ISS On-Orbit Status 1/31/03<br /><br />All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously<br />or below.<br /><br />Wake-up was at the regular 1:00am EST, followed by post-sleep activities and<br />breakfast. Begin of sleep time: 4:30pm.<br /><br />FE-1 Nikolai Budarin and CDR Kenneth Bowersox continued working on the<br />Progress 9P spacecraft in preparation for its undocking tomorrow morning.<br />After power-down of the cargo vehicle's US-21 matching unit by MCC-M/TsUP<br />and disconnection of the BITS 2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system from<br />it by Budarin, he and Bowersox removed the no-longer-needed US-21 in its<br />container box. [The matching unit and associated commutator gear provide the<br />electronic interface between the Service Module (SM) and Progress for SM<br />computer control of Progress propulsion, i.e., during ISS reboost maneuvers.<br />The avionics will be recycled on a future cargo flight. Progress undocking<br />and post-separation control will be handled by the drone's pre-programmed<br />automated sequencing system.]<br /><br />After the R&R, Budarin and Bowersox conducted final undocking preparations.<br />Separation command will nominally be given tomorrow morning at 10:59am EST,<br />followed by deorbit burn ignition at 2:10pm and atmospheric entry beginning<br />at 2:47pm. Plume observations will be conducted from the SM with the<br />infrared spectrometer of the Russian geophysical GFI-1 "Relaksatsiya"<br />experiment. [Nikolai activated Progress and removed the air duct between it<br />and the SM transfer tunnel (PrK) at Zvezda's aft end. QD (quick disconnect)<br />screw clamps were removed and the Progress/SM interface was video-surveyed<br />with the U.S. Sony PD-100 DVCAM for subsequent downlink to and inspection by<br />TsUP. Hatch closure proceeded at about 9:30am EST (which also served as<br />decision point for final irreversible launch preparations at Baikonur for<br />Progress 10P), followed by an interface leak check of the Progress/PrK<br />vestibule, during which Russian thrusters were disabled.]<br /><br />Launch countdown for Progress 10P (M-247) at Baikonur continues toward<br />liftoff on 2/2 (Sunday), at 7:59am EST. Docking is set for 2/4 (Tuesday), at<br />9:48am. [Since the ISS solar arrays will be feathered during the 2-hr.<br />docking window (i.e., not tracking the Sun), the expected power generation<br />decrease will require some temporary powerdowns in the U.S. segment (USOS)<br />and of one USOS-to-RS (Russian segment) SNT-50MP voltage and current<br />stabilizer unit (transformer). Details are still in work.]<br /><br />As POC (Payload Operations Center) continues to troubleshoot the recent<br />failure of the ER3 ARIS (EXPRESS rack 3/active rack isolation system)<br />calibration, Bowersox continued ER work, today loading the ER2 laptop (ELC)<br />with the new software, but not yet the RIC (rack interface controller). [The<br />new load was expected to help troubleshoot why the laptop is not<br />communicating with the rack. If it is due to a corrupt file, as suspected,<br />the s/w load will fix the problem. If it is a hardware problem, however, the<br />load may not complete successfully. Prior to the load, Don Pettit needed to<br />swap out the ELC's hard drive with a spare (with Windows NT, instead of<br />Windows 95 or 98).]<br /><br />Today, the highly successful EarthKAM operation came to an end for Increment<br />6. FE-2/SO Pettit deactivated the camera system and stowed it, reconfiguring<br />the cabling to get the Lab window ready for the installation of the WORF<br />(window observational research facility), a modified ISPR (international<br />standard payload rack) due to arrive in early March on STS-114/ULF-1.<br /><br />Budarin checked up on the MO-21 "Ecosfera" air sampler and incubation<br />equipment, monitoring colony growth for atmospheric microbial analysis.<br />[MO-21 determines microbial contamination of the ISS atmosphere,<br />specifically the total bacterial and fungal microflora counts and microflora<br />composition according to morphologic criteria of microorganism colonies.]<br /><br />Later, he was scheduled to tag up with an Uragan ("hurricane") specialist to<br />discuss the new earth imaging sessions planned for tomorrow and Sunday.<br /><br />After completion of the regeneration process on the second Metox (metal<br />oxide) canister, which can now be used again in the next EVA operations as a<br />carbon dioxide (CO2) filter, the crew monitored the deactivation of the U.S.<br />CDRA (CO2 removal assembly). The ground also reset the Airlock temperature<br />setpoint back up to 70F (21 degC).<br /><br />In the RS, the Vozdukh CO2 scrubber remains powered off for a long-planned<br />efficiency test of the Russian LiOH (lithium hydroxide) cartridges.<br />[Intended to support extension of certified life time of the backup CO2<br />absorbers, the activation of one cartridge was to test its capability to<br />remove CO2 from the cabin without Vozdukh or CDRA running.]