ISS On-Orbit Status, 27-08-2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 27 Aug 2003

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below.

Today is Progress M-247/10P departure day. The crew completed all final
activities preparatory to the undocking tonight at 6:45pm EDT. [10P was
activated at 1:50am, followed by ground-commanded interconnecting of its
helium tanks (KDU) and uplink of the undock program to its autopilot. The
crew then disassembled the air duct in the hatchway to the Service Module
(SM) transfer compartment (PkhO) and next removed the threaded
quick-disconnect screw clamps of the SM's docking and internal transfer
mechanism (SSVP), which rigidized the mating surfaces. The interface was
visually inspected and video-recorded to make sure that there is no damage
to the cords, snap hooks or rings on the latches and to the slots for the
clamps in the SSVP's internal flanges. The TV tape was downlinked via U.S.
Ku-band at 2:40am before closure of the hatches, followed by
depressurization of the SM-to-Progress vestibule and leak checking. The SM
thrusters, which had been inhibited during depress and leak check, were then
re-enabled. Later tonight, at 4:40pm, 10P will transfer from SM power to
autonomous battery power while ISS maneuvers to duty attitude, later to
separation attitude, and the U.,S. P6 solar array wings (SAWs) are feathered
in directed position as protection against plume impingement. Station
attitude will mode to free drift at 6:44pm, followed one minute later by 10P
undocking, after which the SAWs are returned to Autotrack. Deorbit burn is
scheduled for 9:55pm and entry interface for 10:28pm. The crew was asked to
conduct a visual check from SM window #26 of both seals on the docking
interface of the departing Progress and to look for any abnormalities during
the separation.]

CDR Yuri Malenchenko began another round of monthly preventive maintenance
of the Russian segment (RS) ventilation system, starting out with cleaning
the Group A fans and grilles in the SM (last time done: 7/28), then
replacing the four SM dust collector filters (PF1-4) with new cartridges
(last time done: 7/14).

FE/SO Ed Lu worked on the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), which
successfully completed sample 03 of the PFMI (Pore Formation & Mobility
Investigation) experiment. [Ed removed the sample from the thermal
chamber, exchanged a specialized micro drive in the MLC (MSG laptop
computer) and removed the video tape. The sample was then returned to its
polycarbonate tube and plastic bag, and the MSG was powered down. Of the
seven PFMI runs originally scheduled for Increment 7, sample #4 was
completed on 8/22, #3 was run yesterday, samples #6 and #13 are scheduled
for 9/2-9/4, and three samples (#14, #15, #9) will be processed later in the
Increment.]

Supported by POIC (Payload Operations & Integration Center) staff, Ed Lu
performed activation of the CGBA (commercial generic bioprocessing
apparatus) payload in EXPRESS rack 4, locker 7. [CGBA ops will support
fundamental space biology research. Recalling: Back in April this year,
Don Pettit and the ground conducted a systems check on the CGBA and its ICM
(isothermal containment module) to make sure that nothing, radiation or
otherwise, had compromised the performance of the equipment, after its
nominal operation on Stage 9A. Originally, CGBA was stymied by a human
error committed during ground ops that did not let it get to the expected
temperature at a certain point in the mission. The ground team worked
around the issue as best as it could and got reasonable results from
experiments with yeast and renal cells, but a salmonella experiment was
lost.]

To ensure accurate readings from the MCA (major constituent analyzer), used
as primary device for monitoring oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the
cabin air, the ground commanded a full calibration of the MCA, supported by
the crew for opening and closing the manual oxygen valve (HVO2) before and
after the calibration. [Yesterday, after the last repressurization of the
station interior with gaseous O2 from Progress 10P, the CSA-CP (compound
specific analyzer-combustion products) read 23.2% O2 concentration, while
the MCA measured 24.15% (Flight Rule max limit: less than 24.1%).]

Ed Lu also completed a "zero" calibration run of the CSA-CP, then
deactivated and stowed the backup CSA-CP unit.

The Science Officer performed a scheduled memory dump of accumulated IWIS
(internal wireless instrumentation system) data from RSU (remote sensor
unit) #1027 to storage in the SSC (station support computer) server for
downlink to the ground via OCA/S-band. [IWIS uses radio-linked
accelerometers (RSUs) in SM, Lab and Node to take structural dynamics
(vibratory) measurements, particularly during docking and undocking events.]

Ed Lu used the GSC (grab sample container) to collect an air sample in the
center of the Lab, then deployed two passive FMK (formaldehyde monitoring
kit) collection badges in Lab and SM, to catch any atmospheric formaldehyde
on a sampling substrate for analysis in JSC lab facilities (last time done:
6/23).

Completing the T+2d analysis of Week 17 water samples collected on 8/25 from
the SRV-K hot tap and the EDV container of the water supply system (SVO-ZV)
with the WMK (water monitoring kit), SO Lu entered the microbiological data
in the MEC (medical equipment computer). T+5d analysis is not required.

Ed Lu also completed the periodic USOS hatch seal inspection in the Node
(forward, aft starboard), Lab (aft) and Joint Airlock, in support of ACS
(atmospheric control system) maintenance.

Conducting another session of the Russian Uragan earth imaging program,
today hard-scheduled, the CDR focused the Kodak DCS760 digital camera with
800-mm lens on new targets. [They included the Chernobyl area, Chernigov,
and large forests in the Ukraine, large forests in the Voronesh region,
Kursk with ravine/wash landscape, the valleys of the Volga and Ural rivers,
the Medvezhi, RGO and large Karakorum glaciers, Mount Everest, Mount
Anapurna and other Himalayan peaks, a panorama of the Himalayas, large
cities in England and on the European continent, etc.]

