ISS On-Orbit Status, 24-10-2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 24 Oct 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below. Expedition 7 is in the home stretch, and the count for their stay
in space today is at 181 days.

The ceremony of formal Change-of-Command from Expedition 7 (Yuri
Malenchenko, Ed Lu) to Expedition 8 (Michael Foale, Aleksandr Kaleri) took
place at 2:20pm EDT, transmitted to the ground via Ku- and S-band and
broadcast live on NASA TV. With this, stewardship of the space station is
officially transferred to the new crew.

Handover activities between Yuri Malenchenko and Ed Lu on the one hand and
Mike Foale and Sasha Kaleri on the other hand continue to go well, and the
crews have expressed their satisfaction with the timeline pace.

There were two hours allotted on today's schedule for general handover,
performed by Ed, Yuri, Mike and Sasha, in addition to joint walk-throughs on
specific tasks. [The latter today included familiarization sessions by
Malenchenko to Kaleri on the procedures for the Russian GFI-8 'Uragan'
experiment (earth observations program) and Diatomeya program (ocean
observations), with the Nikon F5 and D1 cameras and EGE-2 and TP1 laptops,
followed by the handover of the Rasteniya-2 (Plants-2) plant growth
experiment. At the end, the two cosmonauts prepared two copies of the
formal ISS Russian segment (RS) handover report (one to be returned on Soyuz
6S), including the standard certificate of return items and equipment
excessed on Progress 12P, all signed by Malenchenko, Kaleri and Lu as
attestants.]

VCFE1 Pedro Duque had another busy (and successful) day conducting ESA's
'Cervantes' research program, today mostly focusing on the motion and
orientation activities of the NEUROCOG experiment. [Kaleri and Duque
activated the EGE-2 computer and set up the KOGNI and NEIROKOG hardware,
followed by Pedro doing virtual turns and rotations in fixed and
free-floating position in zero-G called for by the NEUROCOG protocol, while
Sasha assisted and took video recordings.]

Duque also worked on the Russian BTKh-32 MSK stem cell biotech experiment by
adding fresh growth medium to the 'cyto-differentation cultivators' no.
7-12. On the MSS-2/MESSAGE payload, he installed today's biological strain
sample #5 (of six) for incubation. At the MSG (Microgravity Science
Glovebox), Pedro installed a new videotape (#5) for the PromISS-2
experiment, which is still running nominally, producing 'great looking'
video. Malenchenko set up the Plasma centrifuge and other Plasma-03
equipment for Duque, who is to use it for the SIMPATHO experiment before the
end of his stay.

Pedro and Sasha continued the video and photo imagery of Duque's onboard
activities for documentary and PAO use on Earth. Kaleri later again had ten
minutes scheduled for recharging the DVCAM camcorder battery.

ESA has not yet recovered the BMI blood pressure and data collection
experiment, which unexpectedly lost its pressure measurement and recording
instrument on 10/22. [Troubleshooting is continuing, with 10 min. scheduled
for Pedro today to power cycle the instrument and download a measurement
point for test. The BMI failure also impacts the CARDIOCOG experiment,
which was to use BMI's blood pressure measurements. NASA has offered use of
equivalent U.S. blood pressure measuring equipment if the BMI instrument
cannot be recovered in time. The BMI cuff was to be worn on the arm not
used for blood draws, with Pedro's blood pressure measurements to be taken
every 15 min. throughout the day and every 30 min. during the night. The
task also involved filling out logbook questionnaires for each data take
period.]

Kaleri and Malenchenko had 3 hrs. set aside to conduct the Soyuz descent
training exercise, standard procedure for each crew returning on a Soyuz.
The exercise was supported by a tagup with ground experts at TsUP/Moscow via
U.S. S-band. [The training session included a review of the pertinent ODF
(operational data files), specifically the books on Soyuz Insertion &
Descent Procedures, Emergency Descents, and Off-Nominal Situation
Procedures, and it featured special emphasis on nominal operations with the
new Neptune-ME 'cockpit' console. During descent, CDR Malenchenko will
occupy the middle couch, with FE-1 Duque in the left seat and FE-2 Ed Lu in
the Descent Module's right 'Kazbek-U' couch.]

CDR Malenchenko held a 20-min. tag-up with ground specialists via S-band to
discuss the weekly IMS (inventory management system) status update. [The
telecon today focused on details of Soyuz TMA-2/6S stowage and the
preliminary plan for it. Mike Foale was also commended on his persistency
in using the bar code reader (BCR) for the IMS logging.]

Yuri also performed his regular weekly inspection of the BRPK air/condensate
water separator system. Kaleri completed the routine technical maintenance
of the SM's SOZh environment control & life support system and prepared the
daily IMS "delta" file for automatic export/import to update the database,
while Ed Lu did the regular routine status checkup of the autonomously
running Lab payloads.

