Spacewalkers to Hook Up Harmony at its New Location

11.15.07

A 6-hour, 40-minute spacewalk by International Space Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani will begin the external outfitting of the Harmony node in its new position in front of the U.S laboratory Destiny.

The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. EST Tuesday from the U.S. airlock Quest. Whitson, the lead spacewalker, will wear the suit with the red stripes while Tani will be in the suit with the barber-pole stripes.

After leaving the airlock and setting up tools and equipment, Whitson will remove, vent and stow an ammonia jumper, part of a temporary cooling loop. Removing it allows connection of the hookup of the permanent ammonia cooling loop on a fluid tray on the station's exterior.


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson
participates in a spacewalk on Nov. 9, 2007.
Credit: NASA

Tani meanwhile will retrieve a bag of tools left outside on the station during the Nov. 9 spacewalk by Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko. Then he'll remove two fluid caps to prepare for connection of that permanent cooling loop.

Next he will move on to reconfigure a circuit that was used for a Squib firing unit, a small pyrotechnical device that freed a radiator on the Port 1 truss for its deployment last Thursday.

Much of the spacewalk will be devoted to work with Harmony's Loop A fluid tray. That 300-pound, 18.5-foot tray will be moved from its temporary position on the S0 truss, at the center of the station's main truss, to Harmony, atop the starboard avionics tray.

Tani will join Whitson at S0. They'll release the fluid tray and then move it to Harmony. They'll use a kind of relay technique, one moving ahead and attaching tethers to be ready to receive the tray, then the other moving farther forward to take the next handoff.

Once they reach the installation point they'll bolt down the tray, then hook up its six fluid line connections, two at S0, two at the tray and two in between.

Tani will move to his final task, on the port side of Harmony. There he will mate 11 avionics lines. Whitson, meanwhile, will configure heater cables, then mate electrical umbilicals by hooking up four electrical harnesses linking Pressurized Mating Adapter-2 at the outboard end of Harmony to station power.

The two spacewalkers will do the standard cleanup process, then enter the airlock. The beginning of its repressurization will mark the official end of the spacewalk.

Another spacewalk by Whitson and Tani to complete the exterior hookup of Harmony is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

Harmony Relocation Sets Stage for Spacewalks


Image above: Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko tries on an Extravehicular
Mobility Unit helmet in the Quest Airlock of the International Space
Station. Commander Peggy Whitson assisted Malenchenko.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew aboard the International Space Station wrapped up a busy week that saw the installation of the Harmony node into its permanent location. Harmony is now in position to receive the European and Japanese modules to be added to the station.

Crew members first moved the Pressurized Mating Adapter-2 (PMA-2) from the front of the U.S. laboratory Destiny to the Harmony node Nov. 12. Flight Engineer Dan Tani maneuvered the 1.5 ton PMA-2 with the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2.

On Wednesday, Tani again used Canadarm2 to move the 31,500-pound Harmony with PMA-2 at its outboard end from its temporary location on the left side of the Unity node to its new home on the front of the U.S. laboratory Destiny.

After its Wednesday move, Harmony is in position to welcome visiting space shuttles. It also will offer docking ports to the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, scheduled to arrive next month, and Japan's Kibo experiment module, to become a part of the International Space Station next year.

On Nov. 20, Tani and Commander Peggy Whitson will conduct a 6-hour, 40-minute spacewalk to begin external outfitting of the Harmony. Much of the spacewalk will be devoted to moving a 300-pound, 18.5-foot fluid tray from its temporary location at the center of the station's main truss to Harmony.

Another spacewalk by Whitson and Tani to complete the exterior hookup of Harmony is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Prepares for Tuesday Spacewalk


Image above: Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Commander Peggy
Whitson (partially out of frame) work with spacesuits in the Quest airlock
prior to the Nov. 9 spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA

Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani are making final preparations for Tuesday’s spacewalk. The spacewalkers will configure cameras they will use and hold a conference with flight controllers. They will then “camp-out” in the Quest joint airlock to purge nitrogen from their systems before the spacewalk begins.

Over the weekend the spacewalkers also set up their tools, readied the Quest airlock and consulted with specialists on the ground.

With the Harmony Node 2 attached to its permanent home on the forward end of the Destiny laboratory, Whitson and Tani will go outside and hook up electrical and fluid connections between the two modules. The spacewalk is expected to last 6 hours and 40 minutes. Much of the spacewalk will be devoted to moving a 300-pound, 18.5-foot fluid tray from its temporary location at the center of the station's main truss to Harmony.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Conducting Spacewalk


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (upper left)
and Flight Engineer Dan Tani work outside the International Space Station
during Tuesday's spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA

A spacewalk scheduled for 6 hours and 40 minutes by International Space Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani to outfit the Harmony node in its new position in front of the U.S laboratory Destiny began at 5:10 a.m. EST Tuesday.

With the Harmony Node 2 attached to its permanent home on the forward end of the Destiny laboratory, the spacewalkers will hook up electrical and fluid connections between the two modules. The spacewalk is expected to last 6 hours and 40 minutes. Much of the spacewalk will be devoted to moving a 300-pound, 18.5-foot fluid tray from its temporary location at the center of the station's main truss to Harmony.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Completes Spacewalk


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (upper left)
and Flight Engineer Dan Tani work outside the International Space Station
during Tuesday's spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA

International Space Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani wound up a 7-hour, 16-minute spacewalk to outfit the Harmony node in its new position in front of the U.S laboratory Destiny at 12:26 p.m. EST Tuesday.

With the Harmony Node 2 attached to its permanent home on the forward end of the Destiny laboratory, the spacewalkers hooked up electrical and fluid connections between the two modules. Much of the spacewalk was devoted to moving a 300-pound, 18.5-foot fluid tray from its temporary location at the center of the station's main truss to Harmony.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalkers Harmonize on Node Hookup Tasks

11.20.07

International Space Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani wound up a 7-hour, 16-minute spacewalk to outfit the Harmony node in its new position in front of the U.S laboratory Destiny at 12:26 p.m. EST Tuesday


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (upper left)
and Flight Engineer Dan Tani work outside the International Space Station
during Tuesday's spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA

They completed scheduled tasks and did three get-ahead jobs in the spacewalk, which began about 50 minutes early.

