Crew Wraps Up Busy Holiday Week


Image above: The Expedition 16 crew members pose for a Christmas photo in the Zvezda
Service Module of the International Space Station. From the left are Flight Engineer Yuri
Malenchenko, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani.
Image credit: NASA

The three Expedition crew members aboard the International Space Station wrapped up the last full work week of 2007 with science experiments and unloading and stowing materials from a cargo craft that arrived early Wednesday.

The crew worked Friday on a number of biomedical experiments that focus on the long-term effects the station's microgravity environment on the human body. Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko began the day winding up overnight operations of SONOCARD, a Russian experiment which monitors crew physiological functions during sleep.

Later Malenchenko participated in study of the cardiovascular system under stress by working out on the VELO, one of two bicycle-like exercise devices aboard the station, while biomedical equipment collected data on his physical condition. Commander Peggy Whitson assisted Malenchenko.

Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani each took turns working out with the CEVIS cycle ergometer while wearing a heart rate monitor to collect data for their own periodic fitness evaluations.

The crew continues to unload and stow supplies that arrived aboard the Progress 27 cargo craft on Wednesday. The Progress docked to the space station's Pirs docking compartment at 3:14 a.m. EST Wednesday after a launch at 2:12 a.m. Sunday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The station crew members have received more than 6,000 greetings from Earth through a link on the nasa.gov home page.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Well Wishes as Crew Rings in the New Year


Image above: This illustration depicts the International Space Station's configuration as
of Dec. 26, 2007.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew members received New Year’s good wishes from Russian space leaders Anatoly Perminov and Vitaly Lopata. Perminov is the Administrator of Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, and Lopata is the Chief Designer at RSC-Energia.

Gearing up for New Year’s, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko held a space-to-ground news conference with Russian journalists. Also, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani talked to reporters from ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

The crew has been given off-duty days for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Whitson and Tani did work on modifications of the environmental control system in the U.S. laboratory Destiny Monday morning.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew Back to Work in 2008


Image above: This illustration depicts the International Space Station's configuration as
of Dec. 26, 2007.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew is back to work after enjoying a couple of off-duty days in celebration of the New Year.

Wednesday, crew members pressurized and entered Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 (PMA-3) so they could remove a spare Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module, also known as a “broom." The spare will replace a module on the station's starboard side that experienced electrical circuit breaker trips on Dec. 8 and prompted station flight controllers to temporarily lock the 1A Beta Gimbal Assembly into place.

Each solar array wing is mounted to a Beta Gimbal Assembly that allows it to track the sun to maximize power generation.

The "broom" will be replaced during an upcoming spacewalk.

The crew also spent part of its day unloading cargo from the newly docked Progress 27 (P27) resupply ship. The P27 docked to the International Space Station on Dec. 26 bringing new supplies and Christmas gifts.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Speaks to Students, Continues Maintenance


Image above: The Expedition 16 crew members are in the Harmony Node 2 participating
in an educational event with students from Massachusetts.
Image credit: NASA

International Space Station Expedition 16 crew members talked with students from the Robert L. Ford Explorer school in Lynn, Mass., Thursday morning. Using a space-to-ground link, students quizzed the station residents about life in space.

On the International Space Station, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Dan Tani continue unloading cargo from the docked Progress 27 unpiloted resupply ship.

The crew also is working on the removal and replacement of the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA). Located in the Destiny laboratory, the CDRA has been experiencing problems. The CDRA scrubs carbon dioxide from the station's cabin air.

Source: NASA - Space Station

CDRA Reinstalled; International Science Continues on Station


Image above: Flight Engineer Dan Tani gives himself a haircut while Commander Peggy
Whitson looks on.
Image credit: NASA

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani finished the removal and replacement of the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA). Filters in the CDRA were also inspected and cleaned.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko exercised on the Treadmill Vibration Isolation System as part of a Russian experiment. The experiment is designed to study countermeasures to disorders associated with weightlessness and microgravity. Body mass measurements of the crew were also taken for a routine Russian biomedical assessment.

Whitson also activated the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) to begin an experiment last performed during Expedition 13. The experiment, named InSPACE, studies special fluids, or “smart materials”, that may improve such things as braking systems and robotics. In the MSG, the fluids are subjected to a magnetic field and then transition to a solid-like state.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Observes Holiday


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson works with the Microgravity Science Glovebox
in the Destiny lab.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew enjoyed an off duty day on Monday as part of an extended holiday weekend observing the Russian Orthodox Christmas. Early Monday morning, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko received Christmas greetings and blessings from Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexis II.

The crew members also performed routine maintenance, collected water supply readings and completed their regular physical workout program.

On Sunday, working off his “time permitting” discretionary task list, Malenchenko conducted his fifth run of the Russian ocean observations program, using a camcorder to record color contrasts on water surface and irregular cloud cover patterns in target areas.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Prepares for Future Russian Spacewalks


Image above: Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko works in the Zvezda Service Module.
Image credit: NASA

On Tuesday, in preparation for future Russian spacewalks, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko spent the day recharging Orlan spacesuit batteries. He also performed the periodic maintenance of cooling loops for the three Orlan suits currently in the Pirs docking compartment.

Malenchenko did a communications check from each suit to flight controllers at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev as well.

The Expedition 16 crew members also performed routine maintenance, collected water supply readings and completed their regular physical exercise program.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Busy Working with Spacesuits, Science


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson works in the vestibule between the Harmony
node and Destiny lab.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew members completed a busy schedule with a number of activities on Wednesday.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko continued his checkout of the Russian Orlan spacesuits with leak and valve checks in preparation for future Russian spacewalks.

Flight Engineer Dan Tani spent considerable time in the U.S. airlock Quest troubleshooting the audio control panel of an American spacesuit.

