"The space station project, a $60 billion-plus, U.S.-led effort by 15 nations to build a laboratory in space, was for the better part of two decades a target of derision from scientists -- especially physicists -- who charged the facility would drain money from more promising scientific venues. Although some skepticism persists, now that the complex is under construction in space, with a crew on board and a 28-foot-long U.S. research laboratory ready for launch in January, it seems to be enjoying something of a honeymoon with scientists not ordinarily attuned to space."

"Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko remotely piloted an unmanned Progress supply ship to a trouble-free manual redocking with the international space station today as the two spacecraft sailed 230 miles above Mongolia."

"In accordance with the underlying ISS Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and other agreements concluded between NASA and each of the ISS partners and other participating states, the ISS Code of Conduct is intended to: establish a clear chain of command on-orbit; establish a clear relationship between ground and on-orbit management; establish a management hierarchy; set forth standards for work and activities in space, and, as appropriate, on the ground; establish responsibilities with respect to elements and equipment; set forth disciplinary regulations; establish physical and information security guidelines; and define the ISS Commander's authority and responsibility, on behalf of all the Partners, to enforce safety procedures, physical and information security procedures, and crew rescue procedures for the ISS."

"Now, [Clinton] said, the agency deserves more money. "So I would like to see their budget increase now, because I think they have proved, after years and years of flat budgets, that they have squeezed a lot of blood out of this turnip.''

Editor's note: Excuse me Mr. President, but you CUT NASA's budget 7 out of 8 years. The budget wasn't flat.

Editor's note: President Clinton was interviewed on Discovery News tonight about space exploration. At one point he said:

"... now that the space staton is up - and people are up working threre 3 years ahead of the original schedule I am very proud."

Given this somewhat substantial misconception on his part regarding the progress of the ISS program, perhaps the President thought he was increasing NASA's budget - instead of cutting it 7 out of 8 years.

"In experiments with mice, Japanese researchers found that embryos created in low-gravity conditions that simulated space travel went on to implant and develop normally. The scientists first fertilized mice eggs in vitro--in laboratory culture dishes--under normal or "microgravity'' conditions. No significant differences in the success of fertilization or in birth rates occurred in the two different gravity conditions, according to a report in the December issue of Fertility and Sterility."

Editor's note: This Reuters article appears in a wide variety of locations on the Internet including space.com. This story contains a fundamental error regarding gravity. This may seem like a subtle distinction but it is an important one - one with a rather fundamental basis. The Reuters journalist says "low-gravity conditions" and "two different gravity conditions". This research was conducted in a laboratory on the surface of Earth using a rotating device called a clinostat which can simulate certain physiological aspects of microgravity exposure on an organism - but it is not microgravity.

It is not possible to create low- or microgravity conditions on Earth's surface. Drop towers located on Earth's surface only provide a few seconds of free fall. Such is the importance of space-based research in general - and of the ISS in particular - to provide long term microgravity conditions for basic biological research.

Given that much hype has been given to health research to be done aboard the ISS, the space life science community in particular needs to better educate journalists and communicate the basic benefits of space-based research.

The issue under discussion here - the inability to create microgravity on Earth's surface - is at the core of the underlying rationale for space-based research . This confusion on the part of this journalist (although understandable) is part of a larger problem - one that arises regularly when public discussion of the benefits of space-based research comes up.

"Congress, the scientific community, and NASA often seem determined to take unambiguous scientific results from research performed in space, and hype these results (or distorting them as the case may be) to suit their own political agendas. In so doing, they leave America with a confused and contradictory plan for the scientific utilization of the International Space Station. Someone needs to grab a hold of this issue and fix it once and for all."

"A 43-year-old Frenchwoman will start training next month for a nine-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) next October, the French ministry of research said Monday."

Summary in English

Claudie Andre-Deshays, an astronaut from France, will be sent to the ISS in October of 2001 according to terms of angreement to be signed this Friday between CNES and two Russian organizations, RKK-Energia and Rosaviacosmos. Under the terms of the agreement CNES will invest $610 million Euros (about 500 million US) in ISS between 2001-2004.

The earliest a French astronaut had previously been considered to be aboard the ISS was 2005.

Claudie Andre-Deshays will begin her training in mid-January in Star City and fly up to the ISS in a Soyuz for a mission that will last about 10 days. She will conduct life science, physiology and other technology experiments for 8 days. Andre-Deshays was last in space between August 17 to September 2, 1996 on board MIR for the French-Russian mission Cassiopia.

"The international space station's air purification system is working smoothly, NASA's lead flight director said Friday. But unexpected equipment failures during the crew's first six weeks in space have left the astronauts just one failure away from a possible forced evacuation."

Increment 2 Management Issues and Concerns:

• With 5A.1 slip, Inc 2 is now 113 days long. Evaluating whether we want to request a slip in 7A.1 to balance the increment duration and help utilization accomplish all their goals
• In anticipation of Progress schedule change, we are off-loading crew food and clothes to 6A MPLM. This will require us to re-evaluate mission priorities between SSRMS and food, since food is critical for keeping the crew onboard.

MER- 0189- CKB1 Fan Noisy and vibrating

crew reported A/C1 was noisy and vibrating since activation. Energia indicated they suspect A/C1 power supply unit is faulty due to a low voltage reading. A/C1 was shutdown on GMT 341and faulty A/C1 power supply unit was down manifested by 4A for trouble shooting. Crew reported that A/C2 fan vanes sheared off and one stator was bent when it was "inadvertently" activated on GMT 331. A/C2 fan was R&R'ed and A/C2 was activated on GMT 341. We have lost redundancy in air conditioning function since we now have no spare power supply unit on board. Energia has requested we launch a spare air conditioning power supply unit on 5A.

"While astronauts on space shuttle Endeavour rested and joked on Wednesday, their colleagues on the International Space Station had another frustrating day filled with sweat and punctuated by swearing and sarcasm. "

Editor's note: President Clinton was interviewed on Discovery News tonight about space exploration. At one point he said:

"... now that the space staton is up - and people are up working threre 3 years ahead of the original schedule I am very proud."

Given this somewhat substantial misconception on his part regarding the progress of the ISS program, perhaps the President thought he was increasing NASA's budget - instead of cutting it 7 out of 8 years.

How will the ISS be brought back to Earth once its mission is complete? For some insight, have a look at "ISS End of Life Disposal, US Propulsion Module briefing, NASA MSFC, 7 April 1999".

Note: The following is taken from "Living and Working in Space: A History of Skylab" NASA SP-4208 by W. David Compton and Charles D. Benson, 1983.

"... As reentry approached, the difference between NORAD's predictions and NASA's caused some small problems. Television networks, needing time to prepare for coverage of the event, called Houston to ask when they should send reporting teams. Harlan and the JSC Public Affairs Office felt obliged to give them a date in which they themselves had some confidence, so they told the media officials to come a day or two before the official predictions called for reentry. This could have caused some embarrassment for Headquarters, but nobody publicized the point."

" ... just three days after Skylab's reentry, two Soviet cosmonauts aboard Salyut 6 established a new record for endurance in earth orbit. The record they broke was not Skylab's but one that had been set only the year before by another Soviet crew."

Editor's note: perhaps this is the way it is supposed to work - one space station passes into history while another surges ahead and makes history.

"There will certainly be some interesting science [on the space station]," says Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, "but probably not $90 billion worth. The only way that you can really justify this project is if you want Star Trek to come true."

"NASA has decided to direct the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to cease activity on the Interim Control Module (ICM), a spacecraft designed to provide Space Station contingency reboost capabilities in case of a problem with Russia's ability to provide the Service Module and/or Progress vehicles. Meanwhile NASA is moving ahead with a more permanent replacement for the Service Module, the U.S. Propulsion Module."

