ISS On-Orbit Status 11 Apr 2003<br /><br /> All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously<br />or below. Space Day 139 for Expedition 6 (since STS-113 launch on<br />11/23/02).<br /><br />FE-1 Nikolai Budarin conducted another session with the Russian MedOps<br />cardio experiment MO-1 (Study of the Bioelectric Activity of the Heart at<br />Rest), with Don Pettit assisting as CMO (crew medical officer). [During the<br />test, the data of the Gamma-1M ECG (electrocardiogram) were recorded for<br />later downlink.]<br /><br />Budarin also performed more preventive maintenance in the FGB, today<br />replacing its ten smoke detectors (IDZ-2), which have reached the end of<br />their certified lifetime. They are subunits of the FGB fire detection and<br />suppression system (SPOPT). [The FGB has nine IDZs in the instrumentation<br />cargo compartment (PGO) and one in the pressurized adapter (GA), docked to<br />PMA-1 (pressurized mating adapter 1) and the Node. These 184 x 130 x 102 mm<br />units work by first ionizing air molecules inside their charge chamber with<br />a small amount of radioactive material and then measuring the conductivity<br />of the air. Air conductivity is reduced if it contains smoke particles, and<br />the detectors trip at preset conductivity levels. Last replacement of the<br />10 IDZs was on 5/13/02 by Yuri Onufrienko, and one of the units had been<br />removed since then due to failure.]<br /><br />CDR Kenneth Bowersox and FE-2/SO Don Pettit successfully conducted the<br />second Robotics operation this week. [Their operations began at about<br />10:45am with the "fast checkout" of the Tip LEE (latching end effector)<br />which could not be performed yesterday because the needed SSRMS redundant<br />string was unpowered due to power constraints. They then executed a<br />ten-step single joint maneuver to move the arm into position to grapple MBS<br />PDGF1 (mobile base system power & data grapple fixture #1), after which<br />SSRMS switched its "base" from the current Lab PDGF to MBS PDGF1 for<br />subsequent performance of a series of LEE operations to complete remaining<br />LEE OCRs (on-orbit checkout requirements). As final task, the arm was<br />maneuvered to the FMS (force moment sensor) data gathering position #2.<br />This placed theTip LEE in a specific orientation which provides desired<br />lighting conditions to collect FMS data. The latter were collected by the<br />ground at ops completion.]<br /><br />Nikolai Budarin worked on the Russian payload laptop 3, terminating the<br />cycling process of its two batteries, first one, later the other.<br /><br />FE-2/SO Don Pettit activated the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) for a<br />second day of operations with the InSPACE (Investigating the Structure of<br />Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions) payload, today running<br />tests 26 and 25. [Purpose of InSPACE is to obtain basic data on<br />magnetorheological (MR) fluids, a new class of "smart materials" or<br />controllable fluids which can provide a quiet, rapid-response interface<br />between mechanical components and electronic controls. This makes them<br />interesting for new brake systems, seat suspensions, robotics, clutches,<br />airplane landing gear and vibration damping systems. The experiment studies<br />the formation of three-dimensional microstructures from the small magnetic<br />particles in these fluids under the influence of pulsed magnetic fields<br />inside the experiment coil assemblies, in which the MR fluid is contained in<br />small precision rectangular borosilicate glass vials.]<br /><br />VTR-2 (video tape recorder #2) is experiencing problems with playback. VTR-1<br />was used for recording today,s InSPACE ops. VTR-2 troubleshooting is<br />underway.<br /><br />CDR Kenneth Bowersox performed a lens change on the EarthKAM system at the<br />Lab window, going from 50mm to the 180mm-lens configuration. [EarthKAM<br />deactivation and stow is scheduled for 4/14 (Monday) and re-setup and<br />activation for 4/25 (Friday). EK images can be viewed on the Internet at<br />http://datasystem.earthkam.ucsd.edu/cgi-bin/datasys/ek_images_station .]<br /><br />The Russian Flight Engineer performed more observation and photography with<br />the Russian GFI-8 Uragan ("hurricane") program, as cloud cover permitted, us<br />ing the Nikon D1 digital camera (f400 and f800 lens). Images from the<br />CompactFlash card were later to be downlinked via Regul packet mail. [Areas<br />of interest today were cities in northern Iraq (to record environmental<br />damages caused by burning oil wells), the Kara Kum canal, long-range shots<br />of the main Karatau fault, Irtysh River flood plain, Central Altai<br />mountains, Kolka glacier north of Kazbek volcano, Chirkeisk reservoir, and<br />the Temirtau pits.]<br /><br />Pettit switched EMU batteries for capacity-preserving discharge, terminating<br />the process on the first and initiating it on the second battery.<br /><br />Bowersox meanwhile worked a lengthy task on the cardiac defibrillator system<br />which required troubleshooting. [Using a UOP (utility outlet panel) power<br />source and a voltage/current scopemeter, in part 1 of the IFM (in-flight<br />maintenance) he was to determine if the defibrillator is leaking current<br />from its battery when not in use. Part 2 of the procedure was then to<br />ascertain if the defibrillator's battery charger is functioning properly.]<br /><br />Budarin terminated the bake-out/regeneration cycle for adsorption bed #2 of<br />the BMP micropurification unit and switched it back to Purify mode. Both<br />BMP channels are now again running in this mode. [The regeneration of the<br />air purifier filter beds is repeated every 20 days. Each bakeout to space<br />vacuum takes about 24 hours.]<br /><br />Afterwards, Nikolai removed two "Klest" TV cameras and their light units<br />from the descent module of the Soyuz TMA-1/5S. [The cameras are not required<br />for the return of the Expedition 6 crew, and their removal increases 5S<br />downmass (d/m) capability for science payloads. US allocation will be about<br />4 kg, against a d/m request of 13 kg.]<br /><br />Bowersox conducted another inventory audit of the available CWCs<br />(collapsible water containers) and their condition.<br /><br />Sox also took care of the regular daily maintenance of the SOZh life support<br />system in the SM, while Don prepared the daily inventory update file for<br />downlink to the IMS (inventory management system) database.<br /><br />The two U.S. crewmembers completed their weekly FFQs (food frequency<br />questionnaires) on the MEC (medical equipment computer), which keep a<br />running account of their nutritional intake.