ISS On-Orbit Status 17 Feb 2004<br /><br /> All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously<br />or below.<br /><br />Onboard sleep cycle continues with a 9:00pm wakeup and 12:30pm bedtime.<br />Foale and Kaleri reported that they have well adapted to the 4-hr. shift and<br />are quite happy with it.<br /><br />The crew spent several hours in the DC-1 docking compartment on preparations<br />of Orlan spacesuit equipment for the Soyuz ingress demonstration scheduled<br />for 2/19 (Thursday). Main focus was on EVA support systems configuration<br />and checkout, communications setup, leak checks and valve functionality<br />tests. All tasks were satisfactorily completed. [For the duration of these<br />activities, MCC-H reconfigured Space-to-Ground/audio capability to allow the<br />crew to talk with the ground from inside the DC-1. After Kaleri had checked<br />out the EVA support panel (POV) in the DC-1 airlock, the crew activated and<br />visually inspected the two Orlan-M suits #14 (blue) for Foale and #23 (red)<br />for Kaleri, along with their BRTA radio telemetry units. Wearing their<br />medical instrumentation belts, they tested comm and biomedical telemetry via<br />the BSS interface system for vital signs and equipment monitoring, with<br />alarm signals from the BSS rerouted to the POV panels in the DC-1 and<br />Service Module (SM). Suit consumables (such as filters, LiOH cans and<br />batteries) were installed and auxiliary equipment prepared and installed,<br />such as the BK-3 oxygen (O2) tanks. The suits were preliminarily<br />fit-checked in size (height), the latter to be repeated under reduced<br />airlock pressure. The Orlans and their BSS interface control units were<br />checked out for proper air/water separation of their cooling system and<br />tested for leaks of their reserve bladders. The activities were supported<br />by tag-ups with ground specialists.]<br /><br />The ground has successfully activated the Elektron oxygen generator, and it<br />is now running nominally on 32 amps. [Background & ppO2 management: After<br />all attempts at restoration of nominal operation failed in the last three<br />days, Russian specialists changed the cycling of the buffer tank that<br />adjusts the amount of condensate sent through the unit. This in effect<br />changed the hydraulic resistance of the water supply line, raising water<br />pressure and thereby mitigating the machine's sensitivity to the small<br />pressure variations that caused the pump shutdowns. Running now smoothly on<br />the primary pump, the Elektron, according to TsUP/Moscow, appears to have<br />been "cured", at least for the moment. In the 32A mode, it can raise cabin<br />air ppO2 (oxygen partial pressure) by 1 mmHg per day. To correct the<br />currently reduced ppO2 of 155 mmHg, as measured by the MCA (Major<br />Constituents Analyzer, today activated briefly for this purpose) along with<br />total pressure, an O2 repress from Progress 13P of 5-8 mmHg is planned.<br />Should the Elektron fail again before the EVA-9, two represses, totaling<br />15-16 mmHg, would be required.]<br /><br />The crew continued cargo transfers from the Progress, assisted by a detailed<br />Russian & US transfer/unpack list and the IMS (inventory management system).<br /><br />Mike Foale conducted the daily routine maintenance on the SOZh life support<br />system, comprising the water supply equipment, food supply subsystem (SOP),<br />and sanitary hygiene equipment (SGO). [Maintenance generally consists of<br />inspection of fluid lines/connections and filter replacement.]<br /><br />Alex Kaleri broke out the "Urolux" equipment and set it up for his and<br />Mike's next session with the Russian biochemical urinalysis test (PZE MO-9),<br />on tomorrow's schedule for both crewmembers. Also scheduled for tomorrow<br />for them is their second session with the MO-5 MedOps protocol of<br />cardiovascular evaluation during graded exercises on the VELO cycle<br />ergometer.<br /><br />At 4:55am EST, Foale and Kaleri downlinked a live non-interactive TV message<br />to the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, via Ku- and S-band.<br /><br />The crew worked out according to their regular daily physical exercise<br />program on TVIS treadmill and CEVIS cycle (aerobic), VELO ergometer with<br />force loader and RED exerciser (anaerobic).<br /><br />The 2.5-in. long FOD (foreign object debris) observed floating away from the<br />ISS on 2/15 has been identified by Moscow, thanks to the ID number visible<br />on it, as an eyebolt from the Progress 13P starboard solar array's holddown<br />mechanism. There are four of these bolts on the Progress, and also on<br />Soyuz, and it is not clear at this time how it came lose and if other pieces<br />were also separated. [The eyebolts engage in hooks to keep the folded arrays<br />fastened down during launch and ascent. They are no longer needed after the<br />arrays are released by pyrotechnic charge and deployed by spring force, but<br />they should remain attached to the vehicle structure.]<br /><br />To support the debris analysis, Sasha powered up the SSRMS (Space Station<br />Remote Manipulator System) after wakeup last night at 9:00pm, for the ground<br />to remotely control it overnight through a survey of the Progress and Soyuz<br />solar array wing tips with the tip elbow (TE) and Base Elbow (BE) camera, as<br />far as their field of view allowed. [SSRMS can view Soyuz' port and<br />starboard arrays, but only the port array on Progress, whose out-of-sight<br />starboard array happens to be the FOD's origin.] The Russian SKV-2 air<br />conditioner, with its new coolant line connected by the crew on 2/13, has<br />not yet been tested. [After its installation, the new line, with its larger<br />bend, was found to be in direct contact with station structure, which in the<br />longer term could lead to its damage due to vibration. Any further testing<br />or other SKV-2 activity has been deferred until after the EVA-9.]