCC-M/TsUP, then canceled it after successful
transmission. MCC-M played back ACT (American contingency telemetry)
recorded earlier (11/19/03), with HSG confirming successful receipt. TsUP
commanding to the Russian segment (RS) via U.S. S-band as well as
MCC-H-to-TsUP flow of status telemetry were also not affected, but MCC-H has
no real-time telemetry and command capability via Russian ground stations
(RGS) during these dry-runs.]

The crew's sleep time began at 12:30pm EST, to extend until tonight, 9:00pm.

Today's CEO 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 Beijing, China (looking just left of track for the vast
urban region of the North China plain--from the foothills of the plateau all
the way to the sea. This pass included Beijing and its major city of
Tianjin), Internal waves, Philippines (the sunglint point passed over an
area of interest between Mindanao, the southernmost big island of the
Philippines, and Borneo. Looking right between one and four degrees off
track), Dhaka, Bangladesh (with a population close to 10 million, this is a
mega city whose growth, much faster than the high national rate, is being
watched. Forty-four percent of Bangladesh's urban population lives in
Dhaka. Two 180-mm frames may be sufficient to capture the urban region),
Rangoon, Myanmar (nadir pass over this capital city of 4 million. Due to
political problems, this is one major Asian city that has lost population in
the last ten years), Plankton bloom, Pakistan (Dynamic event. The strongest
blooms lie mainly along the coastlines of Pakistan and India [nadir and
left]), Karachi, Pakistan (nadir pass over Pakistan's largest city), Bombay,
India (looking left of track on the major bay in the coastline), and Sea
ice, James Bay (Dynamic event. ISS passed across southernmost Hudson Bay.
The extent and distribution of ice, and its evolution through time, are
highly dynamic).

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 3:00am EST, 2/13).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered On (32A). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in
Automatic Mode). 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 on to verify CSA-CP readings and support O2
repress (was 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 (repair now completed; to be tested ASAP).


SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) --
25.7; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 137.6; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 2.5;
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756; temperature (deg C) --
20.0.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 744; temperature (deg C) -- 22.3.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 735.62; temperature (deg C) -- 23.2 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 737.95; temperature (deg C) -- 24.8; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 738.15; temperature (deg
C) -- 24.0; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 24.2, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2
(mmHg) -- n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.2
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 10.5

(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 (2B: 235 deg; 4B: 125 deg); non-suntracking,
"night glider"/"sun slicer" drag reduction mode.
SM batteries: Battery #8, formerly known as #7, is failed (to be replaced);
all other batteries (7) are in "Partial Charge" mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #3 is off (capacity restoration mode, ROM); battery
#2 is in "Cycle" mode; all other batteries (4) are in "Partial Charge" mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 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-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 1
dropped out 11/22).
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string #3
dropped out 10/22).

Propulsion System:

Total propellant load available: 4070 kg (8972 lb) as of 2/12/04 [SM(755) +
FGB(2656) + Progress M(0) + Progress M-1(659)]. (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 (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local
vertical, y-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -90 deg, pitch: -9 deg, roll: 1.7
deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) 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-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, 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 morning, 7:26am EST [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 366.8 km
Apogee -- 371.4km
Perigee -- 362.2 km
Period -- 91.88 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.628 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.000682
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.67
Mean altitude loss last 24 hours -- 100 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 29938

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 :-)

Editor: www.spacepatches.info