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26 Apr 2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 25 Apr 2003

Part 1 of 2

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously or below.  Day 153 for Expedition 6 (since STS-113 launch,
11/23/02). 

The crew completed the scheduled first (of two) descent drill/OBT
(on-board training) in the Soyuz TMA-1 (211), for which 3 hrs. had
been set aside on their schedule.  During the OBT, CDR/Soyuz-FE1 Ken
Bowersox occupied the left seat, FE-1/Soyuz-CDR Nikolai Budarin the
center seat, and FE-2/SO Don Pettit the right seat of the DM (Descent
Module).   [Simulation steps include: Soyuz activation, transfer
hatch closing, transfer hatch seal check, undocking prep, hatch seal
monitoring, automatic undocking, settings verification and descent
program initiation.  Changes introduced in the new Soyuz design
include the new "Neptune-ME" control panel ("glass
cockpit"), a the
focal point of the training in order to ensure a thorough
familiarization with the actual displays used during return
preparation and descent.  In the nominal case, reentry and landing
will be fully automatic, with manual override by Budarin only in a
technical contingency.  The second training lesson, with the
integrated E6/E7 crew, is scheduled for 5/2 (Friday), with Pettit's
seat then occupied by Yuri Malenchenko, CDR of Expedition 7.]

The crew held a teleconference via S-band with the Russian medical
support group (GMO) to discuss what they can expect to experience
during the ballistic descent of the Soyuz 5S DM,- the first crew
landing in the modified TMA vehicle.

After CDR Ken Bowersox connected the UOP power bypass cable of the
RWS (robotics workstation) to enable the SSRMS (space station remote
manipulator system) video system, he and FE-1 Nikolai Budarin set up
and tested the Ku-band configuration for the video transmission of
Soyuz docking on 4/28 via USOS (US segment) assets and TDRS.  There
will also be Russian TV downlink during RGS (Russian ground site)
comm pass which will then be relayed to MCC-H from Moscow.  [The
video setup via Ku-band also applies to 5S undocking (and is also
generic for EVAs).  Communications checks today between the Soyuz
TMA-1 and the Service Module (SM) were conducted via cable
extensions.]

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

Nikolai also collected air samples in the SM, using the standard
Russian AK-1M sampler device, after disconnecting the Vozdukh
atmosphere purification unit at the BOA valve panel.

Later, the Russian flight engineer collected water samples from the
BRP-M modified potable water dispensing and heating unit in the SM
(from the hot valve), in preparation for the subsequently performed
R&R (removal & replacement) of the purification beds (multifiltration
unit) in the condensate water recovery system (SRVK-2M).  [The water
samples were secured in two EDP containers and prepared for return on
Soyuz 211 (5S).  The BRP-M collects purified water from the SRV-K2
condensate water processor and heats it to 80-95 degC, in the process
sterilizing ("pasteurizing") it for safe ingestion by the crew.]

Super handyman Don Pettit was congratulated on the successful
completion of "a very daunting" ARCTIC-1 repair procedure, with which
he "truly pushed back the frontiers of what can be done in IFM
(in-flight maintenance)!"  The last remaining test for Pettit today
was an electrical isolation/continuity test of the
refrigerator/freezer disconnected from EXPRESS Rack 2.

Don Pettit completed the daily routine task of SOZh life support
systems maintenance and prepared the daily IMS inventory update file,
while Bowersox performed the regular Lab payload status checkup.

The crew also continued their cargo preparations for the upcoming
handover activities to the Expedition 7 crew on 4/28-5/3 and their
own return on Soyuz TMA-1 on 5/4.

Pettit conducted another weekly inventory audit of the available CWCs
(collapsible water containers) and their condition.  [Last time done:
4/18.]

The Science Officer set up and activated the EarthKAM payload in
preparation for next week's operations.  EarthKAM will remain idle
and the Lab Window Shutter closed until post-Soyuz docking.

Ken Bowersox completed, for the last time, his weekly task of filling
out the FFQ (food frequency questionnaire), which keeps a log of his
nutritional intake over time.  Don's last FFQ turn on the MEC
(medical equipment computer) was yesterday.

All crewmembers worked out on TVIS (treadmill with vibration
isolation and stabilization), CEVIS (cycle ergometer with vibration
isolation), and RED (resistive exercise device), completing their
daily physical exercise program.   Due to the still unknown cause of
the RED cable damage and the re-use of old cords, inspection details
and use of safety straps have been added to the crew's daily RED
exercise advisory notes. 

Launch of 6S/Soyuz TMA-2 is scheduled for tonight at 11:54pm EDT.
For details, see the Appendix, below.

Today's CEO (crew earth observations) targets, currently restricted
by limited the use of the science window in the Lab including
near-vertical targets from the city target list due to the current
XPOP attitude, were Western Mediterranean Dust (looking left and
right of track along the African coast), Rome, Italy (nadir pass;
ESC [electronic still camera]), Berlin, Germany (nadir pass; ESC),
Taiwan Smog (the west side of Taiwan is one of the smoggiest parts of
the world.  Looking right to record a developing smog event on
Taiwan's industrial western plains), Mekong River delta (Dynamic
event.  Sun glint point passing over this large delta.  High contrast
of glint views is ideal for mapping estuary coastal change), Salt
Lake, Utah (Dynamic event. Sun glint opportunity to document the
dynamic shoreline of the lake in detail), and Central America smoke
(Dynamic event. Starting over Houston, looking right for a large
smoke cloud moving from southern Mexico northwards.  Views should
have appeared for three minutes, especially of the abrupt east-side
margin of the cloud on approach to the Yucatan peninsula). CEO images
can be viewed at the websites http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Appendix: The standard Soyuz launch-and-ascent template is as
follows:

Soyuz (and Progress) fly a standard 34-orbit (2-day) timeline
template from launch through docking.  Actual day and time of launch
must meet certain phasing requirements vis-à-vis the target (ISS) in
order for this to work.
 
 - Continued -

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