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2\13 ISS On-Orbit Status 13-02-2002
Part 1 of 2

ISS On-Orbit Status 2/13/03

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted 
previously or below. Day 82 in space for Expedition 6.

First thing after wake-up, station inspection, and "utrennij tualet"
(morning toilet), CDR Kenneth Bowersox collected the audio dosimeters 
from their static measurement sites and stowed them.

Later in the day, Bowersox and FE-2/SO Don Pettit completed an 
excellent session on the Canadian SSRMS (station remote manipulator 
system), running through today's scheduled robotics operations in only 
three hours instead of four as blocked out by planners. [Activities 
focused on Robotics Proficiency (opportunity for the crew to operate 
the system and "fly" manual, single and auto-sequences as well as 
perform some LEE {latching end effector} ops); Digitals Accuracy 
Characterization (collecting data for engineers to characterize the 
accuracy of the SSRMS digitals; this involved two grapples, at PDGF4 
{power and data grapple fixture #4} and PDGF1); Survey of the S1 truss 
SVS (space vision system) Targets (SSRMS was parked at the survey 
position at the end of the day's ops. The survey was performed by the 
ground using the Tip LEE camera); SSRMS OOCR/On-Orbit Checkout 
Requirements (to support on-going SSRMS commissioning activities, the 
crew performeda PDGF grapple in Fast mode, followed by a Fast LEE 
checkout on each LEE); SSRMS Redundant String Checkout (MCC-H 
switching strings and running diagnostics tests to verify the health 
of the SSRMS redundant string. This was performed after crew ops are 
complete). In addition, ground activities included SSRMS joint brake 
and JEU (joint electronics unit) diagnostics.]

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin worked on the U.S. SAMS (space acceleration 
measurement system), first powering it off in order to do the periodic 
cleaning of the debris filters in both RTS (remote triaxial sensor) 
drawers and the ICU (interim control unit) drawer in the EXPRESS rack 
#4 (ER4), and later re-activating the ICU. SAMS was then again 
commanded remotely from the ground. [Because Pettit reported last week 
that he was unable to login to the SAMS crew display, some 
troubleshooting instructions were uplinked for Budarin. To run 
nominally, SAMS software does not require logging into the crew 
displays.]

Ken Bowersox switched the Lab CCAA (common cabin air assembly) air
conditioner from its portside channel over to the starboard unit. A
swap-back is scheduled for tomorrow. [The last switch occurred on 
1/11, 33 days ago, which is the limit for continuous CCAA operation 
without a dryout.  The starboard CCAA has exhibited frequent "WET" 
indications in the past, suggesting that water is passing through the 
heat exchanger into the downstream ducting. Until the root cause of 
this problem can be identified, operation of the port-CCAA is 
preferred. Thus, after a sufficient dryout period, Sox is scheduled to 
switch the CCAA back to the port channel tomorrow.]

Budarin continued downlinking video recorded previously of the Russian
"telescience" Plasma Crystal-3 (PK-3) payload, today from the 1/24/03
session. For the downlink, the ISS had to be in sight of RGS (Russian 
ground sites).

Afterwards, Nikolai performed another major IFM (in-flight 
maintenance), removing and replacing SM battery #7, one of the eight 
800A storage units in the Zvezda module. The failed 800A will be 
disposed of in Progress 10P. The ground then switched the new storage 
unit to "cycling" mode. All other SM batteries are reportedly working 
nominally.

Bowersox prepared the data from the fourth Foot (foot/ground reaction 
forces during space flight) session on 2/7 and transferred the file 
for subsequent downlink to MCC-H.

Pettit collected his daily ppCO2 (carbon dioxide partial pressure) 
readings in Lab and SM, one in the morning, one in the evening, using 
the U.S. CDMK (CO2 monitoring kit).

For Nikolai Budarin, it was time to pack up his plant growth 
experiment BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2"). [After copying the 
experiment data to memory card and storing the PCMCIA (personal 
computer memory card international adapter) in the Rasteniya kit, he 
deactivated the payload which had nurtured and supported the plant 
growths in zero-G.]

Later, Budarin took the Kodak 760 digital still camera to the 
SM/Progress docking hatch to photograph the internal surfaces of the 
docking assembly.  [It is standard Russian procedure to record images 
of the scratch mark made by the Progress docking probe on the SM's 
docking cone internal surface. The digital images were then 
transferred to a laptop for subsequent return to Earth to help refine 
current understanding of docking conditions.]

The crew had another tagup with IMS (inventory management system)
specialists at MCC-M, via S-band from MCC-H, to discuss cargo 
transfers from the Progress-247, which need to be completed within the 
next few days, and to clarify some storage location uncertainties

Don performed the daily routine maintenance of the SOSh life support 
systems in the SM, while Nick prepared the IMS database update file 
for export/downlink.

The transition of on-board computers to the new Rev. 3 (R3) software 
has started and is in progress. The first files are being uploaded to 
the SSMMU (solid-state mass memory unit) of each C&C MDM (command and 
control multiplexer/demultiplexer). The actual on-orbit transition of 
the MDMs is scheduled for next week, 2/18-20.

Since the transition of the ISS back to XPOP attitude after the 
Progress reboost, the loop B NTA (nitrogen tank assembly) heater 
temperatures have been decreasing as expected. Ground controllers are 
working a procedure to preclude the violation of non-operating 
hardware limits.

The crew's assistance on IMV (intermodular ventilation) 
troubleshooting yesterday has been very helpful. MCC-H will schedule 
for them a similar inspection and cleaning on the Lab aft port IMV fan 
and the Node starboard aft IMV fan. [Even though considerable 
improvement in air mixing has already been seen since the cleaning, 
ECLSS engineers are investigating the possibility of further improving 
air mixing between the US and Russian segments by diverting the air 
from the Node aft port IMV fan directly to the Lab. This technique has 
been used on the early assembly missions to improve mixing with the 
Shuttle. To help assess the feasibility of this option, the crew needs 
to locate some thin duct covers (made out of laminated cardboard)that 
were cut out to fit over the ventilation openings in the Node.]

(continued)

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