ISS On-Orbit Status, 24-06-2004

ISS On-Orbit Status 24 Jun 2004

All ISS systems continue to function nominally except those noted
previously or below. EVA Day!...and going well so far.

The crew woke up at 9:10am EDT to a long and strenuous 19h 50m day. Before
breakfast, Padalka and Fincke completed the mandatory Russian pre- &
post-EVA biomedical assessment MO-9/Urinalysis. [MO-9 uses the
sophisticated in-vitro diagnostic apparatus "Urolux" developed for the Mir
program. The device is first calibrated with prepared calibration strips
(if not used for more than seven days) before receiving the measuring strips
with the subject's urine samples for automatic (photometric) analysis. LEDs
indicate immediately if the data are within (green) or outside (red) the
physiological norm, and they are also printed on a tape for report to
MCC-M/TsUP (actually to IBMP, the Moscow Institute of Biomedical Problems).]

After breakfast, the crew worked their way through a detailed list of
pre-EVA closedown activities in the U.S. (USOS) and Russian (RS) segments,
preparing the ISS for the unmanned period:

In the USOS, FE/SO Mike Fincke reconfigured the ITCS (internal thermal
control system) in the Lab for unmanned operation. [The procedure left
string 1 of critical USOS flight electronics be cooled by the LTL (low
temperature loop) pump and the string 2 cooled by the MTL (moderate
temperature loop) pump. This is done so that an MTL failure does not cause
a complete loss of cooling to all USOS avionics. To prevent or at least
minimize any minor leakage past some of the QDs (quick disconnects), as seen
in this configuration during the last EVA, Fincke today cycled
(disconnected/reconnected) each QD once prior to demating it (to try
flushing any precipitates that may have built up on the seals), and after
disconnecting them he installed caps and plugs for the QDs that remain
demated (to provide a second seal to leakage).]

CDR Padalka set up the DC1 docking compartment and the SM PkhO (Service
Module Transfer Compartment) for isolation and EVA activities.
[Preparations in the DC1 were mostly to ensure that all necessary equipment
is in place (e.g., fire extinguisher, pressure gauge, lighting fixtures,
medical kits, etc.).]

Hatch closure between USOS and RS was at ~11:00am. The crew now resides in
the RS.

Padalka and Fincke then began reconfiguring the RS for unmanned ops. [In
the SM, preparations included powering off the manual controls console
(InPU) with its laptop, the pressure alarm sensors (DSD), the C&W (caution &
warning) panel (PSS), the digital clock, and all laptops in the Service
Module (SM). Gennady also closed the protective window covers and
deactivated the TVIS treadmill, the running payloads, the food supply
subsystem (SOP), the condensate water processing system (SRV-K2), the
thermal control system (SOTR), the toilet system (ASU), the Vozdukh CO2
scrubber and the ventilation system.]

Later, the crewmembers performed a checkout of the Orlan systems, of the BSS
spacesuit interface units in the DC1 and PkhO, and of the four BK-3 oxygen
repressurization tanks in the DC1. Testing of communication links followed,
including VHF/voice and biomedical electrode belt and telemetry hookups via
the BSS (later by the wireless in-suit Tranzit-B radio telemetry system) for
vital signs and equipment monitoring.

Inside the DC-1, Fincke and Padalka will begin suit donning and backpack
sealing at ~3:35pm.

After removal of the ventilation air duct extending from the SM through the
DC-1 to the Soyuz TMA-4, including its interior fans, DC1 hatches will be
closed immediately before depressurization.

Ground-commanded activities include (1) MCC-H activating both PCUs (plasma
contactor units) at ~2:00pm. switching the BGAs (beta gimbal assemblies) of
the U.S. solar array wings to Solar Autotrack mode (~2:40pm), and
configuring the MSS (mobile service system) external cameras to support the
EVA (2:50pm), while (2) TsUP/Moscow activates "Tranzit-B" suit
communications (2:53pm) and later feathers the FGB solar arrays (5:25pm).
During the EVA, MCC-H will also conduct an on-orbit checkout of CMG-2 and
switch the DDCU (dc-to-dc converter unit) 2A, i.e., the RPCM's power source,
first off, later back on.

At 3:20pm, ISS attitude control will be handed over to RS MCS (motion
control system), to be returned to the U.S. CMGs and momentum management
mode at 1:05am tomorrow morning. [At 4:35pm, SM thrusters will slew the
station through small angles to MPA (minimum propellant attitude) for the
duration of the spacewalk. During DC1 depress, SM thrusters are enabled to
counteract any reactionary forces, but at 5:20pm they will be inhibited for
the spacewalkers translation paths to prevent pluming the crew and
minimizing contamination potential.]