<br /><br />Recent ppCO2 (CO2 partial pressure) values have consistently been higher in<br />the USOS than in the SM, as indicated by the Russian sensor system. For the<br />LiOH canister efficiency test in the RS, it was suggested to Moscow to use<br />the portable U.S. CDMK (CO2 monitoring kit) instrument instead, to ensure<br />that Lab ppCO2 concentration does not go over the level of 6.0 mmHg.<br /><br />CDR Bowersox set up the video equipment for recording the crew's workout on<br />the RED (resistive exercise device). All three crewmembers were scheduled to<br />record their anaerobic workout, and the video camera was to be stowed after<br />the last session of the day. Later, Don Pettit performed the regular weekly<br />downloading of exercise files from the TVIS treadmill, RED and CEVIS bike to<br />the MEC (medical equipment computer).<br /><br />Nikolai Budarin completed his daily checkup of the Russian BIO-5<br />Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2") plant growth experiment.<br /><br />Don Pettit performed the regular daily tasks of SOSh life support systems<br />maintenance and IMS database delta file preparation, while Ken Bowersox did<br />the Lab payload status checkup (PCG-STES010).<br /><br />Sox also began the first part of an extensive "pantry audit" of on-board<br />provisions, entailing such item categories as office supplies, towels and<br />napkins, printer supplies, batteries, sanitary hygiene provisions, and<br />hygiene skip-cycle supply (in case of delayed resupply). Due to Increment 7/<br />ULF-1 packing deadlines, today's audit gave priority to the office supplies<br />part. [The audit is intended to verify the complement of U.S. crew<br />provisions onboard, to allow MCC-H to determine necessary resupply items and<br />which items are not being used and are not needed, and to support Increment<br />7/ULF-1 packing as well as Increment 8 manifesting.]<br /><br />Pending final signature of the jointly prepared water venting protocol by<br />the Russian side, the next Lab condensate dump will take place next Friday<br />(2/7), performed non-propulsively (i.e., from two vents) in the current LVLH<br />attitude, as opposed to the more regularly used XPOP attitude. If the<br />agreement is not signed in time, the excess condensate will be dumped into a<br />CWC (contingency water container).<br /><br />Troubleshooting of the tripped RPCM (remote power controller module)<br />continues. If the VTR1 (video tape recorder #1), which it powers, is found<br />not at fault, the RPCM will be changed out. If the VTR is the cause of the<br />trip, there are two VTR spares on the ground, ready to go if needed to<br />replace it (typically on 12A, but this may change).<br /><br />As reported before, the four valves and the electronics inside the P1 ETCS<br />NTA (external thermal control system/nitrogen tank assembly) with boith Loop<br />B heaters failed are operating well. Analysis is now concentrating on<br />determining the temperatures to be expected for the NTA over the next few<br />weeks. Preliminary data indicate that keeping the interior electronics<br />operating may generate enough heat to prevent hardware problems.<br /><br />Readiness review for the new C&C (command & control) software upgrade R.3<br />will be conducted at JSC on 2/5 (Wednesday), with Russian participation.<br />Prior to the R.3 upload, Moscow will upload the new Russian patch 5.04,<br />followed by the 7.01 patch after the R.3 upload.<br /><br />STS-107/Columbia is scheduled to land at KSC tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:16am<br />EST.<br /><br />Today's targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were Irrawaddy<br />River Delta, Burma (nadir pass. Sun glint opportunity left of track on inner<br />delta waterways), Rangoon, Burma (nadir pass. The city lies on an east-side<br />arm of the delta), Bombay, India (a touch left of track. The city lies on<br />the one major bay on India's otherwise linear west coast. Oblique views left<br />may reveal aerosol masses related to this large city), Nairobi, Kenya (nadir<br />pass; ESC [electronic still camera]), Patagonian Glaciers (southern end of<br />the twin ice fields is likely to remain clear of cloud. Crew was to try for<br />glacier tongues on both sides of the Andes, especially the Pacific side<br />where coverage is poorer), Central Africa (Dynamic event. Equatorial cloud<br />masses lie further south over Africa at the height of "southern summer" than<br />in any other part of the globe. Numerous fires are raging in the Sahel<br />savannas. Looking obliquely left and right of track. Also, there was an<br />opportunity to document enigmatic river patterns in the vast Salamat<br />swampland of the Central African Republic), West Africa Fires (Dynamic<br />event. Numerous fires are raging in the Sahel. Looking obliquely left and<br />right of track. Oblique images of the coastline and rainforest-savanna<br />boundary were also requested under present clear skies), Panama panorama<br />(Dynamic event. Clear winter skies should allow a left-looking view north up<br />the central American isthmus. Requested was a long panorama in this seldom<br />imaged part of the world), and Puerto Rico (fringing coral reef mapping<br />images were requested for near nadir reefs on the west end of the island).