ISS On-Orbit Status, 05-02-2003
Jacques van Oene
All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously
or below. Day 74 in space for the Expedition 6 crew.
After wake-up (1:00am EST), the crew began unloading Progress 10P/M-47,
after CDR Ken Bowersox and FE-1 Nikolai Budarin had removed the
probe-and-cone docking mechanism (StM) of the cargo vehicle's docking and
internal transfer system (SSVP). The unloading is accompanied by careful
inventory auditing for the IMS (inventory management system).
Among the first items removed from Progress were the MSG (microgravity
science glovebox) parts, the PDC (power distribution controller) and ESEM3
(exchangeable standard electronic module 3). FE-2/SO Don Pettit began with
their installation in the MSG rack, which was video-taped for the record.
Subsequent steps were establishment of rack cooling flow and power-up,
followed by nominal MSG activation. This resulted in a circuit breaker trip,
after which further activity was put on hold, pending investigation. MSG is
powered down
10P also delivered new books with crew procedures covering changes of
existing ODFs (operations data files). [Bowersox had about 1.5 hrs scheduled
today to transfer and insert the approx. 450 pages into the appropriate
on-board books. CD-ROMs with the changes are scheduled to arrive with the
next Soyuz flight in April.]
Nikolai Budarin transferred two newly arrived GCF-N payload units (Granada
Crystallization Facility 02 or "N") from Progress 10P and installed it in
the SM. The payload will be used for experiments with counterdiffusion
crystallization of biological macromolecules. [The installation/stowage was
photo documented with the Nikon D1 and the images were saved from the
Compact Flash card to a laptop. Operations with the GCF are to be performed
with personal protection gear: respirator, goggles, and surgical gloves. A
previous GCF payload, delivered by 9P and later returned to Earth, was used
by ESA guest cosmonaut Frank De Winne.]
Budarin also performed the regular daily checkup of the BIO-5
Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2") plant growth experiment.
In the SM, Budarin changed out the CO2 filter unit (BF) in the IK0501 gas
analyzer, an automated system for measuring CO2, O2, and H2O in the air, as
well as the flow rate of the gas being analyzed.
Bowersox tore down the TV routing connections to the USOS (U.S. segment)
used yesterday to cover Progress approach and docking with U.S. Ku-band
assets.
Don Pettit again took two carbon dioxide (CO2) readings in the SM and Lab
with the U.S. CDMK (CO2 monitoring kit).
Bowersox performed the regular daily maintenance of the SOSh life support
system and conducted the daily Lab payload status checkup. After the
consumables audit (see following item), he also performed data entry in the
IMS and prepared the daily update file for downlink to the IMS database.
As part of the intense ISS replanning efforts underway at MCC-M due to the
current Shuttle stand-down contingency, the crew had an hour scheduled today
for taking a careful audit of all onboard consumables (food, water, personal
hygiene, etc.). The data will be assessed against actual usage rates to
determine precisely what we need to fly up on Progress 11P in June (6/8).
[This effort is similar to what was done for 10P last Saturday, 2/1.]
Current consumable complement on board is sufficient through June '03. The
limiting item is water (must be "pasteurized" for drinking), which depends
on recovery of the Russian SRV-K water processing system to full
operability. Removal and replacement (R&R) of the CFU (condensate feed unit)
with the new unit delivered by 10P is scheduled for 2/9. If the CFU R&R is
successful, 20 liters of U.S. water from the Lab condensate tank will be
transferred to a CWC (contingency water container) on 2/10 for SRV-K
processing.
If the R&R is unsuccessful, overboard dumping becomes necessary but will be
done as late as possible. Every attempt will be made not to waste water, but
storage is limited (have only three CWCs on board). Moscow has offered to
store water in one of the two Rodnik water system tanks. Rodnik has been
used to contain "silver water" (water treated with silver iodine) and urine.
Also being worked is the need to re-establish IMV (intermodular ventilation)
between the USOS and RS, which currently is not working. Proper atmospheric
circulation between the modules is required for control of ppCO2 (CO2
partial pressure), humidity, temperature, thus: condensation).
The CDRA (CO2 removal assembly) in the Lab was activated yesterday to
support crew exercise. [In order to limit CDRA usage, for conservation of
lifetime and to minimize the necessary resetting of the ITCS LTL (internal
thermal control system/low temperature loop) temperature setpoint, operation
of Vozdukh is being reviewed for alternate manual mode instead of the
current automatic mode, since the latter is controlled by the suspect SM gas
analyzer. Adjustment of the U.S. CCAA (common cabin air assembly) is also
being studied to help with the IMV issue, but CCAA works different than the
Russian SKV air conditioner with respect to humidity control.]
Another issue under intense study, due to the Shuttle stand-down, is ISS
altitude strategy. [Reboosts are Russian responsibility. MCC-M will do
reboost with Progress 10P "as soon as possible and as high as possible", and
MCC-H has waived the Shuttle-imposed altitude limit of 370 km. The burn
maneuver is planned for mid-February (2/10), with a delta-V of ~15 m/sec.