"At this point, Mr. Goldin interjected with an action to Mr. Rothenberg regarding the cancellation of the Interim Control Module (ICM). [Mr. Rothenberg is to look at the total picture, have an integrated strategy, and provide a plan to the Administrator in 30 days.]"

Editor's note: I seem to recall protestations by Code M with regard to press reports that implied "cancellation" of the ICM - with Code M saying instead that they were putting the ICM on hold pending a future need for its use.

"ALEX ROLAND: I don't doubt that in some far distant future we are going to populate the heavens and have people in space regularly. But we're not going to do with it the technology we have now. We're not going to do it with the shuttle and we're not going to do it with this space station. And what NASA should be spending its money on is doing the research that will open up space instead of sending astronauts up to do basically what they have been doing for the last 30 or 40 years. They have been conducting scientific experiments in orbit on the space stations that have been up there. There isn't very much to show for it."

Editor's note: DUH, Alex, you really should pay a little more attention to the topic you are supposed to be an expert on: people were living in space continuously on Mir since the mid 1980's, and more or less continuously on the Salyuts (and Skylab) before that. After a short hiatus between Mir and ISS, and people will do the same on ISS. Oh yes, NASA is indeed doing "the research that will open up space". Again, start paying a little more attention.

Every time you get on TV you have the same tired bookwormish whine: we can use robots to do what humans do; its not worth doing because its too hard, there is nothing to be gained ... etc.

The meek will inherit the Earth, Alex. The rest of us will go to the stars.

"The first expedition on the space station requests permission to take the radio call sign Alpha,'' Shepherd called down to Daniel Goldin, head of the U.S. space agency NASA. Goldin, no fan of Alpha or any other name except international space station, was taken aback. But he laughed and told the men to go ahead and call the space station Alpha for their four-month mission. Just minutes earlier in an interview with reporters, Goldin had pooh-poohed the need for a name."

Editor's note: Oops. Bad move Shep. You know how Dan reacts about things like names - and logos ... (see Worm Watch)

Editor's note: Dan Goldin was asked a question by a reporter at the SLF at KSC this morning about the possibility that astronaut Bill Shepherd would announce a name for the ISS. Goldin's response "It's not Shep's station to name."

"NASA on Thursday performed the latest in series of successful drop tests of the X-38, a prototype escape vehicle for astronauts to use to return to Earth in case of an accident or emergency."

"The International Space Station (ISS) Program organizations review potential Off-nominal Situations (ONS) to ensure that timely decisions and plans are made to preserve the ISS mission plan and mitigate any potential safety risk or impact on research. The prevention of and recovery from ONS is taken into consideration in all phases of the development and operation of the ISS. Potential ONS are identified and assessed by all ISS program organizations. Redundancy built into the ISS hardware and systems, operations planning for reserve crew supplies in case of missed resupply, propellant reserve supplies, critical spares, and malfunction procedures are examples of program processes designed to overcome or mitigate the risks of ONS. This document describes the overall ISS Program ONS processes, development schedule timeline, and documentation product flow for defining, planning, and documenting ONS and agreed to response measures in order to ensure that the appropriate flight products are developed and executed."

"In summary, the IG found that NASA already has contingency plans and partnership agreements in place to meet its crew medical transport requirements and that NASA's justification for acquiring this jet is based on incomplete analyses and a requirement that cannot clearly be traced back to overall crew medical requirements. The proposed deal would trade a $75 million rocket for a $50 million plane. Clearly, this deal does not appear to be in the taxpayer's best interest. Furthermore, this deal could possibly be construed as an attempt by NASA to acquire its own aircraft via barter arrangement under the guise of crew medical transport as a replacement to the wasteful charter flights identified by the IG in late 1998. You were quite right to terminate these charter flights when they were brought to your attention. "

"Conclusion: The charter service is not cost effective to NASA. We believe that commercial air services could provide a more cost effective means of transportation in support of the ISS. In addition, JSC has not provided sufficient programmatic justification for the additional cost. Although JSC has recommended some improvements to its charter service (scheduling, cost-reimbursements, funding), we reaffirm our recommendation to terminate the service except in heavy passenger load situations that could justify special charter arrangements."

"NASA is clueless about how to efficiently and fairly run this facility. They're not interested in anything but their own budget, people and programs." stated [Foundation President Rick] Tumlinson. "Worse, as they have shown with the commercial Mir station down the orbital street, they will try and destroy or sabotage any projects that are actually better, cheaper and faster than their own. If left in charge of ISS, NASA will actually inhibit the opening of space, not help it."

"Mission controllers will no doubt cheer, champagne corks will pop, and there will be much talk of mankind taking bold steps into space. But the truth is that the space station, which will take until at least 2006 to complete, at a cost of over $100 billion, is a monumental waste of time and money."

"The huge $60 billion engineering project has been delayed repeatedly, and when the astronauts were finally sent aloft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the venture got limited attention in an America absorbed in its closest presidential race in years. Even so, if all goes well in coming years, this could mark the start for Americans of continuous operations in space as opposed to intermittent shuttle trips."

"With the arrival of the first crew, the International Space Station (ISS) represents a permanent presence on a continuing journey of discovery and a quantum leap in the capability to conduct research on orbit. ISS will provide unprecedented access to the unique environment of space, unequaled in capability and unmatched in its potential to change our lives. Scientists, engineers and researchers say the facilities and scientific infrastructure provided by NASA are a unique national asset which will unquestionably increase in value with the establishment of ISS. "

"Charles M. Vest, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, headed the redesign committee and wrote the in June, 1993 report recommending that the U.S. use a Russian crew return vehicle and the Russian orbital inclination of 51.6 degrees. Vest commented today, "As Chairman of the committee chartered by the White House with evaluating the Space Station program, I congratulate NASA and the international program. I am very pleased that we have achieved the major milestone of launching the first crew to begin a permanent human presence in space. It is a huge undertaking that has managed to keep on schedule, a considerable achievement."

"I recently returned from participating in the Russian General Designer's Review (GDR), an internal readiness review lead by Russia's prime contractor, Space Rocket Corporation-Energia concerning the launch of Soyuz 206, ISS flight 2R, which will carry the first Expedition crew to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch date was set for October 30, 2000. Despite the ongoing budgetary woes of our Russian partners, which by the way are very real, hardware continues to be delivered, even without payment. This situation is affecting some elements further down the sequence, for example the Docking Compartment (DC1) is reported to be 3-6 months late as is funding from the Russian Aviation and Space Agency."

"The crew bound for the International Space Station later this month said Monday they will communicate in "Runglish," a mixture of Russian and English, and share a Russian-American cuisine.

Editor's note: Detailed weekly on orbit status reports are no longer included in this document. No explanation is given for its omission.

"NASA has completed an extensive review of the International Space Station (ISS) Propulsion Module requirements and the decision has been made not to solicit competitive proposals. The reviews included technical assessments, business considerations, and schedule constraints that resulted in a solution for which industry competition is not in the Government's best interest."

"NASA's International Space Station program has decided to recycle the structural test article for the Unity Node as the U.S. Propulsion Module, which will backstop Russian hardware to raise the Station's orbit and maneuver it out of the way of orbital debris. "

Editor's note: Three concepts are under consideration. One would use a monopropellant reboost package located on the Z1 truss segment. The second concept known as "Node X" uses the Node 2 STA (structural test article). With Cylinders attached on either side, this concept has also been dubbed the "Mickey Option" due to its resemblance to Mickey Mouse. The third option involves a vehicle with no crew transfer tunnel. [Image of Node X Attached to ISS]

"Why Build Prop Module?

