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6 June 2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 5 Jun 2003

Part 1 of 3

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously or below.

Early in the morning, before breakfast, 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 by the physical exercise session on the TVIS treadmill.
FE/SO Lu assisted as CMO (crew medical officer).  [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.]

The crew conducted the mandatory CHeCS (crew health care systems)
emergency medical operations OBT (on-board training) drill, a
one-hour U.S. training exercise designed to refresh crewmembers'
acuity in applying ACLS (advanced cardio life support) in an
emergency.  [Deploying (without actually operating/manipulating)
onboard equipment such as the RSP (respiratory support pack), CMRS
(crew medical restraint system), ALSP (advanced life support pack)
and defibrillator stowed in the Lab CHeCS (crew health care systems)
rack, the space dwellers went step-by-step through the ACLS manual.
Among else, Yuri and Ed performed CPR (cardio-pulmonary
resuscitation) on a jerry-rigged "human chest" dummy, using the CMRS
(crew medical restraint system), unfolded and secured to the seat
track anchors in the Lab floor. Objectives of the exercise include
practicing communication and coordination necessary to perform
medical emergency procedures, locating appropriate emergency medical
components, and determining each crewmember's individual method of
CPR delivery in zero-G.  After the drill, Ed Lu stowed the equipment]

Completing the T+2d analysis of water samples collected on 6/3 from
all three potable water ports with the WMK (water monitoring kit),
Science Officer Lu entered the microbiological data in the MEC
(medical equipment computer) and called them down to the ground.
[Preliminarily, it appears that at least on one port some microbial
colonies are growing.  A joint team of Houston and Moscow specialists
are looking into this.] 

Ed Lu reconfigured the Airlock BSA (battery stowage assembly) and
used the SSC6 (station support computer #6) laptop to initiate the
discharge cycle of the two remaining charged EMU batteries, for their
maintenance. 

Malenchenko began another maintenance cycle on the RS (Russian
segment) ventilation system, today performing the periodic preventive
servicing of the Group B ventilation fans in the SM, including a
checkout of the ventilators and a thorough cleaning of fan screens
and flexible air ducts. 

Later, the CDR completed the periodic replacement of the SM toilet
(ASU) hose behind wall panels 137 & 139, discarding the old hose.

Yuri also performed 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.  Later, he transferred the accumulated data files to a
floppy disk for storage, and took digital photos of the plants.  [The
experimental seeds of two types of peas are planted between wicks in
a root tray, with environmental control powered on.  Regular daily
maintenance of the experiment involves monitoring of seedling growth,
humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, and
photo/video recording.] 

In addition, Malenchenko completed the regular preparation of the
daily IMS inventory "delta" file and the daily routine maintenance of
the SM's SOZh environment control and life support system.  He also
conducted the weekly inspection of the BRPK-1 air/liquid condensate
separator system. 

The crew was congratulated on yesterday's successful robotics
operations with the Canadian SSRMS (space station remote manipulator
system).  Today, Ed Lu disconnected the UOP/DCP (utility outlet
panel/display & control panel) power bypass cable again.  [Everything
went very smoothly yesterday, with Ed and Yuri completing both
grapples without aborting during the joint rigidization, as has
happened in the past. This indicates that CSA's (Canadian Space
Agency's) new latching end effector (LEE) parameters are working OK.
At the end of each grapple, however, the arm experienced a "delimp
timeout", which caused automatic safing.  This happens if execution
of the "unlimp" command is delayed by having to wait until the arm
has completely stopped moving.  Since at this point grappling has
been accomplished, there is no impact on safety.]

The last run with coil assembly 5 (CA005) of the InSPACE
(Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from
Colloidal Emulsions) experiment in the MSG (microgravity science
glovebox) was successfully finished yesterday, and CA005 has been
exchanged with the new CA006, containing the largest particles of the
InSPACE experiment (0.66 microns).  The next test is scheduled for
tomorrow.  [During start-up yesterday, the MSG again showed the
pressure irregularity observed earlier, with a negative pressure
differential of 0.3 mb, instead of 1.3 mb.  The MSG rack's delta-P
mode was switched to a higher software setting, and the negative
differential established itself at an acceptable 5.2 mb.  Similar to
(but opposite to) ground-based "clean rooms", the negative pressure
differential between the outside and the interior of the MSG's work
volume would prevent any gas outflow in case of a leak.]

The new TVIS treadmill harness straps are in Moscow, to be hand
carried to Baikonur by a member of HSG (Houston Support Group).  It
is hoped that they can be loaded on 11P/Progress-259, although they
may lack sufficient critical priority to support a Russian decision
to reopen the cargo ship's side hatch.

Preparations for the launch of 11P at Baikonur are progressing on
schedule. Liftoff time on 6/8 (Sunday) is set for 6:34am EDT (1:34pm
DMT = TsUP time), docking on 6/11 (Wednesday) at 7:17am EDT (2:17pm
DMT).  All ground teams are reported ready to support the launch.
Aboard the station, the testing of both Kurs strings on the DC-1
"Pirs" side on 5/20 was successful.  The standard test of the backup
TORU (teleoperated approach and docking system) in the SM is
scheduled for tomorrow, along with a test of the command capability
of 10P/Progress-247 from the SM's control panel (with Progress
thrusters inhibited, of course).  On 6/9 (Monday) a final crew
training session will complete all preparations for the docking.

 - Continued -

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