Correction,the Urine Processing ASSEMBLY is inop...
UPA Failure: On Thursday (4/23) evening, the Urine Processing Assembly experienced a check valve fault for each of four consecutive runs, which appears to be a re-occurrence of the sticky check valve issues previously seen on the UPA. It had been determined before that the check valve is not required and will be removed. Since the UPA had lost the capability to process urine and the WSTA (Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly was 70% full, the crew has been directed to use the SM ASU toilet facility through this weekend. Specialists will convene to determine a forward plan which includes using the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) in manual mode, and developing IFM (In-Flight Maintenance) procedures to remove the valve.<snip>
Quote from: rdale on 04/27/2009 12:21 pmUPA Failure: On Thursday (4/23) evening, the Urine Processing Assembly experienced a check valve fault for each of four consecutive runs, which appears to be a re-occurrence of the sticky check valve issues previously seen on the UPA. It had been determined before that the check valve is not required and will be removed. Since the UPA had lost the capability to process urine and the WSTA (Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly was 70% full, the crew has been directed to use the SM ASU toilet facility through this weekend. Specialists will convene to determine a forward plan which includes using the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) in manual mode, and developing IFM (In-Flight Maintenance) procedures to remove the valve.<snip>It is my understanding that these units need to be fully operational before the ISS is go for a six man crew. Does anyone know what the go/no go cutoff date is?
Quote from: Norm Hartnett on 04/27/2009 05:35 pmQuote from: rdale on 04/27/2009 12:21 pmUPA Failure: On Thursday (4/23) evening, the Urine Processing Assembly experienced a check valve fault for each of four consecutive runs, which appears to be a re-occurrence of the sticky check valve issues previously seen on the UPA. It had been determined before that the check valve is not required and will be removed. Since the UPA had lost the capability to process urine and the WSTA (Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly was 70% full, the crew has been directed to use the SM ASU toilet facility through this weekend. Specialists will convene to determine a forward plan which includes using the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) in manual mode, and developing IFM (In-Flight Maintenance) procedures to remove the valve.<snip>It is my understanding that these units need to be fully operational before the ISS is go for a six man crew. Does anyone know what the go/no go cutoff date is?Official approval for 6 crew came today. We have enough resources to get through October.
The Apr 30 status report was skipped -- this is the one dated May 1 (and the orbit count indicates it is correct, not a mistaken date). Potable Water Usage Update: During the 90-day checkout, a significant number of PWD (Potable Water Dispenser) samples were taken for ground and in-flight analysis. The hot water had consistently zero microbial readings. Product water from WRS (Water Recovery System) showed consistently very low or zero indications. The ambient-temperature line was consistently above the medical requirement of 50 cfu. A 40 ppm iodine shock was implemented to reduce level of colony count. Three strains of microbes were found in the ambient leg that are usually found in municipal water systems, none of which are pathogenic. The medical limit number is an “alert limit” to trigger analysis to consider total bacterial count, negative coliforms, and pathogenic status. With the results obtained, specialists are recommending oral consumption even though the results exceed the med limit. At this point, CSA, ESA, JAXA, and NASA are go for PWD potable use, but the Russian medical specialists are not ready yet for making a decision. The waiver issue will be revisited early next week, as will the waiver of iodine monitoring.