Alternate means for ISS GN&C/Propulsion system functions are required for potential loss of Russian partnership

• Risk of unfriendly break-up"

Editor's note: Dan Goldin was asked a question by a reporter at the SLF at KSC this morning about the possibility that astronaut Bill Shepherd would announce a name for the ISS. Goldin's response "It's not Shep's station to name."

"NASA said its Web operations and e-mail delivery system were hit by severe computer problems Friday. The cause of the problems, which temporarily rendered the space agency's main home page inaccessible, was still under investigation, but a spokesman said a deliberate attack was "a possibility."

Editor's note: As you may notice, the on orbit status portion of this week's "Felicity" status report has been omitted. Word has it that some folks at NASA aren't particularly happy that these reports are distributed widely and are clamping down on the inclusion of this sort of information.

Editor's Update: a few phone calls always help to clarify things. It seems that Summer vacations and shuttle launches caused a change in the normal Felicity schedule - and, apparently, in its content. As such, on-orbit status reports are likely to reappear in next week's edition - so that we can post them here - so that everyone can nit pick.

Meanwhile, it looks like ISS 5A (US Lab delivery) is having some problems (page 31). In the last several weeks it went from mostly green [Schedule: Zero or positive margin Tech: Meets technical requirements; No significant issues] to mostly yellow [Schedule: Negative margin with approved recovery plan with no impact to critical path; Tech: Does not meet requirements but has recovery plan. Open issues have recovery plans.] and red [Schedule: Negative margin without recovery plan or negative margin with critical path impact. Tech: Does not meet requirements and does not have recovery plan. Open issues do not have recovery plans.]

"As NASA gears up to launch the shuttle Atlantis Friday on a space station outfitting mission, the Russian Space Agency is at loggerheads with the Russian Ministry of Finance over funding for nine critical station flights in 2001. "

"NASA has again extended its deadline for completion of the International Space Station, which is now targeted for 2006, a space-station official said on Wednesday."

Editor's note: according to sources at NASA, the launch of STS-98/ISS Flight 5A (US Lab delivery) will be slipped 30-60 days as the result of PCS (Portable Computer System), CCS (Command and Control Software) , and NSC code problems.

Meanwhile, a temperature (Hall effect) sensor on the backup CMS (Control and Monitor Subsystem) failed. This has been attributed to large stresses associated with thermal cycling. There is apparently little if any time to fix this problem since the CMGs (Control Moment Gyroscopes) are scheduled to be launched on STS-92/ISS 3A at the end of September 2000. Three options are currently under consideration at the ISS Program Office:

1. Launch the CMGs with this known problem, and make some substantial changes to the STS-98/ISS Flight 5A mission's GN&C (Guidance, Navigation and Control) software and make wiring modifications to the Z1 Integrated Truss Structure (ITS).

2. Postpone the launch of STS-92/ISS 3A until the CMGs can be repaired. This could cause a 12 to 15 month launch delay.

3. Take the CMGs off of the Z1 Integrated Truss Structure and launch the CMGs later when they are repaired.

"This document establishes the process used by the International Space Station Program (ISSP) to accomplish the United States Habitation (HAB) System Requirements Review (SRR). This plan describes the HAB SRR PHASE I process, organizational responsibilities, guidelines, sub-processes, products and success criteria implemented to conduct this review."

"Tech: CMG Hall effect sensors are being analyzed for low temperature failure. Work-arounds for maintaining gimbal bearing operating temperature during stage 3A & 4A in work."

Page 55: Operations Team: Schedule Status: RED - Negative margin without recovery plan or negative margin with critical path impact.

Schedule is RED because of cumulative risk of flight controller (including HSG) certification threat combined with lack of adequate multi- segment simulator for flight controller training and verification of procedures requiring a high level of integration (e. g., MCS).

Page 88: Operations Team: Schedule Status: RED - Negative margin without recovery plan or negative margin with critical path impact.

Refer to 5A, Item 1, 2, 4, 5 with additional challenge of full certification of 2- 3 more robotics flight control teams (beyond the 4 required for 5A. 1). SSTF development for Robotics capability is lagging due to challenges with SSRMS functionality. (red) Refer to 5A. 1, Item 3.

"NASA has awarded four small businesses 90-day contracts totaling $902,000 to develop concepts and requirements to provide access to the International Space Station on emerging launch systems. These studies could uncover a potential backup capability, augmenting the station's primary resupply vehicles - the U.S. Space Shuttle, Russian Progress, European Space Agency Automated Transfer Vehicle and the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicles."

"Problems still exist in the development of displays for the International Space Station's primary command and control computers, NASA's Inspector General reported this month"

Editor's note: Last Spring, during testing at KSC, the US Lab Module "Destiny" was found to be in violation of ISS program noise requirements. The noise level inside the US Lab exceeds the "NC-50" noise requirement (a weighted-average thing that comes out roughly 50 dB). A requirements change, CR3361, was promptly generated to relax the requirement. The CR appears to be on a fast track to approval since the usual "Technical Coordination Meeting" that is held to discuss a proposed change has been "bypassed" because it has been "sufficiently coordinated with the affected parties."

The rationale given for requesting acceptance of this Change Request is " The USL acoustic environment has been reduced during development by addition of mufflers, wrapping noise sources with quieting materials, lining rack interiors with foam, and close-outs of acoustical openings. Additional reduction of acoustical noise would result in unacceptable schedule delays and excessive cost. Program management has indicated that additional quieting and operational constraints, if implemented, will be accomplished on-orbit. Noise levels higher than the specification are accepted based on short operational duration or crew operations. Detailed technical rationale is documented in NCR-ISS-5A-022, Stage 5A Integrated Acoustic Non-Compliance"

Included in the Adobe Acrobat file are:

• CR3361, "Exception to US Lab Acoustics NC50 Requirement"
• The TCM bypass notification for CR3361
• An extract from SSP41162, the specification for the US segment of ISS, with: the noise specification for the US segment and the existing waiver for Node 1
• An extract from SSP50005B (Space Station Flight Crew Integration Standard), section 5 (Natural and Induced Environments) with the NC-50 requirement and associated weighting curve).

Node 1 encountered the same situation. After testing, Node 1 was noisier than the requirement, but it was launched anyway. This is apparently symptomatic of what some people in the ISS program refer to as an "overall ISS bottom-up engineering philosophy", which basically says "Boeing builds what it builds, and if it doesn't meet the requirements (part of its contract with NASA), we'll change the requirements."

This, of course, can also be applied to Russia.

Update: NASA image of Node X [Larger version]

Editor's note: NASA has issued a stop work order to Boeing for its work on the U.S. Propulsion Module (USPM) effective on 31 July. A few weeks later, on 18 August, NASA will make a decision regarding the new USPM concept it will pursue.

Three concepts are under consideration. One would use a monopropellant reboost package located on the Z1 truss segment. The second concept known as "Node X" uses the Node 2 STA (structural test article). With Cylinders attached on either side, this concept has also been dubbed the "Mickey Option" due to its resemblance to Mickey Mouse. The third option involves a vehicle with no crew transfer tunnel. [Image of Node X Attached to ISS]

2. One of 3 SM central computers (#2) was voted off- line prior to docking. MCC-M reported that it got overloaded, slowed down, and lost synch with the other two. After successful FGB/SM docking, MCC-M reported that a second central computer (#1) had also lost sync and had been removed from voting. As of now the SM is still operating on one central computer. The central computers are not required to maintain SM attitude control. If the remaining computer fails, all three central computers will reboot automatically. MCC-M is discussing manually rebooting the Central Computers prior to FGB/ SM system unification on Saturday.