<br /><br />SKV-1, on thermal loop #1 (KOV-1) continues to operate, but at an efficiency<br />level which has increased the load on the U.S. CCAA dehumidifier (common<br />cabin air assembly). As a result, the Lab collection tank has currently<br />accumulated about 72 lbs of condensate, approaching the tank limit of 100<br />lbs which will require offloading of its contents to a CWC (collapsible<br />water container). [Offloading to CWC takes up about two hours crewtime<br />(one person), on an already crammed timeline. Current SKV-1/KOV-1 operation<br />results in ~2 lbs of U.S. condensate per 24-hr. day, which rises to 6<br />lbs/day if SKV-1 is off. Moscow was asked to run their SKV-1/KOV-1 system<br />in maximum collection mode to help avoiding this crewtime "hit" prior to the<br />EVA.]<br /><br />On 2/19, as preparation for the EVA-9, MCC-H will conduct a test of the<br />ability to send commands to the USOS (U.S. segment) through RS (Russian<br />segment) assets. Purpose of testing this contingency configuration is (a)<br />to provide proficiency to ground controllers in the event it is required<br />during the spacewalk, and (b) to acquire data on command-link "latency",<br />i.e., the time lag between command uplink and command execution, given that<br />in a worst-case situation the command has to "queue up" on the RS server,<br />loaded with interfering Russian signals.<br /><br />Moscow reports that yesterday's MCS (motion control system) test on Soyuz<br />TMA-3/7S was successful. It also certified the berthing thrusters for a<br />redocking. [The test, on manifold #2 of the KDU integrated propulsion<br />system, was also intended for checking the line with the helium leak between<br />the He pressurization tanks and the prop tanks of the KDU, which had been<br />observed during the flight of 7S on 10/18-20/2003. The line, which had<br />leaked down to zero since then, was successfully purged with He yesterday<br />but now is again exhibiting its gradual pressure drop. The test did not<br />yield further insight into the root cause of the leak, which still allows<br />functionality of the affected string 2, although manifold #1 will be used as<br />primary string. The latter remains ready for undocking & deorbit, and there<br />are also sufficient He and prop for undocking & deorbit in the closed-off<br />manifold #2.]<br /><br />Last night's repeat of the checkout of the BCC (backup control center),<br />rescheduled from 2/12, was successfully completed. Purpose of the periodic<br />dry-run is to demonstrate BCC functionality and provide proficiency training<br />for HSG (Houston Support Group) personnel at the TsUP/Moscow HSR (Houston<br />Support Room). [The 2/12 BCC C/O was only partially successful and was not<br />completed. BCC utilizes the HSG command server and telemetry server. In<br />last night's test mode, HSG (as BCC) sent a single not-for-uplink PPCP<br />(preplanned command packet) to MCC-M/TsUP, then canceled it after successful<br />transmission. MCC-M played back ACT (American contingency telemetry)<br />recorded earlier (11/19/03), with HSG confirming successful receipt. TsUP<br />commanding to the Russian segment (RS) via U.S. S-band as well as<br />MCC-H-to-TsUP flow of status telemetry were also not affected, but MCC-H has<br />no real-time telemetry and command capability via Russian ground stations<br />(RGS) during these dry-runs.]<br /><br />The crew's sleep time began at 12:30pm EST, to extend until tonight, 9:00pm.<br /><br />Today's CEO targets, in the current LVLH attitude no longer limited by<br />flight rule constraints on the use of the Lab nadir/science window, except<br />for the shutter closure and condensation-prevention plan (limited to 90 min.<br />in 24 hours), were Beijing, China (looking just left of track for the vast<br />urban region of the North China plain--from the foothills of the plateau all<br />the way to the sea. This pass included Beijing and its major city of<br />Tianjin), Internal waves, Philippines (the sunglint point passed over an<br />area of interest between Mindanao, the southernmost big island of the<br />Philippines, and Borneo. Looking right between one and four degrees off<br />track), Dhaka, Bangladesh (with a population close to 10 million, this is a<br />mega city whose growth, much faster than the high national rate, is being<br />watched. Forty-four percent of Bangladesh's urban population lives in<br />Dhaka. Two 180-mm frames may be sufficient to capture the urban region),<br />Rangoon, Myanmar (nadir pass over this capital city of 4 million. Due to<br />political problems, this is one major Asian city that has lost population in<br />the last ten years), Plankton bloom, Pakistan (Dynamic event. The strongest<br />blooms lie mainly along the coastlines of Pakistan and India [nadir and<br />left]), Karachi, Pakistan (nadir pass over Pakistan's largest city), Bombay,<br />India (looking left of track on the major bay in the coastline), and Sea<br />ice, James Bay (Dynamic event. ISS passed across southernmost Hudson Bay.<br />The extent and distribution of ice, and its evolution through time, are<br />highly dynamic).