ISS On-Orbit Status, 28-02-2004

ISS On-Orbit Status 28 Feb 2004

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below. Flight Control to Crew: "One of the best and purest joys is
having a rest after labor. (Immanuel Kant)"

Saturday,- nominally a day of sleeping long. After the "nap", which had
been inserted in the crew's workday, ended this morning at 3:00am EST, Foale
and Kaleri performed a number of tasks before having their dinner at
~10:30am this morning and beginning their "regular" sleep cycle at 12:00pm,
for a wakeup early tomorrow at 1:00am (which gets them back on the nominal
sleep cycle).

Before sleep time, the crew complete EVA-9 closeout operations by packing up
and stowing the retrieved folded Japanese MPAC/SEED container for return to
Earth.

Sasha started another regeneration cycle on absorbent bed #1 of the BMP
harmful impurities unit in the SM, leaving channel 2 in Purify mode.

Mike took the regular ppCO2 (carbon dioxide partial pressure) readings in
the SM and Lab with the CDMK (carbon dioxide monitoring kit). [These
weekly readings in both modules, using the same CDMK unit, are now being
conducted for the next few weeks to help the ground better assess if IMV
(intermodular ventilation) flow between the U.S. and Russian segments has
become degraded.]

The crew had the option of working out on CEVIS bike and TVIS treadmill, and
Mike then downloaded the accumulated data files from the exercise equipment
to the MEC via memory card and RED log entries, for downlink on OCA comm.
The CDR also performed the periodic (weekly) transfer of accumulated data
files from the wristband HRM (heart rate monitor) receiver stations to the
MEC for downlink, and then deleted them on the HRM.

TsUP/Moscow confirmed that the following objectives were accomplished during
the abbreviated EVA-9 on 2/26: (1) replacement of an SKK removable materials
sample cassette from DC-1, (2) retrieval of Japanese MPAC/SEEDS panel #2 and
relocation of MPAC/SEEDS panel #3, (3) installation/activation of the ESA
"Matryoshka" experiment, (4) removal of two Velcro (Aramid) straps from the
WA2 ham radio antenna, and (5) replacement of two SKK removable materials
sample cassettes on the Service Module (SM). Not completed we (1)
retrieval/relocation of Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Laser Retro
Reflectors (LRR) for ESA, and (2) retrieval/installation of "Kromka"
thruster contamination sampling tray; two additional tasks involving the
"Platan-M" payload experiment and imagery of external structures, which were
to be performed only if the other tasks were completed early, were also not
accomplished. All incoimplete tasks can be included in the two EVAs planned
for Increment 9.

When SM panel power was turned off during EVA preps, the PCS (portable
computer system) laptop in the SM was also deactivated, which was in
violation of a flight rule and the EVA-9 Minimum Equipment List. [The
flight rule requires a minimum of two active PCS's attached to core data
busses for Caution & Warning support. After coordinated
evaluation/assessment of the situation by MCC-H specialists, including the
IMMT Chair, the violation was deemed acceptable, and EVA ops continued as
planned. The PCS was successfully reactivated following the spacewalk.]

During EVA-9 preparations, the PromISS-3 crystal growth experiment in the
MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) experienced an unexpected shutdown.
MSFC/POIC (Payload Operations & Integration Center) recovered PromISS to its
nominal configuration with a ground commanded reboot (see below).

Following the pressure equalization between the U.S. and Russian segments
after EVA-9, ground controllers at MCC-H noted a 0.5-psi pressure
differential between the CL (Crew Lock) and the EL (Equipment Lock) in the
U.S. "Quest" Airlock, which was below the 0.7-psi flight rule limit. The
CDR was instructed to relieve the excess pressure using the MEV (manual
equalization valve) on the A/L's IV hatch prior to crew sleep.

Weekly Science Update (Expedition Eight -- 17th):

GASMAP: Next GASMAP operations will take place in mid-March..

Human Research Facility/Workstation (HRF WS): Continuing.

Advanced Ultrasound: Planned.

