ISS On-Orbit Status, 07-07-2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 7 Jul 2003


All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below. Week 9 for Increment 7 is underway, and this is Day 74 in space
for the crew.

CDR Yuri Malenchenko initiated another operations and measurement session of
the Molniya-SM/LSO hardware from SM window #3, with the French-provided
EGE-1 laptop running the latest NORAD orbital parameters. Once Yuri started
the recording session, the payload will work automatically until 5:00am EDT
on 7/11 (Friday). [Objective of Molniya-SM, similar to the French LSO
experiment, is to record storm phenomena and other related events in the
Earth's equatorial regions. The experiment is controlled from the French
EGE-1 laptop, loaded with orbital sighting predictions using an up-to-date
NORAD tracking TLE (two-line element) provided by NASA. Objective of LSO was
to study rare optical phenomena occurring in the upper layers of Earth's
atmosphere, so-called "sprites" (i.e., puzzling glow phenomena observed
above thunderstorm clouds). LSO was originally part of Claudie Haigneré's
French "Andromeda" payload package of taxi mission 3S that could not be
performed as planned during Increment 4 due to an ISS flight attitude
conflict.]

Malenchenko completed a scheduled search for a missing connector and
determined the length of the cable needed to connect a pressurized
commutation unit (BKG) of the intermodular radio link behind a Service
Module (SM) panel.

FE/SO Ed Lu conducted an IMS (inventory management system) audit of on-board
videocassettes, broken down in two tasks: a count of general-use digital and
8mm videotapes, and a count of payload-specific videocassettes. Data
collected by the audit are needed for upcoming Progress manifesting
decisions.

After lunch (7:50am EDT), the crew performed a three-hour in-flight
maintenance (IFM) in the SM, replacing a relay unit in the VSB-1M monoblock
of the SM audio subsystem (STTS). Later, Malenchenko activated the STTS for
testing its VHF1 channel in its various modes. [The "Voskhod-M" STTS
provides for telephone communication with users in the SM, FGB and U.S.
segment (USOS), as well as with users on the ground via VHF (very high
frequency) channels selected by an operator at the SM comm panel (PA). Also,
buttons pushed at any of the six comm panels in the SM allow access to any
of three audio channels, plus an intercom channel. The VSB-1M monoblock is
an integrated switching unit for selecting between primary and secondary
(backup) units of the VHF1 transmitter and receiver, and VHF2 simplex and
duplex receivers and transmitters. It has redundant interfaces to the
antenna feeder unit (AFU), the BRTS audio center, and the VSB
voice/telegraph signal separation unit.]

Both crewmembers completed their daily physical exercise program. Ed Lu also
performed the weekly maintenance of the TVIS treadmill (a five-minute task
usually done just prior to power-down or end of exercise session), and later
conducted the periodic (every other week) inspection of the RED (resistive
exercise device).

Yuri Malenchenko completed his regular daily inspection of the BIO-5
Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment which researches growth and development
of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-2 greenhouse.

Yuri also conducted the daily routine maintenance of SOZh life support
systems, while Ed Lu prepared the daily IMS (inventory management system)
"delta" file for updating the IMS database and tackled the regular daily
status checkup of the autonomous Lab payloads.

At 4:25am EDT, the crew set up and conducted a 10-min. ham radio session
with young attendants at the Euro Space Center Space Camp in Transinne,
Belgium. [The Euro Space Center is a permanent exhibition center devoted to
space and located in the hilly Ardennes country-side of Belgium. It also
comprises a US-licensed Space Camp (120 beds) where youngsters stay for a
week to get "space training".]

At 5:05am, Yuri Malenchenko was scheduled to set up and downlink a televised
greeting to participants, guests and organizers of "Space Day" at the IX
International Exhibit of Youth Science and Technology Projects EXPO-Science
2003 at the All-Russia Exhibition Center in Moscow. [The event, on 7/13
(Sunday), is commemorating the 65th anniversary of the city of Korolev, and
more than 80 foreign organizations are expected to participate in the
exhibit. Motto: "The fate of the planet is in the hands of the young".]

Malenchenko unstowed (from SM & FGB) the Russian MedOps SZM-MO-21 experiment
"Ecosphera" for setup, charging of its power supply and connecting the
Kriogem-03 refrigerator, for tomorrow's planned microbial air sampling run.
[The equipment, consisting of an air sampler set, a charger, power supply
unit, and incubation tray for Petri dishes, determines microbial
contamination of the ISS atmosphere, specifically the total bacterial and
fungal microflora counts and microflora composition according to morphologic
criteria of microorganism colonies.]

Moscow continues to analyze data from the failed Klest-140ST-M television
camera mounted externally on the SM aft end, pointing rearward (+X direction
for SM). Upon activation during a recent routine check, the electric circuit
blew a fuse. A new test of the camera is scheduled for 7/11 (Friday), using
the same kind of fuse, but on the backup circuit. According to Moscow, the
potential need to manufacture a new camera lends urgency to this activity.
[Good connectivity measurements by Malenchenko on 6/23 of the wiring, cable
network and connections to the SUBA (onboard equipment control system) have
been received and reviewed on the ground. This camera is intended to be used
for rendezvous and docking of the European ATV (automated transfer vehicle)
late next year at the SM aft port. If the camera itself is failed, a new
camera would need to be manufactured, delivered on orbit and installed via
an EVA/spacewalk at an existing bracket on the aft end. Removal and
replacement (R&R) of the old camera is not considered practical since the
EVA might interfere with adjacent sensitive Kurs and other comm antennas.]