After leaving the Quest airlock and setting up tools and equipment, Whitson removed, vented and stowed an ammonia jumper, part of a temporary cooling loop. Removing it allowed the hookup of the permanent ammonia cooling loop on a fluid tray on the station's exterior.

Tani meanwhile retrieved a bag of tools left outside on the station during the Nov. 9 spacewalk by Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko. Then he removed two fluid caps to prepare for connection of that permanent cooling loop.

Next he moved on to reconfigure a circuit that was used for a Squib firing unit, a small pyrotechnical device that freed a radiator on the Port 1 truss for its deployment last Thursday.

Much of the spacewalk was devoted to work with the Loop A fluid tray. That 300-pound, 18.5-foot tray was moved from its temporary position on the S0 truss, at the center of the station's main truss, to the Destiny Lab, atop the starboard avionics tray.


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and
Flight Engineer Dan Tani move the Harmony's Loop A fluid
tray into place during the Nov. 20 spacewalk.
Credit: NASA TV

Tani joined Whitson at S0. They released the fluid tray and then moved it to Harmony. They used a kind of relay technique, one moving ahead and attaching tethers to be ready to receive the tray, then the other moving farther forward to take the next handoff.

Once they reached the installation point they bolted down the tray, then hooked up its six fluid line connections, two at S0, two at the tray and two in between.

Tani moved to his final task, on the port side of Harmony. There he mated 11 avionics lines. Whitson, meanwhile, configured heater cables, then mated electrical umbilicals by hooking up four electrical harnesses linking Pressurized Mating Adapter-2 at the outboard end of Harmony to station power.

As the spacewalk wound down, Tani completed the first get-ahead task, connecting five starboard avionics umbilicals to Harmony. He then joined Whitson for two other get-ahead jobs, connection of redundant umbilicals to PMA-2. Subsequently, both worked on connection of Station to Shuttle Power Transfer System cables to PMA-2.

The two spacewalkers did the standard cleanup process, then entered the airlock. The beginning of its repressurization marked the official end of the spacewalk. In the airlock, they did precautionary decontamination procedures after working around ammonia lines.

Another spacewalk by Whitson and Tani to complete the exterior hookup of Harmony is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Source: NASA - Space Expeditions

The media advisory is reproduced below:

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov

Josh Byerly
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
bill.j.byerly@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-166

International Space Station Crew Sends Thanksgiving Message

HOUSTON - Orbiting more than 200 miles above the Earth, the crew of the International Space Station has sent home a special Thanksgiving message that is now airing on NASA Television and the agency's Web site.

"We wanted to say happy Thanksgiving to all our NASA viewers," Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, an Iowa native, said. "We feel particularly privileged and thankful to be up here on board the International Space Station this Thanksgiving, and we're looking forward to our activities this week. We have a busy week with spacewalks, and we hope that you also are having a great Thanksgiving."

"My family, we gather for Thanksgiving, and we spend a minute just thinking about the things we're thankful for and, of course, I'm thankful for the continued health of my family and my loved ones," Flight Engineer DanTani, an Illinois native, said. "Also this year, I'm thankful that I'm safely on the space station, conducting our mission successfully and having a great time doing it."

The astronauts showed some of the food they will eat during their holiday dinner, including shrimp cocktail, an astronaut favorite. Smoked turkey, cornbread dressing and "lots of hot sauce" also are on the menu.

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information on the Web, visit:


To view the Thanksgiving message from the space station crew on the Web, visit:


Source: NASA Media Advisory M07-166

Station Crew Ramps up for Saturday Spacewalk


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson (upper left)
and Flight Engineer Dan Tani work outside the International Space Station
during Tuesday's spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA

Spacewalkers Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani are scheduled to exit the International Space Station Saturday at 6 a.m. EST. Their activities will be similar to Tuesday’s spacewalk.

Whitson and Tani will hook up more electrical and fluid connections between the Harmony Node 2 and the Destiny laboratory. They also will move another 300-pound, 18.5 foot fluid tray, the Loop B fluid tray, from a temporary location on the station’s main truss to the Destiny lab. The Loop B fluid tray will be placed on the opposite side of where the Loop A fluid tray was placed on Tuesday.

The Expedition 16 crew took a break Wednesday but continue preparing for Saturday’s spacewalk. Preparations include conferences with ground controllers, timeline reviews and readying the spacesuits.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalk Completing Harmony Hookup to Station

11.24.07

A 6-hour, 30-minute spacewalk by International Space Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani will continue the external outfitting of the Harmony node in its new position in front of the U.S laboratory Destiny.

The spacewalk began more than an hour early at 4:50 a.m. EST Saturday from the U.S. airlock Quest. As was the case in the Nov. 20 spacewalk, Whitson, the lead spacewalker, will wear the suit with the red stripes while Tani will be in the suit with the barber-pole stripes.

After leaving the airlock and setting up tools and equipment, Whitson will remove, vent and stow an ammonia jumper, part of a temporary cooling loop. Removing it allows connection of the hookup of the permanent Loop B ammonia cooling loop on a second fluid tray on the station's exterior.

Tani meanwhile will configure tools, then remove two fluid caps to prepare for connection of that permanent cooling Loop B. Next he'll relocate an articulated portable foot restraint, which offers spacewalkers a place to secure their feet, from the U.S. laboratory Destiny's port side to the lower face of the lab's forward endcone.

As in the Nov. 20 spacewalk, much of this outing will be devoted to work with a fluid tray, this time Harmony's Loop B fluid tray. The 300-pound, 18.5-foot tray will be moved from its temporary position on the S0 truss, at the center of the station's main truss, to Destiny, atop the port avionics tray.

As they did with the Loop A tray Nov. 20, they'll use a kind of relay technique, one moving ahead and attaching tethers to be ready to receive the tray, then the other moving farther forward to take the next handoff.

Once they reach the installation point they'll bolt down the tray, then hook up its six fluid line connections, two at S0, two at the tray and two in between.

Whitson will move to the starboard side of Harmony. There she will remove launch restraints from latch petals of a common berthing mechanism. Those petals will initially attach the European Space Agency laboratory Columbus, enabling bolts to be driven to secure it to its permanent station home.

