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ZL2VAL > SPACE 28.08.04 07:46l 109 Lines 5319 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : ISS04-49
Read: GUEST OE7FMI
Subj: ISS Status report, #04-49
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<ZL2TZE<ZL2AB
Sent: 040828/0500Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:46402 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g $:ISS04-4
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : SPACE@WW
*International Space Station Status Report #04-49*
*3 p.m. CDT Friday, Aug. 27, 2004*
*Expedition 9 Crew*
Success was the key word this week aboard the International Space
Station as maintenance efforts by the Expedition 9 crew paid off on
several major equipment items.
Early this week, NASA Flight Engineer and ISS Science Officer Mike
Fincke performed the most complex spacesuit repair job ever conducted in
flight on a U.S. spacesuit, replacing a water pump in the suit's cooling
system. The four and a half hour replacement job on Monday was followed
by several hours of tests on Tuesday. The tests showed the new pump
worked perfectly, and engineers on the ground will now determine whether
to declare the spacesuit usable in the future. If so, the Station would
have a complement of two operational U.S. spacesuits. A third suit is
aboard as well but has a cooling problem. However, a second spare water
pump is aboard the Station in the event managers choose to attempt
similar maintenance on the third suit.
Flight controllers lauded Fincke's work, relaying to him that such
efforts provide not only a better understanding for future Station
operations, but also important data for all future long duration space
travels.
Also on Monday, Fincke replaced major components in one of the Station's
exercise machines, a resistive exercise device that uses tension to
simulate weights during a workout. He installed new canisters in the
device, designed to be twice as durable as the previous canisters used
for the machine. He then checked their operation with a workout, finding
the device in excellent condition. Exercise is vital for the crew as one
method of counteracting the effects of weightlessness on the body. The
spare spacesuit pumps and exercise canisters were delivered to the
Station aboard the Russian Progress cargo craft that arrived Aug. 14.
As this week progressed, Fincke and Station Commander Gennady Padalka
turned their attention toward their fourth and final spacewalk,
scheduled for next week. During the Sept. 3 spacewalk, they will use
Russian spacesuits and exit the Russian Pirs airlock. Their work outside
will include installing three antennas on the exterior of the Zvezda
living quarters module that will aid the navigation of a new Station
supply craft, called the European Automated Transfer Vehicle, during its
maiden flight set next year. Other tasks include replacement of a pump
panel on the Zarya module that is part of the Russian segment's cooling
system; installation of guides for spacesuit tethers on Zarya handrails;
and the installation of handrail covers near the Pirs hatch.
This week, Fincke and Padalka reviewed timelines for the spacewalk,
gathered gear and checked the tools they will use. On Monday, they will
power up their Orlan spacesuits to check their operation as they
continue their preparations. The spacewalk on Friday will begin at 11:50
a.m. CDT and last about six hours. The activities will be broadcast live
on NASA Television, beginning at 10:30 a.m. CDT.
Other activities this week included a Wednesday evening reboost of the
Station, firing thrusters on the Progress craft to increase the altitude
of the complex by an average of about two and a half statute miles. The
reboost moves the Station closer to the orbital altitude desired for the
arrival of a Soyuz spacecraft and new crew in October. Another reboost
is planned in September to complete the move. The Station's current
orbit has a high point of about 230 miles and a low point of about 218
miles.
On Monday and Tuesday, Station cameras operated by flight controllers
recorded video of Typhoon Chaba as it moved quickly across the
Philippine Sea with winds of 165 mph. Today, Fincke reported taking a
still photo of Hurricane Frances in the Atlantic Ocean as the Station
flew above the storm.
For information on the crew's activities aboard the Space Station,
future launch dates, as well as a list of opportunities to see the
Station from anywhere on the Earth, visit:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/
For details on Station science operations provided by the Payload
Operations Center at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville,
Ala., visit:
http://scipoc.msfc.nasa.gov/
NASA Television is available in the continental U.S. on AMC-6,
Transponder 9C, C-Band, located at 72 degrees west longitude. The
frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural
at 6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA Television is available on
AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, located at 137 degrees west longitude.
Frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural
at 6.80 MHz. For information about NASA TV on the Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html
The next ISS status report will be issued on Friday, Sept. 3, after the
spacewalk, or earlier if events warrant.
73 de Alan
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