3. SM GIVUS (rotation rate sensor) #1 was twice removed from the control loop by the onboard software. Both times, MCC-M reset the GIVUS channel. MCC-M later inhibited the software from removing a GIVUS from the control loop. The software is designed to remove a GIVUS if it reports a body rate of 0 for a certain amount of time. MCC-M believes the particular GIVUS was sensing a body rotation rate of 0 due to the current XPOP attitude.

Editor's note: NASA has issued a stop work order to Boeing for its work on the U.S. Propulsion Module (USPM) effective on 31 July. A few weeks later, on 18 August, NASA will make a decision regarding the new USPM concept it will pursue. Three concepts are under consideration. One would use a monopropellant reboost package located on the Z1 truss segment. The second concept known as "Node X" uses the Node 2 STA (structural test article). With spheres attached on either side, this concept has also been dubbed the "Mickey Option" due to its resemblance to Mickey Mouse. The third option involves a vehicle with no crew transfer tunnel.

Meanwhile, with the successful launch and docking of the Service Module completed, the contingency plans wherein an Interim Control Module (ICM) would need to be rushed into space are being changed. The original flight of an ICM on Shuttle flight 2A.3 has been eliminated. A new flight, to be named XA.1, will now be developed and held as a contingency should the need for additional on orbit propulsion capability arise (i.e. if Progress deliveries fall behind or stop).

"The Boeing Company and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center today announced a cooperative planning effort to market a commercial space module (CSM) that could attach to the International Space Station (ISS). The CSM is a sister module to Zarya [FGB] , which was launched in November 1998 as the first element of the ISS."

Editor's note: this is the sort of article you get when a reporter sets out with the intent of writing a negative article - as opposed to at least trying to write a balanced article. To suggest that there is nothing more than cost overruns and pork barrel politics to the saga of the space station is to profess before your audience that you didn't bother to do sufficient background research before writing the article. While the station's cost overruns and delays are totally inexcusable, the space station will most certainly provide something of value.

Invoking negativity for negativity's sake serves no one.

According to the most recent Space Station status report, "with the ISS' Zarya Control Module operating as the active vehicle, the two craft gently docked at 7:45 p.m. Central time (4:45 a.m. Moscow time on July 26), two weeks after Zvezda rocketed into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Zarya's jets controlled the final minutes of the approach for docking, as the ISS closed on Zvezda at a glacial rate of two-tenths of a meter per second."

"Alenia Spazio, Finmeccanica, today signed an agreement of industrial collaboration with RSC-ENERGIA under which the supply and docking systems (the latter in a barter agreement between ESA and Rosavia Kosmos), together with their related control avionics, for the International Space Station's ATV logistics vehicle will be made in Russia. "

Editor's note: The following Change Request is under review at NASA :ECP BHE3060 (SS2977) Rev: - Build the US Habitation Module

" The implementation of this proposal strategy for this change is three-phased. The first phase will consist of a Not-To-Exceed (NTE) ROM quote for procurement of Hab Long Lead Items and completed Hab Preliminary Design Review (PDR) effort. Phase 2 will consist of a Hab Program ROM to be submitted on 18 September with the SRR Data Package. Phase 3 is the Integrated Hab Firm proposal. Hab topology as baselined by NASA is included as attachment 2. Hab Core Module (Hab minus GFE racks) requirements are defined in SSP 50452 and the Integrated Hab Module requirements are defined in SSP 50536. Phase 1 NTE (long lead and PDR effort) will be based on draft specifications/ICDs provided in the tech package."

Editor's note: According to NASA sources, a video conference was held today during which ESA (specifically, the Germans) proposed that the launch of the Columbus module on mission 1E be moved up 1 year and swapped with the US Propulsion Module launch date. According to Rev F of the ISS Assembly Sequence, the USPM is scheduled for launch on mission 10A.1 in April 2004 and Columbus on mission 1E in May 2005. The earlier Assembly Sequence, Rev E, had the USPM scheduled for launch in August 2002 and Columbus on 1E in February 2004.

There are two basic reasons for this proposal: First, the USPM was supposed to have been launched by August 2002. Its launch has now been slipped to 2004. ESA's ATV will be ready for launch aboard an Ariane in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Second, a delay in the launch of Columbus on mission 1E from 2004 to 2005 would require ESA to go back to their member governments for additional funding - something they don't really want to do.

"Russia should revise the schedule for the deployment of Russian segments of the International Space Station (ISS) due to financial problems, the Energiya Aerospace Corporation believes. Work on the other seven or eight Russian-built elements of the ISS are practically at a standstill due to an acute shortage of funds, according to Deputy General Designer of Energiya Yuri Grigoryev. "

"After two years of delays and hundreds of millions of dollars of cost overruns, the most crucial component of the International Space Station finally made it into space Wednesday. Now, Russian and US space officials face a do-or-die challenge: linking the module - which holds living quarters and flight-control systems - with the station."

2. FGB Battery 2 cycling was completed on 7/12.

3. FGB Smoke Detectors 1, 3, 4, and 5 remain off during cabin air scrubbing to remove dust that was causing smoke indications.

4. Spin correction performed on 07/12. Spin rate is now 0.256 deg/s."

Schedule is RED because of cumulative risk of flight controller (including HSG) certification threat combined with lack of adequate multi- segment simulator for verification of procedures requiring a high level of integration (e. g., MCS).

1. Significant threats exist to completing all required generic certifications for systems flight controllers due to delayed delivery of sufficient quality in SSTF loads (5A02 load on 7/ 24 should have ECLS content and TCS fixes. 5A03 on 8/ 21 (at risk) should have 5A RST (11/ 99 RST model working with 5A load; requires Russian travel on 7/ 1 which is unlikely) and quantity of integrated generic sims (recently increased priority on generic sims should improve the situation). Recovery plan will achieve required cert levels, but with no margin for attrition, lost sim time, or further SSTF model deficiencies. Applies also to 5A. 1 and 6A. (Schedule yellow to red)"

"NASA is planning to buy $21 million worth of Russian space hardware in addition to an already approved purchase of $14 million in hardware related to the International Space Station (ISS). The second purchase will include five Orlan Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue units (SAFERs) to help crewmembers who become disconnected from the ISS."

"Vladimir I. Lobachev, chief of the space center here in Korolyov, wiped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief after the tension of Wednesday's launch and said he was overjoyed. "But my joy and relief will be far greater after the docking," he said. "Our biggest concern now is that we have just one Zvezda and no backup version, and we can't afford a failure," he said. "We don't get a second chance."

"NASA spokesman James Hartsfield said one problem had turned up in the first hours of the 22-ton module's life in orbit. Attached to the module are targets that would help guide the docking process. One indicator aboard Zvezda showed that a target designed for use during a manual docking was deployed, but another indicator showed that it was not fully opened, he said."

Various reports are circulating regarding minor problems with various aspects of the Service Module's docking systems. According to Jim Oberg the problem concerns "the visual docking off-set cross for a manual Soyuz docking, the deployment pyros fired but the latched-open indicator never lit. The presumption is, it's a failed indicator. Neither TORU nor KURS were scheduled to be even activated for testing until next week. "

According to Spaceflight Now: "Data radioed from Zvezda indicates pyrotechnics fired to release one of two TORU reflectors shortly after launch, but Mission Control never received confirmation it locked into space, sources said."

NASA Watch initially reported that the KURS automated docking system on the Service Module was experiencing problems and that managers at JSC were conducting a "qual diagnostic" to try and understand this problem. According to an email sent by Denny Kross at NASA MSFC at 7:00 AM on 12 July to MSFC Center Director Art Stepehenson (and others) "One minor potential glitch having to do with the KURS docking system target deployment is being assessed. May be a bad sensor."

