Protocol
Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM) #21
Team 0 - Technical Management

October 20-31, 1997
Moscow, Russia

I. INTRODUCTION

The NASA, RSA and their respective contractor representatives (the parties) met in Moscow, Russia during October 20-31, 1997. The following represents the agreements made during the meeting.

II. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Team 0 consisted of the following individuals representing their respective organizations.

U.S.      
NASA/M. Geyer
NASA/T. May
NASA/B. Ward
Boeing/V. Barnes
Boeing/R. Moon
Boeing/S. Shannon
 Russia    
RSA/A. Botvinko
RSC-E/O. Babkov
RSC-E/P. Vorobiev
RSC-E/L. Gorshkov
KhSC/S. Shaevich
The following sub-team protocols are attached. Attachment of these protocols indicates approval by the technical management team (Team 0).

Team 0A BDEALs, H/W Shipping, Sustaining Engineering, CM, SSP 50094
Team 1A Assembly and Configuration
Team 1B Integrated Performance (IP)
Team 1C Integrated Planning
Team 1D Manifest
Team 2 FGB
Team 3 Russian Vehicles (RV)
Team 4A Service Module (SM)
Team 4D.4 PDGF Integration
Team 5A.1 Command and Data Handling (C&DH)
Team 5A.4 Personal Computer System (PCS)
Team 5B Communications and Tracking (C&T)
Team 5C Automated Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D)
Team 5D Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C)
Team 6A Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS)
Team 6C Thermal
Team 7A EVA
Team 7B Acoustics
Team 11 Common Depress Strategy (CDS) - Repair Methods
Team 12A Requirements
Team 12B Interfaces
III. AGREEMENTS