Tani, meanwhile, will remove one of the 22 covers of the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint and do an inspection similar to the one he did during his spacewalk during the STS-120 mission. He will take digital pictures of the joint and collect samples of any debris there.

He will return the cover to the airlock, leaving the joint available for a video survey by a camera on the station's robotic Canadarm2. That survey will be done after the STS-122 mission and will involve at least one full rotation of the suspect joint, which has experienced vibration and increased electrical current draw.

One or more get-ahead tasks may be done if time permits.

The two spacewalkers will do the standard cleanup process and then enter the airlock. The beginning of its repressurization will mark the official end of the spacewalk.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

Whitson, Tani Spacewalk Under Way


Image above: Spacewalkers Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani move a fluid tray
outside the International Space Station during Saturday's spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA TV

Spacewalkers Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani began their spacewalk today at 4:50 a.m. EST. Their activities will be similar to Tuesday’s spacewalk.

Today's spacewalk plan includes hooking up more electrical and fluid connections between the Harmony Node 2 and the Destiny laboratory. They also will move another 300-pound, 18.5 foot fluid tray, the Loop B fluid tray, from a temporary location on the station’s main truss to the Destiny lab. The Loop B fluid tray will be placed on the opposite side of where the Loop A fluid tray was placed on Tuesday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Whitson, Tani Complete Successful Spacewalk


Image above: Spacewalkers Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani move a fluid tray
outside the International Space Station during Saturday's spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA TV

Spacewalkers Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani completed Saturday’s spacewalk at 11:54 a.m. EST. The 7 hour and 4 minute excursion started an hour and 10 minutes early. They completed their main tasks well ahead of the timeline then moved on to perform some get-ahead work.

The two spacewalkers moved the 300-pound, 18.5 foot Loop B fluid tray from the station’s main truss to the port side of Destiny and completed fluid and electrical connections.

Tani did an inspection of a Solar Alpha Rotary Joint that had previously shown increased power consumption and vibration while rotating as it followed the Sun. Whitson deployed and mated cables to be used as part of the Station to Shuttle Power Transfer System, or SSPTS. A portable foot restraint was also installed on Node 2 for upcoming spacewalks when the European Columbus laboratory is installed on the STS-122 mission.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalkers Complete More Harmony Hookup Work

11.24.07

International Space Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani completed a 7-hour, 4 minute spacewalk at 11:54 a.m. EST Saturday, continuing the external outfitting of the Harmony node in its new position in front of the U.S laboratory Destiny.


Image above: Whitson and Tani attach a fluid tray to the
Destiny Laboratory.
Credit: NASA TV

The spacewalkers completed all scheduled tasks, including another look at the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, and did some get-ahead work as well. The spacewalk otherwise was similar to the one on Nov. 20.

After leaving the airlock and setting up tools and equipment, Whitson removed, vented and stowed an ammonia jumper, part of a temporary cooling loop. Removing it allowed connection of the hookup of the permanent Loop B ammonia cooling loop on a second fluid tray on the station's exterior.

Tani meanwhile configured tools, then removed two fluid caps to prepare for connection of that permanent cooling Loop B. As in the Nov. 20 spacewalk, much of this outing was devoted to work with a fluid tray, this time Harmony's Loop B fluid tray. The 300-pound, 18.5-foot tray was moved from its temporary position on the S0 truss, at the center of the station's main truss, to Destiny, atop the port avionics tray.

As they did with the Loop A tray Nov. 20, they used a kind of relay technique, one moving ahead and attaching tethers to be ready to receive the tray, then the other moving farther forward to take the next handoff.

Once they reached the installation point they bolted down the tray, then hooked up its six fluid line connections. Cooling Loop B was successfully restarted later in the spacewalk. Whitson configured two Loop B heater cables.

Spacewalker Dan TaniWhitson moved to the starboard side of Harmony. There she removed a thermal cover of a centerline berthing camera system and eight launch restraints from latch petals of a common berthing mechanism. The camera and petals will help dock and initially attach the European Space Agency laboratory Columbus, enabling bolts to be driven to secure it to its permanent station home during the STS-122 mission of Atlantis next month.


Image above: Spacewalker Dan Tani works in between
the Harmony Node 2 and the Destiny laboratory.
Credit: NASA TV

Tani moved to the right side of the main truss and removed one of the 22 covers of the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and did an inspection similar to the one he did during his spacewalk during the STS-120 mission. He took digital pictures, samples of metallic shavings he found there. He described some surfaces as being abraded.

Whitson meanwhile installed the last remaining connection for the Station to Shuttle Power Transfer Power System. That get ahead task completed connections enabling shuttles Discovery and Endeavour to receive station power while docked at Pressurized Mating Adapter-2. She then joined Tani at the starboard SARJ, and offered more words on the SARJ, which had been showing vibration and increased power consumption.

Tani bagged and stowed the SARJ cover outside the airlock, leaving the joint available for a video survey by a camera on the station's robotic Canadarm2. That survey will be done after the STS-122 mission and will involve at least one full rotation of the suspect joint, which has experienced vibration and increased electrical current draw.

Tani relocated a tool bag and moved an articulated portable foot restraint to the forward end of Harmony as get-ahead tasks. As another Whitson reinstalled on Destiny a crew equipment translation aid light she had removed during a previous spacewalk to clear the way for other activities.

Whitson and Tani did the standard cleanup process and then entered the airlock. The beginning of its repressurization marked mark the official end of the spacewalk.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

Crew Relaxes After Saturday’s Spacewalk


Image above: Spacewalkers Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani move a fluid tray
outside the International Space Station during Saturday's spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA TV


The Expedition 16 crew members had an off-duty day Monday, relaxing after Saturday’s 7 hour, 4 minute spacewalk. The stage is now set for the launch of Atlantis next week on the STS-122 mission to deliver the European Columbus laboratory to the orbital outpost.

The two spacewalkers moved the 300-pound, 18.5 foot Loop B fluid tray from the station’s main truss to the port side of Destiny and completed fluid and electrical connections. The Harmony node was then fully activated by the ground, one day earlier than originally planned.

They also inspected the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, finding additional contamination and likely damage to the "race ring."