Tani and Commander Peggy Whitson also continued working with the InSPACE experiment which studies special fluids, or “smart materials”, that may improve such things as braking systems and robotics. In the Microgravity Science Glovebox, the fluids are subjected to a magnetic field and then transition to a solid-like state.

Later, Tani recorded a narrated station tour video for the Expedition 17 crew, providing a valuable look at the station's interior.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Reboost Set for Friday


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani participate in
an in-flight television interview.
Image credit: NASA TV

A two-minute, 18-second reboost of the station is scheduled for Friday at 7:42 p.m. EST to bring it in the correct position for the launch and docking of the Progress 28 cargo carrier in February.

On Thursday, the Expedition 16 crew members completed a full schedule of activities.

After two days of suit maintenance and refurbishment, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko stowed the Orlan spacesuits for future Russian spacewalks.

In the Destiny lab, Commander Peggy Whitson, assisted by Flight Engineer Dan Tani, replaced the valves on the EXPRESS standardized payload rack system that is used to transport, store and support experiments aboard the station.

The crew also transferred fuel from the Progress 27 resupply craft into the Zvezda service module tanks.

Source: NASA - Space Station

The press release is reproduced below:

Michael Curie
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4715
michael.curie@nasa.gov

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


RELEASE: 08-005

NASA Updates International Space Station Crew Assignments

HOUSTON - NASA has updated assignments for International Space Station expedition crews. The updates reflect changes in the launch schedule for space shuttle missions that will transport rotating crew members.

Astronaut Garrett E. Reisman, a member of the Expedition 16 and 17 crews, now is scheduled to return to Earth on the STS-124 shuttle mission, which is targeted to launch April 24, 2008. He originally was slated to return on STS-126. As planned, Reisman will fly to the station on STS-123, which is targeted to launch in March. He is a native of New Jersey and has a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

Astronaut Gregory E. Chamitoff is scheduled to fly to the station as a mission specialist on STS-124. He will take Reisman's place as an Expedition 17 flight engineer and return to Earth on shuttle mission STS-126, which is targeted to launch Sept. 18, 2008. Chamitoff, who was born in Montreal, Canada, grew up in San Jose, Calif. He has a doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Astronaut Sandra H. Magnus will fly to the station on STS-126 to replace Chamitoff. Magnus, a native of Illinois with a doctorate in material science and engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, will serve as a flight engineer and NASA science officer for part of Expedition 17 and part of Expedition 18. Magnus will return to Earth on shuttle mission STS-119 in the fall of 2008.

Astronaut Koichi Wakata will launch on STS-119 and become the first resident station crew member from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, replacing Magnus on Expedition 18. Wakata will serve as a flight engineer on Expedition 18 and return on STS-127.

Backup crew assignments also have been updated. They are included in the following International Space Station crew lineup:

Expedition 16
Peggy Whitson, NASA astronaut
Yuri Malenchenko, Russian cosmonaut
Daniel Tani, NASA astronaut
Leopold Eyharts, European Space Agency astronaut
Garrett Reisman, NASA astronaut (Backup: Timothy Kopra)

Expedition 17
Sergei Volkov, Russian cosmonaut (Backup: Maxim Suraev)
Oleg Kononenko, Russian cosmonaut (Backup: Oleg Skripochka)
Gregory Chamitoff, NASA astronaut (Backup: Timothy Kopra)
Sandra Magnus, NASA astronaut (Backup: Nicole Stott)

Expedition 18
Michael Fincke, NASA astronaut (Backup: Michael Barratt)
Salizhan Sharipov, Russian cosmonaut (Backup: Yuri Lonchakov)
Koichi Wakata, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut (Backup: Soichi Noguchi)

For astronaut biographical information, visit:


For more information about NASA's International Space Station Program, visit:


Source: NASA Press Release 08-005

Reboost Prepares Station for Future Arrivals


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson, at left, and Flight Engineer Dan Tani work
in the Destiny laboratory.
Image credit: NASA TV

A station reboost scheduled for the International Space Station on Friday, Jan. 11, will place the complex in the correct position for the launch and docking of the Progress 28 cargo carrier in February. The net gain in altitude is about 7 kilometers, or 4.3 statute miles, at the perigee of the station's orbit.

On Friday, the Expedition 16 crew was busy with science experimentation and station maintenance.

Commander Peggy Whitson continued working with the InSPACE experiment which studies special fluids, or “smart materials,” that may improve such things as braking systems and robotics. In the Microgravity Science Glovebox, the fluids are subjected to a magnetic field and then transition to a solid-like state.

Flight Engineer Dan Tani took air samples for the Analyzing Interferometer for Ambient Air (ANITA) experiment, which monitors 32 potential gaseous contaminants in the atmosphere on board the station.

Tani also cleaned the filters and the interior panel ventilation grill of the Zarya module.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew Begins New Week of Science


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson works at the Microgravity Science Glovebox
in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew aboard the International Space Station kicked off a new week of science and spacewalk preparations Monday after enjoying a light-duty weekend.

Flight Engineer Dan Tani used a scopemeter to make a detailed inspection of the replacement Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module (BMRRM) that he and Commander Peggy Whitson will install during a spacewalk set for Jan. 30. During that excursion, the spacewalkers will maneuver along the station's starboard truss to the 1A Solar Array Beta Gimbal Assembly and replace the unit that experienced multiple, simultaneous power trips on Dec. 8.

Whitson conducted another session with the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2 (InSPACE-2) experiment. InSPACE obtains data on fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields that can be used to improve or develop new brake systems and robotics.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko installed and connected cabling for Russian radiation-monitoring hardware.

The crew members also monitored the refueling of Zarya fuel tanks from the ISS Progress 27 resupply craft.

