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8 Jul 2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 3 Jul 2003

Part 1 of 3

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously. Closing in on a long weekend...

Early in the morning before breakfast and morning inspection, CDR
Malenchenko concluded his third MBI-8 "Profilaktika"(countermeasures)
fitness session. Today he conducted the blood test part, which
determines lactate and creatine kinase levels in the blood with the
AccuSport equipment, followed later in the day by the physical
exercise session on the TVIS treadmill. FE/SO Lu assisted as crew
medical officer (CMO). [The TVIS test is identical to the MO-3 test
performed on the treadmill in idling mode with free choice of speeds
within a certain specified range. In addition to the nominal test
procedure, MBI-8/Part 3 calls for the use of the TEEM-100M gas
analyzer during the test, the blood lactate measurements, and
subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test. At
the end of the creatine kinase tests, the results were logged and
recorded in Cardiocassette-2000 for subsequent downlink to the
ground.] 

Malenchenko prepared equipment assembly and work area for the Russian
biomedical "Pilot" experiment (MBI-15) which requires a work table,
ankle restraint system and control handles for testing piloting
skill. The experiment was then conducted, for the first time, by
flight engineer Ed Lu. Yuri later deactivated, disassembled and
stowed the gear. [Ed performed three flight control modes (fixed,
slow and fast free-flyer), each one five times, after checkout and
calibration of the control handles. Results were later reported to
the ground.] 

Continuing and completing yesterday's IFM (in-flight maintenance)
activities on the BMP harmful impurities filtration system, Yuri
Malenchenko today removed and replaced the electrical heater of the
PKF-T catalytic thermal cartridge. The BMP was then to be activated
per ground specialist go-ahead (via S-band).

In the morning, Ed Lu performed the last of the five currently
scheduled acoustic dosimeter operations. [He took the noise
measurements recorded by the three statically deployed dosimeters
during the crew's sleep over the past 8 hours. The hardware was then
stowed for future use.] 

The Science Officer completed the periodic transfer of physical
exercise data files of the TVIS treadmill, RED resistive exerciser
and CEVIS cycle ergometer to the MEC (medical equipment computer),
for subsequent downlink to the ground (last time done: 6/17). [The
data file transfers involve PCMCIA (portable computer memory card
international adapter) cards from TVIS and CEVIS, plus the entries
from the RED exercise log book, individually for each crewmember.]

Later, Ed Lu also performed the periodic transfer of accumulated data
files from the wrist-worn HRM (heart rate monitor) receiving stations
to the MEC for downlink, then deleted them on the HRM (last time
done: 6/13). 

Ed activated the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox) and removed the
videotapes and equipment for the InSPACE (Investigating the Structure
of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions) experiment for
stowage in pre-assigned Lab and Node locker areas. The MSG was then
powered down again. [The last InSPACE run yesterday again was a full
success. The second run in the higher frequency range produced very
interesting structure formation, much more elaborate than during an
earlier run with this sample (at a lower frequency). Some interesting
structure migration processes in the region around these larger
structures were also seen. All of this may provide clues into the
structure formation process and how they modify the field around
them.]

Malenchenko performed scheduled IFM on the condensate water processor
(SRV-K2M) by removing and replacing its BKO
multifiltration/purification column unit which has reached its
service life limit (450 liters min.). The old unit will be discarded
on Progress. (Last time done: 3/4/03). [The SRV-K2M converts
collected condensate into drinking water and dispenses the reclaimed
water (warm and hot) for drinking and preparation of food and
beverages.]

The CDR took photographs of the internal cone of the DC-1 docking
compartment's docking assembly used for the recent Progress 11P
arrival. These images are used to refine current understanding of the
docking conditions. [The objective is to take photos of the scratch
mark left by the head of the docking probe on the internal surface of
the docking cone. Yuri used the digital still camera (Kodak 760 or
Nikon D1) to take two pictures with partially closed hatch and
downlinked them later during the day via U.S. OCA assets.]

Ed Lu supported the ongoing NGL (Next Generation Laptop) testing,
which today called for the second data collection and log file take.
[Ed's support consisted of copying the accumulated files of the
automated test program from the new laptop's microdrive over to the
SSC (station support computer) laptop for data collection and
subsequent downlink. The microdrive was then returned to the NGL and
the test program restarted.] 

Malenchenko's Diatomeya ocean observation program today focused on
intensive vortex formation in the Gulf Stream current and
low-activity central water areas in the Atlantic Ocean.
[Nadir-pointing observations and recording with the electronic Nikon
F5 still camera (f/80 mm lens) and the DVCAM 150 for video from the
SAM windows #7 and #8 proceeded from the delta of the Hudson river
(Delaware Bay, USA) to the Bermudas and on towards the beam of the
Amazon river.]

The Russian Uragan earth imaging program, using the Kodak 760 ESC
with f/800-mm lens, today targeted large European cities (London,
Antwerp, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt on Main, Prague), the cities and ports
of Odessa, Sevastopol, and Trabzon, Lake Van with city of Van, etc.
Yuri was also asked to film, if cloud cover did not exceed 30%, a
Sakhalin oil pipeline, North-Kuril islands, and Kamchatka volcanoes.

Ed Lu performed the second carbon dioxide partial pressure (ppCO2)
data collection from the newly deployed CSA-CP (compound specific
analyzers-combustion products) brought up on 11P. [CSA-CP is a
toxicology monitoring device for early CO detection/warning and
post-fire decontamination. It also checks for HCl and other
combustion products and contaminants. Data takes are regularly
collected for downlink.] 

Yuri Malenchenko completed his regular daily inspection of the BIO-5
Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment which researches growth and
development of plants under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-2
greenhouse. 

Malenchenko also terminated the test run of the Molniya-SM/LSO
(GFI-10) geophysical experiment started on 6/30, by first
deactivating the two French computers EGE 1 and EGE 2, the LSO 06
instrument and the Russian RBS power outlet, then disassembling the
equipment and stowing it. [Molniya-SM/LSO automatically records storm
phenomena and other related events in the Earth's equatorial regions.
The experiment is controlled from the EGE-1 laptop, loaded with
orbital sighting predictions using an up-to-date NORAD tracking TLE
(two-line element) provided by NASA. Objective of LSO was to study
rare optical phenomena occurring in the upper layers of Earth's
atmosphere, so-called "sprites" (i.e., puzzling glow phenomena
observed above thunderstorm clouds). LSO was originally part of
Claudie Haigneré's French "Andromeda" payload package of taxi mission
3S that could not be performed as planned during Increment 4 due to
an ISS flight attitude conflict.]

 - Continued -

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