International Space Station (ISS) Management Center (IMC) Daily Summary ReportIncrement 36 Operations – Stage 36-305/20/13 4:00 pm Central Daylight Time (CDT)140/21:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)New Status: Removed Photo Voltaic Thermal Control System (PVTCS) PFCS Status: The Pump Flow Control System (PFCS) that was removed during US Extravehicular Activity (EVA) 21 on May 11, 2013, continued to show a steady leak rate after the EVA. Over the weekend the removed PFCS accumulator quantity fell to 0%. Ground controllers will uplink updated Pre-Positioned Load (PPLs) later today to allow PVTCS automated safing to be re-enabled on Tuesday. Ground controllers expect to reactivate Channel 2B Electrical Power System (EPS) hardware on Wednesday.
Suffredini mentioned the upcoming Olympic torch relay at the end of the expedition. While interesting for publicity purposes it raises the question as to why a direct handover of crews is possible for Russian PA purposes but not possible to eliminate the routine 2-3 week periods of 3 person crews which seriously impact the stated purpose of the ISS now--science. Direct handovers wouldn't even be necessary if the Soyuz' followed the Progress standard of a 2-3 day gap between return and replacement launch. Previously mentioned O2 production, CO2 removal, and Russian docking port availability would not prevent crew rotation much sooner than now standard 2-3 weeks.