A reboost of the International Space Station on Jan. 11 placed the complex in the correct position for the launch and docking of the ISS Progress 28 cargo carrier in February. The Zvezda service module's engines fired for nearly two minutes, raising the perigee of the station's orbit by about 6 1/2 statute miles.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew Works on Science and Station Maintenance


Image above: Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko uses a communication system while
working in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA

Science experiments and maintenance tasks occupied the Expedition 16 crew's time Tuesday aboard the International Space Station.

Flight Engineer Dan Tani dedicated several hours to cleaning the ventilation grills in the Zvezda service module. Later he continued troubleshooting problems with an audio terminal unit in the Destiny laboratory.

Tani also worked with a Remote Power Control Module (RPCM) circuit breaker box in the Quest Airlock that failed in late December. The RPCM will be used to route electrical loads for other modules that are being added in the near future.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko set up blood test equipment for a Russian biomedical study.

Commander Peggy Whitson conducted another session with the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2 (InSPACE-2) experiment. Because of InSPACE's success during this mission, extra sessions were added to the crew's timeline. InSPACE obtains data on fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields that can be used to improve or develop new brake systems and robotics.

Whitson took a break from her activities to participate in an interview with WHO Radio in Des Moines, Iowa.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Preps Spacesuits for Upcoming Excursion


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko work
in the Pirs docking compartment of the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA

The Expedition 16 crew aboard the International Space Station worked Wednesday on preparing spacesuits for an upcoming spacewalk, conducting science experiments and performing station maintenance.

Flight Engineer Dan Tani focused on preparing the U.S. spacesuits that he and Commander Peggy Whitson will wear during a spacewalk set for Jan. 30. He cleaned and refilled the suits' water loops and conducted routine maintenance on the spacesuit backpacks.

Whitson continued work on the replacement of faulty remote power control modules in the Destiny laboratory. She also conducted two sessions with the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2 (InSPACE-2) experiment. InSPACE obtains data on fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields that can be used to improve or develop new brake systems and robotics.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko replaced cartridges in a micropurification unit, updated the station's inventory management system and performed maintenance on the Elektron oxygen-generating system.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Conducts Training, Reviews Spacewalk


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson works at the Microgravity
Science Glovebox in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA

Aboard the International Space Station, the Expedition 16 crew Thursday worked on science experiments, conducted emergency response training and reviewed procedures for a spacewalk later this month.

Commander Peggy Whitson conducted two sessions with the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2 (InSPACE-2) experiment. InSPACE obtains data on fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields that can be used to improve or develop new brake systems and robotics.

Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani performed routine maintenance on the Crew Health Care System hardware, cleaning fans and smoke detectors.

Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko performed a Russian respiration experiment and deactivated a gas analyzer in the docked Soyuz spacecraft.

After a break for lunch, the crew conducted a training session on emergency responses to depressurization of the space station.

Whitson and Tani participated in a conference with personnel at Mission Control in Houston to review procedures for their spacewalk set for Jan 30. During that excursion, the spacewalkers will maneuver along the station's starboard truss to the 1A Solar Array Beta Gimbal Assembly and replace a Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Crew Wraps Up Busy Week of Science


Image above: Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson works with the temporary
sleep station in the Destiny lab of the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

The International Space Station continued to perform well Friday as the Expedition 16 crew wrapped up a productive week filled with science experiments and station maintenance.

All three crew members--Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Dan Tani--began Friday morning with a routine inspection of their orbital home, followed by the collection of their body mass measurements.

Later, Whitson and Tani uninstalled the temporary sleep station rack to access the last two of five faulty remote power control modules scheduled for replacement this week. After a break for lunch, Whitson replaced the modules, and Tani assisted her in setting the sleep station back up.

Tani joined Malenchenko to continue unloading and inventorying supplies that arrived aboard the ISS Progress 27 cargo craft on Dec. 26. Progress 27 will undock from the station on Feb. 4 to make way for the arrival of Progress 28 on Feb. 7.

The crew completed another successful week of science aboard the orbital outpost. Highlights included multiple sessions with the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 2 (InSPACE-2) experiment. InSPACE obtains data on fluids that change properties in response to magnetic fields that can be used to improve or develop new brake systems and robotics. The crew also worked with the Binary Colloidal Alloy Test 3 (BCAT-3) experiment, which studies tiny nanoscale spheres suspended in liquid to help scientists develop fundamental physics concepts previously cloaked by the effects of gravity.

During the week, the crew also prepared spacesuits and participated in a conference with personnel at Mission Control in Houston to review procedures for the spacewalk set for Jan 30. During that excursion, Whitson and Tani will maneuver along the station's starboard truss to the 1A Solar Array Beta Gimbal Assembly and replace a Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Station Crew Prepares for Visiting Vehicles


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson works with the Destiny laboratory's Microgravity
Science Glovebox.
Image credit: NASA TV

Station crew members are readying the station for the first visit of a new European cargo craft in March. They are testing a satellite navigation system installed in the Zvezda service module which will guide Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicle during rendezvous and docking.

The Progress 27 resupply vehicle, which is docked to the Pirs docking compartment, is due to leave the International Space Station on Monday, Feb. 4. Replacing it three days later will be the Progress 28 which launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Feb. 5.

A Progress 26 (P26) cargo craft, which undocked from the orbiting laboratory in December, re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere and burned up on Tuesday. The P26 remained in orbit for several weeks taking pictures of the Earth’s surface.

InSPACE experiment activities continue in the Destiny laboratory’s Microgravity Science Glovebox. The science experiment studies special fluids, or “smart materials,” which transition to a solid-like state when subjected to a magnetic field. Potential benefits include improved robotics and braking systems.