Hand Posture Analyzer (HPA: Looking forward to future operations.

In-Space Soldering Investigation (ISSE): Nothing new.

Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI): Looking forward to
future operations, after the PromISS operations. Space Acceleration
Measurement System (SAMS): SAMS captured Orlan EVA data on 2/26; recovered
from ICU laptop lock-up. Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System
(MAMS): MAMS captured Orlan EVA data on 2/26.

Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System (PCG-STES):
Behaving nominally.

Protein Crystal Growth Monitoring by Digital Holographic Microscope
(PromISS): Experimental conditions are optimal and the optical microscope
is showing very stable fringe patterns. A new table was uploaded on 2/24
that modified the video recording rate in such a way that tape #12 can be
used for 6 days. The hardware is now recording one wheel revolution for
every four. Although scheduled for 2/24 at 8:20pm EST, the tape exchange
from #11 to #12 occurred at 2/25 (7:28am), but minimal science loss is
expected, since no more than two revolutions of the wheel were not recorded.
This is insignificant compared to the approximately 420 revolutions to be
recorded in all. On 2/26, an unexpected reset of the experiment was
experienced, during which the hardware reverted to a warm-up state after 26
days of nominal ops. After this reset, telemetry immediately showed that
everything looked 100% nominal. The science loss due to the reset appears
to be very limited. Tape #12 will most likely run out by the afternoon of
3/2. PromISS will automatically go to "Wait Tape" mode if the tape runs
out.

Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal
Emulsions (InSPACE): Planned.

Renal Stone (RS): Last in-flight data collection session will occur in
April. Thanks to the crew for their continued support with taking their
daily pills at dinner time.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites
(SHERES): Pre-Increment requirements have been completed. A second BBT
(Beacon & Beacon Tester) session will be scheduled in US Lab.

Foot/Ground Reaction Forces during Space Flight (FOOT): The Foot Data will
be downlinked a second time next week. As soon as the PI has seen the data,
Mike Foale will be provided with any updates and address his questions after
the last Ops session.

Materials ISS Experiment (MISSE): In progress. Deployed outside. Nominal
and collecting data.

Cellular Biotechnology Support Systems-Fluid Dynamics Investigation
(CBOSS-FDI): Looking forward to the next set of FDI Tissue Culture runs.

Yeast Group Activation Packs (Yeast GAP): Nothing new.

Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM): Nothing new.

Earth Science Toward Exploration Research (ESTER): Looking forward to the
upcoming sessions.

Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2): Planned.

Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA): CGBA continues to run
nominally at 20C.

Miscible Fluids in Microgravity (MFMG): Nothing new.

Educational Payload Operations (EPO): The education demonstrations continue
to be excellent. The video will be used in a variety of ways. The ground
is looking forward to upcoming activities.

Crew Earth Observations (CEO): A striking ISS/CEO image of the village of
Argudan on the north slopes of the Caucasus Mountains will be published on
Earth Observatory this weekend as low light and snowcover enhance the
distinctive terrain and land use patterns of this region. Also published
this past week in the Dynamic Events section of Earth Observatory were the
crew's dramatic views of two storms in southwestern Asia on 2/15. The first
was a sandstorm sweeping over Qatar on the Persian Gulf and the second was a
large dust storm over the Kerman Desert of southeastern Iran. Careful
review of ISS/CEO imagery determined that the crew recently acquired views
of three of CEO city targets that meet requirements: Bogota, Columbia;
Phoenix, AZ; and a particularly outstanding Seattle, WA. The crew also made
a fine effort in documenting aerosol events taking advantage of their
varying look angle, lighting conditions, and lens settings. While the
ground has seen improvement in image focus overall, the crew is to keep
working on their long-lens views. Camera times remain consistent and
correct.

ISS Orbit (as of this noon, 12:42pm EST [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 365.7 km
Apogee -- 369.7 km
Perigee -- 361.6 km
Period -- 91.86 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.629 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0006004
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.68
Mean altitude loss last 24 hours -- 135 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 30114

For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times,
see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html



--
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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info