  1. Orbiter Plume Impingement on FGB: NASA, Boeing, KhSC and RSC-E jointly conducted analysis of the effects of the Shuttle jet plumes on the FGB. The analysis is based on design cases for Shuttle jet firings that were agreed to by all parties. These cases represent the expected range of jet firings for nominal and contingency approach and separation. Given the changes in the Program, the difficulty posed in installing and removing the umbrella by EVA, and the positive results of the analyses, all parties agreed to delete the Plume Impingement Umbrella for the FGB. Further actions regarding minimization of Orbiter contamination are addressed in the FGB Team (Team 2) protocol.
  2. Flight by Flight (FxF): The parties reviewed the results of the recent 1R/2R/3A/4A/2A.1 flight-by-flight review. The parties concurred with the open action assignments and due dates as reflected in the attached log (attachment 1). The parties agreed to begin planning for the 5A/6A review.
  3. Service Module Acoustics:The Russian side delivered the Service Module acoustics noise risk abatement plan and the U.S. side reviewed this plan and provided suggestions as noted in the acoustics team protocol. The parties agreed on U.S. participation in Service Module acoustic testing activities and on Russian on-site review of U.S. facilities and capabilities.
  4. Early Communications: The parties discussed the possibility of using U.S.-provided early communications equipment to provide audio and video communications with the ground during early ISS operations. The parties agreed that this capability is technically feasible, useful, and agreed to implement it. The funding for the audio and video interface and the support of the test on the FGB flight article will be paid by RSA.
  5. Element Schedules: RSC-E provided element schedules for Service Module, Docking Compartment, Universal Docking Module, Science Power Platform, Progress/Soyuz (integrated), and the first ISS Progress M1.
  6. Interface Control Documents: The parties discussed and agreed to the Preliminary Interface Revision Notice (PIRN) process as described in the attached flow-chart (attachment 2). The U.S. side agreed to reflect this agreement in the ISS Interface Control Plan, SSP 50135 by TIM #22 (action 1). The Russian side agreed to provide a single point of contact or a list of contacts to support the joint ICD PIRN process. … The parties signed PIRNs and Change Directives 508 and 509 for the FGB-to-PMA ICD, SSP 42121, and the U.S. side agreed to release SSP 42121 revision A by December 15, 1997 (action 2).
    • The parties signed PIRNs for the USOS-to-RS Software ICD, SSP 50097.
    • The parties signed PIRNs for the Airlock Pump-to-USOS ICD, SSP 50066.
  7. MIR Lessons Learned: The parties exchanged information regarding their respective MIR Lessons-Learned information. The Russian side agreed to review the U.S. document and provide inputs regarding design changes incorporated as a result of lessons-learned (attachment 3).
  8. U.S. Element Leakage: The Russian side expressed concerns regarding the high level of leakage specified in the U.S. specifications. NASA agreed to review the RSC-E proposal provided during the TIM and respond by November 30, 1997 (action 3). In addition the U.S. side agreed to provide revised numbers for logistics gas supply based on estimated leak rates to the Russian side by November 20, 1997 (action 4). Updates will be made based on actual leak test measurements.
  9. U.S. Audio Test: The parties discussed the issue of background noise generated by the U.S. audio equipment on the Russian audio terminals when the push-to-talk (PTT) button is depressed and the user is not speaking. This issue was raised during the joint testing at MSFC and the U.S. side has made modifications to rectify this situation and performed additional tests to verify the issue has been solved. The Russian side requested additional testing to further characterize noise levels of the modified design. The U.S. side agreed to perform additional testing, but does not think additional modifications to the hardware is warranted. The results generated will be provided to the RSC-E for their evaluation by December 20, 1997(action 5) and if the issue remains, it will be forwarded to the medical working group (WG8) for their recommendation.
  10. FGB/Node End-to-end Test: The parties defined the objectives and scope of the NASA proposed FGB/Node/TsUP/MCC-H ("end-to-end") test. The Russian side will finalize their response concerning this test and inform NASA of their ability to support the test plan and schedule by November 17, 1997 (action 6).
  11. Traffic Model:
    • The parties discussed options for incorporating the ATV into the current planned traffic model and agreed to analyze the options by January 15, 1998 (action 7). The implications of ATV utilization on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are unresolved.
    • The parties agreed to the propellant loading for Progresses #4, 5, and 6.
    • The parties agreed to present the data for inclusion in the IDRD #1 for the cargo manifest and energy balance of the ISS for 1998. In order to prepare this data, the initial data must be agreed to by November 30, 1997.
  12. Soyuz Kurs Antennae: RSC-E notified NASA that the collapsible Kurs antennae concept employed for Progress docking to FGB nadir port would be impossible for Soyuz vehicles due to shroud clearance limitations. Without this antennae docking can only be accomplished manually. Partial implementation of the standard Kurs antennae (for vehicles not planned to dock to FGB nadir) reduces program flexibility. The parties agreed that automated docking enabled by this antennae on all ISS Soyuz vehicles is desirable to provide additional capabilities and flexibility. RSC-E agreed to reassess the design options to accommodate this antennae by December 15, 1997 (action 8).
