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2\03 ISS On-Orbit Status 03-02-2003
Part 1 of 2

ISS On-Orbit Status 2/3/03

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except as noted 
previously or below.

After yesterday's smooth liftoff of the Soyuz rocket with 10P/Progress 
M-47 at Baikonur (7:59:40am EST), the spacecraft is headed toward 
tomorrow's rendezvous and docking with the ISS. [Test activities today 
included activation and checkout of the on-board TV camera and TV 
transmitter (Klest-M), the third course correction maneuver (DV3, 2.0 
m/sec), followed by trajectory measurements, systems monitoring, and 
checkout of the VHF radio system for the TORU (teleoperator control 
system) backup approach and docking system over Russian ground station 
#34 (RGS 34, Shelkovo).]

Tomorrow's 10P docking under automatic "Kurs"-control, is set for 
9:50am EST (initiation of final approach: ~9:40am), with the remote 
control TORU system switched to "hot backup". [At 8 km range, the 
Progress automated software will activate the vehicle's headlight 
(docking is 4 min. after local sunset) and switch radio beam angle to 
"narrow". If the subsequent automatic approach/docking with Kurs 
fails, FE-1 Nikolai Budarin will take over with the TORU system, 
performing station-keeping at 30 m range, then complete the docking 
after ISS attitude has been moded to free drift (inertial hold).  Once 
ISS is in free drift, TORU ops must be conducted within 16 min.]

At 3:00am EST this morning, in preparation for the docking, Budarin 
and CDR Ken Bowersox began a two-hour "refresher" training course on 
the TORU system. They were supported by a TORU specialist at 
MCC-Moscow. The training included review of pertinent ODFs (operations 
data files), docking data, and results of mathematical modeling of the 
approach, as well as consultations with the ground trainer. [With the 
manual TORU mode, a crewmember located in the SM performs necessary 
guidance functions in the event of a failure of the automated Kurs 
rendezvous/docking system of a Progress cargo vehicle (TGK). The 
ship's motion will then be controlled from the TORU control panel with 
two hand controllers and a situational display of television signals 
(ISS image plus range, velocity, and relative angular position data) 
from the Progress-mounted Klest-M video camera, shown on two monitors 
(VKU and Simvol-Ts).]

FE-2/SO Don Pettit crew started another in-flight session of the PuFF
(pulmonary function in flight) experiment, activating the "huff and 
puff" hardware, then performing its initial calibration and the 
standard test.  During the day, his two crewmates followed suit, with 
photo/video-recording for historical documentation. Additional data 
were gained from an abbreviated repetition of the test sequence. 
Pettit finally powered the PuFF equipment down and stowed it. [Today's 
activity served the continuing investigation of the effects of 
long-term micro-G exposure and EVAs on the pulmonary (lung) function, 
laying the groundwork for future experiments which are key to 
understanding and maintaining crew health. Each monthly PuFF session 
involves five lung function tests. It utilizes the GASMAP (gas 
analyzer system for metabolic analysis physiology) in the Human 
Research Facility, along with a variety of other PuFF equipment such 
as a manual breathing valve, flowmeter, pressure-flow module, pressure 
and volume calibration syringes and disposable mouthpieces.]

Nikolai Budarin prepared the RS (Russian segment) video system for 
automated downlink of the videotape of the Plasma Crystal 3 (PK-3) 
experiment recorded on 1/22. The downlink was then initiated by the 
Russian automated daily timeline sequencer (SPP) over RGS.

Afterwards, CDR Bowersox and Budarin worked on the TV system, 
configuring it for live video transmission of the Progress docking to 
MCC-M/TsUP via U.S.  Ku-band. They then conducted a transmission test 
of the setup. [At crew's choice, the approach of Progress from 1 km in 
to docking can also be monitored with the U.S. ETVCG (external TV 
camera group), using the S1 outboard lower camera (CP3, camera port 3) 
and the Lab camera (CP13). Tilt and pan angles were uplinked.]

MCC-H has cleared the RPCM (remote power controller module) 
controlling the Lab RWS (robotics workstation) components for 
operation, with the exception of its RPC1 for VTR1 (video tape 
recorder #1)which is failed open. The currently installed DCP (display 
and control panel) cable can be left connected to the Lab RWS, and the 
RWS is supporting the video configuration for docking coverage.

Both Bowersox and Pettit performed the psychological MedOps experiment
WinSCAT (Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool). [This is a 
time-constrained test of cognitive abilities that is routinely 
performed by astronauts aboard the ISS every 30 days before or after 
the PHS test or on special CDR's, crewmember's or flight surgeon's 
request.]

Budarin conducted his daily routine checkup (and watering as required) 
of the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 ("Plants-2") plant growth 
experiment.

Nikolai also checked up on the MO-21 "Ecosfera" air sampler and 
incubation equipment, monitoring colony growths for atmospheric 
microbial analysis.  [MO-21 determines microbial contamination of the 
ISS atmosphere, specifically the total bacterial and fungal microflora 
counts and microflora composition according to morphologic criteria of 
microorganism colonies.]

Don Pettit took two ppCO2 (carbon dioxide partial pressure) readings 
with the CDMK (CO2 monitoring kit) in the SM and Lab, one in the 
morning, one in the evening. [These samplings are in support of an 
activity to resolve discrepancies between ppCO2 readings in the SM by 
the SM gas analyzer and in the USOS (U.S. segment) by the MCA (major 
constituents analyzer).]

Pettit also conducted the periodic inspection of the RED (resistive 
exercise device), including retightening of its bolts (if required).

Budarin completed the daily routine maintenance of the SOSh life 
support system in the SM, while Bowersox did the Lab payload status 
checkup and the preparation of the daily IMS (inventory management 
system) delta file for auto export. The inventory update, requested by 
MCC-M radiogram, was based on equipment transfers performed last week.

All crewmembers conducted their regular daily physical exercise 
regimen, on TVIS treadmill, CEVIS cycle and VELO bike with load 
trainer.

Yesterday, C&C-1 MDM (command and control multiplexer/demultiplexer 
#1) experienced a failure to "diagnostic" state. The computer was 
reinitialized and is currently operating nominally in "standby" state. 
C&C-2 isin "primary" state and C&C-3in "backup"
state; both are 
operating nominally.  [Initial data dumps have revealed that this was 
due to a known software condition called an "ADA exception". The dumps 
are being analyzed to determine what specifically caused this 
failure.]

To familiarize the crew with the upcoming software upgrade of the 
onboard C&C, GNC (guidance, navigation and control) and INT (internal) 
MDMs as well as PCS (portable computer system) computers with the 
next-revision software, a detailed step-up plan was uplinked. [After a 
Russian software patch (5.04) has rendered the SM compatible with 
Revision 3 (R3) C&W (caution and warning) events, the uploads of the 
U.S. computers will take place between 2/6 and 2/12. A second Russian 
patch (7.01) will then be uploaded by MCC-M into the SM Central 
Computer (TsVM) and Terminal Computer (TVM) systems. The uplink 
process has been tested in three dry-runs, one formal test, and one 
MCT (mission config test). The plan uses a 24-hour check-out procedure 
after loading the backup MDMs before transitioning them to Primary; 
this will then be followed by a 24-hour check-out period on the 
Primary MDMs before loading the remaining MDMs).]

(continued)

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