Source: NASA - Space Station

InSPACE Science, Spacewalk Preparations for Crew


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson (right) and Flight Engineer Dan Tani wave to
the camera while talking to elementary school students from Wichita, KS.
Image credit: NASA TV

An ongoing experiment aboard the International Space Station seeks to study special fluids inside the Destiny laboratory’s Microgravity Science Glovebox. The fluids transition to a solid-like state when they are exposed to a magnetic field. Observations from InSPACE, or Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregrates from Colloidal Emulsions, could be used to improve robotics, braking systems and the design of large structures such as bridges.

The next spacewalk planned for Expedition 16 is scheduled for the morning of Jan. 30. Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani will inspect the station's right solar array gear and remove and replace the "broom" -- the bearing motor roll ring module. They are reviewing procedures and holding conferences with specialists on the ground.

The station’s robotic arm, Canadarm2, is being positioned at the end of the week from Harmony to the starboard side of the truss structure. Over the weekend, cameras on the arm will videotape the condition of a solar array gear as it rotates 360 degrees. The video inspection will assist engineers on the ground as they formulate a plan on future repairs.

Whitson and Tani took time out of their busy schedule on Wednesday and participated in a question and answer session with students from Kansas. The Anderson Elementary students from Wichita asked numerous questions about living and working onboard the space station.

Source: NASA - Space Station

January 27, 2008. 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-63 cargo vehicle with propellant components and compressed gases.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

January 29, 2008. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia.

Progress M-63 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

January 30, 2008. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia.

Progress M-63 transport cargo vehicle was docked with the transfer compartment in the Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Facility.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

Spacewalkers Install New Solar Array Motor, Finish Inspections


Image above: Dan Tani (left) carries the solar array motor back to the Quest airlock while
Peggy Whitson prepares for the SARJ inspection.
Image credit: NASA TV

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani finished their spacewalk at 12:06 p.m. EST Wednesday. They spent 7 hours and 10 minutes outside the International Space Station on the starboard side of the truss structure.

The spacewalkers removed and replaced a Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module (BMRRM) that experienced electrical failures in early December. The BMRRM, or “broom”, drives the solar arrays as they tilt towards the sun maximizing power generation.

While the spacewalkers were still outside, Mission Control switched on the new BMRRM and rotated the solar arrays attached to the Beta Gimbal Assembly.

Whitson and Tani then inspected the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ). The SARJ experienced electrical spikes last year and previous inspections revealed contamination and debris. Also, video inspections of the SARJ took place over the weekend providing data for engineers on the ground.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Spacewalkers Replace Solar Wing Motor

01.30.08

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani replaced a motor at the base of one of the International Space Station's solar wings during a 7-hour, 10-minute spacewalk that ended at 12:06 p.m. EST Wednesday.

Whitson and Tani also inspected a joint that helps rotate the starboard solar arrays during the spacewalk, done from the station's Quest airlock in U.S. spacesuits.


Image above: An Expedition 16 spacewalker translates along the starboard side of the
truss structure to begin SARJ inspections.
Credit: NASA TV

Most of the spacewalk focused on replacement of the motor, the Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module (BMRRM). Called the 'broom," the motor drives the starboard solar wings as they tilt along their axis to follow the sun for optimal power generation as the station orbits the Earth.

Mission Control reported good electrical continuity to the new BMRRM. While spacewalkers were still outside, flight controllers completed a planned 3-degree rotation and then did a 360-degree rotation of those solar wings.

Major activities of the BMRRM replacement took place during the night part of the orbit, when less voltage is generated by the solar wings than when they are exposed to the sun. The replacement BMRRM was retrieved from its stowage place in Pressurized Mating Adapter-3 early this month in preparation for the spacewalk.

The motor is part of the Beta Gimbal Assembly, which experienced electrical failures Dec. 8. The removal and replacement of the BMRRM took about 3 hours, including pauses during the daylight part of the orbit.

The second major task of the spacewalk was inspection of the starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ). That device causes the starboard solar wings to rotate in a paddlewheel-like motion to keep the arrays pointed toward the sun.

Previous inspections revealed contamination and debris inside that joint. Eight SARJ covers were removed for Wednesday’s inspection.

Station Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko helped the crew with suiting up and provided other support. Astronaut Tom Marshburn was the ground intravehicular officer. He was in the station flight control room in Houston's Mission Control Center, acting as spacewalk choreographer.

Once their tasks were completed and after cleanup the spacewalkers re-entered the Quest airlock and closed its hatch. The beginning of repressurization marked the official end of the spacewalk.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

January 31, 2008. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia.

Designers inspection of the Progress M-63 cargo vehicle was completed.



Payload shroud roll on to the cargo vehicle was performed.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

New Solar Array Motor Fully Functional; Crew Preparing for Atlantis


Image above: A spacewalker works along the starboard truss structure outside the
International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani installed a new Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module (BMRRM) Wednesday during a 7 hour and 10 minute spacewalk that concluded at 12:06 p.m. EST

The spacewalkers removed and replaced a BMRRM that experienced electrical failures in early December. The BMRRM, or “broom”, drives the solar arrays as they tilt towards the sun maximizing power generation. On Thursday morning the Electrical Systems Officer reported the new BMRRM is functioning perfectly.

Also on Thursday, the International Space Station crew conducted post-spacewalk maintenance, discharging the spacesuit batteries and reconfiguring the cameras.

Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko later did Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver (RPM) photography training in preparation for the arrival of space shuttle Atlantis during the STS-122 mission. Atlantis is scheduled to launch on Feb. 7 at 2:45 p.m. EST.

Additionally, Space Station managers met Thursday about the readiness of Jules Verne, the European Space Agency's (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle. Jules Verne is scheduled for launch from Kourou, French Guiana, sometime between Feb. 22 and Mar. 9. A launch date for the maiden flight of the new cargo ship is expected to be selected by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain on Feb. 6.