All other systems are functioning perfectly. Docking is still scheduled to take place on 25 July - possibly as early as 23 July - according to Spaceflight Now. None of these anomalies is causing serious concern at this point. It is more likely that these events are part of the "getting to know you" aspect of operating a new space vehicle

"I hope the space partners use this occasion to learn from the mistakes that postponed today's event for 27 months so we can avoid similar problems with Russia's other critical contributions such as the Progress and Soyuz vehicles needed to maintain ISS, the Science Power Platform, or Russia's research modules. We must keep the most advanced engineering project in history moving forward so all can share in the potentially limitless scientific benefits from research aboard the ISS."

"NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin congratulated his Russian colleagues for successfully launching Zvezda today. The module's chief designer, in turn, unabashedly asked for more tangible support from the United States -- presumably hard cash -- in the years ahead."

"Our specialists really do work in extreme conditions which include the constant lack of funding,'' said Yury Semyonov, head of Russia's Energiya space construction firm. "We cannot expect too much in terms of cash from (the Russian government),'' he said, urging the United States to contribute more funds to the ISS project, which also groups Canada, Japan and the European Union."

Editor's rant: What a nice way to say "thank you", Yuri.

Let me understand this Yuri: Russia was brought into the ISS program to save money and get hardware into space sooner than might otherwise have been the case. Instead, Russia's chronic non-performance is directly responsible for multi-year delays and multi-billion dollar cost increases. Meanwhile, Russia pledges to deorbit Mir to concentrate its limited resources on ISS yet goes back on its word to suit internal political interests - again to the detriment of the other ISS partners.

And now you have the audacity to suggest that the fiscally responsible partners contribute more money to bail out Russia? Sadly, given that Russian hardware occupies a pivotal point in the ISS program's critical path that can be used to pressure the US (again) for more cash, I am certain that Russia will once again find a way to make this happen.

The Service Module (Zvezda) was launched from Launch Pad #23 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12:56 AM EDT (04.56 GMT). The launch was nominal. The Service Module is now in orbit, its solar arrays and KURS antenna have been deployed, and on-orbit check out of its systems is underway.

"Not many shepherds can claim that dodging falling debris from a space rocket is one of the hazards of the job. But it is for Turmuganbet Shaimov and a few others like him who roam the arid Kazakh steppe with their camels and horses around the launch pads of the Baikonur cosmodrome."

"...But if the [Service] module is lost in a launch mishap or because of a catastrophic problem in orbit, completion of the space station would be delayed by at least three years, according to internal NASA planning documents. "

"Even a recent reception to honor the latest Mir cosmonauts required commercial sponsorship, with the Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F - news) showing its logo on stage and handing out car-purchase credit applications in the lobby. The money hunt, along with a frightening series of system failures and a fire on the Mir in 1998, contrast sharply with the Soviet Union's one-time primacy in space."

"The 32,000-pound scientific research lab was the first International Space Station (ISS) pressurized element to spend seven days in a renovated vacuum chamber last used when Americans walked on the moon. The 28-foot-long, 14-foot wide laboratory was placed in the chamber July 1 to undergo the element leak test. "

Editor's note: Word has it that the Lab actually leaked at one of its window seals.

"Yesterday, the Russians conducted their first Docking Compartment [CO] evaluation in the hydrolab. Remember as you read it that problems happen on the US side whenever a new vehicle is first run in the water, so don't worry too much about it yet."

Editor's note: These email reports should give you an insight into just how complex EVA planning can be - especially on a new space vehicle. It's much more than just popping out of a hatch and floating around

"The purpose of this document is to control the International Space Station (ISS) assembly sequence, integrated traffic and crew rotation plans, , and Subelement (SE) numbers. This document provides the coordination and control mechanism to ensure that all Partners have full knowledge of the assembly sequence and all other ISS transportation plans. The Multi-Increment Manifest (MIM) is also responsible for defining the crew rotation plan which specifies the transportation of crewmembers to and from the ISS and the means of transportation used.

This document provides the basis for initial increment manifest, traffic planning, and the planning period definitions for the development of the Planning Period (PP) specific Increment Definition and Requirements Document (IDRD)."

"If all goes according to plan, launch of the long-delayed Service Module will occur in Russia on 12 July at 4:56 GMT. All told, NASA seems to be confident that the Service Module will be launched on time and that it will successfully dock with the International Space Station. A huge collective sigh of relief is certain to be heard in mission control centers around the world when the Service Module is safely attached to the space station."

• All FGB batteries are performing nominally. Battery 1 cycling completed on 6/28. Battery 1 completed on 6/27. PTAB 1 has exhibited some anomalous current and temperature signatures; under investigation by MER and Russian EPS teams.
• FGB oxidizer transfer completed on 6/23 in preparation for Service Module docking. 266 liters of oxidizer were transferred.
• FGB Smoke Detector #5 was deactivated due to false indication mostly caused by dust. The FGB dust collectors were activated. The Russian plan is to operate the dust collectors for several weeks and then to test the deactivated smoke detectors (#'s 1, 3, 4, 5).
• Spin correction performed on 6/29. Spin rate is now 0.256 deg/s.

"A June 8 U.S. intelligence report from the National Security Agency, which conducts electronic eavesdropping, stated that missile component companies in Russia and Uzbekistan, in Central Asia, were cooperating on the sale of missile parts to North Korea, the officials said."

"The NASA Administrator has informed me of his intent to proceed with an extraordinary payment of $14 million to the Russian Aviation and Space Agency for the purchase of the pressure dome for the Interim Control Module and the Androgynous Peripheral Docking Adapter and related hardware for the United States Propulsion Module for the International Space Station. This payment is subject to the provisions of section 6(g) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178) (the "Act")."

"Russia is finally set to launch the living quarters of the International Space Station two years after it was scheduled to go into orbit, but U.S. space managers said on Wednesday the wait was not all bad."

"Last week, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., called for an investigation into huge cost overruns on a U.S.-designed piece for the station. The piece, being designed by The Boeing Co. and not yet built, was to cost $542 million but could cost at least $200 million more than that, NASA acknowledged this week. Amid an investigation like that, any further Zvezda problems likely would ignite Capitol Hill lawmakers even further. "

"The Boeing contract with NASA called for $542 million to be spent on the design and construction of the [US Propulsion] module. But Boeing officials have told NASA the module will cost at least $742 million to complete, space agency spokeswoman Kirsten Williams said Monday from Washington, D.C. Williams did not say how much NASA has given Boeing so far on the project, but added the agency is considering trying to get another contractor for the program."

Editor's note: Last night, MSFC Center Director Art Stephenson was on an Alabama Public Television call in show called "For the Record, with Tim Lennox". On the show he said that the cost of the USPM had been $450 million and that Boeing had come back with a projected cost of $800 million. When the host asked Stephenson if he could tell the audience what he said when he first learned of this, Stephenson said "No."

The cost overrun cited by Florida Today from a NASA spokesperson is $200 million. The overrun mentioned by Stephenson is $350 million. Even if you attribute the difference to rounding errors, that's still a $100 million discrepancy between the two figures.

"A launch date for the Service Module has been announced: 12 July 2000 at 05.02 GMT. The date was set at the ISS Flight1R GDR (General Design Review). The International Space Station team is meeting in Moscow this week to discuss a wide range of issues. In addition to the 1R GDR, A "mini JPR" (Joint Program Review) and a 1P Final GDR were held last Friday. Flight 1P is the 31 July 2000 Progress M1 mission that will fly just after the Service Module is in orbit. "

"Russian space managers meeting in Moscow today tentatively cleared the international space station's long-delayed Zvezda command module for launch July 12 atop a Proton rocket."

