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3 Apr 2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 2 Apr 2003

Part 1 of 3

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

FE-2/SO Don Pettit again deployed the acoustic dosimeters, today
statically after they had been worn by each crewmember for 24 hours.
Before their deployment, Pettit recorded the data from all
instruments and changed all batteries.  [Tonight, after about 15
hours of measurements, data from each dosimeter will again be
recorded and the hardware power-cycled.] 

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin performed another substantial IFM (in-flight
maintenance) in the FGB, changing out of one of its 800A batteries.
A new storage unit replaced the failed battery #2,- a 1.5-hr task.
The old 800A will be discarded on Progress.  This restores all six
FGB batteries to service. [Last change-out (Battery #1) was on 2/25.]

In the Service Module (SM), Budarin later removed a time
synchronization unit (BSV-M) on one of the PPS system power panels
and replaced it with a spare delivered by Progress 10P/M-247.  [For
the R&R, the BITS2-12 onboard measurement telemetry system and the
Vozdukh CO2 absorber were switched off and turned back on
afterwards.]

CDR Kenneth Bowersox began today's FOOT (foot/ground reaction forces
during space flight) experiment by setting up the video equipment for
recording the subsequent EMG (electromyography, i.e., muscular
electric signals recording) calibration and day-long experiment run.
The VTR recording was controlled from the ground.  Bowersox's
teleconference yesterday with the FOOT ground team was well received.

For FE-1 Nikolai Budarin, it was time for the second part of the
current MBI-8 Profilaktika ("countermeasures") fitness test series,
today with the NS-01 load trainer on the VELO (stationary bike)
ergometer.   [This fitness test consists of four types of exercise,
viz., neck tilting (back/forward), simultaneous forearm flexing,
trunk extension, and trunk flexes. Each type of exercise consists of
a series of 15 motions repeated two times.  Load levels are selected
by the ground and do not change from test to test.  Gas analysis,
subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels, and blood test for
lactate and Creatine Kinase levels are also performed as a part of
this test, using the TEEM-100M gas analyzer, AccuSport analyzer, and
Reflotron-IV blood analyzer.] 

Evaluation of the two completed InSPACE experiment runs in the MSG
(Microgravity Science Glovebox) is continuing.  [After the first run
on 3/31 with coil assembly 004 (CA004), lack of any discernable
microstructures in the MR fluid indicated that the magnetic field
strength may have been too low and/or particle size too small.
Yesterday's second run used an increased magnetic field strength
(current amplitude increased from 0.350 A to 1.2 A).  For the
continuation of the InSPACE operations next week, the tentative plan
is to increase both field strength and sample particle size. This
will be accomplished by utilizing CA003 (which has particles with a
diameter of 0.62 microns) and setting a high current amplitude.] 

Troubleshooting continues on the EVA battery recharging with BC-1
(battery charger 1).  [As part of today's BSA (battery stowage
assembly) battery recharge termination task, Don Pettit was to
attempt to charge the helmet light batteries in BC-1 without the
other battery chargers powered on.  This would tell engineers if
there is a noise interference issue associated with the other
chargers.  If BC-1 charging is unsuccessful, he was to remove the
helmet light batteries from the charger and install them in BC-2,-3
and -4 to complete the charge.] 

As part of EVA preparations, Don Pettit was also scheduled to perform
a checkout of the SAFER (simplified aid for EVA rescue) units.

Afterwards, the crew conducted an in-depth review of the updated EVA
timeline and later tagged up with the ground via S-band.  Preparatory
to the review and discussion, new timeline material and drawings of
the ammonia fluid QD (quick disconnect) couplings for SPD (spool
positioning devices) installation were uplinked.   [Objectives of the
6.5-hr. EVA oin 4/8 include (1) S0/S1/P1 truss segment tasks like
reconfiguring electrical connectors to provide additional inhibit to
prevent SSAS (segment-to-segment attachment system) release, and NTA
(nitrogen tank assembly) inspection to troubleshoot its heater
problem; (2)  R&R of the failed MT RPCM 3A (mobile transporter/remote
power controller module #3A); (3) reconfiguring of CMG (control
moment gyroscope) connections to ensure that no single EPS
(electrical power system) failure will result in the loss of two of
the three operating CMGs; (4) installation of two SPDs on Lab HX
(heat exchanger) fluid QDs; (5) re-installing and securing of a QD
thermal cover on the S1 RBVM (radiator beam valve module); (6)
freeing the S1 CETA (crew equipment translation aid) railcart light
stanchion and completing the light installation aborted during Stage
EVA1; (7) and get-ahead tasks as time permits, such as tool
retrievals and photo ops.] 

Budarin completed his regular daily inspection of the BIO-5
Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2") plant growth experiment.

Don Pettit conducted the daily routine maintenance of the SM's SOZh
life support system (including ASU toilet facilities), while Sox
prepared the daily IMS inventory delta file and performed the regular
Lab payload status checkup (PCG-STES010).

Don also completed a "zero" calibration run with the CSA-CP (compound
specific analyzer-combustion products), then activated and
deactivated the CSA-CP for a cabin air composition data take.  A
planned sampling with the GSC (grab sampler container) was deferred.

The crew downlinked two messages of greeting, one to the Gagarin
Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Korolev near Moscow on the
occasion of Cosmonautics Day on April 12, the other to address the
Fifth International Science/Technical Conference, on the theme "Space
Science: Theory and Reality".   [Cosmonautics Day observes the date
of April 12, 1961, when Yuri Gagarin became the first human in
space.  John Glenn followed in February 1962 as first American and
Valentina Tereshkova in June 1963 as first woman. "We wish a
wonderful holiday to the command staff, all pilot cosmonauts, and all
GCTC specialists on this, our professional holiday."] 

 - Continued -

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