Source: NASA - Space Station

February 01, 2008. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

Orbital module of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, containing Progress M-63 spacecraft was transported from the spacecraft processing facility for the general integration with LV.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

Crew Prepares for Departures and Arrivals


Image above: The Progress 27 is docked to the International Space Station as it passes
over New Zealand.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Progress 27 (P27) cargo ship undocks from the Pirs docking compartment of the space station on Monday at 5:30 a.m. EST. Loaded with trash, the P27 will undock and deorbit to later burn up in the Earth's atmosphere.

This sets the stage for the launch of the Progress 28 (P28) cargo carrier from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday at 8:02 a.m. EST. The station's 28th Progress unpiloted spacecraft brings almost 2.5 tons of fuel, air, water and other supplies and equipment aboard.

The P28 is scheduled to dock to the station’s Pirs docking compartment Thursday, Feb. 7 at 9:38 a.m. EST, about five hours before space shuttle Atlantis' scheduled launch at 2:45 p.m. EST to start the STS-122 mission.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, along with Flight Engineer Dan Tani, monitored the walk-off of the station’s robotic arm, Canadarm2, from the Mobile Transporter System back to the power and data grapple fixture on the Harmony Node on Friday.

On Wednesday, Whitson and Tani installed a new Bearing Motor Roll Ring Module (BMRRM) during a 7-hour and 10-minute spacewalk that concluded at 12:06 p.m. EST. The Electrical Systems Officer has reported the new BMRRM is functioning perfectly.

Source: NASA - Space Station

February 02, 2008. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia.

Orbital module of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, containing Progress M-63 spacecraft was integrated with the Soyuz-U launch vehicle in the processing facility.





Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

February 03, 2008. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia.

Soyuz launch vehicle was rolled out from the integration building to the launch pad. Soyuz-U launch vehicle with Progress M-63 transport vehicle is installed on the launch pad. L-2 days activities have been started.




post continued below...

...continued from above.



Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

Cargo Craft Departure Sets Stage for Week of New Arrivals


Image above: The Progress 27 cargo vehicle undocks from the International Space
Station on Monday.
Image credit: NASA TV

Systems aboard the International Space Station continued to perform well as the Expedition 16 crew prepared for the arrivals of an unpiloted cargo craft and space shuttle Atlantis.

The Progress 27 cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, undocked from the Pirs docking compartment at 5:32 a.m. EST Monday. It will remain in orbit a safe distance from the station to support Earth-observation experiments until Feb. 15, when it will be deorbited to burn up in the atmosphere.

The departure of Progress 27 clears the way for the next unpiloted cargo craft, Progress 28, which is set to launch Tuesday at 8:02 a.m. from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Progress 28 will dock with the station Thursday at 9:38 a.m., just 5 hours, 7 minutes before the launch of Atlantis on the STS-122 mission. The shuttle's crew will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory.

Source: NASA - Space Station

February 5, 2008. Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia.



In accordance with the mission plan of the International Space Station (ISS) and Russian commitments under the ISS project, cargo transportation spacecraft Progress M-63 was launched from Baikonur launch site at 16:02:57 Moscow Time.
The objective of the launch is to deliver to ISS more than 2.5 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.

Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia

Cargo Craft Launches to Space Station

A new Progress cargo carrier launched to the International Space Station at 8:03 a.m. EST Tuesday with more than 2.5 tons of fuel, air, water, propellant and other supplies and equipment aboard.

The Progress 28 unpiloted spacecraft brings to the orbiting laboratory more than 1,165 pounds of propellant, more than 100 pounds of oxygen and air, about 925 pounds of water and 2,925 pounds of dry cargo. Total cargo weight is 5,129 pounds.

Progress 28 is scheduled to dock to the station's Pirs docking compartment at 9:38 a.m. EST Thursday, just 5 hours, 7 minutes before the launch of Atlantis on the STS-122 mission. The shuttle's crew will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory.


Image above: The Progress 27 cargo vehicle undocks from the International Space
Station on Monday.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Progress 27 cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, undocked from the Pirs docking compartment at 5:32 a.m. Monday. It will remain in orbit a safe distance from the station to support Earth-observation experiments until Feb. 15, when it will be deorbited to burn up in the atmosphere.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Progress Launches to Space Station

02.05.08

A new Progress cargo carrier launched to the International Space Station at 8:03 a.m. EST Tuesday with more than 2.5 tons of fuel, air, water, propellant and other supplies and equipment aboard.

Progress 28 is scheduled to dock to the station's Pirs docking compartment at 9:38 a.m. EST Thursday.


Image above: Technicians prepare the Progress 28 cargo carrier for launch.
Image credit: Roscosmos

The station's 28th Progress unpiloted spacecraft brings to the orbiting laboratory more than 1,165 pounds of propellant, more than 100 pounds of oxygen and air, about 925 pounds of water and 2,925 pounds of dry cargo. Total cargo weight is 5,129 pounds.

P28 replaces the trash-filled P27 which was undocked from Pirs on Monday. P27 will be deorbited Feb. 15 and destroyed on re-entry.

P28 will use the automated Kurs system to dock to the station. Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko will be at the manual TORU docking system controls, should his intervention become necessary.

Once Expedition 16 crew members, Malenchenko, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani, have unloaded the cargo, P28 will be filled with trash and station discards. It will be undocked from the station and like its predecessor deorbited to burn in the Earth's atmosphere.

The Progress is similar in appearance and some design elements to the Soyuz spacecraft, which brings crew members to the station, serves as a lifeboat while they are there and returns them to Earth. The aft module, the instrumentation and propulsion module, is nearly identical.