Reboost cannot be done later than 2/13 since ISS can't stay in current LVLH
attitude beyond that date but must maneuver to XPOP (else not enough power
from solar arrays). An additional reboost may follow in April (delta V ~3
m/sec), if required to adjust orbital phasing angle for Soyuz 5S reentry
(5S) and Soyuz 6S launch in April (4/26). For 6S docking on 4/28, desired
altitude is 400 km (alternate: 398 km), but that will lastly depend on
actual upmass specified for 6S. If no additional reboost after that, ISS
will reach Shuttle docking altitude by 9/1. If no Shuttle by that time, will
again reboost as much as required. If Shuttle flies in early Summer, we may
require some retrograde deboost (lowering altitude), but that would be a
small price to pay.]
CMG-2 (control moment gyroscope #2) has exhibited several temperature spike
indications. While these have been seen before, their frequency has picked
up. Ops specialists do not believe that we have a problem. [Currently, there
are three CMGs working, and the station can live on 2 CMGs if necessary.]
Progress 10P docking yesterday went well. Hatches were opened on time, right
after the STS-107 ceremony at JSC. [During approach and docking, MCC-M/TsUP
encountered two technical problems: (a) Docking was to be executed on Kurs
antenna #2, but Progress autopilot kept switching to antenna #1 which had
been under suspicion. Therefore, the latter was used at begin and end of the
docking sequence, and it worked without problems, neither at far distance
nor during prox ops; (b) one Progress control thruster (yaw) sent an
off-nominal signal, after which the computer switched to the #1 thruster
manifold for the docking. Issue is under investigation.]
Today's targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were Red
Basin, Sechuan, China (Dynamic event. A major break in the weather has
produced the best viewing of inland China this winter. The circular Red
Basin is the center of China's largest province with 115 million people,
most of whom live in the basin. With major industrial cities and open fires
for cooking, air quality is significantly degraded under high pressure
conditions. The basin has the longest continuous record of air clarity
measurements [skyward-looking radiometers] on Earth [since the 1940s]. Any
views of the region, clear or with smog buildup, are of interest to US
scientists), Beijing, China (nadir pass; ESC [electronic camera system].
Trying to get the entire urban region in one or two views), Delhi, India
(nadir pass; ESC. The city lies on both banks of the Yamuna River.
Atmospheric haze appears to be returning in the Ganges basinlooking right
for oblique views), Rift Valley lakes, east Africa (Dynamic event. For a few
weeks a year, equatorial Africa experiences low cloud cover. Look right of
track for glint/near glint views of: Lake Tanganyika [geological
structures], then Lake Victoria [coastlines], then Lake Turkana [coastline,
esp. Omo River delta at the north end]. The delta is a permanent Earth Obs
monitoring site since it fluctuates in size significantly as lake levels
change. [Past handheld imagery shows that Lake Turkana rises quickly during
El Nino events, whereas the Nile River immediately north experiences
below-normal flow, an inconsistency that is not yet understood. It would be
very interesting to test the response of the Lake Turkana coastline under
the present El Nino with your imagery.]), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (nadir pass;
ESC), Tashkent, Uzbekistan (just left of track, this capital city [and most
other central Asian cities] lies on the wetter lower slopes of the Tien Shan
Mts., in what is otherwise an arid part of the world), Sabancaya landslide,
Peru (nadir pass. This hazard site is difficult to see, but a mapping swath
for 30 secs under track will capture it), Panama (Dynamic event. Request for
panoramic views [obliques left and right] and then detailed nadir views of
this poorly photographed region), and El Paso, Texas (nadir pass; ESC).
CEO images can be viewed at the website
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:50pm EST).
Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS):
Elektron O2 generator is powered On (32 Amp mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is
On (auto mode). 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) -- 753; temperature (deg C) -- 27.2;
ppO2 (mmHg) -- 160.5; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 1.7 (suspect).
SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C) --
20.2.
FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 752; temperature (deg C) -- 20.7.
Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 741.98; temperature (deg C) -- 22.5 (shell); ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 743.81; temperature (deg C) -- 22.9; ppO2
(mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a;
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 743.81; temperature (deg
C) -- 20.7; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 21.4, ppO2 (mmHg) -- 164.7; ppCO2
(mmHg) -- 4.0.
PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 22.1
PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 18.7
(n/a = data not available)
Propulsion System (PS): Total propellant load available [SM(820) + FGB(2898)
+ Progress(0)] -- 3718 kg (8197 lb) as of 1/30/03. (Capability: SM -- 860
kg; FGB -- 6120 kg).
Electrical Power Systems (EPS):
Both P6 channels fully operational. Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 2B and 4B
both in "blind" dual-angle mode (directed position).
SM batteries: Battery #7 is off line (failed); all other batteries (7) are
in "Full Charge" mode.
