ISS On-Orbit Status, 18-08-2003

On-Orbit Status 18 Nov 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below. Week 16 is underway for Expedition 7.

With undocking of Progress-247/10P only nine days away, attention is
focusing on loading the cargo vehicle with approved deorbit items and their
tracking with the IMS (inventory management system). [Today's timeline had
2.5 hrs. of crewtime blocked out for CDR Yuri Malenchenko and 2 hrs. for
FE/SO Ed Lu. Ground specialists have provided a new list of items
identified for disposal and coordinated through the normal process, to be
updated as required.]

The crew has begun work on the Russian TCS (thermal control system, STR) in
the Service Module (SM), after careful review of the planned procedures by
safety personnel. The IFM (in-flight maintenance) requires the removal of
an electric pump unit (ENA) from the KOB-2 loop's replaceable pump panel
(SPN). The task is scheduled for two days: today the crew drained oolant
from the SPN lines, making sure that none of it leaks into the SM Working
Compartment (RO). Tomorrow, they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with
hack saw and bone saw to cut pipes and brackets. [The two KOB internal
thermal loops control the removal of metabolic heat and heat emitted by
working equipment; they also establish specific temperature conditions for
the cabin atmosphere. The excess heat is passed from the coolant through
liquid-liquid heat exchangers (ZhZhT) into the active external thermal
control system (KOKh) for subsequent radiation into open space. Each loop
contains 118 liters of "Triol" coolant fluid, i.e., water with a 30 percent
solution of glycerin (to lower the freezing point to 7 degC) plus biocide
and UV-light-sensitive additives to aid in leak detection. It is nontoxic
and poses no hazard to the crew. One liter of Triol can absorb about 14
cubic cm of air.]

Yuri Malenchenko completed the first of several downlinks of video footage
recorded on the Russian/German Plasma Crystal-3 (PK-3) payload on 7/31. The
next-day's (8/1) PK-3 run will be downlinked tomorrow. [The experiment
looks at plasma inside an evacuated work chamber, i.e., fine particles
charged and excited by RF/radio frequency power. On 7/31, Yuri monitored
the investigation of the behavior of large particles (from Dispenser B), in
two parts, viz., auto search for conditions promoting strong particle
agglomeration (6 min.), and auto search for conditions creating "void-free"
structures while varying HF discharge energy, chamber pressure, and number
of particles involved (75 min.).]

Ed Lu conducted the daily routine maintenance of the SM's SOZh life support
system (including ASU toilet facilities), did the regular status checkup of
Lab payloads (PCG-STES, MAMS), and prepared the daily IMS delta file for
updating the inventory management system's database.

Both crewmembers completed their daily 2.5-h program of physical exercise
(aerobic & anaerobic) on TVIS treadmill, RED expander and on the Russian
VELO cycle ergometer with load trainer.

Before sleep time tonight, Malenchenko is to set up the "Urolux" equipment
for his and Ed Lu's next session with the Russian biochemical urine test
(PZE MO-9), on tomorrow's schedule for both crewmembers.

POIC (Payload Operations & Integration Center) has requested the use of a
spare laptop to replace the failed SAMS (space acceleration measurement
system) interface control unit (ICU) laptop. [The laptop stopped sending
acceleration and health data to the ground on 7/31. Current draw dropped
approximately 1 amp. Subsequent troubleshooting by the crew exonerated
batteries and interface electronics, and established that the laptop is
faulty. Since there will be four new NGLs (next generation laptops, IBM
ThinkPad A31p] coming up with Progress 12P, the plan is to borrow an
available spare 760XD machine.]

The station's cabin atmosphere is periodically refreshed with gaseous oxygen
(O2) from Progress 10P O2 tanks (not required today). After 10P undocking,
repress oxygen will also be transferred from Progress 11P. [The Elektron
oxygen generator continues to be off, to conserve its service life. The
repress valve cycling, by the crew, relies on the U.S. MCA (major
constituents analyzer) or CSA-CP (compound specific analyzer-combustion
products) instruments to measure the 10mmHg pressure difference.]

On 8/20-21, MCC-Moscow/TsUP is planning to refuel the FGB tanks from
Progress 10P. The transfer of fuel (unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine, UDMH)
will be preceded, as usual, by a vacuum purge of the fuel (ZUG) lines, to
vent residuals in the plumbing between Progress and SM into space. The
purge, scheduled for tomorrow (8/19) will be recorded on video. [As
previous recordings have shown, there will be a stream of gas-liquid mixture
resembling snow. The fuel will flow with variable intensity of the liquid
phase stream, like "fireworks". Since the 10P's oxidizer tank is suspect,
there will be no oxidizer transfer (nitrogen tetroxide, N2O4).]

