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27 Apr 2003

ISS On-Orbit Status 26 Apr 2003

Part 1 of 2

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted
previously or below.  Day 154 for Expedition 6 (since STS-113 launch,
11/23/02). 

Soyuz TMA-2 (6S) with CDR Yuri Malenchenko and FE/SO Edward Lu
launched on time (11:54pm EDT, 4/25; 9:54am local Kazakhstan time,
4/26) from the Baikonur Cosmodrom in Kazakhstan.  The flawless
liftoff and ascent to orbit was another important successor the Soyuz
launch vehicle, which today has flown 427 times (with 417
successes).  6S is currently on its way to the rendezvous with the
ISS on 4/28 morning, concluded by docking at 1:56am EDT (9:56am
Moscow time, 8:56am DMT). 

For the ISS, today was another Saturday with the regular weekly 3-hr.
housecleaning, now additionally motivated by the expected arrival of
the Expedition 7 duo.  [The house cleaning focuses on removal of food
waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum cleaner, wet
cleaning of surfaces with disinfectants and cleaning of fan screens
to avoid temperature rises.  Today's "wet" portion of the
"uborka"
(clean-up) included treatment of the SM dining table surface and the
Node/PMA-1 hatch with "Fungistat" disinfectant.]

FE-1 Nikolai Budarin completed his regular daily 5-min. inspection of
the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2") plant growth experiment.

Nikolai also completed the daily routine task of SOZh life support
systems maintenance.

All crewmembers worked out on TVIS, CEVIS, and RED, completing their
daily physical exercise program.   ARCTIC troubleshooting has
occurred to the point where power activation is desirable as next
step. However, due to power constraints, it will not be scheduled
until after the Soyuz docking. It will be hard-scheduled due to the
ground's need to be able to send commands to the EXPRESS Rack and to
ARCTIC, so that the health and status data is observed as it comes
back to life. 

The ground has added the EarthKAM software re-activation to the task
list. The EarthKAM folks need to perform a software checkout before
operations begin on 4/28 (Monday) to resolve any issues that may
arise.

MCC-H observed another shutdown of the VOA (volatile organics
analyzer) with no explanation. The crew was asked, to "stop by" the
VOA when convenient, and tell the ground whether or not the green
power light is illuminated. 

Tomorrow, Sunday, the Russian Orthodox world observes Easter.  Happy
Easter, Kolya!

Science Update (Expedition Six -- 21st): Lead Increment Scientist Vic
Cooley drew the facit for the science accomplishments of Expedition
6:, which was "a very successful science mission".  Using downlinked
data and returned ZCG and Renal samples already available on the
ground will recover valuable science results for PuFF, FOOT, Renal,
EVARM, ZCG, In-SPACE, CEO, EarthKAM, and MAMS/SAMS.  Also the
investigations requiring only pre/post flight data, Bone, Biopsy,
Mobility, Epstein-Barr, and Chromosome, will perform their post
flight data collection.  POC will process the remaining In-SPACE and
PFMI samples on Ed's increment without any loss of science.  The only
investigation that may not be accomplished is the Protein Crystal
Growth-STES experiment; it is at risk without a ride home.  The
ground will continue to control the environment of the STES
crystals/solution in the hopes they can return soon.  These
accomplishments amount to a highly successful science mission.

Extra-Vehicular Activity Radiation Monitors (EVARM):   EVARM badge
batteries have reached the end of their life, and no further data can
be collected. 

GASMAP/Pulmonary Function in Flight (PuFF):   Monday's PuFF batch
file transfer worked well and the ground believes that they now have
all data files for all sessions on the ground.

Renal (Kidney) Stone Experiment:  Completed for Increment 6.
Bowersox and Pettit continue taking their stone-prevention (or
placebo) pills.  Third and final session is underway.

Human Research Facility/Workstation (HRF WS):   Continuing.

Foot/Ground Reaction Forces During Space Flight (FOOT):  Thanks to
Ken Bowersox, all his hard work and extra effort to complete the
modified data session last Saturday, 4/19.

Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI):  Hardware is
stowed. Activities for Increment 6 are complete.

Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS):  SAMS is nominal.
Currently analyzing data in support of InSPACE in addition to general
characterization efforts toward tracking down numerous unknown
disturbance sources. 

Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System (MAMS):  MAMS is
nominal. Currently analyzing data in support of InSPACE in addition
to general characterization efforts toward tracking down numerous
unknown disturbance sources.

Protein Crystal Growth-Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System
(PCG-STES): Temperatures are nominal.  Crystals are still growing.

 - Continued -

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