  13. Docking Constraints for RVs: The parties discussed the current constraints for RV proximity operations and docking to ISS including: lighting, ground coverage, and ISS attitudes. These constraints result in undesirable gaps in available docking periods. NASA agreed to analyze the ISS attitude constraints envelope for Soyuz relocation on Stage 4A by January 15, 1998 (action 9). RSC-E agreed to analyze the possibility to perform docking at night and out of ground coverage by January 15, 1998 (action 10).
  14. Free Drift after Progress Docking: The parties discussed the amount of time required for the ISS to remain in free drift after a RV docking. Because confirmation of Progress active hook closure can only be sent through a ground station (i.e. during ground coverage), the ISS may be required to remain in free drift for 1 orbit. Because of this additional time and the possible ISS attitude drift, the ISS may violate current attitude constraints. NASA agreed to analyze the ISS attitude constraints envelope for the Soyuz relocation on Stage 4A by January 15, 1998 (action 9). RSC-E agreed to evaluate the possibility to modify the Progress vehicle to provide hook status to crew on-orbit by January 15, 1998 (action 11) and to evaluate the possibility to modify the mechanism to allow engagement of the passive hooks when out of range of ground coverage by January 15, 1998 (action 12).
  15. FGB GIVUS Failure Operational Workaround: The parties further defined the operational work-around scenario for the case of a GIVUS failure on-orbit. NASA will investigate the acceptability of the Orbiter approach to the FGB while the FGB 40kg thrusters are used to control the FGB attitude control by November 17, 1997(action 13). If this is acceptable, the sides agree that this is a feasible contingency operation.
  16. NASA/RSA Joint Configuration Management Process: The parties agree to begin implementing the CM process, as defined in SSP 50123, CM Handbook, Appendix I (RSA), for the areas of H/W Development and Mission Integration at a Technical Management (Team 0) level. This agreement defines the process for Configuration Management of joint documentation and subsequent updates as well as the review and approval of ISS changes with potential impact to RSA for the areas of H/W Development and Mission Integration. After the Operations and Utilization teams come to agreement on the details of the CM process for Operations and Utilizations and update the Appendix to reflect their agreements, the parties agree to sign and baseline SSP 50123, CM Handbook, Appendix I (RSA) in the ISS Program.
  17. Common De-pressurization Strategy: The parties reviewed and signed the draft On-orbit Repair Technical Requirements document (attachment 4). The parties agreed to support an International Repair TIM to be held in January, 1998. The parties reviewed functional schematics for critical functions. The parties reviewed the critical Hardware items required to function in a vacuum environment. RSC-E also presented the preliminary results of subsystem and EEE parts analyses and updated the "List of SM H/W Requiring Additional Vacuum Testing". RSC-E will identify technical and cost impacts to NASA of the implementation of the air-flow sensors on the USOS by December 1, 1998 (action 14).
  18. Crew Rotation: NASA presented a proposal for crew rotations subsequent to the 6th crew based on use of additional Orbiter (OV102) missions. The Russian side will further evaluate this plan and will be prepared to discuss during the upcoming Training TIM. Both sides agree to make a decision on the 6th and 7th crew by December 15, 1997.
  19. Sustaining Engineering: The parties agreed to the contents of the SPIP Volume 10. The Russian side agreed to develop the Russian Sustaining Engineering Plan (SPIP Volume 10 Appendix) and provide to NASA by November 30, 1997 (action 15).
  20. U.S. to Russia Hardware Shipping: The parties discussed recent issues with shipping implementation. NASA will sign the "Akt" for each shipment and provide the shipping documentation as soon as possible before shipment. RSC-E in return agrees to receive hardware shipment in the exceptional case that the "Akt" has not been signed by all parties. The parties agreed to review the ISS Phase II/III Shipping Implementation Plan and modify as required.
  21. Micro-meteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD): The Russian side presented their proposal for the augmented SM shield design resulting from their recent mini-TIM. The parties agreed upon the stage configurations to be analyzed for potential EVA, thermal, propulsion, power, and other ISS performance impacts. NASA and RSC-E agreed to prepare a plan to analyze the impacts by November 30, 1997 (action 16).
  22. Portable Computer System Display Commonality: The parties agreed to selected display parameters that will be common for 2R. RSC-E agreed that they could provide demonstration versions of their display software to NASA to enhance the commonality effort. The parties agreed to work through the Integrated Operations Product Group to resolve future commonality issues and RSA will assign a member to this Integrated Operations Product Group (action 17). The parties agree to develop a plan and schedule to reach full display commonality including a common display standard.
