ISS On-Orbit Status 5 June 2002

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted previously. It is Day 182 for the Expedition 4 crew (180 days onboard ISS). STS-111/Endeavour lifted off at 5:23 pm EDT after a smooth countdown. If everything goes as planned, docking will be on Friday, 6/7 (at about 12:18 pm), and undocking on 6/15 (at 10:40 am). Nominal landing at KSC will be on 6/17 (at about 11:50 am EDT). There will be three EVAs, by Chang-Diaz and Perrin, and three ISS altitude reboost maneuvers of one hour duration each (on Flight Days 6, 8 and 10). With Utility Flight 2 (UF-2), the ISS Program moves into Phase 3 of its build-up. Major UF-2 tasks are, in order of priority: 1. Rotate crew (exchange Exp. 4 crew with Exp. 5 crew); 2. Transfer Shuttle water to ISS; 3. Berth MPLM Leonardo to Node with SRMS (Shuttle remote manipulator system); 4. Transfer manifested logistics from MPLM and Shuttle middeck to ISS; 5. Transfer MBS (mobile base system) to ISS for MSS (mobile servicing system) and provide keep-alive power; 6. Return MPLM to Endeavour PLB (payload bay); 7. Perform minimum crew handover of 12 hrs per crewmember; 8. Transfer SSRMS wrist roll (WR) joint from PLB to ISS; 9. Transfer six SMDPs (Sevice Module debris panel) shields to temporary stowage on PMA-1 (pressurized mating adapter #1); 10. Install PDGF (power and data grapple fixture) on P6 truss segment; 11. Install MBS on MT (mobile transporter); 12. Remove and replace SSRMS WR joint; plus 17 additional objectives. FE-1 Carl Walz and FE-2 Dan Bursch concluded the Lab Vestibule leak check, started by Bursch last night. The test was fully successful -- the seals are tight. Walz then reconnected the Ops LAN (local area network) coaxial cable between the modules, which had to be disconnected for the leak check. [The check, a long-standing OCR (on-orbit checkout requirement) for closing out Lab engineering verification, required sealing the vestibule space between Lab and Node, evacuating it via VAJs (Vacuum access jumpers) to space and then letting it sit for eight hours during crew sleep, to watch for any pressure differentials using a barometric instrument.] CDR Yuri Onufrienko performed periodic maintenance in the SM and FGB. [In the SM, he 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. In the FGB, he replaced filters in the PS1 and PS2 dust collectors, then cleaned ventilation screens on interior panels and removable screens in the GShT gas-liquid heat exchangers.] Onufrienko and Walz worked on recovery of the Russian laptop #1 of the SUBA onboard equipment control system. MCC-M had provided them with detailed instructions for the "cloning" of the unit's hard disk drive (HDD) from a CD-ROM using a Norton "ghosting" utility. The Russian operating system (Solaris) then had to be reconfigured appropriately. Dan Bursch continued his dedicated efforts on the BPS (biomass production system) test facility. Brassica harvesting had been deleted from the schedule since the plants have not matured enough, but Bursch collected gas samples from PGCs (plant growth chambers) 1, 2 and 4, then did a complete harvest of the wheat plants in PGC4 and swapped the root modules between chambers 2 and 4. [Background: It was noticed yesterday that the flow of condensate through the humidity control plate of PGC4 was reduced, resulting in an increase in humidity. For the wheat experiment, it was therefore decided to harvest all the wheat plants in PGC4 right now rather than waiting until after landing. The Brassica root module was then placed in chamber 4 because the conditions in it, though less than optimal, remain better for plants than those in chamber 2. The harvested root module from PGC4 was put in chamber 2, which will remain disabled for the remainder of the mission.] The two flight engineers completed the weekly NTXN Interactions session, recording their subjective evaluation of interpersonal dynamics in the computerized mood, group and journal questionnaire. The data are automatically saved on the HRF (human research facility) PC HDD in encrypted form and returned to Earth with the HDD. The CDR received recommendations from MCC-Moscow for his physical training based on the analysis of the recent exercise period. It appears that his workouts on the TVIS treadmill have reached the planned levels (3100-4400 m distance). [The content of Onufrienko's physical training sessions is based on his judgment, with the aim to maintain physical fitness and to continue improving overall endurance. The current prescribed mini-cycle of emphasizing speed endurance on day 1, strength endurance on day 2, and overall physical endurance on day 3 is to be retained without change.] Both flight engineers had some additional time on their schedule for prepacking of UF-2 return cargo. Carl Walz performed the regular daily routine tasks of SOSh life support systems maintenance, Inc. 4/8A payload status checks, and IMS (inventory management system) delta file preparation. Installation of a temporary sampling tool in the ITCS (internal thermal control system) was originally put on the crew's "job jar" task list (6/2). When attempting to install the device, the crew discovered on 6/2 that it would interfere with closing the closeout panel. The adaptor was left in the bag, and the task was taken off the task list. [The pipe adapter was brought up on UF-1, and its connection to a standoff UIP (utility interface panel) in the Lab will allow fluid sampling from a stagnant leg