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2\27 ISS On-Orbit Status 27-02-2003
Part 1 of 2

ISS On-Orbit Status 2/27/03

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted 
previously or below. Space Day 96 for Expedition 6.

In the Station's Russian segment, today's upgrading of the onboard 
computer system (BVS) to the new version 7.01 software was deferred 
after the initial loading of the KTsP-1 Central Post Computer 1 (for 
the TVM Terminal and TsVM Central Computer systems as well as four 
US-21 matching units) ran into a problem. Ground specialists want more 
time for analysis.

Nikolai Budarin performed routine maintenance on the SM toilet system 
(ASU), replacing its E-K pretreat container with a new unit. [E-K 
contains five liters of pre-treat solution, i.e., a mix of H2SO4 
(sulfuric acid), CrO3 (chromium oxide, for oxidation and purple 
color), and H2O (water). The pre-treat liquid is mixed with water in a 
dispenser (DKiV) and used for toilet flushing.]

Budarin also started the regeneration cycle in filter bed #1 of the 
BMP micropurification unit, an important part of the SM's atmosphere
revitalization system (SOGS). Channel #2 remains in Purify mode. The 
24-hr.  "bakeout" process of the reusable adsorbent beds is repeated 
every 20 days.

CDR Ken Bowersox worked in the FGB "Zarya" module, cleaning the 
ventilation screens on seven interior closeout panels.

FE-2/SO Don Pettit stepped in again to assist in the ground's MSG
(microgravity science glovebox) troubleshooting. [He started out by 
stowing MSG video cables and equipment until all troubleshooting for 
the rack is complete, then temporarily stowed the MLC (MSG laptop 
computer) to enable rotation of the rack. After rotating the MSG 
facility down to access its electronics box at the rear, Pettit was to 
disconnect thirteen of eighteen cables from the rack, to eliminate 
many 12V and 5V power paths from numerous MSG sensors. Next, the rack 
was to be rotated upright again and power applied to it in "Main ON" 
for a minimum of two hours while the MLC captured all data for 
downlinking after the testing. Purpose of these steps is to isolate 
and pinpoint the root cause behind the recent repeated PDC (power 
distribution controller) circuit breaker trip.]

CDR Ken Bowersox supported the scheduled interim checkout of the 
cardiac defibrillator, requested by MCC-H after Flight Surgeons had 
noticed noise in the ECG (electrocardiogram) tracings recorded during 
the regular monthly checkout. The checkout was ground-commanded via 
S-band. [The onboard defibrillator is normally checked out by the 
ground every 60 days and as needed.]

Bowersox also performed the planned troubleshooting of the Foot 
(foot/ground reaction forces during space flight). [During the last 
Foot session, six of eight data channels were not recorded, and ground 
engineers were afterwards unable to duplicate the failure. A new 
procedure was uplinked for testing the same hardware used by Sox for 
the last Foot session, with additional steps added to check the number 
of channels recorded before and after start of recording. This may 
indicate whether the problem is with the hardware or software.]

In support of the ongoing Renal (Kidney) Stone experiment, Don Pettit 
took digital photographs of the Renal log book entries and pill 
pallets' exterior labels and contents for downlink to the ground as 
sensitive data, thus saving vital space for science downmass on Soyuz 
5S.

Ken Bowersox recorded his weekly HMS FFQ (health maintenance 
systems/food frequency questionnaire), a special software log on the 
medical equipment computer to track nutritional intake. Don Pettit had 
already completed his turn as a "job jar" task list item.

Closing another item on the optional task list, Bowersox has checked 
out both Epson printers in the U.S. segment to verify their firmware 
versions.  [This confirmed that only the Lab SSC (station support 
computer) printer needs to have its firmware upgraded after completion 
of the SM Ethernet reconfiguration next week (3/3). Crew support will 
be required in these US/Russian joint procedures to connect the U.S. 
SSC OpsLAN to the Russian SmartSwitch router (SSR, Russian: BRI) in 
the SM.]

Bowersox yesterday also completed the periodic hatch seal inspection 
in the Node (forward, aft starboard), Lab (aft) and Joint Airlock, in 
support of ACS (atmospheric control system) maintenance.

Pettit completed the daily routine maintenance of the SM's SOSh life 
support system, and the CDR prepared the regular IMS inventory delta 
file for downlink.

All crewmembers performed their normal daily physical exercise on 
TVIS, RED, CEVIS and VELO with load trainer.

MCC-H reported to the crew that the new Rev. 3 software was 
successfully tested for S-band and Ku-band TDRS Autotrack 
functionality. This should provide better communications coverage with 
less operator intervention.

At 5:21am EST, amateur radio operator Don Pettit chatted with students 
of Hochwald Gymnasium in Wadern/Saarland, Germany, during a 10-min. 
ham radio pass. [Hochwald Gymnasium Wadern is a large high school with 
about 1100 students of ages 10 to 19 years, plus 60 teachers, with 
special focus on new media and communications techniques.]

Today's targets for the CEO (crew earth observations program) were Sea 
of Azov Ice (this large, shallow bay is mostly cut off from the 
northern Black Sea and is subject to winter icing. With the current 
break in the weather, the crew was to look right of track to document 
water conditions), Lake Superior Ice (the crew was to use this break 
in the weather to document the extent and distribution of ice in this, 
the largest of the Great Lakes, looking right of track), Seattle, 
Washington (although the city may not have been visible this pass, the 
crew was to look right of track down the spine of the Cascades to 
visually document the lack of snow pack there during this El Nino 
Winter), and Lake Nasser, Toshka Lakes; Egypt (ISS photography of this 
target is used to monitor the surprising development and spread of 
these man-made lakes in the desert west of the Nile. Looking right of 
track with good illumination for seasonal changes in water conditions 
as the weather continues to warm up here).

CEO images can be viewed at the website
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov

(continued)

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