Saturday’s spacewalk was the 99th in support of International Space Station assembly.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Continues Interior Outfitting of the Harmony Node


Image above: Astronaut Peggy Whitson works next to the Harmony node
in its new position in front of the Destiny laboratory during Saturday's
spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew members aboard the International Space Station continued the internal outfitting of the Harmony node, along with routine maintenance on Tuesday.

Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani continued the interior outfitting of the Harmony node by performing “plumbing” work on the space connecting the Destiny Lab and the Harmony node by installing nitrogen transfer jumpers. Whitson later set up the Harmony node vestibule for depressurization and leak checking.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko worked several hours on the Service Module’s fire warning system, removing and replacing all expired smoke detectors. The crew members also completed their daily exercise program, worked on several experiments and gathered some of the tools that will be used during the STS-122 spacewalks.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Preparing for Arrival of Atlantis


Image above: Flight Engineer Dan Tani works in the Destiny Laboratory.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Expedition 16 crew aboard the International Space Station is preparing for the arrival of space shuttle Atlantis after its scheduled launch for the STS-122 mission on Dec. 6.

Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani worked Wednesday resizing spacesuits and gathering needed tools for the spacewalkers of the upcoming mission. Whitson and Tani also installed the Centerline Berthing Camera System that will be used for visual cues in the installation of the European Columbus module to the Harmony connecting node.

Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko are scheduled to tag up with flight controllers in Houston to discuss their training on Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver photography they will perform as Atlantis approaches the station for docking. The photography will document the condition of Atlantis' heat shield for analysis by imagery experts at Johnson Space Cente.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Preparing for Arrival of Atlantis


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson is opening the hatch to the
vestibule between the Harmony Node and the Destiny Laboratory.
Image credit: NASA TV

Wednesday night the Expedition 16 crew closed hatches to the vestibule between Harmony Node and Destiny Laboratory to support a second overnight leak check. When Commander Peggy Whitson opened the Destiny Lab forward hatch Thursday morning, there did not appear to be any pressure change between the Lab and the vestibule. If there had been a leak in the vestibule, a pressure drop would have been observed. Telemetry from this morning also suggested that the vestibule did not leak overnight. Specialists in Mission Control Center Houston will continue to analyze all data from both overnight leak checks.

On Thursday, crew members gathered spacewalk tools, recharged the satellite telephone for the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft and performed a routine fire drill. Whitson is also scheduled to record a video tour that will be downlinked for study by the STS-122 crew for familiarization prior to their arrival at the station.

The crew continues preparing for the arrival of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission scheduled to launch on Dec. 6.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Performs Additional Leak Checks


Image above: CCommander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani
are working in the Destiny Laboratory.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Expedition 16 crew performed additional leak checks Friday on the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA-2).

After partially pressurizing PMA-2, Commander Peggy Whitson performed the leak check then initiated the depressurization of the passageway between the docking port and the Harmony node until its planned repressurization on Dec. 7 for the scheduled docking of Atlantis on the STS-122 mission.

The test repetition was requested by ground specialists because of inconclusive results of the first 15-hour leak check on the vestibule between Harmony Node and PMA-2.

Whitson also worked with an experiment that charts the growth and development of tomato plants, yeast cell genes and a crystal "garden" in the weightless environment of space, which will be compared with similar experiments being conducted in K-12 classrooms around the world.

On Saturday, Canadarm2 will be maneuvered to the correct location on the Harmony Node's Power and Data Grapple Fixture for the upcoming installation of the Columbus module.

Space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch on Dec. 6 beginning the STS-122 mission to deliver and attach the European Columbus laboratory to the station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Preps for Arrival of Atlantis


Image above: Flight Engineer Dan Tani and Commander Peggy Whitson take
a break from their activities talk to the media on Monday morning.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Expedition 16 crew aboard the International Space Station continues preparations for the arrival of space shuttle Atlantis, scheduled to launch on the STS-122 mission Thursday.

On Monday, the crew reviewed robotics plans and collected tools for use during the STS-122 spacewalks.

The crew also worked with the Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2) experiment. CSLM-2 examines the effects of microgravity on a phenomenon called coarsening.

On Saturday, a final leak check of the vestibule between Harmony and Destiny proved that there is an air-tight seal and no degradation of pressure. After a 17-hour test, the leak rate was reported to be insiginficant.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Preps for Arrival of Atlantis


Image above: Astronaut Peggy Whitson, Expedition 16 commander, works in
the vestibule between the Harmony node and Destiny laboratory of the
International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Expedition 16 crew aboard the International Space Station continues preparations for the arrival of space shuttle Atlantis, scheduled to launch on the STS-122 mission Thursday.

On Monday, the crew reviewed robotics plans and collected tools for use during the STS-122 spacewalks.

The crew also worked with the Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2) experiment. CSLM-2 examines the effects of microgravity on a phenomenon called coarsening.

On Saturday, a final leak check of the vestibule between Harmony and Destiny proved that there is an air-tight seal and no degradation of pressure. After a 17-hour test, the leak rate was reported to be insignificant.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew Ready for Visitors


Image above: Astronaut Daniel Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer, smiles
for a photo while floating in the Harmony node of the International Space
Station.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew members aboard the International Space Station are completing final preparations for the arrival of space shuttle Atlantis, set to launch Thursday from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

On Wednesday, the Expedition 16 crew spent time reviewing spacewalk procedures and detailed timelines for joint operations with the STS-122 crew. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the space station on Saturday.

During the STS-122 mission, the shuttle crew will conduct three spacewalks to install the Columbus Research module on the orbital outpost. STS-122 will also deliver a new station crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts.

Flight Engineer Dan Tani, who arrived at the station in October with STS-120, will return home aboard Atlantis.

Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will enjoy an off-duty day Thursday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Visitors Delayed


Image above: Astronaut Daniel Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer, smiles
for a photo while floating in the Harmony node of the International Space
Station.
Image credit: NASA

The launch of STS-122 was scrubbed at 9:56 a.m. EST on the recommendation of Launch Director Doug Lyons due to a problem with two of four LH2 Engine Cutoff (ECO) sensors on space shuttle Atlantis. During tanking, the sensors failed to respond appropriately, which is a Launch Commit Violation.

During the STS-122 mission, the shuttle crew will conduct three spacewalks to install the Columbus Research module on the International Space Station. STS-122 will also deliver a new station crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts.