of the ITCS.] The U.S. CEO (crew earth observation) program today had the following target areas: Tigris-Euphrates, Turkey (as ISS passed along the mountain front, the crew had an opportunity to photograph the lakes at the headwaters of both the Tigris and the Euphrates [nadir and right]. In particular, they were to note any dam construction that may be under way in NE Iraq, along the front of the NW Zagros Mts., as Iraq continues its efforts to control the surface waters of the region), Von Karman Vortices, Canary Islands (Dynamic Event: Cloud and wind conditions are right for the formation of Von Karman vortices in the wake of the Canary Islands. Such photos provide data for aerodynamics studies investigations of fluid flow around a variety of obstacles inserted in the flow path, such as aircraft wings), Galapagos Islands Greening (Dynamic Event: The Galapagos Islands are among the first responders when an El Nino climatic pattern begins to take shape. There has been more rain than usual there during the past few months, suggesting to some that ENSO conditions are developing. Of interest: documenting the condition of vegetation on the islands in what may be an incipient El Nino period), Tuamotu Archipelago (the aligned cluster of larger atolls of the NW Tuamotus were right of track. Weather and ISS attitude were favorable for taking detailed mapping views of any of the atolls, reefs and lagoons that the crew may have missed), New Mexico Fires (Dynamic Event: Fires are now blazing in the Sangre de Cristo range, just east of Santa Fe; the ISS passed directly over the burn area. The crew's good downlinked photos of the fires will be candidates for posting to Earth Observatory. The entire SW has been dry so the crew was likely to see fires in Sonora and Arizona as well). CEO images can be viewed at the website U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:20 pm EDT): Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control (TCS): Elektron O2 generator is powered On (32-amp mode). Vozdukh CO2 scrubber is ON in MANUAL cycle mode #5 (vacuum pump failed). U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is Off. BMP Harmful Impurities unit: Absorbent bed #1 in Purify mode, bed #2 in Purify mode. SM Working Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756, temperature (deg C) -- 27.2, ppO2 (mmHg) -- 153.7, ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 2.5. SM Transfer Compartment: Pressure (mmHg) -- 762, temperature (deg C) -- 21.5. FGB Cabin: Pressure (mmHg) -- 756, temperature (deg C) -- 22.0. Node: Pressure (mmHg) -- 748.98, temperature (deg C) -- 24.4 (shell); ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a. U.S. Lab: Pressure (mmHg) -- 750.78, temperature (deg C) -- 25.2, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock): Pressure (mmHg) -- 750.67, temperature (deg C) -- 24.8; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 25.0, ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a. PMA-1: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 23.2 PMA-2: Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 18.5 (Note: Partial pressures ppO2 and ppCO2 in U.S. segment [USOS] not available because MCA [major constituent analyzer] is failed and in Extended Life mode [= a state that preserves mass spectrometer vacuum but produces no pp data]). MSA (mass spectrometer assembly) and VGA (verification gas assembly) have been removed for return to Earth. Electrical Power Systems (EPS): Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA) 2B in Autotrack mode, BGA 4B in Autotrack mode. SM batteries: Battery #8 is in "Cycle" mode. All other batteries (7) are in "partial charge" mode. FGB: Battery #3 is offline (ROM mode). All other batteries (5) are in "partial charge" mode. Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 in Standby mode; PCU-2 in Standby mode. Thermal Control Systems: Air conditioner SKV-1 is Off. SKV-2 is On. Command & Data Handling Systems: C&C-3 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is back-up, and C&C-1 is in standby. GNC-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup. LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating. PL-1 MDM is operational; PL-2 MDM on Standby. APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On. SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. SM Central Computer (TsVM): 2 redundant lanes (of 3) operational. Communications Systems: All Russian communications & tracking systems are nominal. S-band is operating nominally. Ku-band is operating nominally. Audio subsystem operating nominally. Video subsystem operating nominally. MCOR (medium-rate communications outage recorder) is operating nominally. Robotics: SSRMS/Canadarm2 at Progress viewing position, with Keep Alive power on both strings. RWS (robotics workstations) are Off. SSRMS Prime string Wrist Roll (WR) joint to be replaced on UF-2. ISS Orbit (as of this morning, 7:47 am EDT [= epoch]): Mean altitude -- 386.3 km Apogee -- 390.6 km Perigee -- 381.9 km Period -- 92.3 min. Inclination (to Equator) -- 51.63 deg Eccentricity -- 0.000645 Orbits per 24-hr. day -- 15.60 Altitude decrease -- 195 m (mean) in last 24 hours Solar Beta Angle -- 43.0 deg (magnitude decreasing) Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. '98) -- 20220 Current Flight Attitude -- XPOP (x-axis perpendicular to orbit plane = "sun-fixed" [yaw: ~180 deg, pitch: -5.6 deg., roll: 0 deg]). For more on ISS orbit and naked-eye visibility dates/times, see