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3\12 ISS On-Orbit Status 12-03-2003
Part 1 of 2

ISS On-Orbit Status 3/12/03

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

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin began the day with his routine inspection, 
including watering if required, of the Russian BIO-5 
Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 plant growth experiment which investigates growth 
and development of acacia-leaf type pea seedlings under spaceflight 
conditions.

Afterwards, Budarin worked in the DC-1 "Pirs" docking module, removing 
and replacing two auxiliary digital commutator (TA253B) electronics 
boxes, a subsystem of the ASS message acquisition system, with each 
device requiring about 1.5 hrs crewtime.

FE-2/SO Don Pettit continued his unflagging support of the ongoing MSG
(Microgravity Science Glovebox) troubleshooting. [Once again, early 
analysis showed no off-nominal current draw on the ESEM3 (exchangeable 
standard electronic module 3) after yesterday's re-installation of the 
P104 and P110 connectors. Today, Pettit was to reconnect E-Box 
connector P112, powering Work Volume illumination units, and, if 
successful, connector P113, for an E-Box daughter board. Besides the 
sensor data downlink via Ku-band, numerous onboard LEDs 
(light-emitting diodes) are now available to indicate function status 
to Pettit.]

Later, Pettit and CDR Ken Bowersox completed another DOUG (dynamic
operations ubiquitous graphics) computer session in preparation for
tomorrow's SSRMS/Robotics operations. [During last week's survey of 
the S1 RBVM (radiator beam valve module) some additional thermal 
protection "booties" were noted as possibly being open. Tomorrow's 
procedure will "walk" the SSRMS to MBS PDGF1 (Mobile Base System/Power 
& Data Grapple Fixture #1) and maneuver the arm to two viewing 
positions to inspect these booties. From the second survey position a 
general survey of the RBVMs will then be performed, using the Tip 
Elbow camera, followed by two checkouts of the Tip LEE (latching end 
effector). Operations will end with the SSRMS being walked back to the 
Lab PDGF and maneuvered into position to view the upcoming stage EVA 
#2. All OCASs (operator commanded auto sequences) will be performed in 
vernier rates due to tight clearances with the UHF antenna, Lab camera 
and S1 radiator, of less than 5 feet during parts of the maneuvers.]

Nikolai Budarin worked about an hour in the Service Module (SM), using 
the V/K-1 video camera and GNShK low-noise headset microphone to test 
the newly reconfigured audio recording of the LIV television system 
for incorporation of this mode into crew procedures.

Budarin later terminated the LSO "Sprite"-seeking experiment, 
dismantled the "Molniya-SM" payload at SM window #3 and deactivated 
the French EGE laptop.  All equipment was then placed in stowage.

Nikolai also completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM's SOZh 
life support system, including ASU toilet facilities, while Bowersox 
prepared the daily "delta" file of the IMS (inventory management 
system) database and conducted the regular Lap payload status checkup.

Bowersox downloaded data files from the CMS HRM (crew medical 
systems/heart rate monitor) to the MEC (medical equipment computer) 
for subsequent downlink via OCA comm.

All crewmembers performed their daily physical exercise program on RED
(resistive exercise device), TVIS (treadmill with vibration isolation 
and stabilization), CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration isolation) 
and VELO with load trainer. [With the Stage EVA delayed until early 
April (see yesterday's Status), use of CEVIS (with failed control 
display) is OK again for regular crew exercise, which today replaced 
the originally scheduled pre-EVA PFEs (periodic fitness evaluations).]

MCC-H began the planned uploading of the new R3 GNC (guidance, 
navigation & control) "stale RGA data" software patch, in conjunction 
with today's handover of ISS attitude control (AC) to the Russian 
segment (RS) at 2:10pm EST for the first Progress thruster test 
reboost tonight at 5:58pm, and the return of AC from RS to USOS (U.S. 
segment) thereafter. [The reboost, of 600 seconds duration (primary 
mode) is planned to produce a delta-V of 1.39 m/sec. The burn could be 
changed to backup mode (800 sec), since primary mode shows a 
conjunction with a piece of space debris some nine hours later, with 
18 km miss distance (a spent Soviet SL-12 rocket body/auxiliary motor, 
Object #13608). The reboost is controlled by an automatic sequencer, 
preloaded with a command sequence ("cyclogram") uplinked by MCC-M 
earlier today during a Russian comm pass on Daily Orbit 11.]

The GNC software upload also includes the new PPL (pre-positioned 
load) file with larger rate divergence threshold values as an interim 
solution to the RGA (rate gyro assembly) dilemma issue observed last 
week (see 3/8 Status Report).

For the popular CEO (crew earth observations program), the crew has
requested target data for cities at night, as well as for 
opportunities to photograph the Nasca Lines, Mayan and Aztec pyramids, 
Great Wall of China, Angel Falls Venezuela and other challenging 
man-made and natural features.  The requests are being incorporated in 
the daily targeting.  Today's CEO targets were Cape Town, South Africa 
(crew was to document the entire city expanse), Atlanta, Georgia (a 
nice nadir pass to capture city borders), El Paso, Texas (crew was to 
look slightly right of track for a good clear view of El Paso), 
Patagonian Glaciers (clear weather for great views. Shooting detailed 
glacier features), and Maro (image slightly right of track to get reef 
structure).

CEO images can be viewed at the websites http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

(continued)

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