But the second of the three Progress sections is a refueling module, and the third, uppermost as the Progress sits on the launch pad, is a cargo module. On the Soyuz, the descent module, where the crew is seated on launch and which returns them to Earth, is the middle module and the third is called the orbital module.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

Cargo Craft Launches to Space Station


Image above: This nocturnal view of the Glendale/Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona area was photographed
by one of the Expedition 16 crew members aboard the International Space Station. During
the last week, this area has been teeming with tens of thousands of football fans here for
a big football game in Glendale on Feb. 3.
Image credit: NASA TV

A new Progress cargo carrier launched to the International Space Station at 8:03 a.m. EST Tuesday with more than 2.5 tons of fuel, air, water, propellant and other supplies and equipment aboard.

The Progress 28 unpiloted spacecraft brings to the orbiting laboratory more than 1,165 pounds of propellant, more than 100 pounds of oxygen and air, about 925 pounds of water and 2,925 pounds of dry cargo. Total cargo weight is 5,129 pounds.

Progress 28 is scheduled to dock to the station's Pirs docking compartment at 9:38 a.m. EST Thursday, just 5 hours, 7 minutes before the launch of Atlantis on the STS-122 mission. The shuttle's crew will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory.

To clear the way for Progress 28, the Progress 27 cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items, undocked at 5:32 a.m. Monday. It will remain in orbit a safe distance from the station to support Earth-observation experiments until Feb. 15, when it will be deorbited to burn up in the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, as they await the arrivals of Progress 28 and Atlantis, the Expedition 16 crew Tuesday worked on science experiments and station maintenance. They also participated in a practice drill to mimic an evacuation from the station in the event of an emergency.

Source: NASA - Space Station

In accordance with the mission plan and Russian commitments under the International Space Station (ISS) project, a cargo transportation spacecraft Progress M-63 was launched from Baikonur launch site at 16:02:57 Moscow Time.
The objective of the launch is to deliver to ISS more than 2.5 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 low-Earth orbit with the following parameters: 51.63° inclination, 191.2 km minimal altitude, 263.6 km maximum altitude, 88.77 minutes orbital period. The onboard systems of the spacecraft operate normally.
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 basing its decisions to proceed with each next step in processing and launching on the opinions of the Technical Management headed by the President of RSC Energia, Designer General V.A.Lopota.
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 February 7, 2008, 17:38 Moscow Time, to the docking port on the Pirs docking compartment-module vacated on February 4 by Progress M-62 logistics spacecraft which went into 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 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. Progress M-63 is the 27th Russian logistics spacecraft launched to ISS within the framework of this project.
4. Currently conducted at S.P.Korolev RSC Energia are scheduled factory tests on Progress M-64 and the first Progress-type spacecraft belonging to a new modification. This modification has improved spacecraft structure and on-board systems, its instrumentation is built using state-of-the-art digital technology components, which permits to increase its upmass and enhance its functionality.
5. The program of free flight of Progress M-62 calls for conducting space experiments to study plasma blobs occurring during its thruster firings. Upon completion of its free-flight mission, the spacecraft is to be commanded it into a reentry trajectory and brought down to its designated impact area in the ocean on February 15, 2008.

Source: S.P. Korolev RSC Energia - Press Release

Station Crew Prepares for Arrivals


Image above: Commander Peggy Whitson (bottom) and Flight Engineer Dan Tani work
in the Destiny Laboratory.
Image credit: NASA TV

The new Progress 28 (P28) cargo carrier, launched to the International Space Station at 8:03 a.m. EST Tuesday, is right on course for docking to Pirs docking compartment Thursday at 9:38 a.m. The docking is set to occur just 5 hours and 7 minutes before the scheduled launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission at 2:45 p.m.

The P28 unpiloted spacecraft brings to the orbiting laboratory more than 1,165 pounds of propellant, more than 100 pounds of oxygen and air, about 925 pounds of water and 2,925 pounds of dry cargo. Total cargo weight is 5,129 pounds.

On Wednesday, Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko tagged up with Russian flight controllers in Moscow to review procedures for the docking of P28.

The crew also conducted a routine emergency fire drill, inspecting hatches in the U.S. Operating Segment in preparation for Atlantis' scheduled docking Saturday. The shuttle's crew will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Progress Docks to Space Station


Image above: The Progress 28 cargo carrier approaches the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV.

The new Progress 28 (P28) cargo carrier, launched to the International Space Station at 8:03 a.m. EST Tuesday, docked to Pirs docking compartment Thursday at 9:30 a.m. The docking occurred 5 hours, 15 minutes before the scheduled launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission at 2:45 p.m.

The P28 unpiloted spacecraft brings to the orbiting laboratory more than 1,165 pounds of propellant, more than 100 pounds of oxygen and air, about 925 pounds of water and 2,925 pounds of dry cargo. Total cargo weight is 5,129 pounds.

On Wednesday, Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko tagged up with Russian flight controllers in Moscow to review procedures for the docking of P28.

The crew also conducted a routine emergency fire drill, inspecting hatches in the U.S. Operating Segment in preparation for Atlantis' scheduled docking Saturday. The shuttle's crew will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Progress Docks to Space Station

02.07.08

A new Progress cargo carrier docked to the International Space Station's Pirs docking compartment at 9:30 a.m. EST Thursday with more than 2.5 tons of fuel, air, water, propellant and other supplies and equipment aboard.


Image above: Progress 28 approaches the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

The station's 28th Progress unpiloted spacecraft brings to the orbiting laboratory more than 1,165 pounds of propellant, more than 100 pounds of oxygen and air, about 925 pounds of water and 2,925 pounds of dry cargo. Total cargo weight is 5,129 pounds.

P28 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 8:03 a.m. EST. It replaces the trash-filled P27 which was undocked from Pirs on Monday. P27 will be deorbited Feb. 15 and destroyed on re-entry.