Yuri also conducted more observations for the Diatomeya ocean research
program. [He used the Nikon F5 with f/80 mm lens and the DVCAM 150 digital
camcorder for continual recording of video and voice-over audio of highly
bioproductive waters of the North Atlantic, confined to the frontal zones
and largest rising of the ocean bed.]

The crew performed their regular daily physical exercise on TVIS treadmill,
RED resistive exerciser and VELO ergometer with load trainer. Ed Lu also
attended to the regular weekly treadmill maintenance.

Yuri Malenchenko completed the routine maintenance of the SM's SOZh
environment control & life support system and prepared the regular IMS
"delta" file for IMS database update, while Ed did the daily routine status
checkup of the autonomous Lab payloads (PCG-STES010, MAMS, SAMS).

After Ed Lu's swap-out of the SAMS ICU (space acceleration measurement
system/interim control unit) laptop yesterday, the new IBM 760XD ThinkPad is
functioning well, and SAMS is now back to nominal operation.

Late tonight, Malenchenko will connect the Molniya-SM experiment at SM
window #2 for its automated (SUBA controlled) activation tomorrow morning at
4:06am EDT, to monitor filling of the magnetic disk with previously-made
observations. [Molniya-SM records storm phenomena and other related events
in the upper atmospheric layers over Earth's equatorial regions.]

As a new item added to the "job jar" task list, the crew will have to reload
the SSC router laptop, as a troubleshooting step to restore correct
functioning. [The plan is to use a working shell, SSC6, to load a spare
harddrive. Then the crew can swap the fresh drive for the existing harddrive
in the router and test it. If the problems persist, attention will be
focused on the shell.]

Also as a task list item, Yuri was asked to conduct a search for a Russian
experiment payload called "Vinograd", to be used on 8/31, the day after 12P
docking.

Launch of Progress M-248/12P from Baikonur is on schedule for tomorrow night
at 9:48pm EDT, carrying about 2.5 tons of mixed cargo. [Included are the
following consumables: Propellants in KDU thruster tanks: 879.2 kg total
(570.8 kg oxidizer, in 2 tanks; 308.4 kg fuel, in 2 tanks); propellants in
SD refueling tanks: 353.1 kg total (224.6 kg oxidizer, in 2 tanks; 128.5 kg
fuel, in 2 tanks). Gaseous oxygen (1 tank): 21 kg. Air (1 tank): 24 kg.
Rodnik water supply: 420 kg total (2 tanks).]

Today's CEO (crew earth observation) targets, taking into account the
current LVLH attitude, and including the targets of the Lewis & Clark
200-year memorial locations, were Great Barrier Reef, Australia (Dynamic
event. ISS pass followed the entire length of the greatest biological
structure on the planet, from Cape York to south of Brisbane), Tashkent,
Uzbekistan (nadir pass), Berlin, Germany (nadir pass and a touch left),
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (nadir pass), Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (nadir
pass over the modern port city of Bodrum), Tel Aviv, Israel (nadir pass),
Amman, Jordan (nadir pass), Betsiboka River, Madagascar (Dynamic event.
Clearest weather for many weeks: looking right for a sunglint image of the
40-km long estuary which has largely silted up since World War II. We are
following the rapid growth of the latest island, which appeared 18 months
ago. Due to the severity of the siltation of the estuary, the entire port
of Mahajunga was uprooted from its original site at the inland end of the
estuary, and rebuilt 50 km away on the coast), Great Falls, MT (LEWIS &
CLARK SITE: Nadir and a touch right. The Missouri River drops 400+ feet in
ten miles here. The explorers spent more than a month here in June-July
1805, and noted the value of this site for hydro-power generation. Now the
Ryan Dam occupies the site. The site lies on the river, at the city of
Great Falls, where the highway crosses the river), Mouth of Marias River
(LEWIS & CLARK SITE: Looking a touch left of track. The Marias is a large,
meandering river that joins the Missouri on the north side (near the major
right-angled end in the Missouri), Missouri River sites (there is a series
of close-spaced sites in a 200-mile stretch of the river between Sioux City
and Lake Oahe. This ideal pass parallels the course of the river), and La
Paz (pointing left for this city on the very lip of the high Andean
plateau). 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 1:54pm EDT).

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) --
27.4; ppO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid.
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 761; temperature (deg C) --
20.0.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752; temperature (deg C) -- 22.0.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752.16; temperature (deg C) -- 21.4 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 754.41; temperature (deg C) -- 23.3; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 754.51; temperature (deg
C) -- 22.3; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 23.1, ppO2 (mmHg) -- 182.2; ppCO2
(mmHg) -- 3.7.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 21.7
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 20.2.

(n/a = data not available)

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B
both in dual-angle "blind" mode (non-solar tracking).
SM batteries: Battery #2 is failed and off; all other batteries (7) are in
"Partial Charge" mode; battery #1 is degraded.
FGB batteries: Battery #1 is disconnected; 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-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-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.

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available: 3657 kg (8062 lb) as of 8/21 [SM(755) +
FGB(2902) + Progress M(0) +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 (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local
vertical, -y-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9.4 deg, roll: 0
deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) 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).
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,6:43am EDT [= epoch]):

Mean altitude -- 382.8 km
Apogee 387.6 km
Perigee -- 378.0 km
Period -- 92.21 min.
Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg
Eccentricity -- 0.0007048
Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.62
Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 110 m
Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 27213
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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