Also on 7/11, MCC-M plans to conduct a test of the Russian Regul radio
control and communications system which is used for two-way voice comm,
digital command/program information and telemetry transmission. [The antenna
to be tested is located on SM solar array #4, which will be deactivated for
the occasion. Ensuring that the Regul cabling is operational is important
for its planned subsequent swap with Kurs system cabling during one of the
next EVAs, which also will involve one of the Strela cargo cranes (GSt)
mounted on the DC-1. The swap appears necessary since TsUP is having
problems with the current Kurs cabling, which is showing intermittent signal
loss.]

Last Friday (7/4), MCC-H completed its long-duration on-orbit thermal
characterization test on the station's S-band/string 1 subsystem (started on
6/30). [The test involved powering BSP (baseband signal processor) and XPDR
(standard TDRSS transponder) heaters off and on again after some time, to
obtain temperature readings during various orbit times, including recordings
during LOS (loss-of-signal). The objective was to correlate actual
temperatures with thermal engineering models which were found to
"underpredict" real thermal conditions. Results of phases 1 and 2 of the
testing agree well with current analytical predictions. Phase 3 data are
still under study.]

In response to a crew report that the pull cords of the two RED (resistive
exercise device) canisters are of unequal length following the recent IFM,
ground specialists are now recommending re-installation of the cables,
possibly as early as 7/9 (Wednesday).

After a transient error message on the primary PMCU (power management
controller unit) computer over the weekend, MCC-HG performed a data dump
which is currently being evaluated. The PMCU is operating nominally. [The
message was probably caused by a brief glitch in the G&NC MDM (guidance,
navigation & control computer) while processing data during TDRS satellite
switching.]

Troubleshooting of Ed Lu's EMU on the ground is continuing at MCC-H at low
priority. [During a suit don/doff demo on 5/28, Ed Lu ran into a problem
with his LCVG (liquid cooling ventilation garment), for which he couldn't
establish cooling water flow. The exercise was terminated, and the issue is
still being looked at on the ground with simulation runs. The spacesuit in
question is presently considered nonfunctional, but it is one of three EMUs
on board, and the other two are functional.]

MCC-M reports that the R&R of the catalyst cartridge (PKF) in the SM's
micropurification filtration system (BMP) on 7/2 by Malenchenko was not
successful. Because of a problem with the correct installation of the
filter, the system was not activated (contrary to previous report on 7/2).
The subsequent replacement of its heater unit on 7/3 was also unsuccessful,
since it did not fit in place. The BMP remains operational but is not as
efficient as intended. Its operation in the degraded condition is currently
being evaluated.

The degraded power situation in the Russian segment is continuing unchanged.
Of the eight SM batteries, #4 is off line and will probably be replaced
tomorrow with the only remaining spare from the FGB. Batteries #1, #2 and #3
are operating with reduced capacity. Appropriate power balancing with USOS
and load shedding plans are in place. Two more 800A accumulators will be
manifested on the next Progress cargo ship (12P).

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:45pm EST).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered On (16 amp mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is
On (in Manual Mode 5/3). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace
contaminant control subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents
analyzer) is operating. BMP Harmful Impurities unit: absorbent bed #1 in
Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode (unit is off). RS air conditioner SKV-1
is On; SKV-2 is Off.

SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) -- 26.6;
ppO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --
20.9.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752; temperature (deg C) -- n/a.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 741.34; temperature (deg C) -- 22.8 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 743.81; temperature (deg C) -- n/a; ppO2
(mmHg) -- 169.5; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.6.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 743.60; temperature (deg
C) -- n/a; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.5, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2
(mmHg) -- n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 19.9
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.5.
(n/a = data not available)
Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available: 3803 kg (8384 lb) as of 6/26 [SM(774) +
FGB(2447) + Progress M(182) +Progress M-1(400)].
(Capability: SM -- 860 kg; FGB -- 6120 kg).
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B
both in directed position (Blind/triple-angle mode, non solar-tracking, drag
reduction).
SM batteries: Battery #4 is disconnected (failed 6/16); battery #7 is in
"Cycle" mode; all other batteries (6) are in "Partial Charge" mode.
Batteries #1, #2 and #3 showing degraded capacity.
FGB batteries: Battery #3 is offline; battery #1 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-1 is operating; INT-2 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-2 MDM is Off; PL-1 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.
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: -10 deg, pitch: -9.3 deg, roll: 0
deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.
Solar Beta angle: 20.0 deg (magnitude increasing).
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 (internal audio controller #1)
being analyzed after self-test error. IAC-2 is prime.]
Video subsystem operating nominally.
HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.
Robotics:

SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF #1 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, 7:22am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 386.9 km
Apogee -- 392.5 km
Perigee -- 381.4 km
Period -- 92.29 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.000819
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.60
Solar Beta Angle -- 20.0 deg (magnitude increasing)
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 80 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 26417
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

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