P28 used the automated Kurs system to dock to the station. Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko was at the manual TORU docking system controls, should his intervention have become necessary.

Once Expedition 16 crew members, Malenchenko, Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Dan Tani, have unloaded the cargo, P28 will be filled with trash and station discards. It will be undocked from the station and like its predecessor deorbited to burn in the Earth's atmosphere.

The Progress is similar in appearance and some design elements to the Soyuz spacecraft, which brings crew members to the station, serves as a lifeboat while they are there and returns them to Earth. The aft module, the instrumentation and propulsion module, is nearly identical.

But the second of the three Progress sections is a refueling module, and the third, uppermost as the Progress sits on the launch pad, is a cargo module. On the Soyuz, the descent module, where the crew is seated on launch and which returns them to Earth, is the middle module and the third is called the orbital module.

Source: NASA - Space Station - Expeditions

Expedition 16 Awaits Arrival of New Lab, Crew Member


Image above: Flight Engineer Dan Tani (left) and Commander Peggy Whitson watch a live
uplink of the launch of space shuttle Atlantis.
Image credit: NASA TV

With the successful launch of space shuttle Atlantis, the stage is set for changes at the International Space Station and for its crew.

Atlantis lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.’s Launch Pad 39A at 2:45 p.m. EST Thursday to begin a two-day chase of the station. The STS-122 mission will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, 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.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will make final preparations for STS-122’s arrival. Docking is scheduled for 12:25 p.m. Saturday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Awaits Arrival of New Lab, Crew Member


Image above: Flight Engineer Dan Tani (left) and Commander Peggy Whitson conduct an
interview from the Destiny Laboratory of the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

With the successful launch of space shuttle Atlantis, the stage is set for changes at the International Space Station and for its crew.

Atlantis lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.’s Launch Pad 39A at 2:45 p.m. EST Thursday to begin a two-day chase of the station. The STS-122 mission will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, 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.

Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko and Tani will make final preparations for STS-122’s arrival. Docking is scheduled for 12:25 p.m. Saturday.

Source: NASA - Space Station

Expedition 16 Welcomes Atlantis Crew


Image above: Space shuttle Atlantis docks with the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA TV

The Expedition 16 crew welcomed the STS-122 astronauts to the International Space Station for the first time after the hatches between the station and space shuttle Atlantis opened at 1:40 p.m. EST today.

Atlantis docked with station at 12:17 p.m., bringing with it the newest station research module – 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 crews will prepare for the first of three scheduled STS-122 spacewalks and the scheduled installation of the Columbus laboratory.

Source: NASA - Space Station

First STS-122 Spacewalk Has Begun


Image above: Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Stan Love work with the Columbus
laboratory during the first spacewalk of the STS-122 mission.
Image credit: NASA TV

The first of three scheduled STS-122 spacewalks is under way. The spacewalkers are preparing European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory for installation on the International Space Station.

The Expedition 16 crew welcomed the space shuttle Atlantis crew to the space station for the first time after the hatches between the station and space shuttle Atlantis opened at 1:40 p.m. EST Saturday.

Atlantis docked with the station at 12:17 p.m., bringing with it the newest station research module – the Columbus laboratory. Also traveling with STS-122 is a new Expedition 16 crew member, European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who replaced Flight Engineer Daniel Tani.

Source: NASA - Space Station

11 February 2008

Born in Ghent, Belgium, 25 April 1961. He is married and has three children. Enjoys football, small PC applications, gastronomy. In January 2000, Frank De Winne joined the European Astronaut Corps of the European Space Agency (ESA), whose homebase is the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. In August 2001, De Winne took up training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre (GCTC), Star City, near Moscow. Training includes elements of Basic Training for the International Space Station as well as training as Soyuz board engineer.
He is now preparing for a flight to the ISS on the Taxi flight No. 4 scheduled for October 2002. He will serve as flight engineer on Soyuz TMA during ascend, and on Soyuz TM during reentry. This will be the first flight of the newly designed Soyuz TMA Spacecraft.
During his 8-day stay onboard ISS he will conduct an international science programme both in the Russian and American segment.

Credits: ESA- J-L.Atteleyn

ESA PR 09-2008. With the Columbus mission well under way, the space station programme has assigned crews for the next flight opportunities. Belgian ESA astronaut Frank De Winne joins Expedition 19 and will spend six months on the ISS in 2009. In May 2009, he will fly together with Russian cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS.

The arrival of Frank De Winne and his two crewmates will for the first time expand the station’s crew size to six. They will join Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, the Expedition 19 commander, and NASA astronauts Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott. By then, the Japanese Kibo laboratory will also be attached to the ISS.



Frank De Winne has been back-up for French ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts for the ongoing Columbus mission. Like Eyharts, De Winne trained on the Shuttle, the ISS and on Columbus and the ATV. He is therefore already very familiar with those spacecraft. Moreover, he spent 12 days in space and onboard the ISS in 2002 for ESA’s Odissea mission. On 30 October 2002, he launched with the new Russian Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan; during that mission, Frank De Winne carried out a complete package of scientific experiments, technology demonstrations and education activities.

The back-up for Frank De Winne for the second European long-term mission to the ISS in May 2009 will be André Kuipers, ESA astronaut of Dutch nationality. Kuipers has also already been to the ISS. He flew in April 2004 on the Russian Soyuz TMA-4 spacecraft and spent 12 days in space during the Delta mission. Like De Winne he conducted a fully-fledged package of scientific experiments, technology demonstrations and education activities.



Once the European Columbus laboratory has been attached to the ISS, ESA will not only be an essential operational partner in the ISS, but will also have a 8.3% share in the station's resources. The corresponding share in crew time allows ESA to send one European astronaut for a six-month stay on the ISS every second year. Frank De Winne’s flight is based on this part of the agreement between the ISS programme partners. He will conduct scientific experiments, technology demonstrations and educational activities during his stay on the ISS, along with various operational tasks on all the station's international elements.