Starting at 5:00am EDT this morning and running for several hours, MCC-H and
its support group in Moscow (HSG) completed a BCC (backup control center)
dry-run in test mode, with no involvement of the ISS crew or vehicle. The
dry-run was fully successfully. [BCC utilizes the HSG command server and
telemetry server. In test mode, HSG (as BCC) sends a single not-for-uplink
PPCP (preplanned command packet) to MCC-M/TsUP, then cancels it after
successful transmission. MCC-M plays back ACT (American contingency
telemetry) recorded earlier, 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 are also not affected, but MCC-H has
no real-time telemetry and command capability via Russian ground stations
(RGS) during the dry-run.]

Troubleshooting of EMUs (extravehicular mobility units) #3013 and #3005
continues on the ground. A replacement filter for the gas trap of #3013 is
manifested on Soyuz 7S. Next step planned is the discharge, on 8/20, of the
EMU batteries used last week.

Procedures were uplinked for a crew review of steps to be taken in the event
of EPS BGA (Electric Power System/Beta Gimbal Angle) motor trips, to account
for recent changes in solar array rotation operating concepts. [In the
attitudes XPOP and YVV/"barbecue" (y-axis in velocity vector), the BGAs are
set to Autotrack or Directed Position, and as long as attitude remains
stable, a BGA motor trip at this time would have essentially no impact to
power generation. In XVV (x-axis in velocity vector), however, the BGAs are
set to a "triple angle" operating mode, with sun tracking during insolation
(orbital day) and fixed in minimal drag angle during eclipse (orbital
night), in which a BGA motor trip could potentially impact power generation
significantly. The Caution system would then alert the crew, which would
take specific steps.]

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 Atlanta, GA (nadir pass), Harpers Ferry, WVA (LEWIS & CLARK
SITE: This historic town is located at the confluence of the Potomac and
Shenandoah rivers where they break through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Crew
was asked to use the long lens for details of this small target; two
opportunities), Washington, D.C. (nadir pass, two opportunities), Gulf of
Maine plankton (pointing right of track, including some coastline for
orientation if possible), Missouri R. sites (LEWIS & CLARK SITE: Shooting
detailed views near nadir as ISS crossed the easy-to-see Missouri River),
Three Forks, MT (LEWIS & CLARK SITE: Looking at nadir, south of Canyon
Ferry Lake. Lewis and Clark named the three rivers which meet at this point
to form the Missouri River (July 25, 1805), York's Island, (Townsend, MT)
(LEWIS & CLARK SITE: Pointing a touch left at the south end of the only
large lake in the area, Canyon Ferry Lake, the visual cue. The group of isl
ands is located on the Missouri river, south of Townsend, Montana. The area
bears the name of Clark's servant and boyhood companion, York), Siberian
fires (Dynamic event. Numerous fires are burning left of track in the
central Amur River valley region. Looking for smoke pall. Smoke plumes
appear on the satellites as far east as the Sea of Okhotsk, [out of ISS
view]), Yangtze River Delta (nadir pass. Images of the coastline where
human intervention is intensive were requested), Shanghai, China (nadir
pass), Kabul, Afghanistan (looking just right of track on the wide valley
floor), Lahore, Pakistan (major city, at nadir), Alexandria, Egypt (pointing
a touch left), Pyramids of Gizeh, Egypt (pointing a touch left), and Cairo,
Egypt (nadir pass), 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 2:15pm EST).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered Off. 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. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.


SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) -- 26.7
; ppO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --
20.9.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 744; temperature (deg C) -- 23.0.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 740.71; temperature (deg C) -- 23.7 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742.00 temperature (deg C) -- 23.1; ppO2
(mmHg) -- 163.1; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.8.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 742.9; temperature (deg
C) -- 26.7; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 24.8, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2
(mmHg) -- n/a.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 24.0
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 13.2.

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available: 3616 kg (8038 lb) as of 8/7 [SM(774) +
FGB(2842) + Progress M(0) + Progress M-1(0)]. (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 Autotrack (solar tracking with 45 deg bias for drag reduction).
SM batteries: Battery #5 is off line(Capacity Restoration mode, ROM);
battery #6 is in "Cycle" mode; all other batteries (6) are in "Partial
Charge" mode. Batteries #1and #3 showing degraded capacity.
FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off line (Capacity Restoration mode, ROM); 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-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:

XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = "sun-fixed" [yaw: 0.5 deg,
pitch: -9.0 deg., roll: 0 deg]), with CMG TA (thruster assist).

