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10 Apr 2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 9 Apr 2003

Part 2 of 3

During three orbits today, a degradation assessment test was
performed on the U.S. solar arrays, similar to the Russian efficiency
tests.  Before the test, the BGAs (beta gimbal assemblies) were moded
to Autotrack (from fixed dual-angle) to improve power generation
during the test, and afterwards returned to dual angle, with "night
glider" drag reduction feathering.  [For the test, the solar array
output is shunted (switched) such that the SSU (sequential shunt
unit) circuit current can be recorded to determine solar array output
capability.  The amount of current shunted by the arrays will
decrease slowly over time as they degrade in the orbital
environment.  The test is performed periodically (approximately twice
a year) at a Beta angle of 0 plus/minus 5 deg.] 

The second reboost by Progress 10P will take place tomorrow morning
at 6:55am EDT.  The burn, lasting for 11 min. to produce an expected
delta-V of 1.48 m/s and 2.6 km altitude increase, is designed to meet
Soyuz 6S launch and Soyuz 5S landing constraints on orbital
phasing.  [As required by Flight Rule criterion, there are no MMOD
conjunctions predicted within 36 hours after the burn.]

Today's CEO (crew earth observations) targets, including
near-vertical targets from the city target list due to the current
LVLH attitude, were S Chad wetland (Dynamic event: river patterns in
complex wetland are best captured in sun glint--at nadir and a touch
right), Amman, Jordan (nadir pass over the Jordanian capital.  ESC
[electronic still camera]), Western Mediterranean smog (smog
accumulation likely in the Rhone valleyleft of track in this coastal
pass.  Smog may have been more visible right of track against the sea
surface), Barcelona, Spain(nadir pass; ESC), Sabancaya landslide
site, Peru (nadir pass over this hazard site.  Suggest detailed
images under and either side of track to document a long and
oversteepened hillside that is in danger of collapsing), and
Newfoundland ice (Dynamic event: Ice break up in the Gulf of St
Lawrence combined with prevailing westerly winds have resulted in a
massive ice accumulation downwind, along the western shore of
Newfoundland.  Also, crew was to look left to document sea ice
patterns in the Labrador Sea). CEO images can be viewed at the
websites http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

U.S. and Russian Segment Status (as of 1:45pm EST).

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) and Thermal Control
(TCS):

Elektron O2 generator is powered On (16 Amp Mode).  Vozdukh CO2
scrubber is On (manual mode 5).  U.S. CDRA CO2 scrubber is On.  TCCS
(trace contaminant control subsystem) is operating.  MCA (major
constituents analyzer) is operating.  BMP Harmful Impurities unit:
Absorbent bed #1 in Regeneration mode, bed #2 in Purify mode.  RS air
conditioner SKV-1 is On; SKV-2 is Off. 

SM Working Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) -- 735; temperature (deg C)
-- 27.2; ppO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- data invalid.
SM Transfer Compartment:  Pressure (mmHg) -- 751; temperature (deg C)
--19.3.
FGB Cabin:  Pressure (mmHg) -- 752; temperature (deg C) -- 22.0.
Node:  Pressure (mmHg) -- 746.43; temperature (deg C) -- 22.0
(shell); ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a.
U.S. Lab:  Pressure (mmHg) -- 748.65; temperature (deg C) -- 22.5;
ppO2 (mmHg) -- n/a; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- n/a;
Joint Airlock (Equip. Lock):  Pressure (mmHg) -- 748.76; temperature
(deg C) -- 21.1; shell heater temp (deg C) -- 20.9, ppO2 (mmHg) --
171.8; ppCO2 (mmHg) -- 3.6.
PMA-1:  Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 23.3
PMA-2:  Shell heater temp (deg C) -- 21.1

(n/a = data not available)

Propulsion System (PS):

Total propellant load available [SM(774) + FGB(2746) + Progress(474]
--- 3994 kg (8805 lb) as of 4/3/03.  (Capability: SM -- 860 kg;
FGB -- 6120 kg). 

Electrical Power Systems (EPS):

Both P6 channels fully operational.  BGA (beta gimbal assembly) 2B
and 4B both in Autotrack (sun-following) mode.
SM batteries:  Battery #3 is in "Cycle" mode; all other batteries (7)
are in "Partial Charge" mode.
FGB batteries:  Battery #5 is disconnected; all other batteries (5)
are in "Partial Charge" mode.
Plasma Contactor Unit PCU-1 and PCU-2 both in Standby mode.

Command & Data Handling Systems:

C&C-1 MDM is prime, C&C-2 is back-up, and C&C-3 is in standby.
GNC-1 MDM is prime; GNC-2 is Backup.
INT-1 is operating; INT-2 is Off.
EXT-1 is On (primary), EXT-2 is Off.
LA-1, LA-2 and LA-3 MDMs are all operating.
PL-2 MDM is On (primary); PL-1 MDM is Off
APS-1 (automated payload switch #1) and APS-2 are both On.
SM Terminal Computer (TVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.
SM Central Computer (TsVM): 3 redundant lanes (of 3) operational.

 - Continued -

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