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ZL2VAL > SPACE 11.09.04 01:59l 108 Lines 4950 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : ISS04-51
Read: GUEST OE7FMI
Subj: ISS Status report, #04-51
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<7M3TJZ<ZL2BAU<ZL2BAU<ZL1AB<ZL2AB
Sent: 040911/0006Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:47426 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g $:ISS04-5
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : SPACE@WW
*International Space Station Status Report #04-51*
*3 p.m. CDT Friday, Sept. 10, 2004*
*Expedition 9 Crew*
The oxygen-producing Elektron in of the International Space Station was
restarted today after a troubleshooting procedure by Expedition 9
Commander Gennady Padalka, but shut down again after operating for just
over an hour.
Russian specialists decided to forego further troubleshooting until
Monday to give them more time to determine why a gas analysis mechanism
in the system commanded the Elektron to shut down two other times after
Padalka had cleaned and flushed lines in the device.
Despite the intermittent performance of the Elektron, there is plenty of
oxygen in the Station's cabin atmosphere. U.S. flight controllers
slightly increased nitrogen levels on board with nitrogen from the Quest
airlock tanks, but no further repressurization of the cabin atmosphere
is required in the near future. The Elektron's temporary shutdown has no
impact to any Station operations.
After several hours of work on the system in the Zvezda Service Module
this morning, Padalka told Russian flight controllers that the
reassembled Elektron, which separates water into oxygen for the Station
and hydrogen that is vented overboard, had twice run for about five
minutes before shutting down. Eventually, Padalka and flight controllers
disabled an Elektron gas analyzer sensor system, and the device
continued to operate for just over an hour before it commanded itself to
shut off again. The Elektron originally shut down on Wednesday,
prompting Padalka's maintenance work.
At the moment, Russian flight controllers believe that a modification in
the software that regulates commanding for the gas analyzer could fix
the problem early next week.
On Wednesday, Padalka used spare parts sent up on a Russian Progress
resupply ship last May to bring a spare liquids unit for the Elektron
back to operational status. There are no plans to use the backup unit at
the moment, but it is available, if needed. The Progress currently
docked to the Station has full oxygen and air tanks and additional
oxygen is available in two high-pressure tanks on Quest, if they are
needed. A total of 84 Solid Fuel Oxygen Generator canisters, a 42-day
supply of oxygen for the crew, also are available, but there are no
plans to use any reserve oxygen supplies.
Earlier in the week, Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke
conducted routine housekeeping tasks and a few post-spacewalk tasks,
including the stowage of spacewalking tools and the servicing of the
Russian Orlan space suits.
Fincke also conducted optional science activities, including some
remaining data takes with a Dutch experiment that helps to characterize
the performance of a grooved heat pipe in microgravity. The experiment
was brought up to the Station by European Space Agency astronaut Andre
Kuipers in April.
Both crewmembers worked with other science and medical experiments this
week. Padalka conducted the PLANTS experiment as well as the
PROFILAKTIKA experiment. It is designed to study countermeasures to
negative physiological effects of lengthy spaceflight.
Fincke also performed proficiency training for the Advanced Diagnostic
Ultrasound in Microgravity medical experiment and on Thursday, both
crewmembers participated in a bone scanning procedure. That research
will not only assist with onboard medical situations but is being
developed for possible use in remote areas on Earth.
Padalka and Fincke wrapped up their week with a televised conversation
with Native American students at the United Tribes Technical College in
Bismarck, ND. It was the featured event during the 35th Annual United
Tribes International Powwow. NASA representatives from the Johnson Space
Center and the Langley Research Center attended the powwow and tribal
meetings to promote NASA education and Explorer Schools.
Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke completed their 145th
day in space today and their 143rd day aboard the complex.
For information on the crew's activities aboard the Space Station,
future launch dates, as well as a list of opportunities to see the
Station from anywhere on the Earth, visit:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/
For details on Station science operations provided by the Payload
Operations Center at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville,
Ala., visit:
http://scipoc.msfc.nasa.gov/
The next ISS status report will be issued on Friday, Sept. 17 or
earlier, if events warrant.
###
73 de Alan
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