  23. ISS Operations and Lower Pressure: The parties discussed the possibility of conducting ISS operations at 10.2 psia while the Orbiter is docked from 2A to 7A. The parties discussed the potential issues with this scenario and assigned associated actions as follows (actions 18-22):
    • Assess impact to depress response timeline and scenario - Joint Depress Team
    • Assess impact on FGB/SM materials flammability - Russian Materials and Processes Team
    • Define O2 re-supply scenario - U.S. ECLS Team
    • Assess impacts to air-cooled avionics H/W in the RS - Russian Subsystem Teams
    • Define re-pressurization scenario and impacts - Joint ECLS team
  24. 9A.1 Mass Margin: RSC-E provided a proposal to off-load 9A.1 to provide additional mass margin. NASA agreed to consider options to off-load 9A.1. This item will be worked at the upcoming SPP mini-TIM.The final decision will be made based on analysis of the detailed mass breakdown of the SPP including confidence factors and margin assumptions.
  25. Thermal Modeling: In response to an action item from the August 1997 Thermal mini-TIM, RSC-E agreed to utilize the method of thermal analysis as proposed in the protocol from the mini-TIM. This new methodology includes the creation of a simplified Space Station integrated thermal math model to be used by RSC-E in analyzing the induced thermal environment for the RS. Details of this agreement are included in the Thermal team protocols of their August and October 1997 mini-TIMs.
  26. Coordination of RS and FGB Specifications: Due to the fact that currently the power transfer and flight attitudes tables are being worked by the Integration Team, there are differences between Version C of the FGB specification and Version E of the RS specification. The parties agree that these specifications will be updated in the next version to reflect the agreed tables as appropriate.
  27. HW Certification: The parties discussed the necessity to generate a joint streamlined process to certify U.S. hardware flown on the Russian segment and Russian hardware flown on the U.S. segment. The parties agreed that because certification is a safety responsibility, the joint Safety Team (Team 10) should begin discussions on this subject immediately and provide a draft set of joint requirements to Team 0 for approval by December 15, 1997 (action 23).
  28. ICM : The parties discussed the revised ICM docking options selection plan and specifically to the new decision date (1/15/98). The parties agreed to the plan as written (attachment 5).
  29. Airlock Pump Modifications : The U.S. side presented a plan for Pump modifications. RSC-E concurred with this plan and will reconfirm their certification of the pump based upon positive result of the vibration test.
  30. Strella Delivery on 2A.1 : The joint EVA team recommends early delivery of the Russian built Strella on flight 2A.1. The parties agree that this would provide important EVA flexibility in the early stages of ISS. RSC-E will review their ability to support the integration schedule and notify NASA by December 15, 1997 (action 25). The parties agreed to work together on the EFGF Strella adapter.
  31. New FGB Handrails : The Joint EVA team discussed recent changes to the flight FGB and jointly agrees that KhSC and RSC-E should provide updated drawings and additional hardware for the mockup of the FGB forward node. The specific hardware required is 4 EVA handrails. The parties agreed that in the future the process should ensure that changes to flight hardware of this nature are automatically implemented in the training hardware.
  32. Electron Installation and Checkout on 2A.1: The parties discussed the possibility of activation and checkout of the Electron on the 2A.1 mission and agreed that this option should be investigated further. RSC-E agrees to provide the data required to analyze the feasibility of this operation by November 15, 1997 (action 25).
  33. Verification Compliance : The parties agree that verification compliance matrices for the Russian Segment are required on both a vehicle and a Segment level. The vehicle verification compliance matrices includes the applicable Russian Segment Specification 3.2.2. to 3.6, and corresponding 3.7 requirements paragraphs. The Segment level compliance matrices consists of the verification for the Russian Segment 3.2.1 to 3.6 paragraphs for each stage configuration of the ISS. The Russian side agrees to identify the Russian focal responsible for providing the data to fulfill the Segment Level verification compliance matrices.
  34. Soyuz Launch Vehicle Upgrades : RSA and RSC-E are working hard to resolve the issue with Soyuz Launch Vehicle (LV) upgrade. NASA is concerned with the schedule for resolution of this issue. RSA will work to accelerate the resolution of this issue.
  35. Frequency Approval : RSA and RSC-E will apply to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for approval of using the EVA (118-137 Mhz) and Kurs cm (3.3 Ghz) frequencies. NASA agrees to assist with technical support if required.
  36. Airlock Communications Test : The C&T team will report the assessment of technical feasibility, cost, and schedule impacts of the proposed Airlock/Orlan test to Team 0 by December 15, 1997 (action 26).
  37. Meeting Logistics in Moscow : The parties recognize the difficulty with managing the logistics of joint ISS meetings and tests in Russia. NASA agrees to take this difficulty into account when planning these meetings and to attempt to minimize both the number of meetings and number of travelers at any one time.
IV. ACTIONS