<br /><br />Budarin completed his regular daily 5-min. inspection of the BIO-5<br />Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2") plant growth experiment.<br /><br />All crewmembers performed their regular daily physical exercise program on<br />RED, TVIS and VELO with load trainer.<br /><br />At 4:40am EDT, the crew engaged in a live-TV downlink for a press conference<br />with Russian media assembled at TsUP for tomorrow's Russian festive holiday<br />(Cosmonautics Day, 4/12). [Media represented at the press conference were<br />six television channels, three radio stations, three news agencies, two<br />trade magazines and two newspapers. Also present, on a time-permitting<br />basis, were CNN (USA), Times (UK), ARD (Germany) and Fuji (Japan).]<br /><br />A conjunction with the TRMM satellite (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission,<br />object #25063) is predicted for three consecutive orbits beginning 4/13<br />(Sunday) at 8:31pm EDT. The TRMM has been encountered before, last time on<br />2/21/03. The conjunction is being monitored closely to determine possible<br />need for a DAM (debris avoidance maneuver).<br /><br />Today's CEO (crew earth observations) targets, including near-vertical<br />targets from the city target list due to the current LVLH attitude, were<br />Cape Town, South Africa (nadir pass; ESC [electronic still camera]),<br />Johannesburg, South Africa (nadir pass; ESC), Alexandria, Egypt (nadir and a<br />touch right; ESC), Tigris-Euphrates, Turkey (new lakes are being built on<br />the upper Euphrates just right of track. Irrigation patterns surrounding<br />the new lakes are expanding fast), High Central Andean Glaciers<br />(thunderstorms have moved north: crew was to try for detailed views of<br />volcano-top ice pack. Looking near nadir both sides of track. The 400mm<br />lens was ideal for documentation of ice area in the effort to detect change<br />as numerous tropical ice fields melt back), Tucson, Arizona (nadir pass;<br />ESC), Albuquerque, New Mexico (nadir pass; ESC), Ice on eastern Lake<br />Superior (Dynamic event: accumulation of ice in the downwind bays at the<br />east end of Lake Superior), Newfoundland ice (Dynamic event: continued good<br />weather should reveal the marked accumulation of sea ice against the west<br />side of the Newfoundland peninsula. Crew looking nadir and west) and<br />American Samoa (shooting detail of the surrounding coral reefs. American<br />Samoa is the center of Polynesia in the triangle Hawaii-Tahiti-New Zealand).<br />CEO images can be viewed at the websites http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and<br />http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov<br /><br />U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:55pm EST).<br /><br />Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):<br /><br />Elektron O2 generator is powered On (24 Amp Mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is<br />On (manual mode 5). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. TCCS (trace contaminant<br />control subsystem) is operating. MCA (major constituents analyzer) is<br />operating. BMP Harmful Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode,<br />bed #2 in Purify mode. RS air conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off.<br /><br /><br />SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 735; temperature (deg C) --<br />27.4; ppO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid.<br />SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --<br />19.5.<br />FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 759; temperature (deg C) -- 19.6.<br />Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 742.62; temperature (deg C) -- 21.9 (shell); ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.<br />U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 744.51; temperature (deg C) -- 22.2; ppO2<br />(mmHg) -- 168.9; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 2.2;<br />Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 744.61; temperature (deg<br />C) -- 22.8; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 23.4, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2<br />(mmHg) -- n/a.<br />PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.6<br />PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 21.1<br /><br />(n/a = data not available)<br /><br />Propulsion System (PS):<br /><br />Total propellant load available: 3798 kg (8373 lb) as of 4/10/03 [SM(774) +<br />FGB(2670) + Progress(354)]. (Capability: SM -- 860 kg; FGB -- 6120 kg).<br /><br />Electrical Power Systems (EPS):<br /><br />Both P6 channels fully operational. BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B and 4B<br />both in dual-angle "directed" mode (eclipse drag reduction configuration,<br />"night glider").<br />SM batteries: Battery #5 is in "Cycle" mode; all other batteries (7) are in<br />"Partial Charge" mode.<br />FGB batteries: Battery #5 is disconnected; all other batteries (5) are in<br />"Partial Charge" mode.<br />Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode (after the EVA)<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-1 is operating; INT-2 is Off.<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<br />APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.<br />SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Being<br />upgraded.<br />SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Being<br />upgraded.<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-2<br /><br />Flight Attitude:<br /><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]), with CMG/ TA (thruster assist) Momentum Management).<br />Solar Beta Angle: -13.4 deg (magnitude increasing).<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.<br />Ku-band is operating nominally.<br />Audio subsystem operating nominally.<br />Video subsystem operating nominally (VTR1 is operable again; VTR2<br />troubleshooting in work).<br />HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.<br /><br />Robotics:<br /><br />SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF 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, 7:48am EDT [= epoch]):<br /><br />Mean altitude -- 393.2 km<br />Apogee -- 398.1 km<br />Perigee -- 388.4 km<br />Period -- 92.42 min.<br />Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg<br />Eccentricity -- 0.0007152<br />Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.58<br />Solar Beta Angle: -13.4 deg (magnitude increasing)<br />Mean altitude loss in last 24 hours -- 140 m<br />Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 25060<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