Flight Engineer Dan Tani, who arrived at the station in October with STS-120, will return home aboard Atlantis.

Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will enjoy an off-duty day Thursday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew’s Wait for Atlantis Extended


Image above: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition 16 commander, trims astronaut
Daniel Tani's hair in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Whitson
used hair clippers fashioned with a vacuum device to garner freshly cut hair.
Image credit: NASA

The arrival of the International Space Station’s newest component and crew member has been delayed.

A problem with two of four LH2 Engine Cutoff (ECO) sensors on space shuttle Atlantis forced the Mission Control team to pass on Thursday’s launch attempt. Atlantis is now scheduled to lift off no earlier than Saturday from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

The STS-122 mission will continue the on-orbit construction of the station with the delivery and installation of the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. Also traveling with STS-122 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who will replace Flight Engineer Daniel Tani.

The addition of Columbus will give the orbiting complex a new research module. The STS-122 crew will use the station robotic arm and conduct spacewalks to install and activate Columbus. Three spacewalks are scheduled for STS-122’s stay.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will continue to make preparations for STS-122’s arrival.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Another Delay for STS-122


Image above: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition 16 commander, trims astronaut
Daniel Tani's hair in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Whitson
used hair clippers fashioned with a vacuum device to garner freshly cut hair.
Image credit: NASA

The launch of the International Space Station’s newest component and crew member has been postponed to no earlier than Sunday. Atlantis is now scheduled to lift off for the STS-122 mission at 3:21 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

The STS-122 mission will continue the on-orbit construction of the station with the delivery and installation of the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. Also traveling with STS-122 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who will replace Flight Engineer Daniel Tani.

The addition of Columbus will give the orbiting complex a new research module. The STS-122 crew will use the station robotic arm and conduct spacewalks to install and activate Columbus. Three spacewalks are scheduled for STS-122’s stay.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will continue to make preparations for STS-122’s arrival.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Atlantis Launch Rescheduled to Jan. 2


Image above: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition 16 commander, trims astronaut
Daniel Tani's hair in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Whitson
used hair clippers fashioned with a vacuum device to garner freshly cut hair.
Image credit: NASA

The launch of the International Space Station’s newest component and crew member will be no earlier than Jan. 2 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The STS-122 mission will continue the on-orbit construction of the station with the delivery and installation of the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. Also traveling with STS-122 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who will replace Flight Engineer Daniel Tani.

The addition of Columbus will give the orbiting complex a new research module. The STS-122 crew will use the station robotic arm and conduct spacewalks to install and activate Columbus. Three spacewalks are scheduled for STS-122’s stay.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will continue to make preparations for STS-122’s arrival.

Source: NASA - Space Station

STS-122 Delayed, Station Crew Presses Ahead


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson floats inside the Harmony module.
Image credit: NASA

STS-122, the mission to deliver and install the Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station, has been delayed until no earlier than Jan. 2, 2008.

Meanwhile, the Expedition 16 crew is pressing ahead with normal station activities including housekeeping and science experiments. The crew also monitored the refilling of ammonia in the cooling loops inside the Destiny lab.

Early Saturday, Mission Control noted the simultaneous trip of two station circuit breakers and a power surge protection device. The equipment is associated with a positioning device for the station solar arrays called a Beta Gimbal Assembly that can change the angle of one of the two wings of the S4 solar array on the station's starboard side.

Using a backup path for ground commands, controllers reset the circuit breakers and set the angle of the wing to a favorable, but temporary angle for power production, where it currently remains. Normally, the angle of the arrays changes frequently to maximize power generation. Engineers are evaluating the problem.

Neither this Beta Gimbal Assembly issue nor the unrelated issue with the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, which rotates the starboard solar arrays, impacts current station operations.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Awaits New Spacecraft, Laboratories


Image above: Europe's Columbus Orbital Facility undergoes preflight processing at Kennedy
Space Center. Columbus has since been installed in space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay for
delivery to the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA/George Shelton

A new Progress cargo spacecraft, space shuttle Atlantis and Europe’s new cargo vehicle, the ‘Jules Verne’, are to dock to the International Space Station over the next several weeks.

A Russian cargo carrier, Progress 27, is scheduled to dock to the station’s Pirs docking compartment Dec. 26. In early January space shuttle Atlantis will deliver Columbus on the STS-122 mission. Also, Europe will launch its first cargo spacecraft, the Automated Transfer Vehicle, also known as ‘Jules Verne’, in February.

After Europe’s new laboratory Columbus is installed early next year, Japan’s laboratory, Kibo, will be installed over three shuttle missions.

Engineers are evaluating the simultaneous trip of two station circuit breakers and a power surge protection device that occurred early Saturday. The station's Beta Gimbal Assembly, affected by the trip, has temporarily been locked at a particular angle so the S4 solar arrays can effectively generate power. Normally, the angle of the arrays changes frequently to maximize power generation. Station operations continue with no impact.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalk Preps, Science for Expedition 16


Image above: Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko takes pictures inside the Zvezda service
module.
Image credit: NASA

A spacewalk early next Tuesday from the International Space Station will focus on the starboard solar arrays, managers said Wednesday. Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani will examine the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and return its trundle assembly to the station's interior. The SARJ allows the paddlewheel-like rotation of the starboard arrays to follow the sun as the station orbits the Earth. It has been locked since vibration and increased current draw were noted.

Whitson and Tani also will examine the Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA). It tilts solar wings for optimal power generation. The starboard BGA also has been locked since some power feeds to it were interrupted last Saturday.

Neither problem affects current station operations.

NASA television coverage of the spacewalk will begin at 4:30 a.m. EST.

Meanwhile, Tani and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko are busy performing science on the International Space Station.

Tani is documenting his sleep patterns and light exposure for an experiment. The data is logged into a laptop computer and downlinked for scientists to evaluate on Earth. Malenchenko set up a device in the Russian docking compartment to track his eye movements while performing various exercises.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Whitson, Tani Prepare for Tuesday Spacewalk


Image above: The International Space Station is viewed from space shuttle Discovery
after undocking during the STS-120 mission.
Image credit: NASA

Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani will perform the 100th spacewalk in support of International Space Station assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The spacewalk will focus on the starboard solar arrays. Whitson and Tani will examine the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and return a trundle assembly to the station's interior.