FGB batteries: Battery #1 is off line; battery #5 is in "Cycle mode"; all
other batteries (4) are in "Partial Charge" mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode.
Command & Data Handling Systems:
C&C-2 MDM is prime, C&C-3 is back-up, and C&C-1 is in standby.
GNC-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup.
EXT-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 is off.
LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
PL-2 MDM is On (primary); PL-1 MDM is off (diagnostic
APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Lane 1 is
out of the set (as of 11/14/02).
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.
Attitude Source:
3 CMGs on-line (CMG-1 failed).
State vector -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Attitude -- U.S. SIGI-1 (GPS)
Angular rates -- U.S. RGA-1
Flight Attitude:
LVLH TEA (local vertical/local horizontal = "earth-fixed": z-axis in local
vertical, x-axis in velocity vector [yaw: -10 deg, pitch: -9.1 deg, roll: 0
deg]), CMG/TA (thruster assist) momentum management).
Solar Beta Angle: -7.7 deg (magnitude increasing).
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.
Ku-band is operating nominally.
Audio subsystem operating nominally.
Video subsystem operating nominally, but VTR1 is off.
HCOR (high-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally.
Robotics:
SSRMS/Canadarm2 based at MBS PDGF2 with Keep Alive (KA) power on both
strings.
MBS: KA power on both strings.
MT: latched at WS4, with KA power.
POA: KA power on both strings.
RWS (robotics workstations): Lab RWS is Off; Cupola RWS is Off.
--
----
Jacques :-)
Editor: www.spacepatches.info
JF Mezei
> altitude strategy. [Reboosts are Russian responsibility. MCC-M will do
> reboost with Progress 10P "as soon as possible and as high as possible", and
> MCC-H has waived the Shuttle-imposed altitude limit of 370 km.
That is most interesting. I rekember at one point NASA stating that there were
limits to how high the shuttle could reboost in order for the station to stay
within russian altitude constraints.
Is it possible that until Zvezda was docked, that the russian limits were
lower than the US limits, but since then , Progress and Soyuz have higher
limits than shuttle ?
> CMG-2 (control moment gyroscope #2) has exhibited several temperature spike
> indications. While these have been seen before, their frequency has picked
> up.
This is worrysome. While one could think about buying a soyuz launcher with
the same type of space tug that brought Piers to bring the spare CMG, I think
it would be very important to bring back the failed CMG to earth for analysis
before you send out any more spare CMGs. And right now, only the shuttle can
do that.
Question: could a CMG fit through the Quest airlock ? Perhaps they could
analyse it onboard the station, send spare parts/tools on the next progress,
fix it and put it back into operation ?
Chris Bennetts
"JF Mezei" <jfmezei...@vl.videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:3E440510...@vl.videotron.ca...
> Is it possible that until Zvezda was docked, that the russian limits were
> lower than the US limits, but since then , Progress and Soyuz have higher
> limits than shuttle ?
No, it was the Soyuz and Progress that caused those limits. There may have
been an altitude limit for Zvezda's launch, too. The NASA waiver was
probably due to a mission-specific docking altitude limit for STS-114. Since
that mission isn't going to fly as soon as previously expected, it's better
to get the ISS as high as possible, so that there is less drag, and the
station can go unboosted for longer.
> Question: could a CMG fit through the Quest airlock ? Perhaps they could
> analyse it onboard the station, send spare parts/tools on the next
progress,
> fix it and put it back into operation ?
Don't think so. The CMG replacement will have to wait until the resumption
of shuttle flights, although if another CMG fails, then NASA may request an
update from the Columbia investigators, with an eye to flying Atlantis
before the final report is complete.
--Chris
Jorge R. Frank
news:b21kuj$18dldu$1...@ID-78250.news.dfncis.de:
>
> "JF Mezei" <jfmezei...@vl.videotron.ca> wrote in message
> news:3E440510...@vl.videotron.ca...
>> Is it possible that until Zvezda was docked, that the russian limits
>> were lower than the US limits, but since then , Progress and Soyuz
>> have higher limits than shuttle ?
>
> No, it was the Soyuz and Progress that caused those limits. There may
> have been an altitude limit for Zvezda's launch, too. The NASA waiver
> was probably due to a mission-specific docking altitude limit for
> STS-114.
True in general. It was actually driven by STS-115, though. 115 is a
particularly performance-critical flight, and requires a lower rendezvous
altitude (200 nmi IIRC, which converts to 370.4 km) than usual. There were
several other truss assembly flights that had lower ceilings than normal,
but 115 was the lowest.
--
JRF
Reply-to address spam-proofed - to reply by E-mail,
check "Organization" (I am not assimilated) and
think one step ahead of IBM.
JF Mezei
> Don't think so. The CMG replacement will have to wait until the resumption
> of shuttle flights, although if another CMG fails, then NASA may request an
> update from the Columbia investigators, with an eye to flying Atlantis
> before the final report is complete.
Well, the station can survive without CMGs, right ? It would just cost more
propellant on the russian side.