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1\20 ISS On Orbit Status 20-01-2003
Part 1 of 2

ISS On-Orbit Status 1/20/03

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted 
previously or below. Week 8 for Expedition 6 is underway.

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin unstowed the Russian Plasma Crystal 3 (PK-3) 
experiment module and tagged up with ground specialists via S-band, 
while connecting the module to the vacuum line, then running a 
pressurization test and vacuum check. Shortly before sleep time, the 
PK-3 vacuum turbopump was shut down again. [In further preparation for 
upcoming PK-3 operations, tomorrow Budarin will create a software 
installation diskette and install the necessary software on the 
payload.]

Later in the day, Budarin performed the KARDIO-ODNT, a cardiovascular 
test of human pericardium (heart muscle) activity as well as of 
primary parameters of central and regional blood circulation at rest 
and under the effect of lower body negative pressure (LBNP, Russian: 
ODNT). The complex experiment, supported by ground specialists via 
VHF, took two hours and required the assistance by FE-2/SO Don Pettit 
during the entire procedure.  [The LBNP, generated by a specially 
designed "Chibis" suit, applies suction on the lower body ranging from 
10 to 60 mmHg, thereby exerting a functional loading roughly 
equivalent to 10-60 kg of force on the musculosceletal system to test 
the body's adaptation to prolonged exposure to microgravity.  After an 
initial setup period, during which a large number of electrodes are 
attached to the head, body and extremities of the test subject, 
cardiographic readings on the oscilloscope of the Gamma-1M medical 
complex are taken during one or two Russian ground sites (RGS) comm 
passes, first without, then with the Chibis suit.]

CDR Ken Bowersox powered up the EXPRESS Rack 1 (ER1) laptop computer, 
before the ground initiated ER1 power for the subsequent loading of 
new software on the PC and the RIC (rack interface controller). Laptop 
and ER1 were later powered down again. [Bowersox retrieved the RIC 
software from OCA and started the RIC loading, which then proceeded 
automatically, after which he was again needed to complete the 
activity. This was the second of five ER and laptop software upgrades. 
The loading was not impacted by the improper setting of an IP address 
discovered in the s/w during the recent ER5 loading.]

On the ZCG (Zeolite crystal growth) payload, Bowersox powered down the 
IZECS (improved Zeolite electronic control system) and unloaded 
samples from the furnace.

Bowersox also performed a manual IWIS (internal wireless 
instrumentation system) memory dump of CEVIS (cycle ergometer with 
vibration isolation) data from RSUs (remote sensor units) 1026, 1027 
and 1028 to an SSC (station support computer) laptop harddrive card. 
[He was advised to report the file size if a memory dump took longer 
than eight minutes, and then press on to the next RSU.]

Don Pettit initiated this week's water sampling, a periodic task to 
ensure good water quality on board, by collecting samples from the 
SRV-K2M potable water supply container (KPV). He performed the 
in-flight analysis using the U.S. WMK (water microbiology kit).

Bowersox conducted the periodic function inspection of U.S. segment 
smoke detectors in the Airlock, Lab and Node.

Sox also replaced the batteries of the portable CDMs (carbon dioxide
monitors), stowing the used batteries.

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

Nikolai also conducted a tag-up with ground specialists to prepare for
tomorrow's planned changeout of the TA-985M data storage unit of the
BITS2-12 on-board telemetry measurement system.

Bowersox completed the daily routine tasks of SOSh life support 
systems maintenance and Lab payloads status checkup, while Budarin 
prepared the IMS inventory delta file for automatic export to MCC-M 
tonight.

In continuing troubleshooting of the two loop B heaters for the NTA
(nitrogen tank assembly) on the P1 truss, the ground is monitoring P1 
NTA temperatures. [Currently, they appear to be fairly stable at -46.2 
and -44 degC. Should the temperatures fall below -48.3 degC, then 
plans will be made to maneuver attitude to LVLH (local vertical/local 
horizontal) to protect the thermal limits of the hardware. 
Expectations are that temperatures will remain above this lower 
limit.]

Yesterday's Vozdukh troubleshooting was successful, and the Russian 
CO2 removal system is currently up and running.

The crew was again thanked for the great work they did on 1/18 on the
changeout of the failed O2 (oxygen) 100-psi regulator/relief valve 
(A082) in the U.S. Airlock, a four-hour job.

The next Robotics operations are scheduled for next Thursday (1/23).
Objective: to maneuver the SSRMS (space station remote manipulator 
system) into a position to view the S1 truss radiator clearance during 
the planned checkout of its TRRJ (thermal radiator rotary joint). 
[This maneuver involves "walking" the Canadarm2 from the current base, 
the Lab PDGF (power and data grapple fixture), to MBS (mobile base 
system) PDGF2 (new base), by using MBS PDGF1 as an intermediate. After 
subsequent release of MBS PDGF1, a quick grapple/release of MBS PDGF3 
as an SSRMS digitals accuracy characterization exercise is also part 
of the move to S1 clearance viewing position.]

The ISS transition to Software Release 3 (R3) is currently anticipated 
for 2/11. Preparations are in review. [On that day, the C&C (command & 
control), GNC (guidance, navigation & control) and INT (internal) MDMs
(multiplexer/demultiplexer) computers will be transitioned to the new
software version which is to be uplinked from 2/6 through 2/10.]

(continued)

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