"On June 6, 2000, The Boeing Corporation (Boeing) agreed to reimburse NASA for the original procurement cost of two missing International Space Station oxygen tanks from Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, AL, and any additional costs associated with the purchase of replacement tanks. The tanks were originally purchased for $528,544.36."

Editor's note: Special topics in this week's Felicity are "X- 38/ CRV Felicity", a detailed X-38 program status report presentation by John Muratore, and a CSA Hardware update.

"Flight controllers in Moscow are continuing an analysis of results from a test conducted last week of the backup manual docking system aboard the station. The test showed no indications of any problems with the systems aboard the spacecraft. However, it is believed that a ground communications problem may have prevented some test commands from reaching the station. The backup manual rendezvous and docking system, called the TORU system, would only be used if an automatic docking with Zvezda were unsuccessful. "

• TV Camera & Rate Sensor test was successful
• Ground commands unsuccessful
  - Russians suspect Ground Station problem
  - Test will be repeated

Editor's note: Word has it that NASA Associate Deputy Administrator Dan Mulville has told people that the ISS has been "declared operational" and that there was therefore no need to do an Independent Annual Review (IAR) on the ISS program. This comes at a time when Red Teams are going over the ISS program. JSC Center Director George Abbey is said to have asked why there needed to be an IAR when the Red Team activities were already looking over the ISS program.

There is a major difference between an IAR and a Red Team review. An IAR looks at technical, programmatic and budgetary issues across an entire program while a Red Team activity has a focus that is narrower and centered on technical issues. Moreover, the IAR's findings are required to be reported to the agency-wide Program Management Council wherein they get wider and more public scrutiny whereas the reporting structure for a Red Team is more ad hoc and less visible.

"3.2.3.1 Program Management Council

The Program Management Council is responsible for reviewing new programs proposed by the Enterprise Associate Administrators as part of the annual budget cycle and making recommendations to the Administrator. In addition, the Council reviews the performance of existing programs and projects in accordance with predetermined criteria. Every NASA program must go through a Program Management Council-type review on a periodic basis. This formal review process evaluates cost, schedule, and technical content to ensure that NASA meets its programmatic commitments. The Council's operations and NASA's program review process are detailed in NPD 7120.4 and NPG 7120.5."

"We established a Program Management Council to catch cost overruns and schedule problems, and it is working in programs like Chandra, Clark, and X-33/RLV. Our new approach to contracting, holding contractors accountable for delivering on budget and on schedule, is working in programs like SFOC, CSOC and the TDRS-Hughes contract. "

Editor's note: Word has it that NASA will put development of the oft-delayed U.S. Propulsion Module (USPM) out for bid in the near future. Sources tell us that NASA is at the end of its rope with Boeing's performance (or lack thereof) on the USPM and that they want to make a fresh start. According to sources, an announcement will be issued soon with proposals due on 1 August 2000. Meanwhile, Boeing has been given a stop work order by NASA on all USPM work until a contract is awarded.

Recently, NASA brought in TRW to do a cost audit. One particular item of concern was the $200 million cost overrun Boeing had already projected for USPM development. USPM development was not part of Boeing's original ISS contract. Boeing staff are reportedly at work this weekend getting their bid ready. In addition to Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Aerojet are also rumored to be considering bids. Of particular interest to SS Freedom redesign veterans is talk of Lockheed Martin considering their BUS-1 spacecraft for the USPM proposal. BUS-1 was proposed back in 1993 as part of Option A during the SSF redesign.

NASA requirements will ask for 3 vehicles. The first vehicle is due on orbit within 2 years of contract start with a backup vehicle ready to go on the ground. Since the requirement for on-orbit fueling has been dropped, NASA will rotate these three vehicles to and from space, refurbishing one on the ground while another is in space, and another waits as a spare. Apparently, the ability to do on-orbit fueling was a bit of a technical challenge for both Boeing and NASA. Using this swap-out approach is also cheaper up front - and cost is a prime concern right now.

Update: we understand that NASA has not issued a formal stop work order per se to Beiing. Instead, they NASA has authorized work up to their PDR but no further.

Editor's note: This CR (Change Request) is working its way through the system. It would seem that the Service Module is not the only ISS element with partially addressed noise problems - problems that may only be resolved after the element is in orbit.

"Rationale: The USL acoustic environment has been reduced during development by addition of mufflers, wrapping noise sources with quieting materials, lining rack interiors with foam, and close-outs of acoustical openings. Additional reduction of acoustical noise would result in unacceptable schedule delays and excessive cost. Program management has indicated that additional quieting and operational constraints, if implemented, will be accomplished on orbit."

Title: Russian Segment Acoustic Noise Violations
Number: 3774
Description: Russian Segment (FGB and Service Module) exceeds noise requirements
Full Text of Risk Summary: [Word] [Acrobat]

"(1) 2A.2 and 3A provides for relatively short noise exposure in the FGB (3A Crew does not go into SM). Shuttle flight rules on Acoustics are applicable for 10 - 14 day missions, and therefore can be applied to the FGB Prior to permanent crew habitation. (2) Quieting provisions were installed in the FGB on 2A.1 lessening the acoustical levels. Following completion of the acoustics data assessments from 2A.1, additional noise abatement measures may be required."

NASA Watch Note: The following ISS Program Risk Summaries describe some of the current technical risks associated with Russia's participation in the ISS program - and the methodical steps being taken to alleviate each of these problems. Each Risk Summary describes the problem and its potential impact on the program and safety, a designated point of contact, a ROM (Rough Order of Magnitude) cost estimate, an estimated closure date, an Abatement Plan Overview, Closure / Acceptance Criteria, and a listing of major actions taken to date. Each report is presented here in Word and Adobe Acrobat formats.

The sum of the listed ROM (Rough Order of Magnitude) costs for these 7 risk summaries (several of them list no cost impacts), estimated when the summaries were first written, was $3.096 billion. These costs represent the threat to the ISS program in a worse case scenario if the issues remained unresolved. As these issues were pursued towards resolution, these estimated cost impacts decreased.

• Russian Segment Acoustic Noise Violations
• Soyuz Launch Vehicle Upgrade
• Progress Supportability
• Russian Windows
• SPP Berthing Feasibility
• SPP Schedule & Funding
• Depressurization of the Russian Segment

Editor's note: When reading these documents, it is important to put things in perspective: spaceflight is risky. Every time a shuttle takes off, it does so with documented acceptance of risk.

"Now, possibly nearing the end of his tenure, Mr. Goldin finds himself running hard to keep his basic strategies in place. He has acknowledged mistakes. "I came in and I moved too fast," he said. "I feel I created undue stress on some of our terrific employees, and that's my biggest regret. Had I to do it over again, I would do it differently."

"During the most recent previous space station visit in May 1999, astronauts reported stale air in parts of the station and symptoms of high carbon dioxide concentrations. This time around, the Atlantis astronauts employed a different ducting scheme to more thoroughly scrub the station's air through the shuttle's filtration system and to ensure good mixing back in the station."