Whitson and Tani also will examine the Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA). It tilts solar wings for optimal power generation. The starboard BGA has been locked since some power feeds to it were interrupted last Saturday.

While spacewalk preparations are under way, the docked Progress 26 cargo ship is being loaded with discarded items and readied for undocking on Dec. 21. Progress 27 will arrive at the station with supplies on Dec. 26.

Source: NASA - Space Station

December 14, 2007. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

The Technical Management meeting took place, which made a decision to fuel Progress M-62 cargo vehicle with propellant components and compressed gases.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

Spacewalkers to Inspect SARJ, BGA on Tuesday


Image above: The International Space Station is viewed from space shuttle Discovery
after undocking during the STS-120 mission.
Image credit: NASA

Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani will perform the 100th spacewalk in support of International Space Station assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 18. They will inspect the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and the Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA), and replace a BGA electronics control unit. The SARJ and BGA have been temporarily locked in place while the solar arrays still produce power.

Whitson and Tani completed a procedure review on Friday and held a tagup with the lead spacewalk officer on the ground.

Kirk Shireman, station program deputy manager called the spacewalk a “fact-finding mission.” The spacewalkers will report back to ground controllers what they find and return a trundle assembly back inside the station. Specialists on the ground will use the results to determine how to restore the starboard solar array's sun-tracking capability.

A move of the Mobile Transporter to worksite 4 in the center of the station's truss today from worksite 7 to provide its usual micrometeoroid debris protection was postponed Friday after station cameras detected what appeared to be a piece of insulation on the truss track. Flight controllers continue to analyze the situation.

Upcoming missions to the International Space Station include the launch of STS-122 and the delivery of the Columbus laboratory no earlier than Jan. 10. Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicle, also known as Jules Verne, is targeted for launch to the station in mid-February. Also, the first part of Japan’s laboratory, Kibo, is scheduled for launch on space shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-123 in February.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalkers to Seek Cause of Array Problems

12.14.07

Expedition 16 astronauts Dan Tani and Peggy Whitson will investigate the cause of electrical problems affecting the International Space Station's starboard solar array during a 6.5-hour spacewalk scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. EST Tuesday.

Kirk Shireman, deputy station program manager, termed the spacewalk "a fact-finding mission." NASA Television coverage of the spacewalk begins at 4:30 a.m.

The spacewalkers will try to determine the cause of partial loss of electrical power to one of the station's two Beta Gimbal Assemblies (BGAs) for starboard solar wings. They also will examine damage to the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ.


Image above: Flight Engineer Dan Tani prepares to exit the U.S.
Joint Airlock for a Nov. 20 spacewalk.
Credit: NASA

The SARJ enables the arrays to rotate in a paddlewheel-like fashion to follow the sun as the station orbits the Earth. The BGA lets the solar wings tilt along their long axis to point more directly to the sun.

Tani will be the lead spacewalker, EV1, and wear the spacesuit with candy-stripe markings. Whitson, EV2, will wear the all-white spacesuit.

After leaving the U.S. airlock Quest and setting up equipment, Tani and Whitson will move to the station's main truss and then out to near the end of its starboard side. There the first task will be inspection of the BGA 1As power sources.

On Dec. 8 the BGA's primary power was lost after three circuit breakers tripped. A backup power source still functions, but because of the loss of redundancy, the device was latched with the wing in a position suitable for docking of the shuttle Atlantis on STS-122.

The first and highest priority task for Tani and Whitson is to inspect cables and other elements feeding power to the BGA. Engineers speculate that the problem may have been caused by cable damage or perhaps a micrometeoroid or orbital debris strike.

For inspection, the spacewalkers will enter the truss from opposite sides, but remain together to be able to warn one another of obstructions in that confined area. The BGA inspection is expected to take about 45 minutes.

Next the two crew members will move to the SARJ. Working together, they will remove two large drive lock assembly covers and inspect the race rings and bearings beneath them. Then they'll remove and inspect beneath as many of the eight double covers and 12 single covers as time permits for a detailed inspection of the joint.

That SARJ was locked after vibrations and increased power consumption was seen. During a spacewalk last month, Tani collected metal shavings from the race ring beneath one of the covers.

Finally, they will remove one of the 12 trundle bearing assemblies that move along the race ring and return it to the station's interior.

After cleanup they'll re-enter the Quest airlock and close its hatch. The beginning of repressurization marks the official end of the spacewalk.

The starboard array continues to produce some power, and no station operations have been affected. But managers want to resolve the SARJ and BGA problems fixed before launch of the Japanese Kibo laboratory next year.

The spacewalk is the 100th for the construction and maintenance of the station. During the spacewalk, Whitson will set a new record for cumulative spacewalk time by a woman.

About halfway through Tuesday's spacewalk she will surpass the mark set by Sunita Williams, a station crew member during Expeditions 14 and 15, who had a total of 29 hours and 17 minutes during four spacewalks.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

Spacewalkers Preparing to Inspect SARJ, BGA on Tuesday


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson works in the Quest Airlock checking equipment
and procedures for Tuesday’s spacewalk.
Image credit: NASA TV

Station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani have moved into the Quest Airlock to begin the overnight “camp out” before the 100th spacewalk in support of International Space Station assembly and maintenance. During the spacewalk, scheduled to begin about 6 a.m. EST Tuesday, Whitson and Tani will inspect the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and the Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA). The SARJ and BGA have been temporarily locked in place while the solar arrays still produce power.

+ Watch live coverage of Tuesday’s spacewalk beginning at 4:30 a.m. EST on NASA TV

Whitson and Tani are doing the Quest camp out to purge nitrogen from their bloodstreams and avoid decompression sickness in the pure-oxygen atmosphere of their spacesuits. Earlier on Monday, the Expedition 16 crew members tagged up with ground specialists at mission control to review spacewalk procedures.

Kirk Shireman, station program deputy manager called the spacewalk a “fact-finding mission.” The spacewalkers will report back to ground controllers what they find and return a trundle assembly back inside the station. Specialists on the ground will use the results to determine how to restore the starboard solar array's sun-tracking capability.