After final checkout of suits and their controls, successive stages of
airlock depressurization will begin at ~ 4:05pm, each step allowing for a
check for Orlan leaks. [Pressure inside the spacesuits will be reduced to
0.42 at (6.2 psi). After suit purge, a 30-minute oxygen prebreathe period
starts at ~5:00pm, as pressures between DC1 and the SM transfer compartment
(PkhO) are equalized and then further reduced. A final leak check will be
conducted of the BK-3 O2 tanks. At end of prebreathe, DC1 pressure will be
down to 15 mmHg (torr), holding for 5 min for a final cabin leak check,
followed by switch to independent Orlan suit power at ~5:48pm.]

EV1 hatch opening is expected at or about 5:50pm.

After egress at ~5:56pm, the crew will configure and prepare the GStM1
"Strela" cargo crane at the DC1, extend it to its full length and attach its
"business end" at an FGB handrail. They will then translate along the boom
to the PMA-1 (pressurized mating adapter 1) between FGB and Node, move to
the S0 truss element on top of the Lab and perform the R&R (removal &
replacement) of the defunct S0-2B RPCM (remoter power controller module)
with the spare. After cleaning up the S0 worksite, the crew will return to
the DC1, while reversing all previous activity steps, to ingress the airlock
at or about 11:24pm tonight.

After repressurizing the DC1 airlock, the crew will open hatches and reenter
the SM. The RS cabin will be repressed with fresh air from Progress 14P, if
required (on TsUP Go).

Immediately afterwards, Padalka and Fincke will take another MO-9 urine
biochemistry test (~00:50am), followed by restoring comm systems to pre-EVA
configuration.

Hatch opening to the U.S. segment is scheduled for ~1:50am, after which Mike
Fincke will reconfigure the ITCS (~2:05am) and the OpsLAN onboard computer
network (~2:20am). Meanwhile, Gennady Padalka will restore the DC1 and
other RS modules to pre-EVA conditions.

Sleep time on the current offnominal shifted cycle begins around 5:00am
tomorrow morning, to extend through 2:00pm tomorrow afternoon.

Today's CEO (Crew Earth Observations) photo targets, crew-awake period only,
were Great Salt Lake (detailed views of the west side of the lake are needed
to complete the mapping results acquired thus far), and Panama Canal region
(clearer than usual weather may persist for this seldom imaged target. The
target extends along the isthmus for 50 miles on either side of the canal).

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. & Russian Segment Status (as of today, 2:00pm EDT)

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

Elektron O2 generator is On. Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is Off. U.S. CDRA CO2
scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating.
SM Gas Analyzer has been calibrated and is used for ppO2 & ppCO2 monitoring.
MCA (major constituents analyzer) is in Life Extending Mode (LEM). BMP
Harmful Impurities unit: absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify
mode. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is Off, SKV-2 is Off (SM panel mods
completed 4/8; SKV-2 activation failed 4/20; currently inoperable due to
leaky condensate hose). SFOG slot #2 fan suspect (not usable).


SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) --
24.0; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 155.4; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.7.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --
20.0.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756; temperature (deg C) -- 20.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751.52; temperature (deg C) -- 22.8 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 753.60; temperature (deg C) -- 25.0; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 753.40; temperature (deg
C) -- 23.3; shell heater temp (deg C) -- n/a, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2
(mmHg) -- n/a.

(n/a = data not available)


PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- n/a
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- n/a.

Electrical Power Systems (EPS): B

oth P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B
both in directed position (Blind mode, non solar-tracking).
SM batteries: All batteries (8) are on line in "Partial Charge" mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #5 is off line; all other batteries (5) are on line
in "Partial Charge" mode.


Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 is in Operate mode; PCU-2 is in Operate mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is backup, and C&C-3 is in standby.
GNC-2 MDM is prime; GNC-1 is backup.
INT-2 is operating; INT-1 is Off.
EXT-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 is Off (backup).
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 11/22/03).
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string #3
dropped out 10/22/03).
FGB MDM-1 is Off (failed, 11/21/03); MDM-2 is Operational.

Propulsion System:

Total propellant load available: 4002 kg (8823 lb) as of 6/10/04; [SM(552)
+ FGB(2811) + Progress M(639)]. (Capabilities: SM -- 860 kg; FGB -- 6120
kg).

Attitude Control Systems:

2 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed, since 6/6/02; CMG-2's RPC-17 failed 4/21/04).
State vector source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Angular rate source -- RGA-1

Flight Attitude:

LVLH XVV (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local
vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9 deg, roll: 0
deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management, until 6/28,
following the EVA.

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 (may require a mask).
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, operational on redundant string,
off on prime.
MBS: KA (keep alive) 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, 7:23am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 360.9 km
Apogee -- 364.5 km
Perigee -- 357.3 km
Period -- 91.8 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.6327 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0005398
Solar Beta Angle -- 2.5 deg
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.69
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 65 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 31946

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 :-)

www.spacepatches.info