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09 May 2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 8 May 2003

Part 1 of 2

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously or below.  First medical tests for the new crew today.

Before breakfast, both crewmembers completed their first session of
the periodic Russian medical experiment protocols PZEh-MO-7 (calf
volume measurement) and PZEh-MO-8 (body mass measurement).  CDR Yuri
Malenchenko set up the MO-8 "scales" equipment and later broke it
down and stowed it away.  [Calf measurements (left leg only) are
taken with the IZOG device, a custom-sewn fabric cuff that fits over
the calf, using the knee and lower foot as fixed reference points, to
provide a rough index of deconditioning in zero-G and effectiveness
of countermeasures.  For determining body ass in zero-G, where things
are weightless (but not massless), the Russian IM "scales" measure
the inertial forces that arise during the oscillatory motion of a
mass driven by two helical metering springs with known spring
constants.  By measuring the time period of each oscillation of the
unknown mass (the crewmember) and comparing it to the period of a
known mass, the crewmember's mass is calculated by the computer and
displayed]. 

Also before breakfast, Malenchenko completed the periodic Russian
MedOps test "Hematocrit", measuring the red blood cell count
(hematocrit) of his blood.  Science Officer Edward Lu assisted by
performing the blood draw from his finger with a perforator lancet.
[The samples were then centrifuged in two microcapillary tubes in the
M-1100 kit's minicentrifuge and its hematocrit value was read off the
tubes with a magnifying glass.  It is a well-known phenomenon of
space flight that red blood cell count (normal range: 30-45%) tends
to go down over time., probably as a function of (rich) oxygen
partial pressure in the onboard atmosphere.] 

Later in the day, Yuri Malenchenko performed his first biomedical
"Pulse" experiment, scheduled before his physical exercise.  These
MBI-9 tests are done monthly.  [Execution of the medical
cardiological assessment is controlled from the Russian payloads
laptop 3 (see below), using a set respiration rate (without forced or
deep breaths) and synchronizing respiration with computer-commanded
"inhale" commands.  Before the experiment, arterial blood pressure is
measured with the "Tensoplus" sphygmomanometer.  After the test,
laptop 3 was to be reconfigured to its original settings.]

As part of regular (monthly) preventive maintenance of ISS
ventilation systems, Ed Lu worked an hour in the FGB
(funktsionalnyi-grusovoi blok) module for a thorough cleanup of the
removable screens of its three GZhT gas-liquid heat exchangers (done
last by Budarin on 3/26).

Also in the FGB/Zarya module, Malenchenko cleaned ventilation grilles
behind interior panels, while Lu cleaned up the protective mesh
screens of the module's ventilation fans.

MCC-M/TsUP reported that laptop 3 in the Russian segment (RS) has
failed and is presently under analysis.  [No critical functionality
has been lost, but since the laptop is used for a number of Russian
payload operations, the failure creates inconvenience for the crew in
using alternate means.] 

Three other station laptops have exhibited problems this week.  One
had a CMOS error and was successfully recovered.  Instructions were
uplinked for troubleshooting the failed Service Module PCS (portable
computer system), an IBM 760XD laptop (#6060).  [The test sequence,
using a known good laptop and some HDDs (hard disk drives), is
designed to help determine which component of the PCS prevented it
from booting up correctly.] 

CDR Malenchenko tagged up with a ground expert at MCC-M/TsUP to
discuss his upcoming sessions with the Russian Diatomeya ocean
bioproductivity observing program.

The crewmembers also tagged up with Russian specialists on the IMS
(inventory management system).  [A prepared cargo table was uplinked
to assist Yuri and Ed with the unloading and logging of 6S/Soyuz-212
(TMA-2) cargo, stowed both in the Orbital Module and Descent Module.
Since all scheduled activities aboard the ISS (R&Rs, installations)
are also pre-planned in the IMS plans, the crewmembers were asked to
confirm or change equipment entries listed in the IMS in accordance
with last week's activities.]

Ed Lu performed the daily routine maintenance/inspection of SOZh life
support systems,  which includes the ASU toilet facility, food
containers (KRP), water containers (EDV) and solid waste containers
(KTO).  Ed also prepared the daily IMS delta file to update the IMS
database.
 
Yuri completed the regular inspection of the BIO-5
"Rasteniya-2/Lada-3" (Plants-2) zero-G plant growth experiment and
took pictures of the plants (acacia-leaf peas).  Later, he copied the
accumulated photo/data files to a floppy disk for transfer to the
Russian laptop 3 and subsequent downlink via Regul-Packet.

The crew again had one hour set aside on their schedule for ISS
familiarization, i.e., to adjust to their new surroundings and
activities 

Ed and Yuri also completed their daily physical exercise program, on
TVIS (treadmill with vibration isolation and stabilization), RED
(resistive exercise device), CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration
isolation) and, for Yuri, on the Russian VELO ergometer with load
trainer.  [TsUP uplinked the standard restrictions recommended for
use of the NS-1 load trainer.  Its use is limited by ISS structural
constraints during crewmember workouts. Prescribed are medium tempo
(0.33 Hz, one full motion in three seconds) and fast tempo (0.5 Hz,
one full motion in two seconds), with medium tempo allowed for
rowing, lean forward/back and trunk flexing exercises, and fast
tempo for hammer throw and lower arm flexing/extending.]

The crew reported that it encountered a problem with the RED aft
canister which, at a higher power setting, suddenly exhibited high
resistance. [While ground specialists are looking into the issue, the
crew was advised to stay below that setting.  It is likely that the
canister will be swapped out for the time being, deferring
disassembly and repair attempts to a later date.]

Regular TVIS inspection time will be increased to one hour next
Monday (5/12) to allow a closer look at the "frayed ropes" reported
by the crew. [For this purpose, the treadmill will have to be
partially lifted out of the Service Module "pit".]

At 9:20am EDT, Malenchenko and Lu supported two interactive televised
interviews (Ku-band and S-band) on KXTV-TV, Sacramento, CA, and
Channel One News, Los Angeles, CA, each one lasting about nine
minutes.

The onboard File Server backup files are now on the ground, and
Expedition 6 personal email files are being extracted for
restoration.

The Soyuz TMA-1 Descent Module has been returned to RSC-Energia in
Korolev near Moscow, and its flight data/voice recorder was found to
be intact, containing all its reentry data and voice records.  The
freshly appointed commission has been given two weeks for the
investigation, counting from 5/5.

 - Continued -

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