A move of the Mobile Transporter to worksite 4 in the center of the station's truss from worksite 7 to provide its usual micrometeoroid debris protection was postponed Friday after station cameras detected what appeared to be a piece of insulation on the truss track. Flight controllers continue to analyze the situation.

Upcoming missions to the International Space Station include the launch of STS-122 and the delivery of the Columbus laboratory no earlier than Jan. 10. Also, the first part of Japan’s laboratory, Kibo, is scheduled for launch on space shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-123 in February.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Whitson, Tani Complete the 100th Station Spacewalk


Image above: Astronaut Dan Tani participates in Tuesday's spacewalk near the station's
starboard solar arrays.
Image credit: NASA TV

Space station Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani completed the 100th spacewalk in support of station assembly and maintenance. The 6 hour and 56 minute spacewalk ended at 11:46 a.m. EST.

+ Read more about the 100th ISS assembly spacewalk

The spacewalkers inspected the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and the Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA). They also removed a trundle bearing assembly, which moves along the race ring in the SARJ, and brought it inside the station for further examination.

Using observations from Whitson and Tani, specialists on the ground will evaluate the problems affecting the SARJ and BGA and determine how to return them to operational mode. Both hardware elements move the solar arrays to track the sun but are temporarily locked in place while they still draw power.

The International Space Station continues to operate normally.

Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani have now completed five spacewalks each. Whitson, however, has surpassed previous station Flight Engineer Suni Williams’ record for cumulative spacewalking time by a woman. Whitson’s total time working outside the International Space Station is 32 hours and 36 minutes.

Preparations move forward as the Expedition 16 crew awaits a Progress cargo ship on Dec. 26 and space shuttle Atlantis in January.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalkers Find No Solar Wing Smoking Gun

12.18.07

Expedition 16 astronauts Dan Tani and Peggy Whitson wrapped up a 6-hour, 56-minute spacewalk focused on International Space Station solar array issues at 11:46 a.m. EST Tuesday.

The spacewalkers looked for the cause of partial loss of electrical power to one of the station's two Beta Gimbal Assemblies (BGAs) for starboard solar wings. They also examined damage to the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ).

The SARJ enables the arrays to rotate in a paddlewheel-like fashion to follow the sun as the station orbits the Earth. The BGA lets the solar wings tilt along their long axis to point more directly to the sun.


Image above: Spacewalkers Dan Tani (left) and Peggy Whitson
perform inspection tasks during the Dec. 18 spacewalk.
Credit: NASA TV

After leaving the U.S. airlock Quest and setting up equipment, Tani, EV1 or lead spacewalker, and Whitson moved to the station's main truss and then out to near the end of its starboard side. There they inspected BGA 1A without seeing apparent damage. They disconnected two cables to facilitate ground tests.

On Dec. 8 the BGA's primary power was lost after three circuit breakers tripped. A backup power source still functions, but because of the loss of redundancy, the device was latched with the wing in a position suitable for docking of the shuttle Atlantis on STS-122.

With the cables disconnected the circuits remained closed, apparently clearing the cables as suspects. Whitson reconnected them late in the spacewalk.

For the BGA inspection, the spacewalkers entered the truss from opposite sides, but remained together to be able to warn one another of obstructions in that confined area. That inspection took about 45 minutes.

Next the spacewalkers moved to the SARJ. Working together, they removed two large drive lock assembly covers and inspected the race rings and bearings beneath them. Then they removed and inspected beneath most of the 22 covers.

That SARJ was locked after vibrations were noted and increased power consumption was seen. Inspection findings Tuesday showed various degrees of contamination under the individual covers. Generally it was similar to what had been seen previously.

Tani and Whitson described what they saw, took photos and used tape and a scraper to collect samples of debris in the SARJ. That debris included metal shavings and "dusting" in the SARJ race ring.


Image above: A spacewalker works on the starboard side of the
International Space Station.
Credit: NASA TV

Finally, they removed trundle bearing assembly No. 5, one of the 12 trundle bearing assemblies that move along the race ring, and returned it to the station's interior.

After cleanup they entered the Quest airlock and closed its hatch. The beginning of repressurization marked the official end of the spacewalk.

The starboard array continues to produce some power, and no station operations have been affected. But managers want to resolve the SARJ and BGA problems before launch of the Japanese Kibo laboratory next year.

The spacewalk was the 100th for the construction and maintenance of the station. During the spacewalk, Whitson set a new record for cumulative spacewalk time by a woman.

About halfway through today's spacewalk she surpassed the mark set by Sunita Williams, a station crew member during Expeditions 14 and 15, who had a total of 29 hours and 17 minutes during four spacewalks. Whitson's new mark is 32 hours, 36 minutes in five spacewalks.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

December 16, 2007. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

Progress M-62 cargo vehicle fuelled with propellant components and compressed gases was delivered to the Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Facility for final processing operations.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

December 17, 2007. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

Progress M-62 transport cargo vehicle was docked with the transfer compartment in the Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Facility.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

December 18, 2007. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

Designers inspection of the Progress M-62 cargo vehicle was completed.



Payload shroud roll on to the cargo vehicle was performed.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

December 19, 2007. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

Orbital module of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, containing Progress M-62 spacecraft was transported from the spacecraft processing facility for the general integration with LV.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

Crew Preps for Progress Undocking, 100th Station Spacewalk Completed


Image above: Astronaut Peggy Whitson participates in Tuesday's spacewalk near the station's
starboard solar arrays.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew members remain busy after Tuesday's successful spacewalk.

On Wednesday, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani recharged spacesuit batteries and reconfigured tools. They also joined Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko to continue packing items to be discarded in the Progress 26 (P26) cargo craft before its undocking scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20, at 10:56 p.m. EST. Filled with trash and station discarded items, the P26 will deorbit and burn in the Earth's atmosphere. It’s departure will free up the Pirs docking compartment for the arrival of the Progress 27 cargo craft scheduled for Dec. 26.

Whitson and Tani completed the 100th spacewalk in support of station assembly and maintenance on Tuesday, Dec 18. The 6 hour and 56 minute spacewalk ended at 11:46 a.m. EST.

The spacewalkers inspected the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and the Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA). They also removed a trundle bearing assembly, which moves along the race ring in the SARJ, and brought it inside the station for further examination.