  1. NASA (ICD Team) to revise the ISS Interface Control Plan, SSP 50135 by TIM #22 (2/98).
  2. NASA (ICD Team) to release FGB-to-PMA ICD SSP 42121 and provide a copy to RSC-E and KhSC by December 15, 1997.
  3. NASA to respond to RSC-E proposal regarding USOS leak rates by November 30, 1997.
  4. NASA (Integrated Performance) to provide revised U.S. and International Partner (IP) logistics gas supply based on leakage rates based on analysis and/or test data to RSC-E by November 20, 1997.
  5. NASA (C&T) to provide results of additional audio testing to RSC-E by December 20, 1997.
  6. RSA to inform NASA of their ability to support the plan and schedule for the FGB/Node/TsUP/MCC-H "end-to-end" test by November 17, 1997.
  7. RSC-E and NASA to analyze options to accommodate ATV into the traffic model by January 15, 1998.
  8. RSC-E to provide to NASA the results of additional analysis to locate a retractable antennae on all Soyuz vehicles to accomplish automated docking to FGB nadir by December 15, 1997.
  9. NASA (Integrated Performance Team) to analyze the possibility to relieve attitude constraints for for the Soyuz relocation on Stage 4A by DAC6 (January 15, 1998).
  10. RSC-E to analyze the possibility of docking RVs to ISS at night and while out of ground coverage (January 15, 1998).
  11. RSC-E to analyze the possibility modify the Progress vehicle to provide hook status to crew on-orbit by January 15, 1998.
  12. RSC-E to analyze ability to actuate passive hooks Progress without ground communications by January 15, 1998.
  13. NASA to investigate the acceptability of the Orbiter approach to the FGB while the 40kg thrusters used for FGB attitude control by November 17, 1997.
  14. RSC-E to identify to NASA the cost and technical impacts of implementing the air-flow sensors on the USOS by December 1, 1997..
  15. RSC-E to develop the Russian Sustaining Engineering Plan (SPIP Volume 10 Appendix) and provide to NASA by November 30, 1997.
  16. RSC-E (Integrated Performance Team) to prepare a plan to analyze configurations for SM augmented shield power, propulsion, thermal and other ISS performance impacts by November 30, 1997.
  17. RSA to provide a person to support the Integrated Operations Product Group by December 1, 1997.
  18. NASA and RSC-E (Depress Team) to assess 10.2 psia impact to depress response timeline and scenario by December 15, 1997.
  19. NASA and RSC-E (Materials and Processes Team) to assess impact of 10.2 psia operations on FGB/SM/Progress/Soyuz materials flammability by November 21, 1997.
  20. NASA (ECLS Team) to define O2 re-supply scenario by December 15, 1997.
  21. RSC-E to assess impacts of 10.2 psia operations on air-cooled avionics H/W in the RS by December 15, 1998.
  22. NASA (ECLS Team) to define re-pressurization scenario and impacts to 10.2 psia operations by December 15, 1997.
  23. NASA and RSC-E (Joint Safety Team) to define a draft set of certification requirements for U.S. H/W flown on RS and Russian H/W flown on USOS by December 15, 1997.
  24. RSC-E to review and notify NASA of the feasibility to build and deliver the Strella for manifest on flight 2A.1 by December 15, 1997.
  25. RSC-E to provide to NASA, the information required to analyze the feasibility of Electron installation and checkout on 2A.1 by November 15, 1997.
  26. NASA (Comm. and Track Team) to report feasibility, cost, and schedule impacts of the Airlock-Orlan communications test to Team 0 by December 15, 1997.
V. ATTACHMENTS

  1. 1R/2R/2A/3A/4A/2A.1 Flight-by-flight Action Item Log
  2. Interface Control Document (ICD) Preliminary Interface Revision Notice (PIRN) Process Diagram
  3. U.S. Generated MIR Lessons-Learned Document
  4. On-orbit Repair Draft Requirements Document
  5. Interim Control Module Docking Scenario Selection Plan
VI. SIGNATURES

								
M. Geyer				A. Botvinko
NASA					RSA

												
V. Barnes				O. Babkov			P. Vorobiev
Boeing				RSC-Energia			RSC-Energia


								
					L. Gorshkov
					RSC-Energia


								
					S. Shaevich
					Khrunichev Space Center
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