<br /><br />CEO images can be viewed at the websites.<br /><br /><br />http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov<br />http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov<br /><br />See also the website "Space Station Challenge" at<br /><br /><br />http://voyager.cet.edu/iss/<br /><br />U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 3:00am EST, 2/13).<br /><br />Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):<br /><br />Elektron O2 generator is powered On (32A). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is On (in<br />Automatic Mode). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is on Standby (ready in dual-bed<br />mode). TCCS (trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating. SM Gas<br />Analyzer has been calibrated and is used for ppO2 and ppCO2 monitoring. MCA<br />(major constituents analyzer) is on to verify CSA-CP readings and support O2<br />repress (was in Life Extending Mode). BMP Harmful Impurities unit:<br />absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode. RS air conditioner<br />SKV-1 is On, SKV-2 is Off (repair now completed; to be tested ASAP).<br /><br /><br />SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742; temperature (deg C) --<br />25.7; ppO2 (mmHg) -- 137.6; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 2.5;<br />SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756; temperature (deg C) --<br />20.0.<br />FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 744; temperature (deg C) -- 22.3.<br />Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 735.62; temperature (deg C) -- 23.2 (shell); ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.<br />U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 737.95; temperature (deg C) -- 24.8; ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.<br />Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 738.15; temperature (deg<br />C) -- 24.0; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 24.2, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a.<br />PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.2<br />PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 10.5<br /><br />(n/a = data not available)<br /><br />Electrical Power Systems (EPS):<br /><br />Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B<br />both in Directed Position (2B: 235 deg; 4B: 125 deg); non-suntracking,<br />"night glider"/"sun slicer" drag reduction mode.<br />SM batteries: Battery #8, formerly known as #7, is failed (to be replaced);<br />all other batteries (7) are in "Partial Charge" mode.<br />FGB batteries: Battery #3 is off (capacity restoration mode, ROM); battery<br />#2 is in "Cycle" mode; all other batteries (4) are in "Partial Charge" mode.<br />Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Standby mode.<br /><br />Command & Data Handling Systems:<br /><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.<br />INT-2 is operating; INT-1 is Off.<br />EXT-2 is On (primary), EXT-1 is Off (both now upgraded to R3).<br />LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.<br />PL-1 MDM is Off; PL-2 MDM is Operational.<br />APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.<br />SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string 1<br />dropped out 11/22).<br />SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational (string #3<br />dropped out 10/22).<br /><br />Propulsion System:<br /><br />Total propellant load available: 4070 kg (8972 lb) as of 2/12/04 [SM(755) +<br />FGB(2656) + Progress M(0) + Progress M-1(659)]. (Capability: SM -- 860 kg;<br />FGB -- 6120 kg).<br /><br />Attitude Control Systems:<br /><br />3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).<br />State vector source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)<br />Attitude source -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)<br />Angular rate source -- RGA-1<br /><br />Flight Attitude:<br /><br />LVLH YVV (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local<br />vertical, y-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -90 deg, pitch: -9 deg, roll: 1.7<br />deg]), with CMG/TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management.<br /><br />Communications & Tracking Systems:<br /><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 (on string 2).<br />Ku-band is operating nominally.<br />Audio subsystem is operating nominally (IAC-1 is prime, IAC-2 is off).<br />Video subsystem operating nominally.<br />HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.<br /><br />Robotics:<br /><br />SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at Lab PDGF/LEE A, with Keep Alive (KA) power on both<br />strings.<br />MBS: KA power on both strings.<br />MT: latched and mated at WS4.<br />POA: KA power on both strings.<br />RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is On (DCP connected); Cupola RWS is<br />Off.<br /><br />ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:26am EST [= epoch]):<br /><br />Mean altitude -- 366.8 km<br />Apogee -- 371.4km<br />Perigee -- 362.2 km<br />Period -- 91.88 min.<br />Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.628 deg<br />Eccentricity -- 0.000682<br />Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.67<br />Mean altitude loss last 24 hours -- 100 m<br />Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 29938<br /><br />For more on ISS orbit and worldwide ISS naked-eye visibility dates/times,<br />see http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/station/viewing/issvis.html/