Using observations from Whitson and Tani, specialists on the ground will evaluate the problems affecting the SARJ and BGA and determine how to return them to operational mode. Both hardware elements move the solar arrays to track the sun but are temporarily locked in place while they still draw power.

The International Space Station continues to operate normally.

Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani have now completed five spacewalks each. Whitson has surpassed previous station Flight Engineer Suni Williams’ record for cumulative spacewalking time by a woman. Whitson’s total time working outside the International Space Station is 32 hours and 36 minutes.

Source: NASA - Space Station

December 20, 2007. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

The orbital module was integrated with the Soyuz-U launch vehicle in the processing facility.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

December 20, 2007. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

Technical management meeting and Government Commission meeting were convened. On December 21, 2007 a decision is made to roll out Soyuz-U launch vehicle with Progress M-62 transport vehicle to the launch pad.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

December 21, 2007. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

At 4:00 Moscow time Soyuz launch vehicle was rolled out from the integration building to the launch pad. Soyuz-U launch vehicle with Progress M-62 transport vehicle is installed on the launch pad. L-2 days activities have been started.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

Progress to Dock on Wednesday


Image above: An unpiloted Progress 26 resupply vehicle approaches the International
Space Station on Aug. 5, 2007.
Image credit: NASA

A new Progress cargo carrier is scheduled to dock to the International Space Station's Pirs docking compartment at 3:25 a.m. EST Wednesday after a launch just after 2:10 a.m. Sunday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The station's 27th unpiloted Progress spacecraft brings to the orbiting laboratory almost 2.5 tons of propellant, oxygen and dry cargo.

While the Expedition 16 crew members wait for the Progress, they have received more than 6,000 greetings from Earth through a link on the nasa.gov home page.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 commander Peggy A. Whitson participated in the 100th spacewalk for the construction and maintenance of the International Space Station. During the historic 6-hour, 56-minute spacewalk, Whitson and flight engineer Daniel Tani (out of frame) looked for the cause of partial loss of electrical power to one of the station's two Beta Gimbal Assemblies for starboard solar wings and examined damage to the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint. The spacewalk took place on Dec. 18, 2007.

Image credit: NASA

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Source: NASA - Multimedia - Image of the Day Gallery

The press release is reproduced below:

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov

James Rostohar
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
james.a.rostohar@nasa.gov


RELEASE: 07-281

NASA Statement on the Death of Astronaut Dan Tani's Mother

WASHINGTON - The following statement is from Michael Coats, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, regarding the Wednesday, Dec. 19, death of International Space Station Flight Engineer Daniel Tani's mother.

"The entire NASA family grieves with Dan on the unexpected loss of his mother yesterday. We will work to provide Dan and his family with any assistance that they need during this difficult time."

For more information on astronaut Tani, visit:


Source: NASA Press Release 07-282

The press release is reproduced below:

John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov

Nicole Cloutier-Lemaster
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
nicole.cloutier-1@nasa.gov


RELEASE: 07-286

Astronaut Dan Tani's Statement on the Death of His Mother

WASHINGTON - The following statement is from Daniel Tani, NASA astronaut and Expedition 16 flight engineer on the International Space Station, regarding the death of his mother.

"I would like to thank everyone who has expressed their condolences during this time of grieving for me and my family. Living on the space station means that I experience all aspects of life -- be they joyous or tragic -- while circling the Earth without a convenient way to return. Of course, I was aware of this situation before my mission and I fully accept that I will proudly complete my mission on the International Space Station and join my family when I return. My NASA management and colleagues have been fully supportive through this and I would like to thank them for their concern and compassion.

"My mother was a complete joy. Those who knew her will know that words cannot describe her vitality, generosity and warmth. She was my hero. We will all miss her dearly.

"I understand the interest in our lives based upon my job. Please respect our desire for privacy during this difficult time. Thank you."

For more information on astronaut Tani, visit:


For more information on Expedition 16 and the International Space Station, visit:


Source: NASA Press Release 07-286

In accordance with the mission plan of the International Space Station (ISS) and Russian commitments under the ISS project, cargo transportation spacecraft Progress M-62 was launched from Baikonur launch site at 10:12:41 Moscow Time.
The objective of the launch is to deliver to ISS more than 2.4 tons of various cargoes that are needed to support the operation of the space station in manned mode and provide living and working conditions for the crew. Sent from the ground to the orbit were supplies of oxygen, water and food, propellants, consumables, scientific instrumentation and equipment.
The spacecraft was put into a parking orbit with the following parameters: 51.65° inclination, 193.63 km minimal altitude, 251.56 km maximum altitude, 88.65 minutes orbital period.
The onboard systems of the spacecraft operate as designed.
At the launch site, the spacecraft prelaunch processing and launch were performed under the direction of the State Commission (chaired by the head of Roscosmos A.N.Perminov). The Commission was making its decisions to proceed with each next step in processing and launching based on the opinions of the Technical Management headed by the President of RSC Energia, Designer General V.A.Lapota.
According to the telemetry data and reports from the crew of ISS Expedition 16, the space station systems operate in normal mode. The station is ready for docking with the spacecraft.
The spacecraft docking with ISS is scheduled for December 26, 2007, 11:26 Moscow Time, to the docking port on the Pirs docking compartment-module vacated on December 22 by Progress M-61 logistics spacecraft which switched to free flight mode.

For reference:

1. Currently working onboard ISS is a crew consisting of: Peggy Whitson (NASA astronaut, crew Commander), Yuri Malenchenko (test-cosmonaut Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Flight Engineer 1) and Daniel Mitio Tani (NASA astronaut, Flight Engineer 2).
2. S.P.Korolev RSC Energia is the prime manned space flight organization in the Russian rocket and space industry, responsible for the development of the ISS Russian Segment, its integration into the Space Station and its operation, including development and operation of principal Russian modules (Zvezda, Pirs, etc.), manufacturing, launch and operation of Soyuz TMA and Progress M spacecraft.
3. The launch of Progress M-62 spacecraft is the 26th launch within the framework of the Russian commitments under this project.
4. The program of free flight of Progress M-61 calls for conducting space experiments to study Earth atmosphere and plasma blobs occurring during its thruster firings. Upon completion of a 30-day free flight, it is planned to command it into a reentry trajectory and bring it down to its designated impact area in the ocean.