"FINDINGS

Several members of the STS- 96 (2A.1) crew experienced physiological symptoms apparently related to degraded quality of atmosphere over several days during the ISS ingress portion of the 2A.1 mission.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Burning, itching eyes
• Flush Face
• Nausea & Vomiting(1 instance)

"Feb-05 - 10A.1 Propulsion Module"

Editor's note: there is no manifested date for ICM launches and the US Propulsion Module launch date has slipped again - by almost 2 two years. Here are some earlier launch dates for the USPM:

• 2 March 2000: Assembly Sequence, Revision E Planning Reference

  "May-03 - 10A.1- Propulsion Module"

• 1 June 1999: Revision E Assembly Sequence

  "Aug-02 - 10A.1- Propulsion Module"

• 2 October 1998: Assembly Sequence Planning Reference

  "May-02 - 10A.1 - Propulsion Module"

"Key Milestone Changes ..... Prop Module - Feb '05 (~ Add 21 months)"

• No earlier than launch dates for:

  S0 (8A) - 11/00

  Node 2 (10A) - 10/03

  Node 3 (20A) - 3/05

  Centrifuge Accommodations Module (CAM) (UF7) - 1/06

• An ISS flight rate of ~ 6 to 7 flts/yr where 2 to 3 flts/yr are pressurized cargo flights.
• Pressurized cargo flights every 4 to 6 months with one exception in late '03.

  These flights can be decoupled from potential delays of major assembly flights except for 1J/A.

• Relative to Rev. E, March 2, 2000, the sequence accelerates:

  The Columbus module, the final PV module, the SPDM, and the cupola.

  The delivery of external and internal science payloads.

"Of the two space stations orbiting Earth, which one is bustling with human activity and generating news of bright prospects? Which is vacant and the butt of jokes about its earsplitting noise levels, failing batteries, iffy air quality and sinking altitude?"

Editor's note: Word has it that Boeing is seeking to change the U.S. Propulsion Module (USPM) from its original, straight-forward concept using existing hardware to one that uses new designs, costs more, and won't be available when needed.

"US Laboratory Module: Schedule Status: Red

Tech: Completed Fiber Optic cable testing to determine root cause of fiber bubbles and assess risk and life issues. Recommendation presented to Program 4/ 13/ 00, final recommendation to SSCB 5/16/00.

Sched: Primary M/D Shield deliveries under review (vs. 6/25/00 need) - vendor bankrupt, received authorization to obtain ISS assets. ..."

Schedule Status: Red = "Negative margin without recovery plan or negative margin with critical path impact".

"In an effort to reduce risk and the possible loss of future spacecraft NASA announced payloads have been deleted from future rocket launches."

Editor's note: this faux press release and photo has been circulating around NASA for the past several days.

Editor's note: Word has it that Boeing is seeking to change the U.S. Propulsion Module (USPM) from its original, straight-forward concept using existing hardware to one that uses new designs, costs more, and won't be available when needed.

The original purpose of the USPM was to provide an independent propulsion capability more or less identical to that provided by the Service Module to offset the risk that Russia might not be able to meet its logistics and resupply comittments to the ISS program. The original plan was to use proven Shuttle RCS/OMS technology modified to allow on-orbit refueling and a multi-year lifetime. The image on the right shows the original USPM design with its MMOD Armor. [Click here for larger internal and external configuration images.]

Now, it seems, Boeing has taken that simple design approach (heritage/off the shelf systems) and a simple mission (propulsion) and is working on a full replacement for the Service Module - one that includes crew quarters. The expected on-orbit delivery date has now slipped from the current "date needed" of January 2002 to May 2003. Not surprisingly, the cost Boeing projects is much, much higher than it was originally.

NASA management is not at all pleased with Boeing's performance on the USPM - esepcially Jay Green. Green has reportedly placed Boeing on a rather short fiancial leash such that they have to come back to him no later than 9 May 2000 to present a justification for further funds. Tomorrow's ASCP will touch on this issue. Stay tuned.

• 7 April 2000: USPM Status, from "Felicity 6" ISS Integrated Program Schedule

• 2 March 2000: Testimony by OSF AA Joe Rothenberg before the House Science Committee

  "NASA continues to evaluate program progress and take contingency steps to mitigate risk in case any partners have problems meeting their commitments. NASA is making good progress toward completing these steps. A key element in this plan is the development of the U.S. Propulsion Module. The Preliminary Design Review process for the Propulsion Module will be completed in May, leading to a scheduled 2003 launch. "

• 2 March 2000: Assembly Sequence, Revision E Planning Reference

  "May-03 - 10A.1- Propulsion Module"

• 9 September 1999: Current U.S Propulsion Module Configuration, NASA Watch

• 1 June 1999: Revision E Assembly Sequence

  "Aug-02 - 10A.1- Propulsion Module"

• 25 February 1999: Testimony of OSF AA Joe Rothenberg before the House Science Committee

  "As a result of our review of the Propulsion Module requirements and implementation plan on February 17, we have authorized the contractor to proceed with procurement of the next set of long-lead parts, and to prepare for a Systems Requirements Review by April 1999. Delivery of the Propulsion Module could be as early as FY 2002. "

• 15 October 1998: Letter from Dan Goldin to House Science Committee Chair James Sensenbrenner regarding ISS contingency plans.

• 2 October 1998: Assembly Sequence Planning Reference

  "May-02- 10A.1 - Propulsion Module"

• 5 August 1998: Testimony by Dan Goldin before the House Science Committee

"Boeing's cost overruns have reached nearly $1 billion. It has forfeited much of the potential profit it could have made from performance bonuses. And Boeing President Harry Stonecipher has even questioned whether it makes good business sense for the company to be the station's prime contractor, according to people who have heard Stonecipher talk about the station."

Editor's note: The following was provided by Jim Oberg:

The orbit of Mir has been raised through 3 engine burns. The first burn (8.4 m/s; 295 seconds) occurred at 18:58:44 UTC on 29 April. A second burn occurred at 19:59:01 UTC on 30 April (8.2 m/s; duration 1150 seconds). A third burn is scheduled for 1 May at 19:00:50 UTC (8.4 m/s; 295 seconds).

As of 30 April, Mir is in a higher orbit than ISS.

MIR


1 16609U  86017A    00121.47262994   .00142573   00000-0   89865-3 0   5921
2 16609   51.6467  141.5731  0023192  108.5451  251.8066  15.75331248811654


ISS (ZARYA)


1 25544U  98067A    00121.49236227   .00069271   00000-0   42999-3 0   6032
2 25544   51.5868  23.4626  0007809  124.8680   39.7771  15.76321468 82435

"The ISS is in a safe orbit with no systems problems affecting its operation. Flight controllers in Houston and Moscow have resumed routine operations watching over systems and cycling onboard batteries, while awaiting the launch of Atlantis."

"On 3 May 2000, the European Space Agency and researchers from academia and industry in Germany, Italy and Switzerland will sign a contract for a health research project which will lay the scientific and industrial foundations for the development of a space bioreactor for biomedical applications to be set up on the International Space Station. As Jörg Feustel-Büechl, ESA's Director of Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity points out: "This is the first in a series of over fifty contracts that ESA will sign in the coming years for application-oriented research projects that involve use of the International Space Station in the development of which Europe is participating, together with the USA, Russia, Japan and Canada."

"This notice is to seek industry comments and statements of interest about NASA's possible acquisition of a contingency re-supply service for the ISS. The contingency re-supply service consists of two payload types: 1) Progress equivalent contingency (heavy), and 2) small contingency (light). The heavy payload mission shall be available for launch in a response time to be defined by potential contractor capabilities. The light payload mission shall have the capability to launch in rapid response or emergency situation, i.e., within a few days. "

Editor's note: Word has it that the FBI is at MSFC investigating whether the O2 and N2 tanks for the ISS airlock which were lost by Boeing might have actually been left lying around on purpose such that they could be removed (i.e. stolen).

Stay tuned.