Pedro Duque had half an hour set aside to work through and answer his email
from 'down home'.

For joint ops environmental monitoring, Mike Foale installed 15 radiation
area monitors (RAMs) in the station modules.

Assisted by Kaleri, CDR-7 Yuri Malenchenko completed the last day ops of the
Russian MBI-2 Deuraz ("Diuresis") experiment, which today featured the end
of urine sampling and instead collection of capillary blood specimen for
hematocrit (red blood cell mass) determination and venous blood samples,
followed by centrifugation for BIOTEST. Deuraz was then closed out.

Malenchenko used the IPD Draeger tube air samplers to sample for ammonia
(NH3), collecting samples in the SM. [NH3 sampling is regularly done before
and after the Deuraz (Diuresis) experiment.]

Ed Lu took CO2 (carbon dioxide) readings with the U.S. CDMK (CO2 monitoring
kit) gas analyzer and called down the results to MCC-H.

Pedro Duque again worked with the SSAS (solid sorbent air sampler) system,
deactivating it after its latest 24-hr. collection run.

FE-8 Alex Kaleri conducted the regularly recurring task of photographing the
internal cone of the DC-1's docking assembly used for the recent Soyuz 7S
arrival. These images are needed to refine current understanding of the
docking conditions. [The objective is to take photos of the scratch mark
('foot print') left by the head of the docking probe on the internal surface
of the docking cone. Sasha used a digital still camera (Kodak 760 or Nikon
D1) to take two pictures with partially closed hatch and downlinked them
later during the day via U.S. OCA assets.]

In the SM, Kaleri performed IFM (in-flight maintenance) on the BMP harmful
impurities filtration system, removing and replacing the electrical heater
of the PKF-T catalytic thermal cartridge. The BMP was then to be activated
per ground specialist go-ahead (via S-band).

In the Soyuz TMA-3/7S, Sasha installed a DTG gas temperature sensor in the
BP instrumentation package of the Orbital Module (OM). The sensor had been
removed from the OM of Soyuz TMA-2/6S.

Foale and Lu filled up another CWC (collapsible water container) with 15 kg
of water from the condensate collection tank. Later, to keep track of
onboard water supplies, they conducted the periodic CWC inventory. [CWCs
are stored in the Node in a 'bungee jail', each one identified with a serial
number and containing potable, technical, or condensate water. The potable
water has its iodine removed and silver biocide plus minerals added and is
regularly sampled. Technical water has the iodine removed and silver
biocide added; it is not sampled after filling. Condensate is treated with
biocide and can be dumped or treated in the SM's condensate processor system
(CFC) for use in the Elektron or used as flush water for the ASU toilet.]

Both crews worked out according to their regular daily physical exercise
program on TVIS treadmill and CEVIS cycle (aerobic), and RED exerciser
(anaerobic). Ed Lu then transferred data files from the physical exercise
equipment to the MEC (medical equipment computer) via memory card and RED
log entries, for downlink on OCA comm.

Later, he also performed the periodic transfer of accumulated data files
from the wrist-band HRM (heart rate monitor) receiver stations to the MEC
for downlink, then deleted them on the HRM.

Mike completed the regular once-a-week maintenance reboot on the operational
PCS laptops.

Assisted by Kaleri, Spanish astronaut Pedro Duque set up the TV equipment in
the SM at 3:35am EDT. Later, he downlinked a live Spanish-language TV
interview at 3:30am with television channel TVE in Spain. During the
exchanges, Pedro displayed the logo of the TV station.

Solar activity is currently high due to two active solar regions. One of
the two PCUs (Plasma Contactor Units) was turned on for about one day to see
whether there is any significant plasma disturbance that the ISS picks up.
[A coronal mass ejection (CME) occurred on 10/22, expected to arrive at
Earth today and possibly triggering a major geomagnetic storm. An X5-class
solar flare erupted yesterday, with an associated CME. Further developments
are being monitored, particularly the possibility of a proton event for
today and tomorrow. The expected geomagnetic storms do not present a direct
risk to IV (intravehicular) crewmembers, but EVA would involve elevated risk
during the event.]

Upcoming Soyuz-212 Events:

6S hatch closu 10/27 (Monday), 3:10pm Eastern.
6S undocking: 6:20pm Eastern, 2:20am (10/28) Moscow;
6S landing: 10/27 (Monday), 9:36pm Eastern, 5:36am (10/28) Moscow.

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:42pm EDT).

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

Elektron O2 generator is powered On, 32A. Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in
Manual Mode 5/3). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Operating. TCCS (trace
contaminant control subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents
analyzer) is off (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.


SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) --
28.3; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 160.8; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 2.4.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 765; temperature (deg C) --
21.8.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 772; temperature (deg C) -- 21.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 760.43; temperature (deg C) -- 22.7 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 762.49; temperature (deg C) -- 25.2; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 762.58; 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) -- 16.5.

(n/a = data not available)

Electrical Power Systems:

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B
both in Directed Position (non-suntracking).
SM batteries: Battery #8, formerly known as #7, is off, still in slot #8;
all other batteries (7) are in "Partial Charge" mode (batteries #1 and #3
are degraded).
FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off; battery #2 is in 'Cycle' mode; all other
batteries (5) are in "Partial Charge" mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Discharge mode (solar
flare activity, see above).

Command & Data Handling Systems:

C&C-2 MDM is prime, C&C-1 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 #2
dropped out 9/26.
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational; string #3
dropped out 10/22.

Propulsion System:

Total propellant load available: 3856 kg (8501b) as of 10/23 [SM(755) +
FGB(2749) + Progress M(352) + Progress M-1(0)]. (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 (y-axis in velocity vector, i.e. flying 'sidewise') [yaw: -90 deg,
pitch: -8.9 deg., roll: 1.8 deg]), with CMG 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-2 is prime, IAC-1 is suspect).
Video subsystem operating nominally.
HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.

Robotics:

SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF #2/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, 7:34am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 379.7 km
Apogee -- 384.1 km
Perigee -- 375.2 km
Period -- 92.1 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0006625
Solar Beta Angle -- -52.0 deg (magnitude decreasing)
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.63
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 110 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 28120
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

Jacques van Oene wrote:
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below.

In light of recent discussion on all the failed devices in the ISS, the above
statements seem to remove credibility from those status reports.

It would be interesting to get the real scoop on exactly what works fully,
partially and doesn't work at all on the whole station.

On or about Sat, 25 Oct 2003 09:19:06 -0400, Jean Luc Picard
made the sensational claim that:
In light of recent discussion on all the failed devices in the ISS, the above
statements seem to remove credibility from those status reports.

Hi Mezei.

It would be interesting to get the real scoop on exactly what works fully,
partially and doesn't work at all on the whole station.

Oh and I think Starfleet would probably be a *.mil
--
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LooseChanj wrote in
news
On or about Sat, 25 Oct 2003 09:19:06 -0400, Jean Luc Picard
made the sensational claim that:
In light of recent discussion on all the failed devices in the ISS,
the above statements seem to remove credibility from those status
reports.

Hi Mezei.

My suspicion as well - probably all the Star Trek 'nyms are him as well.

It would be interesting to get the real scoop on exactly what works
fully, partially and doesn't work at all on the whole station.

Oh and I think Starfleet would probably be a *.mil

Or *.gov. But definitely not *.org.

--
JRF

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

On or about 25 Oct 2003 18:36:45 GMT, Jorge R. Frank made the sensational claim that:
LooseChanj wrote in
news
Hi Mezei.

My suspicion as well - probably all the Star Trek 'nyms are him as well.

Yeah, check the user agent, JFM is the only other person I see in the sci.space.*
groups who uses it.

Oh and I think Starfleet would probably be a *.mil

Or *.gov. But definitely not *.org.

I thought about *.gov, but it's navy.mil, and army.mil not usmc.gov. It's a
tough call. Is Starfleet primarily a military organization, or is it some
sort of NASA descendant? I suppose it's obvious which way I lean, but even if
Starfleet were a NASA type agency, the military aspect would still be there.
You don't go where no one has gone before without being able to defend yourself
from whatever might be out there. Then there's the threats in the neighborhood
like Klingons, Romulans, and whatnot. So I'd classify Starfleet as a military
organization with a (strong) secondary scientific role.
--
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It's properly formatted | who you mean to reply-to | Inquire within if you
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On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 23:15:29 GMT, LooseChanj
wrote:

On or about 25 Oct 2003 18:36:45 GMT, Jorge R. Frank made the sensational claim that:
LooseChanj wrote in
news
Hi Mezei.

My suspicion as well - probably all the Star Trek 'nyms are him as well.

Yeah, check the user agent, JFM is the only other person I see in the sci.space.*
groups who uses it.

Oh and I think Starfleet would probably be a *.mil

Or *.gov. But definitely not *.org.

I thought about *.gov, but it's navy.mil, and army.mil not usmc.gov.

But we do have af.mil for the Air Force.

Brian

LooseChanj wrote:

Oh and I think Starfleet would probably be a *.mil

It's a .net

http://www.earthlink.net/about/press...aunchstartrek/

--
Tony Sivori