For further information:
ESA Media Relations Office
Communication and Knowledge Department

Tel: + 33 1 5369 7299
Fax: + 33 1 5369 7690

Source: ESA - News

Longueuil, Quebec, February 11, 2008 The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), today announced that two Canadian Space Agency astronauts would be taking part in space missions in 2009.

"Guided by our Science and Technology Strategy, we are investing in talented, skilled and creative Canadians like Julie Payette and Dr. Robert Thirsk who have dedicated their professional lives in the service of discovery," said Minister Prentice. "Canadians can be proud of our contributions to space exploration and excited by the new chapters that will be written by our Canadian Astronauts in these upcoming missions."
Julie Payette will be on the Space Shuttle Endeavour for mission STS-127, with launch planned for April 2009. During mission STS-127, the crew will deliver the last elements of the Kibo laboratory contributed by the Japanese space agency, JAXA, to the International Space Station. The components are the external experiment module and its space platform. The Space Shuttle's six astronauts will take part in the mission. Julie Payette will serve as a mission specialist.


From the left are Guy Bujold, acting President of the
Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Canadian astronaut
Julie Payette, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of
Industry and the Minister responsible for the CSA, and
Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk. They are together
today as it is announced that the two astronauts will be
taking part in space missions to the International Space
Station in 2009: Robert Thirsk in the long-duration flight
Expedition 19, and Julie Payette as a mission specialist
on STS-127. (Photo: CSA)

This will be Julie Payette's second mission in space and onboard the International Space Station—she took part in the STS-96 mission on board the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1999.

In May 2009, Dr. Robert Thirsk will be taking part in Expedition 19, becoming the first Canadian to remain on the International Space Station for a long stay, living there for 4 to 6 months. He will also be a member of the crew for the transition to a team of six astronauts living together continuously aboard the Station.

Since 2000, the Station has been inhabited permanently, and the astronauts and cosmonauts occupying it change upon the arrival of crew replacements. Robert Thirsk will fly to the ISS aboard a Soyuz craft that will be launched from Baikonour, in Kazahkstan.

Dr. Thirsk took part in mission STS-78, in 1996, on board the Space Shuttle Columbia, serving as a payload specialist.

About the Canadian Space Agency

Established in 1989, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) coordinates all civil, space-related policies and programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. CSA directs its resources and activities through four key thrusts: Earth Observation, Space Science and Exploration, Satellite Communications, and Space Awareness and Learning. By leveraging international cooperation, the CSA generates world-class scientific research and industrial development for the benefit of humanity.

Information:
Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001

Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: (450) 926-4370
www.space.gc.ca

Source: CSA Press Release

Station Gets New Scientific Capabilities


Image above: Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Stan Love work with the Columbus
laboratory during the first spacewalk of the STS-122 mission.
Image credit: NASA TV

The International Space Station grew Monday when STS-122 and Expedition 16 crew members used the station’s robotic arm to attach the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus laboratory to the Harmony module. Robot arm operators completed the installation at 4:44 p.m. EST.

At 5:11 p.m., STS-122 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Stanley Love completed a 7-hour, 58-minute spacewalk, during which they installed the Power Data Grapple Fixture on Columbus in preparation for the module’s connection to the station.

Walheim and Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel will continue preparing Columbus for its work during STS-122’s second spacewalk, slated to take place Wednesday at 9:35 a.m.

Source: NASA - Space Station

11 February 2008



The European Columbus laboratory has completed its voyage to the International Space Station. Columbus was officially attached to the right side of the Harmony module at 22:44 CET this evening.

ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who was at the controls of the Station's robotic arm for the final capture and initial berthing of Columbus, reported to Mission Control, "The European Columbus module is now part of the ISS."
Columbus was installed during the first spacewalk of the STS-122 mission. From outside the ISS, astronauts Rex Walheim and Stanley Love prepared the module for installation before the Station's robotic arm was used to lift Columbus into position.

“Another great day for the European Space Agency. A great day for our European industry and a great day for Europe in general.” said Alan Thirkettle, ESA’s ISS Programme Manager.

“Now we have four of the international partners with their elements on the Station. It is really becoming the international Space Station. We are very much looking forward to having the fifth partner join us next month.” he added.

The hatch between the ISS and the Columbus laboratory will be opened for the first time tomorrow, Tuesday 12 February. Partial ingress will occur at 14:50 CET. Wearing a protective glasses and a facemask, Léopold Eyharts will enter Columbus for the very first time to start initial activation of the module. Full ingress is scheduled for 20:55 CET.

Walheim and ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel also will continue to prepare the Columbus laboratory when they perform STS-122’s second spacewalk on Wednesday.

Source: ESA - News

Station Gets New Scientific Capabilities


Image above: Space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay is empty after the station's robotic arm
attached the Columbus laboratory to its new home on the Harmony Node.
Image credit: NASA TV

The International Space Station grew Monday when STS-122 and Expedition 16 crew members used the station’s robotic arm to attach the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus laboratory to the Harmony module. Robot arm operators completed the installation Monday at 4:44 p.m. EST.

At 5:11 p.m., STS-122 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Stanley Love completed a 7-hour, 58-minute spacewalk, during which they installed the Power Data Grapple Fixture on Columbus in preparation for the module’s connection to the station.

Walheim and Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel will continue preparing Columbus for its work during STS-122’s second spacewalk, slated to take place Wednesday at 9:35 a.m.

Source: NASA - Space Station

12 February 2008



The STS-122 and International Space Station crews are busy with tasks to activate the European Columbus laboratory. Attached to the Station during a spacewalk on Monday, Columbus’ hatch was opened for the first time at 15:08 CE