"ISS Integrated Program Schedule Issues Summary

Editor's note: It looks like the CAM (Centrifuge Accomodation Module) being built by Japan won't be in space for another 6 years. Space Station Freedom's schedule had it in orbit in December 2001. Meanwhile, if you go to page 26 you'll see that Mission 2A.2a (STS-101) is good to go on 24 April 2000. On page 35 you'll see that Flight 1R, Service Module delivery, is rated as "green" with a launch date of 12 July 2000.

"Dave Stuckey (senior-media studies) and Thomas Zerkowski (junior-science, technology and society, and letters, arts and sciences) are in the group working to create an ISS logo. The sketch of the logo includes a drawing of ISS with the continents pictured on its solar panels, Zerkowski said. Henry said she would like to see the promotion of ISS bring about international goodwill, along the scale of the Olympics. "

Editor's note: sorry folks, NASA has already ripped off the design used in the Goodwill games, United Nations, and Starfleet logos for use in its official ISS logo.

Credit: Goodwill Games, NASA, United Nations, Paramount Pictures.

Editor's note: If you go to page 162 (which deals with the ICM schedule and flight 2A.3) you'll note that the ICM has yet to be manifested on a specific Shuttle flight. NASA is working to support a 29 December 2000 ICM launch, but the unavailability of the pressure dome (which NASA wants to buy from Russia) is lurking in the future as a potential show stopper.

Page 163: "Sched: Pressure Dome schedule uncertain, cost and schedule preliminarily negotiated. When they are ready to say yes, we are ready to proceed . Tech: Proceeding at risk with working model for the Pressure Dome to support the VLA cycle"

Page 165: "Need to proceed with Pressure Dome procurement from RSA in order to meet current Launch date of 12/ 29/ 00. Day for day slip if procurement process not started. ASAP"

Editor's note: You may be wondering why this meeting is called "Felicity 6". Well, this has its source with Jay Greene who has a propensity for assigning women's names to his boards. Another example is "The Dorothy", Jay's pre-board for his Design Control Board.

Contents:

• Overall ISS Flights 3A - 13A Schedule Summary
• Phase II Critical Path Assessment
• Phase III Critical Path Assessment
• Phase II ISS Integrated Program Assessment
• Phase III ISS Integrated Program Assessment
• 3A - 7A Integrated Assessment
• 8A - 13A Integrated Assessment

"NASA and the Boeing Space and Communications Group, Houston,TX, have signed a modification to the International Space Station contract (NAS15-10000) valued at $26.3 million definitizing planned changes to the assembly sequence baseline. "

"A recent GAO report along with questions from Congress and several news articles have suggested we are lowering safety standards to accommodate theRussians and implied that safety issues will prevent the planned July launch of the Service Module (Zvezda)... In short, Russian hardware goes through the same safety process as NASA hardware. Let me deal with the noted "Russian safety" areas as follows: ...

"The European Space Agency (ESA) said on Monday it would seek bids by the end of the year to build the European component of the International Space Station (ISS)."

"NASA's space station warranty runs out this week, and the agency is no closer to finishing the project than it was when the first two pieces rocketed into orbit in 1998. After almost 500 days aloft, the international space station has no occupants, no experiments, no firm assembly plans. Instead, it's a barren two-roomer with bad batteries, noisy equipment and poor ventilation."

Editor's note: Word has it that NASA and Boeing have gone out of their way to be certain that no more expensive space hardware is thrown out at MSFC. All of the boxes in the High Bay in MSFC Building 4708 now have white tags on them that say "Do Not Throw Away - Flight Hardware/Do Not Throw Away - Non-flight Hardware". I'm sure this is all ISO 9000 compliant.

"NASA officials predicted Friday they will clear several outstanding safety issues concerning International Space Station components in time for a scheduled July launch of the long-delayed Russian Service Module. That assurance came one day after a General Accounting Office official told Congress unresolved safety concerns about Russian-built space station hardware stood in the way of the planned July mission. "

"NASA space station chief Michael Hawes said the problems will not delay the planned July launch of Russia's service module with life-support systems. The module is more than two years late because of Russian money woes and, more recently, Russian rocket problems. NASA has known about these problems for some time, Hawes said, and they will be resolved in orbit. The Russians have agreed to NASA safety standards even though their own requirements are less stringent, he noted."

"Construction of the International Space Station could be delayed further because Russian-built components fail to meet NASA safety standards in four key areas, the General Accounting Office reported Thursday. "

Witnesses:

• Mr. Joseph Rothenberg, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Spaceflight [Testimony]
• Ms. Roberta Gross, NASA Inspector General
• Mr. Allen Li, Associate Director, National Security and International Affairs Division, U. S. General Accounting Office [Testimony]
• Dr. Henry McDonald, Director, NASA Ames Research Center

"March 17, Friday
- 9:00 am - Noon - FY2001 Human Space Flight Budget Hearing before the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics (replay from 3/16/00) - HQ."

"Although Russian elements have complied with the majority of space station safety requirements, Zarya and the Service Module still do not meet some important requirements. According to NASA safety officials, significant areas of noncompliance include (1) inadequate shielding from orbital debris on the Service Module, (2) inability of Zarya and the Service Module to operate after losing cabin pressure, (3) lack of verification for the design and service life of the Service Module windows, and (4) excessive noise levels in Zarya and the Service Module. NASA officials said that shortfalls in Russian funding, designs based on existing Russian hardware, and technical disagreements with Russian engineers are the main reasons these modules do not comply with safety requirements."

In releasing a report on the International Space Station, the National Research Council said "nothing in the design of the International Space Station should adversely affect long-term operations once construction is complete, but NASA should take steps to ensure that astronauts will have sufficient time to conduct the scientific experiments for which the station was intended. The report questions whether daily maintenance on the assembled station will leave crews little time for research, a problem that plagued the Russian space station Mir."

• Press release, National Research Council
  
• Engineering Challenges to the Long-Term Operation of the International Space Station, National Research Council
  
• International Space Station, SpaceRef Directory

"While the investigations continue, Boeing meanwhile has offered to reimburse the government the full cost of the tanks regardless of any responsibility determinations."

'We have a good track record of properly caring for and handling government property, and we are doing everything we can to resolve this issue,'' said Joe Mills, Boeing's deputy program manager for the International Space Station, in a news release. Boeing's Huntsville spokesman Jim Keller said a joint NASA-Boeing review board will release a formal report on the loss early next week. "

"Mills' statement marked a reversal from last week when a Boeing spokesman said the government would have to pay for new tanks if they are needed in place of spares."

Editor's note: It looks like the missing tanks never made it to the surplus sale after all. Word has it that NASA has been told that a garbage truck driver picked up the crates containing the ISS tanks because they were left sitting (unmarked) next to a dumpster at MSFC. The driver also reported that he took them to the dump and actually saw them being compacted. At a cost of $750,000, at least I hope they made a nice loud popping noise.

Meanwhile, Boeing is apparently still claiming that NASA has to pay for their inept handling of space certified hardware.

Editor's note: Word has it that NASA is livid with Boeing over the Airlock tanks fiasco. Boeing is still scouring the local dump for the tanks and has added some safety personnel to the search. Meanwhile, NASA has responded informally to Boeing's assertion that NASA will have to pay for the tanks with hints that Boeing may have an especially hard time when it comes to determining its award fee (or lack thereof). It also looks like Boeing's U.S. Lab Manager and the Pressurized Element Manager may soon find themselves reassigned because of this bungling.

Meanwhile, jokes circulating at MSFC have suggested a variety of fates for these tanks including their use as part of a pontoon boat in nearby Lake Guntersville. You'll recall that a fellow in Texas recently wanted to use an Ariane 5 nosecone he found on a beach as a hot tub.