<br /><br />CEO images can be viewed at the website<br />http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov<br /><br />U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 2:00pm EST).<br /><br />Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):<br />Elektron O2 generator is powered On (32 Amp mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is<br />Off. U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant control<br />subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is operating. BMP<br />Harmful Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify<br />mode. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.<br /><br />SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 753; temperature (deg C) -- 23.1;<br />ppO2 (mmHg) -- 160.4; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 2.5 (suspect).<br />SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --<br />19.1.<br />FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752; temperature (deg C) -- 22.3.<br />Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 738.16; temperature (deg C) -- 22.6 (shell); ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.<br />U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 740.27; temperature (deg C) -- 22.7; ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- 162.9; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.4;<br />Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 740.37; temperature (deg<br />C) -- 20.0; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 20.8, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a.<br />PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.7<br />PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 18.4<br />(n/a = data not available)<br /><br />Propulsion System (PS): Total propellant load available [SM(820) + FGB(2898)<br />+ Progress(0)] -- 3718 kg (8197 lb) as of 1/30/03. (Capability: SM -- 860<br />kg; FGB -- 6120 kg).<br /><br />Electrical Power Systems (EPS):<br />Both P6 channels fully operational. Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 2B and BGA 4B<br />both in "blind" dual-angle mode (directed position).<br />SM batteries: Battery #7 is off line (failed); battery #2 is offline<br />(ROM/capacity restoration mode); all other batteries (6) are in "Partial<br />Charge" mode.<br />FGB batteries: Battery #2 is offline; all other batteries (5) are in<br />"Partial Charge" mode.<br />Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode.<br /><br />Command & Data Handling Systems:<br />C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is back-up, and C&C-3 is in standby.<br />GNC-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup (new patches loaded on both).<br />EXT-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 is off.<br />LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.<br />PL-2 MDM is On (primary); PL-1 MDM is off (diagnostic<br />APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.<br />SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Lane 1 is<br />out of the set (as of 11/14/02).<br />SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.<br /><br />Attitude Source:<br />3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).<br />State vector -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)<br />Attitude -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)<br />Angular rates -- U.S. RGA-1<br /><br />Flight Attitude:<br />LVLH TEA (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local<br />vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9.1 deg, roll: 0<br />deg]), CMG/TA (thruster assist) momentum management).<br />Solar Beta Angle: 12.2 deg (magnitude decreasing).<br /><br />Communications & Tracking Systems:<br />FGB MDM-1 is powered Off; FGB MDM-2 is operational.<br />All other Russian communications & tracking systems are nominal.<br />S-band is operating nominally.<br />Ku-band is operating nominally.<br />Audio subsystem operating nominally.<br />Video subsystem operating nominally, but VTR1 is off.<br />HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.<br /><br />Robotics:<br />SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF2 with Keep Alive (KA) power on both<br />strings.<br />MBS: KA power on both strings.<br />MT: latched at WS4, with KA power.<br />POA: KA power on both strings.<br />RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is Off; Cupola RWS is Off.<br /><br />ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:40am EST [= epoch]):<br />Mean altitude -- 387.6 km<br />Apogee -- 391.4 km<br />Perigee -- 383.9 km<br />Period -- 92.31 min.<br />Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg<br />Eccentricity -- 0.0005582<br />Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.60<br />Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 200 m<br />Solar Beta Angle -- 12.2 deg (magnitude decreasing)<br />Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 23968<br /><br />For more on ISS orbit and worldwide naked-eye visibility dates/times, see<br />http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html