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).
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, 7:32am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 383.8 km
Apogee -- 389.0 km
Perigee -- 378.6 km
Period -- 92.23 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0007737
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.61
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 75 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 27073
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

------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with
hack saw and bone saw to cut pipes and brackets. [The two KOB internal
thermal loops control the removal of metabolic heat and heat emitted

Gee dont you think fittings should of been mandatory on a pump. Its not
realistic that it lasts indefinetely/

In article ,
(Hallerb) wrote:

Tomorrow, they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with
hack saw and bone saw to cut pipes and brackets. [The two KOB internal
thermal loops control the removal of metabolic heat and heat emitted

Gee dont you think fittings should of been mandatory on a pump. Its not
realistic that it lasts indefinetely/

Especially one in a "replaceable pump panel".

Also, ""Triol" coolant fluid, i.e., water with a 30 percent solution of
glycerin (to lower the freezing point to 7 degC)"

Lower the freezing point of water...to 7C. I've read elsewhere of a
70-30 glycerin/water ratio with a freezing point of -40C, maybe they
meant -7C.

--
Christopher James Huff
http://home.earthlink.net/~cjameshuff/
POV-Ray TAG:
http://tag.povray.org/

Christopher James Huff wrote in
:

In article ,
(Hallerb) wrote:

Tomorrow, they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with
hack saw and bone saw to cut pipes and brackets. [The two KOB
internal thermal loops control the removal of metabolic heat and
heat emitted

Gee dont you think fittings should of been mandatory on a pump. Its
not realistic that it lasts indefinetely/

Especially one in a "replaceable pump panel".

Let's restore a little context he

The crew has begun work on the Russian TCS (thermal control system,
STR) in the Service Module (SM), after careful review of the planned
procedures by safety personnel. The IFM (in-flight maintenance)
requires the removal of an electric pump unit (ENA) from the KOB-2
loop's replaceable pump panel (SPN). The task is scheduled for two
days: today the crew drained oolant from the SPN lines, making sure
that none of it leaks into the SM Working Compartment (RO). Tomorrow,
they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with hack saw and bone saw
to cut pipes and brackets. [The two KOB internal thermal loops

This was not a NASA design.

--
JRF

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

In article ,
"Jorge R. Frank" wrote:

Christopher James Huff wrote in
:

In article ,
(Hallerb) wrote:

Tomorrow, they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with
hack saw and bone saw to cut pipes and brackets. [The two KOB
internal thermal loops control the removal of metabolic heat and
heat emitted

Gee dont you think fittings should of been mandatory on a pump. Its
not realistic that it lasts indefinetely/

Especially one in a "replaceable pump panel".

Let's restore a little context he

The crew has begun work on the Russian TCS (thermal control system,
STR) in the Service Module (SM), after careful review of the planned
procedures by safety personnel. The IFM (in-flight maintenance)
requires the removal of an electric pump unit (ENA) from the KOB-2
loop's replaceable pump panel (SPN). The task is scheduled for two
days: today the crew drained oolant from the SPN lines, making sure
that none of it leaks into the SM Working Compartment (RO). Tomorrow,
they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with hack saw and bone saw
to cut pipes and brackets. [The two KOB internal thermal loops

This was not a NASA design.

Who said it was?

--
Christopher James Huff
http://home.earthlink.net/~cjameshuff/
POV-Ray TAG:
http://tag.povray.org/

Christopher James Huff wrote in news:cjameshuff-
:

In article ,
"Jorge R. Frank" wrote:

This was not a NASA design.

Who said it was?

Nobody did, but the fact was lost in the quoting.

--
JRF

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

Nobody did, but the fact was lost in the quoting.

I realized it was russian, but still the design should allow replaceable parts.
A dead russian module hurts everything.

Tomorrow, they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with
hack saw and bone saw to cut pipes and brackets.

procedures by safety personnel. The IFM (in-flight maintenance)
requires the removal of an electric pump unit (ENA) from the KOB-2
loop's replaceable pump panel (SPN).

Seems to me that theree is a replaceable pump panel, but they decided to fix
the panel instead of replacing it with a spare. (lack of cargo capacity during
shuttle standdown might be the major reason).

If a unit is marked "no serviceable parts inside", do you complain when you
try to take it apart and it isn't so easy ?

Does the russian segment use welded joints instead of screwable fittings ?
Would this result in a significant enough weight savings ?

Tomorrow, they will deinstall the ENA pump, working with hack saw
and bone saw to cut pipes and brackets.

Likely I misunderstand something here, but isn't it unusual to
use serious emergency medical gear for non-medical, presumably
non-dire-emergency reasons? Or do they have several bone saws?

(Hallerb) wrote:

Nobody did, but the fact was lost in the quoting.

I realized it was russian, but still the design should allow replaceable parts.
A dead russian module hurts everything.

That's been a real problem for the Russians, and not just in their
space program. Somewhere along the line, they don't appear to have
gotten the concept of LRU's.

D.
--
The STS-107 Columbia Loss FAQ can be found
at the following URLs:

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Corrections, comments, and additions should be
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